bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unmanned Radiation Monitoring System
Authors: Lüley Jakub , Vrban Branislav , Čerba Štefan , Osuský Filip , Nečas Vladimír
Published: January 2020

The absence of online radiation monitoring systems has been observed in the case of Fukushima nuclear accident. As the tsunami destroyed 23 of the 24 status monitoring points, almost no relevant radiation dose measurements data were available. A rapid deployment of a mobile radiological unit that can quickly determine the activity and direction of the radioactive cloud spread on the ground or in the air can prevent unnecessary deaths and related financial losses. Although the design of the current generation of NPPs incorporates features that minimize the risk of large radioactive releases outside the reactor, it is still important to focus on the development of systems that can mitigate the consequences of such events. In situations when the level of radiation does not permit the personal to perform the required measurements, online unmanned radiation monitoring systems may come to the play. For such a purpose the RMS-00x radiation monitoring system could be used, which is a modular system covering the functionality of dose rate measurement, air sampling and radiation map creation without requiring the human personnel to be present at the measurement site. The main purpose of the RMS-00x radiation monitoring system is the rapid deployment of unmanned monitoring devices to reduce the radiation burden on workers and on public. The system can be applied in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant (NPP) or at any location, where source of ionizing radiation could be present. Before this system is used in real conditions, its components must be thoroughly calibrated, based on certified measurement equipment and state-of-art simulation tools. This paper deals with the description of the RMS-00X sensor modules and demonstrates their functionality in combination with UAV. In addition, demonstration of the use of the developed technology was carried out as part of the regular emergency planning and preparedness of EBO NPP on 26th October 2017.
COSICAF, a fission chamber simulation tool for academic purposes
Authors: de Izarra G. , Lamotte M. , Bréaud S. , Pépino A. , Filliatre P. , Jammes C.
Published: January 2020

Since a few years, simulation codes were built at CEA Cadarache to predict the signal of ionisation chambers and taylor detectors for specific applications. It is proposed here to present COSICAF, a tool developed for mainly academic purpose and rapid fission chamber prototyping. This numerical simulation, mostly based on semi-empirical models and Monte-Carlo method will help students to understand how ionisation chambers work. Through the paper, models and their numerical implementation will be discussed. A focus is made on recently implemented features like charge multiplication and correlated source which make the simulation of proportional counter possible. To demonstrate the interest of the code, simulations of a planar fission chamber is proposed.
Double-Folding Nucleus-Nucleus Optical Potential: Parallel MPI and OpenMP Implementations
Authors: Bashashin Maxim , Zemlyanaya Elena , Lukyanov Konstantin
Published: January 2020

The computation of the real part of the nucleus-nucleus optical potential based on the microscopic double-folding model was implemented within both the MPI and OpenMP parallelising techniques. Test calculations of the total cross section of the 6He + 28Si scattering at the energy 50 A MeV show that both techniques provide significant comparable speedup of the calculations.
Computational Model of Unsteady Hydromechanics of Large Amplitude Gerstner Waves
Authors: Degtyarev Alexander , Gankevich Ivan , Kulabukhova Nataliia , Khramushin Vasily
Published: January 2020

The computational experiments in the ship fluid mechanics involve the nonstationary interaction of a ship hull with wave surfaces that include the formation of vortices, surfaces of jet discontinuities, and discontinuities in the fluid under the influence of negative pressure. These physical phenomena occur not only near the ship hull, but also at a distance where the waves break as a result of the interference of the sea waves with waves reflected from the hull. In the study reported here we simulate the wave breaking and reflection near the ship hull. The problem reduces to determining the wave kinematics on the moving boundary of a ship hull and the free boundary of the computational domain. We build a grid of large particles having the form of a parallelepiped and, in the wave equation instead of the velocity field we integrate streams of fluid represented by functions as smooth as the wave surface elevation field. We assume that within the boundaries of the computational domain the waves do not disperse, i.e. their length and period stay the same. Under this assumption, we simulate trochoidal Gerstner waves of a particular period. This approach allows to simulate the wave breaking and reflection near the ship hull. The goal of the research is to develop a new method of taking the wave reflection into account in the ship motion simulations as an alternative to the classic method which uses added masses.
Multipartite Quantum Systems and Representations of Wreath Products
Authors: Kornyak Vladimir
Published: January 2020

The multipartite quantum systems are of particular interest for the study of such phenomena as entanglement and non-local correlations. The symmetry group of the whole multipartite system is the wreath product of the group acting in the “local” Hilbert space and the group of permutations of the constituents. The dimension of the Hilbert space of a multipartite system depends exponentially on the number of constituents, which leads to computational difficulties. We describe an algorithm for decomposing representations of wreath products into irreducible components. The C implementation of the algorithm copes with representations of dimensions in quadrillions. The program, in particular, builds irreducible invariant projectors in the Hilbert space of a multipartite system. The expressions for these projectors are tensor product polynomials. This structure is convenient for efficient computation of quantum correlations in multipartite systems with a large number of constituents.
Numerical Precision Effects on GPU Simulation of Massive Spatial Data, Based on the Modified Planar Rotator Model
Authors: Lach Matúš , Borovský Michal , Žukovič Milan
Published: January 2020

