bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Threats from the air: Damselfly predation on diverse prey taxa
Authors: Kaunisto Kari M. , Roslin Tomas , Forbes Mark R. , Morrill Andre , Sääksjärvi Ilari E. , Puisto Anna I. E. , Lilley Thomas M. , Vesterinen Eero J.
Published: March 2020

To understand the diversity and strength of predation in natural communities, researchers must quantify the total amount of prey species in the diet of predators. Metabarcoding approaches have allowed widespread characterization of predator diets with high taxonomic resolution. To determine the wider impacts of predators, researchers should combine DNA techniques with estimates of population size of predators using mark–release–recapture (MRR) methods, and with accurate metrics of food consumption by individuals.

Herein, we estimate the scale of predation exerted by four damselfly species on diverse prey taxa within a well‐defined 12‐ha study area, resolving the prey species of individual damselflies, to what extent the diets of predatory species overlap, and which fraction of the main prey populations are consumed.

We identify the taxonomic composition of diets using DNA metabarcoding and quantify damselfly population sizes by MRR. We also use predator‐specific estimates of consumption rates, and independent data on prey emergence rates to estimate the collective predation pressure summed over all prey taxa and specific to their main prey (non‐biting midges or chironomids) of the four damselfly species.

The four damselfly species collectively consumed a prey mass equivalent to roughly 870 (95% CL 410–1,800) g, over 2 months. Each individual consumed 29%–66% (95% CL 9.4–123) of its body weight during its relatively short life span (2.1–4.7 days; 95% CL 0.74–7.9) in the focal population. This predation pressure was widely distributed across the local invertebrate prey community, including 4 classes, 19 orders and c. 140 genera. Different predator species showed extensive overlap in diets, with an average of 30% of prey shared by at least two predator species.

Of the available prey individuals in the widely consumed family Chironomidae, only a relatively small proportion (0.76%; 95% CL 0.35%–1.61%) were consumed.

Our synthesis of population sizes, per‐capita consumption rates and taxonomic distribution of diets identifies damselflies as a comparatively minor predator group of aerial insects. As the next step, we should add estimates of predation by larger odonate species, and experimental removal of odonates, thereby establishing the full impact of odonate predation on prey communities.
Sulphide addition favours respiratory ammonification (DNRA) over complete denitrification and alters the active microbial community in salt marsh sediments
Authors: Murphy Anna E. , Bulseco Ashley N. , Ackerman Ross , Vineis Joseph H. , Bowen Jennifer L.
Published: March 2020

The balance between nitrate respiration pathways, denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate (NO3−) reduction to ammonium (DNRA), determines whether bioavailable nitrogen is removed as N2 gas or recycled as ammonium. Saltwater intrusion and organic matter enrichment may increase sulphate reduction leading to sulphide accumulation. We investigated the effects of sulphide on the partitioning of NO3− between complete denitrification and DNRA and the microbial communities in salt marsh sediments. Complete denitrification significantly decreased with increasing sulphide, resulting in an increase in the contribution of DNRA to NO3− respiration. Alternative fates of NO3− became increasingly important at higher sulphide treatments, which could include N2O production and/or transport into intracellular vacuoles. Higher 16S transcript diversity was observed in the high sulphide treatment, with clear shifts in composition. Generally, low and no sulphide, coupled with high NO3−, favoured the activity of Campylobacterales, Oceanospirillales and Altermonadales, all of which include opportunistic denitrifiers. High ∑sulphide conditions promoted the activity of potential sulphide oxidizing nitrate reducers (Desulfobulbaceae, Acidiferrobacteraceae and Xanthomonadales) and sulphate reducers (Desulfomonadaceae, Desulfobacteraceae). Our study highlights the tight coupling between N and S cycling, and the implications of these dynamics on the fate of bioavailable N in coastal environments susceptible to intermittent saltwater inundation and organic matter enrichment.
Alcohol and Bone Turnover Markers among People Living with HIV and Substance Use Disorder
Authors: Kim Theresa W. , Ventura Alicia S. , Winter Michael R. , Heeren Timothy C. , Holick Michael F. , Walley Alexander Y. , Bryant Kendall J. , Saitz Richard
Published: March 2020

Background

Although unhealthy alcohol use and low bone density are prevalent among people living with HIV (PLWH), it is not clear whether alcohol use is associated with bone turnover markers (BTMs), and if so, at what quantity and frequency. The study objective was to examine the association between alcohol and BTMs in PLWH with substance use disorder.

Methods

We studied a prospective cohort recruited from 2 HIV clinics who met criteria for DSM‐IV substance dependence or reported ever injection drug use. Outcomes were BTM of (i) bone formation (serum procollagen type 1 N‐terminal propeptide [P1NP]) and (ii) bone resorption (serum C‐telopeptide type 1 collagen [CTx]). Alcohol consumption measures included (i) mean number of drinks/d (Timeline Follow‐Back [TLFB]) (primary predictor), (ii) any alcohol use on ≥20 of the past 30 days, and phosphatidylethanol (PEth), a biomarker of recent alcohol consumption. Linear regression analysis examined associations between (i) each alcohol measure and each BTM and (ii) change in alcohol and change in BTM over 12 months.

