bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction: Urban Slavery in the Age of Abolition
Authors: Fatah-Black Karwan
Published: February 2020

This Special Issue collects articles on urban slavery in the Atlantic world during the time when the institution of slavery was being abolished globally (c.1770s–c.1880s). At the time of abolition, most slaves were held on plantations, but this did not mean that the urban context of slavery was unimportant. In the cities of the Atlantic world, slavery was pervasive, and the cities themselves played an important role in the functioning of the slave system. This Special Issue seeks to examine urban slavery in its connection to the wider slave-based economy, and to address how slavery in the cities changed when abolition appeared on the political agenda in the Atlantic world. The articles in this issue find that urban communities went through great changes in the age of abolition and these changes proved crucial to determining the legacies of slavery and its abolition. Recovering the history of urban slavery in this area should come to inform the current mainstreaming of the memory of slavery around the Atlantic world. Attention to its history can provide new layers of understanding to the persistence of inequity and historical silencing today.
Evidence for an Oceanic Source of Methyl Ethyl Ketone to the Atmosphere
Authors: Brewer J. F. , Fischer E. V. , Commane R. , Wofsy S. C. , Daube B.C. , Apel E. C. , Hills A. J. , Hornbrook R. S. , Barletta B. , Meinardi S. , Blake D. R. , Ray E. A. , Ravishankara A. R.
Published: February 2020

Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) is a relatively abundant but understudied oxygenated volatile organic compound that can serve as a source of both HOx and PAN when photooxidized. We use aircraft observations of MEK from the remote marine troposphere to show that the ocean serves as a source of MEK to the atmosphere during both meteorological winter and summer. There is pronounced seasonality in the MEK profiles in the extratropical troposphere, with higher MEK mixing ratios observed in summer than in winter. MEK in clean air over the remote oceans correlates with both acetone and acetaldehyde, whose primary sources in the ocean water are the photooxidation of organic material. We show that even a small (>1 nM) concentration of MEK in surface waters is sufficient to allow the ocean to be a net source of MEK to the atmosphere over ocean basins across multiple seasons.
Detecting Mesopelagic Organisms Using Biogeochemical‐Argo Floats
Authors: Haëntjens Nils , Della Penna Alice , Briggs Nathan , Karp‐Boss Lee , Gaube Peter , Claustre Hervé , Boss Emmanuel
Published: February 2020

During the North Atlantic Aerosols and Marine Ecosystems Study in the western North Atlantic, float‐based profiles of fluorescent dissolved organic matter and backscattering exhibited distinct spike layers at
 300 m. The locations of the spikes were at depths similar or shallower to where a ship‐based scientific echo sounder identified layers of acoustic backscatter, an Underwater Vision Profiler detected elevated concentration of zooplankton, and mesopelagic fish were sampled by a mesopelagic net tow. The collocation of spike layers in bio‐optical properties with mesopelagic organisms suggests that some can be detected with float‐based bio‐optical sensors. This opens the door to the investigation of such aggregations/layers in observations collected by the global biogeochemical‐Argo array allowing the detection of mesopelagic organisms in remote locations of the open ocean under‐sampled by traditional methods.
Where Is the Bottom of a Watershed?
Authors: Condon Laura E. , Markovich Katherine H. , Kelleher Christa A. , McDonnell Jeffrey J. , Ferguson Grant , McIntosh Jennifer C.
Published: February 2020

Watersheds have served as one of our most basic units of organization in hydrology for over 300 years (Dooge, 1988, https://doi.org/10.1080/02626668809491223; McDonnell, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2964; Perrault, 1674, https://www.abebooks.com/first‐edition/lorigine‐fontaines‐Perrault‐Pierre‐Petit‐Imprimeur/21599664536/bd). With growing interest in groundwater‐surface water interactions and subsurface flow paths, hydrologists are increasingly looking deeper. But the dialog between surface water hydrologists and groundwater hydrologists is still embryonic, and many basic questions are yet to be posed, let alone answered. One key question is: where is the bottom of a watershed? Knowing where to draw the bottom boundary has not yet been fully addressed in the literature, and how to define the watershed “bottom” is a fraught question. There is large variability across physical and conceptual models regarding how to implement a watershed bottom, and what counts as “deep” varies markedly in different communities. In this commentary, we seek to initiate a dialog on existing approaches to defining the bottom of the watershed. We briefly review the current literature describing how different communities typically frame the answer of just how deep we should look and identify situations where deep flow paths are key to developing realistic conceptual models of watershed systems. We then review the common conceptual approaches used to delineate the watershed lower boundary. Finally, we highlight opportunities to trigger this potential research area at the interface of catchment hydrology and hydrogeology.
Polysaccharide niche partitioning of distinct Polaribacter clades during North Sea spring algal blooms
Authors: Avcı Burak , Krüger Karen , Fuchs Bernhard M , Teeling Hanno , Amann Rudolf I
Published: February 2020

