bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inferring Crustal Temperatures Beneath Italy From Joint Inversion of Receiver Functions and Surface Waves
Authors: Diaferia G. , Cammarano F. , Piana Agostinetti N. , Gao C. , Lekic V. , Molinari I. , Boschi L.
Published: July 2019

Temperature distribution at depth is of key importance for characterizing the crust, defining its mechanical behavior and deformation. Temperature can be retrieved by heat flow measurements in boreholes that are sparse, shallow, and have limited reliability, especially in active and recently active areas. Laboratory data and thermodynamic modeling demonstrate that temperature exerts a strong control on the seismic properties of rocks, supporting the hypothesis that seismic data can be used to constrain the crustal thermal structure. We use Rayleigh wave dispersion curves and receiver functions, jointly inverted with a transdimensional Monte Carlo Markov Chain algorithm, to retrieve the VS and VP/VS within the crust in the Italian peninsula. The high values (>1.9) of VP/VS suggest the presence of filled‐fluid cracks in the middle and lower crust. Intracrustal discontinuities associated with large values of VP/VS are interpreted as the α−β quartz transition and used to estimate geothermal gradients. These are in agreement with the temperatures inferred from shear wave velocities and exhibit a behavior consistent with the known tectonic and geodynamic setting of the Italian peninsula. We argue that such methods, based on seismological observables, provide a viable alternative to heat flow measurements for inferring crustal thermal structure.
Distribution, Occurrence, and Fate of Biogenic Dimethylated Sulfur Compounds in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea During Spring
Authors: Xu Feng , Jin Na , Ma Zhun , Zhang Hong‐Hai , Yang Gui‐Peng
Published: July 2019

The spatial distributions of biogenic dimethylated sulfur compounds (BDSCs), including dimethylsulfide (DMS), dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), and dimethylsulfoxide, were determined in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea during a survey in April–May 2014 and the occurrence and fate of BDSCs in the surface seawater were investigated. The concentrations of DMS and DMSP were significantly correlated with the stocks of chlorophyll a and a decreasing trend was observed from the inshore to the offshore areas. In situ incubation experiments indicated that more than half of the degraded dissolved DMSP (DMSPd) was transformed into DMS. Irradiation experiments showed that the photooxidation of DMS under ultraviolet B, ultraviolet A, and visible light accounted for 23.9%, 71.8%, and 4.3% of the total photooxidation of DMS, respectively. The sea‐to‐air fluxes of DMS ranged from 0.24 to 34.11 μmol m−2 day−1 with a mean of 8.84 μmol m−2 day−1. A comparison of the DMS production rate and main removal rates indicated that bioproduction cannot completely maintain the removal of DMS and might not be the only but the primary source of DMS in the surface seawater. Additionally, the average turnover times of microbial consumption, photooxidation, and sea‐to‐air exchange of DMS were 1.53, 1.16, and 4.28 day and the contributions of the three removal pathways were 40.0%, 41.2%, and 18.8% respectively; this indicated that microbial consumption and photooxidation played dominant roles in controlling the removal of DMS from the surface seawater.
Neutralizing monoclonal antibody against Dickkopf2 impairs lung cancer progression via activating NK cells
Authors: Shen Tianli , Chen Zhengxi , Qiao Ju , Sun Xuejun , Xiao Qian
Published: July 2019

Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and KRAS proto-oncogene (KRAS) mutations frequently co-occur in non-small cell lung cancer. Inactivating APC mutations in colorectal carcinoma has been well characterized, leading to the approaches targeting on dysregulated APC pathway. However, it remains undetermined whether such approaches are also applicable to non-small cell lung cancer patients harboring similar mutations of APC. Dickkopf-related protein 2 (DKK2) is a Wnt antagonist. Our previous study has proved that anti-DKK2 antibody 5F8 suppressed the growth of colorectal carcinoma with APC mutations, illustrating a new target agent of APC-mutated tumors. This study aimed to investigate the potential of applying anti-DKK2 antibody to non-small cell lung cancer with APC mutations. We found significant upregulation of Dkk2 expression in APC-mutated lung cancers. Administration of DKK2 antibody inhibited cancer growth via modulating tumor immune microenvironment in lung cancer mouse models. Our study provided strong evidence supporting APC mutations-directed applications of anti-DKK2 targeted therapy in a wide range of cancer types, including lung cancer.
Reassessing the projections of the World Water Development Report
Authors: Boretti Alberto , Rosa Lorenzo
Published: July 2019

The 2018 edition of the United Nations World Water Development Report stated that nearly 6 billion peoples will suffer from clean water scarcity by 2050. This is the result of increasing demand for water, reduction of water resources, and increasing pollution of water, driven by dramatic population and economic growth. It is suggested that this number may be an underestimation, and scarcity of clean water by 2050 may be worse as the effects of the three drivers of water scarcity, as well as of unequal growth, accessibility and needs, are underrated. While the report promotes the spontaneous adoption of nature-based-solutions within an unconstrained population and economic expansion, there is an urgent need to regulate demography and economy, while enforcing clear rules to limit pollution, preserve aquifers and save water, equally applying everywhere. The aim of this paper is to highlight the inter-linkage in between population and economic growth and water demand, resources and pollution, that ultimately drive water scarcity, and the relevance of these aspects in local, rather than global, perspective, with a view to stimulating debate.
Clonal Evolution and Changes in Two AML Patients Detected with A Novel Single-Cell DNA Sequencing Platform
Authors: Xu Liwen , Durruthy-Durruthy Robert , Eastburn Dennis J. , Pellegrino Maurizio , Shah Omid , Meyer Everett , Zehnder James
Published: July 2019

