bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boomerang Behaviour and Emerging Adulthood: Moving Back to the Parental Home and the Parental Neighbourhood in Sweden
Authors: Olofsson Jenny , Sandow Erika , Findlay Allan , Malmberg Gunnar
Published: March 2020

This paper makes two original contributions to research on young adults’ boomerang mobility. First, it reveals the magnitude and complexity of return moves by young people to their parental home and neighbourhood. Secondly, it shows that the determinants and associates of return migration vary significantly when analysed at two different geographical scales—the parental home and the parental neighbourhood area. Using longitudinal data (1986–2009) on four cohorts of young adults, we find that boomeranging to the parental home in Sweden has increased in times of economic recession and is associated with economic vulnerability, such as leaving higher education or entering unemployment, and partnership dissolution. While returning to the parental home can offer financial support in times of life course reversal, we found gender differences indicating a greater independence among young women than men. Returning to the parental neighbourhood is found to be a very different kind of mobility than returning to co-reside with one’s parents, involving the migration decisions of more economically independent young adults. Results also indicate that returns to the parental neighbourhood, as well as returns to the parental home, can be part of young people’s life course changes.
Finite Element Modelling of a Reflection Differential Split-D Eddy Current Probe Scanning Surface Notches
Authors: Mohseni Ehsan , França Demartonne Ramos , Viens Martin , Xie Wen Fang , Xu Baoguang
Published: March 2020

Differential eddy current probes are commonly used to detect shallow surface cracks in conductive materials. In recent years, a growing number of research works on their numerical modelling was conducted since the development of analytical or semi-analytical models for such a sensor may be prone to intractable complications. In this paper finite element modelling (FEM) has been employed to simulate the interaction of a reflection differential split-D probe with surface electrical discharge machined (EDM) notches in 3-dimensional (3-D) half-space. In order to attain a better insight into the correct setup of the FEM parameters, a simple multi-turn cylindrical absolute coil has also been modelled. The outcome generated through the simulated scan of this absolute coil over a surface notch in aluminum is validated with existing experimental impedance data taken from the literature. Parameters contributing to reliable FEM simulation results, such as maximum mesh size, mesh distribution, the extent of the surrounding air domain and conductivity of the air are investigated for the 3-D modelling of both absolute and differential probes. This study shows that the simulation results on a commercial reflection differential split-D surface pencil probe closely estimate the experimental measurements of the probe’s impedance variations as it scans three EDM notches having different depths in aluminum. The simulation results, generated by Comsol Multiphysics FEM package (COMSOL I, COMSOL multiphysics reference manual, version 5.3, COMSOL AB, 2018, www.comsol.com), for the cases of absolute and differential probes are checked for their extent of validity.
Comparison of Experimental Measurements of Material Grain Size Using Ultrasound
Authors: Zhang Jie , Song Yongfeng , Li Xiongbing , Zhong ChengHuan
Published: March 2020

Material grain size is related to metallic material properties and its elastic behaviour. Measuring and monitoring material grain size in material manufacturing and service is an important topic in measurement field. In this paper, three materials, i.e., aluminium 2014 T6, steel BS970 and copper EN1652, were chosen to represent materials with small, medium and large grain size, respectively. Various techniques of measuring material grain size were demonstrated and compared. These techniques include the measurements from material microstructure images, backscattered ultrasonic grain noise using a conventional transducer, longitudinal wave attenuation using ultrasonic arrays and shear wave attenuation using a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) plate. It is shown that the backscattered ultrasonic noise measurement and material attenuation measurement are complementary. The former is pretty good for weak scattering materials, e.g., aluminium, while the latter for materials with large grains, e.g., steel and copper. Consistent measured grain size from longitudinal and shear wave attenuations in steel and copper suggests that shear wave attenuation can be calculated from the measured longitudinal wave attenuation integrated with Stanke–Kino’s model or Weaver’s model, if there is a difficulty to either excite or capture shear waves in practice. The outcome of the paper expects to provide a further step towards the industrial uptake of these techniques.
SafeMotherMedicine: Aiming to Increase Women’s Empowerment in Use of Medications During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Authors: Heitmann Kristine , Schjøtt Jan
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Approximately 80% of pregnant women use medications. There is a need for evidence based medicines information that provide realistic risk estimates as pregnant and breastfeeding women tend to overestimate the risk of medications. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and future perspectives of an innovative medicines information service aiming to increase empowerment among pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Description

SafeMotherMedicine (SMM) (www.tryggmammamedisin.no) is a Norwegian medicines information service for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Established in 2011, the service was initially web-based only, in contrast to most teratology information services that at the time mainly operated using telephone and/or e-mail.

Assessment

During the last eight years, SMM has provided close to 30,000 answers promoting appropriate medication use among pregnant and breastfeeding women. SMM launched a telephone-service in 2016, however, the annual number of questions received through the web-based service continues to increase.

