bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A modeling approach for reconstruction of annual land surface evapotranspiration using palaeoecological data
Authors: Olchev A V , Getmanova E R , Novenko E Yu
Published: February 2020

A modeling approach to reconstruct the annual land surface evapotranspiration from palaeoecological data was suggested. It is based on assumption that the actual evapotranspiration is proportional to potential surface evapotranspiration and to some decoupling factor characterizing the surface moisture conditions. It was described in our study as a function of the climate moisture index (CMI). The potential evapotranspiration rate was derived using palaeoecological data about past land use and land cover, forest coverage, plant species composition and mean annual air temperature. The value of unknown decoupling factor was approximated using the results of evapotranspiration measurements at selected FLUXNET experimental sites located in the areas with different (ranged from extremely wet to moderately dry) moisture conditions. Comparisons of modeled evapotranspiration rates with results of the field flux measurements showed their good agreement for various forest, shrubland and grassland ecosystems in different geographical regions.
The characteristics of a relic steppe of Northeast Asia: refuges of the Pleistocene Mammoth steppe (an example from the Lower Kolyma area)
Authors: Shchelchkova M , Davydov S , Fyodorov-Davydov D , Davydova A , Boeskorov G
Published: February 2020

An ecosystem of a relic petrophytic steppe was studied in the Lower Kolyma River region. The soils of the steppe area significantly differed from those of the surrounding open larch forests in the following features: the presence of humus-accumulative horizons with a high content of roots; low moisture content; high heat supply; an extremely contrasting temperature regime; neutral reaction; decreased potential acidity; higher humification of organic matter; accumulation of exchangeable bases, soluble salts and organic nitrogen; and the presence of carbonate neoformations in the form of cutans on pebbly units. They also had a high microorganism saturation of the soil profile, a high share of actinomycetes in the microbial community, as is typical for arid soils, and a shift in the ratio of potential enzyme activities toward oxidoreductases, which reflects a deeper destruction of plant residues and more intensive humus formation. The petrophytic steppe had high bioproductivity. The growth rate of the aboveground phytomass (ANP) was closer to the true steppes of Central Asia than to the zonal tundras of the Arctic and Subarctic; such communities can serve as models for paleoreconstructions and study of the Late Pleistocene cold steppes - mammoth fauna large grazing mammals habitats.
Underwater persistent bubble-assisted femtosecond laser ablation for hierarchical micro/nanostructuring
Authors: Zhang Dongshi , Ranjan Bikas , Tanaka Takuo , Sugioka Koji
Published: February 2020

In this study, we demonstrate a technique termed underwater persistent bubble assisted femtosecond laser ablation in liquids (UPB-fs-LAL) that can greatly expand the boundaries of surface micro/nanostructuring through laser ablation because of its capability to create concentric circular macrostructures with millimeter-scale tails on silicon substrates. Long-tailed macrostructures are composed of layered fan-shaped (central angles of 45°–141°) hierarchical micro/nanostructures, which are produced by fan-shaped beams refracted at the mobile bubble interface (≥50° light tilt, referred to as the vertical incident direction) during UPB-fs-LAL line-by-line scanning. Marangoni flow generated during UPB-fs-LAL induces bubble movements. Fast scanning (e.g. 1 mm s−1) allows a long bubble movement (as long as 2 mm), while slow scanning (e.g. 0.1 mm s−1) prevents bubble movements. When persistent bubbles grow considerably (e.g. hundreds of microns in diameter) due to incubation effects, they become sticky and can cause both gas-phase and liquid-phase laser ablation in the central and peripheral regions of the persistent bubbles. This generates low/high/ultrahigh spatial frequency laser-induced periodic surface structures (LSFLs/HSFLs/UHSFLs) with periods of 550–900, 100–200, 40–100 nm, which produce complex hierarchical surface structures. A period of 40 nm, less than 1/25th of the laser wavelength (1030 nm), is the finest laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) ever created on silicon. The NIR-MIR reflectance/transmittance of fan-shaped hierarchical structures obtained by UPB-fs-LAL at a small line interval (5 μm versus 10 μm) is extremely low, due to both their extremely high light trapping capacity and absorbance characteristics, which are results of the structures’ additional layers and much finer HSFLs. In the absence of persistent bubbles, only grooves covered with HSFLs with periods larger than 100 nm are produced, illustrating the unique attenuation abilities of laser properties (e.g. repetition rate, energy, incident angle, etc) by persistent bubbles with different curvatures. This research represents a straightforward and cost-effective approach to diversifying the achievable hierarchical micro/nanostructures for a multitude of applications.
Embedding human heuristics in machine-learning-enabled probe microscopy
Authors: Gordon Oliver M , Junqueira Filipe L Q , Moriarty Philip J
Published: February 2020

