bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic risk score based on fat mass and obesity-associated, transmembrane protein 18 and fibronectin type III domain containing 5 polymorphisms is associated with anthropometric characteristics in South Brazilian children and adolescents
Authors: Todendi Pâmela F. , Klinger Elisa I. , Geraldo Ana C. R. , Brixner Lucas , Reuter Cézane P. , Lindenau Juliana Dal Ri , Valim Andréia R. M. , Fiegenbaum Marilu 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe prevalence of childhood obesity has increased worldwide. Although it is considered a polygenic inheritance disease, little is known about its susceptibility when the additive effect is considered. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the genetic risk score (GRS) based on previously associated obesity polymorphisms (SNP) rs9939609 (fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO)), rs6548238 (transmembrane protein 18 (TMEM18)) and rs16835198 (fibronectin type III domain containing 5 (FNDC5)) could serve as a predictor for anthropometric characteristics in a sample of Brazilian children and adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study with 1471 children and adolescents aged 6–17 years. BMI, waist circumference (WC) and percentage of body fat and metabolic parameters were verified. In all, three SNP were genotyped by TaqMan™ allelic discrimination. The metabolic and anthropometric parameters were compared between the genotypes, and the unweighted and weighted GRS (GRS and wGRS, respectively) were created to test the additive effect of these genetic polymorphisms on anthropometric parameters. The prevalence of overweight plus obesity was 41 %. Significant associations were identified forFTOrs9939609,TMEM18rs6548238 andFNDC5rs16835198 and for GRS and wGRS with anthropometric phenotypes. The higher score of wGRS was associated with obesity (OR: 2·65, 95 % CI 1·40, 5·04,P=0·003) and with greater WC (OR: 2·91, 95 % CI 1·57, 5·40,P=0·001). Our results suggest that these genetic variants contribute to obesity susceptibility in children and adolescents and reinforce the idea that the additive effect may be useful to elucidate the genetic component of obesity.
On the Taylor series asymptotic tracking control of robots
Authors: Ahmadi Seyed Mohammad , Fateh Mohammad Mehdi 
Published: October 2018

SUMMARYAchieving the asymptotic tracking control of electrically driven robot manipulators is a challenging problem due to approximation/modelling error arising from parametric and non-parametric uncertainty. Thanks to the specific property of Taylor series systems as they are universal approximators, this research outlines two robust control schemes using an adaptive Taylor series system for robot manipulators, including actuators' dynamics. First, an indirect adaptive controller is designed such as to approximate an uncertain continuous function by using a Taylor series system in the proposed control law. Second, a direct adaptive scheme is established to employ the Taylor series system as a controller. In both controllers, not only a robustifying term is constructed using the estimation of the upper bound of approximation/modelling error, but the closed-loop stability, as well as the asymptotic convergence of joint-space tracking error and its time derivative, is ensured. Due to the design of the Taylor series system in the tracking error space, our technique clearly has an advantage over fuzzy and neural network-based control methods in terms of the small number of tuning parameters and inputs. The proposed methods are simple, model free in decentralized forms, no need for uncertainty bounding functions and perfectly capable of dealing with parametric and non-parametric uncertainty and measurement noise. Finally, simulation results are introduced to confirm the efficiency of the proposed control methods.
SOME NEW BOUNDS AND APPROXIMATIONS ON TAIL PROBABILITIES OF THE POISSON AND OTHER DISCRETE DISTRIBUTIONS
Authors: From Steven G. , Swift Andrew W. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we discuss new bounds and approximations for tail probabilities of certain discrete distributions. Several different methods are used to obtain bounds and/or approximations. Excellent upper and lower bounds are obtained for the Poisson distribution. Excellent approximations (and not bounds necessarily) are also obtained for other discrete distributions. Numerical comparisons made to previously proposed methods demonstrate that the new bounds and/or approximations compare very favorably. Some conjectures are made.
