bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrohydrodynamic interaction between droplet pairs in a confined shear flow
Authors: Santra Somnath , Sen Diptendu , Das Sayan , Chakraborty Suman
Published: March 2019

This study deals with electrohydrodynamic interactions between two deformable droplets in a confined shear flow. We have investigated the effect of the channel confinement and the electric field strength on the droplet trajectories using numerical simulations. Two important varieties of motions are identified in the present analysis: (i) the reversing motion and (ii) the passing-over motion. This study suggests that conversion of the passing-over motion to the reversing motion or vice versa is possible by modulating the strength of the imposed electric field. Such a conversion of the pattern of droplet migration is also achieved by changing the electrical properties of the system (for instance, conductivity). Similar to the electric field strength and the electrical properties, the domain confinement is also found to play a key role in the conversion of the mode of droplet motion. Interestingly, the presence of electric field is found to prevent droplet coalescence to a certain extent depending on its strength, thus rendering the emulsion stable. Our results provide a perspective of electric field in a confined medium which can be used as a tool to modulate droplet trajectories in an emulsion.
Photoelectrochemical characteristics of ZnO/ TiO2 nanoheterojunctions
Authors: Wang Fang , Yu Dengji , Dai Jun
Published: March 2019

In this paper, TiO2 nanotubes are fabricated on Ti foils by anodic oxidation, a layer of ZnO nanorod arrays is further deposited on the TiO2 nanotube without seed layer by a hydrothermal method at different Zn2+ concentration. The result shows that the ZnO nanorods mainly present needle-like structure and the density of the nanorods increases with the Zn2+ concentration. The PL of the ZnO nanorods show that there are defect levels formed in the ZnO nanorods. When the ZnO/TiO2 heterostructure is irradiated by the light, the photocurrent is significantly increased by about 2-3 times of that from pure TiO2 nanotubes. The band diagram of the ZnO/TiO2/Ti was proposed to interpret the photocurrent characteristics. Our result indicates that the ZnO/TiO2 can be excellent candidate semiconductor material for the photoelectrochemical energy transfer.
Modification of microparticles due to intense laser manipulation
Authors: Wieben Frank , Schablinski Jan , Block Dietmar
Published: March 2019

Single micron-sized melamine-formaldehyde particles are levitated in the sheath of an rf-plasma and exposed to an intense laser beam, while being trapped in optical tweezers. A reversible change in the particles' properties is observed and quantitatively analyzed using reference particles. The investigations indicate a gain in particle charge where the initial charge restores within minutes. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed.
Crossed molecular beam study of the F+D2(v=1, j=0) reaction
Authors: Huang Long , Xie Yu-run , Yang Tian-gang , Wang Tao , Dai Dong-xu , Xiao Chun-lei , Yang Xue-ming
Published: March 2019

The reaction dynamics of the fluorine atom with vibrationally excited D2(v=1, j=0) was investigated using the crossed beam method. The scheme of stimulated Raman pumping was employed for preparation of vibrationally excited D2 molecules. Contribution from the reaction of spin-orbit excited F*(2P1/2) with vibrationally excited D2 was not found. Reaction of spin-orbit ground F(2P3/2) with vibrationally excited D2 was measured and DF products populated in v′=2, 3, 4, 5 were observed. Compared with the vibrationally ground reaction, DF products from the vibrationally excited reaction of F(2P3/2)+D2(v=1, j=0) are rotationally “hotter”. Differential cross sections at four collision energies, ranging from 0.32 kcal/mol to 2.62 kcal/mol, were obtained. Backward scattering dominates for DF products in all vibrational levels at the lowest collision energy of 0.32 kcal/mol. As the collision energy increases, angular distribution of DF products gradually shifts from backward to sideway. The collision-energy dependence of differential cross section of DF(v′=5) at forward direction was also measured. Forward-scattered signal of DF(v′=5) appears at the collision energy of 1.0 kcal/mol, and becomes dominated at 2.62 kcal/mol.
Rate coefficients and branching ratio for multi-channel hydrogen abstractions from CH3OH by F
Authors: Lu Dan-dan , Xie Chang-jian , Li Jun , Guo Hua
Published: March 2019

The hydrogen abstraction reaction F+CH3OH has two possible reaction pathways: HF+CH3O and HF+CH2OH. Despite the absence of intrinsic barriers for both channels, the former has a branching ratio comparable to the latter, which is far from the statistical limit of 0.25 (one out of four available H atoms). Furthermore, the measured branching ratio of the two abstraction channels spans a large range and is not quantitatively reproduced by previous theoretical predictions based on the transition-state theory with the stationary point information calculated at the levels of Møller-Plesset perturbation theory and G2. This work reports a theoretical investigation on the kinetics and the associated branching ratio of the two competing channels of the title reaction using a quasi-classical trajectory approach on an accurate full-dimensional potential energy surface (PES) fitted by the permutation invariant polynomial-neural network approach to ca. 1.21 × 105 points calculated at the explicitly correlated (F12a) version of coupled cluster singles doubles and perturbative triples (CCSD(T)) level with the aug-cc-pVDZ basis set. The calculated room temperature rate coefficient and branching ratio of the HF+CH3O channel are in good agreement with the available experimental data. Furthermore, our theory predicts that rate coefficients have a slightly negative temperature dependence, consistent with barrierless nature of the reaction.
Crossed beam study on the F+D2→DF+D reaction at hyperthermal collision energy of 23.84 kJ/mol
Authors: Wang Hei-long , Su Shu , Yu Sheng-rui , Che Li , Wu Guo-rong , Yuan Kai-jun , Yang Xue-ming , Minton Timothy K.
Published: March 2019