Scanning probe microscopists generally do not rely on complete images to assess the quality of data acquired during a scan. Instead, assessments of the state of the tip apex, which not only determines the resolution in any scanning probe technique, but can also generate a wide array of frustrating artefacts, are carried out in real time on the basis of a few lines of an image (and, typically, their associated line profiles.) The very small number of machine learning approaches to probe microscopy published to date, however, involve classifications based on full images. Given that data acquisition is the most time-consuming task during routine tip conditioning, automated methods are thus currently extremely slow in comparison to the tried-and-trusted strategies and heuristics used routinely by probe microscopists. Here, we explore various strategies by which different STM image classes (arising from changes in the tip state) can be correctly identified from partial scans. By employing a secondary temporal network and a rolling window of a small group of individual scanlines, we find that tip assessment is possible with a small fraction of a complete image. We achieve this with little-to-no performance penalty—or, indeed, markedly improved performance in some cases—and introduce a protocol to detect the state of the tip apex in real time.
Reinforcement learning for semi-autonomous approximate quantum eigensolver
Authors: Albarrán-Arriagada F , Retamal J C , Solano E , Lamata L
Published: February 2020

The characterization of an operator by its eigenvectors and eigenvalues allows us to know its action over any quantum state. Here, we propose a protocol to obtain an approximation of the eigenvectors of an arbitrary Hermitian quantum operator. This protocol is based on measurement and feedback processes, which characterize a reinforcement learning protocol. Our proposal is composed of two systems, a black box named environment and a quantum state named agent. The role of the environment is to change any quantum state by a unitary matrix

U

ˆ

E

=

e

−
i
τ



ˆ

E

where



ˆ

E

is a Hermitian operator, and τ is a real parameter. The agent is a quantum state which adapts to some eigenvector of



ˆ

E

by repeated interactions with the environment, feedback process, and semi-random rotations. With this proposal, we can obtain an approximation of the eigenvectors of a random qubit operator with average fidelity over 90% in less than 10 iterations, and surpass 98% in less than 300 iterations. Moreover, for the two-qubit cases, the four eigenvectors are obtained with fidelities above 89% in 8000 iterations for a random operator, and fidelities of 99% for an operator with the Bell states as eigenvectors. This protocol can be useful to implement semi-autonomous quantum devices which should be capable of extracting information and deciding with minimal resources and without human intervention.
Improving the background of gravitational-wave searches for core collapse supernovae: a machine learning approach
Authors: Cavaglià M , Gaudio S , Hansen T , Staats K , Szczepańczyk M , Zanolin M
Published: February 2020

Based on the prior O1–O2 observing runs, about 30% of the data collected by Advanced LIGO and Virgo in the next observing runs are expected to be single-interferometer data, i.e. they will be collected at times when only one detector in the network is operating in observing mode. Searches for gravitational-wave signals from supernova events do not rely on matched filtering techniques because of the stochastic nature of the signals. If a Galactic supernova occurs during single-interferometer times, separation of its unmodelled gravitational-wave signal from noise will be even more difficult due to lack of coherence between detectors. We present a novel machine learning method to perform single-interferometer supernova searches based on the standard LIGO-Virgo coherent WaveBurst pipeline. We show that the method may be used to discriminate Galactic gravitational-wave supernova signals from noise transients, decrease the false alarm rate of the search, and improve the supernova detection reach of the detectors.
Introducing Machine Learning: Science and Technology
Authors: von Lilienfeld O Anatole
Published: February 2020

Due to the remarkable progress of ever-growing digitalisation and computing capabilities, data has become increasingly abundant, and machine learning has emerged as a key ingredient in many enabling technologies within modern society. Its potential for pushing the frontiers of science is now also clear and has been demonstrated in various domains extending from novel materials design, quantum physics and the simulation of molecules and chemical systems, to particle physics, medical imaging, space science, climate science and drug discovery. Conceived in close consultation with the community, Machine Learning: Science and Technology has been launched as a unique multidisciplinary, open access journal that will bridge the application of machine learning across the natural sciences with new conceptual advances in machine learning methods as motivated by physical insights.
Applications and advances of CRISPR/Cas9 in animal cancer model
Authors: Xu Min , Weng Qiaoyou , Ji Jiansong
Published: February 2020

The recent developments of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/-associate protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) have got scientific interests due to the straightforward, efficient and versatile talents of it. Furthermore, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has democratized access to gene editing in many biological fields, including cancer. Cancer development is a multistep process caused by innate and acquired mutations and leads to the initiation and progression of tumorigenesis. It is obvious that establishing appropriate animal cancer models which can simulate human cancers is crucial for cancer research currently. Since the emergence of CRISPR/Cas9, considerable efforts have been taken by researchers to apply this technology in generating animal cancer models. Although there is still a long way to go we are happy to see the achievements we have made and the promising future we have.
Systematic Review: Histological Scoring of Strictures in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: De Voogd F A , Mookhoek A , Gecse K B , De Hertogh G , Bemelman W A , Buskens C J , D’Haens G R
Published: February 2020

Background and Aims

In Crohn’s disease, many patients develop a stricture, which can due to inflammation, fibrosis and muscular changes or all at the same time. Determining the predominant component has therapeutic consequences but remains challenging. To develop imaging techniques that assess the nature of a stricture, a gold standard is needed and histopathology is considered as such. This paper provides an overview of published histological scoring systems for strictures in Crohn’s disease.

