bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary production and habitat stability organize marine communities
Authors: Cramer Alli N. , Katz Stephen L.
Published: October 2020

Aim

The emergence of pattern in the natural world can carry important messages about underlying processes. For example, collections of broadly similar terrestrial ecosystems have historically been categorized as biomes – groupings of systems that sort along energetic and structural process axes. In marine systems however, a similar classification of biomes has not emerged. The aim here is to develop an effective classification scheme for marine biomes and communities.

Approach

Candidate predictor variables that could explain pattern and process in differentiating marine communities, such as light, nutrients, depth, etc., were collected from the existing literature with a systematic review. The candidate predictors were then evaluated in an inductive process, allowing community level observations to demonstrate patterns across marine biomes. Marine biomes and communities were identified a priori, and emergent patterns were evaluated quantitatively, via principal component ordination based on the vectors of explanatory predictors, and qualitatively via mapping.

Conclusions

Gross primary production and substrate mobility not only effectively sort marine biomes, but also work on finer scales discriminating communities within biomes. As a result, these predictors were more effective in classifying marine communities than other scales, such as available light and nutrients. The richness of this classification is also demonstrated in revealing other patterns, such as the distribution of human impacts. The effectiveness of this mapping provides support for, but is not a test of, the hypothesis that primary production and substrate mobility are important underlying processes that interact to structure marine ecosystems.
Interaction between γδTCR signaling and the E protein‐Id axis in γδ T cell development
Authors: Anderson Michele K. , Selvaratnam Johanna S.
Published: October 2020

γδ T cells acquire their functional properties in the thymus, enabling them to exert rapid innate‐like responses. To understand how distinct γδ T cell subsets are generated, we have developed a Two‐Stage model for γδ T cell development. This model is predicated on the finding that γδTCR signal strength impacts E protein activity through graded upregulation of Id3. Our model proposes that cells enter Stage 1 in response to a γδTCR signaling event in the cortex that activates a γδ T cell–specific gene network. Part of this program includes the upregulation of chemokine receptors that guide them to the medulla. In the medulla, Stage 1 cells receive distinct combinations of γδTCR, cytokine, and/co‐stimulatory signals that induce their transit into Stage 2, either toward the γδT1 or the γδT17 lineage. The intersection between γδTCR and cytokine signals can tune Id3 expression, leading to different outcomes even in the presence of strong γδTCR signals. The thymic signaling niches required for γδT17 development are segregated in time and space, providing transient windows of opportunity during ontogeny. Understanding the regulatory context in which E proteins operate at different stages will be key in defining how their activity levels impose functional outcomes.
Second Victim Experience and Support Tool: Persian translation and psychometric characteristics evaluation
Authors: Ajoudani Fardin , Habibzadeh Hossein , Baghaei Rahim
Published: October 2020

Background

Healthcare providers involved in an unexpected adverse patient safety event are affected by negative outcomes of the event and are called ‘second victims’. The Second Victim Experience and Support Tool has been introduced as a reliable and valid measure to assess the second victim responses and to support recourses of healthcare professionals.

Aim

The core objective of this survey was to assess the psychometric attributes of the scale within Iranian nurse.

Methods

Having translated the scale based on the WHO guidelines and assessing its face validity, a board of 8 specialists assessed the content validity of the measure. In order to assess the psychometric characteristics of the questionnaire, a survey was conducted in 5 university‐affiliated hospitals of Urmia. Confirmatory factor analysis is adopted to assess the construct validity. The internal consistency and test–retest reliability of the scale were determined.

Results

The Persian version of the scale consists of 29 items and 9 subscales. Confirmatory factor analysis illustrated that the scale reflects a foolproof construct validity. Cronbach α coefficients revealed the reliability of the scale (0.68–0.88).

Conclusions

The survey proves to be a reliable and valid measure to evaluate the second victim responses and conceivable support resources of Iranian nurses or other Persian‐speaking healthcare professionals of the region.

Implications for health policy and practice

Health policymakers ought to build up large‐scale surveys to determine the degree of second victimization of healthcare professionals so as to offer suitable support systems. Taking the scale into account would improve evaluation of the benefits of second victim support initiatives in nursing practice.
Compensated pyroelectric infrared detector based on Mn‐doped PIMNT single crystal with enhanced signal stability
Authors: Li Zihao , Liu Fei , Tang Yanxue , Zhao Xiangyong , Wang Tao , Duan Zhihua , Shi Wangzhou , Wang Feifei , Jiao Jie , Luo Haosu
Published: October 2020

