bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural hybridization reveals incompatible alleles that cause melanoma in swordtail fish
Authors: Powell Daniel L. , García-Olazábal Mateo , Keegan Mackenzie , Reilly Patrick , Du Kang , Díaz-Loyo Alejandra P. , Banerjee Shreya , Blakkan Danielle , Reich David , Andolfatto Peter , Rosenthal Gil G. , Schartl Manfred , Schumer Molly
Published: May 2020

Mapping vertebrate incompatibility alleles

Deleterious gene interactions may underlie the observed hybrid incompatibilities. However, few genes underlying hybrid incompatibilities have been identified, and most of these involve species that do not hybridize in natural conditions. Powell
et al.
used genome sequencing to map genes likely responsible for incompatibilities that reduce fitness in naturally occurring hybrid swordtail fish. These gene combinations result in malignant melanoma, which is found in naturally hybridizing populations but is not present in the parental populations (see the Perspective by Dagilis and Matute). Using genome and population resequencing, the authors performed a genome-wide association study to identify potentially causative mutations. Using an admixture mapping approach that assessed introgression between multiple swordtail fish species, the authors suggest that lineages carry different genes that interact with the same candidate gene, resulting in the observed melanomas and providing insight into convergent hybrid incompatibles that arise between species.

Science
, this issue p.
731
; see also p.
710
Diverse functionalization of strong alkyl C–H bonds by undirected borylation
Authors: Oeschger Raphael , Su Bo , Yu Isaac , Ehinger Christian , Romero Erik , He Sam , Hartwig John
Published: May 2020

Speeding up borylation

Catalytic borylation is the rare reaction that can selectively target stronger over weaker saturated carbon–hydrogen (C–H) bonds. However, the trade-off has been that the reaction is slow and requires high excess of the hydrocarbon. Oeschger
et al.
now report that the right ligand (2-methylphenanthroline) coordinated to iridium can accelerate the reaction by 50- to 80-fold. This rate enhancement enables selective borylation of primary C–H bonds with the hydrocarbon as limiting reagent. The reaction is also unusually selective for β-C–H bonds in saturated heterocycles.

Science
, this issue p.
736
Photocurrent detection of the orbital angular momentum of light
Authors: Ji Zhurun , Liu Wenjing , Krylyuk Sergiy , Fan Xiaopeng , Zhang Zhifeng , Pan Anlian , Feng Liang , Davydov Albert , Agarwal Ritesh
Published: May 2020

Optical vortices on demand

Light has several degrees of freedom (wavelength, polarization, pulse length, and so on) that can be used to encode information. A light beam or pulse can also be structured to have the property of orbital angular momentum, becoming a vortex. Because the winding number of the vortex can be arbitrary, the channel capacity can be expanded considerably. Zhang
et al.
and Ji
et al.
developed nanophotonic-based methods for generating and electrically detecting light with arbitrary orbital angular momentum, a goal that has remained an outstanding challenge so far (see the Perspective by Ge). The nanophotonic platform provides a route for developing high-capacity optical chips.

Science
, this issue p.
760
, p.
763
; see also p.
707
Comment on “Dry reforming of methane by stable Ni–Mo nanocatalysts on single-crystalline MgO”
Authors: Hu Yun Hang , Ruckenstein Eli
Published: May 2020

Song
et al
. (Reports, 14 February 2020, p. 777) ignore the reported efficient Ni/MgO solid-solution catalysts and overstate the novelty and importance of the Mo-doped Ni/MgO catalysts for the dry reforming of methane. We show that the Ni/MgO solid-solution catalyst that we reported in 1995, which is efficient and stable for the dry reforming, is superior to the Mo-doped Ni/MgO catalyst.
Policy opportunities to enhance sharing for pandemic research
Authors: Rourke Michelle , Eccleston-Turner Mark , Phelan Alexandra , Gostin Lawrence
Published: May 2020

COVID-19 reveals gaps in international law that can inhibit timely sharing of information, samples, and sequences
Chromosome Engineering To Generate Plasmid-Free Phenylalanine- and Tyrosine-Overproducing
Escherichia coli
Strains That Can Be Applied in the Generation of Aromatic-Compound-Producing Bacteria
Authors: Koma Daisuke , Kishida Takahiro , Yoshida Eisuke , Ohashi Hiroyuki , Yamanaka Hayato , Moriyoshi Kunihiko , Nagamori Eiji , Ohmoto Takashi
Published: May 2020

Plasmid-free strains for aromatic compound production are desired in the aspect of industrial application. However, the yields of phenylalanine and tyrosine have been considerably lower in plasmid-free strains than in plasmid-based strains. The significance of this research is that we succeeded in generating superior plasmid-free phenylalanine- and tyrosine-producing strains by engineering the
E. coli
chromosome, which was comparable to that in plasmid-based strains. The generated strains have a potential to generate superior strains for the production of aromatic compounds. Actually, we demonstrated that four kinds of aromatic compounds could be produced from glucose with high yields (e.g., 0.28 g tyrosol/g glucose).
Microbial Dynamics in Traditional and Modern Sour Beer Production
Authors: Dysvik Anna , La Rosa Sabina Leanti , De Rouck Gert , Rukke Elling-Olav , Westereng Bjørge , Wicklund Trude
Published: May 2020

