bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of a knot and its conformational relaxation on the ejection of a single polymer chain from confinement
Authors: Park Chung Bin , Kwon Seulki , Sung Bong June
Published: August 2019

The ejection of a single polymer chain out of confinement is a ubiquitous phenomenon in various engineering and biological processes. A virus, for example, ejects a DNA from its viral capsid to a host cell in order to infect the host. The ejection of a polymer chain is often relatively fast such that the polymer hardly relaxes its conformation and stays in nonequilibrium states during the ejection. However, the effects of the nonequilibrium conformation on the ejection process still remain unanswered, especially when a complicated conformation such as a knot exists. In this study, we employ a generic coarse-grained model and perform extensive molecular simulations to investigate how the knot and its conformational relaxation would affect the kinetics of the ejection process. We find that the ejection becomes slower by a factor of nine or more when the polymer chain forms a knot conformation inside the confinement. The knot conformation makes the polymer chain highly tensed, thus hindering the polymer from being pulled from the capsid. In order to investigate the effect of the knot and its conformational relaxation systematically, we tune the molecular parameters of the polymer chain and control the degree of relaxation of the knot conformation. The relaxation of the knot conformation facilitates the ejection process significantly.
Optical properties of metamorphic type-I InAs1−xSbx/Aly In1−y As quantum wells grown on GaAs for the mid-infrared spectral range
Authors: Repiso Eva , Broderick Christopher A , de la Mata Maria , Arkani Reza , Lu Qi , Marshall Andrew R J , Molina Sergio I , O’Reilly Eoin P , Carrington Peter J , Krier Anthony
Published: August 2019

We analyse the optical properties of InAs1−x
Sb
x
/Al
y 
In1−y 
As quantum wells (QWs) grown by molecular beam epitaxy on relaxed Al
y 
In1−y 
As metamorphic buffer layers (MBLs) using GaAs substrates. The use of Al
y 
In1−y 
As MBLs allows for the growth of QWs having large type-I band offsets, and emission wavelengths  >3

m. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements for QWs having Sb compositions up to x  =  10% demonstrate strong room temperature PL up to 3.4

m, as well as enhancement of the PL intensity with increasing wavelength. To quantify the trends in the measured PL we calculate the QW spontaneous emission (SE), using a theoretical model based on an eight-band

Hamiltonian. The theoretical calculations, which are in good agreement with experiment, identify that the observed enhancement in PL intensity with increasing wavelength is associated with the impact of compressive strain on the QW valence band structure, which reduces the band edge density of states making more carriers available to undergo radiative recombination at fixed carrier density. Our results highlight the potential of type-I InAs1−x
Sb
x
/Al
y 
In1−y 
As metamorphic QWs to address several limitations associated with existing heterostructures operating in the mid-infrared, establishing these novel heterostructures as a suitable platform for the development of light-emitting diodes and diode lasers.
Constructing Suspicion Through Forensic DNA Databases in the EU. The Views of the Prüm Professionals
Authors: Machado Helena , Granja Rafaela , Amelung Nina
Published: July 2019

This article explores the fluid and flexible forms of constructing suspicion, which take shape in transnational governance of crime through forensic DNA databases. The empirical examples are the views of professionals engaged with the so-called Prüm system. This technological identification system was developed to enable DNA data exchange across EU Member States in the context of police and judicial cooperation to control cross-border crime and terrorism. We argue that suspicion is constructed through forms of deterritorializing and reterritorializing assumptions about criminality linked to the movements of suspect communities across the European Union. Transnational crime management is configured through narratives of global expansion of criminal mobility, technical neutrality of DNA identification and the reliance on criminal categorizations of particular national populations.
Morphological and genetic characterization in putative hybrid zones of Petunia axillaris subsp. axillaris and subsp. parodii (Solanaceae)
Authors: Giudicelli Giovanna C , Turchetto Caroline , Teixeira Marcelo C , Freitas Loreta B
Published: July 2019

Petunia axillaris subsp. axillaris and P. axillaris subsp. parodii (Solanaceae) are closely related taxa primarily distinguished by their geographical distribution and floral morphology. Both are found in the southern South American Pampas ecoregion, with the latter also occurring in the Chaco ecoregion; in the Pampas, taxa occupying adjacent areas and intermediary morphologies have been observed. Here, we explored morphological traits and genetic polymorphisms to test the occurrence of hybrid zones between these taxa along the Negro River (Uruguay) and southern Brazil. Morphological data showed variation among the groups, although they could have some overlap. Genetic data also support the differences between them and hybrid zones. These findings suggest that the divergence between P. axillaris subspecies occurred with occasional hybridization in their contact zones.
Long-range fibre damage in small vessel brain disease affects aphasia severity
Authors: Wilmskoetter Janina , Marebwa Barbara , Basilakos Alexandra , Fridriksson Julius , Rorden Chris , Stark Brielle C , Johnson Lisa , Hickok Gregory , Hillis Argye E , Bonilha Leonardo
Published: July 2019

