bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gas propellant dependency of plasma structure and thrust performance of microwave rocket
Authors: Takahashi Masayuki , Ohnishi Naofumi
Published: April 2019

To identify the characteristics of a suitable gas propellant for a microwave rocket, the discharge physics induced by an intense microwave in nitrogen, hydrogen, and helium was numerically reproduced by coupling a plasma fluid model with an electromagnetic wave propagation model. A discrete plasma structure was induced in nitrogen and hydrogen, because the ionization region was smaller than the incident-beam quarter wavelength. However, a diffusive plasma pattern was generated in helium, because the electron temperature increased and the electron-impact ionization was maintained even in the low-electric-field region. The shock wave propagation inside the rocket nozzle was numerically reproduced to evaluate the thrust performance dependence on the propellant species; this was achieved by solving the two-dimensional axisymmetric Euler equation with an energy source term for the microwave heating. The simple shock-tube theory indicated that the momentum coupling coefficient is proportional to the energy stored inside the rocket nozzle and inversely proportional to the propellant sound speed. The smallest momentum coupling coefficient was obtained for the helium case, although the sound speed in helium is faster than that in hydrogen. This was because insufficient energy was stored inside the rocket nozzle when helium was used, owing to the faster plasma propagation and lower energy absorption rate. The findings of this work indicate that to obtain a large thrust for a microwave rocket, selection of a gas propellant with a high energy absorption rate, small electron diffusion coefficient, low sound speed, and low specific heat ratio are preferable.
Micro-vibrations underlying temporal enhanced ultrasound: The effect of scatterer size and elasticity
Authors: Li Si Jia , Barnes Jack A. , Abolmaesumi Purang , Mousavi Parvin , Loock Hans-Peter
Published: April 2019

Temporal-enhanced ultrasound (TeUS) imaging is a recently developed method based on the analysis of US time series. In this report, we show experimentally that the TeUS amplitude is sensitive to scatterer size and their density, as well as to the microvibration amplitude. Since the microvibration amplitude depends on the local elasticity of the medium, TeUS is able to differentiate tissues based on their elasticity, in addition to scatterer density and cross section. It is argued that interference effects, i.e., US speckle, are enhancing the TeUS effect. In this study, ultrasound phantoms were designed to mimic tissues with three different viscoelasticities and three different scatterer sizes. Into each of the nine phantoms, a flexible tubing was embedded and used to generate local microvibrations at 1 Hz and with an amplitude below 20 μm. Time series of raw ultrasound images were analyzed to extract the B-mode intensity, the scatterer displacement, and the shear modulus at a variety of different microvibration amplitudes.
Colossal dielectric permittivity and mechanism of AC conduction in bulk delafossite CuFeO2
Authors: Pokhriyal Preeti , Bhakar Ashok , Sinha A. K. , Sagdeo Archna
Published: April 2019

We report structural, dielectric, and ac conductivity studies of CuFeO2, a material that belongs to the delafossite family. X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), and impedance studies were carried out in order to investigate the structural and dielectric properties of the system. XANES measurement suggests that Fe present in the sample is in a mixed valence state. Dielectric properties measured at a temperature range of 84–450 K exhibit colossal dielectric permittivity with clearly distinguishable grain and grain boundary contributions. It has been found that both short-range and long-range motions of charge carriers are present in the sample, with the short-range motion dominating at low temperatures and long-range motion dominating at high temperatures. It has also been observed that the conduction in the sample is dominated by the conduction through the grain boundaries.
Two-dimensional pnictogens: A review of recent progresses and future research directions
Authors: Ersan F. , Kecik D. , Özçelik V. O. , Kadioglu Y. , Aktürk O. Üzengi , Durgun E. , Aktürk E. , Ciraci S.
Published: April 2019

Soon after the synthesis of two-dimensional (2D) ultrathin black phosphorus and fabrication of field effect transistors thereof, theoretical studies have predicted that other group-VA elements (or pnictogens), N, As, Sb, and Bi can also form stable, single-layer (SL) structures. These were nitrogene in a buckled honeycomb structure, arsenene, antimonene, and bismuthene in a buckled honeycomb, as well as washboard and square-octagon structures with unusual mechanical, electronic, and optical properties. Subsequently, theoretical studies are followed by experimental efforts that aim at synthesizing these novel 2D materials. Currently, research on 2D pnictogens has been a rapidly growing field revealing exciting properties, which offers diverse applications in flexible electronics, spintronics, thermoelectrics, and sensors. This review presents an evaluation of the previous experimental and theoretical studies until 2019, in order to provide input for further research attempts in this field. To this end, we first reviewed 2D, SL structures of group-VA elements predicted by theoretical studies with an emphasis placed on their dynamical and thermal stabilities, which are crucial for their use in a device. The mechanical, electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of the stable structures and their nanoribbons are analyzed by examining the effect of external factors, such as strain, electric field, and substrates. The effect of vacancy defects and functionalization by chemical doping through adatom adsorption on the fundamental properties of pnictogens has been a critical subject. Interlayer interactions in bilayer and multilayer structures, their stability, and tuning their physical properties by vertical stacking geometries are also discussed. Finally, our review is concluded by highlighting new research directions and future perspectives on the challenges in this emerging field.
Divalent doping-induced thermoelectric power factor increase in p-type Bi2Te3 via electronic structure tuning
Authors: Gaul Andrew , Peng Qing , Singh David J. , Borca-Tasciuc Theodorian , Ramanath Ganpati
Published: April 2019