Massive releases of organic substrates during marine algal blooms trigger growth of many clades of heterotrophic bacteria. Algal polysaccharides represent the most diverse and structurally complex class of these substrates, yet their role in shaping the microbial community composition is poorly understood. We investigated, whether polysaccharide utilization capabilities contribute to niche differentiation of Polaribacter spp. (class Flavobacteriia; known to include relevant polysaccharide-degraders) that were abundant during 2009–2012 spring algal blooms in the southern North Sea. We identified six distinct Polaribacter clades using phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses, quantified their abundances via fluorescence in situ hybridization, compared metagenome-assembled genomes, and assessed in situ gene expression using metaproteomics. Four clades with distinct polysaccharide niches were dominating. Polaribacter 2-a comprised typical first responders featuring small genomes with limited polysaccharide utilization capacities. Polaribacter 3-a were abundant only in 2010 and possessed a distinct sulfated α-glucoronomannan degradation potential. Polaribacter 3-b responded late in blooms and had the capacity to utilize sulfated xylan. Polaribacter 1-a featured high numbers of glycan degradation genes and were particularly abundant following Chattonella algae blooms. These results support the hypothesis that sympatric Polaribacter clades occupy distinct glycan niches during North Sea spring algal blooms.
A phylogenetic model for the recruitment of species into microbial communities and application to studies of the human microbiome
Authors: Darcy John L , Washburne Alex D , Robeson Michael S , Prest Tiffany , Schmidt Steven K , Lozupone Catherine A
Published: February 2020

Understanding when and why new species are recruited into microbial communities is a formidable problem with implications for managing microbial systems, for instance by helping us better understand whether a probiotic or pathogen would be expected to colonize a human microbiome. Much theory in microbial temporal dynamics is focused on how phylogenetic relationships between microbes impact the order in which those microbes are recruited; for example, species that are closely related may competitively exclude each other. However, several recent human microbiome studies have observed closely related bacteria being recruited into microbial communities in short succession, suggesting that microbial community assembly is historically contingent, but competitive exclusion of close relatives may not be important. To address this, we developed a mathematical model that describes the order in which new species are detected in microbial communities over time within a phylogenetic framework. We use our model to test three hypothetical assembly modes: underdispersion (species recruitment is more likely if a close relative was previously detected), overdispersion (recruitment is more likely if a close relative has not been previously detected), and the neutral model (recruitment likelihood is not related to phylogenetic relationships among species). We applied our model to longitudinal human microbiome data, and found that for the individuals we analyzed, the human microbiome generally follows the underdispersion (i.e., nepotism) hypothesis. Exceptions were oral communities and the fecal communities of two infants that had undergone heavy antibiotic treatment. None of the datasets we analyzed showed statistically significant phylogenetic overdispersion.
Publisher Correction: Frequency and Clinical Associating Factors of Valvular Heart Disease in Asymptomatic Korean Adults
Authors: Kim Min Sun , Cho Soo Jin , Park Sung-Ji , Cho Sung Won , Choi Soo-Hee , Kim Hye Seung , Carriere Keumhee , Kim Eun Kyoung , Chang Sung-A. , Lee Sang-Chol , Park Seung Woo
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Defining variation in pre-human ecosystems can guide conservation: An example from a Caribbean coral reef
Authors: O’Dea Aaron , Lepore Mauro , Altieri Andrew H. , Chan Melisa , Morales-Saldaña Jorge Manuel , Muñoz Nicte-Ha , Pandolfi John M. , Toscano Marguerite A. , Zhao Jian-xin , Dillon Erin M.
Published: February 2020

Many Caribbean coral reefs are heavily degraded, yet their pre-human, natural states are often assumed or estimated using space-for-time substitution approaches. Here we use an 11-hectare suite of fossilised mid-Holocene (7.2–5.6 ka) fringing reefs in Caribbean Panama to define natural variation in hard coral community structure before human-impact to provide context to the states of the same reefs today. We collected bulk samples from four trenches dug into the mid-Holocene fossil reef and surficial bulk samples from 2–10 m depths on five adjacent modern reefs extending over 5 km. Analysis of the abundances of coral taxa in fossil bulk samples define the Historical Range of Variation (HRV) in community structure of the reefs. When compared to the community structure of adjacent modern reefs, we find that most coral communities today fall outside the HRV, identifying them as novel ecosystems and corroborating the well-documented transition from acroporid-dominated Caribbean reefs to reefs dominated by stress-tolerant taxa (Porites and Agaricia). We find one modern reef, however, whose community composition remains within the HRV showing that it has not transitioned to a novel state. Reef-matrix cores extracted from this reef reveal that the coral community has remained in this state for over 800 years, suggesting long-term stability and resistance to the region-wide shift to novel states. Without these data to provide historical context, this potentially robust and stable reef would be overlooked since it does not fulfil expectations of what a Caribbean coral reef should look like in the absence of humans. This example illustrates how defining past variation using the fossil record can improve our understanding of modern degradation and guide conservation.
Patient Semi-specific Computational Modeling of Electromagnetic Stimulation Applied to Neuroprotective Treatments in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Colella Micol , Camera Francesca , Capone Fioravante , Setti Stefania , Cadossi Ruggero , Di Lazzaro Vincenzo , Apollonio Francesca , Liberti Micaela
Published: February 2020

Neuroprotective effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have been demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, preliminary clinical studies have been conducted and suggested PEMFs as a possible alternative therapy to treat acute ischemic stroke. In this work, we show that it’s possible to build-up a patient semi-specific head model, where the 3D reconstruction of the ischemic lesion of the patient under treatment is inserted in the head of the human body model “Duke” (v.1.0, Zurich MedTech AG). The semi-specific model will be used in the randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study currently ongoing. Three patients were modelled and simulated, and results showed that each ischemic lesion experiences a magnetic flux density field comparable to the one for which biological effects have been attested. Such a kind of dosimetric analysis reveals a reliable tool to assess the correlation between levels of exposure and the beneficial effect. Thus, once the on-going double blind study is complete it will prove if PEMFs treatment triggers a clinical effect, and we will then be able to characterize a dose-response curve with the methodology arranged in this study.
Prevalence and association of single nucleotide polymorphisms with sarcopenia in older women depends on definition
Authors: Khanal Praval , He Lingxiao , Stebbings Georgina , Onambele-Pearson Gladys L. , Degens Hans , Williams Alun , Thomis Martine , Morse Christopher I.
Published: February 2020