The present research builds on a recently proposed spatial prediction method for discretized two-dimensional data, based on a suitably modified planar rotator (MPR) spin model from statistical physics. This approach maps the measured data onto interacting spins and, exploiting spatial correlations between them, which are similar to those present in geostatistical data, predicts the data at unmeasured locations. Due to the shortrange nature of the spin pair interactions in the MPR model, parallel implementation of the prediction algorithm on graphical processing units (GPUs) is a natural way of increasing its efficiency. In this work we study the effects of reduced computing precision as well as GPU-based hardware intrinsic functions on the speedup and accuracy of the MPR-based prediction and explore which aspects of the simulation can potentially benefit the most from the reduced precision. It is found that, particularly for massive data sets, a thoughtful precision setting of the GPU implementation can significantly increase the computational efficiency, while incurring little to no degradation in the prediction accuracy.
Finite Time Correlations and Compressibility Effects in the Three-Dimensional Kraichnan Model
Authors: Menkyna Martin
Published: January 2020

Using the field theoretic renormalization group technique the simultaneous influence of the compressibility and finite time correlations of the non-solenoidal Gaussian velocity field on the advection of a passive scalar field is studied within the generalized Kraichnan model in three spatial dimensions up to the second-order approximation in the corresponding perturbative expansion. All possible infrared stable fixed points of the model, which drive the corresponding scaling regimes of the model, are identified and their regions of the infrared stability in the model parametric space are discussed. It is shown that, depending on the value of the parameter that drives the compressibility of the system, there exists a gap in the parametric space between the regions where the model with the frozen velocity field and the model with finite-time correlations of the velocity field are stable or there exists an overlap between them.
Comparative Performance Analysis of Neural Network Real-Time Object Detections in Different Implementations
Authors: Stadnik Alexey V. , Sazhin Pavel S. , Hnatic Slavomir
Published: January 2020

The performance of neural networks is one of the most important topics in the field of computer vision. In this work, we analyze the speed of object detection using the well-known YOLOv3 neural network architecture in different frameworks under different hardware requirements. We obtain results, which allow us to formulate preliminary qualitative conclusions about the feasibility of various hardware scenarios to solve tasks in real-time environments.
Computation of 3D Water Flows by the Double Potential Method for the Simulation of Electromagnetic Water Purification
Authors: Tarasov Nikita , Polyakov Sergey , Kudryashova Tatiana
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we discuss the modeling of the electromagnetic water purification. This model requires a velocity distribution in a study domain. For that purpose, the double potential method for simulating incompressible viscous fluid flows was used. The system of equations was discretized with the help of the finite volume method using an exponential transformation for the vortex calculation. As a result, a software implementation of the developed numerical scheme was obtained. The simulation of the three-dimensional flow was carried out in a study domain. The results were compared with Ansys CFD. The comparison showed a good degree of consistency between the two distributions. Using the obtained velocity field, we simulated the process of water purification using the induction of the electromagnetic field.
System for Automatic Processing and Analysis of MRI/fMRI Data on the Kurchatov Institute Supercomputer
Authors: Enyagina Irina M. , Polyakov Andrey N. , Poyda Alexey A. , Ushakov Vadim L.
Published: January 2020

This paper presents the Computer Model of the System for Automatic Processing and Analysis of MRI/fMRI tomography data, obtained at the Kurchatov Institute Resource Center “Cognimed”. The System is based on the “Digital Lab” IT-Platform, involving the Kurchatov Institute Supercomputer Cluster HPC4, which allows speeding up the processing of data for groups (2–350 subjects) by parallelization of computations on the supercomputer nodes (1 subject – 1 node). The proposed System allows scientists to remotely use the installed on the supercomputer specialized software to process and analyze MRI/fMRI data; organizes a unified data storage; permits the work with data by web a interface. The System also enables the use of program modules developed by KI researchers which implement mathematical methods to improve data analysis results. As an example of the realization of this Computer Model, the Module “MRI FS” is presented that provides automatic processing and analysis of MRI data using the open specialized software FreeSurfer v.6.0.
Transition-Metal-Free Synthesis of Pyridine Derivatives by Thermal Cyclization of N-Propargyl Enamines
Authors: Chikayuki Yuya , Miyashige Takakane , Yonekawa Shiori , Kirita Akiko , Matsuo Natsuko , Teramoto Hiroyoshi , Sasaki Shigeru , Higashiyama Kimio , Yamauchi Takayasu
Published: January 2020

A transition-metal-free synthesis of pyridine derivatives by 6-endo-dig cyclization of N-propargyl enamines was developed. This method is environmentally friendly and is a high atom economy reaction that is easily accessed to provide pyridine derivatives in moderate to good yield by heating N-propargyl enamines in solvent without additives. The total synthesis of onychine was achieved in 51% yield in only two steps by using this method.
An In Vitro Comparative Evaluation of the Effects of Different Bleaching Agents on Marginal Integrity of Two Different Restorative Resin Materials: An Analysis by Confocal Laser Microscopy
Authors: Goyal Nitesh , Kumar Yogesh , Jindal Neetu , Aggarwal Renu
Published: January 2020

Introduction In our society, with the advances in cosmetic consciousness, well-aligned, properly contoured, white and clean teeth are a symbol of health and standard of beauty. Thus, tooth bleaching has become popular cosmetic therapy among patients and dentists. Microleakage is a major challenge to the success rate for all type of restorations.

