bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capsaicin inhibits the migration and invasion via the AMPK/NF-κB signaling pathway in esophagus sequamous cell carcinoma by decreasing matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression
Authors: Guo Yong , Liu Ning , Liu Kun , Gao Min
Published: July 2019

Antitumor activity of Capsaicin has been studied in various tumor types, but its potency in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains to be elucidated. Here, we explored the molecular mechanism of the capsaicin-induced antitumor effects on ESCC Eca109 cells. Eca109 cells were treated with capsaicin in vitro, the migration and invasion capacities were significantly decreased by scratch assay and transwell invasion assay. Meanwhile, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 (MMP-9) expression levels were also obviously down-regulated by Western blot. However, phosphorylated AMPK levels were significantly up-regulated, and this effect was eliminated by the AMPK inhibitor Compound C treatment. In addition, capsaicin can enhance sirtuin1 (SIRT1) expression, which could activate nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) through deacetylation, and activate AMPK inducing the phosphorylation of IκBα and nuclear localization of NF-κB p65. Overall, these results revealed that Capsaicin can inhibit the migration and invasion of ESCC cells via the AMPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Bioinformatics-based discovery of PYGM and TNNC2 as potential biomarkers of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Jin Yu , Yang Ya
Published: July 2019

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive malignancy with high morbidity and mortality rates and ranks as the sixth most common cancer all over the world. Despite numerous advancements in therapeutic methods, the prognosis of HNSCC patients still remains poor. Therefore, there is an urgent need to have a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying HNSCC progression and to identify essential genes that could serve as effective biomarkers and potential treatment targets. In the present study, original data of three independent datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO) and R language was applied to screen out the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). PYGM and TNNC2 were finally selected from the overlapping DEGs of three datasets for further analyses. Transcriptional and survival data related to PYGM and TNNC2 was detected through multiple online databases such as Oncomine, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), cBioportal, and UALCAN. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis was adopted for the validation of PYGM and TNNC2 mRNA level in HNSCC tissues and cell lines. Survival curves were plotted to evaluate the association of these two genes with HNSCC prognosis. It was demonstrated that PYGM and TNNC2 were significantly down-regulated in HNSCC and the aberrant expression of PYGM and TNNC2 were correlated with HNSCC prognosis, implying the potential of exploiting them as therapeutic targets for HNSCC treatment or potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis.
Collagen cross-linking mediated by lysyl hydroxylase 2: an enzymatic battlefield to combat fibrosis
Authors: Piersma Bram , Bank Ruud A.
Published: July 2019

The hallmark of fibrosis is an excessive accumulation of collagen, ultimately leading to organ failure. It has become evident that the deposited collagen also exhibits qualitative modifications. A marked modification is the increased cross-linking, leading to a stabilization of the collagen network and limiting fibrosis reversibility. Not only the level of cross-linking is increased, but also the composition of cross-linking is altered: an increase is seen in hydroxyallysine-derived cross-links at the expense of allysine cross-links. This results in irreversible fibrosis, as collagen cross-linked by hydroxyallysine is more difficult to degrade. Hydroxyallysine is derived from a hydroxylysine in the telopeptides of collagen. The expression of lysyl hydroxylase (LH) 2 (LH2), the enzyme responsible for the formation of telopeptidyl hydroxylysine, is universally up-regulated in fibrosis. It is expected that inhibition of this enzyme will lead to reversible fibrosis without interfering with the normal repair process. In this review, we discuss the molecular basis of collagen modifications and cross-linking, with an emphasis on LH2-mediated hydroxyallysine cross-links, and their implications for the pathogenesis and treatment of fibrosis.
Magnetic helicity and eruptivity in active region 12673
Authors: Moraitis K. , Sun X. , Pariat É. , Linan L.
Published: July 2019

Context. In September 2017, the largest X-class flare of solar cycle 24 occurred from the most active region (AR) of this cycle, AR 12673. This AR attracted much interest because of its unique morphological and evolution characteristics. Among the parameters that were examined in the AR was magnetic helicity, but either only approximately, or intermittently, or both.

Aims. We here study the evolution of the relative magnetic helicity and of the two components of its decomposition, the non-potential, and the volume-threading one, in the time interval around the highest activity of AR 12673. We especially focus on the ratio of the non-potential to total helicity, which has recently been proposed as an indicator of AR eruptivity.

Methods. We first approximated the coronal magnetic field of the AR with two different optimization-based extrapolation procedures, and chose the method that produced the most reliable helicity value at each instant. Moreover, in one of these methods, we weighted the optimization by the uncertainty estimates derived from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) instrument for the first time. We then followed an accurate method to compute all quantities of interest.

