bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
User Acceptability of Whole Exome Reproductive Carrier Testing for Consanguineous Couples in Australia
Authors: Josephi‐Taylor Sarah , Barlow‐Stewart Kristine , Selvanathan Arthavan , Roscioli Tony , Bittles Alan , Meiser Bettina , Worgan Lisa , Rajagopalan Sulekha , Colley Alison , Kirk Edwin P. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe study aimed to explore with consanguineous couples in Australia the acceptability and perceived utility of whole exome reproductive carrier screening for autosomal recessive and X‐linked recessive conditions. Semi‐structured interviews with 21 consanguineous couples were conducted prior to the offer of screening. Interviews were coded, and thematic analysis was informed by an inductive approach. Three major themes were identified: experiences and attitudes of Australian consanguineous couples, childhood genetic conditions and beliefs, and the perceived utility of genomic screening. All but one couple had previously sought genetic advice, and a large majority of couples were aware of childhood conditions within their family or community. Thirteen couples perceived consanguinity as increasing the risk of having affected children. Nine spoke of premarital screening programs routinely conducted in their countries of origin. All supported the concept and availability of genomic reproductive carrier screening. Hypothetically, if found to be carriers of a severe childhood disorder, 13 couples reported they would test a pregnancy, and 12 of whom would consider termination of pregnancy or pre‐implantation genetic diagnosis. Four couples would not test a pregnancy and two were unsure. A majority of couples would communicate potential at‐risk status to family members, although there were some caveats. Fourteen couples chose to have exome screening and reported that they would utilize the results with the goal of preventing childhood conditions. Of these couples, nine (64%) had an affected child but were aware that testing may reveal they were at risk for a child with a different condition and five (71%) without an affected child. While from diverse ethnic and backgrounds, all couples practiced a religion and all but one couple were recruited from the same clinical genetics unit, with a likely higher genetic literacy and bias towards accepting genetic testing. However, the choice made by all couples was reportedly made with consideration of their personal values, their current family situation, and exome testing issues, including fear of incidental findings and concerns about test reliability.
GEOLOGIES OF ERASURE: SINKHOLES, SCIENCE, AND SETTLER COLONIALISM AT THE DEAD SEA
Authors: Popperl Simone 
Published: September 2018

AbstractScientists who study Dead Sea sinkholes come to know them in particular ways (as generalized hydrogeoloic phenomena, symptoms of a regional environmental crisis, or divine retribution) and at particular scales (from the distant orbit of Earth observation satellites, from digitally altered aerial photographs, and occasionally from the inside). Using ethnographic data gathered between 2012 and 2015 in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt), Israel, and Jordan, I compare how groups and individuals study, think, and learn about Dead Sea sinkholes. The way hydrogeologic knowledge about these sinkholes is gathered and circulated helps define land around the Dead Sea as territory to be colonized. These scientific processes can nullify Palestinian claims to the Dead Sea, eliminate Palestinian people from Dead Sea landscapes, and marginalize Bedouin opposition to Jordanian government policies. I suggest that attention to “geologies of erasure” helps scholars to understand the scientific and political impacts of settler colonialisms on the collection of knowledge about changing natural environments in the Middle East and beyond.
Population dynamics of the crabHepatus pudibundus(Herbst, 1785) (Decapoda, Aethridae) on the southern coast of São Paulo state, Brazil
Authors: Miazaki Lizandra Fernandes , Simões Sabrina Morilhas , Castilho Antonio Leão , Costa Rogério Caetano 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe present study investigated the population dynamics ofHepatus pudibundusin the Cananéia region, in southern São Paulo state, Brazil, focusing on population structure, growth parameters, longevity, sex ratio, reproduction and recruitment juvenile period. Sampling was performed monthly at seven stations from July 2012 to June 2014, using a shrimp fishing boat. A total of 1650 specimens were collected: 551 males and 1099 females. The males were larger than females. Reproductive females were captured throughout the study period and juveniles were captured in most months. Both of these demographic categories were positively correlated with temperature. Growth parameters showed differences between sexes: CW∞= 78.91 mm,k= 0.0066 day−1,t0= 0.0965 for males and CW∞= 69.71 mm,k= 0.0053 day−1,t0= −0.2404 for females. Longevity was estimated at 1.91 and 2.40 years for males and females, respectively. The findings provide a greater understanding of the life cycle in this species. Additionally, since trawl nets are not selective, this study also provides information for better trawl fishery management, addressing not only the target shrimp but also the by-catch species.