We use first-principles calculations to reveal the effects of divalent Pb, Ca, and Sn doping of Bi2Te3 on the band structure and transport properties, including the Seebeck coefficient, α, and the reduced power factor, α2σ/τ, where σ is the electrical conductivity and τ is the effective relaxation time. Pb and Ca additions exhibit up to 60%–75% higher peak α2σ/τ than that of intrinsic Bi2Te3 with Bi antisite defects. Pb occupancy and Ca occupancy of Bi sites increase σ/τ by activating high-degeneracy low-effective-mass bands near the valence band edge, unlike Bi antisite occupancy of Te sites that eliminates near-edge valence states in intrinsic Bi2Te3. Neither Pb doping nor subatomic-percent Ca doping increases α significantly, due to band averaging. Higher Ca levels increase α and diminish σ, due to the emergence of a corrugated band structure underpinned by high-effective-mass bands, attributable to Ca–Te bond ionicity. Sn doping results in a distortion of the bands with a higher density of states that may be characterized as a resonant state but decreases α2σ by up to 30% due to increases in the charge carrier effective mass and decreases in both spin–orbit coupling and valence band quasidegeneracy. These results, and thermal conductivity calculations for nanostructured Bi2Te3, suggest that Pb or Ca doping can enhance the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT to values up to ZT ∼ 1.7, based on an experimentally determined τ. Our findings suggest that divalent doping can be attractive for realizing large ZT enhancements in pnictogen chalcogenides.
Study on the effect of CNT on the improved mechanical performance of flexible Ag NPs/CNT based electronics
Authors: Wang Fuliang , Chen Zhexi , He Hu , Nie Nantian
Published: April 2019

Flexible electronics such as flexible sensors play a significant role in the daily life. In this work, a simple sintering method was proposed to produce a flexible sensing component. In contrast with conventional Ag NPs based flexible conductive patterns, CNT enhanced flexible components were prepared, which can improve the sintering efficiency and mechanical durability against bending tests significantly. The effects of different CNT content in the composites on the electrical and mechanical performance were discussed. It was found the prepared samples with CNT wt% as 2% obtained improved mechanical durability and reliable electrical property against bending test for 20000 bending cycles in this work. Furthermore, the mechanism of CNT enhancement was discussed. Finally, a successful gesture detection application based on the prepared composites was demonstrated.
Comparative study on diffuse dielectric barrier discharges excited by unipolar positive versus bipolar pulses in atmospheric air
Authors: Guo Hongfei , Wang YuYing , Xu Yongfeng , Fan Zhihui , Ren Chunsheng
Published: April 2019

Diffuse discharges excited by unipolar positive and bipolar pulses can be achieved by a self-designed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) structure (a metal rod is inserted into a traditional parallel-plate DBD structure) exposed in airflow. For a self-designed DBD excited by unipolar positive pulses, only a primary discharge occurs in a voltage pulse. When the applied voltage is low, a diffuse discharge first appears near the anode. As the voltage further increases, a diffuse discharge appears in a larger area near the anode. Until the applied voltage is high enough, the discharge fills the whole discharge gap. Additionally, there is a priority region around the metal rod for the development of a diffuse discharge. However, for a self-designed DBD excited by bipolar pulses, two separate discharges are observed in a voltage pulse. The primary discharge occurs at the rising front of the voltage pulse, and the secondary discharge (reverse discharge) takes place at the falling front of the voltage pulse. When the applied voltage is low, the diffuse discharge first starts from the priority region around the metal rod placed in the center of the discharge electrode. As the voltage further increases, the diffuse discharge appears in a larger area around the metal rod. The above observations about the different spatial evolutions of diffuse discharge areas excited by unipolar positive and bipolar pulses are mainly ascribed to the difference of a strong local electric field caused by residual charges. This diffuse discharge has potential applications in surface treatment of materials and thin film deposition.
Ferroelectric phase transition induced relaxation of electroresistance in La0.67Sr0.33MnO3/BaTiO3 heterostructures
Authors: Wang Yuchen , Zheng Dongxing , Wang Zeyang , Zheng Wanchao , Jin Chao , Bai Haili
Published: April 2019

A phase transition is usually accompanied by an enormous change in physical properties, which shows great potential in future information storage technologies if it can be tuned artificially. In this work, the metastable state La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 was incorporated into the ferroelectric BaTiO3 (BTO) to achieve metastable state multiferroic heterostructures. A temperature dependent volatile electroresistance (ER) was discovered. The duration of the volatile ER first increases with the increasing temperature and then decreases. This phenomenon is related to the ferroelectric phase transition of the BTO substrate. Our results show that the mediation of metastable states is a promising way to achieve a large modulation of physical properties in artificial structures.
Numerical simulation of quench initiation and propagation in multi-filamentary Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox round wires at high magnetic fields
Authors: Jiang Zhao-Fei , Gou Xiao-Fan , Shen Teng-Ming
Published: April 2019