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is used to detect gene variants in genetically complex cell populations of cancer patient samples. Traditional bulk analysis can only provide average variant allele frequencies of the targeted genes across all sampled cells. It fails to resolve mutational co-occurrences and may miss rare cancer cells. Genome analysis at the single cell level offers the opportunity to more fully resolve clonal architecture. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were sampled from acute myeloid leukemia patients longitudinally and single-cell DNA sequencing libraries were generated with a novel droplet-based microfluidics approach. Molecular profiling of single nucleotide variants across thousands of cells revealed genetic chimerism in patients after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Importantly, hierarchical clustering analysis of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) uncovered a distinct oncogenic clone of cells carrying mutated tumor-suppressor and/or oncogene(s). This novel single-cell DNA sequencing approach enabled precise monitoring of engraftment and revealed clonal evolution of oncogenic cells during the progression and treatment of the disease.
SQSTM1/p62 loss reverses the inhibitory effect of sunitinib on autophagy independent of AMPK signaling
Authors: Hou Bolin , Wang Gang , Gao Quan , Wei Yanjie , Zhang Caining , Wang Yange , Huo Yuqing , Yang Huaiyi , Jiang Xuejun , Xi Zhijun
Published: July 2019

Sunitinib (ST), a multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been demonstrated to be effective for the treatment of renal carcinoma. It has been reported that ST is involved in the mediation of autophagy; however, its regulatory role in the autophagic process remains controversial. Furthermore, the mechanism by which activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) negatively regulates autophagy remains nearly unexplored. In the present study, we revealed that ST inhibited AMPK activity and regulated autophagy in a cell type- and dose-dependent manner. In a number of cell lines, ST was demonstrated to inhibit H2O2-induced autophagy and the phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), whereas alone it could block the autophagic flux concurrent with increased expression of p62. An immunoprecipitation assay revealed that LC3 directly interacted with p62, whereas ST increased punctate LC3 staining, which was well colocalized with p62. Taken together, we reveal a previously unnoticed pathway for ST to regulate the autophagic process, and p62, although often utilized as a substrate in autophagy, plays a critical role in regulating the inhibition of ST in both basal and induced autophagy.
Porous ionic liquid polymer: A reusable adsorbent with broad operating pH range for speciation of nitrate and nitrite
Authors: Nayebi Reyhaneh , Daneshvar Tarigh Ghazale , Shemirani Farzaneh
Published: July 2019

Ionic liquids (ILs) are a class of fluids with unique physicochemical properties employing polymeric substances emerging new materials. Solidification of ILs into porous materials generates porous ionic liquid polymers that combine the unique characteristics of ILs with common porous materials and polymers. In this study, it’s the first time the porous ionic liquid polymer was chosen as a sorbent for extraction and speciation of nitrite and nitrate. Porous IL was prepared through polymerization of 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide monomers in the presence of azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and crosslinking of ethylene glycol dimethyl acrylate (EGDMA). Parameters affecting the adsorbent performance were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, correlation coefficient (R2) was 0.9996 and LOD was 0.1 µg L−1. This method presented the linearity in the concentration range between 0.1–100 µg L−1 and the relative standard deviation was 3.2%. Finally, the adsorption behavior of the obtained sorbent for nitrate and nitrite determination in various real samples was evaluated. The result indicates that the porous ionic liquid polymer showed high adsorption capacity (233 mg g−1). The convenient preparation of the porous ionic liquid material, as well as high adsorption capacity for anionic pollutants predicted its broad application potential in anion removal materials.
Anatomy and evolution of the first Coleoidea in the Carboniferous
Authors: Klug Christian , Landman Neil H. , Fuchs Dirk , Mapes Royal H. , Pohle Alexander , Guériau Pierre , Reguer Solenn , Hoffmann René
Published: July 2019

Coleoidea (squids and octopuses) comprise all crown group cephalopods except the Nautilida. Coleoids are characterized by internal shell (endocochleate), ink sac and arm hooks, while nautilids lack an ink sac, arm hooks, suckers, and have an external conch (ectocochleate). Differentiating between straight conical conchs (orthocones) of Palaeozoic Coleoidea and other ectocochleates is only possible when rostrum (shell covering the chambered phragmocone) and body chamber are preserved. Here, we provide information on how this internalization might have evolved. We re-examined one of the oldest coleoids,Gordoniconus beargulchensisfrom the Early Carboniferous of the Bear Gulch Fossil-Lagerstätte (Montana) by synchrotron, various lights and Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI). This revealed previously unappreciated anatomical details, on which we base evolutionary scenarios of how the internalization and other evolutionary steps in early coleoid evolution proceeded. We suggest that conch internalization happened rather suddenly including early growth stages while the ink sac evolved slightly later.
Synthetic Cationic Water-soluble Antimicrobial Polymers: An Alternative to Conventional Small-molecule Antibiotics
Authors: Mankoci Steven , Peng Chao , Joy Abraham
Published: July 2019