We sought to determine the underlying pathophysiology relating white matter hyperintensities to chronic aphasia severity. We hypothesized that: (i) white matter hyperintensities are associated with damage to fibres of any length, but to a higher percentage of long-range compared to mid- and short-range intracerebral white matter fibres; and (ii) the number of long-range fibres mediates the relationship between white matter hyperintensities and chronic post-stroke aphasia severity. We measured the severity of periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensities and calculated the number and percentages of short-, mid- and long-range white matter fibres in 48 individuals with chronic post-stroke aphasia. Correlation and mediation analyses were performed to assess the relationship between white matter hyperintensities, connectome fibre-length measures and aphasia severity as measured with the aphasia quotient of the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-AQ). We found that more severe periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensities correlated with a lower proportion of long-range fibres (r = −0.423, P = 0.003 and r = −0.315, P = 0.029, respectively), counterbalanced by a higher proportion of short-range fibres (r = 0.427, P = 0.002 and r = 0.285, P = 0.050, respectively). More severe periventricular white matter hyperintensities also correlated with a lower proportion of mid-range fibres (r = −0.334, P = 0.020), while deep white matter hyperintensities did not correlate with mid-range fibres (r = −0.169, P = 0.250). Mediation analyses revealed: (i) a significant total effect of periventricular white matter hyperintensities on WAB-AQ (standardized beta = −0.348, P = 0.008); (ii) a non-significant direct effect of periventricular white matter hyperintensities on WAB-AQ (P > 0.05); (iii) significant indirect effects of more severe periventricular white matter hyperintensities on worse aphasia severity mediated in parallel by fewer long-range fibres (effect = −6.23, bootstrapping: standard error = 2.64, 95%CI: −11.82 to −1.56) and more short-range fibres (effect = 4.50, bootstrapping: standard error = 2.59, 95%CI: 0.16 to 10.29). We conclude that small vessel brain disease seems to affect chronic aphasia severity through a change of the proportions of long- and short-range fibres. This observation provides insight into the pathophysiology of small vessel brain disease, and its relationship with brain health and chronic aphasia severity.
Disruption of Transient SERT Expression in Thalamic Glutamatergic Neurons Alters Trajectory of Postnatal Interneuron Development in the Mouse Cortex
Authors: De Gregorio Roberto , Chen Xiaoning , Petit Emilie I , Dobrenis Kostantin , Sze Ji Ying
Published: August 2019

In mice, terminal differentiation of subpopulations of interneurons occurs in late postnatal stages, paralleling the emergence of the adult cortical architecture. Here, we investigated the effects of altered initial cortical architecture on later interneuron development. We identified that a class of somatostatin (SOM)-expressing GABAergic interneurons undergoes terminal differentiation between 2nd and 3rd postnatal week in the mouse somatosensory barrel cortex and upregulates Reelin expression during neurite outgrowth. Our previous work demonstrated that transient expression (E15-P10) of serotonin uptake transporter (SERT) in thalamocortical projection neurons regulates barrel elaboration during cortical map establishment. We show here that in thalamic neuron SERT knockout mice, these SOM-expressing interneurons develop at the right time, reach correct positions and express correct neurochemical markers, but only 70% of the neurons remain in the adult barrel cortex. Moreover, those neurons that remain display altered dendritic patterning. Our data indicate that a precise architecture at the cortical destination is not essential for specifying late-developing interneuron identities, their cortical deposition, and spatial organization, but dictates their number and dendritic structure ultimately integrated into the cortex. Our study illuminates how disruption of temporal-specific SERT function and related key regulators during cortical map establishment can alter interneuron development trajectory that persists to adult central nervous system.
Study on Data Transfer in Meteorological Forecast of Small and Medium-Sized Cities and Its Application in Zhaoqing City
Authors: Huang Tianwen , Jiao Fei
Published: July 2019

Using historical data, a machine learning model is usually built to forecast the future meteorological elements such as temperature, precipitation, etc. However, for numerous small and medium-sized cities, it is a challenging task because the maintained data of these cities are usually very limited due to historical or infrastructural reasons. So it is difficult to build an accurate forecast model in small and medium-sized cities. Aiming at this problem, a forecast method based on transfer learning method is proposed. Using instance-based transfer learning, this method extends the data of the target city by transferring the data from related cities and then builds a forecast model based on the extended dataset, so that the problem of insufficient samples in machine learning is solved. As a case study, the proposed technique is applied in Zhaoqing City, China. In the experiments, the data of temperature sequence and the precipitation sequence of Gaoyao weather station in Zhaoqing district are extended according to the data of related cities. The transferred temperature data and precipitation data are collected from 1884 to 1997 in Hong Kong and 1908 to 2016 in Guangzhou, respectively. Then temperature and precipitation forecasting models are built based on least square method and autoregressive integrated moving average. The experimental results have been verified by the actual situation. The results justify the effectiveness of the proposed method in building accurate meteorological forecasting model with limited data, and the superiority over existing techniques.
Insect Defoliators in Recovering Industrial Landscapes: Effects of Landscape Degradation and Remediation Near an Abandoned Metal Smelter on Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Feeding, Frass Production, and Frass Properties
Authors: McTavish Michael J , Smenderovac Emily , Gunn John , Murphy Stephen D
Published: August 2019

