bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polythioethers with Controlled α,ω‐End Groups Prepared by Visible Light Induced Thiol–Ene Click Polymerization of Dithiol and Divinyl Ether with 4‐(N,N‐diphenylamino)benzaldehyde as Organocatalyst
Authors: Wang Yiran , Zhang Xianhong , Ma Yuhong , Chen Dong , Zhao Changwen , Yang Wantai
Published: February 2020

This study reports a step‐growth click‐polymerization of 1,4‐benzenedimethane (BDMT) and diethylene glycol divinyl ether (DEGVE) with 4‐(N,N‐diphenylamino)‐benzaldehyde (DPAB) as a photoredox catalyst under irradiation of visible light. DPAB exhibits a strong UV–vis absorption at 350 nm and a strong fluorescence emission at 480 nm in anisole. There is a strong fluorescence quenching between BDMT and DPAB. The molecular weight of the polythiolether can be controlled by reaction time and monomer feed ratios. More importantly, α,ω‐dithiol and α,ω‐divinyl telechelic polythiolether oligomers are successfully synthesized by simply changing the molar ratios of BDMT to DEGVE. 1H NMR and MALDI‐TOF MS spectra demonstrate that the oligomers have high end group fidelity. In addition, strong fluorescence is observed when the α,ω‐dithiol terminated polythiolether adds with N‐(1‐pyrenyl) maleimide, indicating that the as‐prepared polythiolether bears reactive thiol end groups. Furthermore, high molecular weight polythiolether are prepared by chain extension with reactive polythiolether oligomers as macro‐monomers. For example, α,ω‐divinyl oligomer (Mn = 2000 g mol−1) could further react with α,ω‐dithiol oligomer (Mn = 2400 g mol−1) to form high molecular weight polythiolether (Mn = 6000 g mol−1).
Strichartz estimates for non‐degenerate Schrödinger equations
Authors: Taira Kouichi
Published: February 2020

We consider the Schrödinger equation with a non‐degenerate metric on the Euclidean space. We study local in time Strichartz estimates for the Schrödinger equation without loss of derivatives including the endpoint case. In contrast to the Riemannian metric case, we need the additional assumptions for the well‐posedness of our Schrödinger equation and for proving Strichartz estimates without loss.
Not so social: When social media increases perceptions of exclusions and negatively affects attitudes toward content
Authors: Vinuales Gema , Thomas Veronica L.
Published: February 2020

Social media interactions in the form of likes and comments have become a prevalent and expected form of feedback among consumers. However, as these forms of feedback represent social acceptance, content that fails to garner sufficient community reactions may have important implications for consumer behavior, a conjecture supported by an evolutionary psychology account. Three studies demonstrate that consumers use social media cues such as the number of likes that a post receives to shape their attitudes and intentions regarding the subject of that post, and this relationship is mediated by perceptions of social exclusion. Further, the presence of comments can help to attenuate the negative impact of too few likes on perceptions of social exclusion, enhancing consumers’ attitudes and intentions toward the subject of the post.
Proposal for a Scientifically Correct and Medically Actionable Disease Classification System (ICD) for Obesity
Authors: Garvey W. Timothy , Mechanick Jeffrey I.
Published: February 2020

Objective

Obesity is responsible for a huge burden of suffering and social costs, and yet many patients lack access to evidence‐based therapies. The diagnostic term “obesity” and inadequate International Classification of Diseases(ICD) codes contribute to suboptimal efforts to prevent and treat obesity as a chronic disease. The goal of this review is to develop a medically actionable classification system based on the diagnostic term “adiposity‐based chronic disease” (ABCD) that reflects disease pathophysiology and specific complications causing morbidity and mortality.

Methods

A coding system based on the diagnosis of ABCD with four domains is proposed: A codes reflect pathophysiology, B codes indicate BMI classification, C codes specify specific biomechanical and cardiovascular complications remediable by weight loss, and D codes indicate the degree of the severity of complications. Supplemental codes identify aggravating factors that complicate care and that are relevant to a personalized therapeutic plan.

Results

The coding system addresses pathophysiology and therapeutic goals and differential risk, presence, and severity of specific complications that are integral to ABCD as a chronic disease.

Conclusions

The scientifically correct and medically actionable approach to diagnosis and disease coding will lead to greater acknowledgement of ABCD as a disease and accessibility to evidence‐based therapies on behalf of patients across the life cycle.
Heterogeneous Effects of Early Algebra across California Middle Schools
Authors: McEachin Andrew , Domina Thurston , Penner Andrew
Published: February 2020

How should schools assign students to more rigorous math courses so as best to help their academic outcomes? We identify several hundred California middle schools that used 7th‐grade test scores to place students into 8th‐grade algebra courses and use a regression discontinuity design to estimate average impacts and heterogeneity across schools. Enrolling in 8th‐grade algebra boosts students’ enrollment in advanced math in ninth grade by 30 percentage points and eleventh grade by 16 percentage points. Math scores in tenth grade rise by 0.05 standard deviations. Women, students of color, and English‐language learners benefit disproportionately from placement into early algebra. Importantly, the benefits of 8th‐grade algebra are substantially larger in schools that set their eligibility threshold higher in the baseline achievement distribution. This suggests a potential tradeoff between increased access and rates of subsequent math success.
Designing cancer immunotherapy trials with delayed treatment effect using maximin efficiency robust statistics
Authors: Ding Xue , Wu Jianrong
Published: February 2020

