bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Depletion-of-susceptibles bias in influenza vaccine waning studies: how to ensure robust results
Authors: Lipsitch M. , Goldstein E. , Ray G. T. , Fireman B. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractVaccine effectiveness studies are subject to biases due to depletion-of-persons at risk of infection, or at especially high risk of infection, at different rates from different groups (depletion-of-susceptibles bias), a problem that can also lead to biased estimates of waning effectiveness, including spurious inference of waning when none exists. An alternative study design to identify waning is to study only vaccinated persons, and compare for each day the incidence in persons with earlier or later dates of vaccination to assess waning in vaccine protection as a function of vaccination time (namely whether earlier vaccination would result in lower subsequent protection compared to later vaccination). Prior studies suggested under what conditions this alternative would yield correct estimates of waning. Here we define the depletion-of-susceptibles process formally and show mathematically that for influenza vaccine waning studies, a randomised trial or corresponding observational study that compares incidence at a specific calendar time among individuals vaccinated at different times before the influenza season begins will not be vulnerable to depletion-of-susceptibles bias in its inference of waning as a function of vaccination time under the null hypothesis that none exists, and will – if waning does actually occur – underestimate the extent of waning. Such a design is thus robust in the sense that a finding of waning in that inference framework reflects actual waning of vaccine-induced immunity. We recommend such a design for future studies of waning, whether observational or randomised.
DIGITAL IMAGING AND ARCHAEOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE CASCAJAL BLOCK: ESTABLISHING CONTEXT AND AUTHENTICITY FOR THE EARLIEST KNOWN OLMEC TEXT
Authors: Englehardt Joshua D. , Insaurralde Caballero Mirta A. , Melgar Tísoc Emiliano R. , Velázquez Maldonado Luis R. , Guzmán Torres Viridiana , Bernard Henri Noel , Carrasco Michael D. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAlthough the Cascajal Block (CB), an incised greenstone slab from southeastern Veracruz, Mexico, arguably contains the earliest written text in the New World, debate remains regarding the object's authenticity, dating, and cultural affiliation. To address these issues, this article details recent analyses of the CB via polynomial texture mapping (PTM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PTM revealed new details that have resulted in a new epigraphic drawing of the block's incised text and allowed for improved identification of several constituent signs. Spectrometric analysis confirmed that the chemical composition of the CB matrix is consistent with serpentine and identified a uniform patina on its surface, which provided additional contextual data. SEM micrographs of polymer replica molds taken from the incised text evidence manufacturing traces that correspond to lapidary techniques observed on other Formative-period Olmec objects of secure provenience. Results assist in clarifying the archaeological contexts of the object and confirm that in terms of symbols, material, and manufacture the CB conforms to other Formative-period Olmec objects, supporting the object's authenticity, dating, and cultural affiliation.
Association between palliative care and the rate of advanced care planning: A systematic review
Authors: Koffler Shahar , Mintzker Yishai , Shai Ayelet 
Published: November 2019