Methods

A systematic literature review according to PRISMA guidelines was performed of histological scoring indices that assessed whether a stricture was inflammation-predominant or fibrosis-predominant. Multiple libraries were searched from inception to December 2018. Two reviewers independently assessed abstracts and full-texts.

Results

Sixteen articles were identified as suitable for this systematic review. A large number of parameters were reported. Extent of neutrophil infiltration and extent of fibrosis in the bowel wall were most frequently described to reflect severity of inflammation and fibrosis, respectively. Among the 16 studies, only two described a numerical scoring system for the inflammatory and fibrotic component separately. Smooth muscle changes were scored in a minority of studies.

Conclusions

Multiple scoring systems have been developed. There was large heterogeneity in scoring per parameter and construction of numerical scoring systems. Therefore, we feel that none of the systems is suitable to be used as gold standard. We offer an overview of histological parameters that could be incorporated in a future histological scoring index for strictures.
Repetitive restenosis in a biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent with hypersensitivity reaction: a case report
Authors: Jimba Takahiro , Hashikata Takehiro , Matsushita Masashiro , Yamasaki Masao
Published: February 2020

Background 

Hypersensitivity reaction is a classic cause of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in coronary stents, typically reported in bare-metal stents and first-generation drug-eluting stents. Biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent (BP-SES) was developed with the concept of biocompatibility, and there has been no report of ISR of BP-SES with hypersensitivity reaction.

Case summary 

An 81-year-old woman presented with ST-elevation acute inferior myocardial infarction. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention was performed for the culprit lesion in the left circumflex artery with a permanent polymer everolimus-eluting stent (PP-EES), followed by BP-SES implantation in the left anterior descending artery. Eight months later, coronary angiography showed total occlusion of the PP-EES and diffuse ISR in the BP-SES, treated with a paclitaxel-eluting balloon. Fluorodeoxyglucose with positron emission tomography showed increased uptake around the BP-SES, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed a late gadolinium-enhanced area around both stents. Four months later, she developed re-ISR in the BP-SES, and optical coherence tomography demonstrated diffuse-layered neointimal hyperplasia with microvascularization and peri-strut low-intensity area. She was successfully treated with coronary artery bypass grafting.

Discussion 

Our case demonstrated repetitive short-term ISR of the BP-SES. Observation by both intravascular and non-invasive imaging modalities suggested the presence of hypersensitivity reaction localized in the stent. Hypersensitivity to the metal may be a possible mechanism because both stents are composed of L605 cobalt–chromium alloy. This is the first report of ISR of a BP-SES with hypersensitivity reaction. Non-invasive imaging can be useful to assess this critical condition.
Antithrombotic therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome complicated by cardiogenic shock or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a joint position paper from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Working Group on Thrombosis, in association with the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association (ACCA) and European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI)
Authors: Gorog Diana A , Price Susanna , Sibbing Dirk , Baumbach Andreas , Capodanno Davide , Gigante Bruna , Halvorsen Sigrun , Huber Kurt , Lettino Maddalena , Leonardi Sergio , Morais Joao , Rubboli Andrea , Siller-Matula Jolanta M , Storey Robert F , Vranckx Pascal , Rocca Bianca
Published: February 2020

abstract

Timely and effective antithrombotic therapy is critical to improving outcome, including survival, in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Achieving effective platelet inhibition and anticoagulation, with minimal risk, is particularly important in high-risk ACS patients, especially those with cardiogenic shock (CS) or those successfully resuscitated following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), who have a 30-50% risk of death or a recurrent ischaemic event over the subsequent 30 days. There are unique challenges to achieving effective and safe antithrombotic treatment in this cohort of patients that are not encountered in most other ACS patients. This position paper focuses on patients presenting with CS or immediately post-OHCA, of presumed ischaemic aetiology, and examines issues related to thrombosis and bleeding risk. Both the physical and pharmacological impacts of CS, namely impaired drug absorption, metabolism, altered distribution and/or excretion, associated multiorgan failure, co-morbidities and co-administered treatments such as opiates, targeted temperature management, renal replacement therapy and circulatory or left ventricular assist devices, can have major impact on the effectiveness and safety of antithrombotic drugs. Careful attention to the choice of antithrombotic agent(s), route of administration, drug-drug interactions, therapeutic drug monitoring and factors that affect drug efficacy and safety, may reduce the risk of sub- or supra-therapeutic dosing and associated adverse events. This paper provides expert opinion, based on best available evidence, and consensus statements on optimising antithrombotic therapy in these very high-risk patients, in whom minimising the risk of thrombosis and bleeding is critical to improving outcome.
Fate of contralateral asymptomatic bullae in patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Authors: Jang Hyo Jun , Lee Jun Ho , Nam Seung Hyuk , Ro Sun Kyun
Published: February 2020

OBJECTIVES

This retrospective cohort study aimed to analyse the impact of asymptomatic blebs/bullae on the occurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) by monitoring the natural course of contralateral blebs/bullae in patients with ipsilateral pneumothorax.