Materials and Methods Eighty maxillary human molars were collected and evaluated and Class V cavities 5×3×2 mm size were prepared with straight carbide bur (SS White) on the buccal and palatal surfaces at the cementoenamel junction of all the samples, so that the upper margin would be in enamel and lower margins on root surface. In total, 160 class V cavities were prepared on maxillary molars. Then samples were randomly divided into 3 groups (microfilled and nanohybrid composite resins and control group) and 3 subgroups (Pola Office, Whiteness HP Blue, Whiteness Perfect) according to the type of composite resins and bleaching agents used. After application of bleaching agents, all samples were immersed in a contrast solution of rhodamine B fluorescent dye for 24 hours. Then using a diamond disc samples were sectioned buccolingually through the center of the restorations and sectioned teeth were evaluated for marginal microleakage under confocal laser scanning microscope to check the extent of dye penetration.

Results When all composite resin groups were compared with all the bleaching agents, at occlusal and gingival levels, lowest marginal leakage scores were obtained with the microfilled composite resin bleached with Whiteness HP blue, and in nanohybrid composite lowest microleakage score were obtained with Pola office bleach at both levels.
Submucosal Myoma Treatment for Women Who Wish to have Children in the Future Nodule Dissection Centripetal Cutting Method of TCR (Transcervical Resection)
Authors: Inoue Shigeo
Published: January 2020

Due to the recent trend to marry later, patients with uterine myoma, and who wish to preserve their uterus have increased, are leading to greater demand for minimally invasive myomectomies. For intramural myomas and submucosal myomas, which are located near the uterine cavity, which are high risk for sterility or infertility, incision of the myometrium, and suture to the uterine cavity during laparoscopic myomectomy is required, and Caesarean section is frequently selected as the child delivery method. Hysteroscopic myomectomy is advantageous for persons wishing for pregnancy. The abdominal wall is not damaged, and there is less pain and a shorter hospital stay. Hysteroscopic myomectomy does not cause postoperative intraperitoneal adhesion, contraceptive period is shorter, and vaginal delivery is also possible. Since expensive disposal surgical instrument, surgery assistants are not needed, it also contributes to medical economy, and its widespread is desired. On the other hand, learning the technique is difficult, since unique complications may occur and only an endoscope in the specific field of vision, the uterine cavity is used for this procedure. If only cases with small submucosal myoma are indicated for hysteroscopic myomectomy, technical improvement and wider adoption will not occur. However, if the indication can be correctly recognized and a safe and accurate technique be acquired, adoption of hysteroscopic myomectomy could actually be widened. It is an excellent technique which can become mainstream for fibroid treatment.
Febrile Status Epilepticus
Authors: Molinero Isaac , Shinnar Shlomo
Published: January 2020

Febrile status epilepticus (FSE) is defined as a febrile seizure lasting 30 minutes or more and is considered the extreme end of the complex febrile seizure spectrum. It remains unclear why some children are predisposed to the development of FSE compared with others. FSE is considered as medical emergency and as such, early treatment is crucial. The consequences of FSE have been a topic of interest for many years, specially its association with temporal lobe epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis. In this article, we review the epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, treatment, and prognosis including findings from the “Consequences of Prolonged Febrile Seizures in Childhood” (FEBSTAT) study.
Comparison of Bispectral Index-Guided Administration of Desflurane and Propofol for Endoscopic Transnasal Transsphenoidal Resection of Pituitary Tumors
Authors: Bharadwaj Devika , Mahajan Charu , Aggarwal Richa , Prabhakar Hemanshu , Chaturvedi Arvind
Published: January 2020

Background Use of short-acting anesthetic agents such as propofol and desflurane allows rapid awakening and prompt neurological assessment of patients undergoing endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal resection of pituitary tumors. However, there are no studies comparing the effect of these two agents in these patients. We performed this study to compare the intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative recovery characteristics of patients undergoing endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal (TNTS) pituitary tumor surgery using bispectral index (BIS)-guided administration of desflurane and propofol.