The prevalence of sarcopenia depends on the definition used. There are, however, consistent sarcopenic characteristics, including a low muscle mass and muscle strength. Few studies have investigated the relationship between sarcopenia and genotype. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 307 community-dwelling ≥60-year-old women in South Cheshire, UK. Handgrip strength was assessed with a handgrip dynamometer and skeletal muscle mass was estimated using bioelectrical impedance. DNA was extracted from saliva (∼38%) or blood (∼62%) and 24 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped. Three established sarcopenia definitions - %Skeletal Muscle Mass (%SMM), Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (SMI) and European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) - were used to assess sarcopenia prevalence. Binary logistic regression with age as covariate was used to identify SNPs associated with sarcopenia. The prevalence of sarcopenia was: %SMM 14.7%, SMI 60.6% and EWGSOP 1.3%. Four SNPs were associated with the %SMM and SMI definitions of sarcopenia; FTO rs9939609, ESR1 rs4870044, NOS3 rs1799983 and TRHR rs7832552. The first three were associated with the %SMM definition, and TRHR rs7832552 with the SMI definition, but none were common to both sarcopenia definitions. The gene variants associated with sarcopenia may help proper counselling and interventions to prevent individuals from developing sarcopenia.
Analysis of asymmetry in lipid and content mixing assays with reconstituted proteoliposomes containing the neuronal SNAREs
Authors: Pan Yun-Zu , Liu Xiaoxia , Rizo Josep
Published: February 2020

Reconstitution assays with proteoliposomes provide a powerful tool to elucidate the mechanism of neurotransmitter release, but it is important to understand how these assays report on membrane fusion, and recent studies with yeast vacuolar SNAREs uncovered asymmetry in the results of lipid mixing assays. We have investigated whether such asymmetry also occurs in reconstitution assays with the neuronal SNAREs, using syntaxin-1-SNAP-25-containing liposomes and liposomes containing synaptobrevin (T and V liposomes, respectively), and fluorescent probes to monitor lipid and content mixing simultaneously. Switching the fluorescent probes placed on the T and V liposomes, we observed a striking asymmetry in both lipid and content mixing stimulated by a fragment spanning the two C2 domains of synaptotagmin-1, or by a peptide that spans the C-terminal half of the synaptobrevin SNARE motif. However, no such asymmetry was observed in assays performed in the presence of Munc18-1, Munc13-1, NSF and αSNAP, which coordinate the assembly-disassembly cycle of neuronal SNARE complexes. Our results show that switching fluorescent probes between the two types of liposomes provides a useful approach to better understand the reactions that occur between liposomes and detect heterogenous behavior in these reactions.
Chamber volume development, metabolic rates, and selective extinction in cephalopods
Authors: Tajika Amane , Landman Neil H. , Hoffmann René , Lemanis Robert , Morimoto Naoki , Ifrim Christina , Klug Christian
Published: February 2020

Reconstructing the physiology of extinct organisms is key to understanding mechanisms of selective extinction during biotic crises. Soft tissues of extinct organisms are rarely preserved and, therefore, a proxy for physiological aspects is needed. Here, we examine whether cephalopod conchs yield information about their physiology by assessing how the formation of chambers respond to external stimuli such as environmental changes. We measured chamber volume through ontogeny to detect differences in the pattern of chamber volume development in nautilids, coleoids, and ammonoids. Results reveal that the differences between ontogenetic trajectories of these cephalopods involve the presence or absence of abrupt decreases of chamber volume. Accepting the link between metabolic rate and growth, we assume that this difference is rooted in metabolic rates that differ between cephalopod clades. High metabolic rates combined with small hatching size in ammonoids as opposed to lower metabolic rates and much larger hatchlings in most nautilids may explain the selective extinction of ammonoids as a consequence of low food availability at the end of the Cretaceous.
Dietary supplementation with spray-dried porcine plasma has prebiotic effects on gut microbiota in mice
Authors: Moretó M. , Miró L. , Amat C. , Polo J. , Manichanh C. , Pérez-Bosque A.
Published: February 2020

In animal models of inflammation and in farm animals, dietary inclusion of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDP) reduces mucosal inflammation. Here, we study whether these effects could be mediated by changes in the intestinal microbiota and if these changes are similar to those induced by oral antibiotics. Weaned 21-day-old C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups: the CTL group, fed the control diet; the COL group, administered low doses of neomycin and colistin; and the SDP group, supplemented with 8% SDP. After 14 days, analysis of the fecal microbiome showed that the microbiota profiles induced by SDP and the antibiotics were very different, thus, SDP has prebiotic rather than antibiotic effects. At the phylum level, SDP stimulated the presence of Firmicutes, considerably increasing the lactobacilli population. It also enhanced the growth of species involved in regulatory T-lymphocyte homeostasis and restoration of the mucosal barrier, as well as species negatively correlated with expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. At the mucosal level, expression of toll-like receptors Tlr2, Tlr4 and Tlr9, and mucous-related genes Muc2 and Tff3 with regulatory and barrier stability functions, were increased. SDP also increased expression of Il-10 and Tgf-β, as well as markers of macrophages and dendritic cells eventually promoting an immune-tolerant environment.
Author Correction: Thalamus exhibits less sensory variability quenching than cortex
Authors: Poland Eva , Donner Tobias H. , Müller Kai-Markus , Leopold David. A. , Wilke Melanie
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Locoregional therapy of the primary tumour in de novo stage IV breast cancer in 216 066 patients: A meta-analysis
Authors: Gera Ritika , Chehade Hiba E. L. Hage , Wazir Umar , Tayeh Salim , Kasem Abdul , Mokbel Kefah
Published: February 2020

