bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Switching From Fear to No Fear by Different Neural Ensembles in Mouse Retrosplenial Cortex
Authors: Wang Guangyu , Xie Hong , Wang Lun , Luo Wenhan , Wang Yixiang , Jiang Jun , Xiao Chun , Xing Feng , Guan Ji-Song
Published: February 2019

Fear extinction is generally considered a form of new learning that inhibits previously acquired fear memories. Here, by tracking immediate early gene expression in vivo, we found that contextual fear extinction training evoked distinct neural ensembles in mouse retrosplenial cortex (RSC). The optogenetic reactivation of these extinction-activated neurons in the RSC was sufficient to suppress a fear response, while the reactivation of conditioning-activated neurons in the same area promoted a fear response. The generation of such an extinction-memory-related neural ensemble was associated with adult neurogenesis, as abolishing newborn neurons in the adult hippocampus via X-ray irradiation eliminated both the extinction-activated neurons in the RSC and the optogenetic-reactivation-induced suppression of contextual fear memory. Therefore, switching from fear to no fear in response to the same context is modulated by the RSC through an extinction-activated neural ensemble, the generation of which might require adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus.
The Role of Redox Dysregulation in the Effects of Prenatal Stress on Embryonic Interneuron Migration
Authors: Bittle Jada , Menezes Edenia C , McCormick Michael L , Spitz Douglas R , Dailey Michael , Stevens Hanna E
Published: February 2019

Maternal stress during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of psychiatric disorders in offspring, but embryonic brain mechanisms disrupted by prenatal stress are not fully understood. Our lab has shown that prenatal stress delays inhibitory neural progenitor migration. Here, we investigated redox dysregulation as a mechanism for embryonic cortical interneuron migration delay, utilizing direct manipulation of pro- and antioxidants and a mouse model of maternal repetitive restraint stress starting on embryonic day 12. Time-lapse, live-imaging of migrating GAD67GFP+ interneurons showed that normal tangential migration of inhibitory progenitor cells was disrupted by the pro-oxidant, hydrogen peroxide. Interneuron migration was also delayed by in utero intracerebroventricular rotenone. Prenatal stress altered glutathione levels and induced changes in activity of antioxidant enzymes and expression of redox-related genes in the embryonic forebrain. Assessment of dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence after prenatal stress in ganglionic eminence (GE), the source of migrating interneurons, showed increased levels of DHE oxidation. Maternal antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine and astaxanthin) normalized DHE oxidation levels in GE and ameliorated the migration delay caused by prenatal stress. Through convergent redox manipula-tions, delayed interneuron migration after prenatal stress was found to critically involve redox dysregulation. Redox biology during prenatal periods may be a target for protecting brain development.
Performance of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography for Staging Liver Fibrosis in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C After Viral Eradication
Authors: Chen Sheng-Hung , Lai Hsueh-Chou , Chiang I-Ping , Su Wen-Pang , Lin Chia-Hsin , Kao Jung-Ta , Chuang Po-Heng , Hsu Wei-Fan , Wang Hung-Wei , Chen Hung-Yao , Huang Guan-Tarn , Peng Cheng-Yuan
Published: February 2019

Background

Data on noninvasive liver fibrosis staging after viral eradication are unclear. This histology-based study validated the performance of liver stiffness (LS) measurements after viral eradication.

Methods

Consecutive participants with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) who received concomitant LS measurements through acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography and percutaneous liver biopsy were prospectively screened and analyzed.

Results

Of the 644 patients, 521 (80.9%) underwent a biopsy at treatment baseline, and the remaining 123 (19.1%) underwent a biopsy at 3 years (median; interquartile range, 0.1) after the sustained virological response (SVR) to pegylated interferon–based and direct-acting antiviral treatments. The proportions of histological fibrosis stages did not differ significantly between the pretreatment and post-SVR groups (P = .0615). However, the LS values differed significantly (P < .0001). The median LS values (presented as shear wave velocities in meters per second) were 1.51 (0.92) for the pretreatment group and 1.22 (0.77) for the post-SVR group. The cutoffs (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve, obtained using the bootstrap method) to dichotomize between METAVIR fibrosis stage F1 versus stages F2–F4, F1–F2 versus F3–F4, and F1–F3 versus F4 were 1.47 (0.8333, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7981–0.8663), 1.81 (0.8763, 95% CI 0.8376–0.9107), and 1.86 (0.8811, 95% CI 0.8378–0.9179) in the pretreatment group, respectively, and 1.22 (0.7872, 95% CI 0.7001–0.8624), 1.59 (0.8808, 95% CI 0.8034–0.9422), and 1.75 (0.9018, 95% CI 0.8201–0.9644) in the post-SVR group, respectively.