A compensated pyroelectric infrared (PIR) detector based on Mn‐doped 0.15Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3‐0.55Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3‐0.30PbTiO3 (Mn‐PIMNT(15/55/30)) relaxor ferroelectric single crystal was theoretically designed and experimentally fabricated. Under the current‐mode amplification circuit, the voltage responsivity and specific detectivity of the compensated detector reached 8 × 104 V/W@10 Hz and 3.6 × 108 cm⋅Hz1/2/W, respectively. The noise mechanism of the detector was studied and the dominant noise sources at different frequencies were simulated. Even though the noise density of the compensated detector increased due to the introduction of the parallel compensation element, substantially enhanced signal stability was achieved and the compensated detector was much less susceptible to environmental temperature changes and vibrations, which is more suitable for application in harsh environments.
Equimolar YO1.5 and TaO2.5 co‐doped ZrO2 as a potential CMAS‐resistant material for thermal barrier coatings
Authors: Wu Di , Yao Yao , Shan Xiao , Yang Fan , Zhao Xiaofeng , Xiao Ping
Published: October 2020

Calcium‐magnesium‐alumino‐silicates (CMAS) corrosion in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) is becoming more serious with increasing operation temperature of turbine engines. Here, we report an equimolar YO1.5 and TaO2.5 co‐doped ZrO2 (Zr0.66Y0.17Ta0.17O2, ZYTO) as a potential CMAS‐resistant material for TBCs, which shows a significantly enhanced CMAS resistance than the conventional 17 mol% YO1.5‐stabilized ZrO2 (17YSZ). After exposure at 1300°C for 100 hours, the CMAS infiltration depth in ZYTO bulk is ~80 μm (for a 20 mg/cm2 CMAS deposition), in contrast to ~700 μm in 17YSZ bulk (50 hours). Compositional and morphological analyses on the CMAS reaction zone reveal that the excellent CMAS resistance of ZYTO originates from the uniform corrosion through grain and grain boundary, along with densification of the reaction layer. The high CMAS infiltration rate of 17YSZ is attributed to the severe dissolution and infiltration through grain boundary. The reaction mechanisms of CMAS with ZYTO and 17YSZ bulks are discussed and a strategy of enhancing the CMAS resistance is proposed for ZrO2‐based TBC materials.
Quantitative systematic review: Methods used for the in vivo measurement of body composition in pregnancy
Authors: Guzman‐Ortiz Elizabeth , Bueno‐Hernandez Nallely , Melendez‐Mier Guillermo , Roldan‐Valadez Ernesto
Published: October 2020

Aims

Because of the increased overall prevalence of pre‐pregnancy obesity among racial‐ethnic groups, we conducted a review of published methods for body composition measurement during pregnancy considering at present there is no consensus on the best practices and type of study design that researchers should use for this purpose.

Design

Quantitative systematic review.

Data Sources

PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Virtual Library of Health. Search dates from 1997–2016.

Review Methods

Search of articles indexed in selected databases from 1997–2016. Studies were published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Graphs were carried out using data visualization software.

Results

From the 112 included studies, 70 were prospective cohorts, 30 cross‐sectional studies, 10 randomized controlled trial, and two retrospective studies. Cross‐sectional studies and randomized controlled trial depicted a positive correlation with significant trend.

Conclusions

Although several methods for body composition measurement exist, only bioelectrical impedance analysis, displacement plethysmography, and displacement plethysmography show a significant growing trend. Use of data visualization allows understanding various associations among categorical variables, with a graphical display of their multidimensional behaviour.

Impact

Public and private health‐care institution evaluating pregnancy women. Health‐care personnel, including nursing professional, dealing with measurements of body composition during pregnancy will find reading this manuscript beneficial.
Shifts in gut microbiome and metabolome are associated with risk of recurrent atrial fibrillation
Authors: Li Jing , Zuo Kun , Zhang Jing , Hu Chaowei , Wang Pan , Jiao Jie , Liu Zheng , Yin Xiandong , Liu Xiaoqing , Li Kuibao , Yang Xinchun
Published: October 2020

Alternations of gut microbiota (GM) in atrial fibrillation (AF) with elevated diversity, perturbed composition and function have been described previously. The current work aimed to assess the association of GM composition with AF recurrence (RAF) after ablation based on metagenomic sequencing and metabolomic analyses and to construct a GM‐based predictive model for RAF. Compared with non‐AF controls (50 individuals), GM composition and metabolomic profile were significantly altered between patients with recurrent AF (17 individuals) and non‐RAF group (23 individuals). Notably, discriminative taxa between the non‐RAF and RAF groups, including the families Nitrosomonadaceae and Lentisphaeraceae, the genera Marinitoga and Rufibacter and the species Faecalibacterium spCAG:82, Bacillus gobiensis and Desulfobacterales bacterium PC51MH44, were selected to construct a taxonomic scoring system based on LASSO analysis. After incorporating the clinical factors of RAF, taxonomic score retained a significant association with RAF incidence (HR = 2.647, P = .041). An elevated AUC (0.954) and positive NRI (1.5601) for predicting RAF compared with traditional clinical scoring (AUC = 0.6918) were obtained. The GM‐based taxonomic scoring system theoretically improves the model performance, and the nomogram and decision curve analysis validated the clinical value of the predicting model. These data provide novel possibility that incorporating the GM factor into future recurrent risk stratification.
Behavior in childhood is associated with romantic partnering patterns in adulthood
Authors: Vergunst Francis , Zheng Yao , Domond Pascale , Vitaro Frank , Tremblay Richard E. , Nagin Daniel , Park Jungwee , Côté Sylvana M.
Published: October 2020

Background

Most people will partner at some point during their lives. Yet little is known about the association between childhood behavior and patterns of long‐term romantic partnering in adulthood.