Patients presenting with de novo stage IV metastatic breast cancer have a complex disease which is normally treated with palliative intent and systemic therapy. However, there is mounting evidence that resection of the primary tumour and/or localised radiotherapy (locoregional therapy; LRT) could be associated with overall survival improvements. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to inform decision making. Using the PubMed, Cochrane and Ovid SP databases, a literature review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the effect of LRT on overall survival. Studies were analysed for the impact of LRT on survival. All forms of LRT resulted in a significant 31.8% reduction in mortality (N = 42; HR = 0.6823 (95% CI 0.6365; 0.7314)). Surgical resection resulted in a significant 36.2% reduction in mortality (N = 37; HR = 0.6379 (95% CI 0.5974; 0.6811)). The prospective trials reported a 19.23% reduction in mortality which was not statistically significant (N = 3, HR = 0.8077 (95% CI 0.5704; 1.1438). 216 066 patients were included. This is the largest meta-analysis regarding this question to date. Our meta-analysis shows that LRT of the primary tumour seems to improve overall survival in de novo stage IV disease. Therefore, this therapeutic option should be considered in selected patients after a careful multidisciplinary discussion.
Transplantation of iPSC-TM stimulates division of trabecular meshwork cells in human eyes
Authors: Zhu Wei , Godwin Cheyanne R. , Cheng Lin , Scheetz Todd E. , Kuehn Markus H.
Published: February 2020

The trabecular meshwork’s (TM) physiological role is to maintain normal intraocular pressure by regulating aqueous humor outflow. With age, and particularly in eyes with primary open angle glaucoma, the number of cells residing within the TM is markedly decreased and the function of the tissue is compromised. Here we evaluate if transplantation of induced pluripotent stem cell derived TM like cells (iPSC-TM) restores TM cellularity and function in human eyes obtained from older human donors. Human iPSC were differentiated into iPSC-TM and compared to primary TM cells by RNAseq. iPSC-TM were then injected into the anterior segments of human eyes maintained in perfusion culture. Seven and 14 days eyes after injection eyes that received iPSC-TM contained significantly more cells in the TM. Fewer than 1% of all cells appeared to be iPSC-TM, but significantly more cells in these eyes were immunopositive for Ki 67 and incorporated BrdU. Our study demonstrates that transplantation iPSC-TM stimulates proliferation of endogenous TM cells in perfusion cultured human eyes from aged donors. These data, in concert with our previous findings in animal models, suggest that functional regeneration of the TM may be possible in human eyes with primary open angle glaucoma.
Author Correction: Extreme temperature impairs growth and productivity in a common tropical marine copepod
Authors: Doan Nam X. , Vu Minh T. T. , Pham Hung Q. , Wisz Mary S. , Nielsen Torkel Gissel , Dinh Khuong V.
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
New signatures of poor CD4 cell recovery after suppressive antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected individuals: involvement of miR-192, IL-6, sCD14 and miR-144
Authors: Hernández-Walias Francisco , Ruiz-de-León María J. , Rosado-Sánchez Isaac , Vázquez Esther , Leal Manuel , Moreno Santiago , Vidal Francesc , Blanco Julià , Pacheco Yolanda M. , Vallejo Alejandro
Published: February 2020

Up to 40% of newly diagnosed cases of HIV-1 infection are late diagnoses, with a profound decrease in CD4 cell counts in many cases. One-third of these individuals do not achieve optimal CD4 cell recovery (OR) after suppressive antiretroviral treatment (ART). This retrospective/longitudinal study of poor recovery (PR) included 79 HIV-1-infected individuals with CD4 count <200 cells/mm3 (25 PR and 54 OR) before ART. After suppressive ART, 21 PR and 24 OR individuals were further analysed, including paired samples. Selected miRs and plasma inflammatory markers were determined to investigate their potential predictive/diagnostic value for poor recovery. miR-192, IL-6 and sCD14 were independently associated with CD4 recovery before ART (p = 0.031, p = 0.007, and p = 0.008, respectively). The combination of these three factors returned a good discrimination (predictive value for PR) value of 0.841 (AUC, p < 0.001). After suppressive ART, miR-144 was independently associated with CD4 recovery (p = 0.017), showing a moderate discrimination value of 0.730 (AUC, p = 0.008) for PR. Our study provides new evidence on the relationship between miRs and HIV-1 infection that could help improve the management of individuals at HIV-1 diagnosis. These miRs and cytokines signature sets provide novel tools to predict CD4 cell recovery and its progression after ART.
Virulence attenuating combination therapy: a potential multi-target synergy approach to treatPseudomonas aeruginosainfections in cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Shaw Elana , Wuest William M.
Published: February 2020