Results

Among 198 participants, baseline characteristics were as follows: The median age was 50 years; 38% were female; 93% were prescribed antiretroviral medications; 13% had ≥20 drinking days/month; mean drinks/day was 1.93 (SD 3.89); change in mean drinks/day was −0.42 (SD 4.18); mean P1NP was 73.1 ng/ml (SD 34.5); and mean CTx was 0.36 ng/ml (SD 0.34). Higher drinks/day was significantly associated with lower P1NP (slope −1.09 ng/ml; 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.94, −0.23, per each additional drink). On average, those who drank on ≥ 20 days/month had lower P1NP (−15.45 ng/ml; 95% CI: −26.23, −4.67) than those who did not. Similarly, PEth level ≥ 8ng/ml was associated with lower P1NP. An increase in drinks/d was associated with a decrease in P1NP nonsignificantly (−1.14; 95% CI: −2.40, +0.12; p = 0.08, per each additional drink). No significant associations were detected between either alcohol measure and CTx.

Conclusions

In this sample of PLWH with substance use disorder, greater alcohol consumption was associated with lower serum levels of bone formation markers.
From the State to the Shareholder: Rent and the Production of Shareholder Value in Real Estate
Authors: Tapp Renee
Published: March 2020

Following the 2008 global financial crisis, the use of real estate tax credits to generate shareholder value for investors increased significantly. While tax credits are lauded as crucial to the delivery of social goods like affordable housing, the multiplier effects they supposedly generate fail to account for the hollowing out of the state that occurs as public funds are transferred to shareholders. Through a detailed case study of the historic tax credit industry in the United States, this research shows how many of the banks and financial institutions investing in tax credits have come to rely on overly engineered forms of landownership, deeply discounted credit pricing, and a wave of stock buybacks to boost their corporate profitability. This paper therefore develops a theoretical framework to understand taxation as a financialised accumulation strategy where the state serves as an important—if not problematic—source of real estate profit.
Collective reflective assessment for shared epistemic agency by undergraduates in knowledge building
Authors: Yang Yuqin , Chen Qianqian , Yu Yawen , Feng Xueqi , van Aalst Jan
Published: March 2020

We examined the facilitation of shared epistemic agency through a knowledge‐building (KB) design that included analytics‐supported collective reflective assessment (AsCRA). Forty undergraduate students taking a Liberal Studies course at a university in central China used the promising ideas tool and the knowledge building discourse explorer to self‐analyze the online discourse they had created in Knowledge Forum® (KF), an online discourse environment; 34 students in a comparison section of the same course used KF but did not use the additional tools. Both classes were taught by the same teacher and studied the same inquiry topics. Multifaceted analysis of students' interaction in and the quality of discourse on KF, an educational online platform, indicated that analytics‐supported reflective assessment helped them to develop high‐level shared epistemic agency in the KB process. Qualitative analysis showed that AsCRA helped students to focus on high‐level goals (idea negotiation, synthesis of ideas and rise above thinking) in KB, and to engage in continuous assessment, reflection, and action planning to regulate and improve their discourse. The findings have important implications for the design of technology‐rich environments to support learners, and may help teachers identify the potential uses of such environments to encourage learners to engage in productive collaborative inquiry and develop metacognition and agency.
Testosterone replacement therapy reduces biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Ahlering Thomas E. , My Huynh Linda , Towe Maxwell , See Kaelyn , Tran Joshua , Osann Kathryn , el Khatib Farouk M. , Yafi Faysal A.
Published: March 2020

Objective

To evaluate risk of prostate cancer biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) in men receiving vs not receiving testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

Patients and Methods

A total of 850 patients underwent RP by a single surgeon. All patients had preoperative testosterone and sex hormone‐binding globulin levels determined; free testosterone was calculated prospectively. In all, 152 (18%) patients with low preoperative calculated free testosterone (cFT) levels and delayed postoperative sexual function recovery were placed on TRT and proportionately matched to 419 control patients by pathological Gleason Grade Group (GGG) and stage. Rates and time to BCR [two consecutive prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels of ≥0.2 ng/mL] were compared in univariate and multivariate regression; Cox regression was used to generate a survival function at the mean of covariates.

Results

The median follow‐up was 3.5 years. There were no statistically significant differences in demographics or general health complications between groups. BCR occurred in 11/152 (7.2%) and 53/419 (12.6%) patients in the TRT and control groups, respectively. In adjusted time‐to‐event analysis, TRT was an independent predictor of recurrence‐free survival. After accounting for GGG, pathological stage, preoperative PSA level, and cFT, patients on TRT were ~54% less likely to recur (hazard ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval 0.292–0.997). In men destined to recur, TRT delayed time to recurrence by an average of 1.5 years.

Conclusion

In our experience, TRT after RP significantly reduced BCR and delayed time to BCR. There was no identifiable general health complications associated with TRT. These findings are hypothesis‐generating and require confirmation with multi‐centred, prospective randomised controlled trials.
Bortezomib washout duration prior to stem cell mobilization in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Authors: Luttwak Efrat , Amit Odelia , Avivi Irit , Trestman Svetlana , Eshel Rinat , Cohen Yael C. , Ram Ron
Published: March 2020

Objectives

We aimed to determine the impact of washout period in patients with multiple myeloma between bortezomib‐based induction regimens and the collection of stem cells.