Methods

In this population‐based cohort study, behavioral ratings were prospectively obtained from teachers when children (n = 2,960) were aged 10–12 years – for inattention, hyperactivity, aggression–opposition, anxiety, and prosociality – and linked to their tax return records from age 18 to 35 years (1998–2015). We used group‐based based trajectory modeling to estimate the probability of partnership (marriage/cohabitation) over time and multinomial logistic regression models to examine the association between childhood behavior and trajectory group membership. The child’s sex and family socioeconomic background were adjusted for.

Results

Five distinct trajectories of partnering were identified: early‐partnered (n = 420, 14.4%), mid‐partnered (n = 620, 21.3%), late‐partnered (n = 570, 19.2%), early‐partnered‐separated (n = 460, 15.5%), and delayed‐or‐unpartnered (n = 890, 30.0%). Participants in the early‐partnered‐separated and delayed‐or‐unpartnered trajectories were more likely to have left high school without a diploma and to have lower earnings and higher welfare receipt from age 18 to 35 years. After adjustment for sex and family background, inattention and aggression–opposition were uniquely and additively associated with increased likelihood of following an early‐partnered‐separated trajectory, while inattention and anxiety were associated with an increased likelihood of following a delayed‐or‐unpartnered trajectory. Childhood prosocial behaviors were consistently associated with earlier and more sustained patterns of partnership.

Conclusions

Children with behavioral problems are more likely to separate or to be unpartnered across early adulthood. This may have consequences for their psychological health and wellbeing and that of their families.
The impact of language and ethnicity on preparation for endoscopy: A prospective audit of an East London Hospital Ward
Authors: Essex Ryan , Cucos Mihaela , Dibley Lesley
Published: October 2020

Rationale, aims, and objectives

The efficacy, cost‐effectiveness, and safety of a number of endoscopic procedures are largely dependent on optimal preparation. Despite this however, inadequate or suboptimal preparation is relatively common. Most studies have revealed inadequate preparation for between 20% and 30% of patients. This audit sought to examine the impact of English language proficiency, and ethnicity, on endoscopic preparation and procedure success or failure.

Method

A prospective audit was developed. Using convenience sampling, participants were consecutive patients recruited over a six‐month period, who were aged 18 and over, attending an east London endoscopy ward for a routine (pre‐booked) endoscopy procedure for which they had received preparation instructions to carry out at home.

Results

Almost one‐third of the sample had adequate or very poor English proficiency. When an interpreter was used it was overwhelmingly a member of the patients' family or a member of staff. There was no significant relationship between gender, age, ethnic group, English language proficiency, whether an interpreter was needed, the type of procedure carried out and inadequate preparation.

Conclusions

Amongst these patients, we found that a little more than 20% of participants were inadequately prepared for their endoscopic procedure. We found no relationship between language proficiency on preparation. Given the mixed literature on interventions to improve preparation before endoscopic procedures, further directions are identified to work toward the development and testing of a novel intervention amongst this population. In identifying those who may be at risk for inadequate preparation for endoscopic procedures, practice needs to take into account a range of factors beyond language and ethnicity. Furthermore, the persistent reliance on family members to interpret information sheets and preparation advice suggests that revision and/or development of culture and language‐specific materials is necessary.
The fossil record of extant elasmobranchs
Authors: Paillard Adele , Shimada Kenshu , Pimiento Catalina
Published: October 2020

Sharks and their relatives (Elasmobranchii) are highly threatened with extinction due to various anthropogenic pressures. The abundant fossil record of fossil taxa has allowed the tracing of the evolutionary history of modern elasmobranchs to at least 250 MYA; nonetheless, exactly how far back the fossil record of living taxa goes has never been collectively surveyed. In this study, the authors assess the representation and extent of the fossil record of elasmobranchs currently living in our oceans by collecting their oldest records and quantifying first appearance dates at different taxonomic levels (i.e., orders, families, genera and species), ecological traits (e.g., body size, habitat and feeding mechanism) and extinction risks (i.e., threatened, not threatened and data deficient). The results of this study confirm the robust representation of higher taxonomic ranks, with all orders, most of the families and over half of the extant genera having a fossil record. Further, they reveal that 10% of the current global species diversity is represented in the geological past. Sharks are better represented and extend deeper in time than rays and skates. While the fossil record of extant genera (e.g., the six gill sharks, Hexanchus) goes as far back as c. 190 MYA, the fossil record of extant species (e.g., the sand shark, Carcharias taurus Rafinesque 1810) extends c. 66 MYA. Although no significant differences were found in the extent of the fossil record between ecological traits, it was found that the currently threatened species have a significantly older fossil record than the not threatened species. This study demonstrate that the fossil record of extant elasmobranchs extends deep into the geologic time, especially in the case of threatened sharks. As such, the elasmobranch geological history has great potential to advance the understanding of how species currently facing extinction have responded to different stressors in the past, thereby providing a deep‐time perspective to conservation.
New insights into the trophic ecology of blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) from a subtropical estuary in the western Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Matich Philip , Plumlee Jeffrey D. , Weideli Ornella C. , Fisher Mark
Published: October 2020