Traditional sour beers are produced by spontaneous fermentations involving numerous yeast and bacterial species. One of the traits that separates sour beers from ales and lagers is the high concentration of organic acids such as lactic acid and acetic acid, which results in reduced pH and increased acidic taste. Several challenges complicate the production of sour beers through traditional methods. These include poor process control, lack of consistency in product quality, and lengthy fermentation times.
Comparison of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Spike Protein Binding to ACE2 Receptors from Human, Pets, Farm Animals, and Putative Intermediate Hosts
Authors: Zhai Xiaofeng , Sun Jiumeng , Yan Ziqing , Zhang Jie , Zhao Jin , Zhao Zongzheng , Gao Qi , He Wan-Ting , Veit Michael , Su Shuo
Published: May 2020

SARS-CoV-2 is threatening people worldwide, and there are no drugs or vaccines available to mitigate its spread. The origin of the virus is still unclear, and whether pets and livestock can be infected and transmit SARS-CoV-2 are important and unknown scientific questions. Effective binding to the host receptor ACE2 is the first prerequisite for infection of cells and determines the host range. Our analysis provides a framework for the prediction of potential hosts of SARS-CoV-2. We found that ACE2 from species known to support SARS-CoV-2 infection tolerate many amino acid changes, indicating that the species barrier might be low. Exceptions are dogs and especially pigs, which revealed relatively low ACE2 expression levels in the respiratory tract. Monitoring of animals is necessary to prevent the generation of a new coronavirus reservoir. Finally, our analysis also showed that SARS-CoV-2 may not be specifically adapted to any of its putative intermediate hosts.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor-mediated myasthenia gravis with focal subclinical myocarditis progressing to symptomatic cardiac disease
Authors: Leaver Phillip John , Jang Helena Sung-In , Vernon Stephen Thomas , Fernando Suran Loshana
Published: May 2020

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for cancer therapy has heralded increasing frequency of immune-related adverse events including endocrinopathies, hepatitis, colitis and rarely myocarditis and myasthenia gravis (MG). The heterogeneity in clinical presentations regardless of organ-specific involvement can lead to delayed recognition and management of these events and adverse health outcomes. We describe a case of ICI-induced subclinical focal myocarditis that was recognised and treated in the broader context of MG. It is essential that patients with ICI-induced MG should be screened and monitored for myocarditis, a potentially fatal complication.
Community health workers and early detection of breast cancer in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic scoping review of the literature
Authors: O'Donovan James , Newcomb Ashley , MacRae MacKenzie Clark , Vieira Dorice , Onyilofor Chinelo , Ginsburg Ophira
Published: May 2020

Background

Breast cancer is the leading cause of female mortality in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Early detection of breast cancer, either through screening or early diagnosis initiatives, led by community health workers (CHWs) has been proposed as a potential way to address the unjustly high mortality rates. We therefore document: (1) where and how CHWs are currently deployed in this role; (2) how CHWs are trained, including the content, duration and outcomes of training; and (3) the evidence on costs associated with deploying CHWs in breast cancer early detection.

Methods

We conducted a systematic scoping review and searched eight major databases, as well as the grey literature. We included original studies focusing on the role of CHWs to assist in breast cancer early detection in a country defined as a LMIC according to the World Bank.

Findings

16 eligible studies were identified. Several roles were identified for CHWs including awareness raising and community education (n=13); history taking (n=7); performing clinical breast examination (n=9); making onward referrals (n=7); and assisting in patient navigation and follow-up (n=4). Details surrounding training programmes were poorly reported and no studies provided a formal cost analysis.

Conclusions

Despite the relative paucity of studies addressing the role of CHWs in breast cancer early detection, as well as the heterogeneity of existing studies, evidence suggests that CHWs can play a number of important roles in breast cancer early detection initiatives in LMICs. However, if they are to realise their full potential, they must be appropriately supported within the wider health system.
Norovirus gastroenteritis outbreaks in military units: a systematic review
Authors: Queiros-Reis Luis , Lopes-João A , Mesquita J R , Penha-Gonçalves C , Nascimento M S J
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Norovirus gastroenteritis is one of the most frequent causes of personnel unavailability in military units, being associated with significant morbidity and degradation of their operational effectiveness. The disease is usually mild but can be severe and life-threatening in young and healthy soldiers, who are prone to dehydration due to intensive daily activity. Despite its impact, the full extent of the norovirus gastroenteritis burden in military forces remains unclear. This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact and ascertain clinical and epidemiological features of norovirus outbreaks that have occurred in the military forces.

Methods

The systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and used three databases: PubMed, Scopus, and LILACs. Papers published up to 1 September 2019 were included without restrictions if they reported one or more outbreaks in the military forces on active duty, either on national territories or deployed overseas.