Conclusions

The performance of LS measurements through ARFI elastography is promising to determine the liver fibrosis stage on necroinflammation-resolved histology in CHC after viral eradication.
Machine Learning Support for EU Funding Project Categorization
Authors: Zamazal Ondřej
Published: February 2019

European Union reallocates its money to their member states using different kinds of funding. EU member states categorize EU funding projects using their own categorization system. While EU prepared an integrated European categorization system, many EU members do not use it in their reports. This hinders a straightforward fiscal analysis. The article aims at an automatic support for categorization of EU funding projects by Machine Learning. The experiments showed that Support Vector Machines (SVM) is the top performance Machine Learning algorithm for this task. We experimented with the SVM classifier and the results disclosed that by employing this approach we can classify EU funding projects using a lexical description better than a baseline (i.e. the classification to a major class). Further, we experienced that the approach using the natural language translator outperforms the approach using the word sense disambiguation. Finally, we investigated the influence of the length of project description on the performance of the classifier. The results showed that while there was a positive correlation between the length of project description and the classifier performance for project descriptions in English, in the case of project description in Non-English languages the classifier performed better for shorter project descriptions. In future, we plan to build a new online application which would use the classifier on the back-end and a user would get a category recommendation on the front-end using a visualization of the EU categorization system.
Understanding local adaptation in a freshwater salmonid fish: evolution of a research programme
Authors: Vøllestad L Asbjørn , Primmer Craig R
Published: February 2019

Linking ecology and evolution can be challenging, particularly as these fields evolve rapidly tracking technological and theoretical developments. Thus, it is important for practitioners of different biological disciplines to understand new opportunities and challenges. Since theory and methods evolve, so will research programmes—often tracking opportunity. Here, we describe a research programme where we have investigated the population biology of grayling Thymallus thymallus in a Norwegian alpine landscape over three decades. Starting with classical ecological studies, we identified a set of populations that had evolved population-specific phenotypic traits over a relatively short time span (10–30 generations). These observations led us into evolutionary studies at various levels of biological organization, using population and quantitative genetic, transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. Overall, the results show that the populations exhibit evolutionary responses to local-scale differences in environment (mainly water temperature during early development). Further, plastic responses are important in the early phase of population diversification. Population genomic studies are now becoming possible following the completion of an annotated genome. This will help us and others in addressing questions about the genetic architecture of traits important for local adaptation, thus emphasizing that combining ecological and evolutionary approaches is more important and interesting than ever.
Non-compliance and Non-response in Randomised School Meals Experiment: Evidence from Rural Senegal†
Authors: Azomahou Théophile T , Diagne Abdoulaye , Diallo Fatoumata L
Published: February 2019

School meals have been introduced as an important policy tool to improve education outcomes and pupil’s nutritional status. This study uses a unique and large-scale randomised field experiment to assess the effectiveness of such programmes on pupils’s performance (test scores in French, mathematics and the aggregate) and on the internal efficiency of schools (enrolment, promotion, repetition and dropout) in rural Senegal. We show that attrition and non-compliance occurred not at random in the experiment. Relying on the average treatment effect and the complier effects, we find that the programme has a positive and significant impact on pupils’ scores and on the enrolment rate. However, the repetition rate increased. The intervention has a marked gender effect. Cost-effectiveness analysis shows that deworming intervention is more cost-effective than school meals.
The relevant market in competition law: a legal concept
Authors: Robertson Viktoria H S E
Published: February 2019

In competition law, the relevant market acts as a filter that delineates that part of commerce within which competition law assesses companies’ market behaviour. This contribution considers how competition law can reconcile the legal concept of the relevant market with its economic roots. It argues that for market definition—like for many an economic concept—a spectrum opens up between law and economics. On the economics side of the spectrum, economics may take on a more determinative role almost amounting to normative force. This places considerable pressure on the integrity of economics. On the law side of the spectrum, the relevant market is looked at through the prism of the law and is seen as a legal concept building upon an economic one. Here, economics is assigned an interpretive role. A plethora of different positions are possible along the spectrum, and different actors may place themselves at different locations under different circumstances or at different points in time. If it is acknowledged that the relevant market concept acquires a distinct legal conception through its incorporation into the competition laws, then this has far-reaching repercussions on our entire conception of competition law. This view effectively calls into question not only competition law’s understanding of the relevant market, but also the prevailing understanding of other shared legal and economic concepts.
Clinical impact of intraoperative electronic health record downtime on surgical patients
Authors: Harrison Andrew M , Siwani Rizwan , Pickering Brian W , Herasevich Vitaly
Published: February 2019

Objective

Despite increased use of electronic health records (EHRs), the clinical impact of system downtime is unknown.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective matched cohort study evaluated the impact of EHR downtime episodes lasting more than 60 minutes over a 6-year study period. Patients age 18 years or older who underwent surgical procedures at least 60 minutes in duration with an inpatient stay exceeding 24 hours within the study period were eligible for inclusion. Out of 4115 patients exposed to 1 of 176 EHR downtime episodes, 4103 patients were matched to an unexposed cohort in a 1:1 ratio. Multivariable regression analysis, as well as trend analysis for effect of duration of downtime on outcomes, was performed.