As environmental change persists, understanding resource use patterns is of value to predict the consequences of shifting trophic structures. While many sharks are opportunistic predators, some exhibit prey selectivity, putting them at higher risk compared to species with greater trophic plasticity. In the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Clupeids and Sciaenids comprise 69% of blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) diets, which is consequential considering potential responses of these prey groups to disturbance and over harvesting. We assessed if blacktips exhibit selectivity for Clupeids and Sciaenids in the western GOM based on stomach contents from sharks in coastal Texas. Clupeids comprised <2% of diets, while striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) comprised >70% of identifiable prey. Ontogenetic shifts from smaller (Clupeids, small Sciaenids) to larger, higher trophic level (Ariidae, Elasmobranchii) prey fits our understanding of foraging among coastal sharks, and suggests our regional understanding of blacktip trophic ecology may be limited by the sizes of sampled sharks. Observed increases in blacktip densities coupled with declines in prey (Mugilids, Sciaenids) is concerning if blacktips have limited diet plasticity. Yet GOM blacktips may be more generalized than previously thought, which is promising for conservation and management.
Nondestructive determination of the total mold colony count in green tea by hyperspectral imaging technology
Authors: Cao Yan , Li Haoran , Sun Jun , Zhou Xin , Yao Kunshan , Nirere Adria
Published: October 2020

In the process of tea production and storage, mold is constantly multiplying due to improper production methods and environmental conditions. To realize the nondestructive detection of the total mold colony count in green tea, an accurate and rapid method based on visible–near‐infrared (431–962 nm) hyperspectral image was proposed. Firstly, the spectral data extracted from hyperspectral images was preprocessed and partial least squares regression model based on different preprocessing methods was established to determine the best preprocessing method. Then, competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) and variable combination population analysis were used to select the characteristic wavelengths and support vector regression (SVR) was introduced to establish quantitative detection model. Because the parameter setting of SVR directly affects the effect of the model, a combination of genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) was adopted to optimize the parameters c (penalty factor) and g (kernel function parameter). The results showed that based on the wavelength selected by CARS, the SVR model optimized by GA‐PSO (CARS‐GA‐PSO‐SVR) achieved accuracy with of 0.9577 and root mean square error of prediction set of 0.1140 lg(CFU/g). Therefore, hyperspectral imaging technology can realize the nondestructive determination of the total mold colony count in green tea.

Practical applications

Some molds, such as aspergillus and penicillium, are the main factors of tea mildew. These molds can produce mycotoxins such as aflatoxin and citreoviridin, which can not only cause damage to the tea quality, but also threaten the health of tea drinkers. In this paper, the total mold colony count of green tea was studied based on hyperspectral imaging technology. The experiment result indicated that the use of hyperspectral imaging technology can achieve accurate, nondestructive, and rapid detection of the total mold colony count in green tea. This research provides an effective solution to the quantitative detection of the total mold colony count in green tea.
Multiplex and optimization of dCas9‐TV‐mediated gene activation in plants
Authors: Xiong Xiangyu , Liang Jieping , Li Zhenxiang , Gong Ben‐Qiang , Li Jian‐Feng
Published: October 2020

Synthetic gene activators consisting of nuclease‐dead Cas9 (dCas9) for single‐guide RNA (sgRNA)‐directed promoter binding and a transcriptional activation domain (TAD) represent new tools for gene activation from endogenous genomic locus in basic and applied plant research. However, multiplex gene coactivation by dCas9‐TADs has not been demonstrated in whole plants. There is also room to optimize the performance of these tools. Here, we report that our previously developed gene activator, dCas9‐TV, could simultaneously upregulate OsGW7 and OsER1 in rice by up to 3,738 fold, with one sgRNA targeting to each promoter. The gene coactivation could persist to at least the fourth generation. Astonishingly, the polycistronic tRNA‐sgRNA expression under the maize ubiquitin promoter, a Pol II promoter, could cause enormous activation of these genes by up to >40,000‐fold in rice. Moreover, the yeast GCN4 coiled coil‐mediated dCas9‐TV dimerization appeared to be promising for enhancing gene activation. Finally, we successfully introduced a self‐amplification loop for dCas9‐TV expression in Arabidopsis to promote the transcriptional upregulation of AtFLS2, a previously characterized dCas9‐TV‐refractory gene with considerable basal expression. Collectively, this work illustrates the robustness of dCas9‐TV in multigene coactivation and provides broadly useful strategies for boosting transcriptional activation efficacy of dCas9‐TADs in plants.
Economic development dimension of intellectual property as investment in international investment law
Authors: Stepanov Ivan
Published: October 2020