Methods

This was a single‐center historical prospective study, including all sequential newly diagnosed patients with myeloma between 2012 and 2017 that were given a first‐line bortezomib‐based induction therapy (≤6 cycles) followed by stem cell collection (n = 75).

Results

We found a statistically significant correlation between the days from last dose of bortezomib and both CD34+ cells/kg yield on the first collection day and the overall collected CD34+ cells/kg (r = .466, P < .001, and r = .341, P = .03, respectively). The optimal receiver operating curve's cutoff point was 8.5 days (79% sensitivity and 71% specificity, P = .001). On multivariate analysis, timing of last dose of bortezomib remained statistically significant (P = .01). Based on this, we developed a model to predict the total collected CD34+ cells/kg = 11.76 + 0.13 (timing in days of last dose of bortezomib) −0.1 (age) −1.39 (if female) −0.01 (≥PR) −1.35 (if prior radiation).

Conclusions

Timing of last dose of bortezomib may predict a successful collection. A washout period of 9 days is associated with a better collection yield. A prospective validation of this novel finding is required.
The understanding of mental states and the cognitive phenotype of frontal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Giovagnoli Anna Rita , Tallarita Giulia Maria , Parente Annalisa , Pastori Chiara , de Curtis Marco
Published: March 2020

Objective

Previous studies of frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) have documented different impairments of theory of mind (ToM), while the study of frontal lobe (FL) lesion without seizures has produced inconsistent results. Given the role played by the FLs in ToM, we evaluated this and other functions in patients with FLE with and without FL lesions. The main objective was to clarify the salience of ToM impairment in the cognitive pattern of FLE and its capacity to discriminate these patients from healthy subjects. The effects of FL lesions on ToM were also explored.

Methods

Seventy‐five adult patients with FLE (40 cases with FL lesions) were compared with 42 healthy controls. The Faux Pas Task (FPT) and other neuropsychological tests were utilized to assess ToM, reasoning, language, memory, praxis, attention, and executive abilities.

Results

The patients obtained lower z scores for the FPT than for other tests. The ToM, Executive, and Verbal factors discriminated patients from healthy subjects. The patients with or without FL lesion showed significant impairments in recognizing and understanding others' epistemic and affective mental states, but adequate capacity to exclude inexistent mental states was retained. In comparison with controls, the patients with FL lesions obtained lower scores for lexical, memory, praxis, attention, and executive functions, whereas those without lesion only showed attention and initiative deficits. Schooling was the major predictor of ToM, whereas the capacity to exclude inexistent mental states was related to seizure onset age and epilepsy duration. Other cognitive functions were related to schooling, age, or FLE laterality.

Significance

Impaired understanding of real mental states is a specific, salient, and discriminating cognitive aspect of FLE. Poor education is a risk factor for ToM deficit, whereas the clinical variables and FL lesions have no impact. These results suggest that impaired ToM may be a marker of FLE neurobehavioral phenotype.
Egg‐induced changes to sperm phenotypes shape patterns of multivariate selection on ejaculates
Authors: Hadlow Jessica H. , Evans Jonathan P. , Lymbery Rowan A.
Published: March 2020

Sperm cells exhibit extraordinary phenotypic diversity and rapid rates of evolution, yet the adaptive value of most sperm traits remains equivocal. Recent findings suggest that to understand how selection targets ejaculates, we must recognize that female‐imposed physiological conditions often alter sperm phenotypes. These phenotypic changes may influence the relationships among sperm traits and their association with fitness. Here, we show that chemical substances released by eggs (known to modify sperm physiology and behaviour) alter patterns of selection on a suite of sperm traits in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. We use multivariate selection analyses to characterize linear and nonlinear selection acting on sperm traits in (a) seawater alone and (b) seawater containing egg‐derived chemicals (egg water). Our analyses revealed that nonlinear selection on canonical axes of multiple traits (notably sperm velocity, sperm linearity and percentage of motile sperm) was the most important form of selection overall, but importantly these patterns were only evident when sperm phenotypes were measured in egg water. These findings reveal the subtle way that females can alter patterns of selection, with the implication that overlooking environmentally moderated changes to sperm, may result in erroneous interpretations of how selection targets phenotypic (co)variation in sperm traits.
A Decade Review of Sex and Partnering in Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Authors: Olmstead Spencer B.
Published: March 2020

The formation and development of romantic relationships continues to be an important area of study among adolescent and young adult populations. Although many adolescents and young adults report having committed romantic relationship experiences, which may or may not include sexual activity, research has grown during the past decade to study a variety of sexual experiences and relationship types. Consistent with identity formation and exploration and the opportunity for experimentation, adolescents and young adults also engage in a variety of casual sexual relationships and experiences. The past decade saw a dramatic growth in the study of casual sex and in particular hooking‐up experiences. Furthermore, scholars have begun to examine more fully young adults' attitudes toward and willingness to engage in consensually nonmonogamous relationships; however, little research has examined actual involvement in consensually nonmonogamous relationships among those in young adulthood. As with previous decade reviews, ongoing attention regarding how adolescent experiences serve to inform relationships and sex during the period of young adulthood is warranted. Directions for future research are identified and discussed.
Peer Support Intervention Improves Pain‐Related Outcomes Among Rural Adults With Diabetes and Chronic Pain at 12‐Month Follow‐Up
Authors: Khodneva Yulia , Richman Joshua , Andreae Susan , Cherrington Andrea , Safford Monika M.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Adults with diabetes mellitus (DM) suffer often from chronic pain, yet evidence‐based interventions for comorbid pain and DM are scarce. We tested the effect of a peer‐led cognitive behavioral training (CBT) intervention on pain self‐efficacy (PSE), pain intensity, and pain‐related functional limitations (PRFL) in adults with DM, 1 year after trial initiation.