Conclusion

The service seems to have fulfilled a previously unmet need of evidence-based, individually tailored information about medications to pregnant and breastfeeding women in Norway. SMM empowers the women to make informed decisions regarding medication use in pregnancy and breastfeeding, thus contributing to person-centred medicine. The web-based design of the service may represent the pregnant and breastfeeding women’s preferred way of communication.
What Drives the Premium for Energy-Efficient Apartments – Green Awareness or Purchasing Power?
Authors: Pommeranz Carolin , Steininger Bertram I.
Published: March 2020

We analyze whether lower rents for energy-inefficient apartments reflect tenants’ willingness to pay due to a higher green awareness, purchasing power, or energy consumption costs. Based on a German rental apartment dataset from Q1 2007 to Q1 2019, we use interaction terms for socioeconomic characteristics in a hedonic regression model. We find that rents are lower for apartments with higher energy consumption, even in neighborhoods with lower levels of green awareness. This relationship is stronger in neighborhoods with higher purchasing power, such that communities with low levels of green awareness and high purchasing power show the steepest negative slope for increasing energy consumption (−8.6% from the highest to lowest rating). Thus, the rent-decreasing effect of purchasing power is higher than that of green awareness. Splitting the entire period into smaller windows, we find that the interaction effect of green awareness has emerged in the most recent years (2017–2019). This may be driven by changes in regulation, which have made it easier for tenants to assess the energy consumption before they rent, or by a general increase in green awareness over this period.
Influence of Preheating on Lamellar Gray Cast Iron for Surface Layer Welding applications with Plasma-Transferred Arc Powder and Metal Inert Gas Welding Processes with Duplex Steel as Filler Material
Authors: Reisgen U. , Oechsner M. , Sharma R. , Ellermeier J. , Andersohn G. , Engler T. , Zokoll E. , Heider B. , Gonzalez Olivares E.
Published: March 2020

The good capacity of gray cast iron for the manufacture of complex geometry components is widely recognized, but its low resistance to corrosion and low weldability complicate the use of this material for some industrial applications. The corrosion resistance can be improved by metallic surface layers using welding processes with low percentages of dilution between the filler and base material. However, the welding processes impose very high heat load on the base material, which in the case of cast iron could promote the formation of hard and brittle microstructures, facilitating the formation of cracks. This work deals with weld beads of duplex steel on lamellar gray cast iron made either by plasma-transferred arc powder (PTA-P) or by metal inert gas (MIG) using the cold metal transfer (CMT) technology, with emphasis on achieving low dilution, hardness and imperfections (internal porosities). Preheating was used to reduce the hardness in the heat-affected zone, while different levels of helium were added in the shielding gas to study its effect on the geometry and hardness of the weld beads. The results showed that the PTA-P process resulted in lower values of dilution and hardness because of a low cooling rate compared to that of the MIG-CMT process. In addition, it was observed that preheating the base material reduced the hardness of the heat-affected zone but increased the dilution of the weld bead.
Ethnic Disparities in Use of Bariatric Surgery in the USA: the Experience of Native Americans
Authors: Al-Sumaih Ibrahim , Nguyen Nga , Donnelly Michael , Johnston Brian , Khorgami Zhamak , O’Neill Ciaran
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To examine disparities in use of bariatric surgery in the USA with particular focus on the experience of Native Americans.

Materials and Methods

Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to the hospital discharge HCUP-NIS dataset (2008–2016) in order to examine the influence of ethnicity in use of bariatric surgery while controlling for aspects of need, predisposing and enabling factors. Separate models investigated disparities in length of stay, cost and discharge to healthcare facility among patient episodes for bariatric surgery.

Results

Full data for 1,729,245 bariatric surgery eligible participants were extracted from HCUP-NIS. The odds of Native Americans receiving bariatric surgery compared to White Americans were 0.67 (95% CI, 0.62–0.73) in a model unadjusted for covariates; 0.65 (95% CI, 0.59–0.71) in a model adjusted for demography and insurance; 0.59 (95% CI, 0.54–0.64) in a model adjusted for clinical variables; and 0.72 (95% CI, 0.66–0.79) in a model adjusted for demographic, insurance types and clinical variables. Native Americans who underwent surgery had significantly shorter lengths of stay, lower healthcare expenditures and lower likelihood of discharge to other healthcare facilities relative to White Americans (controlling for covariates).

Conclusion

Our study, the first study to examine this subject, showed apparent variations in receipt of bariatric surgery between Native Americans and White Americans even after a range of covariates were controlled. In addition, Native Americans have shorter lengths of stay and significantly lower expenditures.
Preoperative frailty parameters as predictors for outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: van Mourik M. S. , Velu J. F. , Lanting V. R. , Limpens J. , Bouma B. J. , Piek J. J. , Baan J. , Henriques J. P. S. , Vis M. M.
Published: March 2020