Intellectual property (IP) and foreign direct investment (FDI) are seen as important contributors to economic development. However, once given a closer look, a complex economic landscape emerges. Although, both IP and FDI can be beneficial to the economic development of a country their presence does not automatically guarantee it. From a legal perspective, the treaties governing the two international legal regimes, international IP law and international investment law (IIL), reflect the positive developmental aspirations ascribed to IP and FDI. Nevertheless, once these international treaties are put to the test in international adjudication, economic development becomes a contested notion. In particular, investor‐state dispute settlement (ISDS) tribunals are often confronted with economic development as a legal concept and the way they treat it can vastly differ. By relying on the Salini test in ISDS cases dealing with IP, the Tribunals had the chance to address the developmental dimension of IP as FDI. Philip Morris v. Uruguay and Bridgestone v. Panama give a detailed outlook on the different outcomes such considerations might result in. Focusing on those cases this article will argue that economic development deserves a place in the realm of IP and IIL.
Robot on the shoulders of humans
Authors: Gudkov Aleksei
Published: October 2020

Recent trends in artificial intelligence (AI) development have led to a proliferation of studies on the ability of AI systems generate artistic works. Debate continues about the general benefit of society from artistic and scientific works made by AI systems. Questions have been raised about infringement of copyright by AI. The present article examines the modern approaches to regulation of AI and the role of humans in the creation of artistic work. The main purpose of the research is to prevent unfair use of original works created by human and discuss originality in artistic work generated by AI. Overall, these studies highlight the needs for the protection of human copyrights in the event of commercial exploitation by AI system and the protection of the general public from mass distribution of artificial pseudo‐scientific works.
Shear wave elastography accurately detects chronic changes in renal histopathology
Authors: Leong Sook Sam , Wong Jeannie Hsiu Ding , Md Shah Mohammad Nazri , Vijayananthan Anushya , Jalalonmuhali Maisarah , Chow Tak Kuan , Sharif Nur H. M. , Ng Kwan Hoong
Published: October 2020

Aim

Renal biopsy is the gold standard for the histological characterization of chronic kidney disease (CKD), of which renal fibrosis is a dominant component, affecting its stiffness. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between kidney stiffness obtained by shear wave elastography (SWE) and renal histological fibrosis.

Methods

Shear wave elastography assessments were performed in 75 CKD patients who underwent renal biopsy. The SWE‐derived estimates of the tissue Young's modulus (YM), given as kilopascals (kPa), were measured. YM was correlated to patients' renal histological scores, broadly categorized into glomerular, tubulointerstitial and vascular scores.

Results

Young's modulus correlates significantly with tubulointerstitial score (ρ = 0.442, P < .001) and glomerular score (ρ = 0.375, P = .001). Patients with no glomerular sclerosis showed lower mean YM measurements compared to those with glomerular sclerosis. The mean YM increased as the percentage of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy increased. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) for SWE in differentiating between mildly and moderately impaired kidneys was 0.702.

Conclusion

Shear wave elastography accurately detects chronic renal damage resulting from glomerular sclerosis, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, using the optimal cut‐off YM value of ≥5.81 kPa.
Understanding the opposite effects of sex hormones in mediating renal injury
Authors: Lima‐Posada Ixchel , Bobadilla Norma A.
Published: October 2020

According to epidemiological studies, chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more women than men, but the incidence of end‐stage renal disease is higher in men than in women. However, most of these studies have not considered the incidence of CKD in women of reproductive or post‐menopausal age, and even fewer with hormone replacement therapy. Some meta‐analyses have reported an exacerbated progression of CKD in men compared with women. Consequently, in most of the experimental models of renal injury, men of reproductive age exhibit more abnormalities in renal function and structure that lead to greater progression to CKD than women, which suggests that these differences are mediated by sex hormones rather than by other factors. This review intends to show the mechanisms regulated by oestrogen or testosterone that may explain the different risks and evolution of renal diseases between men and women. Regardless of the initial cause of kidney disease, sex hormones have been implicated in modulating vascular tone, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. Finally, our previous study highlights the mechanisms by which the transition from acute kidney injury to CKD does not occur in female rats as commonly as it does in male rats. This review not only identifies sex differences in several kidney diseases but also supports potential therapeutic opportunities to reduce or prevent the progression of CKD and highlights the importance of considering sex differences in the design of any clinical study.
Evaluation of pain intensity in patients treated with aligners and conventional fixed appliances: Randomized clinical trial
Authors: Casteluci Cleomária Evelyn Vieira Freire , Oltramari Paula Vanessa Pedron , Conti Paulo César Rodrigues , Bonjardim Leonardo Rigoldi , de Almeida‐Pedrin Renata Rodrigues , Fernandes Thaís Maria Freire , de Almeida Marcio Rodrigues , de Castro Ferreira Conti Ana Cláudia
Published: October 2020

Objective

This randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the pain intensity in patients treated with orthodontic aligners and conventional fixed appliances.

Setting and sample population

This study was a randomized clinical trial. The sample comprised 39 patients randomly allocated into 2 groups: OA (orthodontic aligners, n = 20) and FA (Fixed Appliance, n = 19).