Regulator constants of integral representations of finite groups
Authors: TORZEWSKI ALEX 
Published: September 2018

AbstractLet G be a finite group and p be a prime. We investigate isomorphism invariants of $\mathbb{Z}_p$[G]-lattices whose extension of scalars to $\mathbb{Q}_p$ is self-dual, called regulator constants. These were originally introduced by Dokchitser–Dokchitser in the context of elliptic curves. Regulator constants canonically yield a pairing between the space of Brauer relations for G and the subspace of the representation ring for which regulator constants are defined. For all G, we show that this pairing is never identically zero. For formal reasons, this pairing will, in general, have non-trivial kernel. But, if G has cyclic Sylow p-subgroups and we restrict to considering permutation lattices, then we show that the pairing is non-degenerate modulo the formal kernel. Using this we can show that, for certain groups, including dihedral groups of order 2p for p odd, the isomorphism class of any $\mathbb{Z}_p$[G]-lattice whose extension of scalars to $\mathbb{Q}_p$ is self-dual, is determined by its regulator constants, its extension of scalars to $\mathbb{Q}_p$, and a cohomological invariant of Yakovlev.
A datalog-based computational model for coordination-free, data-parallel systems
Authors: INTERLANDI MATTEO , TANCA LETIZIA 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCloud computingrefers to maximizing efficiency by sharing computational and storage resources, whiledata-parallel systemsexploit the resources available in the cloud to perform parallel transformations over large amounts of data. In the same line, considerable emphasis has been recently given to two apparently disjoint research topics:data-parallel, andeventually consistent, distributedsystems.Declarative networkinghas been recently proposed to ease the task of programming in the cloud, by allowing the programmer to express only the desired result and leave the implementation details to the responsibility of the run-time system. In this context, we deem it appropriate to propose a study on alogic-programming-based computational modelfor eventually consistent, data-parallel systems, the keystone of which is provided by the recent finding that the class of programs that can be computed in an eventually consistent, coordination-free way is that ofmonotonic programs. This principle is called Consistency and Logical Monotonicity (CALM) and has been proven by Amelootet al.for distributed, asynchronous settings. We advocate that CALM should be employed as a basic theoretical tool also for data-parallel systems, wherein computation usually proceeds synchronously in rounds and where communication is assumed to be reliable. We deem this problem relevant and interesting, especially for what concernsparallel dataflow optimizations. Nowadays, we are in fact witnessing an increasing concern about understanding which properties distinguish synchronous from asynchronous parallel processing, and when the latter can replace the former. It is general opinion that coordination-freedom can be seen as a major discriminant factor. In this work, we make the case that the current form of CALM does not hold in general for data-parallel systems, and show how, using novel techniques, the satisfiability of the CALM principle can still be obtained although just for the subclass of programs calledconnected monotonic queries. We complete the study with considerations on the relationships between our model and the one employed by Amelootet al., showing that our techniques subsume the latter when the synchronization constraints imposed on the system are loosened.
Catchment Drainage Network Scaling Laws Found Experimentally in Overland Flow Morphologies
Authors: Cheraghi Mohsen , Rinaldo Andrea , Sander Graham C. , Perona Paolo , Barry D. A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe scaling relation between the drainage area and stream length (Hack's law), along with exceedance probabilities of drainage area, discharge, and upstream flow network length, is well known for channelized fluvial regions. We report here on a laboratory experiment on an eroding unconsolidated sediment for which no channeling occurred. Laser scanning was used to capture the morphological evolution of the sediment. High‐intensity, spatially nonuniform rainfall ensured that the morphology changed substantially over the 16‐hr experiment. Based on the surface scans and precipitation distribution, overland flow was estimated with the D8 algorithm, which outputs a flow network that was analyzed statistically. The above‐mentioned scaling and exceedance probability relationships for this overland flow network are the same as those found for large‐scale catchments and for laboratory experiments with observable channels. In addition, the scaling laws were temporally invariant, even though the network dynamically changed over the course of experiment.