Methods

The yearlong “Living Healthy” cluster‐randomized trial included 230 residents of rural Alabama with DM, who reported pain in the past month; communities were treated as clusters. Intervention participants received a peer‐delivered 8‐session structured CBT intervention in the context of diabetes self‐management; attention control arm participants received a peer‐delivered 8‐session general health education program. Outcomes included PSE (Arthritis Self‐Efficacy Scale, range 10‐100); pain intensity (McGill Pain Questionnaire, range 0‐45); and PRFL (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scale, range 0‐100). We examined control‐intervention differences in changes in outcome scores from baseline to 3‐month and 12‐month follow‐up, adjusted for clustering.

Findings

The 195 participants with follow‐up data were aged 59 ± 10.4 years, 96% were African American, 79% were women, and 80% reported pain on the day of baseline data collection. At 3‐month follow‐up, PSE increased more for intervention (21‐point increase) than control (5‐point increase) participants (P for control‐intervention (C‐I) difference in change < .001); pain intensity decreased for both groups; and PRFL decreased only for intervention participants (–11 score; P for C‐I difference in change < .001). Results were sustained at 12 months, and pain intensity significantly improved in only the intervention arm (P for C‐I difference in change = .01).

Conclusions

This peer‐delivered CBT intervention improved pain self‐efficacy, pain‐related functional limitations, and pain intensity over 12 months among rural participants with DM and chronic pain.
Characteristics of fecal metabolic profiles in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with predominant diarrhea investigated using 1H‐NMR coupled with multivariate statistical analysis
Authors: Lee Jae Soung , Kim Seok‐Young , Chun Yoon Shik , Chun Young‐Jin , Shin Seung Yong , Choi Chang Hwan , Choi Hyung‐Kyoon
Published: March 2020

Background

Gut microbiota are known to be closely related to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, not much is known about characteristic fecal metabolic profiles of IBS. We aimed to characterize fecal metabolites in patients with IBS with predominant diarrhea (IBS‐D) using 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR) spectroscopy.

Methods

In this study, we enrolled 29 patients diagnosed with IBS‐D according to the Rome IV criteria, 22 healthy controls (HC) and 11 HC administered laxatives (HC‐L) in the age group of 20‐69 year. The usual diet of the patients and HC was maintained, their fecal samples were collected and investigated by NMR‐based global metabolic profiling coupled with multivariate statistical analysis.

Results

We detected 55 metabolites in 1H‐NMR spectra of fecal samples: four amines, 16 amino acids, six fatty acids, eight organic acids, three sugars, and 18 other compounds. Orthogonal partial least square‐discriminant analysis derived score plots showed clear separation between the IBS‐D group and the HC and HC‐L groups. Among the 55 metabolites identified, we found five disease‐relevant potential biomarkers distinguishing the IBS‐D from the HC, namely, cadaverine, putrescine, threonine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine.

Conclusions

The patients with IBS‐D were clearly differentiated from the HC and HC‐L by fecal metabolite analysis using 1H‐NMR spectroscopy, and five fecal metabolites characteristic of IBS‐D were found. The findings of this study could be used to develop alternative and complementary diagnostic methods and as a source of fundamental information for developing novel therapies for IBS‐D.
Predictive factors of allergy to pistachio in children allergic to cashew nut
Authors: Saba Lucile , Clerc‐Urmès Isabelle , Delahaye Clémence , Chevillot Emilie , Jarlot‐Chevaux Sophie , Dumond Pascale , Schweitzer Cyril , Divaret‐Chauveau Amandine
Published: March 2020

Background

Cashew nut (CN) allergy prevalence has increased over the last few years. In children allergic to CN, complete avoidance of pistachio is usually recommended, but recent study showed that only one third of children allergic to CN were also allergic to pistachio. The aim of our study was to identify predictive factors of allergy to pistachio in children allergic to CN.

Methods

All children who had a positive oral food challenge (OFC) to CN between November 2013 and October 2017 in the Paediatric Allergy Department of the University Hospital of Nancy were included. Logistic regression models were used to predict the probability of allergy to pistachio.

Results

Among the 147 children included, tolerance or allergy to pistachio was known for 51. Out of these, 40 were allergic to pistachio (78.4%). Children allergic to pistachio had a larger weal size of skin prick test to CN (P = .01) and pistachio (P = .0007) and a lower reaction dose to CN (P < .0001). In multivariate analysis, only the reaction dose to CN was significantly associated with allergy to pistachio. Children with a low reaction dose to CN were significantly more at risk to have an allergy to pistachio (P = .01).