Guidelines suggest using frailty characteristics in the work-up for a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). There are many frailty-screening tools with different components. The prognostic value of the individual parameters in frailty is as yet unclear. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to find and pool predictors for 1‑year mortality after TAVI. We followed a two-step approach. First, we searched for randomised controlled trials on TAVI to identify frailty parameters used in these studies. Second, we searched for publications on these frailty parameters. Articles were included for pooled analysis if the studied frailty parameters were dichotomised with clear cut-off values based on common standards or clinical practice and reported adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of 1‑year mortality after TAVI. We calculated pooled effect estimates of 49 studies based on dichotomised frailty scores (HR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.57–3.00), chronic lung disease (HR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.45–1.70), estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 ml/min (HR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.68–2.29), body mass index <20 kg/m2 (HR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.09–2.03), hypoalbuminaemia (HR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.38–2.25), anaemia (HR: 2.08, 95% CI: 0.93–4.66), low gait speed (HR: 13.33, 95% CI: 1.75–101.49) and Katz activities of daily living (ADL) score of 1 or more deficits (HR: 5.16, 95% CI: 0.77–34.47). Chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease, underweight, hypoalbuminaemia, a low frailty score, anaemia, low gait speed and an ADL deficiency were associated with worse 1‑year outcomes after TAVI.
Rising temperatures advance the main flight period of Bombus bumblebees in agricultural landscapes of the Central European Plain
Authors: Pawlikowski Tadeusz , Sparks Tim H. , Olszewski Piotr , Pawlikowski Krzysztof , Rutkowski Lucjan , Jakubowski Rafał
Published: March 2020

This study examined shifts over a 35-year period in the phenology of the four most important bumblebee species (Bombus terrestris,B. lapidarius,B. pascuorumandB. hortorum) in Central Europe. The species showed similar temporal trends, significantly advancing components of their main flight period in association with rising temperatures such that, for example, mid-dates of the main flight period advanced by 10–23 days over the study period. Drivers of this change differed between the four species. Trends in, and drivers of, the timing of first queens, first workers and first males were less consistent. Aspects of the phenology of the least common species,B. hortorum, were up to a month earlier than the other species and climatic effects less clear cut. There were some suggestions of differences between species trends. These results stress the importance of considering changes and drivers of change for theBombusfamily on a species-specific basis with the need to pay more attention to the life history traits of the study organisms.
Pathological laughing and psychotic disorder: the medical evaluation of the Joker
Authors: Demas Alexis , Tillot David
Published: March 2020

In the psychological thriller film Joker, released in 2019 and starring Joaquin Phoenix in the first role, another possible origin story for this iconic character is reported. Above all, it brings us medical elements for the understanding of the development of this complex character. Contrary to other interpretations, we discover a lonely, timid and uncharismatic man (Arthur Fleck). He seems to be suffering from psychobehavioral disorders and seems depressed. There is a strangeness in his behavior along with social withdrawal. He suffers from fits of laughter that occur at socially inappropriate times. He also suffers from psychotic symptoms with visual delusions. We learn through the film that he was a beaten child, psychologically and physically abused with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The uncontrollable outbursts of laughter, behavioral and psychotic disorders followed these elements. As a neurologist, I was intrigued by these symptoms. I have explored the neuropsychiatric symptoms complicating TBI from which he seems to suffer and which have been reported in the literature. We can assume that the Joker is suffering from neuropsychiatric sequelae related to childhood TBI involving the frontotemporal regions and, in particular, the lateral aspect of the left frontal lobe. The movie Joker has medical significance and covers social aspects of medicine and health care. First, it allows us to discuss whether psychotic disorder due to TBI should be considered a neurobiological syndrome. More broadly, albeit fictitious, it asks us about the management of patients with neuropsychiatric illness, which is a public health problem. It also reminds us that semiological descriptions of patients with neuropsychiatric disorders have served as inspiration for many authors.
Inflatable Penile Prosthesis in the Ambulatory Surgical Setting: Outcomes From a Large Urological Group Practice
Authors: Weinberg Aaron C. , Siegelbaum Marc H. , Lerner Brad D. , Schwartz Blair C. , Segal Robert L.
Published: March 2020

Background

The definitive treatment for erectile dysfunction is the surgical implantation of a penile prosthesis, of which the most common type is the 3-piece inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) device. IPP surgery in outpatient freestanding ambulatory surgical centers (ASC) is becoming more prevalent as payers and health systems alike look to reduce healthcare costs.

Aim

To evaluate IPP surgical outcomes in an ASC as compared to contemporaneously-performed hospital surgeries.

Methods

A database of all patients undergoing IPP implantation by practitioners in the largest private community urology group practice in the United States, from January 1, 2013 to August 1, 2019, was prospectively compiled and retrospectively reviewed. Cohorts of patients having IPP implantation performed in the hospital vs ASC setting were compared.

Main Outcome Measure

The primary outcome measure was to compare surgical data (procedural and surgical times, need for hospital transfer from ASC) and outcomes (risk for device infection, erosion, and need for surgical revision) between ASC and hospital-based surgery groups.