The indirect mechanism of action of immunotherapy causes a delayed treatment effect, producing delayed separation of survival curves between the treatment groups, and violates the proportional hazards assumption. Therefore using the log‐rank test in immunotherapy trial design could result in a severe loss efficiency. Although few statistical methods are available for immunotherapy trial design that incorporates a delayed treatment effect, recently, Ye and Yu proposed the use of a maximin efficiency robust test (MERT) for the trial design. The MERT is a weighted log‐rank test that puts less weight on early events and full weight after the delayed period. However, the weight function of the MERT involves an unknown function that has to be estimated from historical data. Here, for simplicity, we propose the use of an approximated maximin test, the V0 test, which is the sum of the log‐rank test for the full data set and the log‐rank test for the data beyond the lag time point. The V0 test fully uses the trial data and is more efficient than the log‐rank test when lag exits with relatively little efficiency loss when no lag exists. The sample size formula for the V0 test is derived. Simulations are conducted to compare the performance of the V0 test to the existing tests. A real trial is used to illustrate cancer immunotherapy trial design with delayed treatment effect.
Comparative study of the photoassociation reaction of He + X+→ HeX+ (X = H, D): Including multiphoton transitions and dissociations
Authors: Jing Su‐Hua , Wang Bin‐Bin , Zhou Xiao‐Yun , Zeng Ti‐Xian
Published: February 2020

Using the time‐dependent quantum wave packet method, the photoassociation (PA) processes of He + H
+→ HeH+ and He + D
+→ HeD+, driven by the sin2‐shaped femtosecond laser pulse in the electronic ground state, including multiphoton transitions and dissociations, are investigated for a wide range of initial collision momenta spanning from 1 to 4 a.u. (or for the collision energy roughly in the ranges of 0.009∼0.148 eV and 0.006∼0.089 eV for HeH+ and HeD+ systems, respectively). It is found that, at some collision momenta, multiphoton transitions to deeply bound states are inevitable to occur and can greatly decrease the PA probability of the target state that selected is the vibrational state v = 6. For the dissociation process, the higher‐order (two‐ and three‐photon) dissociations, measured from the target state, tend to be significant at relative high collision energies, which implies that above‐threshold dissociations may also be an important loss mechanism in the PA process. In addition, it is also shown that the higher‐order dissociation is much stronger for HeH+ systems than that for HeD+ systems at a given collision momentum, and could be enhanced by the strong transitions among deeply bound states.
Dynamics of nitrite in acidic soil during extraction with potassium chloride studied using 15N tracing
Authors: Dai Shenyan , Wen Teng , Cai Zucong , Zhang Jinbo
Published: February 2020

Rationale

Nitrite is well known to be unstable, including during soil extraction with KCl (especially in acidic soils), but the source and fate of NO2− in the short duration of the extraction process remain unclear.

Methods

A series of 15N‐tracing studies explored NO2− transformations during KCl extraction in acidic and alkaline soils. Tests considering multiple factors assessed the interactions of such factors as soil sterilization, extraction time, and pH adjustment. After addition of 15NO2−, 15NH4+, and 15NO3− tracers, the concentrations and isotopic compositions of N2O, N2, NH4+, NO3−, NO2−, and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) were measured to investigate the production and consumption of NO2−.

Results

Nitrite was stable in alkaline soils during KCl extraction. In contrast, changes did occur in acidic soils during KCl extraction: NO2− declined rapidly in the first 10 min of extraction although the subsequent rate of decrease lessened as the extraction time progressed. Significant dilution of 15NO2− suggested high rates of NO2− production and even higher rates of consumption. The soil's organic N was the only source of NO2− and also its main destination. Soil sterilization showed that NO2− processes during extraction were chemical, not microbial. The pH adjustment of acidic soil stabilized its NO2−.

Conclusions

Overall, the pH adjustment of KCl solution appears favorable for investigating NO2− dynamics. For example, this work recommends an extraction solution comprising a 4:1 mixture of 2.5 M KCl solution and pH 8.4 buffer, which was more convenient to operate than the method reported by Stevens and Laughlin.
Long‐term fertilization does not affect soil carbon/nitrogen/sulfur ratios or the proportion between labile and nonlabile fractions in Mollisols
Authors: Liliana Vega Jara , Gutierrez Boem Flavio , Garcia Fernando , Rubio Gerardo
Published: February 2020