Materials and Methods In this prospective, randomized trial, 60 patients undergoing endoscopic TNTS pituitary surgery were randomized to receive BIS-guided administration of either propofol (Group P) or desflurane (Group D) for the maintenance of anesthesia. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), intraoperative complications, time to emergence, extubation, cognition, and modified Aldrete score were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 12.0. Categorical and continuous variables were compared between the groups using Fisher’s exact test and t-test, respectively. Emergence from anesthesia and hemodynamics at various stages of surgery was compared between the groups using Wilcoxon rank sum test. The p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results The HR was significantly higher at all stages of surgery in group P (p = 0.01). MAP was comparable between the groups at various time points (p > 0.05). Both emergence time (8.5 vs. 15 minutes; p < 0.00) and extubation time (10 vs. 17.5 minutes; p < 0.00) were significantly shorter in Group D compared with Group P. Modified Aldrete score at 5 and 10 minutes after extubation was higher with desflurane than propofol, but early cognition was comparable between the two groups.

Conclusion The hemodynamics and early cognition score were comparable in patients receiving propofol or desflurane. Desflurane provides rapid emergence and recovery when compared with propofol.
Embryological basis of malformed female genital tract and various classifications
Authors: Niranjan Richa , Singh A K , Yadav Anjoo
Published: January 2020

Developmental anomalies of the Mullerian duct system represent some of the most fascinating disorders that obstetricians and gynaecologists encounter. The uterus is formed during embryogenesis by the fusion of the two paramesonephric ducts (Mullerian ducts). This process usually fuses the two Mullerian ducts into a single uterine body, but fails to take place in the affected women who maintain their double Mullerian systems. A bicornuate uterus is a type of a uterine malformation where upper part of uterus forms two horns. The fusion process of upper part of Mullerian duct is altered. As a result, cranial part of the uterus becomes bifurcated. As Mullerian duct anomalies are of anatomic interest, this article discusses epidemiology, embryological development, genetics of development and malformation and lastly various classifications based on Mullerian duct development. Pregnancy in bicornuate uterus is usually of high risk with reproductive outcomes like recurrent abortions, preterm delivery or malpresentation. Classifying Mullerian duct anomalies bears merit because it correlates anatomic anomalies with arrests in morphogenesis. Establishing an accurate diagnosis is essential for planning treatment and management strategies.
Morphology and morphometry of infra orbital foramen in South Indian adult dry skulls
Authors: K. Vishal , V. Vinay K , P. Johncy I
Published: January 2020

Background: The infra orbital foramen (IOF) situated below infra-orbital margin (IOM) transmits infra­orbital nerve and infra- orbital vessels. The knowledge of the dimension, shape and direction of the IOF has important implications in various surgical and anaesthetic procedures. This will avoid iatrogenic injury to neurovascular bundle emerging from the IOF. Material and methods: Sixty adult dry skulls of unknown sex from the Department of Anatomy and Department of Forensic Medicine were used. IOF on both sides of skulls were assessed for the shape and direction by inspection. The vertical and horizontal diameter of the IOF was measured using a digital Vernier caliper to the nearest millimeters and the results were statistically analyzed. Results: The shape of the IOF was vertically oval in majority of the skulls (37.5%) and was semi lunar shaped in 10.83% of the skull. The IOF was directed infero­medially in about 52.5% of the cases and was directed medially in 6.67% of the cases. The mean transverse diameter was 2.96mm and the mean vertical diameter was 3.7mm. All the above results were compared with studies of previous workers. Conclusion: The present study confirms that there is racial as well as regional variation in the shape and dimensions of IOF, thus emphasizing the need to have morphometric data for South Indian population.
Nanoscale limits of angular optical scatterometry
Authors: Zhu Ruichao , Faria-Briceno Juan J. , Brueck S. R. J. , Joseph Praveen , Singhal Shrawan , Sreenivasan S. V.
Published: January 2020

Angular scatterometry is a fast, in-line, noncontact, and nondestructive nanoscale metrology tool that is widely used in manufacturing processes. As scatterometry is a potential metrology technique for next generation semiconductor manufacturing and for other emerging large-area (roll-to-roll) nanotechnology products such as wire grid polarizers (WGPs) and nanostructured metamaterials, it is necessary to study its fundamental sensitivity and accuracy limitations. Two different samples are simulated using rigorous coupled-wave analysis. One is a high index contrast aluminum WGP structure, and the other is a low-index contrast resist grating on a polycarbonate substrate. During modeling, the sample structure is scaled by simultaneously scaling both the line width and the height of the grating with a fixed pitch and all linear dimensions, including pitch, line width, and grating height, of the structure. Two metrics are chosen to define the limits: the first is the comparison with experimental limits, that is, if the reflection difference for a 5% scaling variation is larger than the experimental noise floor, scatterometry has sufficient resolution to recover the metrology information; the second is the comparison with effective medium models, that is, if the simulated angular scatterometry signature differs from an effective medium model signature, again within experimental noise limits, scatterometry is judged to have sufficient resolution to determine the feature parameters. Using a 405 nm source, scatterometry provides sufficient information to analyze a 20 nm pitch WGP structure using a 405 nm laser source (wavelength/pitch = 20), while the minimum pitch resist grating is ∼24 nm (wavelength/pitch = 16.8).
Large amplitude motion in 9-methylanthracene: High-resolution spectroscopy and Ab Initio theoretical calculation
Authors: Baba Masaaki , Kanaoka Ayumi , Nishiyama Akiko , Misono Masatoshi , Ishimoto Takayoshi , Udagawa Taro
Published: January 2020