In order to protect high-field superconducting magnets during a quench with rapidly rising hot spot temperatures, it is important to have a quantitative understanding of quench behaviors of superconducting wires at high magnetic fields. In this article, we developed a two-dimensional numerical model of quench initiation and propagation in Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox/Ag/Ag alloy (Bi2212) multifilamentary composite round wires with the H-formulation and the heat conduction equation. The results show that the minimum quench energy (MQE) of Bi2212 round wires decreases with increasing magnetic field and closely relates to the current sharing temperature (Tcs). For a constant ratio of the transport current to the critical current (It/Ic), the normal zone propagation velocity (NZPV) decreases with increasing magnetic field. However, the declining trend of NZPVs slows down beyond 10 T. Moreover, for a constant transport current It, the Ic and Tcs decrease with the increasing magnetic field, which results in a simultaneous increase of NZPV with a decrease of MQE.
Shattered pellet injection simulations with NIMROD
Authors: Kim Charlson C. , Liu Yueqiang , Parks Paul B. , Lao Lang L. , Lehnen Michael , Loarte Alberto
Published: April 2019

Optimal strategies for disruption mitigation benefit from the understanding of details both spatially and temporally. Beyond the assessment of the efficacy of a particular proposed Disruption Mitigation System (DMS), ITER's longevity will require accounting of both mitigated and unmitigated disruptions. Accurate models and validated simulations that detail multiple ITER scenarios with mitigated and unmitigated disruptions are essential for accurate estimates of load damage. The primary candidate for ITER's DMS is Shattered Pellet Injection (SPI); its efficacy must be evaluated within the next several years. To perform critical time dependent 3-D nonlinear simulations, we have developed a particle based SPI model in the NIMROD code coupled to its modified single fluid equations with impurity and radiation [Izzo, Nucl. Fusion 46(5), 541 (2006)]. SPI validation simulations of the thermal quench and comparisons to DIII-D impurity scan experiments [Shiraki et al., Phys. Plasmas 23(6), 062516 (2016)] are presented. We also present an initial ITER Q = 10 pure neon SPI simulation and compare it with the DIII-D SPI simulations. NIMROD SPI simulations demonstrate that the ablating fragment drives strong parallel flows that transport the impurities and governs the thermal quench. Analysis of SPI simulations shows that the mixed deuterium/neon SPI results in a more benign thermal quench due to the enhanced transport caused by the additional deuterium. These results suggest that an optimal pellet mixture exists for the SPI system.
Controllability of heterogeneous multiagent systems with two-time-scale feature
Authors: Long Mingkang , Su Housheng , Wang Xiaoling , Liu Bo
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we investigate the controllability problems for heterogeneous multiagent systems (MASs) with two-time-scale feature under fixed topology. Firstly, the heterogeneous two-time-scale MASs are modeled by singular perturbation system with a singular perturbation parameter, which distinguishes fast and slow subsystems evolving on two different time scales. Due to the ill-posedness problems caused by the singular perturbation parameter, we analyze the two-time-scale MASs via the singular perturbation method, instead of the general methods. Then, we split the heterogeneous two-time-scale MASs into slow and fast subsystems to eliminate the singular perturbation parameter. Subsequently, according to the matrix theory and the graph theory, we propose some necessary/sufficient criteria for the controllability of the heterogeneous two-time-scale MASs. Lastly, we give some simulation and numerical examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results.
Influence of textural statistics on drag reduction by scalable, randomly rough superhydrophobic surfaces in turbulent flow
Authors: Rajappan Anoop , Golovin Kevin , Tobelmann Brian , Pillutla Venkata , Abhijeet  , Choi Wonjae , Tuteja Anish , McKinley Gareth H.
Published: April 2019

We investigate the influence of statistical measures of surface roughness on the turbulent drag reduction (DR) performance of four scalable, randomly rough superhydrophobic (SH) textures. Each surface was fabricated using readily scalable surface texturing processes to generate a random, self-affine height profile on the base substrate. The frictional drag on all four SH surfaces was measured when fully submerged in shear-driven turbulent flow inside a bespoke Taylor-Couette apparatus at Reynolds numbers in the range 1 × 104 ≲ Re ≲ 1 × 105. An “effective” slip length quantifying the overall drag-reducing ability for each surface was extracted from the resulting Prandtl-von Kármán friction plots. Reductions in the frictional drag of up to 26% were observed, with one of the hierarchically textured surfaces exceeding a wall shear stress of 26 Pa (corresponding to a Reynolds number Re ≈ 7 × 104) before the onset of flow-induced plastron collapse. The surface morphology of each texture was characterized using noncontact optical profilometry, and the influence of various statistical measures of roughness on the effective slip length was explored. The lateral autocorrelation length was identified as the key textural parameter determining the drag-reducing ability for randomly rough SH textures, playing the role analogous to the spatial periodicity of regularly patterned SH surfaces. A large autocorrelation length, a small surface roughness, and the presence of hierarchical roughness features were observed to be the three important design requirements for scalable SH textures for optimal DR in turbulent flows.
Article Commentary: Demystifying Buprenorphine Misuse: Has Fear of Diversion Gotten in the Way of Addressing the Opioid Crisis?
Authors: Doernberg Molly , Krawczyk Noa , Agus Deborah , Fingerhood Michael
Published: April 2019