AbstractObjectiveAdvanced care planning (ACP) is central to patients' dignity and autonomy; however, in many countries it is underutilized. Studies that tested the effects of palliative care (PC) often included the rate of documented ACP as a secondary end point. We aimed to assess the contribution of PC to the rate of ACP among terminally ill patients by systematically reviewing relevant clinical trials.MethodPUBMED and “Cochrane trials” databases were screened for clinical trials published until October 2017 that compared the addition of PC to standard treatment and that had ACP as a primary or a secondary end point. Studies were assessed for validity by three investigators using the Cochrane Collaboration tool and the ROBINS-I tool for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and for cohort studies, respectively.ResultsTwenty-six trials with 37,924 patients were included. Four were RCTs, nine were cohort studies, and 12 were cross-sectional studies. Randomized trials had the lowest risk of bias. There was a positive correlation between the addition of PC and ACP in 25 studies, among them four randomized trials.Significance of resultsIn this systematic review, PC was associated with improvement in the rate of ACP. Understanding the significant effect of PC on the completion of ACP is an additional emphasis on the importance of this treatment among terminally ill patients.
Influence of 2,4-D, dicamba, and glyphosate on clethodim efficacy of volunteer glyphosate-resistant corn
Authors: Harre Nick T. , Young Julie M. , Young Bryan G. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractManagement of volunteer glyphosate-resistant (GR) corn may be problematic in soybean resistant to glyphosate and 2,4-D or dicamba, as auxinic herbicides often antagonize graminicide efficacy. Field and greenhouse trials were conducted using mixtures of 2,4-D or dicamba in combination with glyphosate and clethodim-A (formulated without an adjuvant) or clethodim-SM (adjuvant-inclusive formulation) to determine the effect on volunteer GR corn control. Neither auxinic herbicide reduced clethodim efficacy, regardless of clethodim rate or formulation in field trials. However, the addition of glyphosate to these mixtures at the 35 g ai ha−1 clethodim dose reduced control from clethodim-A and clethodim-SM by 62% to 75% and 27% to 47%, respectively. Increasing the clethodim dose to 105 g ha−1 or greater in combination with glyphosate and either auxinic herbicide generally restored clethodim efficacy (74% to 98% control); in one site-year, the addition of glyphosate plus dicamba to clethodim-A at 140 g ha−1 still reduced control by 34%. In greenhouse experiments, clethodim-A efficacy was reduced by 17% and 28% when applied with glyphosate plus 420 and 1,680 g ae ha−1 2,4-D, respectively, in the absence of crop oil concentrate (COC). Increasing the dose of dicamba in a similar mixture had a negligible effect. Irrespective of auxinic herbicide dose, the inclusion of COC to clethodim-A mixtures with glyphosate plus 2,4-D or dicamba resulted in ≥ 90% control. These results specify an enhanced risk of reduced clethodim efficacy on volunteer GR corn when glyphosate is added to mixtures containing 2,4-D or dicamba. To optimize control from these mixtures, clethodim should be applied at ≥ 105 g ha−1 and should include an activator adjuvant in the form of COC and/or an adjuvant-inclusive clethodim formulation. This recommendation contrasts with several labels of clethodim that do not require COC when applied with adjuvant-loaded glyphosate products.
Leisten fachspezifische Studierfähigkeitstests im deutschsprachigen Raum eine valide Studienerfolgsprognose?
Authors: Schult Johannes , Hofmann Arvid , Stegt Stephan J. 
Published: November 2019

Zusammenfassung. Fachspezifische Studierfähigkeitstests werden in mehreren zulassungsbeschränkten Studiengängen als Auswahlinstrument eingesetzt. Eine Metaanalyse von Hell, Trapmann und Schuler (2007) ermittelte eine hohe prognostische Validität solcher Tests. Seitdem hat es allerdings umfassende Veränderungen des Bildungssystems (z. B. Bologna-Prozess, Änderungen der Schulsysteme) sowie eine stete Weiterentwicklung der Testverfahren gegeben. Zur Klärung der Frage, ob fachspezifische Studierfähigkeitstests nach wie vor eine gute Erfolgsprognose liefern, schreibt die vorliegende Arbeit die Metaanalyse von Hell et al. (2007) fort. Die prognostische Validität im deutschsprachigen Raum ist stabil geblieben (ρ = .427, K = 54 Stichproben, N = 8410 Personen). Es fanden sich höhere Validitäten bei neueren Studien, Zeitschriftenartikeln mit Peer-Review, universitären Stichproben sowie bei kürzerem Abstand zwischen Test und Studiennotenerfassung. Zudem zeigten sich Fachunterschiede bezüglich der prognostischen Validität beispielsweise zugunsten von Sozialwissenschaften (ρ = .510). Die Studierfähigkeitstests besitzen außerdem eine inkrementelle Validität über die Abiturnote hinaus (Δ R² = .081, k = 31, n = 3999). Die Befunde sprechen dafür, dass die Testverfahren einen hilfreichen Beitrag zur erfolgreichen Studierendenauswahl liefern (als Alternative oder Ergänzung zur Abiturnote).
Ocean Heat Content and the Intraseasonal Oscillation
Authors: Rydbeck A. V. , Jensen T. G. , Smith T. A. , Flatau M. K. , Janiga M. A. , Reynolds C. A. , Ridout J. A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIntraseasonal sea surface temperature anomalies generally cool during the convectively active phase of the intraseasonal oscillation in the Indian Ocean, but the behavior of intraseasonal ocean heat content anomalies is quite different. This is demonstrated using satellite observations and ocean reanalysis data. Ocean heat content anomalies increase during the convectively active phase of the intraseasonal oscillation and decrease during the convectively suppressed phase. Much of the intraseasonal variability of ocean heat content is westward propagating, moving in the opposite direction of the intraseasonal oscillation's convective envelope. While sea surface temperature anomalies are strongly regulated by variations in surface fluxes, their out of phase relationship with ocean heat content suggests that different processes are modulating the reservoir of warm water in the upper ocean. We hypothesize that oceanic equatorial waves are the primary forcing of intraseasonal ocean heat content anomalies during intraseasonal oscillation events.
Reevaluating Volcanic Deformation Using Atmospheric Corrections: Implications for the Magmatic System of Agung Volcano, Indonesia
Authors: Yip Stanley Tze Hou , Biggs Juliet , Albino Fabien 
Published: November 2019