Results

Downtime-exposed patients had operating room duration 1.1 times longer (p < .001) and postoperative length of stay 1.04 times longer (p = .007) compared to unexposed patients. The 30-day mortality rates were similar between these groups (odds ratio 1.26, p > .05). In trend analysis, there was no association between duration of downtime with respect to evaluated outcomes, postoperative length of stay, and 30-day mortality.

Conclusion

EHR downtime had no impact on 30-day mortality. Potential associations for increased postoperative length of stay and duration of time spent in the operating room were observed among downtime-exposed patients. No trend effect was observed with respect to duration of downtime and postoperative length of stay and 30-day mortality rates.
Small Price Responses to Large Demand Shocks
Authors: Gagnon Etienne , López-Salido David
Published: February 2019

We study the pricing response of U.S. supermarkets to large demand shocks triggered by labor conflicts, mass population displacement, and shopping sprees around major snowstorms and hurricanes. We find that these large swings in demand have, at best, modest effects on the level of retail prices, consistent with flat short- to medium-term supply curves. This finding holds even when shocks are highly persistent and despite the fact that stores adjust prices frequently. We also provide evidence that retailers maintain frequent promotional sales even as their demand varies and that they seek to match movements in their local competitors’ recourse to promotional sales.
Creating the empire
Authors: Falcucci Beatrice
Published: February 2019

The Istituto Agricolo Coloniale Italiano was established in Florence in 1904 by Professor Gino Bartolommei Gioli, whose aim was to create a study centre that would support Italian colonial policy, contribute to the training of experts on tropical agriculture, and inspire admiration and love for Italy’s colonies. The nation's overseas empire was, in the opinion of many intellectuals, greatly neglected both by the Italian population at large and by the industrial leaders, who commonly disregarded the potential and richness of the colonies. The museum formed an essential part of the colonial project, displaying the material aspect of the African territories, presenting their economic potential, addressing the colonies as a place where Italians could invest and stimulating their imperial vocations. This article interrogates the museum and its evolution as an educational tool, from the first decade of the twentieth century to the post-colonial era, focusing on the history of the colonial collection and on how it was exhibited.
Historical Overview of Personality Disorders
Authors: Widiger Thomas A.
Published: February 2019

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an historical overview of the classification of personality disorders. The chapter will cover the first through the fifth editions of the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual, although emphasis will be given to the more recent editions. Considered in particular are the various components of the proposals for DSM-5, including the deletion of five diagnoses, the inclusion of a psychodynamically-oriented level of personality functioning scale, the replacement of specific and explicit criterion sets first with narrative prototype matching and subsequently with newly developed hybrid criterion sets, and the inclusion of a dimensional trait model. Covered as well will be the World Health Organization’s diagnostic system for the personality disorders, including a dimensional trait model along with a borderline pattern qualifier, which may in fact meet with final approval. Attention will be given in particular to controversies that beset each edition, particularly with respect to complexity and empirical support. The chapter concludes with suggestions for future editions.
The Principles of Personality Trait Development and Their Relation to Psychopathology
Authors: Roberts Brent W. , Damian Rodica I.
Published: February 2019

This chapter reviews five empirically supported principles of personality development: cumulative continuity (i.e., increasing trait stability across development), maturity (i.e., persons grow more socially adapted across development), social investment (i.e., commitment to socially conventional roles promotes maturity), corresponsiveness (i.e., persons choose environments that support their personalities), and plasticity (i.e., personality change can occur throughout the life course). Evidence for each of these principles is reviewed. Finally, implications for psychopathology are drawn.
Personality as Adaptation
Authors: Capitanio John P. , Mason William A.
Published: February 2019

This chapter examines personality in nonhuman primates where personality is seen as a dynamic, whole-organism phenomenon. Whereas in humans, the concept of personality is applied to persisting differences between individuals, in the world of animal biology, it is a concept that also describes species differences in adaptation to the environment, as well as population differences within the same species. The idea that personality reflects adaptation—at the species, population, and individual levels—is discussed from comparative/ecological, developmental, and evolutionary perspectives. The evidence that personality reflects adaptation is then used to discuss the existence, and persistence, of personality disorders in humans. The authors conclude that a broader, comparative perspective on the phenomenon of personality can provide novel ideas about what personality is, how it develops, and the value that it provides for organisms.
Molecular Trait Psychology
Authors: Canli Turhan
Published: February 2019