Buprenorphine is considered one of the most effective treatments for opioid use disorder and significantly reduces risk of overdose death. However, concerns about its diversion and misuse have often taken center stage in public discourse and in the design of practices and policies regarding its use. This has been to the detriment of many vulnerable patient populations, especially those involved in the criminal justice system. Policies that restrict access to buprenorphine in criminal justice and other settings due to concerns of diversion do not accurately reflect the relative risks and safety profile associated with it, creating unnecessary barriers that drive an illicit market of this much-needed medication. Although proper regulation of all controlled medications should be a priority, in most instances the benefits of buprenorphine highly outweigh its risks. In the midst of a national crisis, efforts should be focused on expanding, and not restricting, access to this lifesaving treatment.
Religiosity and clawback provision to curb earnings management
Authors: Sari Ratna Candra , Sholihin Mahfud
Published: April 2019

This study examines the impact of religiosity and clawback on corporate reporting behavior. Previous research indicates that the supervision and punishment aspects of God, and secular authorities are able to improve prosocial actions. This present study examines whether clawback that
has a punishment feature moderates the effect of religiosity on the intention to manipulate earnings. This study uses an experimental method with 266 participants who are personnel from finance departments. Our results suggest that the main effect of religiosity has no significant effect on
the reduction of accruals manipulation. However, the interaction of religiosity and clawback has a significant effect. Although we find that clawback strengthens the negative influence of religiosity on accrual manipulation, we find that it strengthens the positive influence of religiosity
on manipulation of real activity.
A CRACker of an adaptor connects dynein-mediated transport to calcium signaling
Authors: Sharma Mahak , Dwivedi Devashish
Published: April 2019

Many different adaptor proteins activate the processivity of dynein–dynactin complexes and determine the specific cargo for retrograde transport by binding cargo receptors such as Rab GTP-binding (G) proteins. In this issue, Wang et al. (2019. J. Cell Biol. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201806097) identify two GTPases that can function directly as dynein adaptors during endocytosis and are regulated by calcium.
Microscopic heat pulses activate cardiac thin filaments
Authors: Ishii Shuya , Oyama Kotaro , Arai Tomomi , Itoh Hideki , Shintani Seine A. , Suzuki Madoka , Kobirumaki-Shimozawa Fuyu , Terui Takako , Fukuda Norio , Ishiwata Shin'ichi
Published: April 2019

During the excitation–contraction coupling of the heart, sarcomeres are activated via thin filament structural changes (i.e., from the “off” state to the “on” state) in response to a release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. This process involves chemical reactions that are highly dependent on ambient temperature; for example, catalytic activity of the actomyosin ATPase rises with increasing temperature. Here, we investigate the effects of rapid heating by focused infrared (IR) laser irradiation on the sliding of thin filaments reconstituted with human α-tropomyosin and bovine ventricular troponin in an in vitro motility assay. We perform high-precision analyses measuring temperature by the fluorescence intensity of rhodamine-phalloidin–labeled F-actin coupled with a fluorescent thermosensor sheet containing the temperature-sensitive dye Europium (III) thenoyltrifluoroacetonate trihydrate. This approach enables a shift in temperature from 25°C to ∼46°C within 0.2 s. We find that in the absence of Ca2+ and presence of ATP, IR laser irradiation elicits sliding movements of reconstituted thin filaments with a sliding velocity that increases as a function of temperature. The heating-induced acceleration of thin filament sliding likewise occurs in the presence of Ca2+ and ATP; however, the temperature dependence is more than twofold less pronounced. These findings could indicate that in the mammalian heart, the on–off equilibrium of the cardiac thin filament state is partially shifted toward the on state in diastole at physiological body temperature, enabling rapid and efficient myocardial dynamics in systole.
Anger Inhibition and Pain Modulation
Authors: Toledo Tyler A , Hellman Natalie , Lannon Edward W , Sturycz Cassandra A , Kuhn Bethany L , Payne Michael F , Palit Shreela , Güereca Yvette M , Shadlow Joanna O , Rhudy Jamie L
Published: April 2019

Background

The tendency to inhibit anger (anger-in) is associated with increased pain. This relationship may be explained by the negative affectivity hypothesis (anger-in increases negative affect that increases pain). Alternatively, it may be explained by the cognitive resource hypothesis (inhibiting anger limits attentional resources for pain modulation).

Methods

A well-validated picture-viewing paradigm was used in 98 healthy, pain-free individuals who were low or high on anger-in to study the effects of anger-in on emotional modulation of pain and attentional modulation of pain. Painful electrocutaneous stimulations were delivered during and in between pictures to evoke pain and the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR; a physiological correlate of spinal nociception). Subjective and physiological measures of valence (ratings, facial/corrugator electromyogram) and arousal (ratings, skin conductance) were used to assess reactivity to pictures and emotional inhibition in the high anger-in group.

Results

The high anger-in group reported less unpleasantness, showed less facial displays of negative affect in response to unpleasant pictures, and reported greater arousal to the pleasant pictures. Despite this, both groups experienced similar emotional modulation of pain/NFR. By contrast, the high anger-in group did not show attentional modulation of pain.

Conclusions

These findings support the cognitive resource hypothesis and suggest that overuse of emotional inhibition in high anger-in individuals could contribute to cognitive resource deficits that in turn contribute to pain risk. Moreover, anger-in likely influenced pain processing predominantly via supraspinal (e.g., cortico-cortical) mechanisms because only pain, but not NFR, was associated with anger-in.
Asynchronous leaf and cambial phenology in a tree species of the Congo Basin requires space–time conversion of wood traits
Authors: De Mil Tom , Hubau Wannes , Angoboy Ilondea Bhély , Rocha Vargas Mirvia Angela , Boeckx Pascal , Steppe Kathy , Van Acker Joris , Beeckman Hans , Van den Bulcke Jan
Published: April 2019

Background and Aims

Wood traits are increasingly being used to document tree performance. In the Congo Basin, however, weaker seasonality causes asynchrony of wood traits between trees. Here, we monitor growth and phenology data to date the formation of traits.