Agricultural management practices such as fertilization may affect the overall soil quality and nutrient supply capacity. In this study, we hypothesized that long‐term fertilization promotes (a) an increase in the proportion of easily degradable soil organic C, N, and S fractions and (b) changes in the soil C, N, and S stoichiometric ratios in the direction of favoring the specific nutrient added to the soil. We included S in our study due to the increasing importance of S fertilization in many agricultural soils. A long‐term experiment involving six fertilization treatments and maize (Zea mays L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as cash crops was conducted for 14 yr in an on‐farm network located in the Pampean region (Argentina). Long‐term fertilization did not have a central role in defining the C, N, and S distribution between soil organic fractions or their stoichiometric ratios since the particulate organic matter (POM)‐C/total C, POM‐S/total S, C/N, C/N, and N/S ratios were not affected by fertilization treatments and the mineralizable N/total N ratio varied in a very short range. Instead, long‐term fertilization increased residue C inputs to the soil (8.7–19 Mg ha−1 over the unfertilized control) and, in turn, increases in soil total C, N, and S followed a linear relationship with residue inputs. This relationship was not affected by fertilization or site factors. These data contribute to understanding of the effects of continued fertilization on soil properties such as the distribution of fast‐ and slow‐cycling organic matter and nutrient concentrations, which are essential for effectively managing soils for sustainable agriculture.
Saccharification of Acacia mangium wood sawdust with dilute sulfuric acid for furfural production
Authors: Chung Nguyen Hoang , Phuong Nguyen Thi Minh , Dien Le Quang , Khanh Nguyen Viet , Hue Nguyen Thi
Published: February 2020

This paper presents research results regarding acid hydrolysis of Acacia mangium wood sawdust forming xylose for further production of furfural. The optimization of the hydrolysis process in a hydrolyzer and pilot scale was studied. Optimal conditions of the hydrolysis were established as follows: temperature was increased from 100 to 140 oC within approx. 35 min, retention time at the maximum temperature was 25‐50 minutes, sulfuric acid concentration of 0.75 %, solid‐to‐liquor ratio of 1:8. Under these conditions, xylose yield was 7.59 % over the oven dried amount of the wood sawdust used. The glucose (0.93 % w/w) and furfural (0.33 % w/w) were obtained as by‐products of the hydrolysis process. The furfural synthesis from the obtained xylose was successfully carried out.
Steroidal sterols from Allium ascalonicum
Authors: Mai Nguyen Thi , Lan Hoang Thi Tuyet , Trang Do Thi , Dung Duong Thi , Tai Bui Huu , Nhiem Nguyen Xuan , Van Kiem Phan
Published: February 2020

Using combined chromatographic methods, four steroidal sterols were isolated and characterized from methanol extract of the roots of Allium ascalonicum. Their chemical structures were elucidate as 26‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(25R)‐furost‐5,20(22)‐diene‐1β,3β,26‐triol 1‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L‐arabinopyranoside (1), 26‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(25S)‐furost‐5,20(22)‐diene‐1β,3β,26‐triol 1‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L‐arabinopyranoside (2), (24S,25S)‐3β,24‐dihydroxyspirost‐5‐en‐1β‐yl O‐α‐L‐rhamnospyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L‐arabinopyranoside (3), 1β,3β‐dihydroxypegna‐5,16‐diene‐20‐one 1‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L‐arabinopyranoside (4) by a combination of extensive 1D‐, 2D‐NMR, HRESIMS spectroscopic data analysis and in comparison with those reported in the literature. This is the first report of 4 from Allium genus.
Secondary metabolites produced by marine actinomycete Micromonospora sp. A258
Authors: Van Nam Vu , Huong Doan Thi Mai , Dao Phi Thi , Anh Nguyen Mai , Minh Le Thi Hong , Van Cuong Pham
Published: February 2020

In the course of our screening program, the EtOAc extract of Micromonospora sp. A258 from the sponge Haliclona oculata exhibited antimicrobial activity against both gram positive S.aureus ATCC25923 and gram‐negative E.coli ATCC25922, S.enterica ATCC13076. This paper reports the isolation and structural elucidation of eight secondary metabolites including bacilsubteramide A (1), 4,9‐dihydroxy‐3‐isobutyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydrobenzo‐azepin‐1‐one (2), indole‐3‐carboxylic acid (3), N‐acetyltryptamine (4), N‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)ethyl‐methylbutanamide) (5), N‐phenyl‐acetamide (6), 2‐[(5‐methyl‐1,4‐dioxan‐2‐yl)methoxy]ethanol (7), (2R,3S)‐butane‐2,3‐diol (8) from the culture broth of Micromonospora sp. A258. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis including MS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR, as well as comparison with literature data.
Chiral catalysts derived from biomass: design, synthesis and applications in asymmetric catalysis
Authors: Ngo Thi Thuy Duong , Huynh Khanh Duy , Ibrahim Houssein , Nguyen Thi Huong , Bournaud Chloée , Toffano Martial , Vo‐Thanh Giang
Published: February 2020

The development of new and more efficient catalytic systems is the subject of increasing attention from both academic and industrial research. Moreover, biomass is an endless supply of hydrocarbon materials that can be used as renewable raw materials for the development of new organic compounds. In this context, many research groups have devoted their works to products with a natural chirality source, non‐toxic, biodegradable and usually cost effective for the development of new chiral catalysts. Some new chiral molecules derived from biomass such as carbohydrates and natural amino acids have been synthesized and used as chiral ligands or organocatalysts for asymmetric transformations leading to the formation of expected products in good yields with high enantioselectivities
Portable X‐ray fluorescence device reveals the artistic palette of Carlo Bononi, Baroque artist from Ferrara
Authors: Impallaria Anna , Mazzacane Sante , Petrucci Ferruccio , Tisato Flavia , Volpe Lisa
Published: February 2020