Results

A total of 343 papers were retrieved from the literature search. After inclusion/exclusion criteria a total of 39 eligible papers were considered. From 1988 (first reported outbreak in the military) to 2018 more than 101 norovirus outbreaks have been reported in the military, accounting for at least 24 332 cases. Secondary transmission was emphasised as the main route of norovirus transmission in the military forces, with eating outside the military setting an important route for the primary cases.

Conclusions

The present review highlights that norovirus gastroenteritis has been a burden to military troops both in combat and on peacekeeping operations. Norovirus disease has been shown to exact a substantial toll on mission readiness and operational effectiveness. It is noteworthy that the impact of norovirus outbreaks among military units is underestimated because the literature review retrieved information from the armed forces from only nine countries.
Building scale and well-being in a hospice: a qualitative exploration
Authors: Annemans Margo , Coomans Koen , Heylighen Ann
Published: May 2020

Objective

This study explored how built space plays out in palliative care, focusing on spatial aspects that could support or hamper patients’, relatives’ and caregivers’ well-being.

Methods

This study was conducted in a freestanding small-scale hospice combining a residential part for eight guests with a day-care part for groups of about five persons. Observations were combined with semistructured, individual interviews with eight guests (sometimes accompanied by relatives) and three focus-group interviews with staff, volunteers and relatives. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed based on the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven.

Results

The most important spatial aspects that impact on physical and social well-being in palliative care turned out to be the building scale and physical proximity. The small-scale setting counters the (often negative) association of palliative care with hospital environments. When the medical condition of the guest allows, it makes communal or outdoor spaces reachable, which enhances emotional and social well-being. In worse conditions, it still makes that care and nature are always nearby. The compactness of communal spaces intensifies social contacts.

Conclusions

The building scale and physical proximity play out in the relationship between the building and its surroundings, between the residential and the day-care parts and among people within the building. Future research could investigate to what extent these spatial aspects are relevant in more conventional palliative care units or even in general hospital wards.
Firearm access and adolescent suicide risk: toward a clearer understanding of effect size
Authors: Swanson Sonja A , Eyllon Mara , Sheu Yi-Han , Miller Matthew
Published: May 2020

Background

Strong and consistent associations between access to firearms and suicide have been found in ecologic and individual-level observational studies. For adolescents, a seminal case–control study estimated that living in a home with (vs without) a firearm was associated with a fourfold increase in the risk of death by suicide.

Methods

We use data from a nationally representative study of 10 123 US adolescents aged 13–18 years to (1) measure how much adolescents who live in a home with a firearm differ from those who do not in ways related to their risk of suicide, and (2) incorporate these differences into an updated effect estimate of the risk of adolescent suicide attributable to living in a home with firearms.

Results

Almost one-third (30.7%) of adolescents reported living in a home with firearms. Relative to those who did not, adolescents reporting living in a home with a firearm were slightly more likely to be male, older and reside in the South and rural areas, but few differences were identified for mental health characteristics. The effect size found by Brent and colleagues appeared robust to sources of possible residual confounding: updated relative risks remained above 4.0 across most sensitivity analyses and at least 3.1 in even the most conservative estimates.

Conclusions

Although unmeasured confounding and other biases may nonetheless remain, our updated estimates reinforce the suggestion that adolescents’ risk of suicide was increased threefold to fourfold if they had lived in homes with a firearm compared with if they had not.
Update and audit of the St George’s classification algorithm of primary lymphatic anomalies: a clinical and molecular approach to diagnosis
Authors: Gordon Kristiana , Varney Ruth , Keeley Vaughan , Riches Katie , Jeffery Steve , Van Zanten Malou , Mortimer Peter , Ostergaard Pia , Mansour Sahar
Published: May 2020