CH3 internal rotation is one of the typical large amplitude motions in polyatomic molecules, the spectral analysis and theoretical calculations of which, were developed by Li-Hong Xu and Jon Hougen. We observed a Doppler-free high-resolution and high-precision spectrum of 9-methylanthracene (9MA) by using the collimated supersonic jet and optical frequency comb techniques. The potential energy curve of CH3 internal rotation is expressed by a six-fold symmetric sinusoidal function. It was previously shown that the barrier height (V6) of 9MA-d12 was considerably smaller than that of 9MA-h12 [M. Baba, et al., J. Phys. Chem. A 113, 2366 (2009)]. We performed ab initio theoretical calculations of the multicomponent molecular orbital method. The barrier reduction by deuterium substitution was partly attributed to the difference between the wave functions of H and D atomic nuclei.
Photodissociation branching ratios of 12C16O from
108000 cm−1 to 113200 cm-1 measured by two-color VUV-VUV laser
pump-probe time-slice velocity-map ion imaging method: Observation of channels for
producing O(1D)
Authors: Gao Hong , Song Yu , Jackson William M. , Ng Cheuk-Yiu
Published: January 2020

The photoabsorption and photodissociation of carbon monoxide (CO) in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) region is one of the most important photochemical processes in the interstellar medium, thus it has attracted numerous experimental and theoretical studies. Here, we employed the two-color VUV-VUV laser pump-probe time-slice velocity-map ion imaging method to measure the relative branching ratios [C(3P0)+O(1D)]/ {[C(3P0)+O(3P)]+ [C(3P0)+O(1D)]} and [C(3P2)+O(1D)]/ {[C(3P2)+O(3P)]+[C(3P2)+O(1D)]} in the VUV photoexcitation energy range of 108000−113200 cm−1. Here, one tunable VUV laser beam is used to excite CO to specific rovibronic states, and a second independently tunable VUV laser beam is used to state-selectively ionize C(3P0) and C(3P2) for detection. State-selective photoionization through the 1VUV+1UV/visible resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization scheme has greatly enhanced the detection sensitivity, which makes many new weak absorption bands observable in the current study. The branching ratio measurement shows that the spin-forbidden channels C(3P0)+O(1D) and C(3P2)+O(1D) only open at several discrete narrow energy windows. This might be caused by certain accidental resonance-enhanced spin-orbit interactions between the directly excited Rydberg states and valence states of triplet type which finally dissociate into the spin-forbidden channels.
Are fulleranes responsible for the 21 micron feature?
Authors: Zhang Yong
Published: January 2020

Recent detections of C60, C70, and C60+ in space induced extensive studies of fullerene derivatives in circumstellar environments. As the promising fullerene sources, protoplanetary nebulae (PPNe) shows a number of unidentified bands in their infrared spectra, among which a small sample exhibits an enigmatic feature at ∼21 µm. Hydrogenation converts fullerenes into fulleranes, which breaks the symmetry of fullerene molecules and produces new infrared bands. In this work, we investigate the possibility of fulleranes (C60Hm) as the carrier of the 21 µm feature in terms of theoretical vibrational spectra of fulleranes. The evidences favoring and disfavoring the fullerane hypothesis are presented. We made an initial guess for the hydrogen coverage of C60Hm that may contribute to the 21 µm feature.
Gas-grain modeling of interstellar O2
Authors: Zhang Xia , Quan Donghui , Esimbek Jarken
Published: January 2020

Molecular oxygen (O2) is essential to human beings on the earth. Although elemental oxygen is rather abundant, O2 is rare in the interstellar medium. It was only detected in two galactic and one extra-galactic region. The inconsistency between observations and theoretical studies is a big challenge for astrochemical models. Here we report a two-phase modeling research of molecular oxygen, using the Nautilus gas-grain code. We apply the isothermal cold dense models in the interstellar medium with two typical sets of initial elemental abundances, as well as the warm-up models with various physical conditions. Under cold dense conditions, we find that the timescales for gas-phase CO, O2 and H2O to reach peak values are dependent on the hydrogen density and are shortened when hydrogen density increases. In warm-up models, O2 abundances are in good agreement with observations at temperatures rising after 105 yr. In both isothermal and warm-up models, the steady-state O2 fractional abundance is independent of the hydrogen density, as long as the temperature is high enough (>30 K), at which O2 is prevented from significant depleting onto grain surface. In addition, low density is preferable for the formation of O2, whether molecular oxygen is under cold conditions or in warm regions.
Pure rotational spectrum of dibenzofuran in range of 2−6 GHz
Authors: Zhou Hai-hua , Liu Zeng-kui , Chen Zi-qiu , Sun Ming , Chen Qian , Duan Sheng-wen , Jiao Chao
Published: January 2020

