Greater Overlap Research Articles

Land Use Contributions to Adverse Biological Effects in a Complex Agricultural and Urban Watershed: A Case Study of the Maumee River.

Agricultural and urban contaminants are an environmental concern because runoff may contaminate aquatic ecosystems, resulting in stress for exposed fish. The objective of the present controlled, field-based study was to assess the impacts of high-intensity agriculture and urban land use on multiple life stages of the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), using the Maumee River (Toledo, OH, USA) as a case study. Laboratory cultured adult and larval fathead minnows were exposed for 21 d, and embryos were exposed until hatching to site-specific water along the lower reach of the Maumee River. Adult minnows were analyzed for reproduction and alterations to hematologic characteristics (vitellogenin, glucose, estradiol, 11-ketotestosterone). Water and fish tissue samples were analyzed for a suite of multiresidue pesticides, hormones, and pharmaceuticals. Contaminants were detected in every water and tissue sample, with 6 pesticides and 8 pharmaceuticals detected in at least 82% of water samples and at least half of tissue samples. Effects differed by exposed life stage and year of exposure. Fecundity was the most sensitive endpoint measured and was altered by water from multiple sites in both years. Physiological parameters associated with fecundity, such as plasma vitellogenin and steroid hormone concentrations, were seldom impacted. Larval fathead minnows appeared to be unaffected. Embryonic morphological development was delayed in embryos exposed to site waters collected in 2016 but not in 2017. A distinction between agricultural and urban influences in the Maumee River was not realized due to the great overlap in contaminant presence and biological effects. Differences in precipitation patterns between study years likely contributed to the observed biological differences and highlight the need for environmental exposure studies to assess the environmental risk of contaminants. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;00:1-17. © 2019 SETAC.

Bacterial colonization and antimicrobial resistance genes in neonatal enteral feeding tubes.

Enteral feeding is a key component of care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs); however, feeding tubes harbor microbes. These microbes have the potential to cause disease, yet their source remains controversial and clinical recommendations to reduce feeding tube colonization are lacking. This study aims to improve our understanding of the bacteria in neonatal feeding tubes and to evaluate factors that may affect these bacteria. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to characterize the bacteria present in pharyngeal, esophageal, and gastric portions of feeding tubes, residual fluid of the tubes, and infant stool using samples from 47 infants. Similar distributions of taxa were observed in all samples, although beta diversity differed by sample type. Feeding tube samples had lower alpha diversity than stool samples, and alpha diversity increased with gestational age, day of life, and tube dwell time. In a subset of samples from 6 infants analyzed by whole metagenome sequencing, there was greater overlap in transferable antimicrobial resistance genes between tube and fecal samples in breast milk fed infants than in formula fed infants. These findings develop our understanding of neonatal feeding tube colonization, laying a foundation for research into methods for minimizing NICU patients' exposure to antimicrobial resistant microbes.

Demedicalizing the Aftermath of Sexual Assault: Toward a Radical Humanistic Approach

An entrenched assumption in the mental health field is that if left “untreated” the aftermath of sexual assault will inevitably lead to some diagnosable form of emotional distress. This assumption has focused the search for pathology on individual survivors rather than systems and led to societal pressure for medical or psychotherapeutic treatment following unwanted sexual experiences in the United States and globally. Humanistic psychology is grounded in an existential phenomenological approach that privileges agency and a sociopolitical context of lived experience. As such, it has great overlap with the social justice mission of liberation psychology and is well equipped to respond to sexual assault survivors and the oppressive and patriarchal systems that perpetuate gender-based violence. This article explores the rising use of neoliberal medicalized frameworks to respond to sexual assault in therapy, analyzing both positive and negative aspects of medicalization. Implications for responses to the global prevalence of sexual violence are discussed. Suggestions for alternative epistemic and therapeutic approaches that can be used by humanistic psychologists and that aim to enhance an appreciation for the context of survivor’s experiences are provided.