Methods

For two seasons, leaf and cambial phenology were monitored on four Terminalia superba trees (Mayombe) using cameras, cambial pinning and dendrometers. Subsequently, vessel lumen and parenchyma fractions as well as high-resolution isotopes (δ13C/δ18O) were quantified on the formed rings. All traits were dated and related to weather data.

Key Results

We observed between-tree differences in green-up of 45 d, with trees flushing before and after the rainy season. The lag between green-up and onset of xylem formation was 59 ± 21 d. The xylem growing season lasted 159 ± 17 d with between-tree differences of up to 53 d. Synchronized vessel, parenchyma and δ13C profiles were related to each other. Only parenchyma fraction and δ13C were correlated to weather variables, whereas the δ18O pattern showed no trend.

Conclusions

Asynchrony of leaf and cambial phenology complicates correct interpretation of environmental information recorded in wood. An integrated approach including high-resolution measurements of growth, stable isotopes and anatomical features allows exact dating of the formation of traits. This methodology offers a means to explore the asynchrony of growth in a rainforest and contribute to understanding this aspect of forest resilience.
Evolutionary relationships among life-history traits in Caninae (Mammalia: Carnivora)
Authors: Porto Lucas Marafina Vieira , Maestri Renan , Duarte Leandro Da Silva
Published: April 2019

Over the last few years, a debate about the relative roles of distinct factors on the evolution of lineages has gained prominence. The family Canidae is an excellent group for exploring this idea, owing to its rich fossil history. One of the most intriguing traits in canids is social organization, which varies from highly social to solitary species. However, we do not have a complete understanding of how sociality evolved in this clade. Here, we use a combination of phylogenetic analyses, ancestral character reconstructions and comparative methods on the only extant subfamily, Caninae, to understand how traits expressing ecological features evolved over the last 12.6 Myr. Our findings suggest that the evolution of low, medium and high sociality forms was abrupt and highly correlated with the evolution of hypo-, meso- and hypercarnivorous forms, respectively. In addition, our results suggest that the evolution of phenotypic traits in Caninae occurred through a sequential cause–effect relationship, where changes in habitat use and body size probably triggered changes in social behaviour, which in turn drove the evolution of diet.
Activator of G protein signaling 3 modulates prostate tumor development and progression
Authors: Adekoya Timothy O , Smith Nikia , Aladeniyi Temilade , Blumer Joe B , Chen Xiaoxin L , Richardson Ricardo M
Published: April 2019

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer death among men, with greater prevalence of the disease among the African American population in the USA. Activator of G-protein signaling 3 (AGS3/G-protein signaling modulator 1) was shown to be overexpressed in prostate adenocarcinoma relative to the prostate gland. In this study, we investigated the correlation between AGS3 overexpression and PCa malignancy. Immunoblotting analysis and real-time quantitative-PCR showed increase in AGS3 expression in the metastatic cell lines LNCaP (~3-fold), MDA PCa 2b (~2-fold), DU 145 (~2-fold) and TRAMP-C1 (~20-fold) but not in PC3 (~1-fold), relative to control RWPE-1. Overexpression of AGS3 in PC3, LNCaP and MDA PCa 2b enhanced tumor growth. AGS3 contains seven tetratricopeptide repeats (TPR) and four G-protein regulatory (GPR) motifs. Overexpression of the TPR or the GPR motifs in PC3 cells had no effect in tumor growth. Depletion of AGS3 in the TRAMP-C1 cells (TRAMP-C1-AGS3-/-) decreased cell proliferation and delayed wound healing and tumor growth in both C57BL/6 (~3-fold) and nude mice xenografts, relative to control TRAMP-C1 cells. TRAMP-C1-AGS3-/- tumors also exhibited a marked increase (~5-fold) in both extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, which correlated with a significant increase (~3-fold) in androgen receptor (AR) expression, relative to TRAMP-C1 xenografts. Interestingly, overexpression of AGS3 in TRAMP-C1-AGS3-/- cells inhibited ERK activation and AR overexpression as compared with control TRAMP-C1 cells. Taken together, the data indicate that the effect of AGS3 in prostate cancer development and progression is probably mediated via a MAPK/AR-dependent pathway.
Adalimumab or Infliximab for the Prevention of Early Postoperative Recurrence of Crohn Disease: Results From the ENEIDA Registry
Authors: Cañete Fiorella , Mañosa Míriam , Casanova María José , González-Sueyro Ramiro C , Barrio Jesús , Bermejo Fernando , Nos Pilar , Iglesias-Flores Eva , García-Planella Esther , Pérez-Calle José Lázaro , Vicente Raquel , Vera Maribel , Ramos Laura , Rivero Montserrat , De Francisco Ruth , Montserrat Antonia , Benítez Olga , Navarro Pablo , Taxonera Carlos , Hinojosa Esther , Márquez-Mosquera Lucía , Navarro-Llavat Mercé , Ramírez-de la Piscina Patricia , Gomollón Fernando , Rodríguez-Alonso Lorena , Núñez-Alonso Alejandro , Fernández-Salazar Luis , Almela Pedro , Ríos León Raquel , De Castro Luisa , Gisbert Javier P , Ricart Elena , Cabré Eduard , Domènech Eugeni ,   ENEIDA registry by GETECCU
Published: April 2019

Background

Anti–tumor necrosis factor agents (anti-TNFs) are efficacious at preventing the postoperative recurrence (POR) of Crohn disease, as demonstrated in 2 randomized controlled trials. However, real-life data for infliximab or adalimumab in this setting are scarce. Our aim was to assess both the efficiency of anti-TNFs at preventing early POR of Crohn disease in clinical practice and the associated risk factors for POR.