Results

A total of 923 patients were included for this analysis, with 674 (73%) having ASC-based surgery and 249 (27%) hospital-based, by a total of 33 surgeons. Median procedural (99.5 vs 120 minutes, P < .001) and surgical (68 vs 75 minutes, P < .001) times were significantly shorter in the ASC. While the risk for device erosion and need for surgical revision were similar between groups, there was no higher risk for prosthetic infection when surgery was performed in the ASC (1.7% vs 4.4% [hospital], P = .02), corroborated by logistic regression analysis (odds ratio 0.39, P = .03). The risk for postoperative transfer of an ASC patient to the hospital was low (0.45%). The primary reason for mandated hospital-based surgery was medical (51.4%), though requirement as a result of insurance directive (39.7%) was substantial.

Clinical Implications

IPP implantation in the ASC is safe, has similar outcomes compared to hospital-based surgery with a low risk for need for subsequent hospital transfer.

Strengths & Limitations

The strengths of this study include the large patient population in this analysis as well as the real-world nature of our practice. Limitations include the retrospective nature of the review as well as the potential for residual confounding.

Conclusion

ASC-based IPP implantation is safe, with shorter surgical and procedural times compared to those cases performed in the hospital setting, with similar functional outcomes. These data suggest no added benefit to hospital-based surgery in terms of prosthetic infection risk.
Multicenter Experience Using Collagen Fleece for Plaque Incision with Grafting to Correct Residual Curvature at the Time of Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Placement in Patients with Peyronie's Disease
Authors: Hatzichristodoulou Georgios , Yang David Y. , Ring Joshua D. , Hebert Kevin J. , Ziegelman Matthew J. , Köhler Tobias S.
Published: March 2020

Background

Adjuvant maneuvers are often necessary to correct residual curvature during inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placement in patients with Peyronie's disease (PD).

Aim

We present our multicenter experience using collagen fleece as graft material for plaque incision and grafting (PIG) during IPP placement in patients with moderate to severe PD.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 51 patients with IPP from 3 sites who underwent PIG with Tachosil (Baxter, IL) collagen fleece. Coloplast (Minneapolis, MN) IPP devices were used. Factors associated with residual curvature, revision, and patient satisfaction were performed using chi-squared analysis.

Outcomes

We evaluated postoperative outcomes including factors associated with residual curvature, revision, and patient satisfaction.

Results

The mean compound curvature was 69.6°. The mean follow-up was 10.6 (range 1–38) months. All patients reported erections sufficient for penetrative intercourse at the last follow-up. Residual curvature <15° was noted in 6 of 51 (12%) patients. 3 patients required device revision. 2 patients experienced temporary glanular paresthesia, and no patients experienced device infection.

Clinical Implications

In our multicenter study, patients experienced substantial curve correction with minimal complications, and in the few patients who had persistent mild curvature, severe preoperative curvature (>60°) was found to be the only risk factor.

Strengths & Limitations

Our study represents the largest series of patients coming from multiple centers undergoing surgical correction of PD with IPP and collagen fleece grafting. Limitations of this study include the retrospective study design, lack of a comparison group, and modest follow-up.

Conclusion

PIG using collagen fleece is a safe and effective means of correcting residual curvature after IPP placement in patients with moderate to severe PD.
Reclaiming Relationality through the Logic of the Gift and Vulnerability
Authors: Gagnon-Bouchard Laurie , Ranger Camille
Published: March 2020

This article addresses the conditions that are necessary for non-Indigenous people to learn from Indigenous people, more specifically from women and feminists. As non-Indigenous scholars, we first explore the challenges of epistemic dialogue through the example of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). From there, through the concept of mastery, we examine the social and ontological conditions under which settler subjectivities develop. As demonstrated by Julietta Singh and Val Plumwood, the logic of mastery—which has legitimated the oppression and exploitation of Indigenous peoples—has been reproduced in academia, leaving almost no room for Indigenous knowledge and epistemes. In the same vein, Sámi scholar Rauna Kuokkanen reclaims and suggests the logic of the gift as a means to render academia more hospitable to Indigenous peoples and epistemes. In our view, reclaim(ing) as a concept-practice is a promising way to disrupt colonial, racist, and sexist power relations. Thus, we in turn propose to reclaim vulnerability as defined by Judith Butler in order to deconstruct masterful settler subjectivities and reconstruct relational ones instead. As theorized by Erinn Gilson, we propose epistemic vulnerability to imagine the conditions of our learning from Indigenous peoples and philosophies.
Perioperative antimicrobial decision making: Focused ethnography study in orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgeries in an Australian hospital
Authors: Peel Trisha N. , Watson Eliza , Cairns Kelly , Lam Ho Yin (Ashley) , Li Heidi Zhangrong , Ravindran Ganan , Seneviratne Jayan , Daly David , Liew Susan , McGiffin David , Myles Paul , Ayton Darshini
Published: March 2020

Objective:

Antimicrobial use in the surgical setting is common and frequently inappropriate. Understanding the behavioral context of antimicrobial use is a critical step to developing stewardship programs.

Design:

In this study, we employed qualitative methodologies to describe the phenomenon of antimicrobial use in 2 surgical units: orthopedic surgery and cardiothoracic surgery.

Setting:

This study was conducted at a public, quaternary, university-affiliated hospital.