Multi-modality Therapy Leads to Longer Survival in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Patients
Authors: Singhal Dhruv , Witham Timothy F. , Germanwala Anand , Flickinger John C. , Schiff David , Kondziolka Douglas 
Published: October 2018

Abstract:Background:Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCL) is more frequently encountered by neurosurgeons given the increasing incidence among both nonimmunocompromised and immunocompromised patients. The most frequent surgery is stereotactic biopsy. Historically, radiation therapy has been the standard treatment modality for this disease and median survival was in the 15-month range. More recently, multi-modality therapy combining radiation therapy with chemotherapy (systemic, intrathecal, and/or intra-arterial) have resulted in longer survivals. We reviewed survival data for our series of patients treated for PCL over the last decade.Methods:Thirty-four patients with histologically confirmed PCL were treated at our center. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine which factor(s) (age, gender, HIV status, Karnofsky Performance Scale, chemotherapy, single modality therapy, histology, location, number of lesions, surgical resection) had a significant impact on survival.Results:The overall median survival was 19 months. Patients receiving multi-modality therapy (n=17) (chemotherapy and radiation) had a median survival of 34 months compared to four months for patients receiving single modality therapy (n=17 including seven HIV positive patients). Multi-modality therapy was the only significant factor affecting survival in this multivariate analysis (p<0.0001).Conclusions:Chemotherapy plus radiotherapy significantly enhances survival over patients treated with single modality therapy alone. Quality of life issues should be addressed on a case by case basis as additional treatment modalities are initiated.
Isolated Peripheral Neuropathy in Atypical Metachromatic Leukodystrophy: A Recurrent Mutation
Authors: Coulter-Mackie Marion B. , Applegarth Derek A. , Toone Jennifer R. , Gagnier Liane , Anzarut André R. , Hendson Glenda 
Published: October 2018

Abstract:Background:Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder resulting from a deficiency of arylsulfatase A. Late onset forms are relatively rare. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is characteristic at all ages.Methods:A patient in her late 40s with peripheral neuropathy was assessed by EEG, evoked potentials, CTand nerve conduction studies. Nerve and muscle biopsy samples were investigated by electron microscopy. Arylsulfatase A activity in leukocytes and excreted cerebroside sulfate were determined. The arylsulfatase A gene was investigated for mutations using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNAsequencing. The identified mutation was expressed transiently in African green monkey kidney (COS) cells to determine the effect of the mutation on arylsulfatase A activity.Results:Central nervous system functions were normal. Nerve conduction velocities were decreased. Sural nerve biopsy showed inclusions typical of MLD. Arylsulfatase A was less than 5% of normal. A homozygous mutation thr286pro was identified in the arylsulfatase A gene and demonstrated to be deleterious through transient expression studies.Conclusions:Our patient has a progressive peripheral neuropathy but has apparently intact CNS function at her present age of 57 years. Biochemical, physiological and pathological findings are consistent with a diagnosis of MLD. A homozygous mutation, thr286pro, found in her arylsulfatase A gene, decreased enzyme activity to a level consistent with a late onset form of MLD.
Hemiparkinsonism-Somatic Hemiatrophy Syndrome
Authors: Jenkins Mary , Mendonca Dan , Parrent Andrew , Jog Mandar S. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract:Purpose:This paper highlights the hemiparkinsonism-hemiatrophy (HPHA) syndrome as a unique presentation of the parkinsonian state. Clinically relevant diagnostic and treatment aspects are reviewed.Method:We report a case of HPHA, in a 21-year-old, otherwise healthy, woman. Clinical and radiographic features of our case are presented. We also review the current literature on the clinical, radiological and pathophysiological mechanisms of HPHA.Results:In our case, despite the lack of benefit from anticholinergics and dopamine agonists (the patient declined treatment with levodopa), the patient showed a dramatic improvement with subthalamic nucleus stimulator (STN) implantation. There are no reported cases of use of STN stimulator in HPHA.Conclusion:Hemiparkinsonism-hemiatrophy is a distinct entity that may be clinically and pathogenetically different from idiopathic Parkinson’s disease; hence, HPHA needs to be considered as a possible syndrome in patients that have persistent unilateral parkinsonism. As medications are reported to be unhelpful in HPHA cases, early surgical intervention may be an option, such as in our case.