The emergence of microbial resistance to several antimicrobials of last resort is causing a global crisis and presents a scenario where hospitals will be unable to address healthcare issues that become complicated due to drug-resistant bacteria. Natural or synthetic antimicrobials are the standard of care for addressing bacterial infections. However, due to the rapid emergence of resistance to these classes of antimicrobials, alternative platforms such as antimicrobial polymers are being evaluated as viable options. In this regard, synthetic cationic water-soluble polymers are an emerging class of antimicrobials that deserve a closer look. Over the decades, several classes of antimicrobial polymers have been explored and have been demonstrated to have good antimicrobial activity, which is normally due to the cationic nature of the polymers. The challenge in such cationic polymers is to maximize their bacterial activity while minimizing the collateral damage to mammalian cells. In this chapter, various classes of synthetic cationic water-soluble antimicrobial polymers are described, spanning both older versions such as polyhexanide and newer cationic polyurethanes.
Methods for Sterilization of Biopolymers for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Beh Chau Chun , Farah Shady , Langer Robert , Jaklenec Ana
Published: July 2019

Biopolymers have been found useful in biomedical applications because of their biocompatibility and degradability in the human body. Biopolymers can be formed naturally in living organisms and include polypeptides from proteins, polysaccharides from polymeric carbohydrates, and polynucleotides from nucleic acids – deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). Biopolymers can also be synthesized by using natural biological materials such as starch, sugars, fats, cellulose, and oils. Unsterilized biopolymers can cause severe infections in the human body when they are used for biomedical applications. Hence, biopolymers are required to undergo sterilization, which is a process to inactivate microorganisms including bacteria, spores, fungi, and viruses. The biopolymers that have been sterilized include both natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers such as chitosan, hyaluronic acid, polylactic acid, poly-l-lactic acid, and poly(lactide-co-glycolide), and are reviewed in this chapter. Sterilization methods that have been applied to biopolymers, including steam-autoclaving, dry heat sterilization, irradiation (gamma (γ)-rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, and electron beams), chemical treatment (ethylene oxide), gas plasma, and supercritical fluid sterilization, are reviewed.
Dendrimers and Hyperbranched Polymers as Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Ummadisetti Chandrakala , Kunduru Konda Reddy , Domb Abraham J.
Published: July 2019

Dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers may have structural resemblance, but they are different from each other in their topological structures. The potentials of dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers are reported to have various applications in different fields such as material science, nanotechnology, supramolecular chemistry, biomaterials, coatings, adhesives, etc. In this chapter we discuss antimicrobial applications of dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers.
Acetylenic carbon-rich frameworks on copper foam as conjugated polymer photocathodes for efficient and stable water reduction
Authors: Zhou Xue , Yang Jing , Zhang Zhonghai
Published: July 2019

A poly(1,3,5-triethynylbenzene) (PTEB) nanofiber is synthesized on a copper foam surface and presents a 100 times increased record-high photocathodic current density for efficient water reduction.
Resonance Raman study of the J-type aggregation process of a water soluble perylene bisimide
Authors: Alloa Elisa , Grande Vincenzo , Dilmurat Rishat , Beljonne David , Würthner Frank , Hayes Sophia C.
Published: July 2019

Resonance Raman spectroscopy offers a detailed molecular picture of the conformation of a water-soluble PBI in a supramolecular J aggregate.
Elucidating the origins of enhanced CO2 reduction in manganese electrocatalysts bearing pendant hydrogen-bond donors
Authors: Tignor Steven E. , Shaw Travis W. , Bocarsly Andrew B.
Published: July 2019

A mechanistic analysis showing the critical importance of an intramolecular hydrogen bond for improved insight and understanding in CO2 electroreduction.
Synthesis, structure and characterization of M(IO3)2(HIO3) (M = Ca, Sr) as new anhydrous alkaline earth metal bis-iodate hydrogeniodate compounds
Authors: An Yawen , Zhong Yang , Sun Tongqing , Wang Haijun , Hu Zhenpeng , Liu Hongde , Liu Shiguo , Kong Yongfa , Xu Jingjun
Published: July 2019

Two new metal iodate compounds were prepared, and their structures feature strong intermolecular interactions of I⋯O between [IO3]−anions and neutral HIO3molecules.
Evaluation of copper metabolism in neonatal rats by speciation analysis using liquid chromatography hyphenated to ICP mass spectrometry
Authors: Tanaka Yu-ki , Ogra Yasumitsu
Published: July 2019