METHODS

From January 2003 to December 2017, 1055 patients [age 19.6 ± 3.98 years (mean ± standard deviation), 953 men] experiencing the first episode of unilateral PSP were enrolled in this study, excluding patients aged 30 years or more. The presence, number and maximal size of the blebs/bullae were investigated in contralateral asymptomatic lungs based on high-resolution computed tomography.

RESULTS

Multiple and single blebs/bullae were noted in contralateral lungs in 425 (40.3%) and 88 (8.3%) patients, respectively. The median follow-up period was 44.0 (interquartile range 71.5) months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year cumulative occurrence rates of PSP in contralateral lungs were 7.9%, 13.7% and 16.7%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, younger age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–1.27; P < 0.001) and multiple bullae (HR 4.42, 95% CI 3.06–6.38; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for spontaneous pneumothorax in the contralateral lung. The 5-year cumulative occurrence rates of PSP were significantly higher in patients with multiple blebs/bullae than in those with no or a single bleb/bulla (28.2% vs 8.5%, respectively; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Asymptomatic blebs/bullae often lead to PSP. If the patient is eligible for surgery for pneumothorax, preemptive surgery for contralateral bullae could be considered, especially in patients with multiple blebs/bullae.
A path to early diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and dementia: validity and reliability of the myMemCheck® self-administered screening tool
Authors: Mansbach William E , Mace Ryan A , Tanner Melissa A , Simmons Steven P
Published: February 2020

Background

Barriers to the early detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia can delay diagnosis and treatment. myMemCheck® was developed as a rapid free cognitive self-assessment tool that can be completed at home to identify older adults that would benefit from a more comprehensive cognitive evaluation.

Objective

Two prospective cross-sectional studies were conducted to examine the psychometric properties and clinical utility of myMemCheck®.

Methods

In Study 1, participants were independent living residents referred to an outpatient memory clinic (N = 59); older adults in the community and post-acute nursing home residents (N = 357) comprised Study 2.

Results

Psychometric analyses were performed on cognitive and psychological testing data, including myMemCheck®. myMemCheck® evidenced adequate reliability and strong construct validity. Receiver operating characteristic analysis evidenced an optional myMemCheck® cut score for identifying older adults at risk for MCI or dementia. myMemCheck® explained 25% of cognitive status beyond basic patient information.

Conclusions

myMemCheck® may help fast-track the diagnostic process, facilitate appropriate referrals for cognitive and neuropsychological evaluation, reduce assessment burden in health care and prevent negative outcomes associated with undetected cognitive impairment.
The role of mental disease on the association between multimorbidity and medical expenditure
Authors: Yamanashi Hirotomo , Nobusue Kenichi , Nonaka Fumiaki , Honda Yukiko , Shimizu Yuji , Akabame Shogo , Sugimoto Takashi , Nagata Yasuhiro , Maeda Takahiro
Published: February 2020

Background

Multimorbidity is the presence of two or more chronic diseases and is associated with increased adverse outcomes, including hospitalization, mortality and frequency of use of medical institutions.

Objective

This study aimed to describe multimorbidity patterns, determine whether multimorbidity was associated with high medical expenditure, and determine whether mental diseases had an interaction effect on this association.

Methods

We conducted a claims data-based observational study. Data were obtained for 7526 individuals aged 0–75 years from a medical claims data set for Goto, Japan, over a 12-month period (2016–17). Annual medical expenditure was divided into quintiles; the fifth quintile represented high medical expenditure. Multimorbidity status was defined as the occurrence of two or more health conditions from 17 specified conditions. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for high medical expenditure were calculated by number of comorbidities.

Results

In total, 5423 (72.1%) participants had multimorbidity. Multimorbidity was significantly associated with high medical expenditure, even after adjustment for age, sex and income category (OR: 10.36, 95% CI: 7.57–14.19; P < 0.001). Mental diseases had a significant interaction effect on the association between multimorbidity and high medical expenditure (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Multimorbidity is associated with high medical expenditure in Japan. Mental diseases may contribute to increased medical costs.
Opioid Use and the Risk of Falls, Fall Injuries and Fractures among Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yoshikawa Aya , Ramirez Gilbert , Smith Matthew Lee , Foster Margaret , Nabil Anas K , Jani Sagar N , Ory Marcia G
Published: February 2020

Background

There is increasing concern about opioid use as a pain treatment option among older adults. Existing literature implies an association between opioid use and fracture, increasing the risk of death and disabilities; yet, this relationship with other fall-related outcomes has not been fully explored. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the associations between opioid use and adverse health outcomes of falls, fall injuries, and fractures among older adults.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted using nine databases: Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Global Health, Northern Light Sciences Conference Abstracts, Cochrane CENTRAL, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov. We log-transformed effect sizes (relative risk [RR], odds ratio [OR], and hazard ratio [HR]) to compute pooled risk estimates comparable across the studies. The random-effects model was applied to calculate the pooled risk estimates due to heterogeneity. Meta-regressions explored differences in risk estimates by analysis method, study design, setting, and study quality.