This chapter discusses the field of molecular psychology, which applies the tools of molecular biology (e.g., candidate gene studies, genome-wide association studies, optogenetics, genome editing) to the study of behavior and its underlying neural structures and functions. Specifically, the chapter reports on research that applies these tools to personality traits.
Introduction
Authors: Sharpless Brian A.
Published: February 2019

This introductory chapter discusses the complexity of psychotherapy in general and the difficulty of learning psychodynamic therapy in particular. After discussing historical reasons for the latter (e.g., inconsistent definitions of key terms across authors; significant theoretical developments over the past 120 years), the author details his approach to differentiating the various psychodynamic techniques. Specifically, the individual techniques are distinguished from one another according to their clinical intentions. Next, the book outlines the background knowledge required to make the most use of this work (e.g., experience with psychodynamic case formulation and risk assessment). Finally, the three sections of the book and the appendix are briefly outlined.
Do We Really Need Psychodynamic Therapy?1
Authors: Sharpless Brian A.
Published: February 2019

This research-focused chapter attempts to justify the continued relevance of psychodynamic therapy for clinical practice. Evidence collected over the past several decades indicates that it is a flexible treatment, at least as effective as other approaches, and leads to significant reductions in patient healthcare costs. In addition, psychodynamic therapy may be associated with unique clinical benefits beyond symptom reduction. Further, a number of important psychodynamic constructs (e.g., the therapeutic alliance, attachment theory) have been adopted by other orientations, and this trend continues to the present (e.g., corrective emotional experiences, mentalization). Finally, the current and future challenges for psychodynamic therapy are briefly reviewed.
The Supportive–Expressive Continuum
Authors: Sharpless Brian A.
Published: February 2019

Psychodynamic therapy can be flexibly applied to a wide range of psychopathology. However, different patient problems imply different techniques. If inappropriate interventions are used, therapy progress could stall or negative patient events could occur. A useful tool for selecting the best mix of psychodynamic techniques is the supportive–expressive continuum. When patients are properly situated on this continuum, it is far easier to choose interventions. After the different intentions of the more purely supportive or expressive therapies are described, the clinical indicators for each approach are listed. Finally, patient transitions along the continuum (i.e., they require a different mix of supportive and expressive techniques) are discussed with suggestions on how to make these changes while minimizing therapy disruptions.
Foundational Techniques Part I
Authors: Sharpless Brian A.
Published: February 2019

There are a number of “basic” psychodynamic techniques that serve as a foundation for more specific interventions (e.g., interpretations). Therapist silence is one of these, and its usage varies greatly according to a patient’s relative location on the supportive–expressive continuum. After discussing the purpose and potential meanings of therapist silence, suggestions are made for effectively using this technique in session. Next, ways of fostering patient free association are noted. This can differ markedly according to duration of treatment (e.g., a short-term, manualized therapy vs. a more open-ended psychotherapy). The chapter ends with a discussion of how therapists can listen in a psychodynamic manner. First, Freud’s early concept of evenly-hovering attention is evaluated in the context of contemporary psychodynamic theory. Next, the 4 channels of communication available to psychodynamic therapists are discussed. These include what is said, what is not said, nonverbal behavior, and information gained from countertransference.
Foundational Techniques Part II
Authors: Sharpless Brian A.
Published: February 2019

This second chapter on foundational techniques begins with a discussion of how psychodynamic therapists typically behave. These behaviors often differ markedly from normal social conventions but help maintain professional boundaries and a therapeutic focus on the patient. An example of this is therapist ambiguity, or limiting the patient’s general knowledge about the therapist’s personal history and beliefs (e.g., limiting reciprocal self-disclosure). Another example is psychodynamic abstinence, or not gratifying the patient’s unhealthy wishes or desires. Technical neutrality is also considered in the context of the patient’s level of personality organization but, in general, consists of taking a nonjudgmental stance. Finally, therapists model healthy and adaptive behaviors for their patients (e.g., thoughtfulness, honesty). The second section of this chapter focuses on how to begin a course of psychodynamic psychotherapy. Therapy contracts, the therapeutic alliance, and ways to socialize patients into treatment are all discussed.
The Process of Clarification
Authors: Sharpless Brian A.
Published: February 2019

Clarifications are statements intended to expand upon and/or clarify readily available patient or therapist information. The process of clarification usually involves either the patient or therapist describing, elaborating upon, reordering, or restating material to the other party. All of these efforts are intended to facilitate mutual understanding between the patient and the therapist. After briefly describing the history of clarification in psychodynamic theory, three specific subtypes of clarifications are described with examples. These include (a) the therapist inviting the patient to clarify, (b) the therapist tentatively clarifying the patient’s communication, and (c) the therapist clarifying their own communication. Suggestions for presenting clarifications to patients are also provided.
The Process of Interpretation
Authors: Sharpless Brian A.
Published: February 2019