Results. The first observational determination of the evolution of the non-potential to total helicity ratio seems to confirm the quality it has in indicating eruptivity. This ratio increased before the major flares of AR 12673 and afterwards relaxed to lower values. Additionally, we discuss the evolution patterns of the various helicity and energy budgets of AR 12673 and compare them with results from other works.
Muskuloskelettale Dysfunktionen bei Patienten mit
Migräne
Authors: Klittmann Steffen
Published: July 2019

Luedtke K, Starke W, May A. Cephalalgia 2018; 38: 865–875. doi:
10.1177/0333102417716934
Vitamin A (Retinol)
Authors: Gröber Uwe
Published: July 2019

Vitamin A erfüllt in seinen 3 aktiven Formen Retinol, Retinal und Retinsäure zahlreiche physiologische Funktionen, u. a. bei Genexpression und Hirnentwicklung, im Immunsystem und beim Sehvorgang. Bei vielen Stoffwechselschritten wirkt es synergistisch mit Vitamin D. Es deutet sich an, dass mind. 25 % der Bevölkerung in Deutschland die empfohlene Aufnahme von Vitamin A mit der Ernährung nicht erreichen. Die Bedarfsdeckung durch Carotinoide wurde lange überschätzt, da Absorption und Konversion interindividuell stark schwanken.
Schmerzen und Stress reduzieren – Vagotonusstimulation in der Therapie
Authors: Bonno Isabelle
Published: July 2019

Ein handgroßes Gerät, das sich stressgeplagte Menschen auf den Oberbauch legen, um damit ihre Herzratenvariabilität zu verbessern und ihren Parasympathikus zu stimulieren? Klingt gewöhnungsbedürftig. Christopher Gordon will mit dem stress releaZer genau das erreichen. physiopraxis hat ihn in seiner Praxis besucht und mit ihm über sein neues Therapieangebot gesprochen, das Patienten auch zu Hause nutzen können.
Intestinal Tuberculosis versus Crohn's Disease: Evaluating the Role of Computed Tomography Enterography in Differentiating the Two
Authors: Muslim Saniya , Bagarhatta Meenu
Published: July 2019

Intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) and Crohn's disease (CD) are chronic inflammatory bowel disorders that are frequently misdiagnosed due to overlapping clinical, radiologic, endoscopic, and histologic resemblance. Recent trends indicate a change in the epidemiology of inflammatory bowel diseases, with previously low-incidence areas now reporting a continuous rise in incidence. The rising incidence of CD in countries such as India where TB continues to be endemic has made the differentiation of these two disorders a diagnostic challenge. Misdiagnosis leads to delays in initiating effective therapy with increased morbidity and mortality, hence the importance of making an accurate diagnosis at the earliest possible stage. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of computed tomography enterography findings in the differential diagnosis between ITB and CD.
Noncoding RNA in Liver Regeneration—From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Implications
Authors: Sergeeva Olga , Sviridov Evgeny , Zatsepin Timofei
Published: July 2019

The unique ability of the adult liver to regenerate after injury is the basis for efficient surgical resection and liver transplantation and provides solutions for the treatment of liver cancer and acute liver failure. Current success in surgical treatments could be enhanced by directed regulation of liver regeneration. A number of small molecules and growth factors have been tested in mice models to improve liver regeneration. Noncoding ribonucleic acids (ncRNA) are less studied regulators of various cellular processes. Here, the authors carefully review ncRNA involved in liver regeneration and discuss molecular mechanisms and regulatory networks. These ncRNAs modulate the expression of pro- and antiproliferative genes allowing to orchestrate precisely the proliferation of hepatocytes. The authors expect that ncRNA will become new targets in liver regeneration due to recent progress in therapeutic nucleic acids. Among a large number of preclinical studies on ncRNA, only a few entered clinical trials, and further studies are needed to uncover their potential as therapeutic targets.
X-ray fluorescence imaging of jet flow in laser driven high-energy-density experiments
Authors: Pu Yudong , Yao Li , Zheng Jianhua , Wei Minxi , Zhan Xiayu , Yang Dong , Ding Yongkun
Published: July 2019

The technique of x-ray fluorescence imaging (XRFI) has been applied to the high-energy-density (HED) jet experiments on the SG-III prototype laser facility. The jet was produced by the interaction of the laser driven shock with the perturbed Ti disk. The fluorescence emission of the Ti ejecta was pumped by the V He-α emission and recorded using a Ross Pair Imager with an optimized configuration. We achieved a spatial resolution of 35 μm and a temporal resolution of 1 ns. We also developed a method to infer the density distribution of the jet from the fluorescence images and discussed the conditions under which this method was accurate. These experiments provided insight into the characteristics of a HED jet and implied that XRFI is a promising way for studying HED hydrodynamics.
Systems of matrix Riccati equations, linear fractional transformations, partial integrability and synchronization
Authors: Lohe M. A.
Published: July 2019