AbstractA major challenge in using satellite interferometry (interferometric synthetic aperture radar) for volcanic monitoring in the tropics is distinguishing volcano deformation from atmospheric noise. We reanalyzed interferometric synthetic aperture radar time series from 2007–2009 from Agung volcano, Indonesia, which had previously been used as evidence for unrest. Using uncorrected data, we find an apparent velocity of 5.0±2.7 cm/yr consistent with previous reports, but we show that this signal is consistent with predictions of atmospheric contributions derived from weather models (European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts‐High‐Resolution). Following the correction, we find a velocity of 1.4±4.2 cm/yr and conclude that there was no significant deformation related to the inflation of a shallow magma source from 2007–2009. We discuss the implications for the inferred magma storage system at Agung and consider which other reported signals might have been wrongly attributed to deformation and should be reanalyzed.
Investigating ENSO‐Related Temperature Variability in Equatorial Pacific Core‐Tops Using Mg/Ca in Individual Planktic Foraminifera
Authors: Rongstad Brigitta L. , Marchitto Thomas M. , Serrato Marks Gabriela , Koutavas Athanasios , Mekik Figen , Ravelo Ana Christina 
Published: November 2019

AbstractEl Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the largest source of interannual climate variability on Earth today; however, future ENSO remains difficult to predict. Evaluation of paleo‐ENSO may help improve our basic understanding of the phenomenon and help resolve discrepancies among models tasked with simulating future climate. Individual foraminifera analysis allows continuous down‐core records of ENSO‐related temperature variability through the construction and comparison of paleotemperature distributions; however, there has been little focus on calibrating this technique to modern conditions. Here, we present data from individual measurements of Mg/Ca in two species of planktic foraminifera, surface dwelling Globigerinoides ruber and thermocline dwelling Neogloboquadrina dutertrei, from nine core tops across the equatorial Pacific (n ≈ 70 per core for each species). Population variance, kernel probability density functions, and quantile‐quantile analyses are used to evaluate the shape of each Mg/Ca‐temperature distribution and to compare them to modern conditions using monthly temperatures from the Simple Ocean Data Assimilation. We show that populations of individual Mg/Ca measurements in both G. ruber and N. dutertrei reflect site‐specific temperature distribution shapes and variances across the equatorial Pacific when accounting for regional differences in depth habitats. Individual measurements of both taxa capture zonal increases in population variance from the western equatorial Pacific to the central equatorial Pacific and a spatially heterogeneous eastern equatorial Pacific, consistent with modern conditions. Lastly, we show that populations of individual Mg/Ca measurements are able to recover meaningful differences in temperature variability between sites within the eastern equatorial Pacific, lending support to this tool's application for paleo‐ENSO reconstructions.
Germline genetic variation in prostate susceptibility does not predict outcomes in the chemoprevention trials PCPT and SELECT
Authors:   the PRACTICAL consortium, Ahmed Mahbubl , Goh Chee , Saunders Edward , Cieza-Borrella Clara , Kote-Jarai Zsofia , Schumacher Fredrick R. , Eeles Ros 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background
The development of prostate cancer can be influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Numerous germline SNPs influence prostate cancer susceptibility. The functional pathways in which these SNPs increase prostate cancer susceptibility are unknown. Finasteride is currently not being used routinely as a chemoprevention agent but the long term outcomes of the PCPT trial are awaited. The outcomes of the SELECT trial have not recommended the use of chemoprevention in preventing prostate cancer. This study investigated whether germline risk SNPs could be used to predict outcomes in the PCPT and SELECT trial.