Although insect defoliators are recognized as major agents of ecological change in North American forests, their ecology in industrially degraded landscapes with poor-quality soils, metal contamination, and marginal vegetation growth is largely unknown. We fed gypsy moth larvae (Lymantria dispar L.) paper birch leaves (Betula papyrifera Marsh) (Fagales: Betulaceae) collected from four forested catchment areas near an abandoned Cu/Ni smelter in Sudbury (Ontario, Canada) with different histories of industrial degradation and remediation (reference, remediated, natural recovery, and degraded). We measured caterpillar feeding, frass properties and decomposability, and the effects of frass on the growth of ticklegrass (Agrostis scabra Willd.) (Poales: Poaceae). Caterpillars generally ate more (+25–50%) and produced more frass (+30–40 %) on a diet of leaves from the more industrially degraded sites. Frass had an overall positive effect on plant survivorship (+4.1–10.8 effect size) and growth (+0.1–0.5 effect size), although the smallest benefits came from frass derived from vegetation from the more heavily degraded sites. Our results suggest that defoliating insects respond to differences in environmental degradation and remediation and that industrial landscapes may be particularly susceptible to more extensive defoliation and increased conversion of foliar biomass into frass, which could alter plant growth and survivorship, soil development, and nutrient and metal cycling. Some of these effects may pose additional challenges to landscape recovery (e.g., increased defoliation) while others may be beneficial (e.g., enhanced plant growth and soil development).
Variation in primary health care services after implementation of quality improvement policy in Brazil
Authors: Vieira-Meyer Anya P G F , Machado Maria de Fatima A S , Gubert Fabiane A , Morais Ana Patricia P , Paula Sampaio Yana , Saintrain Maria Vieira L , Cameron Drew , Reynolds Sarah , Ram Tala Katarina , Fernald Lia
Published: July 2019

Background

Brazil is the most populous country with a public, universal and free health care system. The National Program for Access and Quality Improvement in Primary Care (PMAQ) was created to improve the quality of primary health care (PHC).

Objective

To evaluated whether progress generally has been made within Brazil’s PHC since PMAQ implementation, and if changes occurred uniformly in the country, while also identifying municipal characteristics that may have influenced the improvement.

Methods

This is an observational study using data from PMAQ external evaluation (2012 and 2014), a 1200-item survey used to evaluate Brazilian PHC quality. After confirming the groupings of items using factor analysis, we created 23 composed indexes (CIs) related to infrastructure and work process.

Results

On average, the large majority of CIs showed improvements between 2012 and 2014. Region and city size moderated changes in the PHC indices differently. Overall, there were better improvements in infrastructure in the Northeast compared with other country regions, and in smaller cities (10 000–20 000 people). Infrastructure indices appear to have improved equitably across the country. Work process improvements varied with city size and region.

Conclusion

Despite similar support of PMAQ across the country, improvements are not predictable nor homogeneous. Non-uniform improvements were seen in Brazil’s PHC. Though we do not directly evaluate the effectiveness of the PMAQ (financial reward) method, these initial findings suggest that it is a potentially useful tool to improve health systems, but additional support may be needed in regions that lag behind in quality improvements.
Decentralization in India’s health sector: insights from a capacity building intervention in Karnataka
Authors: Rao Seshadri Shreelata , Kothai Krishna
Published: July 2019

The Government of India has adopted decentralization/devolution as a vehicle for promoting greater equity and supporting people-centred, responsive health systems. This article reports on our year-long intervention project in Karnataka, South India, and articulates insights of both practical and theoretical significance. It explores the intersection of the political goal of enhanced local level autonomy and the programmatic goal of more responsive health service delivery. Focusing on the Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Committees (VHSNCs) set up under the National (Rural) Health Mission (NHM), the project set out to explore the extent to which political and programmatic decentralization are functional at the village level; the consonance between the design and objectives of decentralization under NHM; and whether sustained supportive capacity building can create the necessary conditions for more genuine decentralization and effective collaboration between village-level functionaries. Our methodology uses exploratory research with Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members and functionaries of the Health Department, followed by a year-long capacity building programme aimed at strengthening co-ordination and synergy between functionaries responsible for political and programmatic decentralization. We find that health sector decentralization at the village level in Karnataka is at risk due to lack of convergence between political and programmatic arms of government. This is compounded by problems inherent in the design of the decentralization mechanism at the district level and below. Sustained capacity building of the VHSNC can contribute to more effective decentralization, as part of a larger package of interventions that (1) provides for financial and other resources from the district (or higher) level to political and programme functionaries at the periphery; (2) helps the functionaries to develop a shared understanding of the salience of the VHSNC in addressing the health needs of their community; and (3) supports them to collaborate effectively to achieve clearly articulated outcomes.
A multicountry European study on Succeed: a general quality improvement tool in HIV prevention
Authors: Urwitz Viveca , Vuylsteke Bea , Apers Hanne , Hales David , Wentzlaff-Eggebert Matthias , Nöstlinger Christiana
Published: July 2019