We partially integrate a system of rectangular matrix Riccati equations which describe the synchronization behavior of a nonlinear complex system of N globally connected oscillators. The equations take a restricted form in which the time-dependent matrix coefficients are independent of the node. We use linear fractional transformations to perform the partial integration, resulting in a system of reduced size which is independent of N, generalizing the well-known Watanabe-Strogatz reduction for the Kuramoto model. For square matrices, the resulting constants of motion are related to the eigenvalues of matrix cross ratios, which we show satisfy various properties such as symmetry relations. For square matrices, the variables can be regarded as elements of a classical Lie group, not necessarily compact, satisfying the matrix Riccati equations. Trajectories lie either within or on the boundary of a classical domain, and we show by numerical example that complete synchronization can occur even for the mixed case. Provided that certain unitarity conditions are satisfied, we extend the definition of cross ratios to rectangular matrix systems and show that again the eigenvalues are conserved. Special cases are models with real vector unknowns for which trajectories lie on the unit sphere in higher dimensions, with well-known synchronization behavior, and models with complex vector wavefunctions that describe synchronization in quantum systems, possibly infinite-dimensional.
Blow-up profile of neutron stars in the Chandrasekhar theory
Authors: Nguyen Dinh-Thi
Published: July 2019

We study the Chandrasekhar variational model for neutron stars, with or without an external potential. We prove the existence of minimizers when the attractive interaction strength τ is strictly smaller than the Chandrasekhar limit τc and investigate the blow-up phenomenon in the limit τ ↑ τc. We show that the blow-up profile of the minimizer(s) is given by the Lane–Emden solution.
Adjusting synchronizability of coupled oscillatory power networks via feedback control schemes
Authors: Yang Li-xin , Jiang Jun , Liu Xiao-jun , Chen Yan-hua
Published: July 2019

In this paper, the reliable synchronization of oscillatory power networks with different topologies is investigated by presenting two simple control strategies, namely, phase feedback control and frequency feedback control. The power networks are modeled by the coupled second-order Kuramoto oscillators that represent both consumers and generators. Through the simulations on the power networks with control, it is found that both the proposed control strategies can effectively enhance the synchronizability of the power networks, except for the case when the frequency feedback strategy is adopted for a coupled power network with the WS structure. In this case, it is observed that the critical coupling strength reaches the smallest value when the feedback control strength is equal to one and a sudden drop of order parameter occurs as the control strength further increases. This work provides innovative ideas for constructing a cost-effective power system.
Modeling of macro-particles in vacuum arc jet before current zero with axial magnetic field
Authors: Yang Ze , Wang Lijun , Wang Yuan , Zhang Xiao , Jia Shenli
Published: July 2019

In this paper, macroparticle (MP) characteristics in vacuum arc jet (VAJ) before current zero under the influence of the axial magnetic field (AMF) are investigated by numerical simulation. The magnetohydrodynamic model is used to describe the VAJ, while MPs are treated as the discrete phase. The model for MPs is established considering the charging process, motion process, heat transfer process, and rotation process. Simulation results show that smaller MPs are more likely to reach higher velocity and rotate faster. But the MP cannot rotate once due to the short flight distance. Both a higher VAJ current and a smaller VAJ angle can lead to a stronger heating process, evaporation process, and acceleration process of the MP because of higher plasma density and temperature. Although AMF can affect plasma parameters obviously, it can hardly change the MP motion direction. Since plasma density is rarefied far from the cathode center, most MP parameters tend to become steady after some flight distance. Some small MPs can reach the anode with high velocity instead of being evaporated completely. The collision between these MPs and the electrode may be harmful to the postarc period.
Role of laser absorption and equation-of-state models on ns laser induced ablative plasma and shockwave dynamics in ambient air: Numerical and experimental investigations
Authors: Sai Shiva S. , Leela Ch. , Prem Kiran P. , Sijoy C. D. , Ikkurthi V. R. , Chaturvedi S.
Published: July 2019

Ablative plasma and a shock wave (SW) in ambient air were experimentally produced using Nd:YAG laser pulses of ∼7 ns width and a wavelength of 532 nm. The numerical simulations of the experiments were performed using a two-dimensional axis-symmetric radiation-hydrodynamics code. The numerical approach to simulate the experimental observations was not straightforward due to the complex behavior of the laser-air interaction and the associated processes, such as plasma formation and SW evolution, that occur concurrently. Hence, the modeling was attempted based on the combination of two laser absorption coefficients and two equations-of-state (EOSs). One form of absorption coefficient was taken from Zel'dovich and Raizer [Physics of Shock Waves and High-Temperature Hydrodynamic Phenomena (Dover Publications/Academic Press Inc., New York, 2012)], which is the sum of photoionization and inverse bremsstrahlung (IB) due to electron-ion collisions, and the other was taken from DeMichelis [IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 5(4), 188 (1969)] that considers the IB due to electron-ion and electron-neutral collisions. Similarly, the two EOSs, namely the ideal gas EOS and the chemical equilibrium application [S. Gordon and B. J. McBride, NASA Ref. Publ. 1311, 1 (1994)] EOS, are considered. The simulated results obtained using four models were compared with each other and with the experimental observations. These models enabled understanding the transient behavior of the laser-induced air plasma and the SW evolution. The results showed that the absorption coefficient and the EOS play a key role in modeling the dynamics of air plasma and SW. We present the results of this study and the models which validate the experimental results the best in terms of the asymmetric plasma expansion, formation of hot spots, plasma splitting and rolling, SW external dynamics such as the transition from a tear-drop to a spherical shape, and shock front velocity.
Non-local plasma generation in a magnetic nozzle
Authors: Bennet Alexander , Charles Christine , Boswell Rod
Published: July 2019