The principal aim of the in situ X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis on the canvas “The Coronation of the Virgin” was to characterise the colour palette of Carlo Bononi (Ferrara, 1580–1632), a lesser‐known artist of the early Baroque period in Ferrara. More than 100 points were collected by means of an XRF spectrometer, but the presence of many overlapping painted layers left some doubts about the preparation and the background layers. The scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometer analysis on two samples resolved some of these doubts. The results obtained indicate the use of typical 17th century pigments, such as lead white, vermilion, azurite and a copper‐based green. For yellow pigments, the artist used the yellow ochre in some cases, while in others he used lead‐tin yellow. We also individuated at least three different shades of umber. Almost all the pigments have been identified and they are the first step in establishing the technical apparatus necessary to understand the modus operandi of the Ferrarese artist.
Exact results for an STU-model
Authors: Cardoso G. L. , de Wit B. , Mahapatra S.
Published: February 2020

Abstract

The duality symmetries of the STU-model of Sen and Vafa are very restrictive. This is utilized to determine the holomorphic function that encodes its two-derivative Wilsonian effective action and its couplings to the square of the Weyl tensor to fifth order in perturbation theory. At fifth order some ambiguities remain which are expected to resolve themselves when proceeding to the next order. Subsequently, a corresponding topological string partition function is studied in an expansion in terms of independent invariants of S, T and U, with coefficient functions that depend on an effective duality invariant coupling constant u, which is defined on a Riemann surface ℂ. The coefficient function of the invariant that is independent of S, T and U is determined to all orders by resummation. The other functions can be solved as well, either algebraically or by solving differential equations whose solutions have ambiguities associated with integration constants. This determination of the topological string partition function, while interesting in its own right, reveals new qualitative features in the result for the Wilsonian action, which would be difficult to appreciate otherwise. It is demonstrated how eventually the various ambiguities are eliminated by comparing the results for the effective action and the topological string. While we only demonstrate this for the leading terms, we conjecture that this will hold in general for this model.
Cosmological relaxation from dark fermion production
Authors: Kadota Kenji , Min Ui , Son Minho , Ye Fang
Published: February 2020

Abstract

We consider the cosmological relaxation solution to the electroweak hierarchy problem using the fermion production as a dominant friction force. In our approach, neither super-Planckian field excursions nor a large number of e-folds arise, and scanning over thermal Higgs mass squared is avoided. The produced fermions from the relaxion source through the derivative coupling are SM-singlets, what we call dark fermions, and they can serve as the keV scale warm dark matter candidates.
Changes in nutritional quality and nutrient limitation regimes of phytoplankton in response to declining N deposition in mountain lakes
Authors: Bergström Ann-Kristin , Jonsson Anders , Isles Peter D. F. , Creed Irena F. , Lau Danny C. P.
Published: February 2020

Phytoplankton play a key role in supporting aquatic food webs. However, the effects of ongoing large-scale changes in the concentrations and stoichiometry of important biological compounds [dissolved inorganic N (DIN), total phosphorus (TP), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and DIN:TP] on the development and nutritional quality of phytoplankton for higher trophic levels are unclear. We conducted lake studies and in situ bioassay experiments in two Swedish mountain regions [Abisko (north) and Jämtland (south)] with different N deposition and where lakes in each region were distributed along a similar gradient in lake DOC (2–7 mg L−1) to assess whether differences in nutrients, DOC and DIN:TP induced differences in phytoplankton quantity [chlorophylla(Chl-a) and seston carbon (C)] and quality [seston C:N:P stoichiometry and fatty acid (FA) composition]. Using long-term monitoring data from lakes in these two mountain regions, we found declining long-term trends in N deposition and lake DIN and total TP concentrations, but not in lake DIN:TP. Lakes in Abisko received lower N deposition and had lower DIN:TP than those in Jämtland. Phytoplankton was N- to NP-limited in Abisko lakes but NP dual-limited in Jämtland lakes. The N fertilization effects induced by higher DIN:TP were weak on phytoplankton quantity but strong on phytoplankton quality. The phytoplankton had lower eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content and higher P content (lower seston C:P) in Abisko compared to in Jämtland. In addition, the quality of the DOC (as indicated by its aromaticity and SUVA) influenced not only the light conditions and the seston C:P ratios, but also the FA composition. We found higher bacteria FA concentrations in seston in Abisko than in Jämtland, despite lower amounts of FA of terrestrial origin in Abisko. Our findings suggest that declining N deposition and enhanced colored terrestrial C loadings leads to lower nutritional quality of basal resources for higher consumers in mountain lakes.
Impact on Oncological Outcomes and Intent‐to‐Treat Survival of Resection Margin for Transplantable Hepatocellular Carcinoma in All‐Comers and in Patients with Cirrhosis: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Lim Chetana , Goumard Claire , Casellas‐Robert Margarida , Lopez‐Ben Santiago , Lladó Laura , Busquets Juli , Salloum Chady , Albiol‐Quer Maria Teresa , Castro‐Gutiérrez Ernest , Rosmorduc Olivier , Feray Cyrille , Ramos Emilio , Figueras Joan , Scatton Olivier , Azoulay Daniel
Published: February 2020

Background

The outcomes of liver resection (LR) with a narrow margin in patients with transplantable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been studied. The aim was to assess whether narrow margin following up‐front LR impacts the incidence, timing, pattern, and transplantability of tumor recurrence in patients with initially transplantable HCC.