Material and methods

The pain intensity was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) in the following periods: T0 (baseline), T1 (seven days after appliance placement) and seven days after each return on the first (T2), third (T3) and sixth (T4) months. The following variables were also investigated in the baseline: conditioned pain modulation, anxiety levels, hypervigilance and catastrophizing. The VAS measurements between groups were compared by the Mann‐Whitney test. Comparisons between periods within each group were performed by the Friedman test. Data regarding catastrophizing and hypervigilance were compared by the t test. All tests were applied at a significance level of 5%, with 95% confidence interval.

Results

Both groups presented similar levels of anxiety, hypervigilance, catastrophizing and conditioned pain modulation. Both groups did not differ concerning the pain intensity in all periods. The intragroup evaluation revealed statistical differences between days in the FA group at all moments evaluated, for the OA group, similar findings between days were found for the T1 evaluation; however, at the 6‐month period (T4), the pain levels varied over these days without statistical difference. Higher levels of pain were observed in the first seven days after appliance placement.

Conclusion

The pain intensity, usually mild, was not influenced by the appliance design, although different patterns of reported pain seem to occur between groups.
Melatonin application differentially modulates the enzymes associated with antioxidative machinery and ascorbate‐glutathione cycle during arsenate exposure in indica rice varieties
Authors: Samanta S. , Banerjee A. , Roychoudhury A.
Published: October 2020

Arsenic (As) contamination and accumulation in rice is a serious concern causing severe oxidative damage. Melatonin acts as a protective agent in plant defence against multiple abiotic stresses. The mechanism of antioxidant function of melatonin during As stress in rice genotypes is less studied.

In this study, hydroponically‐grown As‐susceptible (Khitish) and As‐tolerant (Muktashri) rice cultivars, subjected to 150 µm arsenate stress, were supplemented with exogenously applied melatonin (20 µm) to examine the plant defence mechanism.

Melatonin (Mel) increased root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll a and b content and activated reducing power and free radical scavenging capacity in both rice cultivars. The role of Mel in the sensitive variety appeared to be more prominent with respect to reduced water saturation deficit by reducing endogenous As and H2O2 accumulation, and enhancing overall antioxidant capacity by imposing reduced requirement of catalase for ROS detoxification, and restoring As‐inhibited activity of glutathione‐S‐transferase, glutathione peroxidase and dehydroascorbate reductase. In contrast, melatonin treatment in the tolerant cultivar required reduced involvement of ascorbate peroxidase to deal with As toxicity, and complemented the stress‐mediated inhibition of guaiacol peroxidase activity. Isozyme profiling also established extensive varietal differences with regard to induction of new isoform(s) by Mel during As treatment.

This study provides clear insights into mechanistic details of the regulation of antioxidative enzymes by melatonin in contrasting rice genotypes, which may prove helpful in generating As tolerance in susceptible rice varieties grown in marginalized soils, thereby improving crop yield and productivity.
Influence of light on the Monilinia laxa–stone fruit interaction
Authors: Rodríguez‐Pires Silvia , Garcia‐Companys Marina , Espeso Eduardo A. , Melgarejo Paloma , de Cal Antonieta
Published: October 2020

Light represents a signal for the regulation of virulence in many microbial pathogens. Two stone fruits, nectarines and cherries, were used to investigate the influence of light on brown rot caused by Monilinia laxa. Three single‐spore isolates were inoculated on nectarines and incubated under different white lights, red light, blue light, green light, and black light with two photoperiods. In addition, to understand the effect of daylight irradiance on brown rot, M. laxa was inoculated on different cherry cultivars and incubated under two simulated solar irradiations. Significantly higher disease severity and sporulation were reported on inoculated nectarines incubated under 58 W white light for 12 hr light/12 hr darkness than on nectarines incubated in continuous darkness. Only red light caused a significant increase in the incidence and severity of the disease in nectarines inoculated with the three M. laxa isolates, compared to fruit incubated under white light. High light intensity (185.45 W/m2), caused greater brown rot severity in all cherry cultivars, both early and late varieties, than low irradiance (145.85 W/m2). Significant up‐regulation of the pathogenicity‐related MlPNL2 gene was observed as an early response after cherry inoculation under high‐intensity light, especially in late cherry cultivars, while MlPG1 expression did not show any changes under different light irradiances. M. laxa was shown to be a light‐responsive fungal pathogen, and light seemed to play an active role in brown rot development.
Micro‐scale chemical and physical patterns in an interface of hydrothermal dolomitization reveals the governing transport mechanisms in nature: Case of the Layens anticline, Pyrenees, France
Authors: Centrella Stephen , Beaudoin Nicolas E. , Derluyn Hannelore , Motte Geoffrey , Hoareau Guilhem , Lanari Pierre , Piccoli Francesca , Pecheyran Christophe , Callot Jean Paul
Published: October 2020