Conclusion

A low reaction dose to CN seems to be a predictive factor of allergy to pistachio in children allergic to CN. In order to limit unnecessary food eviction, a pistachio OFC should be performed in children having high reaction dose whatever the importance of the skin or the specific IgE sensitization to pistachio.
Relationship science and the credibility revolution: An introduction to the first part of the special issue
Authors: Chopik William J. , Chartier Christopher R. , Campbell Lorne , Brent Donnellan M.
Published: March 2020

In the past 10 years, the field of relationship science—like many other fields—has been exposed to dramatic changes in how scientists approach the research process. Relationship science has been at the forefront of many recent changes in the field, whether it be high profile replication attempts or broader discussions about how to increase rigor and reproducibility. A major goal of this special issue was to provide an opportunity for relationship scientists to engage with these issues and reforms. The first four articles in this special issue represent a sampling of different approaches relationship researchers have used to enhance the credibility of their work.
Longevity Forecasting by Socio-Economic Groups Using Compositional Data Analysis
Authors: Kjærgaard S⊘ren , Ergemen Yunus Emre , Bergeron-Boucher Marie-Pier , Oeppen Jim , Kallestrup-Lamb Malene
Published: March 2020

Several Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries have recently implemented an automatic link between the statutory retirement age and life expectancy for the total population to ensure sustainability in their pension systems due to increasing life expectancy. As significant mortality differentials are observed across socio-economic groups, future changes in these differentials will determine whether some socio-economic groups drive increases in the retirement age, leaving other groups with fewer pensionable years. We forecast life expectancy by socio-economic groups and compare the forecast performance of competing models by using Danish mortality data and find that the most accurate model assumes a common mortality trend. Life expectancy forecasts are used to analyse the consequences of a pension system where the statutory retirement age is increased when total life expectancy is increasing.
The combination of two microextraction methods coupled with gas chromatography for the determination of pyrethroid insecticides in multimedia environmental samples: air, water, soil, urine and blood
Authors: Zhu Muhui , Niu Zongliang , Zhang Weiwei , Zhang Jun , Wen Yingying
Published: March 2020

The salting‐out assisted liquid–liquid extraction (SALLE) combined with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on the solidification of floating organic droplet (DLLME‐SFO) has been first developed as a high preconcentration technique for the extraction of pyrethroid insecticides (PYRs) in multimedia environmental samples, including air, soil, water, human urine, hedgehog serum and plasma. GC‐MS was the separation and determination technique. Under the optimum extraction conditions (sample pH 2; salting‐out solution volume and pH, 2 mL and 3; extraction solution, 300 µL of 1‐undecanol; centrifugation speed and time, 2000 rpm and 15 min) and determination conditions, a linearity range (R2 = 0.9993–0.9999) was obtained in a range of 5–5000 ng/mL. The limits of detection based on a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 were between 1.5 and 6.1 ng/mL. The recoveries of the four PYRs ranged from 66 to 122%. The results demonstrated that this SALLE–DLLME‐SFO–GC‐MS method allowed the satisfactory enrichment, purification and determination results of PYRs in multimedia environmental samples.
FABRICATION OF NON REFLECTING FILM BASED ON POLYSTYRENE AND METHYL METHACRYLATE USING SPIN COATING TO INCREASE A LIGHT TRANSMISSION ON ITO GLASS
Authors: Sudarsono Sudarsono , Yudoyono Gatut , Anggoro Diky , Sunarno Hasto , Pramono Yono Hadi
Published: March 2020

Thin films are developed for multi-purposes, such as optical waveguides, corrosion resistant coating, car tinting, and glass coatings. Each thin film is created and designed with a specific purpose and function. The purpose of this research was to fabrication anti-reflective films on glass Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) usually used as an electrode in Dye-sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC). In this research, the material used involved solution 100.12 g/mol Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) and 3% Polystyrene(PS) with a spin coating method. In this study, polystyrene and methyl methacrylate solution dripped on ITO glass was then rotated at 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500 rpm. This study shows that polystyrene and methyl methacrylate materials can be used as an anti-reflection coating on the ITO substrate by a spin coating method. The methyl methacrylate material is good for anti-reflection coating at 400-475 nm wavelength region, while the polystyrene material is good for 475-700 nm wavelength. The addition of a 3% polystyrene coating on ITO glass can increase light transmission at a wavelength of 475-700 nm by 1.14% when compared to ITO glass without a polystyrene coating. The highest light transmission of 90.11% occurs at a wavelength of 420 nm when the ITO glass is coated with methyl methacrylate.
PERFORMANCE FEATURES OF THE SUNFLOWER SEEDS OIL AS A HYDRAULIC BIO FLUID UNDER VARIOUS NORMAL LOADS
Authors: Jabal Mohammed Hassan , Khlefia Muhannad Zedan , S. Ahmed Israa , Salman Hind Dawood
Published: March 2020

Plant (vegetable) oils are renewable fluids. They have been developed to replace mineral-based fluids. Due to their distinguished features including eco-friendly properties and possibility of reducing the hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide emission when being used in the industrial processes or internal combustion (IC) engines, they are considered a sustainable source of biodegradable fluids. In this work, non-edible sunflower oil is investigated as a bio hydraulic fluid under various normal loads utilizing the four-ball tribotester. Considering the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM 4172-B) standard, all the experiments are conducted for different loads from 45 kg to 70 kg, the balk temperature was increased until 75°C, rotational speed to 1200 rpm and every experiment was run for one hour. Compared with the mineral-based fluid sample, the outcomes shown that the sunflower oil possesses sufficient properties (anti-wear and anti-friction) especially under lower than 60 kg as a normal load. The results also shown that the sunflower oil is capable to be utilized as a hydraulic fluid.
Latinx/White Differences in Postsecondary Trajectories: The Role of Parents’ Preferences
Authors: Langenkamp Amy G. , Perez Nicole
Published: March 2020