It is known that copper (Cu) is highly accumulated in several organs in the perinatal period, suggesting changes in Cu metabolism with development, although the precise mechanisms are still unclear. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying Cu accumulation in the organs of neonatal rats, we performed speciation analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In the neonatal rat liver immediately after birth, the Cu concentration was elevated 10-fold compared to that in the juvenile rat liver. Most of the accumulated Cu was bound to metallothionein, although Cu in Cu, zinc-superoxide dismutase (SOD) was reduced. Contrary to the hepatic Cu accumulation, the serum Cu concentrations in the neonatal rats were low due to the decreased amount of Cu bound to ceruloplasmin. The mRNA expression of antioxidant protein 1 (Atox1), a Cu chaperone that transports Cu to Atp7b, remained low up to two weeks after birth. These results suggest that Cu accumulation in the neonatal rat liver is caused by the low expression of Atox1, and the accumulation is useful to distribute Cu to Cu-containing anti-oxidative enzymes (e.g., SOD and Atox1) after respiration starts.
Eliminating the negative effect of cold deformation on the corrosion resistance of austenitic stainless steel in the presence of a protein
Authors: Ma Yucong , Talha Mohd , Lin Yuanhua , Ituen Ekemini , Wang Xiaohong , Liu Wanying , Kong Xiangwei
Published: July 2019

Interaction of proteins with stainless steel subjected to cold deformation. The presence of a protein overcomes the negative effect of martensite formation on corrosion due to its adsorption.
Photoelectrochemical water splitting using strain-balanced multiple quantum well photovoltaic cells
Authors: Steiner Myles A. , Barraugh Collin D. , Aldridge Chase W. , Alvarez Isabel Barraza , Friedman Daniel J. , Ekins-Daukes Nicholas J. , Deutsch Todd G. , Young James L.
Published: July 2019

Strain-balanced GaInAs/GaAsP quantum wells were incorporated into the classical GaInP/GaAs tandem photoelectrochemical water splitting device to increase the range of photon absorption and achieve higher solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies.
Management der Rippenfraktur
Authors: Raab Stephan , Grieser Thomas , Sturm Manfred , Beyer Michael , Reindl Sebastian
Published: July 2019

Für die Versorgung von Rippenfrakturen existiert keine deutsche Leitlinie. Die Therapie ist uneinheitlich und die Diskussion darüber oft polemisch geführt. Dieser Artikel soll die Therapiemöglichkeiten und die Erfahrung eines großen Traumazentrums mit einer Thoraxchirurgie vorstellen.
Peliosis Hepatis—The Chameleon: An Unusual Presentation Mimicking Liver Abscess
Authors: Rastogi Ruchi , Batra Parveen , Gupta Subhash , Gupta Anjali K. , Aggarwal Bharat , Agarwal Shaleen
Published: July 2019

Peliosis hepatis is a rare vascular condition characterized by multiple randomly distributed blood-filled cavities throughout the liver, ranging in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. The appearance of peliotic lesion on imaging varies depending on morphologic type, concomitant hemorrhagic component, and presence or absence of background hepatic steatosis. Here, we report an unusual presentation of peliosis hepatis as an exophytic mass arising in liver parenchyma, mimicking a liver abscess.
A modified bulge test for in-situ study of ionic permeation properties of membranes under continuously tunable, uniform pressure
Authors: Ravishankar Vasumathy , Jaiswal Manu , Ramaprabhu S.
Published: July 2019

The bulge test is a well-known material test to measure the mechanical properties of metal plates, thin films, and membranes. Also, two different experimental setups are needed to apply pressure and make a measurement. In this work, we describe a modified bulge test to both apply pressure and measure the electrical and ionic permeation properties of membranes in situ. A membrane, clamped at its periphery, with a circular window for measurement, is sandwiched between two liquids. The liquids serve dual purpose by facilitating the application of differential pressure and thus stress, by controlling the extent of immersion of the membrane in the liquid below the membrane, as well as enabling measurement of electrical and mass percolation properties. This was achieved with a stepper motor, a load cell, and a microcontroller. Relevant mathematical models are developed and discussed. Nafion was used to test and validate this approach, using electroimpedance spectroscopy in a 2-electrode configuration with gallium on both sides and in a 3-electrode configuration with electrolyte on one side and gallium on the other. Frequency-dependent response was modeled using equivalent circuits. The resistance of Nafion increases with the depth of immersion and therefore applied pressure. For Nafion in the 2-electrode configuration, conductivity was calculated to be ∼6.4 × 10−3 S/cm at the equilibrium position, where stress on the membrane is zero. This value matches well with existing literature values for partially hydrated Nafion. Also, it was observed that the response is symmetric about the equilibrium position.
Folding pathways of NuG2—a designed mutant of protein G—using relaxation mode analysis
Authors: Mitsutake Ayori , Takano Hiroshi
Published: July 2019

Dynamic analysis methods are important for analyzing long simulations such as folding simulations. Relaxation mode analysis, which approximately extracts slow modes and rates, has been applied in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of protein systems. Previously, we showed that slow modes are suitable for analyzing simulations in which large conformational changes occur. Here, we applied relaxation mode analysis to folding simulations of a designed mutant of protein G, NuG2, to investigate its folding pathways. The folding simulations of NuG2 were previously performed for this mutant with Anton. In the present study, the free energy surfaces were calculated by projecting the coordinates on the axis of the slow relaxation modes obtained from relaxation mode analysis. We classified various characteristic states such as native, nativelike, intermediate, and random states and clarified two main folding pathways. In the early folding process, the first and second β strands formed an N-terminal β-sheet. After the early folding process, the fourth β strand formed along the first β strand in the same or opposite direction as the native structure; two characteristic intermediate states were identified. Finally, the intermediate structures folded to the native structure in the folding process. Relaxation mode analysis can be applied to folding simulations of complex proteins to investigate their folding processes.
Emergence of oscillatory coexistence with exponentially decayed waiting times in a coupled cyclic competition system
Authors: Park Junpyo
Published: July 2019