The context-sensitive nature of the European HIV epidemic (e.g. differences in key populations, prevention settings, resource commitments) makes it challenging to monitor and evaluate HIV prevention and sexual health promotion programs. Systematic quality improvement (QI) tools and quality indicators adapted to HIV prevention are not widely known or implemented. The European ‘Quality Action’ introduced five such tools in 26 countries involving 45 nongovernmental and governmental organizations during 2014–2016. Approximately, half of the organizations used the tool ‘Succeed’. This study aims to describe challenges and supportive factors in its use, and answers the research question if Succeed can be applied as a general QI tool despite the high contextuality of the European HIV prevention field. Mixed method research was conducted: data from quantitative pre- and post-training and implementation surveys were triangulated with qualitative data from multiple data sources analysed inductively. In a second analytical step, Chaudoir’s evidence-based framework on implementation of innovations (2013) guided the data analysis on five levels: policy, organization, functionality of the tool, results and perceived innovations. Succeed contributed to goal and result orientation, facilitated stakeholders’ participation and contributed to organizational development. Succeed was used in similar ways and with similar results across different policy contexts, types of organizations, target groups and interventions. Contributing factors for sustainable implementation were supporting environments, sufficient resources and a strategy for training tool users. Findings strongly support the use of Succeed as a general QI tool to monitor, document, adapt and improve HIV prevention and sexual health promotion work across Europe.
Young mums are rebuilding the spurdog stock (Squalus acanthias L.) in Norwegian waters
Authors: Albert Ole Thomas , Junge Claudia , Myrlund Marlén Knutsen
Published: July 2019

Based on a sampling programme of spurdog (Squalus acanthias) from Norwegian fishery landing sites during 2014–2018, the spatio-temporal distribution, size, sex, and age composition of this previously heavily overfished shark is described and compared to the situation before the stock collapsed. Among those spurdog large enough to be caught in the fisheries, all size groups, both sexes, and all maturity stages were present in the 3948 individuals examined from the landing sites. This shows that spurdog utilizes Norwegian coastal waters year-round and for their whole life cycle. The age composition was similar for males and females, and both were observed from age 3 up to the mid-30s. Age at 50% maturity was 9.5 years for females, and near-term females were mostly found during August–January without any clear latitudinal difference. The stock is largely dominated by younger age groups, and the mean age of late gravid females was 15 years, with an interquartile range of 12–16 years. This compares to a generation time of 25 years used elsewhere and is considered to be indicative of sound recruitment of a rebuilding stock. Analyses across age groups indicate that the recent rate of increase in year-class size for adult age groups is much larger than estimated in the assessments. Possible reasons for this and the need for further studies are discussed.
Does transatrial-transpulmonary approach improve outcomes compared with transventricular approach in non-neonatal patients undergoing tetralogy of Fallot repair?
Authors: Ye Xin Tao , Buratto Edward , Konstantinov Igor E , d’Udekem Yves
Published: July 2019

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether the transatrial-transpulmonary approach to tetralogy of Fallot repair in non-neonatal patients provides superior outcomes compared with the transventricular approach. Altogether, 175 papers were found using the reported search, of which 11 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 3 observational studies showed that the transatrial approach resulted in better preservation of right ventricular (RV) function, whereas 4 observational studies showed no significant difference. Three observational studies showed better attenuation of RV dilatation, whereas 3 showed no difference. One RCT and 2 observational studies showed lower incidence of postoperative ventricular arrhythmias, while 1 RCT and 4 observational studies showed no difference. Two observational studies demonstrated greater freedom from reoperation, 1 RCT and 2 observational studies showed no difference, while 1 retrospective study observed a higher incidence of residual RV outflow tract obstruction and lower freedom from reoperation in infants. Two observational studies reported lower risk of requiring pulmonary valve replacement, whereas 2 reported no difference. Three observational studies reported superior exercise capacity, while 1 reported no difference. No difference in long-term survival was demonstrated. The results presented suggest that transatrial repair of tetralogy of Fallot confers superior or equivalent outcomes in terms of preservation of RV function and volume, ventricular arrhythmias, need for pulmonary valve replacement, and exercise capacity compared with transventricular repair. However, the incidence of residual RV outflow tract obstruction may be higher in infants undergoing transatrial repair.
Removal Lemmas with Polynomial Bounds
Authors: Gishboliner Lior , Shapira Asaf
Published: July 2019

A common theme in many extremal problems in graph theory is the relation between local and global properties of graphs. One of the most celebrated results of this type is the Ruzsa–Szemerédi triangle removal lemma, which states that if a graph is $\varepsilon $-far from being triangle free, then most subsets of vertices of size $C(\varepsilon )$ are not triangle free. Unfortunately, the best known upper bound on $C(\varepsilon )$ is given by a tower-type function, and it is known that $C(\varepsilon )$ is not polynomial in $\varepsilon ^{-1}$. The triangle removal lemma has been extended to many other graph properties, and for some of them the corresponding function $C(\varepsilon )$ is polynomial. This raised the natural question, posed by Goldreich in 2005 and more recently by Alon and Fox, of characterizing the properties for which one can prove removal lemmas with polynomial bounds.