Hydrothermal dolomitization is an important diagenetic process that occurs in tectonic environments worldwide and forms conventional reservoirs associated with ore deposits and hydrocarbon accumulation, while forming efficient reservoirs for carbon sequestration. However, the current state of knowledge about the availability and reaction rate of Mg in dolomitizing fluids fails to explain the large volumes of hydrothermal dolomites geobodies observed in extended margins or in fold‐and‐thrust belts. To better understand this widespread phenomenon, it is essential to recognize the governing and limiting transport mode of the dolomitizing fluid. This contribution investigates the chemical and physical patterns developed between the original calcite and the newly formed dolomite. An extensive analytical study of well‐preserved dolomitization interfaces observed at outcrop scale in Callovian–Oxfordian limestones in the Layens anticline (north‐western Pyrenees, France) is presented. Through the use of scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction, X‐ray microtomography, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (and mapping), the replacement related variations in elementary content, rock density, crystallographic properties and phase volumes and distribution were constrained. The results indicate a sequence of replacement, beginning with a fluid which starts to infiltrate the host rock by advection in the grain boundary network causing at the same time the replacement of calcite by diffusion‐limited dissolution and associated dolomite precipitation. The progressive replacement of calcite grains by dolomite is led by dissolution inside the grain enhanced by replacement related porosity creation, leading to a progressive decrease of local calcite grain size isolated as islands until the replacement is complete. The replacement of calcite by dolomite led to a mass loss without volume change, through generation of ca 11 vol.% porosity. Based on analytical observations of a natural sample, a conceptual model that accounts for the transport mode governing the different steps of hydrothermal dolomitization at crystal‐scale is proposed.
Early silicification of the Cyrenaican chert, Libya: The importance of moganite as a transitional silicon dioxide phase
Authors: El‐Hawat Ahmed S. , El‐Ghali Mohamed A.K. , McLaren Sue J. , Kemp Simon J.
Published: October 2020

The Messinian lagoonal carbonate–evaporite sequence of Cyrenaica, north‐east Libya, hosts: (i) opaline nodules in gypsiferous microbial‐rich mudstone; (ii) nodules replacing poikilotopic gypsum cementing bioclastic carbonates; and (iii) bedded porcelanite with large lenticular gypsum pseudomorphs intercalated with recrystallized microbial mats. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, backscattered electron images – secondary electron images, X‐ray fluorescence, X‐ray diffraction and cathodoluminescence techniques were employed to elucidate on the early stages of chert diagenesis and demonstrate the role of moganite in the formation of varieties of chalcedony during silicification. The opaline nodules composed of opal‐A, exhibit shrinkage cracks lined by isopachous fibrous quartzine underlain by a thin birefringent zone. This suggests that quartzine may develop by crystallization and conversion of opal‐A through a transitional moganite. The quartzine is followed by amorphous silica gel that converts into length‐fast chalcedony. By contrast, lutecite evolved by silica replacement of gypsum through a transitional moganite phase, which forms an amorphous zone in apparent optical continuity with the fibrous lutecite; as moganite advances by pseudo‐crystalline terminations controlled by the gypsum cleavage. In gypsified oyster shells, intercrystalline organic matter enveloping pseudomorphed shell microstructures enabled moganite nucleation that merges syntaxially around the gypsum crystal rim. The associated lutecite occurs as radial‐fibrous beekite aggregates that are consistent with early shell silicification. The bedded porcelanite consists of opal‐CT groundmass undergoing recrystallization and enclosing micro‐cavities lined by quartzine. The associated pseudomorphs display phases of gypsum replacement by moganite and lutecite at the outer margin, followed by dissolution and cavity filling by quartz varieties in response to fluid flushing. In all cases, organic matter and microbes played a vital role in the silicification process.
Loneliness and the Emotional Experience of Absence
Authors: Roberts Tom , Krueger Joel
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we develop an analysis of the structure and content of loneliness. We argue that this is anemotion of absence—an affective state in which certain social goods are regarded as out of reach for the subject of experience. By surveying the range of social goods that appear to be missing from the lonely person's perspective, we see what it is that can make this emotional condition so subjectively awful for those who undergo it, including the profound sense of being unable to realize oneself, in collaboration with others.
Exchange rate volatility and commodity trade between United States and Australia: An asymmetric analysis
Authors: Bahmani‐Oskooee Mohsen , Harvey Hanafiah
Published: October 2020

Previous studies that assessed the impact of exchange rate volatility on Australian trade flows assumed that the effects are symmetric, meaning that if an x% increase in volatility hurts trade flows by y%, an x% decreased in volatility, boosts trade flows by y%. The new direction in the literature is to engage in asymmetric analysis, since the rate at which trade flows respond to increased volatility could be different than the rate at which they response to declines. We do this by assessing the symmetric and asymmetric effects of the Australian dollar–U.S. dollar exchange rate volatility on the exports of 230 U.S. exporting industries to Australia and 129 Australian exporting industries to the United States. We find overwhelming support for short‐run and long‐run asymmetric effects of exchange rate volatility on both countries exports to each other. A few large industries that were not found to be affected by volatility symmetrically, they were found to be affected asymmetrically.
State Estimation for Lithium-Ion Batteries With Phase Transition Materials Via Boundary Observers
Authors: Koga Shumon , Camacho-Solorio Leobardo , Krstic Miroslav
Published: October 2020