Methods
Genotyping was performed in European men entered into the PCPT trial (n = 2434) and SELECT (n = 4885). Next generation genotyping was performed using Affymetrix® Eureka™ Genotyping protocols. Logistic regression models were used to test the association of risk scores and the outcomes in the PCPT and SELECT trials.

Results
Of the 100 SNPs, 98 designed successfully and genotyping was validated for samples genotyped on other platforms. A number of SNPs predicted for aggressive disease in both trials. Men with a higher polygenic score are more likely to develop prostate cancer in both trials, but the score did not predict for other outcomes in the trial.

Conclusion
Men with a higher polygenic risk score are more likely to develop prostate cancer. There were no interactions of these germline risk SNPs and the chemoprevention agents in the SELECT and PCPT trials.
Homogenous generation of dopaminergic neurons from multiple hiPSC lines by transient expression of transcription factors
Authors: Mahajani Sameehan , Raina Anupam , Fokken Claudia , Kügler Sebastian , Bähr Mathias 
Published: November 2019

AbstractA major hallmark of Parkinson's disease is loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). The pathophysiological mechanisms causing this relatively selective neurodegeneration are poorly understood, and thus experimental systems allowing to study dopaminergic neuron dysfunction are needed. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) differentiated toward a dopaminergic neuronal phenotype offer a valuable source to generate human dopaminergic neurons. However, currently available protocols result in a highly variable yield of dopaminergic neurons depending on the source of hiPSCs. We have now developed a protocol based on HBA promoter-driven transient expression of transcription factors by means of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors, that allowed to generate very consistent numbers of dopaminergic neurons from four different human iPSC lines. We also demonstrate that AAV vectors expressing reporter genes from a neuron-specific hSyn1 promoter can serve as surrogate markers for maturation of hiPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons. Dopaminergic neurons differentiated by transcription factor expression showed aggravated neurodegeneration through α-synuclein overexpression, but were not sensitive to γ-synuclein overexpression, suggesting that these neurons are well suited to study neurodegeneration in the context of Parkinson’s disease.
Brain age prediction using deep learning uncovers associated sequence variants
Authors: Jonsson B. A. , Bjornsdottir G. , Thorgeirsson T. E. , Ellingsen L. M. , Walters G. Bragi , Gudbjartsson D. F. , Stefansson H. , Stefansson K. , Ulfarsson M. O. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMachine learning algorithms can be trained to estimate age from brain structural MRI. The difference between an individual’s predicted and chronological age, predicted age difference (PAD), is a phenotype of relevance to aging and brain disease. Here, we present a new deep learning approach to predict brain age from a T1-weighted MRI. The method was trained on a dataset of healthy Icelanders and tested on two datasets, IXI and UK Biobank, utilizing transfer learning to improve accuracy on new sites. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of PAD in the UK Biobank data (discovery set:$$N=12378$$N=12378, replication set:$$N=4456$$N=4456) yielded two sequence variants, rs1452628-T ($$\beta =-0.08$$β=−0.08,$$P=1.15\times{10}^{-9}$$P=1.15×10−9) and rs2435204-G ($$\beta =0.102$$β=0.102,$$P=9.73\times 1{0}^{-12}$$P=9.73×10−12). The former is nearKCNK2and correlates with reduced sulcal width, whereas the latter correlates with reduced white matter surface area and tags a well-known inversion at 17q21.31 (H2).
Anisotropic polymer nanoparticles with controlled dimensions from the morphological transformation of isotropic seeds
Authors: Hua Zan , Jones Joseph R. , Thomas Marjolaine , Arno Maria C. , Souslov Anton , Wilks Thomas R. , O’Reilly Rachel K. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractUnderstanding and controlling self-assembly processes at multiple length scales is vital if we are to design and create advanced materials. In particular, our ability to organise matter on the nanoscale has advanced considerably, but still lags far behind our skill in manipulating individual molecules. New tools allowing controlled nanoscale assembly are sorely needed, as well as the physical understanding of how they work. Here, we report such a method for the production of highly anisotropic nanoparticles with controlled dimensions based on a morphological transformation process (MORPH, for short) driven by the formation of supramolecular bonds. We present a minimal physical model for MORPH that suggests a general mechanism which is potentially applicable to a large number of polymer/nanoparticle systems. We envision MORPH becoming a valuable tool for controlling nanoscale self-assembly, and for the production of functional nanostructures for diverse applications.
Lipid order and charge protect killer T cells from accidental death
Authors: Rudd-Schmidt Jesse A. , Hodel Adrian W. , Noori Tahereh , Lopez Jamie A. , Cho Hyun-Jung , Verschoor Sandra , Ciccone Annette , Trapani Joseph A. , Hoogenboom Bart W. , Voskoboinik Ilia 
Published: November 2019