Results

Thirty studies, providing 34 relevant effect sizes, met the inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis. Overall, opioid use was significantly associated with falls, fall injuries, and fractures, with effect sizes ranging from 0.15 to 0.71. In meta-regressions, no selected factors explained heterogeneity.

Conclusion

While heterogeneity is present, results suggest an increased risk of falls, fall injuries, and fractures among older adults who used opioids. Findings highlight the need for opioid education and nonopioid-related pain management interventions among older adults to decrease fall-related risk.
Transcriptional dysregulation in developing trigeminal sensory neurons in the LgDel mouse model of DiGeorge 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Maynard Thomas M , Horvath Anelia , P Bernot James , Karpinski Beverly A , Tavares Andre L P , Shah Ankita , Zheng Qianqian , Spurr Liam , Olender Jacqueline , Moody Sally A , Fraser Claire M , LaMantia Anthony-S , Lee Norman H
Published: February 2020

LgDel mice, which model the heterozygous deletion of genes at human chromosome 22q11.2 associated with DiGeorge/22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), have cranial nerve and craniofacial dysfunction as well as disrupted suckling, feeding and swallowing, similar to key 22q11DS phenotypes. Divergent trigeminal nerve (CN V) differentiation and altered trigeminal ganglion (CNgV) cellular composition prefigure these disruptions in LgDel embryos. We therefore asked whether a distinct transcriptional state in a specific population of early differentiating LgDel cranial sensory neurons, those in CNgV, a major source of innervation for appropriate oropharyngeal function, underlies this departure from typical development. LgDel versus wild-type (WT) CNgV transcriptomes differ significantly at E10.5 just after the ganglion has coalesced. Some changes parallel altered proportions of cranial placode versus cranial neural crest-derived CNgV cells. Others are consistent with a shift in anterior–posterior patterning associated with divergent LgDel cranial nerve differentiation. The most robust quantitative distinction, however, is statistically verifiable increased variability of expression levels for most of the over 17 000 genes expressed in common in LgDel versus WT CNgV. Thus, quantitative expression changes of functionally relevant genes and increased stochastic variation across the entire CNgV transcriptome at the onset of CN V differentiation prefigure subsequent disruption of cranial nerve differentiation and oropharyngeal function in LgDel mice.
Isolated Singularities of Yang–Mills–Higgs Fields on Surfaces
Authors: Chen Bo , Song Chong
Published: February 2020

We study isolated singularities of 2D Yang–Mills–Higgs (YMH) fields defined on a fiber bundle, where the fiber space is a compact Riemannian manifold and the structure group is a compact connected Lie group. In general, the singularity cannot be removed due to possibly non-vanishing limit holonomy around the singular points. We establish a sharp asymptotic decay estimate of the YMH field near a singular point, where the decay rate is precisely determined by the limit holonomy. Our result can be viewed as a generalization of the classical removable singularity theorem of 2D harmonic maps.
Griffithsin Inhibits Nipah Virus Entry and Fusion and Can Protect Syrian Golden Hamsters From Lethal Nipah Virus Challenge
Authors: Lo Michael K , Spengler Jessica R , Krumpe Lauren R H , Welch Stephen R , Chattopadhyay Anasuya , Harmon Jessica R , Coleman-McCray JoAnn D , Scholte Florine E M , Hotard Anne L , Fuqua Joshua L , Rose John K , Nichol Stuart T , Palmer Kenneth E , O’Keefe Barry R , Spiropoulou Christina F
Published: February 2020

Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic zoonotic paramyxovirus that causes fatal encephalitis and respiratory disease in humans. There is currently no approved therapeutic for human use against NiV infection. Griffithsin (GRFT) is high-mannose oligosaccharide binding lectin that has shown in vivo broad-spectrum activity against viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, human immunodeficiency virus 1, hepatitis C virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro antiviral activities of GRFT and its synthetic trimeric tandemer (3mG) against NiV and other viruses from 4 virus families. The 3mG had comparatively greater potency than GRFT against NiV due to its enhanced ability to block NiV glycoprotein-induced syncytia formation. Our initial in vivo prophylactic evaluation of an oxidation-resistant GRFT (Q-GRFT) showed significant protection against lethal NiV challenge in Syrian golden hamsters. Our results warrant further development of Q-GRFT and 3mG as potential NiV therapeutics.
Structurally informed design of interlocking block assemblages using limit analysis
Authors: Mousavian Elham , Casapulla Claudia
Published: February 2020