Participants:

Healthcare professionals from the 2 surgical unit teams participated in the study.

Methods:

We used focused ethnographic and face-to-face semi-structured interviews to observe antimicrobial decision-making behaviors across the patient’s journey from the preadmission clinic to the operating room to the postoperative ward.

Results:

We identified 4 key themes influencing decision making in the surgical setting. Compartmentalized communication (theme 1) was observed with demarcated roles and defined pathways for communication (theme 2). Antimicrobial decisions in the operating room were driven by the most senior members of the team. These decisions, however, were delegated to more junior members of staff in the ward and clinic environment (theme 3). Throughout the patient’s journey, communication with the patient about antimicrobial use was limited (theme 4).

Conclusions:

Approaches to decision making in surgery are highly structured. Although this structure appears to facilitate smooth flow of responsibility, more junior members of the staff may be disempowered. In addition, opportunities for shared decision making with patients were limited. Antimicrobial stewardship programs need to recognize the hierarchal structure as well as opportunities to engage the patient in shared decision making.
Psychotherapists’ attitudes to intimate and informal behaviour towards clients
Authors: Vesentini Lara , Van Overmeire Roel , Matthys Frieda , De Wachter Dirk , Van Puyenbroeck Hubert , Bilsen Johan
Published: March 2020

Background

To avoid harming or exploiting a client, sexual and non-sexual dual relationship is generally considered as unacceptable in the psychotherapeutic relationship. However, little is known about what therapists themselves constitute as (un)acceptable intimate and informal behaviour (IIB).

Methods

A survey among psychotherapists in Flanders (Belgium) was conducted. Opinions about the acceptability of IIB were asked. Based on these opinions attitude groups could be determined.

Results

In total, 786 therapists completed and returned the questionnaire (response rate: 39.8%). Therapists could be divided into three attitude groups. Almost half of the therapists belonged to the ‘rather restrictive group’, a third to the ‘rather socially permissive group’ and a fifth to the ‘rather sexually permissive group’. Being categorised as ‘rather sexually permissive’ is predominantly related to being male and non-heterosexual, whereas being ‘rather restrictive’ or ‘rather socially permissive’ is mainly due to the type of psychotherapy training. The ‘rather sexually permissive’ therapists more often found a client sexually attractive during the last year and fantasised more often about a romantic relationship with a client, but they did not more often started a sexual relationship.

Conclusions

Most therapists in Flanders are rather restrictive in their attitude to IIB, pointing to a high sense of morality. Having a rather sexually permissive attitude is predominantly related to more personal characteristics of the therapists, but these therapists did not start a sexual relationship more often.
ANALYTICALLY CLOSED-FORM SOLUTIONS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF A NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS SERVED DURING A BUSY PERIOD FOR SPECIAL CASES OF THEGEO/G/1QUEUE
Authors: Chaudhry M. L. , Goswami Veena , Mansur Abdalla
Published: March 2020

This paper presents the distribution of the number of customers served during a busy period for special cases of theGeo/G/1 queue when initiated withmcustomers. We analyze the system under the assumptions of a late arrival system with delayed access and early arrival system policies. It is not easy to invert the functional equation for the number of customers served during a busy period except for the simple caseGeo/Geo/1 queue, as stated by several researchers. Using the Lagrange inversion theorem, we give an elegant solution to this equation. We find the distribution of the number of customers served during a busy period for various service-time distributions such as geometric, deterministic, binomial, negative binomial, uniform, Delaporte, discrete phase-type and interrupted Bernoulli process. We compute the mean and variance of these distributions and also give numerical results. Due to the clarity of the expressions, the computations are very fast and robust. We also show that in the limiting case, the results tend to the analogous continuous-time counterparts.
SUMS OF SQUARES AND PARTITION CONGRUENCES
Authors: CUI SU-PING , GU NANCY S. S.
Published: March 2020

For positive integers $n$ and $k$, let $r_{k}(n)$ denote the number of representations of $n$ as a sum of $k$ squares, where representations with different orders and different signs are counted as distinct. For a given positive integer $m$, by means of some properties of binomial coefficients, we derive some infinite families of congruences for $r_{k}(n)$ modulo $2^{m}$. Furthermore, in view of these arithmetic properties of $r_{k}(n)$, we establish many infinite families of congruences for the overpartition function and the overpartition pair function.
Traditional law in times of the nation state: why is it so prevalent?
Authors: Gutmann Jerg , Voigt Stefan
Published: March 2020

In many modern nation states, both rich and poor, traditional law to this day plays an important role. Given the almost universal prevalence of traditional law, it is surprising how little we know about it. This is the first study that tries to take stock of traditional law from a cross-country perspective. We are also interested in the compatibility of traditional law with state-enforced law and, in particular, with the basic traits of the rule of law. Based on a sample of up to 134 countries, we find that no ‘typical’ traditional law exists, but that traditional law varies in many dimensions such as its timely enforcement, its impartiality, and its protection of basic human rights. Societies that rely extensively on traditional law score low regarding both the rule of law and per capita income. Historical and geographical factors are important predictors of the contemporaneous reliance on traditional law. State antiquity, for example, reduces the prevalence of traditional law, as does a high share of descendants from European populations.
Decreasing Magnetization, Lithospheric Flexure, and Rejuvenated Hydrothermalism off the Japan‐Kuril Subduction Zone
Authors: Choe Hanjin , Dyment Jerome
Published: March 2020