Primary lymphatic anomalies may present in a myriad of ways and are highly heterogenous. Careful consideration of the presentation can lead to an accurate clinical and/or molecular diagnosis which will assist with management. The most common presentation is lymphoedema, swelling resulting from failure of the peripheral lymphatic system. However, there may be internal lymphatic dysfunction, for example, chylous reflux, or lymphatic malformations, including the thorax or abdomen. A number of causal germline or postzygotic gene mutations have been discovered. Some through careful phenotyping and categorisation of the patients based on the St George’s classification pathway/algorithm. The St George’s classification algorithm is aimed at providing an accurate diagnosis for patients with lymphoedema based on age of onset, areas affected by swelling and associated clinical features. This has enabled the identification of new causative genes. This update brings the classification of primary lymphatic disorders in line with the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies 2018 classification for vascular anomalies. The St George’s algorithm considers combined vascular malformations and primary lymphatic anomalies. It divides the types of primary lymphatic anomalies into lymphatic malformations and primary lymphoedema. It further divides the primary lymphoedema into syndromic, generalised lymphatic dysplasia with internal/systemic involvement, congenital-onset lymphoedema and late-onset lymphoedema. An audit and update of the algorithm has revealed where new genes have been discovered and that a molecular diagnosis was possible in 26% of all patients overall and 41% of those tested.
De novomutations in the X-linkedTFE3gene cause intellectual disability with pigmentary mosaicism and storage disorder-like features
Authors: Lehalle Daphné , Vabres Pierre , Sorlin Arthur , Bierhals Tatjana , Avila Magali , Carmignac Virginie , Chevarin Martin , Torti Erin , Abe Yuichi , Bartolomaeus Tobias , Clayton-Smith Jill , Cogné Benjamin , Cusco Ivon , Duplomb Laurence , De Bont Eveline , Duffourd Yannis , Duijkers Floor , Elpeleg Orly , Fattal Aviva , Geneviève David , Guillen Sacoto Maria J , Guimier Anne , Harris David J , Hempel Maja , Isidor Bertrand , Jouan Thibaud , Kuentz Paul , Koshimizu Eriko , Lichtenbelt Klaske , Loik Ramey Valerie , Maik Miriam , Miyakate Sakoto , Murakami Yoshiko , Pasquier Laurent , Pedro Helio , Simone Laurie , Sondergaard-Schatz Krista , St-Onge Judith , Thevenon Julien , Valenzuela Irene , Abou Jamra Rami , van Gassen Koen , van Haelst Mieke M , van Koningsbruggen Silvana , Verdura Edgard , Whelan Habela Christa , Zacher Pia , Rivière Jean-Baptiste , Thauvin-Robinet Christel , Betschinger Joerg , Faivre Laurence
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Pigmentary mosaicism (PM) manifests by pigmentation anomalies along Blaschko’s lines and represents a clue toward the molecular diagnosis of syndromic intellectual disability (ID). Together with new insights on the role for lysosomal signalling in embryonic stem cell differentiation, mutations in the X-linked transcription factor 3 (TFE3) have recently been reported in five patients. Functional analysis suggested these mutations to result in ectopic nuclear gain of functions.

Materials and methods

Subsequent data sharing allowed the clustering ofde novo TFE3variants identified by exome sequencing on DNA extracted from leucocytes in patients referred for syndromic ID with or without PM.

Results

We describe the detailed clinical and molecular data of 17 individuals harbouring ade novo TFE3variant, including the patients that initially allowed reportingTFE3as a new disease-causing gene. The 12 females and 5 males presented with pigmentation anomalies on Blaschko’s lines, severe ID, epilepsy, storage disorder-like features, growth retardation and recognisable facial dysmorphism. The variant was at a mosaic state in at least two male patients. All variants were missense except one splice variant. Eleven of the 13 variants were localised in exon 4, 2 in exon 3, and 3 were recurrent variants.

Conclusion

This series further delineates the specific storage disorder-like phenotype with PM ascribed tode novo TFE3mutation in exons 3 and 4. It confirms the identification of a novel X-linked human condition associated with mosaicism and dysregulation within the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, as well as a link between lysosomal signalling and human development.
Evidence for polygenic and oligogenic basis of Australian sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: McCann Emily P , Henden Lyndal , Fifita Jennifer A , Zhang Katharine Y , Grima Natalie , Bauer Denis C , Chan Moi Fat Sandrine , Twine Natalie A , Pamphlett Roger , Kiernan Matthew C , Rowe Dominic B , Williams Kelly L , Blair Ian P
Published: May 2020

Background

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. Approximately 10% of cases are familial, while remaining cases are classified as sporadic. To date, >30 genes and several hundred genetic variants have been implicated in ALS.

Methods

Seven hundred and fifty-seven sporadic ALS cases were recruited from Australian neurology clinics. Detailed clinical data and whole genome sequencing (WGS) data were available from 567 and 616 cases, respectively, of which 426 cases had both datasets available. As part of a comprehensive genetic analysis, 853 genetic variants previously reported as ALS-linked mutations or disease-associated alleles were interrogated in sporadic ALS WGS data. Statistical analyses were performed to identify correlation between clinical variables, and between phenotype and the number of ALS-implicated variants carried by an individual. Relatedness between individuals carrying identical variants was assessed using identity-by-descent analysis.

Results

Forty-three ALS-implicated variants from 18 genes, includingC9orf72,ATXN2,TARDBP, SOD1, SQSTM1andSETX,were identified in Australian sporadic ALS cases. One-third of cases carried at least one variant and 6.82% carried two or more variants, implicating a potential oligogenic or polygenic basis of ALS. Relatedness was detected between two sporadic ALS cases carrying aSOD1p.I114T mutation, and among three cases carrying aSQSTM1p.K238E mutation. Oligogenic/polygenic sporadic ALS cases showed earlier age of onset than those with no reported variant.