Methods

All initially transplantable HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy with either narrow (<10 mm) or wide (≥10 mm) margins from 2007 to 2016 at four Western university centers were compared in terms of recurrence, transplantability of recurrence, recurrence‐free survival (RFS), and intention‐to‐treat overall survival (ITT‐OS). Independent predictors of non‐transplantability of recurrence were assessed.

Results

This study included 187 patients (narrow group, n = 107 vs. wide group, n = 80). Recurrence was significantly more frequent in the narrow margin group (44% vs. 26%; p = 0.01) with a shorter RFS (p = 0.03). The transplantability of recurrence and ITT‐OS were, however, not different between the two groups. The presence of satellite nodules on the resected specimens emerged as the sole independent predictor of non‐transplantability of tumor recurrence. The stratification of the analysis according to the presence of cirrhosis achieved essentially the same results as in the whole study population.

Conclusions

Narrow margin was associated with a higher tumor recurrence rate and a shorter RFS for patients with initially transplantable HCC. However, transplantability of recurrence and long‐term ITT‐OS were not impaired.
Thermal analysis of W-free Co–(Ni)–Al–Mo–Nb superalloys
Authors: Migas Damian , Moskal Grzegorz , Maciąg Tomasz
Published: February 2020

In this investigation, the thermal analysis of W-free cobalt-based superalloys based on Co–Al–Mo–Nb and Co–Ni–Al–Mo–Nb systems was performed. The analysis was performed at different stages of heat treatment process. The differential thermal analysis (DTA) was utilized for the determination of characteristic temperatures related to microstructural changes. First of all, the DTA analysis was carried out for discussing as-cast alloys in the temperature range of 40–1500 °C. The results showed thermal effects connected with melting and important order–disorder transition. The temperature range of 1200–1250 °C was chosen for performance of a first heat treatment operation for the investigated alloys. Specimens were annealed at selected temperature for 5 h. The microstructure of alloys after solution heat treatment was analyzed as well. Afterward, the solutionized specimens were subjected to the further thermal analysis in order to select the aging temperature according to the order–disorder transformation related to formation of γ′ phase with overall formula Co3(Al,X). Five aging variants were performed in the temperature range of 800–1000 with a step of 50 °C. After each stage of heat treatment, SEM/EDS analysis and hardness measurements were performed.
Anxiolytic Effect of Increased NREM Sleep after Acute Social Defeat Stress in Mice
Authors: Feng Xiang , Zhao Hui-Ying , Shao Yu-Jin , Lou Hui-Fang , Zhu Li-Ya , Duan Shumin , Yu Yan-Qin
Published: February 2020

Social defeat stress (SDS) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression. Sleep is generally considered to involve recovery of the brain from prior experience during wakefulness and is altered after acute SDS. However, the effect of acute SDS on sleep/wake behavior in mice varies between studies. In addition, whether sleep changes in response to stress contribute to anxiety is not well established. Here, we first investigated the effects of acute SDS on sleep/wake states in the active period in mice. Our results showed that total sleep time (time in rapid eye-movement [REM] and non-REM [NREM] sleep) increased in the active period after acute SDS. NREM sleep increased mainly during the first 3 h after SDS, while REM sleep increased at a later time. Then, we demonstrated that the increased NREM sleep had an anxiolytic benefit in acute SDS. Mice deprived of sleep for 1 h or 3 h after acute SDS remained in a highly anxious state, while in mice with ad libitum sleep the anxiety rapidly faded away. Altogether, our findings suggest an anxiolytic effect of NREM sleep, and indicate a potential therapeutic strategy for anxiety.
MEASURABLE REALIZATIONS OF ABSTRACT SYSTEMS OF CONGRUENCES
Authors: CONLEY CLINTON T. , MARKS ANDREW S. , UNGER SPENCER T.
Published: February 2020

An abstract system of congruences describes a way of partitioning a space into finitely many pieces satisfying certain congruence relations. Examples of abstract systems of congruences include paradoxical decompositions and

$n$

-divisibility of actions. We consider the general question of when there are realizations of abstract systems of congruences satisfying various measurability constraints. We completely characterize which abstract systems of congruences can be realized by nonmeager Baire measurable pieces of the sphere under the action of rotations on the

$2$

-sphere. This answers a question by Wagon. We also construct Borel realizations of abstract systems of congruences for the action of

$\mathsf{PSL}_{2}(\mathbb{Z})$

on

$\mathsf{P}^{1}(\mathbb{R})$

. The combinatorial underpinnings of our proof are certain types of decomposition of Borel graphs into paths. We also use these decompositions to obtain some results about measurable unfriendly colorings.
Evaluation of human attitudes and factors conducive to promoting human–lion coexistence in the Greater Gir landscape, India
Authors: Meena Venkataraman , Johnson Paul J. , Zimmermann Alexandra , Montgomery Robert A. , Macdonald David W.
Published: February 2020