Our main results in this paper are new sufficient and necessary criteria for guaranteeing that a graph property admits a removal lemma with a polynomial bound. Although both are simple combinatorial criteria, they imply almost all prior positive and negative results of this type. Moreover, our new sufficient conditions allow us to obtain polynomially bounded removal lemmas for many properties for which the previously known bounds were of tower type. In particular, we show that every semi-algebraic graph property admits a polynomially bounded removal lemma. This confirms a conjecture of Alon.
Are nursing infusion practices delivering full-dose antimicrobial treatment?
Authors: Rout J , Essack S , Brysiewicz P
Published: July 2019

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) has developed over the past decade as a critical tool to promote the appropriate use of antimicrobials in order to contain antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and conserve antimicrobial medicines. Current literature supports the role of the nurse in AMR, with a strong focus on the responsibilities of the nurse in infection prevention and control (IPC), both in the formal role of the IPC nurse specialist, and the more general IPC role of the bedside nurse. There is also growing support for the collaborative role of the nurse in the multidisciplinary AMS team. There is, however, very little literature examining the clinical practice role of the nurse in AMS. In this discussion, we contend that nursing practice may unknowingly contribute to AMR owing to varying methods of administration of intermittent intravenous infusions, resulting in under-dosing of antimicrobial medicines.
Fostering Refugee Self-reliance: A Case Study of an Agency's Approach in Nairobi
Authors: Slaughter Amy G
Published: July 2019

This article traces the evolution of an urban refugee self-reliance model developed in Nairobi, Kenya that intends to bridge the gap between ‘care and maintenance’ programmes and durable solutions. It does so by presenting the development of the approach used by the non-governmental organization RefugePoint to assist urban refugees in Nairobi. In developing its approach, RefugePoint drew on elements of the model employed by the United States Department of State and its contracted partners for resettling refugees in the United States. The applicability and limitations of this model in the context of a country of first asylum are examined. The article concludes by suggesting potential applications of RefugePoint’s ‘self-reliance runway’ approach (and the measurement tool that is integral to it) in expanding self-reliance opportunities for refugees globally. In particular, it recommends that both donors and operational agencies look beyond sector-based programming towards more holistic approaches and focus their impact measurement on the collective outcomes for refugee households rather than project-specific delivery indicators.
Low-fluence blue light-induced phosphorylation of Zmphot1 mediates the first positive phototropism
Authors: Suzuki Hiromi , Koshiba Tomokazu , Fujita Chiharu , Yamauchi Yoshio , Kimura Taro , Isobe Toshiaki , Sakai Tatsuya , Taoka Masato , Okamoto Takashi
Published: August 2019

Ser291 in Zmphot1 was identified as a low-fluence blue light-induced phosphorylation site that is crucial for the first positive phototropism.
ERF-VII transcription factors induce ethanol fermentation in response to amino acid biosynthesis-inhibiting herbicides
Authors: Gil-Monreal Miriam , Giuntoli Beatrice , Zabalza Ana , Licausi Francesco , Royuela Mercedes
Published: August 2019

Herbicides inhibiting either aromatic or branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis trigger similar physiological responses in plants, despite their different mechanism of action. Both types of herbicides are known to activate ethanol fermentation by inducing the expression of fermentative genes; however, the mechanism of such transcriptional regulation has not been investigated so far. In plants exposed to low-oxygen conditions, ethanol fermentation is transcriptionally controlled by the ethylene response factors-VII (ERF-VIIs), whose stability is controlled in an oxygen-dependent manner by the Cys-Arg branch of the N-degron pathway. In this study, we investigated the role of ERF-VIIs in the regulation of the ethanol fermentation pathway in herbicide-treated Arabidopsis plants grown under aerobic conditions. Our results demonstrate that these transcriptional regulators are stabilized in response to herbicide treatment and are required for ethanol fermentation in these conditions. We also observed that mutants with reduced fermentative potential exhibit higher sensitivity to herbicide treatments, thus revealing the existence of a mechanism that mimics oxygen deprivation to activate metabolic pathways that enhance herbicide tolerance. We speculate that this signaling pathway may represent a potential target in agriculture to affect tolerance to herbicides that inhibit amino acid biosynthesis.
Arabidopsis mtHSC70-1 plays important roles in the establishment of COX-dependent respiration and redox homeostasis
Authors: Wei Shan-Shan , Niu Wei-Tao , Zhai Xiao-Ting , Liang Wei-Qian , Xu Meng , Fan Xiao , Lv Ting-Ting , Xu Wen-Yan , Bai Jiao-Teng , Jia Ning , Li Bing
Published: August 2019