Methods

Patients in whom anti-TNFs were prescribed for the prevention of POR within 3 months after ileocolonic resection and who had an endoscopic assessment within 18 months were identified from the ENEIDA registry. Clinical and endoscopic features were collected within 18 months after surgery.

Results

In total, 152 patients were included (55 treated with infliximab, 97 with adalimumab, and 39% with concomitant immunosuppressants). Anti-TNF treatment was started after a median time of 29 days (IQR 13–44) after surgery. Eighty-two percent of patients had at least one risk factor for POR, and 82% had been exposed to anti-TNFs before the index surgery. Overall, 34% had endoscopic POR (as defined using a Rutgeerts endoscopic score > i1); 14% had advanced endoscopic POR (>i2); and 20% had clinical POR, with no differences between infliximab and adalimumab. In the multivariate analysis, only perianal disease (odds ratio 2.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26–5.91) and rectal involvement (odds ratio 2.79, 95% CI 1.09–7.14) were independent predictors of endoscopic POR.

Conclusions

In clinical practice, anti-TNFs for the prevention of POR of Crohn disease are frequently used in patients experienced with anti-TNFs and with concomitant immunosuppressants. The efficacy of infliximab and adalimumab for POR prevention is similar and in accordance with the results obtained in randomized controlled trials.
Impact of Simulated Corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Kernel Feeding on Field Corn Yield
Authors: Olivi B M , Gore J , Musser F M , Catchot A L , Cook D R
Published: April 2019

Corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, has not been considered an economic pest of field corn. Historical losses estimates ranged from 1.5 to 2.5%, and a large number of foliar insecticide applications would be needed to minimize infestations. In recent years, Bt, Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) field corn, Zea mays (L.) Poales: Poaceae, technologies that exhibit activity against corn earworm have been introduced. However, it is unclear how much damage to corn ears (number of damaged kernels) is required to reduce yield. In this study manual damage methods were utilized to inflict defined levels of kernel damage and to impose damage at levels greater than observed with natural corn earworm infestations. Bt corn hybrids expressing the Agrisure Viptera (Vip 3A) trait were used to minimize injury from natural infestations of corn earworm. Manual kernel damage was imposed at R3 stage to mimic corn earworm feeding while avoiding interference with pollination. These methods were used in experiments where treatments were applied to individual ears and hand-harvested and in experiments where treatments were applied to all primary ears in the plot and machine-harvested. Damage of ≥60 kernels per ear was required to significantly reduce yield regardless of harvest method. Kernel damage from natural corn earworm infestations reported in other studies was much lower than 60 kernels per ear. Timely planting is a key component of all integrated pest management programs. Field corn planted during the recommended planting window for optimum yield is unlikely to experience corn earworm damage great enough to reduce yield.
A 4-Yr Survey of the Range of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in the Lehigh Valley Region of Eastern Pennsylvania
Authors: Edwards Marten J , Russell James C , Davidson Emily N , Yanushefski Thomas J , Fleischman Bess L , Heist Rachel O , Leep-Lazar Julia G , Stuppi Samantha L , Esposito Rita A , Suppan Louise M
Published: April 2019

Questing ticks were surveyed by dragging in forested habitats within the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania for four consecutive summers (2015–2018). A high level of inter-annual variation was found in the density of blacklegged tick nymphs, Ixodes scapularis Say, with a high density of host-seeking nymphs (DON) in summer 2015 and 2017 and a relatively low DON in summer 2016 and 2018. Very few American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis Say) and Ixodes cookei Packard were collected. Lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum L.) and longhorned ticks (Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann) were not represented among the 6,398 ticks collected. For tick-borne pathogen surveillance, DNA samples from 1,721 I. scapularis nymphs were prepared from specimens collected in summers 2015–2017 and screened using qPCR, high resolution melting analysis, and DNA sequencing when necessary. The overall 3-yr nymphal infection prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi was 24.8%, Borrelia miyamotoi was 0.3%, Anaplasma phagocytophilum variant-ha was 0.8%, and Babesia microti was 2.8%. Prevalence of coinfection with B. burgdorferi and B. microti as well as B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum variant-ha were significantly higher than would be expected by independent infection. B. burgdorferi nymphal infection prevalence is similar to what other studies have found in the Hudson Valley region of New York, but levels of B. microti and A. phagocytophilum variant-ha nymphal infection prevalence are relatively lower. This study reinforces the urgent need for continued tick and pathogen surveillance in the Lehigh Valley region.
Association Between Neutralizing Antibody Titers against Parechovirus A3 in Maternal and Cord Blood Pairs and Perinatal Factors
Authors: Shimizu Hiromi , Hashimoto Koichi , Sato Maki , Sato Akiko , Sato Masatoki , Maeda Hajime , Kyozuka Hyo , Kawasaki Yukihiko , Yokoyama Tadahiko , Fujimori Keiya , Yasumura Seiji , Hosoya Mitsuaki
Published: April 2019

Background

Parechovirus A3 (PeV-A3) is a pathogen that causes severe infectious diseases such as sepsis and meningoencephalitis in neonates and young infants. In this study, we aimed to measure the neutralizing antibody titer (NAT) against PeV-A3 in paired maternal and cord blood samples and to clarify the serum epidemiology of PeV-A3 and the association between the NAT and perinatal factors.