A Patient with Proximal Myotonic Myopathy and Parkinsonism
Authors: Chu Kon , Cho Jin-Whan , Song Eun-Chol , Jeon Beom S. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract:Introduction:There are two case reports of patients who had proximal myotonic myopathy (PROMM) / myotonic dystrophy (DM) Type 1 and parkinsonism. The combination of myotonic myopathy and parkinsonism is so rare that it may appear to be just a coincidence. However, previous neuropathological examinations of patients who had myotonic dystrophy showed that there were intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the nigra and striatum, which raises the possibility that myotonic myopathy may be associated with parkinsonism. In this report we describe a patient with PROMM and a clinically definite parkinsonism to highlight this possibility.Case Report:A 65-year-old man developed proximal muscle weakness, myotonia and atrophy around the age of 55 and was diagnosed as having PROMM at the age of 62. Needle electromyography and muscle biopsy supported the diagnosis. A gene study of the DM Type 1 showed a normal CTG repeat length. At age 63, he developed rest tremor, bradykinesia, hypomimia, stooped posture, and gait disturbance. The postural instability worsened rapidly. The tremor and rigidity were much worse in his right side, where myotonia was more severe. Levodopa therapy was only partially effective.Conclusion:This is a case report of a patient with PROMM that shows an association with a rapidly progressive form of parkinsonism. We suggest that this may be a novel form of a neurodegenerative disorder, which we name ‘Parkinsonism- Myotonic Myopathy-Complex’.
Effect of Land Use and Land Cover Change in Context of Growth Enhancements in the United States Since 1700: Net Source or Sink?
Authors: Felzer Benjamin S. , Jiang Mingkai 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMany flux‐based data and related models indicate that the United States is currently a strong carbon sink, but this flux imbalance does not account for carbon lost from previous disturbance. Here we take a modeling approach that involves a full carbon accounting to include the effect of previous human‐induced land use changes and management during a period of abiotic changes to the environment since the 1700s. The goal is to show how land use and land cover change has affected carbon loss in the context of other environmental changes like climate, elevated CO2, and nitrogen deposition that tend to enhance growth. Here we show that land use and land cover change has led to the loss of carbon since 1700 (42 PgC), while growth enhancements since the start of the 20th century have only partially countered this loss (1.8 PgC). Fertilized croplands are the largest carbon sink in the first decade of the 21st century (477 TgC/year), followed by forests (266 TgC/year) and grazing pastures (223 TgC/year), if not accounting for land use conversion fluxes, product decomposition, and livestock respiration (i.e., net ecosystem productivity). When accounting for these disturbance fluxes, only returning forests (40 TgC/year) and grasslands (16 TgC/year) remain a carbon sink. A carbon accounting of human disturbances should be considered when determining the climate and policy implications of forest regrowth on the terrestrial carbon sink.
H+/O+ Escape Rate Ratio in the Venus Magnetotail and its Dependence on the Solar Cycle
Authors: Persson M. , Futaana Y. , Fedorov A. , Nilsson H. , Hamrin M. , Barabash S. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA fundamental question for the atmospheric evolution of Venus is how much water‐related material escapes from Venus to space. In this study, we calculate the nonthermal escape of H+ and O+ ions through the Venusian magnetotail and its dependence on the solar cycle. We separate 8 years of data obtained from the ion mass analyzer on Venus Express into solar minimum and maximum. The average escape of H+ decreased from 7.6 · 1024 (solar minimum) to 2.1 · 1024 s−1 (solar maximum), while a smaller decrease was found for O+: 2.9 · 1024 to 2.0 · 1024 s−1. As a result, the H+/O+ flux ratio decreases from 2.6 to 1.1. This implies that the escape of hydrogen and oxygen could have been below the stoichiometric ratio of water for Venus in its early history under the more active Sun.