Virulence attenuating combination therapy may be a promising approach to treating chronicP. aeruginosainfections in patients with cystic fibrosis.
Nanoengineering to achieve high efficiency practical lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Cha Eunho , Patel Mumukshu , Bhoyate Sanket , Prasad Vish , Choi Wonbong
Published: February 2020

Rapidly increasing markets for electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage for backup support systems and high-power portable electronics demand batteries with higher energy densities and longer cycle lives.
Improved method of structure-based virtual screening based on ensemble learning
Authors: Li Jin , Liu WeiChao , Song Yongping , Xia JiYi
Published: February 2020

Virtual screening has become a successful alternative and complementary technique to experimental high-throughput screening technologies for drug design. This paper proposed a target-specific virtual screening method based on ensemble learning named ENS-VS.
In situ Raman and FTIR spectroscopic study on the formation of the isomers MIL-68(Al) and MIL-53(Al)
Authors: Embrechts Heidemarie , Kriesten Martin , Ermer Matthias , Peukert Wolfgang , Hartmann Martin , Distaso Monica
Published: February 2020

The paper describes a method to induce the formation of MIL-68(Al) rather than MIL-53(Al) using a formic acid modulated synthesis approach.
Sonochemical degradation of pesticides in aqueous solution: investigation on the influence of operating parameters and degradation pathway – a systematic review
Authors: Pirsaheb Meghdad , Moradi Negin
Published: February 2020

Along with the wide production, consumption and disposal of pesticides in the world, the concerns over their human and environmental health impacts are rapidly growing.
Tough polymeric hydrogels using ion-pair comonomers
Authors: Wickramasinhage Ravindra N. , Goswami Shailesh , McAdam C. John , Hanton Lyall R. , Moratti Stephen C.
Published: February 2020

Tough hydrogels through electrostatic interactions.
Intermediate wetting state at nano/microstructured surfaces
Authors: Nagayama Gyoko , Zhang Dejian
Published: February 2020

A general partial wetting model to describe an intermediate wetting state is proposed in this study to explain the deviations between the experimental results and classical theoretical wetting models for hydrophobic surfaces.
Effect of a graphene oxide intermediate layer in Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells
Authors: Kim Jihun , Jang Junsung , Suryawanshi Mahesh P. , He Mingrui , Heo Jaeyeong , Lee Dong Seon , Jung Hyo Rim , Jo Eunae , Gang Myeng Gil , Kim Jin Hyeok , Kim Hyeong-Jin
Published: February 2020

This study presents a device architecture with a graphene oxide (GO) intermediate layer for CZTSSe solar cells to improve the power conversion efficiency by alleviating the interfacial issues.
Magnetic-field guided solvent vapor annealing for enhanced molecular alignment and carrier mobility of a semiconducting diketopyrrolopyrrole-based polymer
Authors: Xiao Xuhua , Pan Guoxing , Li Tian , Su Songlin , Zhu Liangzheng , Zhu Xuebin , Zhang Fapei
Published: February 2020

Magnetically guided solvent vapor annealing enables highly aligned uniform films and excellent OFET performance of a DPP polymer.
Liquid crystal ionic self-assembly and anion-selective photoluminescence in discotic azatriphenylenes
Authors: Dai Jia , Zhao Ke-Qing , Wang Bi-Qin , Hu Ping , Heinrich Benoît , Donnio Bertrand
Published: February 2020

We report on the straightforward synthesis of a new series of ionic discotic liquid crystals based on positively charged azatriphenylene.
High sensitivity and fast response self-powered solar-blind ultraviolet photodetector with a β-Ga2O3/spiro-MeOTAD p–n heterojunction
Authors: Yan Zuyong , Li Shan , Liu Zeng , Zhi Yusong , Dai Jie , Sun Xiangyu , Sun Siyuan , Guo Daoyou , Wang Xia , Li Peigang , Wu Zhenping , Li Lily , Tang Weihua
Published: February 2020

A β-Ga2O3/spiro-MeOTAD organic–inorganic p–n heterojunction was fabricated for use in a high sensitivity and fast response self-powered solar-blind UV photodetector.
Switchable third ScFeO3 polar ferromagnet with YMnO3-type structure
Authors: Hamasaki Yosuke , Katayama Tsukasa , Yasui Shintaro , Shiraishi Takahisa , Akama Akihiro , Kiguchi Takanori , Taniyama Tomoyasu , Itoh Mitsuru
Published: February 2020

We prepared a third ScFeO3 polar ferromagnet with YMnO3-type structure using a heteroepitaxial film technique and characterized its physical properties.
Enhanced regeneration of osteochondral defects by using an aggrecanase-1 responsively degradable and N-cadherin mimetic peptide-conjugated hydrogel loaded with BMSCs
Authors: Feng Xue , Zhou Tong , Xu Peifang , Ye Juan , Gou Zhongru , Gao Changyou
Published: February 2020

An aggrecanase-1 (ADAMTS4)-degradable and HAV sequence-tethered hydrogel is designed to enhance the regeneration of osteochondral defects by regulating hydrogel degradation and cell–cell interactions.
Lability of Ta–NHC adducts as a synthetic route towards heterobimetallic Ta/Rh complexes
Authors: Srivastava Ravi , Quadrelli Elsje Alessandra , Camp Clément
Published: February 2020