Interpatch migration between two environments is generally considered as a spatial concept and can affect species biodiversity in each patch by inducing flux of population such as inflow and outflow quantities of species. In this paper, we explore the effect of interpatch migration, which can be generally considered as a spatial concept and may affect species biodiversity between two different patches in the perspective of the macroscopic level by exploiting the coupling of two systems, where each patch is occupied by cyclically competing three species who can stably coexist by exhibiting periodic orbits. For two simple scenarios of interpatch migration either single or all species migration, we found that two systems with independently stable coexisting species in each patch are eventually synchronized, and oscillatory behaviors of species densities in two patches become identical, i.e., the synchronized coexistence emerges. In addition, we find that, whether single or all species interpatch migration occurs, the waiting time for the synchronization is exponentially decreasing as the coupling strength is intensified. Our findings suggest that the synchronized behavior of species as a result of migration between different patches can be easily predicted by the coupling of systems and additional information such as waiting times and sensitivity of initial densities.
Characteristics of quasi-unipolar electromagnetic pulses formed in the interaction of high-power laser pulses with nanoscale targets*
Authors: Kulagin V.V. , Kornienko V.N. , Cherepenin V.A. , Gupta D.N. , Suk H.
Published: July 2019

A new method is suggested for generating quasi-unipolar electromagnetic IR and terahertz pulses. The method is based on synchronous acceleration of electrons combined to a dense bunch with a charge of up to several tens nanocoulombs, which are forced out from a nanoscale target under an action of a high-power, sharp-leading edge laser pulse. The electromagnetic bunch moving in a field of laser radiation can generate high-power electromagnetic pulses with various spectral composition including terahertz and IR ranges. A physical mechanism underlying the formation of generated quasi-unipolar pulses of electromagnetic radiation is determined and numerically studied. The pulse characteristics are found by numerical simulation, such as amplitude and duration dependences on the angle between the pulse propagation direction and laser beam axis. It is established that in modern laser installations, the amplitudes of quasi-unipolar pulses may reach relativistic values. Reflection of a unipolar pulse from an ideally reflecting surface is numerically analysed. It is shown that the pulse retains its unipolar profile in this case.
The Position of Solid Carbon Dioxide in the Triboelectric Series
Authors: Zhang Jinyang , Ciampi Simone
Published: July 2019

The process of releasing liquid carbon dioxide from a fire extinguisher is accompanied by a strong static charging of the plastic material making up the extinguisher discharge horn. Firefighters often report an electric shock when operating CO2 extinguishers, but the origin of this electrostatic hazard is largely unknown. Here, we begin to investigate this phenomenon, and test the hypothesis of plastic samples being tribocharged on contact with rapidly flowing solid CO2. Using Faraday pail measurements, we show that non-conductive polymers gain a net static charge when brought in and out of contact with dry ice (solid CO2). These measurements of charge sign and magnitude give indirect evidence helping to place solid CO2 for the first time on the triboelectric series. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) samples acquire a negative charge when rubbed against dry ice, whereas poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), glass, and nylon surfaces become positively charged. Therefore, we suggest the position of dry ice in the triboelectric series to be close to that of materials with stable cations and unstable anions, possibly locating it between PMMA and PVC.
Electronic Screening and Brief Intervention for Unhealthy Alcohol use in Primary Care Waiting Rooms – a Pilot Project
Authors: Bertholet Nicolas , Cunningham John A. , Adam Angéline , McNeely Jennifer , Daeppen Jean-Bernard
Published: July 2019

Background: In primary care, electronic self-administered screening and brief interventions for unhealthy alcohol may overcome some of the implementation barriers of face-to-face intervention. We developed an anonymous electronic self-administered screening brief intervention device for unhealthy alcohol use and assessed its feasibility and acceptability in primary care practice waiting rooms. Two modes of delivery were compared: with or without the presence of a research assistant (RA) to make patients aware of the device's presence and help users. Using the device was optional.

Methods: The devices were placed in 10 participating primary care practices waiting rooms for 6 weeks, and were accessible on a voluntary basis. Number of appointments by each practice during the course of the study was recorded. Access to the electronic brief intervention was voluntary among those who screened positive. Screening and brief intervention rates and characteristics of users were compared across the modes of delivery.

Results: During the study, there were 7270 appointments and 1511 individuals used the device (20.8%). Mean age of users was 45.3 (19.5), and 57.9% screened positive for unhealthy alcohol use. Of them, 53.8% accessed the brief intervention content. The presence of the RA had a major impact on the device's usage (59.6% vs 17.4% when absent). When the RA was present, participants were less likely to screen positive (49.4% vs 60.7%, P = 0.0003) but more likely to access the intervention (62.7% vs 51.4%, P = 0.009). Results from the satisfaction survey indicated that users found the device easy to use (93.5%), questions useful (89–95%) and 77.2% reported that their friends would be willing to use it.