Methods

NATs against PeV-A3 were measured in 1033 mothers (maternal and cord blood pairs; total of 2066 samples) who delivered their infant in Fukushima Prefecture between December 2013 and June 2014. RD-18S cells were used to measure NATs against PeV-A3. The association between NATs against PeV-A3 in maternal and cord blood and perinatal factors was determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

The median gestational age of the infants was 39 weeks 4 days (interquartile range, 38 weeks 4 days to 40 weeks 3 days). The NATs against PeV-A3 in maternal blood and in cord blood were almost the same. The proportion of samples assigned to the low-titer group (NAT ≤ 1:16) was approximately 70%, and the proportion of samples assigned to the high-titer group tended to increase with gestational age. The high-titer rate and geometric mean titers decreased with increased maternal age.

Conclusions

Cord blood indicates that neonates born at a lower gestational age and older mothers have a low NAT against PeV-A3. Thus, more attention should be paid to the onset of severe PeV-A3 disease in such neonates and young infants.
Degree of electric current neutralization and the activity in solar active regions
Authors: Vemareddy P
Published: April 2019

Using time-sequence vector magnetic field observation from Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager, we examined the connection of non-neutralized currents and the observed activity in 20 solar active regions (ARs). The net current in a given magnetic polarity is algebraic sum of direct current (DC) and return current (RC) and the ratio |DC/RC| is a measure of degree of net current neutralization (NCN). In the emerging ARs, the non-neutrality of these currents builds with the onset of flux emergence, following the relaxation to neutrality during the separation motion of bipolar regions. Accordingly, some emerging ARs are source regions of CMEs occurring at the time of higher level non-neutrality. ARs in the post-emergence phase can be CME productive provided they have interacting bipolar regions with converging and shearing motions. In these cases, the net current evolves with higher level (>1.3) of non-neutrality. Differently, the |DC/RC| in flaring and quiet ARs vary near unity. In all the AR samples, the |DC/RC| is higher for chiral current density than that for vertical current density. Owing to the fact that the non-neutralized currents arise in the vicinity of sheared polarity-inversion-lines (SPILs), the profiles of the total length of SPIL segments and the degree of NCN follow each other with a positive correlation. We find that the SPIL is localized as small segments in flaring-ARs, whereas it is long continuous in CME-producing ARs. These observations demonstrate the dividing line between the CMEs and flares with the difference being in global or local nature of magnetic shear in the AR that reflected in non-neutralized currents.
G5.89: an explosive outflow powered by a proto-stellar merger?
Authors: Zapata Luis A , Ho Paul T P , Guzmán Ccolque Estrella , Fernández-Lopéz Manuel , Rodríguez Luis F , Bally John , Sanhueza Patricio , Palau Aina , Saito Masao
Published: April 2019

The explosive outflows are a newly discovered family of molecular outflows associated with high-mass star-forming regions. Such energetic events are possibly powered by the release of gravitational energy related with the formation of a (proto)stellar merger or a close stellar binary. Here, we present sensitive and high angular resolution observations (0.85 arcsec) archival CO(J = 3–2) observations carried out with the Submillimeter Array of the high-mass star-forming region G5.89−0.39 that reveal the possible presence of an explosive outflow. We find six well-defined and narrow straight filament-like ejections pointing back approximately to the centre of an expanding molecular and ionized shell located at the centre of this region. These high-velocity (−120 to +100 km s−1) filaments follow a Hubble-like velocity law with the radial velocities increasing with the projected distance. The estimated kinematical age of the filaments is about of 1000 yr, a value similar to the dynamical age found for the expanding ionized shell. G5.89 is the thus the third explosive outflow reported in the galaxy (together with Orion BN-KL and DR21) and argues in favour of the idea that this is a frequent phenomenon. In particular, explosive outflows, in conjunction with runaway stars, demonstrate that dynamical interactions in such groups are very important ingredients in star formation.
Outcomes After Repeat Transsphenoidal Surgery for Recurrent Cushing Disease: Updated
Authors: Burke William T , Penn David L , Repetti Caroline S , Iuliano Sherry , Laws Edward R
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Transspheniodal surgery (TSS) for Cushing disease (CD) is considered the first-line treatment; however, reported recurrence rates are high.

OBJECTIVE

To systemically review indications and outcomes for repeat TSS in recurrent CD.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients undergoing TSS from 2008 to 2018 was performed. Patients undergoing repeat TSS for clinical and/or biochemically recurrent CD with follow-up at least 12 mo postoperatively were included. These data were analyzed in our “current cohort” and combined with our previously published data in a “combined cohort.”