Axial plasma density measurements in a 1.5 m long plasma chamber are presented for when the regions of high magnetic field and radio frequency heating are progressively separated using a movable solenoid pair. The results show that the operating regime changes based on the degree of ion magnetisation under the antenna. When ions are magnetized, electrons heated under the antenna are efficiently transported to the solenoids along a column defined by the magnetic field lines which connect to the antenna region. The cross section of this column decreases due to the converging magnetic field geometry, thereby increasing the density of electrons on the axis. This results in a density profile which is singly peaked and centered on the location of maximum magnetic field strength. When the ions are unmagnetised under the antenna, the flux of positive charges to the wall there is increased. Electrons streaming along field lines that intersect the radial wall in the antenna region are then more attracted to the antenna region to balance this flux. This affects the equilibrium conditions along the entire magnetic field line and results in less efficient transport of electrons heated by the antenna to the region of high magnetic field strength. In this regime, there is a global decrease in plasma density and the axial density profile is doubly peaked.
Efficient long-distance energy transport in molecular systems through adiabatic passage
Authors: Dijkstra Arend G. , Beige Almut
Published: July 2019

The efficiencies of light-harvesting complexes in biological systems can be much higher than the current efficiencies of artificial solar cells. In this paper, we therefore propose and analyze an energy transport mechanism which employs adiabatic passages between the states of an artificially designed antenna molecular system to significantly enhance the conversion of incoming light into internal energy. It is shown that the proposed transport mechanism is relatively robust against spontaneous emission and dephasing, while also being able to take advantage of collective effects. Our aim is to provide new insight into the energy transport in molecular complexes and to improve the design of solar cells.
Charge transport in an organic light emitting diode material measured using metal-insulator-semiconductor charge extraction by linearly increasing voltage with parameter variation
Authors: Gao Mile , Burn Paul L. , Pivrikas Almantas
Published: July 2019

Charge transport measurement using the Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor Charge Extraction by Linearly Increasing Voltage (MIS-CELIV) technique is a promising method for determining charge mobility in organic semiconductors because of its ability to study electron and hole mobilities independently. However, MIS-CELIV measurements have a number of parameters that can potentially affect the calculated mobility. There are only a few reports on MIS-CELIV being used to determine the charge mobility for materials typically used in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), and the impact of each of the MIS-CELIV experimental parameters on the mobility is presently unknown. We find that the pulse duration, injection time, maximum voltage, offset voltage, and external load resistance have different levels of influence on the calculated mobility. Using the hole transporting OLED host material, tris(4-carbazoyl-9-ylphenyl)amine (TCTA), we show that having an injection time sufficient to fully charge the insulator layer, a pulse duration comparable to the transit time, and an external circuit time constant much smaller than the transit time is required to give a mobility relevant to an OLED. The optimized MIS-CELIV parameters led to the measurement having a similar current density and electric field to that of an operational OLED. Under these conditions, the hole mobility of TCTA was determined to be 2.90 ± 0.07 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1, which is similar to that measured using time-of-flight techniques. Using inappropriate experimental parameters could lead to an underestimation of the mobility by an order of magnitude. Simulations of the MIS-CELIV measurements verified the effect the different parameters played in determining the charge mobility.
Optimal band gap for improved thermoelectric performance of two-dimensional Dirac materials
Authors: Hasdeo Eddwi H. , Krisna Lukas P. A. , Hanna Muhammad Y. , Gunara Bobby E. , Hung Nguyen T. , Nugraha Ahmad R. T.
Published: July 2019

Thermoelectric properties of two-dimensional (2D) Dirac materials are calculated within linearized Boltzmann transport theory and relaxation time approximation. We find that the gapless 2D Dirac material exhibits poorer thermoelectric performance than the gapped one. This fact arises due to the cancelation effect from electron-hole contributions to the transport quantities. Opening the bandgap lifts this cancelation effect. Furthermore, there exists an optimal bandgap for maximizing figure of merit (ZT) in the gapped 2D Dirac material. The optimal bandgap ranges from 6kBT to 18kBT, where kB is the Boltzmann constant and T is the operating temperature in kelvin. This result indicates the importance of having narrow gaps to achieve the best thermoelectrics in 2D systems. Larger maximum ZTs can also be obtained by suppressing the lattice thermal conductivity. In the most ideal case where the lattice thermal conductivity is very small, the maximum ZT in the gapped 2D Dirac material can be many times the ZT of commercial thermoelectric materials.
Longitudinal magnetic field generation during the early stage of relativistic electron beam-plasma interaction
Authors: Hu Zhang-Hu , Wang Xiao-Juan , Shang Wan-Li , Wang You-Nian
Published: July 2019