Equatorial Intraseasonal Temperature Oscillations in the Lower Thermosphere From SABER
Authors: Vergados Panagiotis , Liu Guiping , Mannucci Anthony J. , Janches Diego 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWe analyze the spatial‐temporal variability of the mesosphere/lower thermosphere (MLT) temperature at ±15N/S over 14 years, using measurements from the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument. We report that during the Madden‐Julian Oscillation season (November–April) the MLT region exhibits temperature variations with dominant periodicities at 40 and 60 days with amplitudes as large as 5.0 K. These intraseasonal oscillations (ISOs) are expressed across all longitudes, having superimposed zonal wave‐like structures that resemble waves 3 and 4 with amplitudes as large as 5.0 K. The cold and warm ISO phases are ubiquitous and repeatable from year to year over the 14‐year satellite record. We show that the MLT ISO exhibits the characteristics of a propagating wave carrying the embedded zonal wave‐like structures. At 20 km an ISO signal also exists with similar characteristics as the MLT ISO, suggesting a potential connection with the lower atmosphere.
Warm Terrestrial Subtropics During the Paleocene and Eocene: Carbonate Clumped Isotope (Δ47) Evidence From the Tornillo Basin, Texas (USA)
Authors: Kelson Julia R. , Watford Dylana , Bataille Clement , Huntington Katharine W. , Hyland Ethan , Bowen Gabriel J. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractRecords of subtropical climate on land from the early Paleogene offer insights into how the Earth system responds to greenhouse climate conditions. Fluvial and floodplain deposits of the Tornillo Basin (Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA) preserve a record of environmental and climatic change of the Paleocene and the early Eocene. We report carbon, oxygen, and clumped isotopic compositions (δ13C, δ18O, and Δ47) of paleosol carbonate nodules from this basin. Mineralogical, geochemical, and thermal modeling evidence suggests that the measured isotopic values preserve primary environmental signals with a summer bias with the exception of data from two nodules reset by local igneous intrusions. The unaltered nodules record Δ47 temperatures of 25 ± 4 and 32 ± 2 °C for the Paleocene and early Eocene nodules, respectively, showing an increase in average summer temperatures of 7 ± 3 °C. Calculations of δ18O of soil water are −2.8 ± 0.7‰ and −0.8 ± 0.4‰ (standard mean ocean water) for the early‐mid‐Paleocene and late Paleocene‐early Eocene, showing an increase of 2.0 ± 0.9‰. The increase in temperature and δ18O values likely relates to a rise in atmospheric pCO2, although we cannot rule out that changes in paleosol texture and regional precipitation patterns also influence the record. Comparison with Δ47 estimates of summer temperature from the Green River and Bighorn Basins (WY) highlights that terrestrial surface temperatures are heterogeneous, and latitudinal temperature gradients on land remain undetermined. Previously published paleoclimate models predict summer temperatures that are 2 to 6 °C higher than our estimate; discrepancies between climate models and proxy data persist at lower latitudes.
The Influence of Cloudiness on Hydrologic Fluctuations in the Mountains of the Western United States
Authors: Sumargo Edwin , Cayan Daniel R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis study investigates snowmelt and streamflow responses to cloudiness variability across the mountainous parts of the western United States. Twenty years (1996–2015) of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite‐derived cloud cover indices (CC) with 4‐km spatial and daily temporal resolutions are used as a proxy for cloudiness. The primary driver of nonseasonal fluctuations in daily mean solar insolation is the fluctuating cloudiness. We find that CC fluctuations are related to snowmelt and snow‐fed streamflow fluctuations, to some extent (correlations of <0.5). Multivariate linear regression models of daily snowmelt (MELT) and streamflow (ΔQ) variations are constructed for each month from February to July, when snowmelt is most active. Predictors include CC from five antecedent days up to the current day. The CC‐MELT and CC‐ΔQ associations vary with time and location. The results show the dominance of negative correlations between CC and MELT, exemplifying the cloud‐shading (or clear‐sky) effect on snowmelt. The magnitude of the CC‐MELT association (R2) amounts to 5–61%, typically peaking in May. These associations fade earlier in summer during dry years than wet years, indicating the differing responses of thicker versus thinner snowpack. The CC‐ΔQ association displays a less consistent pattern, with R2 amounting to 2–47%. Nevertheless, MELT and ΔQ fluctuations exhibit spatially extensive patterns of correlations with daily cloudiness anomalies, indicating that the effects of cloudiness often operate over regional spatial scales.