Concurrent anemia and stunting in young children: prevalence, dietary and non-dietary associated factors

BackgroundThe existing evidence is limited and contradicting on the co-occurrence of anemia and stunting (CAS) at individual level, despite a great overlap in their risk factors. We aimed to determine the prevalence of CAS, and the dietary and non-dietary factors associated with it, among infants and young children in Ethiopia.MethodWe used a nationally representative sample of 2902 children aged 6–23 months from the Ethiopian demographic and health survey, conducted in 2016. The study was cross-sectional in design. Samples were selected by two-stage clustering sampling method. CAS prevalence was estimated by various sociodemographic factors. To identify the dietary and non-dietary factors associated with CAS, we conducted hierarchical logistic regression analyses.ResultThe overall prevalence of CAS was 23.9%. The dietary factors found significantly linked to lower odds of CAS were use of vitamin A supplement [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.19, 95%CI = 1.06–1.33, P = 0.003], consumption of vitamin A rich fruit and vegetables (AOR = 1.15, 95%CI = 1.04–1.27, P = 0.006), meat (AOR = 1.55, 95%CI = 1.17–2.05, P = 0.002), legumes (AOR = 1.38, 95%CI = 1.05–1.81, P = 0.021), and meal frequency > 3 (AOR = 1.22, 95%CI = 1.04–1.37, P = 0.020). The non-dietary household and child factors found significantly linked to higher odds of CAS were rural residence (AOR = 1.29, 95%CI = 1.18–1.41, P < 0.001), low household wealth (AOR = 1.91, 95%CI = 1.53–2.39, P < 0.001), low caregivers’ education level (AOR = 2.14, 95%CI = 1.33–3.44, P < 0.001), male sex (AOR = 1.25, 95%CI = 1.04–1.50, P = 0.015), age 12–23 months (AOR = 1.65, 95%CI = 1.57–1.73, P < 0.001), history of infection (AOR = 1.14, 95%CI = 1.00–1.30, P = 0.048), and small birth size (AOR = 1.99, 95%CI = 1.58–2.51, P < 0.001).ConclusionAmong infants and young children in Ethiopia, there was a concerning high level of CAS, which was associated with various dietary and non-dietary factors. Enhanced public health/nutrition interventions, with due emphasis on the multifactorial nature of CAS, might stand an important consideration to reduce the burden of CAS in Ethiopia and beyond.

Coral Reef Degradation Differentially Alters Feeding Ecology of Co-occurring Congeneric Spiny Lobsters

Caribbean coral reefs are undergoing massive degradation, with local increases of macroalgae and reduction of architectural complexity associated with loss of reef-building corals. We explored whether reef degradation affects the feeding ecology of two co-occurring spiny lobsters: Panulirus guttatus, which is an obligate reef-dweller, and Panulirus argus, which uses various benthic habitats including coral reefs. We collected lobsters of both species from the back-reef zones of two large reefs similar in length (~1.5 km) but differing widely in level of degradation, at the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park (Mexico). We measured the carapace length (CL) and weight (W) of lobsters, estimated three condition indices (hepatosomatic index, HI; blood refractive index, BRI; and W/CL ratio), and analyzed their stomach contents and stable isotope values (15N and 13C). All lobsters tested negative for the presence of the virus PaV1, which can affect nutritional condition. Stomach contents yielded 72 animal taxa, mainly mollusks and crustaceans, with an average of 35 taxa per species per reef, but with much overlap. In P. guttatus, CL, HI, BRI, and W/CL did not vary with reef, but mean isotopic values did. The isotopic niche of P. guttatus showed little overlap between reefs, reflecting differences in local carbon sources and underlining the habitat specialization of P. guttatus, which exhibited a higher trophic position on the more degraded reef. Overall, the trophic position of P. guttatus was higher than that of P. argus. In P. argus, none of the variables differed between reefs and the isotopic niche was wide and with great overlap between reefs, reflecting the broader foraging ranges of P. argus compared to P. guttatus. Additional isotopic values from 16 P. argus caught at a depth of 25 m in the fore reef suggest that these larger lobsters forage over different habitats and have a higher trophic position than their smaller conspecifics and congeners from the back reef. The feeding ecology of P. argus appears to be less influenced by coral reef degradation than that of P. guttatus, but our results suggest a buffering effect of omnivory against habitat degradation for both lobster species.