As postsecondary schooling expands, stratification in attainment persists along ethnoracial lines. We build on current research investigating ethnoracial differences in the transition to college by interrogating parents’ preference for their child’s residence during college. We extend research in two ways. First, we predict whether parents’ live-at-home preference is associated with behavior at multiple points in the college-going pipeline. Second, we investigate whether the effect of parents’ live-at-home preference differs by ethnoracial group. Results suggest that students whose parents prefer that they live at home are less likely to apply to four-year universities, less likely to attend four-year universities, less likely to enroll full-time among those who are attending four-year universities, and more likely to live with their parents or elsewhere off campus during college. Results also suggest that parents’ live-at-home preference has less of an impact on Latinx students’ likelihood of applying to and attending four-year universities than white students.
Scaling Flat-Plate, Low-Temperature Adiabatic Effectiveness Results Using the Advective Capacity Ratio
Authors: Fischer Jacob P. , McNamara Luke J. , Rutledge James L. , Polanka Marc D.
Published: March 2020

Design of film-cooled engine components requires the ability to predict behavior at engine conditions through low-temperature testing. The adiabatic effectiveness, η, is one indicator film cooling performance. An experiment to measure η in a low-temperature experiment requires appropriate selection of the coolant flowrate. The mass flux ratio, M, is usually used in lieu of the velocity ratio to account for the fact that the coolant density is larger than that of the hot freestream at engine conditions. Numerous studies have evaluated the ability of M to scale η with mixed results. The momentum flux ratio, I, is an alternative also found to have mixed success, leading some to recommend matching the density ratio to allow simultaneous matching of M and I. Nevertheless, inconsistent results in the literature regarding the efficacy of these coolant flowrate parameters to scale the density ratio suggest other properties also play a role. Experiments were performed to measure η on a flat plate with a 7-7-7-shaped hole. Various coolant gases were used to give a large range of property variations. We show that a relatively new coolant flowrate parameter that accounts for density and specific heat, the advective capacity ratio, far exceeds the ability of either M or I to provide matched η between the various coolant gases that exhibit extreme property differences. With the specific heat of coolant in an engine significantly lower than that of the freestream, advective capacity ratio (ACR) is appropriate for scaling η with non-separating coolant flow.
Global Organization and Proposed Megataxonomy of the Virus World
Authors: Koonin Eugene V. , Dolja Valerian V. , Krupovic Mart , Varsani Arvind , Wolf Yuri I. , Yutin Natalya , Zerbini F. Murilo , Kuhn Jens H.
Published: March 2020

Viruses and mobile genetic elements are molecular parasites or symbionts that coevolve with nearly all forms of cellular life. The route of virus replication and protein expression is determined by the viral genome type. Comparison of these routes led to the classification of viruses into seven “Baltimore classes” (BCs) that define the major features of virus reproduction. However, recent phylogenomic studies identified multiple evolutionary connections among viruses within each of the BCs as well as between different classes.
The Bewildering Antitubercular Action of Pyrazinamide
Authors: Lamont Elise A. , Dillon Nicholas A. , Baughn Anthony D.
Published: March 2020

Pyrazinamide (PZA) is a cornerstone antimicrobial drug used exclusively for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Due to its ability to shorten drug therapy by 3 months and reduce disease relapse rates, PZA is considered an irreplaceable component of standard first-line short-course therapy for drug-susceptible TB and second-line treatment regimens for multidrug-resistant TB. Despite over 60 years of research on PZA and its crucial role in current and future TB treatment regimens, the mode of action of this unique drug remains unclear.
Neoerysiphe sechii (Ascomycota: Erysiphales): A new species of powdery mildew found on Sechium edule and Sechium mexicanum (Cucurbitaceae) in Mexico
Authors: Gregorio-Cipriano R. , González D. , Félix-Gastélum R. , Chacón S.
Published: March 2020

A novel species of powdery mildew, Neoerysiphe sechii sp. nov., has been proposed based on host, morphological characteristics, and gene sequences. The new species was found on chayote (Sechium edule) and a wild species, chayotillo (S. mexicanum), in Veracruz, Mexico. This novel species was identified as a member of Neoerysiphe, based on the morphological characteristics of the anamorph: catenescent conidia, lobed appressoria, and Striatoidium-type conidia. No teleomorph was observed. Neoerysiphe sechii is distinguished by foot cells that are frequently cylindrical with a slight widening at the base, a feature not observed previously in other species in the genus. An Erysiphales-specific primer was designed for the 5′ end of the ITS region of the nuclear rDNA. Independent and concatenated phylogenetic analyses with our rDNA sequences and sequences available in GenBank for Neoerysiphe spp. confirmed that the powdery mildew specimens found in Sechium spp. form an independent and strongly supported lineage. This is the first report of a Neoerysiphe species causing powdery mildew on members of Cucurbitaceae, and it is the second species reported from Mexico after N. cumminsiana. Neoerysiphe sechii is found on cultivated and endemic hosts in Mexico, suggesting that the fungus itself may be endemic.
The effect of gender and ABCB1 gene polymorphism on the pharmacokinetics of azithromycin in healthy male and female Pakistani subjects
Authors: Nazir Shabnam , Adnan Kashif , Gul Rukhsana , Ali Gowhar , Saleha Shamim , Khan Amjad
Published: March 2020