Seafloor spreading magnetic anomalies formed at mid‐ocean ridges initially display strong amplitudes that decay within the first 10 million years as a result of pervasive hydrothermal circulation and alteration. The amplitudes do not vary much for older oceanic crust, suggesting that the thickening sediments hinder heat advection. Here we show, however, that a systematic loss of ~20% in the amplitude of the anomalies arises between the outer rise and the trench on old ocean crust approaching the Japan and Kuril subduction zones. We interpret this decay as reflecting the opening of normal faults and fissures caused by extension on the outer flexural rise and the subsequent renewed circulation of seawater into the oceanic crust, resulting in additional alteration of the magnetic minerals. This interpretation is supported by higher heat flow and seismic velocity changes observed toward the trench.
Urban Near‐Surface Seismic Monitoring Using Distributed Acoustic Sensing
Authors: Fang Gang , Li Yunyue Elita , Zhao Yumin , Martin Eileen R.
Published: March 2020

Urban subsurface monitoring requires high temporal‐spatial resolution, low maintenance cost, and minimal intrusion to nearby life. Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), in contrast to conventional station‐based sensing technology, has the potential to provide a passive seismic solution to urban monitoring requirements. Based on data recorded by the Stanford Fiber Optic Seismic Observatory, we demonstrate that near‐surface velocity changes induced by the excavation of a basement construction can be monitored using existing fiber optic infrastructure in a noisy urban environment. To achieve satisfactory results, careful signal processing comprising of noise removal and source signature normalization are applied to raw DAS recordings. Repeated blast signals from quarry sites provide free, unidirectional, and near‐impulsive sources for periodic urban seismic monitoring, which are essential for increasing the temporal resolution of passive seismic methods. Our study suggests that DAS will likely play an important role in urban subsurface monitoring.
Aerosol Indirect Effects on Cirrus Clouds Based on Global Aircraft Observations
Authors: Patnaude Ryan , Diao Minghui
Published: March 2020

Cirrus clouds have large climate impacts, yet aerosol indirect effects on cirrus microphysical properties remain highly uncertain. There is a lack of observational analysis on thermodynamic, dynamical, and aerosol indirect effects simultaneously, which limits the quantification of each effect. Using seven National Science Foundation aircraft campaigns, impacts of temperature, relative humidity, vertical velocity, and aerosols are individually quantified. Nonmonotonic correlations of ice water content, ice crystal number concentration (Ni), and mean diameter (Di) with respect to aerosol number concentrations (Na) are consistently seen at various conditions. Positive correlations become significant when Na > 500 nm (Na500) and >100 nm (Na100) are 3 and 10 times higher than average, respectively. While Na500 are more effective at temperatures closer to −40 °C with small vertical velocity fluctuations and are less sensitive to ice supersaturation, Na100 are more effective at colder temperatures with higher updraft and higher ice supersaturation, indicating heterogeneous and homogeneous nucleation mechanisms, respectively.
Water Security Assessment for the Contiguous United States Using Water Footprint Concepts
Authors: Veettil Anoop Valiya , Mishra Ashok
Published: March 2020

Water security is tightly connected with the food security, ecological health, and economic prosperity of a region. In this study, a comprehensive water security assessment based on water footprint concepts from 1995 to 2015 was performed for the counties located in the Contiguous States of the Unites States. The availability of blue water (e.g., surface water) is comparatively less in the western river basins, and most of the rainfed agricultural lands in the eastern United States were characterized by the lower levels of green water (e.g., root zone soil moisture) storage. This integrated assessment of the water security indicators can directly map the critical regions and reveal the dependence between human water consumption, crop water requirements and environmental flow. This analysis can be further extended to incorporate climate change and extreme drought events to inform specific locations (e.g., counties and watersheds) at which problems of water conflict are more likely to occur.
Synthesis of Methane Observations Across Scales: Strategies for Deploying a Multitiered Observing Network
Authors: Cusworth Daniel H. , Duren Riley M. , Yadav Vineet , Thorpe Andrew K. , Verhulst Kristal , Sander Stanley , Hopkins Francesca , Rafiq Talha , Miller Charles E.
Published: March 2020