A mechanism for longitudinal magnetic field (i.e., the magnetic field parallel to the beam propagation direction) generation during the transport of relativistic electron beams with large edge gradients, through a high density plasma, is explained using two-dimensional (2D) particle-in-cell simulations and analytical theory. A ring structure is first formed due to the unneutralized beam current in the edge. Later, the counter-propagation of plasma return currents in the radial direction is excited due to the induction of a defocusing azimuthal magnetic field in the inner parts of the ring structure, with a characteristic crossing length of the ring width. Finally, the filamentation of plasma radial return currents in the azimuthal direction develops and contributes to the generation of a strong longitudinal magnetic field, which is shown to have strength on the same order of the transverse magnetic fields.
Spin-symmetry adaptation to the Monte Carlo correction configuration interaction wave functions
Authors: Ohtsuka Yuhki
Published: July 2019

We propose a method to adapt the spin-symmetry to the Monte Carlo correction configuration interaction (MC3I) wave function which is expanded by the selected Slater determinants (SDs). The spin-symmetry of the MC3I wave function is usually broken because the Monte Carlo method is used to select the SDs, and this problem becomes worse as the electron correlation becomes stronger. In the present method, the S^2 operator is applied to the set of the SDs in the MC3I wave function iteratively until the set becomes closed under S^2. The spin-symmetry adapted MC3I wave functions are calculated by diagonalization of the Hamiltonian matrix which is spanned by the converged set of SDs. The present method is tested by the application to the excited states of C2 in the bond dissociation region and the 100 lowest states of [Fe2S2(SCH3)4]3−. The deviations of S (total spin angular momentum) of some states were too large to assign the electronic states in the original MC3I calculations, while all states have the correct S after spin-symmetry adaptation and become comparable with the full configuration interaction and density matrix renormalization group results. With the present spin-symmetry adaptation, the MC3I method becomes applicable to strong electron correlation systems.
Influence of chirality on fluorescence and resonance energy transfer
Authors: Forbes Kayn A. , Bradshaw David S. , Andrews David L.
Published: July 2019

Electronically excited molecules frequently exhibit two distinctive decay mechanisms that rapidly generate optical emission: one is direct fluorescence and the other is energy transfer to a neighboring component. In the latter, the process leading to the ensuing “indirect” fluorescence is known as FRET, or fluorescence resonance energy transfer. For chiral molecules, both fluorescence and FRET exhibit discriminatory behavior with respect to optical and material handedness. While chiral effects such as circular dichroism are well known, as too is chiral discrimination for FRET in isolation, this article presents a study on a stepwise mechanism that involves both. Chirally sensitive processes follow excitation through the absorption of circularly polarized light and are manifest in either direct or indirect fluorescence. Following recent studies setting down the symmetry principles, this analysis provides a rigorous, quantum outlook that complements and expands on these works. Circumventing expressions that contain complicated tensorial components, our results are amenable for determining representative numerical values for the relative importance of the various coupling processes. We discover that circular dichroism exerts a major influence on both fluorescence and FRET, and resolving the engagement of chirality in each component reveals the distinct roles of absorption and emission by, and between, donor and acceptor pairs. It emerges that chiral discrimination in the FRET stage is not, as might have been expected, the main arbiter in the stepwise mechanism. In the concluding discussion on various concepts, attention is focused on the validity of helicity transfer in FRET.
Lowering critical current density for spin-orbit torque induced magnetization switching by ion irradiation
Authors: Yun Jijun , Zuo Yalu , Mao Jian , Chang Meixia , Zhang Shengxia , Liu Jie , Xi Li
Published: July 2019

In ferromagnet/heavy metal heterostructures, critical current density (JC) refers to the minimum current density required to generate spin–orbit torque (SOT) for effective magnetization manipulation, including switching of magnetization and moving of domain walls and magnetic skyrmions. This critical current density is a key factor for next-generation SOT-based magnetic random access memory, racetrack memory, and logic devices. In this work, the critical current density for magnetization switching and the thermal stability of Pt/Co/Ta heterostructures in response to ion irradiation are studied. It is found that ion irradiation represents a promising approach for the wide tuning of the magnetic properties, such as the coercive force and the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy constant. It is also found that JC is significantly reduced after 500 eV Ar+ irradiation. Meanwhile, the ratio between the thermal stability factor E/kBT and JC increases with an increase in the irradiation dose, although E/kBT decreases slightly with the irradiation dose. This work demonstrates that JC can be significantly reduced by an appropriate ion irradiation process and thereby demonstrates a promising approach for effective reduction of the power consumption in SOT-based spintronic devices.
A large active area no longer equals low performance for superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors
Authors: Patrick Chris
Published: July 2019