The 70 kDa heat shock proteins function as molecular chaperones and are involved in diverse cellular processes. However, the functions of the plant mitochondrial HSP70s (mtHSC70s) remain unclear. Severe growth defects were observed in the Arabidopsis thaliana mtHSC70-1 knockout lines, mthsc70-1a and mthsc70-1b. Conversely, the introduction of the mtHSC70-1 gene into the mthsc70-1a background fully reversed the phenotypes, indicating that mtHSC70-1 is essential for plant growth. The loss of mtHSC70-1 functions resulted in abnormal mitochondria and alterations to respiration because of an inhibition of the cytochrome c oxidase (COX) pathway and the activation of the alternative respiratory pathway. Defects in COX assembly were observed in the mtHSC70-1 knockout lines, leading to decreased COX activity. The mtHSC70-1 knockout plants have increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The introduction of the Mn-superoxide dismutase 1 (MSD1) or the catalase 1 (CAT1) gene into the mthsc70-1a plants decreased ROS levels, reduced the expression of alternative oxidase, and partially rescued growth. Taken together, our data suggest that mtHSC70-1 plays important roles in the establishment of COX-dependent respiration.
Next-generation telescopes with curved focal surface for ultralow surface brightness surveys
Authors: Lombardo Simona , Muslimov Eduard , Lemaître Gerard , Hugot Emmanuel
Published: July 2019

In spite of major advances in both ground- and space-based instrumentation, the ultralow surface brightness Universe (ULSB) still remains a largely unexplored volume in observational parameter space. ULSB observations provide unique constraints on a wide variety of objects, from the Zodiacal light all the way to the optical cosmological background radiation, through dust cirri, mass-loss shells in giant stars, LSB galaxies and the intracluster light. These surface brightness levels (>28–29 mag arcsec−2) are observed by maximizing the efficiency of the surveys and minimizing or removing the systematics arising in the measurement of surface brightness. Based on full-system photon Monte Carlo simulations, we present here the performance of a ground-based telescope aimed at carrying out ULSB observations, with a curved focal surface design. Its off-axis optical design maximizes the field of view while minimizing the focal ratio. No lenses are used, as their multiple internal scatterings increase the wings of the point spread function (PSF), and the usual requirement of a flat focal plane is relaxed through the use of curved CCD detectors. The telescope has only one unavoidable single refractive surface, the cryostat window, and yet it delivers a PSF with ultracompact wings, which allows the detection, for a given exposure time, of surface brightness levels nearly three orders of magnitude fainter than any other current telescope.
Spin frequency evolution and pulse profile variations of the recently re-activated radio magnetar XTE J1810–197
Authors: Levin L , Lyne A G , Desvignes G , Eatough R P , Karuppusamy R , Kramer M , Mickaliger M , Stappers B W , Weltevrede P
Published: July 2019

After spending almost a decade in a radio-quiet state, the Anomalous X-ray Pulsar XTE J1810–197 turned back on in early 2018 December. We have observed this radio magnetar at 1.5 GHz with nearly daily cadence since the first detection of radio re-activation on 2018 December 8. In this paper, we report on the current timing properties of XTE J1810–197 and find that the magnitude of the spin frequency derivative has increased by a factor of 2.6 over our 48-d data set. We compare our results with the spin-down evolution reported during its previous active phase in the radio band. We also present total intensity pulse profiles at five different observing frequencies between 1.5 and 8.4 GHz, collected with the Lovell and the Effelsberg telescopes. The profile evolution in our data set is less erratic than what was reported during the previous active phase, and can be seen varying smoothly between observations. Profiles observed immediately after the outburst show the presence of at least five cycles of a very stable ∼50 ms periodicity in the main pulse component that lasts for at least tens of days. This remarkable structure is seen across the full range of observing frequencies.
The 2018 eruption and long term evolution of the new high-mass Herbig Ae/Be object Gaia-18azl = VES 263
Authors: Munari U , Joshi V , Banerjee D P K , Čotar K , Shugarov S Y , Jurdana-Šepić R , Belligoli R , Bergamini A , Graziani M , Righetti G L , Vagnozzi A , Valisa P
Published: July 2019

We have been monitoring, at high cadence, the photometric and spectroscopic evolution of VES 263 following the discovery in 2018 of a brightening labeled as event Gaia-18azl. VES 263 is so far a neglected emission-line object discovered in the 1960s on objective prism plates, tentatively classified as a semi-regular AGB cool giant by automated analysis of ASASSN lightcurves. We have discovered that VES 263 is a bonafide massive pre-Main Sequence object (∼12 M⊙), of the Herbig AeBe type. It is located at 1.68±0.07 kpc distance, within the Cyg OB2 star-forming region, and it is highly reddened (EB − V=1.80±0.05) by interstellar extinction. In quiescence, the spectral energy distribution is dominated by the ∼20,000 K photospheric emission from the central B1II star, and at λ≥6μm by emission from circumstellar warm dust (T≤400○K). The 2018-19 eruption was caused by a marked brightening of the accretion disk around the B1II star as traced by the evolution with time of the integrated flux and the double-peaked profile of emission lines. At the peak of the eruption, the disk has a bulk temperature of ∼7500 K and a luminosity L ≥860 L⊙, corresponding to a mass accretion rate M≥1.1 × 10−5 M⊙ yr−1. Spectroscopic signature of possible bipolar jets (at −700 and +700 km s−1) of variable intensity are found. We have reconstructed from Harvard, Moscow and Sonneberg photographic plates the photometric history of VES 263 from 1896 to 1995.
Study of relativistic magnetized outflows with relativistic equation of state
Authors: Singh Kuldeep , Chattopadhyay Indranil
Published: August 2019