RESULTS

The current cohort of patients undergoing operations from 2008 to 2018 with repeat surgery following a prior operation included 15 patients. Pathology at the time of first operation was positive for adrenocortiotrophic hormone (ACTH) adenoma in 13/15 (86.7%) and 9/15 (60%) had evidence of recurrence after a previous surgical procedure on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Remission was achieved immediately postoperatively in 13/15 (86.7%). Over an average follow-up of 34.7 mo (range: 12-116), 11/15 (68.8%) achieved persistent remission. When combined with the historical cohort that underwent an operation during 1992−2006, 44/51 (86.3%) patients had a prior operation demonstrating ACTH adenoma and 35/51 (68.6%) had evidence of recurrent disease on preoperative MRI. Thirty-five (68.6%) patients went into remission immediately postoperatively. Thirty one (60.8%) had continued remission at most recent reported follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Recurrent CD can be a therapeutic challenge; however, these data demonstrate that in many patients repeat surgery can be an effective and safe next step prior to radiation or medical therapy.
Electrical (Pain) Thresholds and Conditioned Pain Modulation in Patients with Low Back–Related Leg Pain and Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study
Authors: Goudman Lisa , Huysmans Eva , Coppieters Iris , Ickmans Kelly , Nijs Jo , Buyl Ronald , Putman Koen , Moens Maarten
Published: April 2019

Objective

When evaluating sensory dysfunctions and pain mechanisms in patients with low back pain (LBP), a specific subgroup of patients with radicular symptoms is often excluded. Comparative studies that evaluate sensory sensitivity in patients with a dominant nociceptive and neuropathic pain component are rarely performed. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine differences in electrical thresholds and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) between patients with low back–related leg pain (LBRLP) and patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS).

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

University Hospital Brussels.

Subjects

Twenty-one patients with LBRLP and 21 patients with FBSS were included.

Methods

Electrical detection thresholds (EDTs), electrical pain thresholds (EPTs), and CPM were evaluated on the symptomatic and nonsymptomatic sides. Within- and between-group differences were evaluated for all parameters.

Results

No between-group differences were found for EDT and EPT at both sides. On the nonsymptomatic side, a significantly lower CPM effect was found in the FBSS group (P = 0.04). The only significant within-group difference was an increased EDT at the symptomatic side in patients with FBSS (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

LBP patients with a primary neuropathic pain component revealed altered detection sensitivity at the symptomatic side, without severe indications for altered nociceptive processing, compared with LBP patients without a dominant neuropathic pain component. Endogenous modulation is functioning in LBP patients, although it is possible that it might only be functioning partially in patients with a dominant neuropathic pain component.
A Virtual Reality Intervention for the Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain: Development and Feasibility Results
Authors: Rutledge Thomas , Velez Deborah , Depp Colin , McQuaid John R , Wong Garland , Jones R Carter W , Atkinson J Hampton , Giap Bosco , Quan Alex , Giap Huan
Published: April 2019

Objective

To describe the development of a virtual reality (VR) treatment for phantom limb pain (PLP) and phantom sensations and provide feasibility data from testing the treatment in a population of veterans.

Design & Subjects

Fourteen participants completed a baseline visit evaluating their amputation, PLP, and phantom sensations. Subsequently, participants completed a VR treatment modeled after mirror therapy for PLP, navigating in a VR environment with a bicycle pedaler and motion sensor to pair their cadence to a VR avatar. The VR avatar enabled visualization of the participant’s intact phantom limb in motion, a hypothesized mechanism of mirror therapy.

Setting

Laboratory.

Methods

Participants completed pre- and post-treatment measures to evaluate changes in PLP, phantom sensations, and rate helpfulness, realism, immersion, adverse experiences, and treatment satisfaction.

Results

Eight of 14 participants (57.1%) reported PLP pre–VR treatment, and 93% (13/14) reported one or more unpleasant phantom sensations. After treatment, 28.6% (4/14) continued to report PLP symptoms (t[13] = 2.7, P = 0.02, d = 0.53) and 28.6% (4/14) reported phantom sensations (t[13] = 4.4, P = 0.001, d = 1.7). Ratings of helpfulness, realism, immersion, and satisfaction were uniformly high to very high. There were no adverse experiences. Four participants completed multiple VR treatments, showing stable improvements in PLP intensity and phantom sensations and high user ratings.

Conclusions

This feasibility study of a novel VR intervention for PLP was practical and was associated with significant reductions in PLP intensity and phantom sensations. Our findings support continued research in VR-based treatments in PLP, with a need for direct comparisons between VR and more established PLP treatments.
Pre-emotional Awareness and the Content-Priority View
Authors: Mitchell Jonathan
Published: April 2019

Much contemporary philosophy of emotion has been in broad agreement about the claim that emotional experiences have evaluative content. This paper assesses a relatively neglected alternative, which I call the content-priority view, according to which emotions are responses to a form of pre-emotional value awareness, as what we are aware of in having certain non-emotional evaluative states which are temporally prior to emotion. I argue that the central motivations of the view require a personal level conscious state of pre-emotional value awareness. However, consideration of extant suggestions for the relevant type of evaluative state shows them all to be problematic. As such, I conclude that at present we do not have a persuasive formulation of the content-priority view, and that to get one defenders of the view need to specify which version they are committed to and defend it against the criticisms raised.