SA93 - IMAGING GENETICS TOWARDS A NEW DIAGNOSIS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

Background Current diagnoses of Schizophrenia (SZ) and related psychiatric disorders are catalogued by phenomenological principles and clinical descriptions. Complicated gene and environmental factor interactions likely play an important role in the onset of SZ and induce great heterogeneity. This unclear etiology and heterogeneity prevent the establishing of accurate subgroups within SZ through clinical observation alone; simultaneously, the boundaries among psychiatric disorders previously drawn by phenomenological findings are merging because there is great overlap, especially in genetic variations and brain imaging findings. By characterizing and quantifying brain regions affected in psychiatric disorders, imaging genetics is a valuable research method to fulfill a new diagnostic system. We review contributions of imaging genetics to SZ diagnosis, limitations, and possible future directions. Methods Among numerous imaging genetic studies, we reviewed recent studies with relatively clear and consistent findings. They were either done in task-phase imaging to indicate certain cognitive impairments of SZ, or the genes included were highlighted in SZ itself or an important cognitive domain related to SZ. Results Some pioneering studies contribute to subtypes and disorder boundaries. The clustering study from Arnedo et al. formed correlations between disjoined networks of symptom groups and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) sets, and it may be promising for future SZ subtypes. Bipolar-SZ Network on Intermediate Phenotypes studies combining various clinical biomarkers and brain imaging divided SZ, bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder into three different “biotypes” regardless original diagnoses, and it provided meaningful insight into the disorder boundaries. For imaging genetics research, large numbers of associations between functional imaging intermediate phenotypes and genes have been found in working memory, episodic memory, emotion, attention, cognitive control, and theory of mind in SZ or healthy risk allele carriers. Such associations were difficult to identify while using structural brains measures. Discussion Imaging genetics will continue to shape the diagnosis of SZ and related disorders. However, there are still problems to solve. Most importantly, the logic behind imaging genetics has been questioned. Franke et al. reminds us the structural brain deficits believed to be important pathological alterations of SZ may reflect prenatal and later development environmental effects not specific to SZ, or the diagnostic category of SZ may not be uniformly organized. The following aspects need future effort. Firstly, more brain measures need to be introduced, and the criteria of intermediate phenotypes should be carefully checked. The specificity of brain alterations will need careful examination in clinical settings. Secondly, more genetic factors need to be collected. Polygenic risk scores, parallel independent component analysis and other clustering method may be promising. Factors other than SNPs, such as copy number variations and regulatory factors will need to be included. Finally, imaging genetics will need compatible phenomenological assessment scales which need not distinguish current diagnoses but provide a comprehensive scan of clinical features.

A Literature Review into Leadership Styles Discussed in the Past Five Years

Leadership is one of the most discussed topics in literature across all different industries and sciences. There is a need for clarification and overview on the different types of leadership discussed in literature. This explorative research describes a systematic literature review to give a general overview of the types of leadership discussed in the literature in the time period between March 2013 and March 2018. In total 658 different types of leadership were mentioned in 380 analyzed articles. Of that transformational leadership was mentioned 200 times, effective leadership was mentioned 118 times, transactional leadership 110 times, participative leadership was mentioned 89 times and ethical leadership was mentioned 72 times. Often these types of leadership were also mentioned together and a great overlap on the different leadership styles was mentioned. Further research on leadership should therefore focus less on explorative research and more on developmental research of a new full range scientific leadership model including the different leadership styles discussed most often in the past five year.

High interictal connectivity within the resection zone is associated with favorable post-surgical outcomes in focal epilepsy patients.

Patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy are often candidates for invasive surgical therapies. In these patients, it is necessary to accurately localize seizure generators to ensure seizure freedom following intervention. While intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) is the gold standard for mapping networks for surgery, this approach requires inducing and recording seizures, which may cause patient morbidity. The goal of this study is to evaluate the utility of mapping interictal (non-seizure) iEEG networks to identify targets for surgical treatment. We analyze interictal iEEG recordings and neuroimaging from 27 focal epilepsy patients treated via surgical resection. We generate interictal functional networks by calculating pairwise correlation of iEEG signals across different frequency bands. Using image coregistration and segmentation, we identify electrodes falling within surgically resected tissue (i.e. the resection zone), and compute node-level and edge-level synchrony in relation to the resection zone. We further associate these metrics with post-surgical outcomes. Greater overlap between resected electrodes and highly synchronous electrodes is associated with favorable post-surgical outcomes. Additionally, good-outcome patients have significantly higher connectivity localized within the resection zone compared to those with poorer postoperative seizure control. This finding persists following normalization by a spatially-constrained null model. This study suggests that spatially-informed interictal network synchrony measures can distinguish between good and poor post-surgical outcomes. By capturing clinically-relevant information during interictal periods, our method may ultimately reduce the need for prolonged invasive implants and provide insights into the pathophysiology of an epileptic brain. We discuss next steps for translating these findings into a prospectively useful clinical tool.

The trophic role of Octopus insularis at a pristine tropical atoll in southwest Atlantic: a potential keystone predator?

In the present study, we evaluated the trophic role of Octopus insularis Leite and Haimovici, 2008 in the food web of Rocas Atoll, a preserved insular territory in the southwest Atlantic. Using stable isotope analysis of C and N, we showed that the local trophic web comprises at least four trophic levels, where the octopus presents d13C values from -12.1 to -6.1‰, d15N values from 6.4 to 11.0‰ and occupies a trophic position (TP) between the second and third trophic levels (mean ± SD TPadditive = 3.08 ± 0.36; TPBayesian = 3.12 ± 0.17). Among other benthic/reef-associated consumers, this cephalopod stood out for its much wider isotopic niche (SEAB = 4.7890), pointing to a diet diversified in carbon sources, but focused on prey in lower TPs. Time-minimizing feeding strategy seemed almost permanent throughout the life cycle, given the great niche overlap between small and large octopuses (large: SEAB = 4.59, small: SEAB = 4.03) and their very similar trophic positions (TPadditive/TPBayesian: large = 3.27/3.26; small = 2.89/2.99). Also, as a prey, O. insularis composed 16%-24% of the diet of some benthic/demersal predators. Overall, exerting great predatory pressure on bottom-associated organisms and serving as a relevant food source for top and mesopredators, O. insularis represented a top consumer of the benthic portion of the food web and an important link between its benthic and demersal strata with potential for keystone species.

Extracting individual neural activity recorded through splayed optical microfibers.

.Previously introduced bundles of hundreds or thousands of microfibers have the potential to extend optical access to deep brain regions, sampling fluorescence activity throughout a three-dimensional volume. Each fiber has a small diameter () and follows a path of least resistance, splaying during insertion. By superimposing the fiber sensitivity profile for each fiber, we model the interface properties for a simulated neural population. Our modeling results suggest that for small () bundles of fibers, each fiber will collect fluorescence from a small number of nonoverlapping neurons near the fiber apertures. As the number of fibers increases, the bundle delivers more uniform excitation power to the region, moving to a regime where fibers collect fluorescence from more neurons and there is greater overlap between neighboring fibers. Under these conditions, it becomes feasible to apply source separation to extract individual neural contributions. In addition, we demonstrate a source separation technique particularly suited to the interface. Our modeling helps establish performance expectations for this interface and provides a framework for estimating neural contributions under a range of conditions.

Posture similarity index: a method to compare hand postures in synergy space.