In the current study, the possible outcome of gender difference and genotypic polymorphism of the ABCB1 gene encoding P-glycoprotein on the pharmacokinetics of azithromycin has been evaluated. An open-label, comparative pharmacokinetic study was done in healthy Pakistani volunteers (females (n = 8) and males (n = 8)). They were administered a single 500 mg oral dose of azithromycin. Blood samples (≈5 mL) were collected in heparinized tubes and the HPLC/MS/MS method was used to determine azithromycin plasma levels. ABCB1 polymorphism (single nucleotide polymorphisms) at C3435T, G26SST was performed using the RFLP–PCR method. The Student t test was applied to compare pharmacokinetic parameters of azithromycin between male and female human subjects (at 95% CI) using GraphPad Prism-8. A significant difference was observed in pharmacokinetic parameters between males and females, as Cmax in males (230 ± 80.2 ng/mL) was significantly higher than in females (224.9 ± 75.5 ng/mL), while [Formula: see text] was also significantly higher (p < 0.05) in males (2102 ± 200.3 ng·h−1·mL−1) compared to females (1825.7 ± 225.4 ng·h−1·mL–1). There was a significant variation in Cmax and AUC in three ABCB1 genotyping groups as well. Gender difference and ABCB1 gene polymorphisms have a significant impact on the pharmacokinetics of azithromycin, as they contribute to interindividual variability in therapeutic response.
Nitrogen release from shoots and roots of crimson clover, hairy vetch, and red clover
Authors: Yang X.M. , Drury C.F. , Reynolds W.D. , Phillips L.A.
Published: March 2020

Nitrogen (N) release from legume cover crops is a key N source for subsequent crops in rotation. In this study, chopped fresh shoots or roots (<5 mm) of crimson clover (CC), hairy vetch (HV), and red clover (RC) were incorporated into a 50:50 mixture of air-dried sandy loam soil (<2 mm) and washed builders sand at a rate of 300 mg N kg−1. The mixtures were packed in leaching tubes (four replicates), leached with 100 mL of 5 mmol L−1 CaCl2, and then incubated for 10 wk (22 °C, 0.33 bar matric potential) with weekly leaching. Total N and inorganic N (NH4+ plus NO3−) in leachate were quantified and organic N was determined as the difference between total N and inorganic N. More N was released from shoots (63.4%–70.0% of initial N) than from roots (27.3%–50.7% of initial N). Mineralized organic N and inorganic N followed the first order, single N-pool mineralization model [Nt = N0(1 – e−kt); R2 = 0.94−0.99]. Potentially mineralizable N (N0, as % of initial N) was similar for shoots (CC = 75.1%, HV = 74.2%, and RC = 71.3%), but varied for roots (CC = 36.2%, HV = 52.6%, and RC = 53.0%). The N0 pool in shoots had a half-life (t1/2 = ln 2/k) of 11.0, 9.8, and 15.1 d for CC, HV, and RC, respectively; and a half-life in roots of 23.9, 8.5, and 25.7 d, respectively. Hence, HV released its stored N in both roots and shoots faster than CC and RC. The results in this study would help farmers optimize their choice in legume cover crops and termination times to better synchronize N release with crop uptake.
Soliton molecules, asymmetric solitons and some new types of hybrid solutions in (2+1)-dimensional Sawada–Kotera model
Authors: Li Wen-Tao , Li Jia-Heng , Li Biao
Published: March 2020

Soliton molecules can be formed in both theoretical and experimental situations. In this paper, a new velocity resonance is introduced, which can form soliton molecules for the (2[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]1)-dimensional Sawada–Kotera equation. By selecting some suitable parameters for soliton molecules, the asymmetric solitons of the (2[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]1)-dimensional Sawada–Kotera equation can be obtained. And, the interactions among multiple soliton molecules are elastic. Furthermore, some new types of hybrid solutions consisting of soliton molecules, lump wave and breather wave can be derived by utilizing velocity resonance, module resonance of wave numbers and long wave limits method. This method of solving the soliton molecules, asymmetric solitons and some new hybrid solutions can also be applied to other nonlinear evolution equations.
Numerical evaluation of the hydrodynamic impact characteristics of the air launched AUV upon water entry
Authors: Chaudhry Ahmad Zamir , Pan Guang , Shi Yao
Published: March 2020