This paper presents a computational framework to design assemblages of interlocking blocks and to analyze their structural feasibility. The core of this framework is an extension of limit analysis to corrugated interfaces with orthotropic sliding behavior. Such block interfaces are made of a number of locks (i.e. projections on the corrugated faces, locking the blocks together) with rectangular cross section. The sliding resistance at the block interfaces is governed by the shear resistance of the locks and Coulomb’s friction law, normal to and along the locks, respectively. This resistance is assumed as a function of different interface geometric parameters and the stress state on an interface is represented by using a number of contact points distributed over the lock centerlines. The abstraction model has been validated through the comparison of the torsion–shear behavior of an interface obtained by the proposed model and experimental tests reported in the literature. The extended limit analysis has been implemented to model single-layer shells. When the model is infeasible, the geometry of the overall shell, blocks, and interlocking interfaces can be adjusted by the designer to make the model structurally feasible. The performance of the framework is presented through several examples, which demonstrate the relationships between the geometry of the interlocking interfaces and the stability of the assemblages.
Polyplax brachyrrhyncha (Anoplura: Polyplacidae) and Rhipicephalus turanicus (Ixodidae: Rhipicephalinae) in an Ancient Louse Comb
Authors: Mumcuoglu Kosta Y , Sukenik Naama , Bar-Oz Guy
Published: February 2020

A fine-toothed comb found in the Judean Desert and resembling an ancient louse comb was examined. Based on radiocarbon dating, it ranged between 1660 AD and 1950 AD. From the material accumulated between the teeth, an oribatid mite, a pseudoscorpion, exuviae of beetle larvae, a sucking louse (Polyplax brachyrrhyncha Cummings, 1915), as well as a fully engorged larva and a nymph of the ixodid tick Rhipicephalus turanicus Pomerantzev, 1936 were recorded. Additionally, the comb included numerous hairs of a spiny mouse (Acomys sp.). Although finding mites, beetle larvae, and a pseudoscorpion on a louse comb could be regarded as contamination, the findings of P. brachyrrhyncha, as well as of a larva and nymph of R. turanicus, are noteworthy. We hypothesize that the presence of animal lice and ticks could indicate some sort of pet grooming.
The Impact of Obesity on Tumor Glucose Uptake in Breast and Lung Cancer
Authors: Leitner Brooks P , Perry Rachel J
Published: February 2020

Obesity confers an increased incidence and poorer clinical prognosis in more than 10 cancer types. Paradoxically, obesity may provide protection from poor outcomes in lung cancer. Mechanisms for the obesity-cancer links are not fully elucidated, with altered glucose metabolism being a promising candidate. Using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission-tomography/computed tomography images from The Cancer Imaging Archive, we explored the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and glucose metabolism in several cancers. In 188 patients (BMI mean [SD] = 27.7 [5.1], range = 17.4–49.3 kg/m2), higher BMI was associated with greater tumor glucose uptake in breast cancer (r = 0.36; P = .02) and with lower tumor glucose uptake in non-small cell lung cancer (r = -0.26; P = .048) using two-sided Pearson correlations. No relationship was observed in soft tissue sarcoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Harnessing the National Cancer Institute’s open-access database, we demonstrate altered tumor glucose metabolism as a potential mechanism for the detrimental and protective effects of obesity on breast and lung cancer, respectively.
A new mass-loss rate prescription for red supergiants
Authors: Beasor Emma R , Davies Ben , Smith Nathan , van Loon Jacco Th , Gehrz Robert D , Figer Donald F
Published: February 2020

Evolutionary models have shown the substantial effect that strong mass-loss rates ($\dot{M}$s) can have on the fate of massive stars. Red supergiant (RSG) mass-loss is poorly understood theoretically, and so stellar models rely on purely empirical $\dot{M}$–luminosity relations to calculate evolution. Empirical prescriptions usually scale with luminosity and effective temperature, but $\dot{M}$ should also depend on the current mass and hence the surface gravity of the star, yielding more than one possible $\dot{M}$ for the same position on the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram. One can solve this degeneracy by measuring $\dot{M}$ for RSGs that reside in clusters, where age and initial mass (Minit) are known. In this paper we derive $\dot{M}$ values and luminosities for RSGs in two clusters, NGC 2004 and RSGC1. Using newly derived Minit measurements, we combine the results with those of clusters with a range of ages and derive an Minit-dependent $\dot{M}$ prescription. When comparing this new prescription to the treatment of mass-loss currently implemented in evolutionary models, we find models drastically overpredict the total mass-loss, by up to a factor of 20. Importantly, the most massive RSGs experience the largest downward revision in their mass-loss rates, drastically changing the impact of wind mass-loss on their evolution. Our results suggest that for most initial masses of RSG progenitors, quiescent mass-loss during the RSG phase is not effective at removing a significant fraction of the H-envelope prior to core-collapse, and we discuss the implications of this for stellar evolution and observations of SNe and SN progenitors.
Photon-induced desorption of larger species in UV-irradiated methane ice
Authors: Carrascosa H , Cruz-Díaz G A , Muñoz Caro G M , Dartois E , Chen Y-J
Published: February 2020