Pitch Angle Scattering and Loss of Radiation Belt Electrons in Broadband Electromagnetic Waves
Authors: Chaston C. C. , Bonnell J. W. , Halford A. J. , Reeves G. D. , Baker D. N. , Kletzing C. A. , Wygant J. R. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA magnetic conjunction between Van Allen Probes spacecraft and the Balloon Array for Radiation‐belt Relativistic Electron Losses (BARREL) reveals the simultaneous occurrence of broadband Alfvénic fluctuations and multi‐timescale modulation of enhanced atmospheric X‐ray bremsstrahlung emission. The properties of the Alfvénic fluctuations are used to build a model for pitch angle scattering in the outer radiation belt on electron gyro‐radii scale field structures. It is shown that this scattering may lead to the transport of electrons into the loss cone over an energy range from hundreds of keV to multi‐MeV on diffusive timescales on the order of hours. This process may account for modulation of atmospheric X‐ray fluxes observed from balloons and constitute a significant loss process for the radiation belts.
Dynamics of Eddy Generation in the Central Bay of Bengal
Authors: Cheng Xuhua , McCreary Julian P. , Qiu Bo , Qi Yiquan , Du Yan , Chen Xiao 
Published: September 2018

AbstractEddy activity in the central Bay of Bengal (BoB) is revealed using satellite observations and hydrographic data. Altimetric data show that eddies are generated near the eastern boundary, propagate southwestward, and have periods predominantly in the 30‐ to 120‐day band. Temperature profiles from the Research Moored Array for African‐Asian‐Australian Monsoon Analysis and Prediction (RAMA) buoy at 90°E, 15°N, have their highest amplitude in the depth range of the thermocline, indicating that the eddies are associated with a vertical motion of the thermocline (a first‐baroclinic‐mode response). To investigate the cause of the eddies, we obtained a suite of solutions to nonlinear and linear versions of a 1½‐layer (reduced‐gravity) model. They demonstrate that equatorial wind forcing, Myanmar bump and Andaman Island, and nonlinearity are all essential for eddy formation. Among the nonlinear terms, the advection terms are the primary cause.
Changes in Global Tropospheric OH Expected as a Result of Climate Change Over the Last Several Decades
Authors: Nicely Julie M. , Canty Timothy P. , Manyin Michael , Oman Luke D. , Salawitch Ross J. , Steenrod Stephen D. , Strahan Susan E. , Strode Sarah A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe oxidizing capacity of the troposphere is controlled primarily by the abundance of hydroxyl radical (OH). The global mean concentration of tropospheric OH, [OH]TROP (the burden of OH in the global troposphere appropriate for calculating the lifetime of methane) inferred from measurements of methyl chloroform has remained relatively constant during the past several decades despite rising levels of methane that should have led to a decline. Here we examine other factors that may have affected [OH]TROP such as the changing values of stratospheric ozone, rising tropospheric H2O, varying burden of NOx (=NO+NO2), rising temperatures, and widening of the climatological tropics due to expansion of the Hadley cell. Our analysis suggests the positive trends in [OH]TROP due to H2O, NOx, and overhead O3, and tropical expansion are large enough (Δ [OH]TROP = +0.95 ± 0.18%/decade) to counter almost all of the expected decrease in [OH]TROP due to rising methane (Δ [OH]TROP = −1.01 ± 0.05%/decade) over the period 1980 to 2015, while variations in temperature contribute almost no trend (Δ [OH]TROP = −0.02 ± 0.02%/decade) in [OH]TROP. The approximated impact of Hadley cell expansion on [OH]TROP is also a small but not insignificant factor partially responsible for the steadiness of tropospheric oxidizing capacity over the past several decades, which free‐running models likely do not capture.
Individual and combined effects of acute delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on psychotomimetic symptoms and memory function
Authors: Morgan Celia J. A. , Freeman Tom P. , Hindocha Chandni , Schafer Grainne , Gardner Chelsea , Curran H. Valerie 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe main active ingredient in cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can acutely induce psychotic symptoms and impair episodic and working memory. Another major constituent, cannabidiol (CBD), may attenuate these effects. This study aimed to determine the effects of THC and CBD, both alone and in combination on psychotic symptoms and memory function. A randomised, double-blind crossover design compared the effects of (i) placebo, (ii) THC 8 mg, (iii) CBD 16 mg and (iv) THC 8 mg + CBD 16 mg administered by inhalation through a vaporiser. Using an experimental medicine approach to predict treatment sensitivity, we selected 48 cannabis users from the community on the basis of (1) schizotypal personality questionnaire scores (low, high) and (2) frequency of cannabis use (light, heavy). The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Psychotomimetic States Inventory (PSI), immediate and delayed prose recall (episodic memory), 1- and 2-back (working memory) were assessed on each day. Results indicated that THC increased overall scores on the PSI, negative symptoms on BPRS, and robustly impaired episodic and working memory. Co-administration of CBD did not attenuate these effects. CBD alone reduced PSI scores in light users only. At a ratio of 2:1, CBD does not attenuate the acute psychotic and memory impairing effects of vaporised THC. Frequent cannabis users may show a blunted anti- psychotic response to CBD, which is of concern due to the high rates of cannabis use disorders in patients with schizophrenia.