New design for a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector yields a large active area 300 micrometers in diameter while meeting the high count rate and detection efficiency values required for LIDAR applications.
‘We're kidding ourselves if we say that contraception is accessible’: a qualitative study of general practitioners’ attitudes towards adolescents’ use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC)
Authors: Duncan Rebecca , Paterson Helen , Anderson Lynley , Pickering Neil
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTIONAdolescents’ uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) in New Zealand is low. We created the concept of a proactive LARC provision programme to overcome barriers to LARC uptake. Previously, this concept was discussed with adolescents and positively received. Lack of provider awareness is a barrier to LARC use identified in previous research and by adolescents.
AIMWe sought the views of general practitioners (GPs) to gauge whether LARCs and their proactive promotion for use in adolescents may be acceptable to GPs.
METHODSNine New Zealand GPs were interviewed about their contraception provision to adolescents and were then asked to comment on the concept of a proactive LARC provision programme. The data collected were transcribed and analysed using a general inductive approach to identify common themes and ideas. We concurrently interviewed and analysed interviews and continued to recruit GPs until thematic saturation was reached.
RESULTSSix themes were identified from the interviews: (1) contraceptive decision making; (2) the GP role; (3) sexual activity; (4) social context; (5) gauging adolescent understanding; and (6) youth. When we proposed the concept of a proactive LARC provision programme, the GPs responded positively.
DISCUSSIONThe research demonstrates that LARC uptake is affected by limited provider awareness. These findings align with other research internationally that identifies barriers to adolescent contraceptive use. The findings of this study suggest that other GPs may support a proactive LARC provision programme in New Zealand.
The TEFL tourist - who, what and why?
Authors: Stainton H.
Published: July 2019

This chapter examines the characteristics and motivations of TEFL tourists, i.e. tourists that travel to teach English as a foreign language. The chapter is based on a case study in Thailand, with considerable potential for generalization in other areas. A typology of TEFL tourists in Thailand is presented, which includes the following categories: the leisure-minded tourist, the philanthropy-minded tourist, the expatriate-minded tourist, and the career-minded tourist.
The semantics of the sacred: a tool for interreligious dialogue.
Authors: Aulet S. , Sureda M.
Published: July 2019

This chapter presents the phenomenon of the sacred from a conceptual and semantic point of view. It discusses how the sacred, as a central element of the science of religions, has been addressed from different perspectives (sociological, phenomenological and hermeneutic); and proposes a definition that will allow us to appreciate how the sacred can become a key tool for articulating an interreligious dialogue based on mutual understanding and respect.
A precision RNA degradation machinery shapes stem cell development
Authors: Pereira Patrícia , Arraiano Cecília M.
Published: July 2019

In this issue, Belair et al. (2019. J. Cell Biol. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201811148) show that, together with a complex network of transcription factors and chromatin modifiers, the RNA exosome regulates embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation and pluripotency.
How dendritic spines shape calcium dynamics
Authors: Short Ben
Published: July 2019

JGP study develops mathematical model that describes how calcium signaling could be influenced by spine geometry and ultrastructure.
The Mismeasure of Consciousness: A Problem of Coordination for the Perceptual Awareness Scale
Authors: Michel Matthias
Published: July 2019

As for most measurement procedures in the course of their development, measures of consciousness face the problem of coordination, that is, the problem of knowing whether a measurement procedure actually measures what it is intended to measure. I focus on the case of the Perceptual Awareness Scale to illustrate how ignoring this problem leads to ambiguous interpretations of subjective reports in consciousness science. In turn, I show that empirical results based on this measurement procedure might be systematically misinterpreted.
The Metainductive Justification of Induction: The Pool of Strategies
Authors: Sterkenburg Tom F.
Published: July 2019

This article poses a challenge to Schurz’s proposed metainductive justification of induction. It is argued that Schurz’s argument requires a notion of optimality that can deal with an expanding pool of prediction strategies.
Imaging of 99mTc-DMSA and 18F-FDG in humans using a Si/CdTe Compton camera
Authors: Nakano Takashi , Sakai Makoto , Torikai Kota , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Takeda Shin’ichiro , Noda Shin-ei , Yamaguchi Mitsutaka , Nagao Yuto , Kikuchi Mikiko , Odaka Hirokazu , Kamiya Tomihiro , Kawachi Naoki , Watanabe Shin , Arakawa Kazuo , Takahashi Tadayuki
Published: July 2019

The Compton camera can simultaneously acquire images of multiple isotopes injected in a body; therefore, it has the potential to introduce a new subfield in the field of biomedical imaging applications. The objective of this study is to assess the ability of a prototype semiconductor-based silicon/cadmium telluride (Si/CdTe) Compton camera to simultaneously image the distributions of technetium (99mTc)-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) (141 keV emission) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) (511 keV emission) injected into a human volunteer.