At the low temperatures found in the interior of dense clouds and circumstellar regions, along with H2O and smaller amounts of species such as CO, CO2 or CH3OH, the infrared features of CH4 have been observed on icy dust grains. Ultraviolet (UV) photons induce different processes in ice mantles, affecting the molecular abundances detected in the gas phase. This work aims to understand the processes that occur in a pure CH4 ice mantle subjected to UV irradiation. We studied photon-induced processes for the different photoproducts arising in the ice upon UV irradiation. Experiments were carried out in ISAC, an ultra-high vacuum chamber equipped with a cryostat and an F-type UV lamp reproducing the secondary UV field induced by cosmic rays in dense clouds. Infrared spectroscopy and quadrupole mass spectrometry were used to monitor the solid and gas phases, respectively, during the formation, irradiation and warming-up of the ice. Direct photodesorption of pure CH4 was not observed. UV photons form CHx· and H· radicals, leading to photoproducts such as H2, C2H2, C2H6 and C3H8. Evidence for the photodesorption of C2H2 and photochemidesorption of C2H6 and C3H8 was found; the latter species is so far the largest molecule found to photochemidesorb. 13CH4 experiments were also carried out to confirm the reliability of these results.
The normalization and slope of the dark matter (sub-)halo mass function on sub-galactic scales
Authors: Benson Andrew J
Published: February 2020

Simulations of cold dark matter make robust predictions about the slope and normalization of the dark matter halo and subhalo mass functions on small scales. Recent observational advances utilizing strong gravitational lensing have demonstrated the ability of this technique to place constraints on these quantities on subgalactic scales corresponding to dark matter halo masses of 106–$10^9\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$. On these scales the physics of baryons, which make up around 17 per cent of the matter content of the Universe but which are not included in pure dark matter N-body simulations, are expected to affect the growth of structure and the collapse of dark matter haloes. In this work, we develop a semi-analytic model to predict the amplitude and slope of the dark matter halo and subhalo mass functions on subgalactic scales in the presence of baryons. We find that the halo mass function is suppressed by up to 25 per cent, and the slope is modified, ranging from −1.916 to −1.868 in this mass range. These results are consistent with current measurements, but differ sufficiently from the expectations for a dark matter only universe that it may be testable in the near future.
Influence of Warning Statements on Understanding of the Negative Health Consequences of Smoking
Authors: Pepper Jessica K , Nguyen Zarndt Anh , Eggers Matthew E , Nonnemaker James M , Portnoy David B
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Pursuant to the Tobacco Control Act (TCA), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is developing new cigarette health warnings to convey the negative health consequences of cigarette smoking.

Aims and Methods

This study assessed which of 15 revised warning statements (10 on topics similar to TCA statements and 5 on other topics) promoted greater understanding of cigarette smoking risks relative to TCA statements. In February 2018, adolescent and adult smokers and adolescents susceptible to smoking (n = 2505) completed an online experiment. Control condition participants viewed TCA statements; treatment condition participants viewed combinations of TCA and revised statements. Analyses compared revised statements to TCA statements on the same health topic or to randomly selected TCA statements if there were no statements on the same topic.

Results

Relative to TCA statements, 12 of 15 revised statements were more likely to be considered new information, and 12 resulted in more self-reported learning. Three revised statements made participants think more about health risks than TCA statements; the reverse was true for one revised statement. Participants rated most TCA and revised statements as moderately believable and informative. Seven revised statements were found to be less believable and factual, and one revised statement more believable and factual. Treatment condition participants correctly selected more smoking-related health conditions than control condition participants (13.79 versus 12.42 of 25).

Conclusions

Findings suggest that revised statements can promote greater understanding of cigarette smoking risks. Results informed FDA’s selection of warning text that was paired with images for testing in a follow-up study.

Implications

The US FDA may adjust the text of the cigarette warning statements provided in the TCA if the revised statements promote greater public understanding of the negative health consequences of cigarette smoking. Most of the revised warning statements tested were more likely to be considered new information and resulted in more self-reported learning compared with paired TCA statements, providing support for using revised statements as part of cigarette health warnings. These results informed the development of pictorial cigarette warnings by FDA that were tested in a follow-up study and included in a proposed rule.
Effect of dairy intake with or without energy restriction on body composition of adults: overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials
Authors: López-Sobaler Ana M , Aparicio Aránzazu , López Díaz-Ufano M Luisa , Ortega Rosa M , Álvarez-Bueno Celia
Published: February 2020

Context

Some studies suggest that consumption of dairy products can aid in weight loss, while others suggest a negative effect or no effect.