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) is a common active material in lithium-ion batteries. It has been observed that this material undergoes phase transitions during the normal charge and discharge operation of the battery. Electrochemical models of lithium-ion batteries can be modified to account for this phenomenon at the expense of some added complexity. We explore this problem for the single particle model (SPM) where the underlying dynamic model for diffusion of lithium ions in phase transition materials is a partial differential equation (PDE) with a moving boundary. We derive a novel boundary observer to estimate the concentration of lithium ions together with a moving boundary radius from the SPM via the backstepping method for PDEs, and simulations are provided to illustrate the performance of the observer. Our comments are stated on the gap between the proposed observer and a complete state-of-charge (SoC) estimation algorithm for lithium-ion batteries with phase transition materials.
Numerical study of acoustic focusing using a bianisotropic acoustic lens
Authors: Lawrence A. J. , Goldsberry Benjamin M. , Wallen Samuel P. , Haberman Michael R.
Published: October 2020

Materials with sub-wavelength asymmetry and long-range order have recently been shown to demonstrate acoustical properties analogous to electromagnetic bianisotropy. One characteristic of bianisotropic acoustic media is the existence of direction-dependent acoustic impedance. Therefore, the magnitude and phase of the acoustic fields transmitted through bianisotropic acoustic media are dependent on the direction of bianisotropic polarization. These materials can therefore be used as acoustic metasurfaces to control acoustic fields. To demonstrate this behavior, a numerical model of bianisotropic acoustic waveguides is utilized to design a lens that focuses an incident plane wave by only manipulating the orientation of the bianisotropic coupling vector.
Scattering from layered seafloors: Comparisons between theory and integral equations
Authors: Olson Derek R. , Jackson Darrell
Published: October 2020

Acoustic scattering from layered seafloors exhibits dependence on both the mean geoacoustic layering, as well as the roughness properties of each layer. Several theoretical treatments of this environment exist, including the small roughness perturbation approximation, the Kirchhoff approximation, and three different versions of the small slope approximation. All of these models give different results for the scattering cross section and coherent reflection coefficient, and there is currently no way to distinguish which model is the most correct. In this work, an integral equation for scattering from a layered seafloor with rough interfaces is presented, and compared with small roughness perturbation method, and two of the small slope approximations. It is found that the most recent small slope approximation by Jackson and Olson [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 147(1), 56–73 (2020)] is the most accurate when the root-mean-square (rms) roughness is large, and some models are in close agreement with each other when the rms roughness is small.
Impact of strain relaxation on performance of α-formamidinium lead iodide perovskite solar cells
Authors: Kim Gwisu , Min Hanul , Lee Kyoung Su , Lee Do Yoon , Yoon So Me , Seok Sang Il
Published: October 2020

Relieving unwanted strain

Although the α-phase of formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI
3
) has a suitable bandgap for use in solar cells, it must be stabilized with additional cations. These compositions can adversely affect the bandgap and produce lattice strain that creates trap sites for charge carriers. Kim
et al.
found that substituting small, equimolar amounts of cesium and methylenediammonium cations for formamidinium reduced the lattice strain and trap densities. The enhancement in open-circuit voltage led to a certified power conversion efficiency of 24.4%, and encapsulated devices retained 90% of their initial efficiency after 400 hours of maximal power point operating conditions.

Science
, this issue p.
108
Mutational selection in normal urothelium
Authors: Rozen Steven G.
Published: October 2020

Mutations in normal tissue point to causes of DNA damage and set the stage for cancer
The reward integrator
Authors: LeGates Tara
Published: October 2020

A new synapse emerges as a key regulator of motivation
Characterization of the Termini of Cytoplasmic Hepatitis B Virus Deproteinated Relaxed Circular DNA
Authors: Cai Dawei , Yan Ran , Xu Jerry Z. , Zhang Hu , Shen Sheng , Mitra Bidisha , Marchetti Alexander , Kim Elena S. , Guo Haitao
Published: October 2020

The covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is the persistent form of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome in viral infection and an undisputed antiviral target for an HBV cure. HBV cccDNA is converted from viral genomic relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) through a complex process that involves removing the covalently bound viral polymerase from rcDNA, which produces a deproteinated-rcDNA (DP-rcDNA) intermediate for cccDNA formation. In this study, we characterized the four termini of cytoplasmic DP-rcDNA and compared them to its rcDNA precursor. While rcDNA and DP-rcDNA have an identical 3′ terminus of (−)strand DNA, the 3′ terminus of (+)strand DNA on DP-rcDNA is further elongated. Furthermore, the peculiarities on rcDNA 5′ termini, specifically the RNA primer on the (+)strand and the polymerase on the (−)strand, are absent from DP-rcDNA. Thus, our study provides new insights into a better understanding of HBV rcDNA deproteination and cccDNA biosynthesis.