99mTc-DMSA and 18F-FDG were injected intravenously into a 25-year-old male volunteer. The distributions of 99mTc-DMSA and 18F-FDG were simultaneously made visible by setting a specified energy window for each radioisotope. The images of these radiopharmaceuticals acquired using the prototype Compton camera were superimposed onto computed tomography images for reference.

The reconstructed image showed that 99mTc-DMSA had accumulated in both kidneys, which is consistent with the well-known diagnostic distribution determined by clinical imaging via single-photon emission computed tomography. In the 18F-FDG image, there is broad distribution around the liver and kidneys, which was expected based on routine clinical positron emission tomography imaging.

The current study demonstrated for the first time that the Si/CdTe Compton camera was capable of simultaneously imaging the distributions of two radiopharmaceuticals, 99mTc-DMSA and 18F-FDG, in a human body. These results suggest that the Si/CdTe Compton camera has the potential to become a novel modality for nuclear medical diagnoses enabling multi-probe simultaneous tracking.
The environmental footprint of academic and student mobility in a large research-oriented university
Authors: Arsenault Julien , Talbot Julie , Boustani Lama , Gonzalès Rodolphe , Manaugh Kevin
Published: July 2019

Academic mobility for field work, research dissemination and global outreach is increasingly recognized as an important contributor to the overall environmental footprint of research institutions. Student mobility, while less studied, also contributes to universities’ environmental footprint. Université de Montréal (UdeM) is the largest university in Montréal, Canada. It has a research budget of 450M$, employs 1426 full-time professors, and has a total student population of 33 125 undergraduate and 12 505 graduate students. To assess the footprint of academic mobility at UdeM, we surveyed the research community (n = 703; including professors, research professionals and graduate students) about their travel habits. We also measured the contribution from travel undertaken by sports teams and international students as well as students engaged in study abroad and internships programs using data provided by the university. While the average distance travelled for work and research purposes by the UdeM community is around 8525 km/person, professors travel more than 33 000 km/person per year. We also estimated that the 5785 international students or students enroled in study abroad programs travel annually around 12 600 km/person. UdeM’s per capita annual travel-related C and N footprints vary, with international students generating for example 3.85 T CO2 and 0.53 kg N while professors generate 10.76 T CO2 and 2.19 kg N. Air travel emissions are the main contributors to these footprints. We provide insights into the distribution of travel-related environmental footprint within the university, the main reasons for travelling, the most frequent destinations, and the factors preventing researchers from reducing their travel-related environmental impact.
Genetic association testing using the GENESIS R/Bioconductor package
Authors: Gogarten Stephanie M , Sofer Tamar , Chen Han , Yu Chaoyu , Brody Jennifer A , Thornton Timothy A , Rice Kenneth M , Conomos Matthew P
Published: July 2019

The Genomic Data Storage (GDS) format provides efficient storage and retrieval of genotypes measured by microarrays and sequencing. We developed GENESIS to perform various single- and aggregate-variant association tests using genotype data stored in GDS format. GENESIS implements highly flexible mixed models, allowing for different link functions, multiple variance components and phenotypic heteroskedasticity. GENESIS integrates cohesively with other R/Bioconductor packages to build a complete genomic analysis workflow entirely within the R environment.

Availability and implementation

https://bioconductor.org/packages/GENESIS; vignettes included.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Model-based Assessment of the Effect of Contact Precautions Applied to Surveillance-detected Carriers of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Long-term Acute Care Hospitals
Authors: Toth Damon J A , Khader Karim , Beams Alexander , Samore Matthew H
Published: July 2019

Background

An intervention that successfully reduced colonization and infection with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in Chicago-area long-term acute-care hospitals included active surveillance and contact precautions. However, the specific effects of contact precautions applied to surveillance-detected carriers on patient-to-patient transmission are unknown, as other, concurrent intervention components or changes in facility patient dynamics also could have affected the observed outcomes.

Methods

Using previously published data from before and after the CPE intervention, we designed a mathematical model with an explicit representation of postintervention surveillance. We estimated preintervention to postintervention changes of 3 parameters: β, the baseline transmission rate excluding contact precaution effects; δb, the rate of a CPE carrier progressing to bacteremia; and δc, the progression rate to nonbacteremia clinical detection.