Conclusion

We confirm phenotypic associations among ALS cases, and highlight the contribution of genetic variation to all forms of ALS.
‘Your country needs you’: the ethics of allocating staff to high-risk clinical roles in the management of patients with COVID-19
Authors: Dunn Michael , Sheehan Mark , Hordern Joshua , Turnham Helen Lynne , Wilkinson Dominic
Published: May 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic impacts on health service delivery, health providers are modifying care pathways and staffing models in ways that require health professionals to be reallocated to work in critical care settings. Many of the roles that staff are being allocated to in the intensive care unit and emergency department pose additional risks to themselves, and new policies for staff reallocation are causing distress and uncertainty to the professionals concerned. In this paper, we analyse a range of ethical issues associated with changes to staff allocation processes in the face of COVID-19. In line with a dominant view in the medical ethics literature, we claim, first, that no individual health professional has a specific, positive obligation to treat a patient when doing so places that professional at risk of harm, and so there is a clear ethical tension in any reallocation process in this context. Next, we argue that the changing asymmetries of health needs in hospitals means that careful consideration needs to be given to a stepwise process for deallocating staff from their usual duties. We conclude by considering how a justifiable process of reallocating professionals to high-risk clinical roles should be configured once those who are ‘fit for reallocation’ have been identified. We claim that this process needs to attend to three questions that we consider in detail: (1) how the choice to make reallocation decisions is made, (2) what justifiable models for reallocation might look like and (3) what is owed to those who are reallocated.
Applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in respiratory medicine
Authors: Gonem Sherif , Janssens Wim , Das Nilakash , Topalovic Marko
Published: May 2020

The past 5 years have seen an explosion of interest in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques in medicine. This has been driven by the development of deep neural networks (DNNs)—complex networks residing in silico but loosely modelled on the human brain—that can process complex input data such as a chest radiograph image and output a classification such as ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’. DNNs are ‘trained’ using large banks of images or other input data that have been assigned the correct labels. DNNs have shown the potential to equal or even surpass the accuracy of human experts in pattern recognition tasks such as interpreting medical images or biosignals. Within respiratory medicine, the main applications of AI and machine learning thus far have been the interpretation of thoracic imaging, lung pathology slides and physiological data such as pulmonary function tests. This article surveys progress in this area over the past 5 years, as well as highlighting the current limitations of AI and machine learning and the potential for future developments.
The M-sigma relation of supermassive black holes from the scalar field dark matter
Authors: Lee Jae-Weon , Kim Hyeong-Chan , Lee Jungjai
Published: May 2020

We show a relation between the mass of supermassive black holes in galaxies and the velocity dispersions of their bulges in the scalar field or the Bose–Einstein condensate dark matter model. The gravity of the central black holes changes boundary conditions of the scalar field at the galactic centers. Owing to the wave nature of the dark matter, this significantly changes the galactic dark matter halo profiles even though the black holes are much lighter than the bulges. As a result the heavier the black holes are, the more compact the bulges are, and hence the larger the velocity dispersions are. This tendency is verified by a numerical study showing the M-sigma relation reproduced with the dark matter particle mass [Formula: see text] eV.
On the discrete version of the black hole solution
Authors: Khatsymovsky V. M.
Published: May 2020

A Schwarzschild-type solution in Regge calculus is considered. Earlier, we considered a mechanism of loose fixing of edge lengths due to the functional integral measure arising from integration over connection in the functional integral for the connection representation of the Regge action. The length scale depends on a free dimensionless parameter that determines the final functional measure. For this parameter and the length scale large in Planck units, the resulting effective action is close to the Regge action.

Earlier, we considered the Regge action in terms of affine connection matrices as functions of the metric inside the 4-simplices and found that it is a finite-difference form of the Hilbert–Einstein action in the leading order over metric variations between the 4-simplices.

Now we take the (continuum) Schwarzschild problem in the form where spherical symmetry is not set a priori and arises just in the solution, take the finite-difference form of the corresponding equations and get the metric (in fact, in the Lemaitre or Painlevé–Gullstrand like frame), which is nonsingular at the origin, just as the Newtonian gravitational potential, obeying the difference Poisson equation with a point source, is cutoff at the elementary length and is finite at the source.
Measurements of the tensor analyzing power T20 of the reaction γd → dπ0
Authors: Gauzshtein V. V. , Levchuk M. I. , Loginov A. Yu. , Nikolenko D. M. , Rachek I. A. , Sadykov R. Sh. , Shestakov Yu. V. , Toporkov D. K. , Tryasuchev V. A. , Vasilishin B. I. , Zevakov S. A. , Bogomyagkov A. V. , Zhuravlev A. N. , Karnaev S. E. , Kiselev V. A. , Levichev E. B. , Meshkov O. I. , Mishnev S. I. , Okunev I. N. , Piminov P. A. , Simonov E. A. , Sinyatkin S. V. , Starostina E.V.
Published: May 2020

The paper presents the results of measurements of the tensor analyzing power component [Formula: see text] for the coherent neutral pion photoproduction on the deuteron. The measurements were performed in the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics using the internal tensor polarized deuterium target at VEPP-3 storage ring. The measurements covered the region of the photon energy 240 — 420[Formula: see text]MeV and the region of the center-of-mass pion polar angle 100–140[Formula: see text]. The results of measurements were compared with the calculations performed within frameworks of several theoretical models.
The Relationship Between Extra Connectivity and t/k-Diagnosability of Regular Networks
Authors: LIU WENJUN
Published: May 2020