BackgroundThe human hand can perform a range of manipulation tasks, from holding a pen to holding a hammer. The central nervous system (CNS) uses different strategies in different manipulation tasks based on task requirements. Attempts to compare postures of the hand have been made for use in robotics and animation industries. In this study, we developed an index called the posture similarity index to quantify the similarity between two human hand postures.MethodsTwelve right-handed volunteers performed 70 postures, and lifted and held 30 objects (total of 100 different postures, each performed five times). A 16-sensor electromagnetic tracking system captured the kinematics of individual finger phalanges (segments). We modeled the hand as a 21-DoF system and computed the corresponding joint angles. We used principal component analysis to extract kinematic synergies from this 21-DoF data. We developed a posture similarity index (PSI), that represents the similarity between posture in the synergy (Principal component) space. First, we tested the performance of this index using a synthetic dataset. After confirming that it performs well with the synthetic dataset, we used it to analyze the experimental data. Further, we used PSI to identify postures that are “representative” in the sense that they have a greater overlap (in synergy space) with a large number of postures.ResultsOur results confirmed that PSI is a relatively accurate index of similarity in synergy space both with synthetic data and real experimental data. Also, more special postures than common postures were found among “representative” postures.ConclusionWe developed an index for comparing posture similarity in synergy space and demonstrated its utility by using synthetic dataset and experimental dataset. Besides, we found that “special” postures are actually “special” in the sense that there are more of them in the “representative” postures as identified by our posture similarity index.

Validated screening tools for the assessment of cachexia, sarcopenia, and malnutrition: a systematic review

There is great overlap between the presentationof cachexia, sarcopenia, and malnutrition. Distinguishing between these conditions would allow for better targeted treatment for patients. The aim was to systematically review validated screening tools for cachexia, sarcopenia, and malnutrition in adults and, if a combined tool is absent, make suggestions for the generation of a novel screening tool. A systematic search was performed in Ovid Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Two reviewers performed data extraction independently. Each tool was judged for validity against a reference method. Psychometric evaluation was performed as was appraisal of the tools' ability to assess the patient against consensus definitions. Thirty-eight studies described 22 validated screening tools. The Cachexia score (CASCO) was the only validated screening tool for cachexia and performed well against the consensus definition. Two tools assessed sarcopenia [the Short Portable Sarcopenia Measure (SPSM) and the SARC-F (Strength, Assistance with walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls)] and scored well against the 1998 Baumgartner definition. The SPSM required large amounts of equipment, and the SARC-F had a low sensitivity. Nineteen tools screened for malnutrition. The 3-Minute Nutrition Score performed best, meeting consensus definition criteria (European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism) and having a sensitivity and specificity of >80%. No tool contained all of the currently accepted components to screen for all 3 conditions. Only 3 tools were validated against cross-sectional imaging, a clinical tool that is gaining wider interest in body-composition analysis. No single validated screening tool can be implemented for the simultaneous assessment of cachexia, sarcopenia, and malnutrition. The development of a tool that encompasses consensus definition criteria and directs clinicians toward the underlying diagnosis would be optimal to target treatment and improve outcomes. We propose that tool should incorporate a stepwise assessment of nutritional status, oral intake, disease status, age, muscle mass and function, and metabolic derangement.

Seed‐dispersal networks are more specialized in the Neotropics than in the Afrotropics