Conclusions: This pilot project indicates that the implementation of an electronic screening and brief intervention device for unhealthy alcohol is feasible and acceptable in primary care practices but that, without human support, its use is rather limited.
Paeonol protects against hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats by restoring vascular endothelium
Authors: Gai Zhonghui , Wang Zhenxing , Zhang Lei , Ma Jun , Zhu Qiao
Published: July 2019

The present study focused on the effect of paeonol, one of the main components of Guizhi Fuling Pill, on blood pressure, cerebral blood flow, and vascular endothelium injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats to provide theoretical basis for the treatment of hypertension. After treatment with paeonol, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) of LSHRT and HSHRT rats decreased gradually with the prolongation of treatment time. The systolic blood flow velocity (Vs), diastolic blood flow velocity (Vd) and mean blood flow velocity (Vm) were significantly increased after paeonol treatment (p < 0.05). Paeonol effectively improved the blood pressure and increased the cerebral blood flow velocity in spontaneously hypertensive rats. This may be related to the fact that paeonol reduced the blood viscosity and the oxidative stress and improved the antioxidant capacity. Moreover, paeonol protected vascular endothelial cells and reduced vascular endothelial injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Cardiac contractile dysfunction and protein kinase C–mediated myofilament phosphorylation in disease and aging
Authors: Ravichandran Vani S. , Patel Himanshu J. , Pagani Francis D. , Westfall Margaret V.
Published: July 2019

Increases in protein kinase C (PKC) are associated with diminished cardiac function, but the contribution of downstream myofilament phosphorylation is debated in human and animal models of heart failure. The current experiments evaluated PKC isoform expression, downstream cardiac troponin I (cTnI) S44 phosphorylation (p-S44), and contractile function in failing (F) human myocardium, and in rat models of cardiac dysfunction caused by pressure overload and aging. In F human myocardium, elevated PKCα expression and cTnI p-S44 developed before ventricular assist device implantation. Circulatory support partially reduced PKCα expression and cTnI p-S44 levels and improved cellular contractile function. Gene transfer of dominant negative PKCα (PKCαDN) into F human myocytes also improved contractile function and reduced cTnI p-S44. Heightened cTnI phosphorylation of the analogous residue accompanied reduced myocyte contractile function in a rat model of pressure overload and in aged Fischer 344 × Brown Norway F1 rats (≥26 mo). Together, these results indicate PKC-targeted cTnI p-S44 accompanies cardiac cellular dysfunction in human and animal models. Interfering with PKCα activity reduces downstream cTnI p-S44 levels and partially restores function, suggesting cTnI p-S44 may be a useful target to improve contractile function in the future.
The Maintenance of Institutional Legitimacy in Supreme Court Justices’ Public Rhetoric
Authors: Glennon Colin , Strother Logan
Published: July 2019

Judicial politics scholars routinely posit that the behavior of Supreme Court justices is motivated in important part by concerns of institutional maintenance, that is, by a desire to maintain the Court’s unusually large store of institutional legitimacy. Previous work on this topic, however, has focused almost exclusively on the influence of such motivation on judicial decision making. We contend that if institutional maintenance is an important goal, it should be observable in other contexts as well. We examine televised mass-media interviews with Supreme Court justices from 1998 to 2016 and find that legitimacy reinforcement is the predominant goal reflected in justices’ rhetoric in those interviews.
Coexistence of absolute negative mobility and anomalous diffusion
Authors: Spiechowicz J , Hänggi P , Łuczka J
Published: July 2019

Using extensive numerical studies we demonstrate that absolute negative mobility of a Brownian particle (i.e. the net motion into the direction opposite to a constant biasing force acting around zero bias) does coexist with anomalous diffusion (AD). The latter is characterised in terms of a nonlinear scaling with time of the mean-square deviation of the particle position. Such AD covers ‘coherent’ motion (i.e. the position dynamics x(t) approaches in evolving time a constant dispersion), ballistic diffusion, subdiffusion, superdiffusion and hyperdiffusion. In providing evidence for this coexistence we consider a paradigmatic model of an inertial Brownian particle moving in a one-dimensional symmetric periodic potential being driven by both an unbiased time-periodic force and a constant bias. This very setup allows for various sorts of different physical realisations.
Sequential random access codes and self-testing of quantum measurement instruments
Authors: Mohan Karthik , Tavakoli Armin , Brunner Nicolas
Published: July 2019

Quantum random access codes (QRACs) are key tools for a variety of protocols in quantum information theory. These are commonly studied in prepare-and-measure scenarios in which a sender prepares states and a receiver measures them. Here, we consider a three-party prepare-transform-measure scenario in which the simplest QRAC is implemented twice in sequence based on the same physical system. We derive optimal trade-off relations between the two QRACs. We apply our results to construct semi-device independent self-tests of quantum instruments, i.e. measurement channels with both a classical and quantum output. Finally, we show how sequential QRACs enable inference of upper and lower bounds on the sharpness parameter of a quantum instrument.
Potential influence of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on phytoplankton primary productivity in the northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Li Yao , Hu Chuanmin , Quigg Antonietta , Gao Huilin
Published: July 2019