We study relativistic magnetized outflows using relativistic equation of state having variable adiabatic index (Γ) and composition parameter (ξ). We study the outflow in special relativistic magnetohydrodynamic regime, from sub-Alfvénic to super-fast domain. We showed that, after the solution crosses the fast point, magnetic field collimates the flow and may form a collimation-shock due to magnetic field pinching/squeezing. Such fast, collimated outflows may be considered as astrophysical jets. Depending on parameters, the terminal Lorentz factors of an electron–proton outflow can comfortably exceed few tens. We showed that due to the transfer of angular momentum from the field to the matter, the azimuthal velocity of the outflow may flip sign. We also study the effect of composition (ξ) on such magnetized outflows. We showed that relativistic outflows are affected by the location of the Alfvén point, the polar angle at the Alfvén point and also the angle subtended by the field lines with the equatorial plane, but also on the composition of the flow. The pair dominated flow experiences impressive acceleration and is hotter than electron–proton flow.
Discovery and analysis of a ULX nebula in NGC 3521
Authors: López K M , Jonker P G , Heida M , Torres M A P , Roberts T P , Walton D J , Moon D-S , Harrison F A
Published: August 2019

We present Very Large Telescope/X-shooter and Chandra X-ray observatory/ACIS observations of the ULX [SST2011] J110545.62 + 000016.2 in the galaxy NGC 3521. The source identified as a candidate near-infrared counterpart to the ULX in our previous study shows an emission line spectrum of numerous recombination and forbidden lines in the visible and near-infrared spectral regime. The emission from the candidate counterpart is spatially extended (∼34 pc) and appears to be connected with an adjacent H ii region, located ∼138 pc to the NE. The measured velocities of the emission lines confirm that both the candidate counterpart and H ii region reside in NGC 3521. The intensity ratios of the emission lines from the ULX counterpart show that the line emission originates from the combined effect of shock and photoionization of low metallicity (12  + log  (O/H)  = 8.19 ± 0.11) gas. Unfortunately, there is no identifiable spectral signature directly related to the photosphere of the mass-donor star in our spectrum. From the archival Chandra data, we derive the X-ray luminosity of the source in the 0.3–7 keV range to be (1.9 ± 0.8) × 1040 er g cm−2 s−1, almost a factor of four higher than what is previously reported.
EWS–FLI1 modulated alternative splicing of ARID1A reveals novel oncogenic function through the BAF complex
Authors: Selvanathan Saravana P , Graham Garrett T , Grego Alexander R , Baker Tabari M , Hogg J Robert , Simpson Mark , Batish Mona , Crompton Brian , Stegmaier Kimberly , Tomazou Eleni M , Kovar Heinrich , Üren Aykut , Toretsky Jeffrey A
Published: August 2019

Connections between epigenetic reprogramming and transcription or splicing create novel mechanistic networks that can be targeted with tailored therapies. Multiple subunits of the chromatin remodeling BAF complex, including ARID1A, play a role in oncogenesis, either as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Recent work demonstrated that EWS–FLI1, the oncogenic driver of Ewing sarcoma (ES), plays a role in chromatin regulation through interactions with the BAF complex. However, the specific BAF subunits that interact with EWS–FLI1 and the precise role of the BAF complex in ES oncogenesis remain unknown. In addition to regulating transcription, EWS–FLI1 also alters the splicing of many mRNA isoforms, but the role of splicing modulation in ES oncogenesis is not well understood. We have identified a direct connection between the EWS–FLI1 protein and ARID1A isoform protein variant ARID1A-L. We demonstrate here that ARID1A-L is critical for ES maintenance and supports oncogenic transformation. We further report a novel feed-forward cycle in which EWS–FLI1 leads to preferential splicing of ARID1A-L, promoting ES growth, and ARID1A-L reciprocally promotes EWS–FLI1 protein stability. Dissecting this interaction may lead to improved cancer-specific drug targeting.
Efficient inhibition of RNA self-primed extension by addition of competing 3′-capture DNA-improved RNA synthesis by T7 RNA polymerase
Authors: Gholamalipour Yasaman , Johnson William C , Martin Craig T
Published: August 2019

In vitro synthesized RNA is used widely in studies of RNA biology, biotechnology and RNA therapeutics. However, in vitro synthesized RNA often contains impurities, such as RNAs with lengths shorter and longer than the expected runoff RNA. We have recently confirmed that longer RNA products are formed predominantly via cis self-primed extension, in which released runoff RNA folds back on itself to prime its own RNA-templated extension. In the current work, we demonstrate that addition of a DNA oligonucleotide (capture DNA) that is complementary to the 3′ end of the expected runoff RNA effectively prevents self-primed extension, even under conditions commonly used for high RNA yields. Moreover, the presence of this competing capture DNA during ‘high yield’ transcription, leads to an increase in the yield of expected runoff RNA by suppressing the formation of undesired longer RNA byproducts.
Withdrawal Symptoms From E-Cigarette Abstinence Among Former Smokers: A Pre–Post Clinical Trial
Authors: Hughes John R , Peters Erica N , Callas Peter W , Peasley-Miklus Catherine , Oga Emmanuel , Etter Jean-Francois , Morley Nicholas
Published: July 2019

Introduction

The major aim of this study was to test whether abstinence from e-cigarettes causes withdrawal symptoms in former smokers.