Regional methane emissions monitoring is rapidly expanding with increased coverage of surface, airborne, and satellite instruments. We pilot a multitiered observing system in the Los Angeles Basin. We combine surface methane measurements from the Los Angeles Megacities Carbon Project, mountaintop retrievals from the CLARS‐FTS instrument, and space‐based XCH4 retrievals from the TROPOMI instrument into a single monitoring framework. We simulate these observations using a high‐resolution tracer transport model. Using inverse methods, we compare the sensitivity of each observing system component to various emissions sources. Combining multiple observing system into one framework allows for increased spatial and temporal sensitivity to methane emissions. We find a close correspondence between these inverse flux trends and independent airborne AVIRIS‐NG methane plume trends over a large landfill in the Los Angeles Basin. These results show that multitiered observing systems can reveal insights about sub‐basin scale methane emissions, which can be used to drive decision support.
Protein disulfide isomerase in cardiovascular disease
Authors: Xiong Bei , Jha Vishwanath , Min Jeong-Ki , Cho Jaehyung
Published: March 2020

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) participates in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. Increasing evidence indicates that intravascular cell-derived PDI plays an important role in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases, including thrombosis and vascular inflammation. Recent studies with PDI conditional knockout mice have advanced our understanding of the function of cell-specific PDI in disease processes. Furthermore, the identification and development of novel small-molecule PDI inhibitors has led into a new era of PDI research that transitioned from the bench to bedside. In this review, we will discuss recent findings on the regulatory role of PDI in cardiovascular disease.
AQP1 modulates tendon stem/progenitor cells senescence during tendon aging
Authors: Chen Minhao , Li Yingjuan , Xiao Longfei , Dai Guangchun , Lu Panpan , Wang Youhua , Rui Yunfeng
Published: March 2020

The link between tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) senescence and tendon aging has been well recognized. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of TSPCs senescence are still not fully understood. In present study, we investigated the role of Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in TSPCs senescence. We showed that AQP1 expression declines with age during tendon aging. In aged TSPCs, overexpression of AQP1 significantly attenuated TSPCs senescence. In addition, AQP1 overexpression also restored the age-related dysfunction of self-renewal, migration and tenogenic differentiation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the JAK-STAT signaling pathway is activated in aged TSPCs, and AQP1 overexpression inhibited the JAK-STAT signaling pathway activation which indicated that AQP1 attenuates senescence and age-related dysfunction of TSPCs through the repression of JAK−STAT signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings demonstrated the critical role of AQP1 in the regulation of TSPCs senescence and provided a novel target for antagonizing tendon aging.
Stable species boundaries despite ten million years of hybridization in tropical eels
Authors: Barth Julia M. I. , Gubili Chrysoula , Matschiner Michael , Tørresen Ole K. , Watanabe Shun , Egger Bernd , Han Yu-San , Feunteun Eric , Sommaruga Ruben , Jehle Robert , Schabetsberger Robert
Published: March 2020

Genomic evidence is increasingly underpinning that hybridization between taxa is commonplace, challenging our views on the mechanisms that maintain their boundaries. Here, we focus on seven catadromous eel species (genus Anguilla) and use genome-wide sequence data from more than 450 individuals sampled across the tropical Indo-Pacific, morphological information, and three newly assembled draft genomes to compare contemporary patterns of hybridization with signatures of past introgression across a time-calibrated phylogeny. We show that the seven species have remained distinct for up to 10 million years and find that the current frequencies of hybridization across species pairs contrast with genomic signatures of past introgression. Based on near-complete asymmetry in the directionality of hybridization and decreasing frequencies of later-generation hybrids, we suggest cytonuclear incompatibilities, hybrid breakdown, and purifying selection as mechanisms that can support species cohesion even when hybridization has been pervasive throughout the evolutionary history of clades.
Full-length transcript characterization of SF3B1 mutation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia reveals downregulation of retained introns
Authors: Tang Alison D. , Soulette Cameron M. , van Baren Marijke J. , Hart Kevyn , Hrabeta-Robinson Eva , Wu Catherine J. , Brooks Angela N.
Published: March 2020

While splicing changes caused by somatic mutations in SF3B1 are known, identifying full-length isoform changes may better elucidate the functional consequences of these mutations. We report nanopore sequencing of full-length cDNA from CLL samples with and without SF3B1 mutation, as well as normal B cell samples, giving a total of 149 million pass reads. We present FLAIR (Full-Length Alternative Isoform analysis of RNA), a computational workflow to identify high-confidence transcripts, perform differential splicing event analysis, and differential isoform analysis. Using nanopore reads, we demonstrate differential 3’ splice site changes associated with SF3B1 mutation, agreeing with previous studies. We also observe a strong downregulation of intron retention events associated with SF3B1 mutation. Full-length transcript analysis links multiple alternative splicing events together and allows for better estimates of the abundance of productive versus unproductive isoforms. Our work demonstrates the potential utility of nanopore sequencing for cancer and splicing research.
Linking landscape-scale conservation to regional and continental outcomes for a migratory species
Authors: Mattsson B. J. , Devries J. H. , Dubovsky J. A. , Semmens D. , Thogmartin W. E. , Derbridge J. J. , Lopez-Hoffman L.
Published: March 2020