The g-extra connectivity of a multiprocessor system modeled by a graph G, denoted by [Formula: see text] (G), is the minimum number of removed vertices such that the network is disconnected and each residual component has no less than g + 1 vertices. The t/k-diagnosis strategy can detect up to t faulty processors which might include at most k misdiagnosed processors. These two parameters are important to measure the fault tolerant ability of a multiprocessor system. The extra connectivity and t/k-diagnosability of many well-known networks have been investigated extensively and independently. However, the general relationship between the extra connectivity and the t/k-diagnosability of general regular networks has not been established. In this paper, we explore the relationship between the k-extra connectivity and t/k-diagnosability for regular networks under the classic PMC diagnostic model. More specifically, we derive the relationship between 1-extra connectivity and pessimistic diagnosability for regular networks. Furthermore, the t/k-diagnosability and pessimistic diagnosability of some networks, including star network, BC networks, Cayley graphs generated by transposition trees etc., are determined.
Traces of the Multifractal Nature of the Financial Crises in Turkey: Co-Movement of the Hölder Exponents and Large-Scale Forecast
Authors: Oygur Tunc , Unal Gazanfer
Published: May 2020

This paper investigates the multifractal behavior of the probability of default (PD) of real sector firms and Turkey sovereign credit default swap (CDS). Moreover, we emphasize the co-movements of Hölder exponents during the financial crisis periods. For this reason, first, it is necessary to figure out the default probabilities of real sector firms. The default probability is evaluated weekly by the methodology of Moody’s Analytics, which is a commonly used approach, in which the market value of a firm is a call option written on its total assets. Multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA), multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis (MF-DCCA) and multifractal detrended moving average cross-correlation analysis (MF-X-DMA) techniques are applied to identify the multifractal behavior of the large-scale fluctuations of PDs and CDSs. In this way, we can evaluate the local Hurst exponents. Besides, the oscillation method is employed to estimate the pointwise and local Hölder exponents. In the period between January 2001 and March 2018, the structure of dynamic co-movements of Hölder exponents is determined by applying wavelet coherency methodology and the relations in crisis period are revealed. The selected period covers the crises with structural differences: Turkey banking crisis, the US sub-prime mortgage crisis and the European sovereign debt crisis that occurred in 2001, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Besides, during the periods of financial crises, among the local Hölder exponents, severely correlated large scales show multifractal features, and hence vector fractionally autoregressive integrated moving average (VFARIMA) forecasting provides better results than scalar models.
Spectral distance on Lorentzian Moyal plane
Authors: Chakraborty Anwesha , Chakraborty Biswajit
Published: May 2020

We present here a completely operatorial approach, using Hilbert–Schmidt operators, to compute spectral distances between time-like separated “events”, associated with the pure states of the algebra describing the Lorentzian Moyal plane, using the axiomatic framework given by [N. Franco, The Lorentzian distance formula in noncommutative geometry, J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 968(1) (2018) 012005; N. Franco, Temporal Lorentzian spectral triples, Rev. Math. Phys. 26(8) (2014) 1430007]. The result shows no deformations of non-commutative origin, as in the Euclidean case, if the pure states are constructed out of Glauber–Sudarshan coherent states.
THE SPILLOVER EFFECTS OF THE RE-IMPOSED UNITED STATES SANCTIONS ON IRAN ON MENA, THE PRC, RUSSIA, AND TURKEY
Authors: PELZMAN JOSEPH
Published: May 2020

Iran has faced US sanctions in one form or another since its invasion of the US Embassy in Iran in 1979. The 2007-08 period marked the initiation of heightened international sanctions on Iran imposed by the UN Security Council in reaction to Iran’s nuclear program. These sanctions were tightened in 2010, when the UN Security Council, the US Congress, and the European Union all implemented separate sets of sanctions targeting either the Iranian nuclear program or the energy and banking sectors.

Under the Obama Administration the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) was signed in late 2013 and within months the United States and the EU took steps to waive specific sanctions. In 2015 the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed, which lifted nuclear-related sanctions by the UN, EU and US.

The Trump Administration on May 8, 2018 announced the US withdrawal from the JCPOA and directed federal agencies to begin to take steps to re-impose the sanctions established under U.S. law that were lifted or waived in order for the United States to meet its commitments in the JCPOA.

On November 5, 2018, all pre-JCPOA - U.S. sanctions on foreign firms that conduct transactions in all of Iran’s core economic sectors, including energy, banking, shipping, and manufacturing, went back into effect. These include sanctions on “petroleum-related transactions” and transactions by foreign banks with Iran’s Central Bank. In addition,700 Iranian and third country entities have again been designated by the United States as sanctioned entities, meaning that foreign firms that transact business with these entities could face virtual exclusion from the U.S. economy.