Objective

An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses was conducted to examine the effect of dairy product consumption on changes in body composition.

Data Sources

PRISMA guidelines were followed to ensure transparent reporting of evidence. The MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to April 2018.

Study Selection

Six systematic reviews and 47 associated meta-analyses (which included the results of 58 different randomized controlled trials) published in English or Spanish and reporting data on dairy intake and changes in weight, fat mass, lean mass, or waist circumference were included.

Data Extraction

Two authors independently extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias using the AMSTAR2 tool.

Results

Dairy consumption interventions without dietary energy restriction had no significant effects on weight, fat mass, lean mass, or waist circumference. Interventions in energy-restricted settings had significant effects on fat mass and body weight.

Conclusions

Increasing total dairy intake without energy restriction in adults does not affect body composition. In the context of an energy-restricted diet, however, increased dairy intake results in lower fat mass and body weight but has no conclusive effects on waist circumference or lean mass.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration number CRD42018094672.
Dietary fatty acids as nutritional modulators of sirtuins: a systematic review
Authors: Caldas Ana Paula S , Rocha Daniela Mayumi U P , Bressan Josefina , Hermsdorff Helen Hermana M
Published: February 2020

Context

The sirtuins (SIRT1 to SIRT7) constitute a family of highly conserved nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide–dependent proteins. When activated, sirtuins control essential cellular processes to maintain metabolic homeostasis, while lack of expression of sirtuins has been related to chronic disease.

Objective

The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the role of fat consumption as a modulator of human sirtuins.

Data Sources

This review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies were identified by searches of the electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science.

Study Selection

Randomized clinical trials assessing the effect of fatty acid consumption on sirtuin mRNA expression, sirtuin protein expression, or sirtuin protein activity were eligible for inclusion.

Data Extraction

Two authors screened and determined the quality of the studies; disagreements were resolved by the third author. All authors compared the compiled data.

Results

Seven clinical studies with 3 different types of interventions involving healthy and nonhealthy participants were selected. Only SIRT1 and SIRT3 were evaluated. Overall, the evidence from clinical studies to date is insufficient to understand how lipid consumption modulates sirtuins in humans. The best-characterized mechanism highlights oleic acid as a natural activator of SIRT1.

Conclusion

These results draw attention to a new field of interest in nutrition science. The possible activation of sirtuins by dietary fat manipulation may represent an important nutritional strategy for management of chronic and metabolic disease.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration number CRD42018114456.
Complementarity in public and private intellectual property enforcement; implications for international standards
Authors: Klein Michael A
Published: February 2020

I examine the relationship between public enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights and firm strategies to influence entry of non-deceptive counterfeit products: illegal copies of authentic goods purchased consciously by consumers. I assume that private enforcement investment determines the probability that a counterfeit entrant will be detected, while public investment determines the efficacy of the legal institutions responsible for enforcing IP law. Private and public enforcement serve distinct complementary roles, which combine to determine total IP protection in the economy. I show that differences in the investment incentives of the two entities that control enforcement lead to inefficiently low public investment in equilibrium. In this context, international efforts to impose stricter legal penalties against counterfeiters can be counterproductive: further reducing public enforcement and increasing counterfeit prevalence. In contrast, minimum quality standards can be implemented to better align incentives, encourage higher public enforcement, and reduce inefficiency.
Redox-Responsive Transcription Factor 1 (RRFT1) Is Involved in Extracellular ATP-Regulated Arabidopsis thaliana Seedling Growth
Authors: Zhu Ruojia , Dong Xiaoxia , Xue Yingying , Xu Jiawei , Zhang Aiqi , Feng Meng , Zhao Qing , Xia Shuyan , Yin Yahong , He Shihua , Li Yuke , Liu Ting , Kang Erfang , Shang Zhonglin
Published: February 2020

Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (eATP) is an apoplastic signaling molecule that plays an essential role in the growth and development of plants. Arabidopsis seedlings have been reported to respond to eATP; however, the downstream signaling components are still not well understood. In this study, we report that an ethylene-responsive factor, Redox-Responsive Transcription Factor 1 (RRTF1), is involved in eATP-regulated Arabidopsis thaliana seedling growth. Exogenous adenosine triphosphate inhibited green seedling root growth and induced hypocotyl bending of etiolated seedlings. RRTF1 loss-of-function mutant (rrtf1) seedlings showed decreased responses to eATP, while its complementation or overexpression led to recovered or increased eATP responsiveness. RRTF1 was expressed rapidly after eATP stimulation and then migrated into the nuclei of root tip cells. eATP-induced auxin accumulation in root tip or hypocotyl cells was impaired in rrtf1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and high-throughput sequencing results indicated that eATP induced some genes related to cell growth and development in wild type but not in rrtf1 cells. These results suggest that RRTF1 may be involved in eATP signaling by regulating functional gene expression and cell metabolism in Arabidopsis seedlings.