CD69 enhances immunosuppressive function of regulatory T-cells and attenuates colitis by prompting IL-10 production
Authors: Yu Lei , Yang Fei , Zhang Fanghui , Guo Danfeng , Li Ling , Wang Xian , Liang Tingbo , Wang Jianli , Cai Zhijian , Jin Hongchuan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractFoxp3+regulatory T cells (Tregs) can inhibit immune responses and maintain immune tolerance by secreting immunosuppressive TGF-β1 and IL-10. However, the efficiency of Tregs become the major obstacle to their use for immunotherapy. In this study, we investigated the relevance of the C-type lectin receptor CD69 to the suppressive function. Compared to CD4+Foxp3+CD69−Tregs (CD69−Tregs), CD4+Foxp3+CD69+Tregs (CD69+Tregs) displayed stronger ability to maintain immune tolerance. CD69+Tregs expressed higher levels of suppression-associated markers such as CTLA-4, ICOS, CD38 and GITR, and secreted higher levels of IL-10 but not TGF-β1. CD69+Tregs fromIl10+/+rather thanIl10−/−mice significantly inhibit the proliferation of CD4+T cells. CD69 over-expression stimulated higher levels of IL-10 and c-Maf expression, which was compromised by silencing of STAT3 or STAT5. In addition, the direct interaction of STAT3 with the c-Maf promoter was detected in cells with CD69 over-expression. Moreover, adoptive transfer of CD69+Tregs but not CD69−Tregs or CD69+Tregs deficient in IL-10 dramatically prevented the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in mice. Taken together, CD69 is important to the suppressive function of Tregs by promoting IL-10 production. CD69+Tregs have the potential to develop new therapeutic approach for autoimmune diseases like IBD.
Evidence for Regulation of Hemoglobin Metabolism and Intracellular Ionic Flux by the Plasmodium falciparum Chloroquine Resistance Transporter
Authors: Lee Andrew H. , Dhingra Satish K. , Lewis Ian A. , Singh Maneesh K. , Siriwardana Amila , Dalal Seema , Rubiano Kelly , Klein Matthias S. , Baska Katelynn S. , Krishna Sanjeev , Klemba Michael , Roepe Paul D. , Llinás Manuel , Garcia Celia R. S. , Fidock David A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPlasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance constitutes a major obstacle to the global malaria elimination campaign. Specific mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT) mediate resistance to the 4-aminoquinoline drug chloroquine and impact parasite susceptibility to several partner agents used in current artemisinin-based combination therapies, including amodiaquine. By examining gene-edited parasites, we report that the ability of the wide-spread Dd2 PfCRT isoform to mediate chloroquine and amodiaquine resistance is substantially reduced by the addition of the PfCRT L272F mutation, which arose under blasticidin selection. We also provide evidence that L272F confers a significant fitness cost to asexual blood stage parasites. Studies with amino acid-restricted media identify this mutant as a methionine auxotroph. Metabolomic analysis also reveals an accumulation of short, hemoglobin-derived peptides in the Dd2 + L272F and Dd2 isoforms, compared with parasites expressing wild-type PfCRT. Physiologic studies with the ionophores monensin and nigericin support an impact of PfCRT isoforms on Ca2+ release, with substantially reduced Ca2+ levels observed in Dd2 + L272F parasites. Our data reveal a central role for PfCRT in regulating hemoglobin catabolism, amino acid availability, and ionic balance in P. falciparum, in addition to its role in determining parasite susceptibility to heme-binding 4-aminoquinoline drugs.