Results

Assuming that CPE carriers under contact precautions transmit carriage to other patients at half the rate of undetected carriers, the model produced no convincing evidence for a postintervention change in the baseline transmission rate β (+2.1% [95% confidence interval {CI}, −18% to +28%]). The model did find evidence of a postintervention decrease for δb (−41% [95% CI, −60% to −18%]), but not for δc (−7% [95% CI, −28% to +19%]).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that contact precautions for surveillance-detected CPE carriers could potentially explain the observed decrease in colonization by itself, even under conservative assumptions for the effectiveness of those precautions for reducing cross-transmission. Other intervention components such as daily chlorhexidine gluconate bathing of all patients and hand-hygiene education and adherence monitoring may have contributed primarily to reducing rates of colonized patients progressing to bacteremia.
Preventing Viral Contamination: Effects of Wipe and Spray-based Decontamination of Gloves and Gowns
Authors: Robinson Gwen L , Hitchcock Stephanie , Kpadeh-Rogers Zegbeh , Karikari Nicole , Johnson J Kristie , Blanco Natalia , Morgan Daniel J , Harris Anthony D , Leekha Surbhi
Published: July 2019

We conducted a laboratory simulation to evaluate the contamination of environmental surfaces when using wipe vs spray methods of personal protective equipment (PPE) decontamination. We did not observe any environmental contamination with the bacteriophage MS-2 when bleach solution spray or wipes were used for PPE disinfection.
Effectiveness of Monovalent Rotavirus Vaccine Against Hospitalization With Acute Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Kenyan Children
Authors: Khagayi Sammy , Omore Richard , Otieno Grieven P , Ogwel Billy , Ochieng John B , Juma Jane , Apondi Evans , Bigogo Godfrey , Onyango Clayton , Ngama Mwanajuma , Njeru Regina , Owor Betty E , Mwanga Mike J , Addo Yaw , Tabu Collins , Amwayi Anyangu , Mwenda Jason M , Tate Jacqueline E , Parashar Umesh D , Breiman Robert F , Nokes D James , Verani Jennifer R
Published: July 2019

Background

Rotavirus remains a leading cause of pediatric diarrheal illness and death worldwide. Data on rotavirus vaccine effectiveness in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. Kenya introduced monovalent rotavirus vaccine (RV1) in July 2014. We assessed RV1 effectiveness against rotavirus-associated hospitalization in Kenyan children.

Methods

Between July 2014 and December 2017, we conducted surveillance for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in 3 Kenyan hospitals. From children age-eligible for ≥1 RV1 dose, with stool tested for rotavirus and confirmed vaccination history we compared RV1 coverage among rotavirus positive (cases) vs rotavirus negative (controls) using multivariable logistic regression and calculated effectiveness based on adjusted odds ratio.

Results

Among 677 eligible children, 110 (16%) were rotavirus positive. Vaccination data were available for 91 (83%) cases; 51 (56%) had 2 RV1 doses and 33 (36%) 0 doses. Among 567 controls, 418 (74%) had vaccination data; 308 (74%) had 2 doses and 69 (16%) 0 doses. Overall 2-dose effectiveness was 64% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35%–80%); effectiveness was 67% (95% CI, 30%–84%) for children aged <12 months and 72% (95% CI, 10%–91%) for children aged ≥12 months. Significant effectiveness was seen in children with normal weight for age, length/height for age and weight for length/height; however, no protection was found among underweight, stunted, or wasted children.

Conclusions

RV1 in the Kenyan immunization program provides significant protection against rotavirus-associated hospitalization which persisted beyond infancy. Malnutrition appears to diminish vaccine effectiveness. Efforts to improve rotavirus uptake and nutritional status are important to maximize vaccine benefit.
How HY-2A/GM altimeter performs in marine gravity derivation: assessment in the South China Sea
Authors: Zhu Chengcheng , Guo Jinyun , Hwang Cheinway , Gao Jinyao , Yuan Jiajia , Liu Xin
Published: July 2019

HY-2A is China's first satellite altimeter mission, launched in Aug. 2011. Its geodetic mission (GM) started from 2016 March 30 till present, collecting sea surface heights for about five 168-d cycles. To test how the HY-2A altimeter performs in marine gravity derivation, we use the least-squares collocation method to determine marine gravity anomalies on 1′ × 1′ grids around the South China Sea (covering 0°–30°N, 105°E–125°E) from the HY-2A/GM-measured geoid gradients. We assess the qualities of the HY-2A/GM-derived gravity over different depths and areas using the bias and tilt-adjusted ship-borne gravity anomalies from the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and the Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) of P. R. China. The RMS difference between the HY-2A/GM-derived and the NCEI ship-borne gravity is 5.91 mGal, and is 5.33 mGal when replacing the HY-2A value from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) V23.1 value. The RMS difference between the HY-2A/GM-derived and the MNR ship-borne gravity is 2.90 mGal, and is 2.76 mGal when replacing the HY-2A value from the SIO V23.1 value. The RMS difference between the HY-2A and SIO V23.1 value is 3.57 mGal in open sea areas at least 20 km far away from the coast. In general, the difference between the HY-2A/GM-derived gravity and ship-borne gravity decreases with decreasing gravity field roughness and increasing depth. HY-2A results in the lowest gravity accuracy in areas with islands or reefs. Our assessment result suggests that HY-2A can compete with other Ku-band altimeter missions in marine gravity derivation.