AbstractKiller T cells (cytotoxic T lymphocytes, CTLs) maintain immune homoeostasis by eliminating virus-infected and cancerous cells. CTLs achieve this by forming an immunological synapse with their targets and secreting a pore-forming protein (perforin) and pro-apoptotic serine proteases (granzymes) into the synaptic cleft. Although the CTL and the target cell are both exposed to perforin within the synapse, only the target cell membrane is disrupted, while the CTL is invariably spared. How CTLs escape unscathed remains a mystery. Here, we report that CTLs achieve this via two protective properties of their plasma membrane within the synapse: high lipid order repels perforin and, in addition, exposed phosphatidylserine sequesters and inactivates perforin. The resulting resistance of CTLs to perforin explains their ability to kill target cells in rapid succession and to survive these encounters. Furthermore, these mechanisms imply an unsuspected role for plasma membrane organization in protecting cells from immune attack.
Microstructure and corrosion evolution of additively manufactured aluminium alloy AA7075 as a function of ageing
Authors: Gharbi Oumaïma , Kumar Kairy Shravan , De Lima Paula Roberta , Jiang Derui , Nicklaus Juan , Birbilis Nick 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAdditively manufactured high strength aluminium (Al) alloy AA7075 was prepared using selective laser melting (SLM). High strength Al-alloys prepared by SLM have not been widely studied to date. The evolution of microstructure and hardness, with the attendant corrosion, were investigated. Additively manufactured AA7075 was investigated both in the “as-produced” condition and as a function of artificial ageing. The microstructure of specimens prepared was studied using electron microscopy. Production of AA7075 by SLM generated a unique microstructure, which was altered by solutionising and further altered by artificial ageing—resulting in microstructures distinctive to that of wrought AA7075-T6. The electrochemical response of additively manufactured AA7075 was dependent on processing history, and unique to wrought AA7075-T6, whereby dissolution rates were generally lower for additively manufactured AA7075. Furthermore, immersion exposure testing followed by microscopy, indicated different corrosion morphology for additively manufactured AA7075, whereby resultant pit size was notably smaller, in contrast to wrought AA7075-T6.
Parapharyngeal fat pad area at the subglosso-supraglottic level is associated with corresponding lateral wall collapse and apnea-hypopnea index in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a pilot study
Authors: Chen Hung-Chin , Wang Chao-Jan , Lo Yu-Lun , Hsu Hao-Chun , Huang Chung-Guei , Kuo I-Chun , Lu Yi-An , Hsin Li-Jen , Lin Wan-Ni , Fang Tuan-Jen , Li Hsueh-Yu , Lee Li-Ang 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess associations between fat pad areas at various anatomic levels and the sites of lateral wall collapse and disease severity in adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Forty-one patients with OSA who prospectively underwent drug-induced sleep computed tomography were included. Areas of parapharyngeal fat pads and degrees of lateral wall collapse at three representative anatomic levels (nasopharynx, oropharynx, and subglosso-supraglottis), and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) were measured. In the subglosso-supraglottic region, the parapharyngeal fat pad area in 17 (41%) patients with complete lateral wall collapse was significantly larger than that in 24 (59%) patients without complete collapse (median, 236.0 mm2 vs 153.0 mm2; P = 0.02). In multivariate regression analysis, the parapharyngeal fat pad area at the subglosso-supraglottic level (β = 0.02; P = 0.01) and body mass index (β = 3.24; P = 0.01) were independently associated with AHI. Our preliminary results supported that parapharyngeal fat pads at the subglosso-supraglottic level may be involved in the development of lateral wall collapse and then determine the severity of OSA. Further studies are warranted to investigate the effect of reducing parapharyngeal fat pads in the treatment of OSA.