We report the observation and assignment of the rotational spectra of dibenzofuran measured in the range of 2–6 GHz with a newly constructed broadband chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave (cp-FTMW) spectrometer. An analysis of the microwave spectra led to the assignment of 40 b-type transitions, resulting in the accurate determination of the rotational constants A=2278.19770(38) MHz, B=601.12248(10) MHz, and C=475.753120(98) MHz.
Retinal inputs signal astrocytes to recruit interneurons into visual thalamus
Authors: Su Jianmin , Charalambakis Naomi E. , Sabbagh Ubadah , Somaiya Rachana D. , Monavarfeshani Aboozar , Guido William , Fox Michael A.
Published: January 2020

Significance

Local inhibition, mediated by thalamic interneurons, contributes to the processing of visual information and is essential for vision. However, the mechanisms underlying the development of these interneurons remains unresolved. In this study, we sought to identify mechanisms that contribute to the long-distance migration of these interneurons into the visual thalamus. Our data show that innervation of the visual thalamus by retinal ganglion cells, the output neurons of the retina, is necessary for normal interneuron migration. Surprisingly, axons from these retinal ganglion cells appear to signal through astrocytes to contribute to thalamic interneuron migration. Astrocyte-derived cues may be a general mechanism for guiding interneuron migration throughout the brain.
Worldwide carrier frequency and genetic prevalence of autosomal recessive inherited retinal diseases
Authors: Hanany Mor , Rivolta Carlo , Sharon Dror
Published: January 2020

Significance

By computing genotype data from six major world populations, we aimed at calculating how many individuals are affected with an autosomal recessive (AR) form of inherited retinal disease (IRD) or carry a mutation that can be transmitted to future generations. By analyzing variants in 187 IRD-associated genes, we detected 10,044 mutations and estimated that 2.7 billion individuals worldwide are carriers of an IRD disease-causing mutation, whereas 5.5 million are expected to be affected. This study will assist clinicians in their decision about the need to perform relevant genetic tests when diagnosing patients with IRDs. Similar studies can take advantage of our approach to calculate the expected number of affected or carrier individuals for any genetic disease with known molecular etiology.
Spin-labeled nanobodies as protein conformational reporters for electron paramagnetic resonance in cellular membranes
Authors: Galazzo Laura , Meier Gianmarco , Timachi M. Hadi , Hutter Cedric A. J. , Seeger Markus A. , Bordignon Enrica
Published: January 2020

Nanobodies are emerging tools in a variety of fields such as structural biology, cell imaging, and drug discovery. Here we pioneer the use of their spin-labeled variants as reporters of conformational dynamics of membrane proteins using DEER spectroscopy. At the example of the bacterial ABC transporter TM287/288, we show that two gadolinium-labeled nanobodies allow us to quantify, via analysis of the modulation depth of DEER traces, the fraction of transporters adopting the outward-facing state under different experimental conditions. Additionally, we quantitatively follow the interconversion from the outward- to the inward-facing state in the conformational ensemble under ATP turnover conditions. We finally show that the specificity of the nanobodies for the target protein allows the direct attainment of structural information on the wild-type TM287/288 expressed in cellular membranes without the need to purify or label the investigated membrane protein.
Intestinal microbes influence development of thymic lymphocytes in early life
Authors: Ennamorati Maria , Vasudevan Chithirachelvi , Clerkin Kara , Halvorsen Stefan , Verma Smriti , Ibrahim Samira , Prosper Shaniah , Porter Caryn , Yeliseyev Vladimir , Kim Margot , Gardecki Joseph , Sassi Slim , Tearney Guillermo , Cherayil Bobby J. , Bry Lynn , Seed Brian , Jain Nitya
Published: January 2020

Significance

The burgeoning intestinal microbiota pose a unique challenge to the developing immune system of the newborn. Extensive crosstalk between mucosal immune cells and microbes is necessary to establish healthy microbial communities and promote the development of productive mucosal immunity. However, it is yet unknown whether intestinal microbes also influence the development of lymphocytes themselves in the thymus. Here, we report that thymic distribution of transcription factor PLZF-expressing innate lymphocytes is regulated by intestinal microbes in early life. Migratory plasmacytoid dendritic cells are one conveyor of microbial information to developing thymic cells and perturbation of this entero-thymic communication in early life impacts disease susceptibility in adulthood. Our data highlight a novel regulation of thymic lymphocyte development by early-life microbiota.
Evolution of kinship structures driven by marriage tie and competition
Authors: Itao Kenji , Kaneko Kunihiko
Published: January 2020