Land-use intensification on arable land is expanding and posing a threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services worldwide. We develop methods to link funding for avian breeding habitat conservation and management at landscape scales to equilibrium abundance of a migratory species at the continental scale. We apply this novel approach to a harvested bird valued by birders and hunters in North America, the northern pintail duck (Anas acuta), a species well below its population goal. Based on empirical observations from 2007–2016, habitat conservation investments for waterfowl cost $313 M and affected <2% of the pintail’s primary breeding area in the Prairie Pothole Region of Canada. Realistic scenarios for harvest and habitat conservation costing an estimated $588 M (2016 USD) led to predicted pintail population sizes <3 M when assuming average parameter values. Accounting for parameter uncertainty, converting 70–100% of these croplands to idle grassland (cost: $35.7B–50B) is required to achieve the continental population goal of 4 M individuals under the current harvest policy. Using our work as a starting point, we propose continued development of modeling approaches that link conservation funding, habitat delivery, and population response to better integrate conservation efforts and harvest management of economically important migratory species.
A twenty-year deposition record of elemental carbon in Northern Japan retrieved from archived filters
Authors: Kaneyasu Naoki , Matsumoto Kiyoshi , Yamaguchi Takashi , Noguchi Izumi , Murao Naoto , Yasunari Teppei J. , Ikemori Fumikazu
Published: March 2020

The black carbon or elemental carbon (EC) content in ice and snow has been a concern in climate change studies, but time-series records have mostly been obtained from glacier ice-core samples in limited geographical locations, such as the Arctic or high mountains. This is the first study to present decade-long records of EC deposition measured at urban (Sapporo) and background (Rishiri Island) sites in Japan, in the mid-latitude zone of the eastern edge of the Asian continent. By using archived membrane filters from an acid rain study, we retrieved monthly EC deposition records of 1993–2012 in Sapporo and intermittent deposition data in Rishiri. Annual EC deposition showed large fluctuations, with a maximum in 2000–2001 and a minor increase in 2010–2011. This interannual change was moderately related to the deposition of non-sea salt SO42−and the collected water volume but did not reflect the estimated emission history of China. High depositions in 2000–2001 were probably caused by the transport of Asian Dust accompanied by air pollutants, which were characteristically active in these years. The findings of this study have implications for the use of observational data in validating global aerosol transport models.
Discovery of a bacterial peptide as a modulator of GLP-1 and metabolic disease
Authors: Tomaro-Duchesneau Catherine , LeValley Stephanie L. , Roeth Daniel , Sun Liang , Horrigan Frank T. , Kalkum Markus , Hyser Joseph M. , Britton Robert A.
Published: March 2020

Early work in rodents highlighted the gut microbiota’s importance in metabolic disease, including Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin secreted by L-cells lining the gastrointestinal epithelium, has important functions: promoting insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, and β-cell mass, while inhibiting gastric emptying and appetite. We set out to identify microbial strains with GLP-1 stimulatory activity as potential metabolic disease therapeutics. Over 1500 human-derived strains were isolated from healthy individuals and screened for GLP-1 modulation by incubating bacterial cell-free supernatants with NCI H716 L-cells. Approximately 45 strains capable of increasing GLP-1 were discovered. All GLP-1 positive strains were identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis by 16S rRNA sequencing. Mass spectrometry analysis identified a 3 kDa peptide, Hld (delta-toxin), present in GLP-1 positive supernatants but absent in GLP-1 neutral supernatants. Studies in NCI-H716 cells and human jejunal enteroids engineered to make more enteroendocrine cells demonstrated that Hld alone is sufficient to enhance GLP-1 secretion. When administered in high-fat-fed mice, Hld-producing S. epidermidis significantly reduced markers associated with obesity and T2DM. Further characterization of Hld suggests GLP-1 stimulatory action of Hld occurs via calcium signaling. The presented results identify a novel host-microbe interaction which may ultimately lead to the development of a microbial peptide-based therapeutic for metabolic disease.
CNS microRNA profiles: a database for cell type enriched microRNA expression across the mouse central nervous system
Authors: Pomper Nathan , Liu Yating , Hoye Mariah L. , Dougherty Joseph D. , Miller Timothy M.
Published: March 2020

microRNAs are short, noncoding RNAs that can regulate hundreds of targets and thus shape the expression landscape of a cell. Similar to mRNA, they often exhibit cell type enriched expression and serve to reinforce cellular identity. In tissue with high cellular complexity, such as the central nervous system (CNS), it is difficult to attribute microRNA changes to a particular cell type. To facilitate interpretation of microRNA studies in these tissues, we used previously generated data to develop a publicly accessible and user-friendly database to enable exploration of cell type enriched microRNA expression. We provide illustrations of how this database can be utilized as a reference as well as for hypothesis generation. First, we suggest a putative role for miR-21 in the microglial spinal injury response. Second, we highlight data indicating that differential microRNA expression, specifically miR-326, may in part explain regional differences in inflammatory cells. Finally, we show that miR-383 expression is enriched in cortical glutamatergic neurons, suggesting a unique role in these cells. These examples illustrate the database’s utility in guiding research towards unstudied regulators in the CNS. This novel resource will aid future research into microRNA-based regulatory mechanisms responsible for cellular phenotypes within the CNS.