Methods

We conducted an unblinded, within-participants, pre–post clinical trial in which 109 former smokers who were current daily electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) users used their own e-cigarette for 7 days followed by 6 days of biologically confirmed abstinence engendered via an escalating contingency payment system. Participants monitored symptoms of nicotine withdrawal daily via an Interactive Voice Response system. They also attended three laboratory visits per week for carbon monoxide and cotinine testing to verify abstinence.

Results

Half of participants completely abstained for a week. All the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) tobacco withdrawal symptoms, craving for e-cigarettes, craving for tobacco cigarettes, and the four possible new withdrawal symptoms (anhedonia, impulsivity, mood swings, and positive affect) increased during abstinence. Weight increased and heart rate decreased with abstinence. Symptoms showed the prototypical inverted U time pattern of a withdrawal state. The magnitude of withdrawal appeared to be somewhat less than that in a prior study of abstinent daily tobacco cigarette smokers. More severe withdrawal on the first 2 days of abstinence did not predict abstinence on the last day of the study.

Conclusions

Former smokers who are daily e-cigarette users transfer physical dependence on tobacco cigarettes to dependence on e-cigarettes. The severity of withdrawal from e-cigarettes appears to be only somewhat less than that from daily tobacco cigarette use. Replication tests that include placebo controls, testing for pharmacological specificity, and including never-smokers, non-daily e-cigarette users and dual users are indicated.

Implications

Our results indicate e-cigarettes can maintain physical dependence. This adverse effect should be included in any risk vs. benefit calculation. Also, potential and current e-cigarette users should be informed that abrupt cessation of e-cigarettes can cause withdrawal symptoms.

Trial registration

NCT02825459.
Procedure-Related Temporal Infarct After Retractorless Transsylvian Selective Amygdalohippocampectomy and Impact on 2-Year Epilepsy Outcome
Authors: Liao Chih-Hsiang , Chen Shao-Ching , Yu Hsiang-Yu , Lin Chun-Fu , Chou Chien-Chen , Lee Cheng-Chia , Lin Chung-Jung , Hsu Sanford P C , Shih Yang-Hsin
Published: August 2019

BACKGROUND

Selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) is designed to treat patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE).

OBJECTIVE

To determine the volume and impact of temporal lobe infarction after retractorless transsylvian SAH (en bloc resection of the hippocampus) that have not been reported.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patients treated with retractorless transsylvian SAH. Infarctions were detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within the first week after the operation. Neuropsychological testing was performed preoperatively and 6 mo later. Seizure outcome was evaluated 2 yr after epilepsy surgery.

RESULTS

Between 2010 and 2014, a total of 30 patients were included in this study. Analysis of postoperative MRI showed the following: (1) mean removal volume of the hippocampus-parahippocampus was 5.72 cm3, and (2) mean volumes of temporal and insular infarctions were 1.71 and 0.25 cm3, respectively. Twenty-five patients (83.3%) were free of disabling seizures (Engel class I) at 2 yr of outcome. Neuropsychological testing revealed improvement in Perceptual Organization Index (P = .036) and verbal paired associates II (P = .014) after the operation. Neither infarction volume nor removal volume was related to epilepsy outcome in linear regression model.

CONCLUSION

Transsylvian SAH has comparable seizure outcomes but bears inherent risks of vasospasm/vascular injury. Immediate postoperative small infarction volume around resection cavity or along surgical corridor was noticed after retractorless transsylvian SAH, which did not cause neuropsychological deteriorations, in contrast to previous study with the use of self-sustaining rigid retraction system. Further study should be performed to compare procedure-related infarctions and their impacts on neuropsychological outcomes in different selective approaches.
Improving vaccination of pregnant women against seasonal influenza through use of a mandatory field in the obstetric electronic medical record
Authors: Orefice Roberto , Quinlivan Julie A
Published: July 2019

Background

The aim of the present study was to determine whether using a mandatory data field in an electronic health record would increase compliance with the recommendation to vaccinate pregnant women against influenza.

Methods

Two cohorts of women who delivered at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children between 1–31 July 2015 and 1–31 July 2017 were compared for compliance with the national public health recommendation to vaccinate all pregnant women against influenza. The single change between audit periods was programming the electronic health record to include a mandatory field preventing clinicians from closing patient files unless they selected an answer to the question asking whether influenza vaccination had been performed. Data were audited and compliance rates were compared.

Results

A total of 275 and 299 women delivered in the two audit periods. There were no significant differences in maternal or neonatal characteristics between the two cohorts except for maternal age, which was younger in the second period (33.3 versus 31.5 years; P = 0.001). Vaccination rates doubled between audit periods (35.0% versus 79.8%, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Introducing a mandatory data field into an electronic health record system may increase compliance with public health interventions, such as influenza vaccination in pregnant women.