Interpretations are efforts by the therapist to connect conscious (or preconscious) feelings, thoughts, and behaviors (e.g., symptoms) to the unconscious materials that gave rise to them. Interpretations may consist of therapist observations or the presentation of a hypothesis that goes beyond what the patient already knows. Interpretations are often considered to be the epitome of the expressive therapy approach and, when done well, have been empirically linked to a positive outcome. Unfortunately, many beginning therapists are reluctant to use interpretations due to their complexity. Therefore, this chapter describes a clear, six-step procedure for generating psychodynamic interpretations and presenting them to patients. It also includes a list of questions for therapists to answer as they organize patient material. The chapter concludes with a lengthy clinical vignette following the six-step process and a discussion of the potential risks and rewards of interpretation.
Supportive Therapy Techniques Part II
Authors: Sharpless Brian A.
Published: February 2019

This chapter concludes the section on supportive therapy and describes four additional sets of techniques with clinical examples. Interventions that are intended to reduce and prevent unhelpful anxiety or other emotions are discussed first. These include techniques such as supportive bypassing, encouraging the use of adaptive defenses, and reframing. Next, supportive approaches meant to enhance patient self-awareness are discussed (e.g., the use of “upward explanations”). A third set of interventions focuses on what have been called, for lack of a better term, “parenting strategies.” Examples include containing affect, setting limits, and providing limited advice. Techniques to create and sustain a positive therapeutic alliance are discussed last. Displaying interest and empathy, sharing agendas, jointly agreeing upon treatment contracts, and many other approaches and interventions serve to foster a therapeutic alliance. The alliance is a critical component of all therapies and may be particularly challenging to achieve with lower-functioning patients. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the process of “working through” in supportive therapies.
Surgical Management of a Chronic Neck Abscess in a U.S. Navy Bottlenose Dolphin
Authors: Lee Clara , Jensen Eric D , Meegan Jenny , Ivančić Marina , Bailey James , Hendrickson Dean , Weiss Jeffrey , Grindley Jonathan , Costidis Alexander M , Wisbach Gordon
Published: February 2019

Surgical intervention on cetaceans is rarely performed due to challenges including general anesthesia and post-operative wound healing. This report describes the evaluation and treatment of an adult female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) with the US Navy Marine Mammal Program, with a chronic ventral cervical abscess caused by Candida glabrata. Despite aspiration and lavage along with multiple antifungal drugs, the patient developed inspiratory stridor with decreased performance level and surgical treatment was pursued. Under general anesthesia with the dolphin in dorsal recumbency position a 12-cm longitudinal ventral midline neck incision was used for exploration. Intraoperative ultrasound aided the identification of surgical landmarks and the abscess cavity. After adequate drainage and curettage, a closed-suction drain was placed in the surgical site. Retention sutures were used to close the incision and the external drain bulb was secured to a pectoral fin strap. One-year post-op, the dolphin was clinically normal and follow-up imaging showed no significant recurrence of the abscess. This case demonstrates a novel surgical approach of managing abscesses in dolphins, including placement and management of a negative suction drain in a submerged patient. The successful collaboration between veterinary anesthesiology, veterinary medicine, radiology, and general surgery allowed the patient to continue her normal activities as a full-duty service member.
Regional Anesthesia in the Combat Setting: Are ACGME Requirements Enough?
Authors: Dhanjal Sandeep T , Highland Krista B , Nguyen Daniel M , Santos Danielle M , Burch Robert H , Maani Christopher V , Aden James K , Patel Ronil , Buckenmaier Chester C
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Updated Joint Trauma System Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) indicate regional anesthesia and pain management (RAAPM) are important for combat casualty care. However, it is unclear whether military anesthesiology residents are receiving adequate RAAPM training to meet the CPGs. The goal of this study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of resident-completed combat-relevant regional anesthesia procedures. It was hypothesized that most residents would perform an adequate number of each procedure to presume proficiency.

Materials and Methods

Resident-performed, combat-relevant regional anesthesia procedure frequency was extracted from a database maintained at a military anesthesiology residency program. Data collection was limited to a 1-year period. Univariate statistics described procedure distributions, frequencies, and proportion of residents achieving pre-defined, empirically-supported experience criteria for each technique. Analyses examined proportional differences in meeting experience criteria by training-year.

Results

Residents (N = 41) performed a variety of procedures. Simple procedures, such as saphenous peripheral nerve blocks, were performed at a greater frequency than more complicated procedures such as thoracic epidurals, continuous peripheral nerve blocks, and transverse abdominus plane blocks. The majority of residents met experience criteria for four out of the eight measured combat-relevant blocks. There were no proportional differences in meeting procedural experience criteria across the different training levels.