This work highlights the reactivity of Ta–NHC adducts and the aptitude of the NHC motif to transfer from Ta to Rh which is used with profit as an efficient synthetic route to access early/late heterobimetallic complexes.
Cu2O-catalyzed selective 1,2-addition of acetonitrile to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes
Authors: Che Fengrui , Wang Maorong , Yu Chunzheng , Sun Xiangyu , Xie Donghua , Wang Zonghua , Zhang Yuexia
Published: February 2020

A cyanomethylation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with acetonitrile as a nucleophile is disclosed. The reaction is promoted with Cu2O as an inexpensive catalyst. Mild conditions are used, and the reaction completes within a few minutes.
Selective recovery of zinc from goethite residue in the zinc industry using deep-eutectic solvents
Authors: Rodriguez Rodriguez Nerea , Machiels Lieven , Onghena Bieke , Spooren Jeroen , Binnemans Koen
Published: February 2020

A mixture of levulinic acid and choline chloride can be used to selectively leach zinc from industrial residues with iron-rich matrices.
Integrated transmission expansion and PMU planning considering dynamic thermal rating in uncertain environment
Authors: Madadi Sajad , Mohammadi‐Ivatloo Behnam , Tohidi Sajjad
Published: February 2020

Dynamic line rating (DLR) technologies are fast becoming a key instrument in power systems with high penetration of wind farms, because power companies can reduce the value of wind power spillage and also can postpone the investments of transmission lines by using DLR equipment. However, what the authors know about DLR is largely based on empirical studies that investigate how to change the capacity of transmission lines with changing the weather data. Therefore, lack of a mathematical model for estimating the capacity of lines by considering the weather conditions across the line and wind farm generations can be accounted as a research gap of DLR problems. This study proposes a solution for transmission expansion planning considering DLR technologies. Also, this study seeks to develop a model, which will help to address the research gap of DLR problems. The geostatistical analysis is used to develop a mathematical model, which can provide the relationship between wind farms as well as the capacity of lines calculated based on the weather conditions across the line. The efficiency of the proposed model is examined on a modified IEEE 118‐bus test system.
Reionization optical depth determination from Planck HFI data with ten percent accuracy
Authors: Pagano L. , Delouis J.-M. , Mottet S. , Puget J.-L. , Vibert L.
Published: February 2020

We present an estimation of the reionization optical depth τ from an improved analysis of data from the High Frequency Instrument (HFI) on board the Planck satellite. By using an improved version of the HFI map-making code, we greatly reduce the residual large-scale contamination affecting the data, characterised in, but not fully removed from, the Planck 2018 legacy release. This brings the dipole distortion systematic effect, contaminating the very low multipoles, below the noise level. On large-scale polarization-only data, we measure τ = 0.0566−0.0062+0.0053 at 68% C.L., reducing the Planck 2018 legacy release uncertainty by ∼40%. Within the ΛCDM model, in combination with the Planck large-scale temperature likelihood, and the high-ℓ temperature and polarization likelihood, we measure τ = 0.059 ± 0.006 at 68% C.L., which corresponds to a mid-point reionization redshift of zre = 8.14 ± 0.61 at 68% C.L. This estimation of the reionization optical depth with 10% accuracy is the strongest constraint to date.
Praktische Umsetzung moderner ernährungsmedizinischer Erkenntnisse – Möglichkeiten und aktuelle Herausforderungen in der niedergelassenen Praxis
Authors: Ritzmann-Widderich Martha
Published: February 2020

Die Aufgaben niedergelassener ernährungsmedizinischer Praxen sind vielfältig und reichen von Adipositastherapie hin zur Behandlung von entzündlichen und allergischen Erkrankungen des Gastrointestinaltrakts. Ein zentraler Punkt ist die interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit verschiedener Berufsgruppen, wie auch an den 3 vorgestellten Fallbeispielen deutlich wird. Durch eine adäquate Therapie können Kosten gespart und die Lebensqualität verbessert werden.
Three-component working electrode micron-sized Ag particles/tiO2 layer/Ti: template electrochemical synthesis and potential use as electrochemical sensor for glutathione detection
Authors: Arbenin A Yu , Zemtsova E G , Ermakov S S , Gaskov A M , Baburova P I , Sokolova D N , Yaroshenko S V , Smirnov V M
Published: February 2020

In the present work the possibility is considered of a chemical sensor synthesis for quantitative glutathione (GSH) determination. Sensor is based on a composite working electrode containing an array of micron-sized Ag particles immobilized on a conductive substrate (Ti) coated by dielectric TiO2 film. To determine GSH in biological fluids, particularly, in saliva, electrochemical silver-based sensors can be used, since such sensors contain –SH group. With the use of cyclic voltammetry (CV) with a composite working electrode containing an Ag microparticles array, the threshold of quantitative GSH determination is reduced to nM level. Since other modern analogues are inferior at least one order of magnitude in the limit of quantitative GSH detection, we assume that the proposed sensor may be of great interest for clinical diagnosis.
Energy transfer and luminescent properties in Tb3+ and Eu3+ co-doped CaMoO4/SrMoO4 thin films
Authors: Yu Hui , Shi Xinan , Huang Lijian , Kang Xiaojiao , Pan Daocheng
Published: February 2020