Diffusive Regimes of the Motion of Bed Load Particles in Open Channel Flows at Low Transport Stages
Authors: Cecchetto M. , Tregnaghi M. , Bottacin‐Busolin A. , Tait S. J. , Cotterle L. , Marion A. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe stochasticity of fluid and sediment parameters has been identified as a source of diffusion, particularly anomalous diffusion at different temporal and spatial scales of bed load particle trajectories. Data from two sets of flume experiments are presented, one data set has gravel particle trajectories tracked over a limited area and was used in identifying the influence of different shear stress conditions on diffusive processes. A new experiment was performed using spherical particles moving as bed load in an annular flume in order to address concerns about censorship effects caused by the size of the detection window. An annular flume allowed collection of practically uncensored particle trajectories over longer time period than has been previously possible in the laboratory. Three diffusive regimes were observed at distinct stages of particle motion: (i) ballistic regime at the local range; (ii) Fickian diffusion at the intermediate range; (iii) subdiffusion at the global range. Characteristic time scales separate the regimes and correlate with the mean traveling and resting times of particles. Fickian diffusion in the intermediate range is first recognized as a result of the balance between intermittent weak transport and near‐bed turbulence, as first predicted by Nikora et al. (2002, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001WR000513). In the global range, extreme values were observed in the distribution of particle resting times, suggesting that two types of distributions (related to surface motion and vertical mixing) were responsible for the subdiffusion at longer time scales. Diffusion was found to be anisotropic at all stages of particle motion.
Opportunities and Challenges in Computing Fresh Groundwater Discharge to Continental Coastlines: A Multimodel Comparison for the United States Gulf and Atlantic Coasts
Authors: Zhou YaoQuan , Befus Kevin M. , Sawyer Audrey H. , David Cédric H. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe fresh component of submarine groundwater discharge (fresh SGD) transports nutrient and contaminant loads from land to sea. Fresh SGD fluxes are poorly known but depend on geology, topography, climate, and land use. Here we assess two general approaches for quantifying the magnitude of fresh SGD over regional to continental scales—water budgets (lumped parameter models) and groundwater flow models—focusing on the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf Coasts as a large‐scale case study. Estimates of fresh SGD fluxes from groundwater flow models are more variable than estimates from water budgets, and both are often less than field‐based estimates. Both approaches predict the volume of fresh SGD within approximately 50% of 12.3 km3/year, in line with previous estimates, and differences are largely driven by hydrographic data inputs. The simplified water budget approach, while computationally cheap, cannot resolve flow paths or continuous flux distributions and may neglect groundwater flow from deep aquifers or distal recharge zones. Conversely, three‐dimensional groundwater flow models can resolve flow paths and fresh SGD contributions from heterogeneous aquifer systems but are computationally expensive and require more parameterization. Ultimately, multiple models and integrated field data are needed to improve our estimates of fresh SGD fluxes over a wide range of scales.
Method of Distributions for Water Hammer Equations With Uncertain Parameters
Authors: Alawadhi Abdulrahman , Boso Francesca , Tartakovsky Daniel M. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWater hammer equations (WHE) are routinely used to interpret leak detection tests in pipe networks. Assimilation of pressure data into model predictions is typically done within the probabilistic framework, which treats uncertain model parameters (e.g., initial and boundary conditions, location, and intensity of a leak) as random variables so that solutions of the WHE are given in terms of probability density functions (PDFs) of fluid pressure and velocity. These are usually estimated with computationally expensive Monte Carlo simulations. We use the method of distributions to derive a deterministic equation for the (joint) PDFs of the pressure and flow rate governed by the WHE. This PDF equation employs a closure approximation that ensures the self‐consistency in terms of the mean and variance of the state variables. Our numerical experiments demonstrate the agreement between solutions of the PDF equation and Monte Carlo simulations, and the computational efficiency of the former relative to the latter.