Conclusions

These results suggest a possible gap between the needs of the Military Health System during conflict and current residency training experiences. Reasons for this gap, as well as solutions, are explored.
Health Characteristics of the Wayuu Indigenous People
Authors: Lennon Robert P , Lopez Kristian Camilo Orduña , Socha Javier Andres Moreno , Montealegre Fabián Eduardo García , Chandler Jerry W , Sweet Nicholas N , Hawley Lesley A , Smith Dustin K , Sanchack Kristian E
Published: February 2019

Introduction

The identified number of isolated populations with unique medical characteristics is growing. These populations are difficult to study. Civil-military humanitarian operations are part of our medical force readiness training, and are also a venue through which unique populations can be simultaneously served and evaluated. Continuing Promise 2017 was a collaborative effort between the US Navy, non-governmental organizations, and the Colombian Ministry of Health, Navy and Army to provide primary medical care to the Wayuu indigenous people in the La Guajira Department of Colombia.

Materials and Methods

In the course of providing primary care services, demographic and health data of the Wayuu people were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to generate averages, and t-tests were used to compare Wayuu means with age and gender matched US means for weight and age in children and blood pressure in adults. Observational data on skin afflictions and arthritis were also collected. This project was approved by Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Institutional Review Board.

Results

Although the Wayuu live in an arid desert with chronic sun exposure, they have no apparent affliction from squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma. They live almost exclusively through manual labor, yet rarely develop osteoarthritic joint disease. Their incidence of hypertension is 35% lower than their US age and gender matched cohort. Although their region is known for extreme poverty and malnutrition, their weight-for-age curve from 2 months through 17 years is similar to their US cohort.

Conclusions

This study is the first to document the general health characteristics of the Wayuu people. It demonstrates that in addition to providing important readiness training to our own personnel, humanitarian missions can provide medical care and explore unique, isolated populations. Although retrospective and limited in size, it can be used to shape future medical missions to their region, and will hopefully stimulate formal research into their remarkable characteristics.
Pebble accretion in self-gravitating protostellar discs
Authors: Forgan D H
Published: February 2019

Pebble accretion has become a popular component to core accretion models of planet formation, and is especially relevant to the formation of compact, resonant terrestrial planetary systems. Pebbles initially form in the inner protoplanetary disc, sweeping outwards in a radially expanding front, potentially forming planetesimals and planetary cores via migration and the streaming instability. This pebble front appears at early times, in what is typically assumed to be a low-mass disc. We argue this picture is in conflict with the reality of young circumstellar discs, which are massive and self-gravitating. We apply standard pebble accretion and streaming instability formulae to self-gravitating protostellar disc models. Fragments will open a gap in the pebble disc, but they will likely fail to open a gap in the gas, and continue rapid inward migration. If this does not strongly perturb the pebble disc, our results show that disc fragments will accrete pebbles efficiently. We find that in general the pebble-to-gas-density ratio fails to exceed 0.01, suggesting that the streaming instability will struggle to operate. It may be possible to activate the instability if 10 cm grains are available, and spiral structures can effectively concentrate them in regions of low gravito-turbulence. If this occurs, lunar mass cores might be assembled on time-scales of a few thousand years, but this is likely to be rare, and is far from proven. In any case, this work highlights the need for study of how self-gravitating protostellar discs define the distribution and properties of solid bodies, for future planet formation by core accretion.
Prevalence of radio jets associated with galactic outflows and feedback from quasars
Authors: Jarvis M E , Harrison C M , Thomson A P , Circosta C , Mainieri V , Alexander D M , Edge A C , Lansbury G B , Molyneux S J , Mullaney J R
Published: February 2019

We present 1–7 GHz high-resolution radio imaging (VLA and e-MERLIN) and spatially resolved ionized gas kinematics for 10 z < 0.2 type 2 ‘obscured’ quasars (log [LAGN/erg s−1] ≳ 45) with moderate radio luminosities ($\log [L_{\rm {1.4\,GHz}}$/W Hz−1]  = 23.3–24.4). These targets were selected to have known ionized outflows based on broad [O iii] emission-line components (full width at half-maximum ≈ 800–1800 km s−1). Although ‘radio-quiet’ and not ‘radio AGN’ by many traditional criteria, we show that for nine of the targets, star formation likely accounts for ≲10 per cent of the radio emission. We find that ∼80–90 per cent of these nine targets exhibit extended radio structures on 1–25 kpc scales. The quasars’ radio morphologies, spectral indices, and position on the radio size–luminosity relationship reveals that these sources are consistent with being low power compact radio galaxies. Therefore, we favour radio jets as dominating the radio emission in the majority of these quasars. The radio jets we observe are associated with morphologically and kinematically distinct features in the ionized gas, such as increased turbulence and outflowing bubbles, revealing jet–gas interaction on galactic scales. Importantly, such conclusions could not have been drawn from current low-resolution radio surveys such as FIRST. Our observations support a scenario where compact radio jets, with modest radio luminosities, are a crucial feedback mechanism for massive galaxies during a quasar phase.
Pathways of Nicotine Product Use: A Qualitative Study of Youth and Young Adults in California
Authors: Antin Tamar M J , Hess Catherine , Kaner Emily , Lipperman-Kreda Sharon , Annechino Rachelle , Hunt Geoffrey
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Existing research on youth’s adoption of alternative nicotine delivery systems (ANDS) has focused on identifying pathways of nicotine product use, specifically examining whether vaping encourages progression to smoking. Few studies have considered other pathways of initiation. Qualitative studies suggest that meanings of vaping vary significantly, suggestive of the need for a more nuanced understanding of the role of vaping for youth with different pathways into vaping and smoking.