With the re-imposition of sanctions on Iran, in 2018, the US finds itself as a lone player in a world where the EU, the PRC, Russia and a group of MENA countries have no intentions to comply with these re-imposed sanctions. The purpose of this paper, consequently, is to assess the spillover effects which can be expected to result from the US re-imposition of Iran sanctions on relevant MENA countries, the PRC, Russia and Turkey.
POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: POST-COMMUNIST NATIONS
Authors: MARDANOV ISMATILLA
Published: May 2020

The literature has extensively investigated the relationships between country economic and political institutions and human well-being. I assume that economic institutions can be the determinants of human development and provide a more robust explanation of the latter under the influence of political institutions in the 2SLS instrumental variable estimation than in the ordinary least square (OLS) estimation. I also assume that most of the Post-Communist Nations (PCN) were transitioning their economic and social systems focusing on human development, among other critical reforms and programs. Data confirm this assumption for 22 countries out of 25. Results indicate that there were causal relationships between human development and business, monetary, and investment freedom, and freedom from corruption and government spending. Only government spending had a negative effect on human development. Economic, labor, trade, fiscal, and financial freedom were not endogenous variables with strong instruments. Therefore, these institutions did not have a stronger impact on human development. External validation of the estimates using data from the rest of the world confirms the results. All the mentioned economic institutions had a significant impact on human development in the rest of the world under the influence of the same instrumental variables: political rights, civil liberties, property rights, the median age of the population, and geographic location. Government spending again had a significant and negative effect on human development.
Online Dispute Resolution and the Future of Justice
Authors: Rule Colin
Published: May 2020

Technology is changing the way we interact with each other, which in turn is changing the way we resolve our disputes. Every society throughout history has crafted social institutions to resolve problems fairly and consistently, and that is true also for the online society we are building on the Internet. Online dispute resolution (ODR) is the study of how to effectively use technology to help parties resolve their disputes. Originally crafted by companies like eBay to promote trust in eCommerce, ODR is now being integrated into the courts to expand access to justice and reduce costs. With the expansion of artificial intelligence and machine learning, ODR has the potential to become the new default for fast and fair resolutions, but there are many questions that still need to be answered, and much potential for fraud and abuse. In this article, I explain the need for ODR, provide a short history of its evolution, outline a rubric for building ODR systems, share some case studies demonstrating its use, and describe some ethical dilemmas that could accompany its expansion.
Exogenous ketosis impacts neither performance nor muscle glycogen breakdown in prolonged endurance exercise
Authors: Poffé Chiel , Ramaekers Monique , Bogaerts Stijn , Hespel Peter
Published: May 2020

Exogenous ketosis produced by oral ketone ester ingestion during the early phase of prolonged endurance exercise and against the background of adequate carbohydrate intake neither causes muscle glycogen sparing nor improves performance in the final stage of the event. However, such exogenous ketosis may decrease buffering capacity in the approach of the final episode of the event. Furthermore, ketone ester intake during exercise may reduce appetite immediately after exercise.
Cytokines Induce Monkey Neural Stem Cell Differentiation through Notch Signaling
Authors: Wang Min , Yu Liming , Zhu Lu-Ying , He Hua , Ren Jie , Pan Jie , Xie Xiaoyun , Cai Chunhui , Lu Lixia , Tian Haibin , Chen Li , Zhang Ying , Liu Yuehua , Zhang Ce , Gao Zhengliang , Han Xin-Xin
Published: May 2020

The mammalian central nervous system (CNS) has a limited ability to renew the damaged cells after a brain or spinal cord injury whether it is nonhuman primates like monkeys or humans. Transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) is a potential therapy for CNS injuries due to their pluripotency and differentiation abilities. Cytokines play an important role in CNS development and repair of CNS injuries. However, the detailed cytokine signaling response in monkey neural stem cells is rarely studied. In our previous research, we isolated NSCs from the adult monkey brain and found the effects of cytokines on monkey NSCs. Now, we further analyzed the regulation mechanisms of cytokines to the proliferation of monkey NSCs such as bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4), BMP4/leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), or retinoic acid (RA)/Forskolin. The data showed that BMP4 inhibited cell proliferation to arrest, but it did not affect the stemness of NSCs. BMP4/LIF promoted the astrocyte‐like differentiation of monkey NSCs, and RA/forskolin induced the neuronal differentiation of monkey NSCs. BMP4/LIF and RA/forskolin induced monkey NSC differentiation by regulating Notch signaling. These results provide some theoretical evidence for NSC therapy to brain or spinal cord injury in regenerative medicine.
Effects of Exercise on Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: A Narrative Review of the Evidence, Possible Biological Mechanisms, and Recommendations for Exercise Prescription
Authors: Quigley Adria , MacKay-Lyons Marilyn , Eskes Gail
Published: May 2020

Physical activity and exercise have emerged as potential methods to improve brain health among older adults. However, there are currently no physical activity guidelines aimed at improving cognitive function, and the mechanisms underlying these cognitive benefits are poorly understood. The purpose of this narrative review is to present the current evidence regarding the effects of physical activity and exercise on cognition in older adults without cognitive impairment, identify potential mechanisms underlying these effects, and make recommendations for exercise prescription to enhance cognitive performance. The review begins with a summary of evidence of the effect of chronic physical activity and exercise on cognition. Attention then turns to four main biological mechanisms that appear to underlie exercise-induced cognitive improvement, including the upregulation of growth factors and neuroplasticity, inhibition of inflammatory biomarker production, improved vascular function, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation. The last section provides an overview of exercise parameters known to optimize cognition in older adults, such as exercise type, frequency, intensity, session duration, and exercise program duration.
Intestinal Levodopa/Carbidopa Infusion as a Therapeutic Option for Unresponsive Freezing of Gait after Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: González-Herrero Belén , Jauma-Classen Serge , Gómez-Llopico Roser , Plans Gerard , Calopa Matilde
Published: May 2020