A series of Eu3+ and Tb3+ co-doped CaMoO4/SrMoO4 luminescent thin films were prepared by a facile solution method, and they were annealed at 550 °C for 2 h. The luminescent properties of the thin films were studied, which involve the energy transfer from Tb3+ to Eu3+. The emission color can be changed from green to red, with increasing Eu3+ doping concentration in Tb3+-doped CaMoO4/SrMoO4 thin films. In addition, it was observed that the PL intensity of Eu3+ will enhance when Tb3+ ions are incorporated into Eu3+-doped CaMoO4/SrMoO4 thin films. The optical band gaps of the luminescent thin films are found to be in the range of 4.49 to 4.72 eV. These results revealed that Eu3+ and Tb3+ co-doped CaMoO4/SrMoO4 luminescent thin films have a significantly potential application in electroluminescent devices.
Cartier modules and cyclotomic spectra
Authors: Antieau Benjamin , Nikolaus Thomas
Published: February 2020

We construct and study a

t
t

-structure on

p
p

-typical cyclotomic spectra and explain how to recover crystalline cohomology of smooth schemes over perfect fields using this

t
t

-structure. Our main tool is a new approach to

p
p

-typical cyclotomic spectra via objects we call

p
p

-typical topological Cartier modules. Using these, we prove that the heart of the cyclotomic

t
t

-structure is the full subcategory of derived

V
V

-complete objects in the abelian category of

p
p

-typical Cartier modules.
Arithmetic combinatorics on Vinogradov systems
Authors: Mudgal Akshat
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we present a variant of the Balog–Szemerédi–Gowers theorem for the Vinogradov system. We then use our result to deduce a higher degree analogue of the sum-product phenomenon.
Brexanolone for postpartum depression
Authors: Hutcherson Timothy C , Cieri-Hutcherson Nicole E , Gosciak Meaghan F
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Postpartum depression (PPD) is defined as a major depressive episode occurring during pregnancy or within 4 weeks of delivery that may have significant consequences for mother and infant. Antidepressants are used to treat PPD, but their effectiveness may be limited by a slow time to peak effect. Brexanolone is Food and Drug Administration–approved for the management of PPD; its use requires patient participation in a risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) program. This review evaluates the efficacy and safety of brexanolone in PPD.

Four completed studies, 1 quasi-experimental study and 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), were reviewed. Females who had moderate or severe PPD during the third trimester or within 4 weeks of delivery and were less than 6 months postpartum at initiation of therapy were included. Improvement in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) scores was assessed in addition to safety outcomes and scores on other depression rating scales. All studies demonstrated statistical improvement in HAM-D scores from baseline with brexanolone vs placebo use at the end of infusions (ie, hour 60). Results with regard to sustained HAM-D score improvements were mixed in the RCTs at 30-day follow-up. The most frequent adverse events in brexanolone-treated patients were sedation, dizziness, somnolence, and headache. The severe or serious adverse effect of presyncope, syncope, or loss of consciousness was reported by 4% of participants.

Conclusion

With a rapid onset of action, brexanolone could be considered advantageous over traditional therapies for PPD in patients for whom a rapid response is required due to severity of disease. Significant concerns remain regarding sustained effect and use in patients outside of the clinical trial setting.
Ciprofloxacin interferes with Salmonella Typhimurium intracellular survival and host virulence through repression of Salmonella pathogenicity island-2 (SPI-2) genes expression
Authors: Askoura Momen , Hegazy Wael Abdel Halim
Published: February 2020

Current study aims to characterize the influence of sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC) of ciprofloxacin on Salmonella intracellular survival and host virulence. Herein, Salmonella resistance patterns to various antibiotics were in agreement with those reported in previous studies. Moreover, intracellular survival of both ciprofloxacin-sensitive and -resistant Salmonella was markedly reduced upon treatment with sub-MIC of ciprofloxacin as determined by gentamicin protection assay. These findings were further confirmed using immunostaining indicating an inhibitory effect of sub-MIC of ciprofloxacin on Salmonella intracellular survival. RT-qPCR revealed that expression of genes encoding Salmonella type three secretion system (TTSS) decreased upon bacterial exposure to sub-MIC of ciprofloxacin. Furthermore, bacterial exposure to sub-MIC of ciprofloxacin significantly reduced expression of both sifA and sifB, which are important for Salmonella filaments formation within the host. Treatment of Salmonella with sub-MIC of ciprofloxacin reduced bacterial capacity to kill mice infection models. A lower mortality rate was observed in mice injected with Salmonella treated with sub-MIC of ciprofloxacin as compared with mice inoculated with untreated bacteria. Collectively, current findings indicate that, in addition to its bactericidal potential, sub-MIC of ciprofloxacin could inhibit Salmonella intracellular survival, virulence genes expression as well as host pathogenesis, providing another mechanism for ciprofloxacin in limiting Salmonella host infection.
Bioethics in the Ruins
Authors: Porter Allen
Published: February 2020