Methods

We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 49 Californian youth between 15 and 25 years old who reported ever vaping nicotine to gain a deeper understanding of their initiation pathways of vaping and smoking, paying special attention to youth’s experiences and reasons for ANDS initiation and use. Categorizing participants into initiation pathways by self-reported use and age of initiation of ANDS and cigarettes, we then compared the meaning and role of vaping across three distinct pathways of use: (1) smoking to vaping, (2) vaping to smoking, and (3) vaping only.

Results

The most common pathway reported was smoking to vaping (74%), eight participants began vaping before smoking, and five participants reported only vaping but never smoking. Analysis of participants’ narratives emphasized that youth in our study, regardless of initiation pathway, were generally aware of the health consequences of smoking and negotiated their use of nicotine products considering relative risks.

Conclusion

Findings from this study suggest that ANDS serve as a transitional tool for youth who are keenly aware of the health consequences of smoking, thus challenging conventional discourses about ANDS as a threat to youth’s health.

Implications

This qualitative study queries concerns about the potential of alternative nicotine delivery systems (ANDS) to serve as a gateway into cigarette smoking for youth and young adults. Findings suggest that most of the youth participants discussed and considered relative risks in their pathways of initiation, highlighting the need to acknowledge harm reduction in constructing public health messaging and policies for smoking cessation.
Understanding the Complexity of Iron Sensing and Signaling Cascades in Plants
Authors: Kobayashi Takanori
Published: February 2019

Under iron-deficient conditions, plants induce the expression of a set of genes involved in iron uptake and translocation. This response to iron deficiency is regulated by transcriptional networks mediated by transcription factors (TFs) and protein-level modification of key factors by ubiquitin ligases. Several of the basic helix–loop–helix TFs and the HRZ/BTS ubiquitin ligases are conserved across graminaceous and non-graminaceous plants. Other regulators are specific, such as IDEF1 and IDEF2 in graminaceous plants and FIT/FER and MYB10/72 in non-graminaceous plants. IMA/FEP peptides positively regulate the iron-deficiency responses in a wide range of plants by unknown mechanisms. Direct binding of iron or other metals to some key regulators, including HRZ/BTS and IDEF1, may be responsible for intracellular iron-sensing and -signaling events. In addition, key TFs such as FIT and IDEF1 interact with various proteins involved in signaling pathways of plant hormones, oxidative stress and metal abundance. Thus, FIT and IDEF1 might function as hubs for the integration of environmental signals to modulate the responses to iron deficiency. In addition to local iron signaling, root iron responses are modulated by shoot-derived long-distance signaling potentially mediated by phloem-mobile substances such as iron, iron chelates and IMA/FEP peptides.
Validating Accelerometry as a Measure of Arm Movement for Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Dawe Jaclyn , Yang Jaynie F , Fehlings Darcy , Likitlersuang Jirapat , Rumney Peter , Zariffa José , Musselman Kristin E
Published: February 2019

Background

For children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP), rehabilitation aims to increase movement of the affected arm. However, no validated measure objectively examines this construct in pediatric practice or daily life.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the criterion and known-groups validity of accelerometry as a measure of arm movement in children and adolescents with HCP.

Design

This was a prospective cross-sectional study.

Methods

Twenty-seven children and adolescents with typical development (3.4–13.9 years old) and 11 children and adolescents with HCP (4.7–14.7 years old; Manual Ability Classification System rating I or II) wore accelerometers on their wrists while engaged in 20 minutes of play, which included intermittent intervals of stillness and vigorous movement of the arms. Vector magnitude (VM) values identified the presence (VM > 2.0 counts per epoch) and absence (VM ≤ 2.0 counts per epoch) of arm movement for every 2-second epoch. Video was simultaneously recorded; each 2-second interval of footage was scored as “movement” or “no movement” for each arm.

Results

Agreement between accelerometry and video observation was greater than or equal to 81%, and the prevalence-adjusted and bias-adjusted κ value was greater than or equal to 0.69 for both groups of participants; these results supported the criterion validity of accelerometry. The ratio of nondominant arm movement to dominant arm movement measured by accelerometry was significantly greater in participants with typical development (mean [SD] = 0.87 [0.09]) than in participants with HCP (mean = 0.78 [0.07]) on the basis of 10 age- and sex-matched pairs; these results supported known-groups validity.