AbstractAimBiogeographical comparisons of interaction networks help to elucidate differences in ecological communities and ecosystem functioning at large scales. Neotropical ecosystems have higher diversity and a different composition of frugivores and fleshy‐fruited plants compared with Afrotropical systems, but a lack of intercontinental comparisons limits understanding of (a) whether plant–frugivore networks are structured in a similar manner, and (b) whether the same species traits define the roles of animals across continents.LocationAfrotropics and Neotropics.Time period1977–2015.TaxaFleshy‐fruited plants and frugivorous vertebrates.MethodsWe compiled a dataset comprising 17 Afrotropical and 48 Neotropical weighted seed‐dispersal networks quantifying frugivory interactions between 1,091 fleshy‐fruited plant and 665 animal species, comprising in total 8,251 interaction links between plants and animals. In addition, we compiled information on the body mass of animals and their degree of frugivory. We compared four standard network‐level metrics related to interaction diversity and specialization, accounting for differences related to sampling effort and network location. Furthermore, we tested whether animal traits (body mass, degree of frugivory) differed between continents, whether these traits were related to the network roles of species and whether these relationships varied between continents.ResultsWe found significant structural differences in networks between continents. Overall, Neotropical networks were less nested and more specialized than Afrotropical networks. At the species level, a higher body mass and degree of frugivory were associated with an increasing diversity of plant partners. Specialization of frugivores increased with the degree of frugivory, but only in the Neotropics.Main conclusionsOur findings show that Afrotropical networks have a greater overlap in plant partners among vertebrate frugivores than the more diverse networks in the Neotropics that are characterized by a greater niche partitioning. Hence, the loss of frugivore species could have stronger impacts on ecosystem functioning in the more specialized Neotropical communities compared with the more generalized Afrotropical communities.

Intercanine width measurements to aid predation investigations: a comparison between sympatric native and non-native carnivores in the Mexican wolf recovery area

Mexican wolves (Canis lupus baileyi) share their range with a number of sympatric carnivores, many of which are a concern to livestock producers because they can prey on livestock. Determining which predator species is responsible for killing livestock is important for determining appropriate management actions and for the conservation of Mexican wolves. A variety of information can be used to decipher which carnivore species was responsible for making a kill, and mandibular (upper) and maxillary (lower) intercanine width measurements (i.e., bite mark analysis) can aid this process. No research has been conducted to validate the usefulness of bite mark analysis; thus, we used dentition measurements from Mexican wolves, coyotes (Canis latrans), feral dogs (Canis familiaris), bobcats (Lynx rufus), mountain lions (Puma concolor), and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) and an overlap coefficient to evaluate the degree of overlap in intercanine width between these species. We found that larger carnivore species had greater overlap than smaller carnivores, feral dogs overlapped widely with all the medium-to-large carnivores, and upper and lower intercanine width measurements provided similar information. Our data indicated that when investigating livestock depredations for Mexican wolves, bite mark analyses should be evaluated along with additional forensic evidence due to the overlap between many of the carnivore species, and that measurements between 28 and 35 mm have the greatest uncertainty because this range overlaps with feral dogs, mountain lions, and coyotes.

Recent advances in understanding non-celiac gluten sensitivity

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a condition characterized by intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms related to the ingestion of gluten-containing foods in the absence of celiac disease and wheat allergy. The diagnosis is cumbersome and currently confirmed only by gluten withdrawal and double-blind placebo challenge protocols. There is great overlap in symptoms between NCGS and other functional gastrointestinal disorders, making a differential diagnosis difficult. The pathophysiology of NCGS is largely unclear, and there are contrasting data on the trigger of this condition. This review will highlight the state-of-the-art knowledge on NCGS and the key open questions.

Social defenses and selective revealing of ventures in Europe and Latin America

In this paper, we empirically explore the defense mechanisms of new ventures during their relation with an international corporate venture capitalist (CVC). Our analyzation uses proprietary data on more than 500 new ventures from the ICT industry in Europe and Latin America. We find that new ventures frequently form ties with a CVC despite the higher exposure to misappropriation risk from the greater overlap in the business models and weaker protection of intellectual property. We provide evidence that new ventures use social defenses to protect them from this misappropriation risk. These defenses include seeking protection through third party investors and selectively revealing their proprietary information to the CVC. Our study contributes to the literature on how ventures defend themselves during a relation with a corporate “shark.” This contribution complements the current research that predominantly focuses on defense mechanisms before tie formation. Furthermore, our findings compare ventures in very different intellectual property regimes that enriches the discussion on the relevance of intellectual property in the CVC-venture context.