The family unit and kinship structures form the basis of social relationships in indigenous societies. Families constitute a cultural group, a so-called clan, within which marriage is prohibited by the incest taboo. The clan attribution governs the mating preference and descent relationships by certain rules. Such rules form various kinship structures, including generalized exchange, an indirect exchange of brides among more than two clans, and restricted exchange, a direct exchange of brides with the flow of children to different clans. These structures are distributed in different areas and show different cultural consequences. However, it is still unknown how they emerge or what conditions determine different structures. Here, we build a model of communities consisting of lineages and family groups and introduce social cooperation among kin and mates and conflict over mating. Each lineage has parameters characterizing the trait and mate preference, which determines the possibility of marriage and the degree of cooperation and conflict among lineages. Lineages can cooperate with those having similar traits to their own or mates’, whereas lineages with similar preferences compete for brides. In addition, we introduce community-level selection by eliminating communities with smaller fitness and follow the so-called hierarchical Moran process. We numerically demonstrate that lineages are clustered in the space of traits and preferences, resulting in the emergence of clans with the incest taboo. Generalized exchange emerges when cooperation is strongly needed, whereas restricted exchange emerges when the mating conflict is strict. This may explain the geographical distribution of kinship structures in indigenous societies.
Inhibiting both proline biosynthesis and lipogenesis synergistically suppresses tumor growth
Authors: Liu Miao , Wang Yuanyuan , Yang Chuanzhen , Ruan Yuxia , Bai Changsen , Chu Qiaoyun , Cui Yanfen , Chen Ceshi , Ying Guoguang , Li Binghui
Published: January 2020

Cancer cells often proliferate under hypoxia and reprogram their metabolism. However, how to find targets to effectively block the hypoxia-associated metabolic pathways remains unclear. Here, we developed a tool to conveniently calculate electrons dissipated in metabolic transformations. Based on the law of conservation of electrons in chemical reactions, we further built up an electron balance model for central carbon metabolism, and it can accurately outline metabolic plasticity under hypoxia. Our model specifies that glutamine metabolism reprogrammed for biosynthesis of lipid and/or proline actually acts as the alternative electron bin to enable electron transfer in proliferating cells under hypoxia. Inhibition of both proline biosynthesis and lipogenesis can synergistically suppress cancer cell growth under hypoxia and in vivo tumor onset. Therefore, our model helps to reveal combinations of potential targets to inhibit tumor growth by blocking hypoxia-rewired metabolism and provides a useful tool for future studies on cancer metabolism.
JEM goes viral
Authors: Nathan Carl F. , Nussenzweig Michel C. , Pulvirenti Teodoro
Published: January 2020

JEM goes viral
A multicenter quality improvement initiative on the impact of pharmacists’ postdischarge follow-up to reduce medication-related acute care episodes
Authors: Noh Lydia , Heimerl Kristina , Shane Rita
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This multicenter quality improvement initiative aims to measure and quantify pharmacists’ impact on reducing medication-related acute care episodes (MACEs) for high-risk patients at an increased risk for readmission due to drug-related problems (DRPs).

Methods

This was a prospective, multicenter quality improvement initiative conducted at 9 academic medical centers. Each participant implemented a standardized methodology for evaluating MACE likelihood to demonstrate the impact of pharmacist postdischarge follow-up (PDFU). The primary outcome was MACEs prevented, and the secondary outcome was DRPs identified and resolved by pharmacists. During PDFU, pharmacists were responsible for identification and resolution of DRPs, and cases were reviewed by physicians to confirm whether potential MACEs were prevented.

Results

A total of 840 patients were contacted by 9 participating academic medical centers during a 6-week data collection period. Of these, 328 cases were identified as MACEs prevented during PDFU by pharmacists, and physician reviewers confirmed that pharmacist identification of DRPs during PDFU prevented 27.9% of readmissions. Pharmacist identified 959 DRPs, 2.8% (27) of which were identified as potentially life threatening. Potentially serious or significant DRPs made up 56.6% (543) of the DRPs, and 40.6% (389) were identified as having a low capacity for harm.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate that PDFU of high-risk patients reduces DRPs and prevents MACEs based on physician confirmation. Implementation of MACE methodology provides health-system pharmacy departments the ability to demonstrate pharmacists’ value in transitions of care and assist in expanding pharmacist services.
Dynamics of language reorganization after left temporo-parietal and frontal stroke
Authors: Stockert Anika , Wawrzyniak Max , Klingbeil Julian , Wrede Katrin , Kümmerer Dorothee , Hartwigsen Gesa , Kaller Christoph P , Weiller Cornelius , Saur Dorothee
Published: January 2020