Nine years after the Deepwater Horizon (DwH) oil spill (20 April–15 July 2010), the recovery of primary productivity at the ocean surface remains to be investigated. Here, we used the normalized fluorescence line height (nFLH) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer as an indicator of chlorophyll a concentration (Chl a). First, from the spatiotemporal variations of nFLH between 2001 and 2017, a reduction of nFLH after the DwH oil spill was observed (for a relatively long period, from 2011 to 2014). Second, a stepwise multiple regression model was used to examine which of the following environmental factors could explain the annual variations in nFLH: river discharge, total nitrogen load, total phosphorus load, photosynthetically available radiation, sea surface temperature and wind speed. Results show that river discharge, sea surface temperature and wind speed are the primary factors that regulated the annual nFLH variations in the DwH area during the pre-spill years. In contrast, this same model could not explain the reduction of nFLH for the four years after the DwH oil spill. After 2015, nFLH appears to have resumed to the pre-spill concentrations. Here we suggest that the nFLH reduction between 2011 and 2014 could have originated from the DwH oil spill, although the exact mechanism is yet to be determined.
Bowditch’s Q-conditions and Minsky’s primitive stability
Authors: Lee Jaejeong , Xu Binbin
Published: July 2019

For the action of the outer automorphism group of the rank two free group on the corresponding variety of

P
S
L

(
2
,

C

)

\mathsf {PSL}(2,\mathbb {C})

characters, two domains of discontinuity have been known to exist that are strictly larger than the set of Schottky characters. One was introduced by Bowditch in 1998 (followed by Tan, Wong, and Zhang in 2008) and the other by Minsky in 2013. We prove that these two domains are equal. We then show that they are contained in the set of characters having what we call the bounded intersection property.
High Rates of Drug-induced Liver Injury in People Living With HIV Coinfected With Tuberculosis (TB) Irrespective of Antiretroviral Therapy Timing During Antituberculosis Treatment: Results From the Starting Antiretroviral Therapy at Three Points in TB Trial
Authors: Naidoo Kogieleum , Hassan-Moosa Razia , Mlotshwa Philile , Yende-Zuma Nonhlanhla , Govender Dhineshree , Padayatchi Nesri , Abdool-Karim Salim S S
Published: July 2019

Background

New onset or worsening drug-induced liver injury challenges coinfected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation during antituberculosis (TB) treatment.

Methods

Post hoc analysis within a randomized trial, the Starting Antiretroviral Therapy at Three Points in Tuberculosis trial, was conducted. Patients were randomized to initiate ART either early or late during TB treatment or after TB treatment completion. Liver enzymes were measured at baseline, 6-month intervals, and when clinically indicated.

Results

Among 642 patients enrolled, the median age was 34 years (standard deviation, 28–40), and 17.6% had baseline CD4+ cell counts <50 cells/mm3. Overall, 146/472 patients (52, 47, and 47: early, late, and sequential arms) developed new-onset liver injury following TB treatment initiation. The incidence of liver injury post-ART initiation in patients with CD4+ cell counts <200 cells/mm3 and ≥200 cells/ mm3 was 27.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.0–39.8), 19.0 (95% CI, 10.9–30.9), and 18.4 (95% CI, 8.8–33.8) per 100 person-years, and 32.1 (95% CI, 20.1–48.5), 11.8 (95% CI, 4.3–25.7), and 28.2 (95% CI, 13.5–51.9) per 100 person-years in the early, late integrated, and sequential treatment arms, respectively. Severe and life-threatening liver injury occurred in 2, 7, and 3 early, late, and sequential treatment arm patients, respectively. Older age and hepatitis B positivity predicted liver injury.

Conclusions

High incidence rates of liver injury among cotreated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–TB coinfected patients were observed. Clinical guidelines and policies must provide guidance on frequency of liver function monitoring for HIV–TB coinfected patients.
Detecting the Dane: Recreating Shakespearian Genre in a Level Literature
Authors: Elliott Victoria
Published: July 2019

There is a well-established practice in schools in England of ‘retro-fitting’ genre to Shakespeare’s plays, namely, considering them within a genre which did not exist at the time of writing. This article explores a contemporary example: Hamlet studied as crime writing. The justification for studying the play through this lens is explored, and the ways in which this relates to concepts of genre. While rejecting the justifications offered by the syllabus in which this play is set, a presentist approach suffices to allow the consideration of Hamlet as crime. The article considers the possible insights offered into the play, and reciprocally into the genre, by using the lens of crime writing to consider Hamlet. The enjoyability of such an approach is acknowledged, but the potential downsides for students who encounter the play in this way are also considered.
‘We know what we should eat but we don’t …’: a qualitative study in Irish secondary schools
Authors: Browne Sarah , Barron Carol , Staines Anthony , Sweeney Mary Rose
Published: July 2019