Coexistence of people and large carnivores depends on a complex combination of factors that vary geographically. Both the number and range of the Asiatic lion Panthera leo leo in the Greater Gir landscape, India, has increased since the 1990s. The challenge has been managing the success of conservation, with a particular focus on the spillover population ranging extensively in human-dominated landscapes. To understand the factors conducive to lion survival in this landscape, we undertook an interview-based survey. Overall, people expressed positive, tolerant attitudes towards lions. There was a distinct contrast between people's liking for lions (76.9% of respondents) compared to leopards (27.7%) in spite of greater depredation of livestock by lions (82.6%) than by leopards (17.4%). Younger people and respondents having greater awareness regarding lions expressed positive attitudes. Although community discussions on lions had a positive effect, there was no evidence that land-holding, management interventions, personal encounters with lions, or association of lions with religion affected attitudes. Respondents who had experienced livestock depredation tended to express negative attitudes. Respondents with positive attitudes towards lions favoured non-interventionist strategies for managing lions in the village areas. We advocate consideration of varied factors influencing tolerance of wildlife in conservation planning. We emphasize that site-specific human–wildlife conflict issues such as crop-foraging by wild ungulates and variation in attitudes towards different species should also be considered. Specifically, improved livestock management, motivation of local youth and their participation in awareness campaigns could all further strengthen the prevalent positive attitudes towards lions.
Assessing internalized beliefs: Development of the Pathogenic Belief Scale
Authors: Aafjes-van Doorn Katie , McCollum James , Silberschatz George , Snyder John
Published: February 2020

The way that people internalize adverse experiences plays an important role in the development of psychopathology. The Pathogenic Belief Scale (PBS) is intended to operationalize a transtheoretical understanding of repetitive patterns of emotion-laden beliefs that develop in childhood and continue to influence people's current experience. Using a cross-sectional survey design, we recruited a large heterogeneous sample of 246 clinic outpatients and 732 adults in the community. Besides the PBS, measures of adverse parenting experiences and common psychopathology were administered. An exploratory factor analysis of the total sample of 978 participants was conducted followed by a convergent validity analysis for the 246 clinic outpatients. The three-factor solution included “cannot rely on others,” “undeserving,” and “interpersonal guilt,” and it showed good psychometric properties, including convergent validity with the measures of adverse parenting experiences and psychopathology. The 34-item PBS offers a promising self-report measure that could help delineate and understand the pathogenic beliefs that heterogeneous samples of patients may hold. Pathogenic beliefs may be relevant to the psychotherapy process, regardless of model or theoretical context.
Mediterranean dietary pattern is associated with lower incidence of premenopausal breast cancer in the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Project
Authors: Gardeazabal I , Romanos-Nanclares A , Martínez-González MÁ , Castelló A , Sánchez-Bayona R , Pérez-Gómez B , Razquin C , Aramendia-Beitia JM , Pollán M , Toledo E
Published: February 2020

Objective:

Due to the growing interest in the role of dietary patterns (DPs) on chronic diseases, we assessed the association between a posteriori identified DPs in the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Project – a prospective cohort study in a Mediterranean country – and breast cancer (BC) risk.

Design:

DPs were ascertained through a principal component analysis based on 31 predefined food groups. BC cases were initially identified through self-report or, if deceased, from death certificates or by notification by the next kin. Women reporting BC were asked to provide a copy of their medical report and diagnoses for confirmation purposes. We fitted Cox regression models to assess the association between adherence to the identified DPs and BC risk.

Setting:

Spanish university graduates.

Participants:

We included 10 713 young and middle-aged – mainly premenopausal – women.

Results:

After a median follow-up of 10·3 years, we identified 100 confirmed and 168 probable incident BC cases. We described two major DPs: ‘Western dietary pattern’ (WDP) and ‘Mediterranean dietary pattern’ (MDP). A higher adherence to a WDP was associated with an increased risk of overall BC (multivariable-adjusted HR for confirmed BC Q4 v. Q1 1·70; 95 % CI 0·93, 3·12; P for trend = 0·045). Contrarily, adherence to a MDP was inversely associated with premenopausal BC (multivariable-adjusted HR Q4 v. Q1 0·33; 95 % CI 0·12, 0·91). No significant associations were observed for postmenopausal BC.

Conclusions:

Whereas a higher adherence to the WDP may increase the risk of BC, a higher adherence to the MDP may decrease the risk of premenopausal BC.
Effect of instrumental support on distress among family caregivers: Findings from a nationally representative study
Authors: Kent Erin E. , Mollica Michelle A. , Dionne-Odom J. Nicholas , Ferrer Rebecca A. , Jensen Roxanne E. , Ornstein Katherine A. , Smith Ashley Wilder
Published: February 2020

Background and Objective

A priority focus on palliative and supportive care is helping the 43.5 million caregivers who care for individuals with serious illness. Lacking support may lead to caregiver distress and poorer care delivery to patients with serious illness. We examined the potential of instrumental support (assistance with material and task performance) to mitigate distress among caregivers.

Method

We analyzed data from the nationally representative Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS V2, 2018). Informal/family caregivers were identified in HINTS V2 if they indicated they were caring for or making healthcare decisions for another adult with a health problem. We used the PROMIS® instrumental support four-item short-form T-scores and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) for distress. We examined multivariable linear regression models for associations between distress and instrumental support, adjusted for sampling weights, socio-demographics, and caregiving variables (care recipient health condition(s), years caregiving (≥2), relationship to care recipient, and caregiver burden). We examined interactions between burden and instrumental support on caregiver distress level.