Limitations

The small sample size of the group with HCP prevented the stratification of data by age. Participants with HCP had high or moderately high function of the affected arm; hence, the findings do not apply to children and adolescents with more significant hemiparesis.

Conclusions

Accelerometry is a valid measure of arm movement in children with HCP and children without HCP. These findings contribute to the development of innovative upper limb assessments for children with hemiparesis.
Risk of relapse after discontinuation of tocilizumab therapy in giant cell arteritis
Authors: Adler Sabine , Reichenbach Stephan , Gloor Andrea , Yerly Daniel , Cullmann Jennifer L. , Villiger Peter M.
Published: February 2019

Objective

It is currently unknown how long GCA should be treated with tocilizumab. In the first randomized controlled trial, the biologic agent was stopped after 52 weeks. We therefore studied what proportion of patients relapsed, when relapses occurred and whether factors might predict relapse after tocilizumab treatment discontinuation.

Methods

All patients in the tocilizumab arm who had received a 52-week treatment were evaluated. In case of lasting remission, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed and sera were taken to search for biomarkers associated with subclinical disease activity.

Results

Seventeen of 20 patients randomized to the tocilizumab treatment arm were in lasting remission without any co-medication at week 52. Mean follow-up after study end was 28.1 months (range 17–44). Eight patients relapsed after a mean of 6.3 months (range 2–14) (six within the first 5 months, two patients at months 13 and 14, respectively). Relapsing patients were younger and showed more signs of mural enhancement in MRA compared with non-relapsing patients. MRA documented low-intensity vessel wall signals in all subjects. No morphological changes such as formation of aneurysm of aorta occurred. Biomarkers in sera did not indicate subclinical disease activity: levels of IL-6, MMP-3, soluble TNF receptor 2, soluble CD163, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and Pentraxin-3 did not differ from matched healthy controls.

Conclusion

The data show that a 52-week treatment with tocilizumab induces a lasting remission that persists in half of the patients after treatment stop. None of the clinical, serological or MRA findings qualify to predict relapse. Remarkably, MRA revealed a persisting wall enhancement of the descending aorta.
Repeated evolution of flightlessness in Dryolimnas rails (Aves: Rallidae) after extinction and recolonization on Aldabra
Authors: Hume Julian P , Martill David
Published: February 2019

The Aldabra rail, Dryolimnas cuvieri subsp. aldabranus, endemic to the Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles, is the last surviving flightless bird in the Indian Ocean. Aldabra has undergone at least one major, total inundation event during an Upper Pleistocene (Tarantian age) sea-level high-stand, resulting in the loss of all terrestrial fauna. A flightless Dryolimnas has been identified from two temporally separated Aldabran fossil localities, deposited before and after the inundation event, providing irrefutable evidence that a member of Rallidae colonized the atoll, most likely from Madagascar, and became flightless independently on each occasion. Fossil evidence presented here is unique for Rallidae and epitomizes the ability of birds from this clade to successfully colonize isolated islands and evolve flightlessness on multiple occasions.
Detection and Quantification of the 16SrIV-D Phytoplasma in Leaf Tissue of Common Ornamental Palm Species in Florida using qPCR and dPCR
Authors: Bahder Brian W. , Soto Noemi , Komondy Lidia , Mou De-Fen , Humphries Alessandra R. , Helmick Ericka E.
Published: February 2019

Lethal bronzing disease (LBD) is a lethal decline of various palm species caused by the 16SrIV-D phytoplasma. The disease was described in Texas in 2002 but found in Florida in 2006. Since its introduction, the phytoplasma has spread throughout much of the state. Typically, sampling of infected palms involves taking trunk tissue; however, in some instances this is not possible so alternative protocols are needed. In this study, phytoplasma titers were measured in different leaf tissues of infected palm in order to provide stakeholders with more sampling options. In addition, understanding the phytoplasma distribution in the palm canopy can shed light on the pathogen’s biology and aid in vector studies. Three species of palm, Phoenix roebelinii, Sabal palmetto, and Syagrus romanzoffiana, were identified and confirmed positive for infection by qPCR analysis. Leaf tissue from these species that represented different stages of decay were sampled and tested by qPCR and dPCR. For each species, phytoplasma was only detectable in the spear leaf tissue that was connected directly to the apical meristem by both qPCR and dPCR. These data are useful by demonstrating that the 16SrIV-D phytoplasma appears to be restricted to the spear leaf so stakeholders who wish to sample palms but cannot sample trunk tissue due to palm size or lack of permission to drill into the trunk have an alternative tissue type to reliably sample. In addition, this information will help improve vector research by knowing where to collect insects that have a higher probably of possessing the phytoplasma.