Healthy eating opportunities for young people need to be provided in the school setting. Links between formal education and local policies and practices, and active involvement of students are emphasized in whole school approaches to health promotion. In many jurisdictions, schools struggle to provide nutritious food that is acceptable to students. The aim of this study was to conduct an in-depth exploration of school food and students’ food choice with students, teachers and principals in six Irish secondary schools. Students conducted their own focus groups with peers, and a researcher conducted focus groups with teachers and one-to-one interviews with principals. Students, teachers and principals expressed dissatisfaction with food provision within their respective schools and reported unhealthy dietary behaviours among the student body as the norm. Divergent views, however, emerged regarding education, knowledge and the primary drivers of food choice. Teachers and principals saw a role for more education modules and students believed environmental infrastructures, practices and policies needed to be addressed to improve behaviours. This consultation with students, teachers and principals highlight that, in addition to education, the social and environmental aspects of food choice and eating at school deserve attention in future research and policy.
How to regulate bitcoin? Decentralized regulation for a decentralized cryptocurrency
Authors: Nabilou Hossein
Published: July 2019

Bitcoin is a distributed system. The dilemma it poses to the legal systems is that it is hardly possible to regulate a distributed network in a centralized fashion, as decentralized cryptocurrencies are antithetical to the existing centralized structure of monetary and financial regulation. This article proposes a more nuanced policy recommendation for regulatory intervention in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, which relies on a decentralized regulatory architecture built upon the existing regulatory infrastructure and makes use of the existing and emerging middlemen. It argues that instead of regulating the technology or the cryptocurrencies at the code or protocol layer, the regulation should target their use-cases. Such a regulatory strategy can be implemented through directing the edicts of regulation towards the middlemen and can be enforced by the existing financial market participants and traditional gatekeepers such as banks, payment service providers and exchanges, as well as large and centralized node operators and miners.
Immunogenicity and Safety of 3 Formulations of a Respiratory Syncytial Virus Candidate Vaccine in Nonpregnant Women: A Phase 2, Randomized Trial
Authors: Schwarz Tino F , McPhee Roderick A , Launay Odile , Leroux-Roels Geert , Talli Jaak , Picciolato Marta , Gao Feng , Cai Rongman , Nguyen Thi Lien-Anh , Dieussaert Ilse , Miller Jacqueline M , Schmidt Alexander C
Published: July 2019

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory tract illness and hospitalization in neonates and infants. RSV vaccination during pregnancy may protect offspring in their first months of life.

Methods

This randomized, observer-blind, multicenter, phase 2 study evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of an RSV candidate vaccine in healthy nonpregnant women aged 18–45 years. Four hundred participants were randomized (1:1:1:1) to receive a single intramuscular dose of vaccine containing 30 µg, 60 µg, or 120 µg of RSV fusion protein engineered to preferentially maintain a prefusion conformation (RSV-PreF vaccine) or placebo.

Results

Thirty days postvaccination, RSV-A neutralizing antibody geometric mean titers (GMTs) increased 3.75-, 4.42- and 4.36-fold; RSV-B neutralizing antibody GMTs 2.36-, 2.54- and 2.76-fold; and palivizumab competing antibody (PCA) concentrations 11.69-, 14.38- and 14.24-fold compared with baseline levels in the 30 µg, 60 µg, and 120 µg RSV-PreF groups, respectively. Antibody titers and PCA concentrations at day 30 were significantly higher with the 120 µg compared to the 30 µg RSV-PreF vaccine. All RSV-PreF vaccine formulations and the placebo had similar reactogenicity profiles. No serious adverse events were considered to be related to the RSV-PreF vaccine.

Conclusions

The 3 formulations of the investigational RSV-PreF vaccine were well-tolerated and induced RSV-A and RSV-B neutralizing antibodies and PCAs in healthy, nonpregnant women.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT02956837.
Evaluating shallow and deep learning strategies for the 2018 n2c2 shared task on clinical text classification
Authors: Oleynik Michel , Kugic Amila , Kasáč Zdenko , Kreuzthaler Markus
Published: July 2019

Objective

Automated clinical phenotyping is challenging because word-based features quickly turn it into a high-dimensional problem, in which the small, privacy-restricted, training datasets might lead to overfitting. Pretrained embeddings might solve this issue by reusing input representation schemes trained on a larger dataset. We sought to evaluate shallow and deep learning text classifiers and the impact of pretrained embeddings in a small clinical dataset.

Materials and Methods

We participated in the 2018 National NLP Clinical Challenges (n2c2) Shared Task on cohort selection and received an annotated dataset with medical narratives of 202 patients for multilabel binary text classification. We set our baseline to a majority classifier, to which we compared a rule-based classifier and orthogonal machine learning strategies: support vector machines, logistic regression, and long short-term memory neural networks. We evaluated logistic regression and long short-term memory using both self-trained and pretrained BioWordVec word embeddings as input representation schemes.

Results

Rule-based classifier showed the highest overall micro F1 score (0.9100), with which we finished first in the challenge. Shallow machine learning strategies showed lower overall micro F1 scores, but still higher than deep learning strategies and the baseline. We could not show a difference in classification efficiency between self-trained and pretrained embeddings.

Discussion

Clinical context, negation, and value-based criteria hindered shallow machine learning approaches, while deep learning strategies could not capture the term diversity due to the small training dataset.

Conclusion

Shallow methods for clinical phenotyping can still outperform deep learning methods in small imbalanced data, even when supported by pretrained embeddings.