Results

Our analyses included 311 caregivers (64.8% female, 64.9% non-Hispanic White). The unweighted mean instrumental support T-score was 50.4 (SD = 10.6, range = 29.3–63.3); weighted mean was 51.2 (SE = 1.00). Lower instrumental support (p < 0.01), younger caregiver age (p < 0.04), higher caregiving duration (p = 0.008), and caregiver unemployment (p = 0.006) were significantly associated with higher caregiver distress. Mean instrumental support scores by distress levels were 52.3 (within normal limits), 49.4 (mild), 48.9 (moderate), and 39.7 (severe). The association between instrumental support and distress did not differ by caregiver burden level.

Conclusions

Poor instrumental support is associated with high distress among caregivers, suggesting the need for palliative and supportive care interventions to help caregivers leverage instrumental support.
Compact SIW directional filter using substrate integrated circular cavities
Authors: Bayati Mohammad Sajjad , Khorand Tahsin
Published: February 2020

In this paper, a novel directional filter (DF) is proposed and implemented using substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology which exhibits the advantages of compact size and simple structure. The proposed DF is realized by two half mode substrate integrated waveguides (HMSIWs) and two substrate integrated circular cavity (SICC) resonators operating in the TM110 degenerate modes in which an aperture is utilized to realize the coupling between HMSIWs and SICCs. Two slotlines with appropriate dimensions, etched on the top and bottom planes, are utilized in order to control coupling strength between two cascaded SICC resonators. The proposed two-circular cavity SIW DF at 12.3 GHz is designed and fabricated with a normal printed circuit board process. Measured and simulated results indicate that the DF has a 3.25% bandwidth, and the return loss as well as isolation are better than 10.5 and 15 dB, respectively.
Vitamin D deficiency and mortality among critically ill surgical patients in an urban Korean hospital
Authors: Lee Ji-hyun , Doo Seo-rin , Kim Dongha , Park Yoo-kyoung , Park Eun-jeong , Lee Jae-myeong
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) are exposed to various risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency in extended-stay patients may result in decreased muscle mass and increased fat tissue, which may impair rehabilitation and recovery. Our study aimed to evaluate the degree of serum vitamin D deficiency in critically ill surgical patients and its association with clinical outcomes. Clinical data from 186 adult male (n = 121; 65.1%) and female (n = 65; 34.9%) patients hospitalized in surgical ICUs at Ajou University Hospital from April 2015 to September 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. All adult surgical patients between the age of 18 and 88 years were enrolled. The mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) level of all patients was 17.8 ng/mL. A total of 120 patients (64.5%) with serum 25(OH)D levels < 20 ng/mL were classified as the deficiency group. A prolonged hospital stay was observed among the deficiency group but was not statistically significant ( p = 0.824). Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly correlated with age but inversely correlated with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, selenium, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein levels. There was no significant difference in mortality rates between the group with a vitamin D injection and the group without a vitamin D injection (14.6% vs. 16.9%, p = 0.074). Vitamin D deficiency was common in surgical ICU patients; however, vitamin D levels were higher in older patients. In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency was inversely associated with the SOFA severity score (correlation coefficient –0.165, p = 0.024) but was not associated with the length of hospital or ICU stay and mortality.
Optothermal dynamics in whispering-gallery microresonators
Authors: Jiang Xuefeng , Yang Lan
Published: February 2020

Optical whispering-gallery-mode microresonators with ultrahigh quality factors and small mode volumes have played an important role in modern physics. They have been demonstrated as a diverse platform for a wide range of applications in photonics, such as nonlinear optics, optomechanics, quantum optics, and information processing. Thermal behaviors induced by power build-up in the resonators or environmental perturbations are ubiquitous in high-quality-factor whispering-gallery-mode resonators and have played an important role in their operation for various applications. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of laser-field-induced thermal nonlinear effects, including thermal bistability and thermal oscillation. With the help of the thermal bistability effect, optothermal spectroscopy and optical nonreciprocity have been demonstrated. By tuning the temperature of the environment, the resonant mode frequency will shift, which can also be used for thermal sensing/tuning applications. The thermal locking technique and thermal imaging mechanisms are discussed briefly. Finally, we review some techniques employed to achieve thermal stability in a high-quality-factor resonator system.
Default mode network alterations after intermittent theta burst stimulation in healthy subjects
Authors: Singh Aditya , Erwin-Grabner Tracy , Sutcliffe Grant , Paulus Walter , Dechent Peter , Antal Andrea , Goya-Maldonado Roberto
Published: February 2020

Understanding the mechanisms by which intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) protocols exert changes in the default-mode network (DMN) is paramount to develop therapeutically more effective approaches in the future. While a full session (3000 pulses) of 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) reduces the functional connectivity (FC) of the DMN and the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, the current understanding of the effects of a single session of iTBS on the DMN in healthy subjects is limited. Here, we use a previously validated target selection approach for an unprecedented investigation into the effects of a single session (1800 pulses) of iTBS over the DMN in healthy controls. Twenty-six healthy subjects participated in a double-blind, crossover, sham-controlled study. After iTBS to the personalized left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) targets, we investigated the time lapse of effects in the DMN and its relationship to the harm avoidance (HA) personality trait measure (Temperament and Character Inventory/TCI). Approximately 25–30 min after stimulation, we observed reduced FC between the DMN and the rostral and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). About 45 min after stimulation the FC of rostral and dACC strongly decreased further, as did the FC of right anterior insula (AI) with the DMN. Also, we report a positive correlation between the FC decrease in the rostral ACC and the HA domain of TCI, indicating that the HA scores can potentially predict iTBS response. Overall, our results show the time lapse by which iTBS at left-DLPFC targets reduces the FC between DMN and the dACC and right AI, regions typically described as nodes of the salience network.
EMT transcription factor ZEB1 alters the epigenetic landscape of colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Lindner Pablo , Paul Sushmita , Eckstein Markus , Hampel Chuanpit , Muenzner Julienne K. , Erlenbach-Wuensch Katharina , Ahmed Husayn P. , Mahadevan Vijayalakshmi , Brabletz Thomas , Hartmann Arndt , Vera Julio , Schneider-Stock Regine
Published: February 2020