In The Foundations of Bioethics (1986, 1996), former senior editor of The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr. (1941–2018) radically reassessed the nature and scope of bioethics, as well as the possibilities for this still-young field that he helped found, in light of the prevailing sociohistorical context, which he argued had been inadequately considered by bioethicists. This issue of The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy provides a snapshot of how bioethics is developing in the wake of Engelhardt’s critique. Topics covered include the relation between rule of law and US healthcare policy, the relation between autonomy and consent, the role of rights in bioethical discourse, the debate between naturalism and normativism in the theory of disease, and the question of when human individuals begin to exist. Although no single theme explicitly unites them, the papers in this issue were produced within and are fruitfully read in terms of what Engelhardt influentially characterized as a morally pluralistic postmodernity subsisting amidst the ruins of tradition. In the conclusion, I introduce a further wrinkle into this Engelhardtian picture—namely, the looming danger of a more general epistemological pluralism effected by new technologies like Deepfakes.
Mental Health Service Use in Depressed Military Personnel: A Systematic Review
Authors: Thériault François L , Gardner William , Momoli Franco , Garber Bryan G , Kingsbury Mila , Clayborne Zahra , Cousineau-Short Daniel Y , Sampasa-Kanyinga Hugues , Landry Hannah , Colman Ian
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Major depression is a leading cause of morbidity in military personnel and an important impediment to operational readiness in military organizations. Although treatment options are available, a large proportion of individuals with depression do not access mental health services. Quantifying and closing this treatment gap is a public health priority. However, the scientific literature on the major depression treatment gap in military organizations has never been systematically reviewed.

Methods

We systematically searched the EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PsychINFO databases for studies measuring recent mental health service use in personnel serving in the armed forces of a Five-Eye country (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States). We excluded studies conducted with retired veterans. Because of the substantial heterogeneity in included studies, we did not pool their results. Instead, we computed median period prevalence of mental health service use.

Results

Twenty-eight studies were included in the systematic review; 12 had estimated mental health service use in personnel with depression, and another 16 had estimated mental health service use in personnel with depression or another mental health disorder. The period prevalence of mental health service use in depressed military personnel ranged from 20 to 75% in 12 included studies, with a median of 48%, over 2–12 months. The other 16 studies yielded similar conclusions; they reported period prevalence of mental health service use in personnel with any mental health disorder ranging from 14 to 75%, with a median of 36%, over 1–12 months. The median was higher in studies relying on diagnostic interviews to identify depressed personnel, compared to studies relying on screening tools (60% vs. 44%).

Conclusions

There is a large treatment gap for major depression in particular, and for mental health disorders in general, among military personnel. However, our results highlight the association between the use of measurement tools and treatment gaps: estimated treatment gaps were larger when depressed patients were identified by screening tools instead of diagnostic interviews. Researchers should be wary of overestimating the mental health treatment gap when using screening tools in future studies.
Exploring Disparities in Awarding VA Service-Connected Disability for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for Active Duty Military Service Members from Recent Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan
Authors: Redd Andrew M , Gundlapalli Adi V , Suo Ying , Pettey Warren B P , Brignone Emily , Chin David L , Walker Lauren E , Poltavskiy Eduard A , Janak Jud C , Howard Jeffrey T , Sosnov Jonathan A , Stewart Ian J
Published: February 2020

Introduction

We explore disparities in awarding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) service-connected disability benefits (SCDB) to veterans based on gender, race/ethnicity, and misconduct separation.

Methods

Department of Defense data on service members who separated from October 1, 2001 to May 2017 were linked to Veterans Administration (VA) administrative data. Using adjusted logistic regression models, we determined the odds of receiving a PTSD SCDB conditional on a VA diagnosis of PTSD.

Results

A total of 1,558,449 (79% of separating service members) had at least one encounter in VA during the study period (12% female, 4.5% misconduct separations). Females (OR 0.72) and Blacks (OR 0.93) were less likely to receive a PTSD award and were nearly equally likely to receive a PTSD diagnosis (OR 0.97, 1.01). Other racial/ethnic minorities were more likely to receive an award and diagnosis, as were those with misconduct separations (award OR 1.3, diagnosis 2.17).

Conclusions

Despite being diagnosed with PTSD at similar rates to their referent categories, females and Black veterans are less likely to receive PTSD disability awards. Other racial/ethnic minorities and those with misconduct separations were more likely to receive PTSD diagnoses and awards. Further study is merited to explore variation in awarding SCDB.
Antibiotic Practice Patterns for Extremity Wound Infections among Blast-Injured Subjects
Authors: Stewart Laveta , Li Ping , Blyth Maj Dana M , Campbell Wesley R , Petfield Joseph L , Krauss Margot , Greenberg Lauren , Tribble David R
Published: February 2020

Introduction

We examined antibiotic management of combat-related extremity wound infections (CEWI) among wounded U.S. military personnel (2009–2012).

Methods

Patients were included if they sustained blast injuries, resulting in ≥1 open extremity wound, were admitted to participating U.S. hospitals, developed a CEWI (osteomyelitis or deep soft-tissue infections) within 30 days post-injury, and received ≥3 days of relevant antibiotic (s) for treatment.

Results

Among 267 patients, 133 (50%) had only a CEWI, while 134 (50%) had a CEWI plus concomitant non-extremity infection. In the pre-diagnosis period (4–10 days prior to CEWI diagnosis), 95 (36%) patients started a new antibiotic with 28% of patients receiving ≥2 antibiotics. During CEWI diagnosis week (±3 days of diagnosis), 209 (78%) patients started a new antibiotic (71% with ≥2 antibiotics). In the week following diagnosis (4–10 days after CEWI diagnosis), 121 (45%) patients started a new antibiotic with 39% receiving ≥2 antibiotics. Restricting to ±7 days of CEWI diagnosis, patients commonly received two (35%) or three (27%) antibiotics with frequent combinations involving carbapenem, vancomycin, and fluoroquinolones.

Conclusions

Substantial variation in antibiotic prescribing patterns related to CEWIs warrants development of combat-related clinical practice guidelines beyond infection prevention, to include strategies to reduce the use of unnecessary antibiotics and improve stewardship.