Background. Treatment of freezing of gait (FOG) is always challenging because of its unpredictable nature and multifactorial physiopathology. Intestinal levodopa infusion has been proposed in recent years as a valuable option for its improvement. FOG in Parkinson’s disease (PD) can appear after deep brain stimulation in patients who never had gait symptoms. Objective. To study the effects of intestinal levodopa/carbidopa infusion in unresponsive-FOG that appears in PD patients treated with subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation. Methods. We retrospectively collected and analyzed demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data from five PD patients treated with subthalamic nucleus stimulation who developed unresponsive-FOG and received intestinal levodopa/carbidopa infusion as an alternative therapy. FOG was measured based on scores in item 14 of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale before and after intestinal levodopa infusion. Results. Administration of intestinal levodopa caused improvement of FOG in the “ON” state in four patients (80%) by 2 or more points in item 14 of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. The improvement was maintained for at least 12 months. Conclusions. Intestinal levodopa infusion may be a valuable therapeutic option for unresponsive-FOG developed after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation.
Influence of Prolonged Dental Bleaching on the Adhesive Bond Strength to Enamel Surfaces
Authors: Baia Juliana C. P. , Oliveira Roberta P. , Ribeiro Mara E. S. , Lima Rafael R. , Loretto Sandro C. , Silva e Souza Junior Mário H.
Published: May 2020

The objective of this in vitro study was to assess the influence of prolonged bleaching pre- and postrestoration on the bond strength (microshear) to enamel using 4% hydrogen peroxide (PH4). In the postrestorative bleached specimens evaluation, the composite cylinders were assembled after bleaching, while in the prebleached specimens, the cylinders were assembled before. Therefore, in the postbleached specimens, 60 bovine teeth were randomly assigned as follows: G1: control; G2: 14 days bleaching before bond strength (BS) testing; G3: 21 days; and G4: 28 days. In prebleached specimens, 180 bovine teeth were randomly assigned as follows: G1: control; G5: 14 days bleaching, storage in artificial saliva (AS) for 24 h before BS testing; G6: 14 days beaching, AS storage for 7 days before BS testing; G7: 21 days bleaching, AS storage for 24  h before BS testing; G8: 21 days bleaching, AS storage for 7 days before BS testing; G9: 28 days bleaching, AS storage for 24 hours before BS testing; and G10 : 28 days bleaching, AS storage for 7 days before BS testing. The results were submitted to ANOVA one-way (postrestoration bleaching) and two-way (prerestoration bleaching) and Tukey’s post hoc test (p≤0.05). In the postrestoration bleaching, no statistical difference between times was found. However, when bleached groups were compared to the control (G1), an expressive difference was detected (p≤0.0001). For prerestoration bleaching, all experimental groups were statistically different from G1 (p≤0.05), except G6 (p≥0.01), and for G5 and G6, statistical differences were found (p≤0.01). There were no significant differences between G7 and G8 and between G9 and G10, regardless of the AS storage times (p≥0.05). It was concluded that prolonged bleaching with PH4 decreased adhesion resistance regardless of the moment of the bleaching (post- and prerestoration bleaching).
Mining the Prognostic Value of HNRNPAB and Its Function in Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Cao Yun , Zhang Wei , Jin Yi-Ting , Zou Qiang
Published: May 2020

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (HNRNPs) are crucial members in the pathogenesis and progression of numerous cancers. However, the expression pattern and clinical significance of HNRNPs in breast carcinoma (BC) remain to be investigated. In the present study, bioinformatic analysis identified HNRNPAB as the only commonly upregulated HNRNP in BC. Elevated expression of HNRNPAB was positively associated with more aggressive diseases and poorer survival rates in BC. Pathway analysis revealed that HNRNPAB coexpressed genes were enriched in the pathway of G2/M phase transition, and the expression level of HNRNPAB was strongly correlated with those of CCNB1, CDK1, CDC25A, and CDC25C. Experiments in vitro demonstrated that HNRNPAB knockdown suppressed cell proliferation and blocked the G2/M phase transition in BC. Taken together, this study provides the initial evidence that HNRNPAB may be employed as an innovative therapeutic target as well as a prognostic biomarker in BC patients.
Radiofrequency Ablation for Early Superficial Flat Esophageal Squamous Cell Neoplasia: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Lei Siyu , Mulmi Shrestha Sachin , Shi Ruihua
Published: May 2020

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma comprises the majority of esophageal carcinoma in the Eastern Asia. The need of early detection of precancerous neoplastic lesions and cancer has been necessitated due to the probability of progression to the advanced stage and its poor prognosis. In recent times, many endoscopic modalities have come into practice for early detection and treatment. Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been recommended as an efficient therapy in treating the dysplastic mucosa in Barrett’s esophagus (BE). Its potential in reversing neoplastic lesions in squamous epithelium has been gradually explored. This article is aimed at reviewing the current evidence regarding the use of RFA on esophageal squamous cell neoplasia.