In this paper, water entry process of air launched AUV is investigated by employing fully coupled finite element method and arbitrary Lagrange–Euler formulation (FEM-ALE) and using penalty coupling technique. Numerical model is established to describe the hydrodynamic characteristics and flow patterns of a high-speed water entry AUV. The effectiveness and accuracy of the numerical simulation are verified quantitatively by the experiments of the earlier study. Selection of suitable advection method and mesh convergence study is carried out during experimental validation process. It is found that appropriate mesh size of impact domain is crucial for numerical simulations and second-order Van Leer advection method is more appropriate for high speed water entry problems. Subsequently, the arbitrary Lagrange–Euler (ALE) algorithm is used to describe the variation laws of the impact load characteristics with water entry velocities, water entry angles and different AUV masses. Dimensionless impact coefficient of AUV at different velocities calculated using ALE method is compared with SPH results. This reveals that ALE method can also simulate the water entry process accurately with less computational cost. This research work can provide beneficial reference information for structure design of AUV and for selection of the water entry parameters.
Experimental study of the effects of femtosecond laser power on the induced-plasma geometry, supercontinuum white light generation and conical emission in air
Authors: Sanny A. I. , Loh W. M. Edmund
Published: March 2020

This paper presents the experimental investigation of the changes in the geometrical shape of femtosecond laser-induced plasma in air under different laser power, and its effects on supercontinuum white light generation and conical emission. When a femtosecond laser is focused into a tiny spot in air, optical breakdown of air molecules occurs and this leads to the generation of plasma filament whose geometrical size and shape depend on laser power. This process is then followed by two light-emitting processes, namely supercontinuum white light generation and conical emission, both of which scatter light that reveals the characteristics of the plasma filament. Our experiment shows that the laser-induced plasma becomes thinner and longer at high average laser power but appears thick and round at lower laser power. At higher laser power, conical emission which scatters laser light in the forward direction dominates the scattering process while at lower laser power, it is the scattering of supercontinuum white light in all directions that plays a bigger role. The intricate rainbow-like pattern formed on a white screen located far away in the forward direction reveals sophisticated nonlinear optical processes that take place in conical emission which slowly diminishes as the laser power is gradually reduced.
Designing e-textiles with adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Gotfrid Taylor , Shinohara Kristen
Published: March 2020

Electronic textiles, or e-textiles, are an emerging type of wearable and interactive technology that can gather information either actively (i.e. pressing a button) or passively (i.e. pulse rate), or act purely as an output (e.g. LEDs). Developing e-textile technology requires some familiarity with many different concepts, one of which is circuit design. Unfortunately, people with disabilities are rarely included in the design and development of e-textiles; methods to manipulate these wearable interactive technologies---such as ways to learn circuit design---are not accessible to disabled creators. In this research, we explored accessible processes to enable individuals with intellectual disabilities to create their own e-textiles. To make the circuit design process accessible, we introduced circuit design concepts via a "puzzle" metaphor and simplified the sewing process by modifying common components to decrease the level of fine motor control required to sew the circuit. We conducted a pilot study with two participants with intellectual disabilities where both participants successfully created their very own e-textile and provided feedback about the usability of the "circuit puzzle" and the form-factor of puzzle pieces.
Deciphering Cell Fate Decision by Integrated Single-Cell Sequencing Analysis
Authors: Sagar  , Grün Dominic
Published: March 2020

Cellular differentiation is a common underlying feature of all multicellular organisms through which naïve cells progressively become fate restricted and develop into mature cells with specialized functions. A comprehensive understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of cell fate choices during development, regeneration, homeostasis, and disease is a central goal of modern biology. Ongoing rapid advances in single-cell biology are enabling the exploration of cell fate specification at unprecedented resolution. Here, we review single-cell RNA sequencing and sequencing of other modalities as methods to elucidate the molecular underpinnings of lineage specification. We specifically discuss how the computational tools available to reconstruct lineage trajectories, quantify cell fate bias, and perform dimensionality reduction for data visualization are providing new mechanistic insights into the process of cell fate decision. Studying cellular differentiation using single-cell genomic tools is paving the way for a detailed understanding of cellular behavior in health and disease.
Effects of Four Kinds of Oxide Nanoparticles on Proteins in Extracellular Polymeric Substances of Sludge
Authors: Wang Weiyun , Zang Ying , Wang Cijia , Wang Kangni , Li Rundong
Published: March 2020

Proteins are the most important component in sludge extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and play a crucial role in the formation of sludge flocs, adsorption performance of sludge, and flocculation ability of sludge. This research is aimed at exploring the changes in proteins in EPS extracted from concentrated sludge after various nanoparticle (NP) treatments. The results showed that the protein content in EPS decreased by 40% after nanoalumina (Al2O3 NPs) treatment but increased at varying degrees after nanoferric oxide (Fe3O4 NPs), nanozinc oxide (ZnO NPs), and nanotitanium dioxide (TiO2 NPs) treatments. The four kinds of nanoparticles not only affected the protein content in EPS but also influenced the types and structures of proteins. The results of three‐dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the tyrosine‐like protein content in soluble EPS (SEPS) decreased after treatments with four kinds of NPs. Infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed that the absorption intensity of amide I and amide II weakened after Al2O3 NP treatment, whereas that of amide I enhanced after Fe3O4 NP, ZnO NP, and TiO2 NP treatments. Further analysis of the secondary structure of proteins in the infrared range of 1700–1600 cm-1 demonstrated that the value of α‐helix/(β‐sheet+random coil) decreased from 0.513 to 0.383 in SEPS after TiO2 NP treatment. For the samples treated by Fe3O4 NPs, the percentage of α‐helix significantly increased and that of β‐sheet slightly decreased in proteins from SEPS and loosely bound EPS.