Multiplex Quantification Identifies Novel Exercise-regulated Myokines/Cytokines in Plasma and in Glycolytic and Oxidative Skeletal Muscle

Exercise is known to confer major health benefits, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. The systemic effects of exercise on multi-organ systems are thought to be partly because of myokines/cytokines secreted by skeletal muscle. The extent to which exercise alters cytokine expression and secretion in different muscle fiber types has not been systematically examined. Here, we assessed changes in 66 mouse cytokines in serum, and in glycolytic (plantaris) and oxidative (soleus) muscles, in response to sprint, endurance, or chronic wheel running. Both acute and short-term exercise significantly altered a large fraction of cytokines in both serum and muscle, twenty-three of which are considered novel exercise-regulated myokines. Most of the secreted cytokine receptors profiled were also altered by physical activity, suggesting an exercise-regulated mechanism that modulates the generation of soluble receptors found in circulation. A greater overlap in cytokine profile was seen between endurance and chronic wheel running. Between fiber types, both acute and chronic exercise induced significantly more cytokine changes in oxidative compared with glycolytic muscle. Further, changes in a subset of circulating cytokines were not matched by their changes in muscle, but instead reflected altered expression in liver and adipose tissues. Last, exercise-induced changes in cytokine mRNA and protein were only minimally correlated in soleus and plantaris. In sum, our results indicate that exercise regulates many cytokines whose pleiotropic actions may be linked to positive health outcomes. These data provide a framework to further understand potential crosstalk between skeletal muscle and other organ compartments.

Prediction of chemical exergy of organic substances using artificial neural network-multi layer perceptron

ABSTRACTIn chemical processes, it would be much beneficial to develop a technique to precisely predict the standard chemical exergy values of different compounds. In this study, a multi-layer perceptron (MLP) network model is developed by using a set of 134 data points obtained from the literature. 114 and 24 Numbers of data points were allocated to training and testing steps, respectively. In addition, molecular weight, number of atoms, and sum of atomic polarizabilities properties were selected as input parameters to be the representative of the substances under consideration. The R2 and AARE values were 0.9976 and 2.786, respectively, and the experimental and predicted exergy values showed a great overlap with each other. In fact, based on the results obtained in this paper, the proposed MLP model could be represented as a novel technique in order to calculate the standard chemical exergy values of different compounds.

Diversity and Resistance to Change: Macro Conditions for Marginalization in Post-industrial Societies.

We argue that two society-level properties—resistance to change and diversity within a culture—significantly affect agents' degrees of marginalization, which is here defined as access to cultural knowledge and institutional means for accomplishing cultural goals. We develop an agent-based model using findings from Norasakkunkit et al. (Norasakkunkit and Uchida, 2011, 2014; Norasakkunkit et al., 2012). We found that varying the degrees of resistance to change and diversity affected similarities between the mainstream subculture and other subcultures, changes in subcultures over time, and the relative population proportion of each subculture. In particular, we found that high diversity and low resistance to change created the greatest cultural changes within the marginalized subculture over time and allowed for maximal growth of rebellious subcultures. Also, low diversity and high resistance to change allowed for maximal growth of the marginalized subcultures and the greatest overlap between the marginalized and mainstream subcultures. These have important implications for understanding the emergence and maintenance of marginalization in post-industrial societies.

Overview of emotion dysregulation in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and borderline personality disorder: Importance and clinical implications

Research shows a great symptomatic overlap and comorbidity in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Emotion dysregulation (ED) is one of the key common feature causing significant impairments in psychosocial domains in both conditions. Due to criterion overlap and a lack of accurate characterisation of ED in both disorders, there is a risk of misdiagnosis that will potentially impact treatment plans. In this discussion paper, I give an overview of the importance of a clear and detailed characterisation of ED in ADHD and BPD, and the rationale behind my PhD project addressing this issue of great clinical relevance.