Electrophysiological Correlates of Blast-Wave Induced Cerebellar Injury
Authors: Ordek Gokhan , Asan Ahmet S. , Cetinkaya Esma , Skotak Maciej , Kakulavarapu Venkata R. , Chandra Namas , Sahin Mesut 
Published: September 2018

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms underlying traumatic neural injury and the sequelae of events in the acute phase is important for deciding on the best window of therapeutic intervention. We hypothesized that evoked potentials (EP) recorded from the cerebellar cortex can detect mild levels of neural trauma and provide a qualitative assessment tool for progression of cerebellar injury in time. The cerebellar local field potentials evoked by a mechanical tap on the hand and collected with chronically implanted micro-ECoG arrays on the rat cerebellar cortex demonstrated substantial changes both in amplitude and timing as a result of blast-wave induced injury. The results revealed that the largest EP changes occurred within the first day of injury, and partial recoveries were observed from day-1 to day-3, followed by a period of gradual improvements (day-7 to day-14). The mossy fiber (MF) and climbing fiber (CF) mediated components of the EPs were affected differentially. The behavioral tests (ladder rung walking) and immunohistological analysis (calbindin and caspase-3) did not reveal any detectable changes at these blast pressures that are typically considered as mild (100–130 kPa). The results demonstrate the sensitivity of the electrophysiological method and its use as a tool to monitor the progression of cerebellar injuries in longitudinal animal studies.
Particular CSF sphingolipid patterns identify iNPH and AD patients
Authors: Torretta Enrica , Arosio Beatrice , Barbacini Pietro , Casati Martina , Capitanio Daniele , Mancuso Roberta , Mari Daniela , Cesari Matteo , Clerici Mario , Gelfi Cecilia 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIdiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is characterized by reversible neurological symptoms due to an impairment in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) clearance. In these patients, cognitive functions are severely impaired, with a scenario similar to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), making the differential diagnosis difficult and highlighting the need of new markers. We analyzed the composition of sphingolipids (SLs) in serum, by combining a single phase extraction with a high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) primuline-profiling, and, in CSF, by MALDI profiling and LC-MS. Ceramides and sphingomyelins (SMs) were similar in serum of iNPH and AD patients compared to healthy controls, whereas, in CSF, MALDI profiling indicated that: 1) SM C24:1 is significantly decreased in AD compared to iNPH patients and controls (Kruskal-Wallis p-value < 0.00001); 2) phosphatidylcholine (PC) 36:2 is increased in iNPH patients (p-value < 0.001). LC-MS identified an increasing trend of Cer C24:0 and of a set of SMs in patients with AD, a significant decrease of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) (t-test p-value 0.0325) and an increase of glucosylceramide (GlcCer) C24:0 (p-value 0.0037) in AD compared to iNPH patients. In conclusion CSF PC 36:2, SM C24:1, S1P, and GlcCer can contribute to improve the differential diagnosis of patients with iNPH or AD and foster preventive therapeutic strategies in the early phase of the disease.
Tranexamic acid in primary total knee arthroplasty without tourniquet: a randomized, controlled trial of oral versus intravenous versus topical administration
Authors: Wang Duan , Wang Hao-Yang , Cao Chang , Li Ling-Li , Meng Wei-Kun , Pei Fu-Xing , Li De-Hua , Zhou Zong-Ke , Zeng Wei-Nan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAbundant literature confirms that intravenous (IV) and intra-articular (IA) administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces blood loss in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Oral formulations of TXA exhibit profound cost-saving benefits. However, comparisons of the clinical efficacy among three different modalities of TXA administration have not been previously investigated in the setting of TKA with no closed suction drain and tourniquet. A total of 180 patients undergoing TKA were randomized to receive 2-g oral TXA 2 hours preoperatively, 20-mg/kg IV TXA 5 minutes prior to incision, or 2-g IA TXA. The primary outcome was 72-hour blood loss. Secondary outcomes were reductions in hemoglobin, the rate of transfusions, and adverse events. No significant differences were identified with regard to the mean 72-hour blood loss among the three groups (1003 mL in oral group, 1108 mL in IV group, and 1059 mL in IA group, respectively). Similarly, hemoglobin reduction was equivalent among the groups. Only one patient in IV group exhibited deep venous thrombosis. No difference was identified regarding transfusion rates. Oral TXA results in similar blood loss in TKA, with a profound cost-saving benefit, compared with the IA and IV formulations.