Epigenetic deregulation remarkably triggers mechanisms associated with tumor aggressiveness like epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Since EMT is a highly complex, but also reversible event, epigenetic processes such as DNA methylation or chromatin alterations must be involved in its regulation. It was recently described that loss of the cell cycle regulator p21 was associated with a gain in EMT characteristics and an upregulation of the master EMT transcription factor ZEB1. In this study, in silico analysis was performed in combination with different in vitro and in vivo techniques to identify and verify novel epigenetic targets of ZEB1, and to proof the direct transcriptional regulation of SETD1B by ZEB1. The chorioallantoic-membrane assay served as an in vivo model to analyze the ZEB1/SETD1B interaction. Bioinformatical analysis of CRC patient data was used to examine the ZEB1/SETD1B network under clinical conditions and the ZEB1/SETD1B network was modeled under physiological and pathological conditions. Thus, we identified a self-reinforcing loop for ZEB1 expression and found that the SETD1B associated active chromatin mark H3K4me3 was enriched at the ZEB1 promoter in EMT cells. Moreover, clinical evaluation of CRC patient data showed that the simultaneous high expression of ZEB1 and SETD1B was correlated with the worst prognosis. Here we report that the expression of chromatin modifiers is remarkably dysregulated in EMT cells. SETD1B was identified as a new ZEB1 target in vitro and in vivo. Our study demonstrates a novel example of an activator role of ZEB1 for the epigenetic landscape in colorectal tumor cells.
Genetic history from the Middle Neolithic to present on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia
Authors: Marcus Joseph H. , Posth Cosimo , Ringbauer Harald , Lai Luca , Skeates Robin , Sidore Carlo , Beckett Jessica , Furtwängler Anja , Olivieri Anna , Chiang Charleston W. K. , Al-Asadi Hussein , Dey Kushal , Joseph Tyler A. , Liu Chi-Chun , Der Sarkissian Clio , Radzevičiūtė Rita , Michel Megan , Gradoli Maria Giuseppina , Marongiu Patrizia , Rubino Salvatore , Mazzarello Vittorio , Rovina Daniela , La Fragola Alessandra , Serra Rita Maria , Bandiera Pasquale , Bianucci Raffaella , Pompianu Elisa , Murgia Clizia , Guirguis Michele , Orquin Rosana Pla , Tuross Noreen , van Dommelen Peter , Haak Wolfgang , Reich David , Schlessinger David , Cucca Francesco , Krause Johannes , Novembre John
Published: February 2020

The island of Sardinia has been of particular interest to geneticists for decades. The current model for Sardinia’s genetic history describes the island as harboring a founder population that was established largely from the Neolithic peoples of southern Europe and remained isolated from later Bronze Age expansions on the mainland. To evaluate this model, we generate genome-wide ancient DNA data for 70 individuals from 21 Sardinian archaeological sites spanning the Middle Neolithic through the Medieval period. The earliest individuals show a strong affinity to western Mediterranean Neolithic populations, followed by an extended period of genetic continuity on the island through the Nuragic period (second millennium BCE). Beginning with individuals from Phoenician/Punic sites (first millennium BCE), we observe spatially-varying signals of admixture with sources principally from the eastern and northern Mediterranean. Overall, our analysis sheds light on the genetic history of Sardinia, revealing how relationships to mainland populations shifted over time.
Altered chromatin landscape and enhancer engagement underlie transcriptional dysregulation in MED12 mutant uterine leiomyomas
Authors: Moyo Mthabisi B. , Parker J. Brandon , Chakravarti Debabrata
Published: February 2020

Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are a major source of gynecologic morbidity in reproductive age women and are characterized by the excessive deposition of a disorganized extracellular matrix, resulting in rigid benign tumors. Although down regulation of the transcription factor AP-1 is highly prevalent in leiomyomas, the functional consequence of AP-1 loss on gene transcription in uterine fibroids remains poorly understood. Using high-resolution ChIP-sequencing, promoter capture Hi-C, and RNA-sequencing of matched normal and leiomyoma tissues, here we show that modified enhancer architecture is a major driver of transcriptional dysregulation in MED12 mutant uterine leiomyomas. Furthermore, modifications in enhancer architecture are driven by the depletion of AP-1 occupancy on chromatin. Silencing of AP-1 subunits in primary myometrium cells leads to transcriptional dysregulation of extracellular matrix associated genes and partly recapitulates transcriptional and epigenetic changes observed in leiomyomas. These findings establish AP-1 driven aberrant enhancer regulation as an important mechanism of leiomyoma disease pathogenesis.