The loss and recovery of language functions are still incompletely understood. This longitudinal functional MRI study investigated the neural mechanisms underlying language recovery in patients with post-stroke aphasia putting particular emphasis on the impact of lesion site. To identify patterns of language-related activation, an auditory functional MRI sentence comprehension paradigm was administered to patients with circumscribed lesions of either left frontal (n = 17) or temporo-parietal (n = 17) cortex. Patients were examined repeatedly during the acute (≤1 week, t1), subacute (1–2 weeks, t2) and chronic phase (>6 months, t3) post-stroke; healthy age-matched control subjects (n = 17) were tested once. The separation into two patient groups with circumscribed lesions allowed for a direct comparison of the contributions of distinct lesion-dependent network components to language reorganization between both groups. We hypothesized that activation of left hemisphere spared and perilesional cortex as well as lesion-homologue cortex in the right hemisphere varies between patient groups and across time. In addition, we expected that domain-general networks serving cognitive control independently contribute to language recovery. First, we found a global network disturbance in the acute phase that is characterized by reduced functional MRI language activation including areas distant to the lesion (i.e. diaschisis) and subsequent subacute network reactivation (i.e. resolution of diaschisis). These phenomena were driven by temporo-parietal lesions. Second, we identified a lesion-independent sequential activation pattern with increased activity of perilesional cortex and bilateral domain-general networks in the subacute phase followed by reorganization of left temporal language areas in the chronic phase. Third, we observed involvement of lesion-homologue cortex only in patients with frontal but not temporo-parietal lesions. Fourth, irrespective of lesion location, language reorganization predominantly occurred in pre-existing networks showing comparable activation in healthy controls. Finally, we detected different relationships of performance and activation in language and domain-general networks demonstrating the functional relevance for language recovery. Our findings highlight that the dynamics of language reorganization clearly depend on lesion location and hence open new perspectives for neurobiologically motivated strategies of language rehabilitation, such as individually-tailored targeted application of neuro-stimulation.
Gene replacement ameliorates deficits in mouse and human models of cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 disorder
Authors: Gao Yunan , Irvine Elaine E , Eleftheriadou Ioanna , Naranjo Carlos Jiménez , Hearn-Yeates Francesca , Bosch Leontien , Glegola Justyna A , Murdoch Leah , Czerniak Aleksandra , Meloni Ilaria , Renieri Alessandra , Kinali Maria , Mazarakis Nicholas D
Published: January 2020

Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 disorder is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the X-linked cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene. It predominantly affects females who typically present with severe early epileptic encephalopathy, global developmental delay, motor dysfunction, autistic features and sleep disturbances. To develop a gene replacement therapy, we initially characterized the human CDKL5 transcript isoforms expressed in the brain, neuroblastoma cell lines, primary astrocytes and embryonic stem cell-derived cortical interneurons. We found that the isoform 1 and to a lesser extent the isoform 2 were expressed in human brain, and both neuronal and glial cell types. These isoforms were subsequently cloned into recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector genome and high-titre viral vectors were produced. Intrajugular delivery of green fluorescence protein via AAV vector serotype PHP.B in adult wild-type male mice transduced neurons and astrocytes throughout the brain more efficiently than serotype 9. Cdkl5 knockout male mice treated with isoform 1 via intrajugular injection at age 28–30 days exhibited significant behavioural improvements compared to green fluorescence protein-treated controls (1012 vg per animal, n = 10 per group) with PHP.B vectors. Brain expression of the isoform 1 transgene was more abundant in hindbrain than forebrain and midbrain. Transgene brain expression was sporadic at the cellular level and most prominent in hippocampal neurons and cerebellar Purkinje cells. Correction of postsynaptic density protein 95 cerebellar misexpression, a major fine cerebellar structural abnormality in Cdkl5 knockout mice, was found in regions of high transgene expression within the cerebellum. AAV vector serotype DJ efficiently transduced CDKL5-mutant human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors, which were subsequently differentiated into mature neurons. When treating CDKL5-mutant neurons, isoform 1 expression led to an increased density of synaptic puncta, while isoform 2 ameliorated the calcium signalling defect compared to green fluorescence protein control, implying distinct functions of these isoforms in neurons. This study provides the first evidence that gene therapy mediated by AAV vectors can be used for treating CDKL5 disorder.
Acquisition of Antibiotic-Resistant Gram-negative Bacteria in the Benefits of Universal Glove and Gown (BUGG) Cluster Randomized Trial
Authors: Harris Anthony D , Morgan Daniel J , Pineles Lisa , Magder Larry , O’Hara Lyndsay M , Johnson J Kristie
Published: January 2020

Background

The Benefits of Universal Glove and Gown (BUGG) cluster randomized trial found varying effects on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and no increase in adverse events. The aim of this study was to assess whether the intervention decreases the acquisition of antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of a randomized trial in 20 hospital intensive care units. The intervention consisted of healthcare workers wearing gloves and gowns when entering any patient room compared to standard care. The primary composite outcome was acquisition of any antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria based on surveillance cultures.

Results

A total of 40 492 admission and discharge perianal swabs from 20 246 individual patient admissions were included in the primary outcome. For the primary outcome of acquisition of any antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria, the intervention had a rate ratio (RR) of 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], .71–1.12; P = .34). Effects on the secondary outcomes of individual bacteria acquisition were as follows: carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (RR, 0.86 [95% CI, .60–1.24; P = .43), carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter (RR, 0.81 [95% CI, .52–1.27; P = .36), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas (RR, 0.88 [95% CI, .55–1.42]; P = .62), and extended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing bacteria (RR, 0.94 [95% CI, .71–1.24]; P = .67).

Conclusions

Universal glove and gown use in the intensive care unit was associated with a non–statistically significant decrease in acquisition of antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria. Individual hospitals should consider the intervention based on the importance of these organisms at their hospital, effect sizes, CIs, and cost of instituting the intervention.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT01318213.