We presented an experimental apparatus combining the H-atom Rydberg tagging time-of-flight technique and the laser detonation source for studying crossed beam reactions at hyperthermal collision energies. The preliminary study of the F+D2 DF+D reaction at hyperthermal collision energy of 23.84 kJ/mol was performed. Two beam sources were used in this study: one is the hyperthermal F beam source produced by a laser detonation process, and the other is D2 beam source generated by liquid-N2 cooled pulsed valve. Vibrational state-resolved differential cross sections (DCSs) of product for the title reaction were determined. From the product vibrational state-resolved DCS, it can be concluded that products DF(v′=0, 1, 2, 3) are predominantly distributed in the sideway and backward scattering directions at this collision energy. However, the highest vibrational excited product DF(v′=4), is clearly peaked in the forward direction. The probable dynamical origins for these forward scattering products were analyzed and discussed.
Imaging the dissociation dynamics of Si2+ via two-photon excitation at 193 nm
Authors: Ma Yu-jie , Li Fang-fang , Liu Jia-xing , Wang Feng-yan
Published: March 2019

In the one-color experiment at 193 nm, we studied the photodissociation of Si2+ ions prepared by two-photon ionization using the time-sliced ion velocity map imaging method. The Si+ imaging study shows that Si2+ dissociation results in two distinct channels: Si(3Pg)+Si+(2Pu) and Si(1D2)+Si+(2Pu). The main channel Si(3Pg)+Si+(2Pu) is produced by the dissociation of the Si2+ ions in more than one energetically available excited electronic state, which are from the ionization of Si2(v=0−5). Particularly, the dissociation from the vibrationally excited Si2(v=1) shows the strongest signal. In contrast, the minor Si(1D2)+Si+(2Pu) channel is due to an avoided crossing between the two 2Πg states in the same symmetry. It has also been observed the one-photon dissociation of Si2+(X4Σg−) into Si(1D2)+Si+(2Pu) products with a large kinetic energy release.
The XPK package: A comparison between the extended phenomenological kinetic (XPK) method and the conventional kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) method
Authors: Shen Tong-hao , Xu Xin
Published: March 2019

Recently, we proposed the extended phenomenological kinetics (XPK) method, which overcomes the notorious timescale separation difficulty between fast diffusion and slow chemical reactions in conventional kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations. In the present work, we make a comprehensive comparison, based on the newly developed XPK package, between the XPK method and the conventional KMC method using a model hydrogenation reaction system. Two potential energy surfaces with different lateral interactions have been designed to illustrate the advantages of the XPK method in computational costs, parallel efficiency and the convergence behaviors to steady states. The XPK method is shown to be efficient and accurate, holding the great promise for theoretical modelling in heterogeneous catalysis, in particular, when the role of the lateral interactions among adsorbates is crucial.
Multiscale seasonal factors drive the size of winter monarch colonies
Authors: Saunders Sarah P. , Ries Leslie , Neupane Naresh , Ramírez M. Isabel , García-Serrano Eligio , Rendón-Salinas Eduardo , Zipkin Elise F.
Published: March 2019

Significance

We address a debate that has spurred scientific and public discourse: whether conditions during autumn migration are contributing to the decline of the eastern monarch butterfly population. Using a multiscale modeling approach, we reveal that continental-scale landscape greenness during migration (proxy for nectar availability) and the amount of forest cover at winter sites significantly influence arrival colony sizes. We also demonstrate a significant demographic connection between summer and winter population sizes. Our results suggest that environmental factors during—and at the culmination of—autumn migration, combined with summer population size, explain a substantial portion of temporal variation in monarch population dynamics during a time frame after which other major putative sources of mortality (host plant and winter habitat loss) have lessened considerably.
Anthropogenic enhancements to production of highly oxygenated molecules from autoxidation
Authors: Pye Havala O. T. , D’Ambro Emma L. , Lee Ben H. , Schobesberger Siegfried , Takeuchi Masayuki , Zhao Yue , Lopez-Hilfiker Felipe , Liu Jiumeng , Shilling John E. , Xing Jia , Mathur Rohit , Middlebrook Ann M. , Liao Jin , Welti André , Graus Martin , Warneke Carsten , de Gouw Joost A. , Holloway John S. , Ryerson Thomas B. , Pollack Ilana B. , Thornton Joel A.
Published: March 2019

Atmospheric oxidation of natural and anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) leads to secondary organic aerosol (SOA), which constitutes a major and often dominant component of atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Recent work demonstrates that rapid autoxidation of organic peroxy radicals (RO2) formed during VOC oxidation results in highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOM) that efficiently form SOA. As NOxemissions decrease, the chemical regime of the atmosphere changes to one in which RO2autoxidation becomes increasingly important, potentially increasing PM2.5, while oxidant availability driving RO2formation rates simultaneously declines, possibly slowing regional PM2.5formation. Using a suite of in situ aircraft observations and laboratory studies of HOM, together with a detailed molecular mechanism, we show that although autoxidation in an archetypal biogenic VOC system becomes more competitive as NOxdecreases, absolute HOM production rates decrease due to oxidant reductions, leading to an overall positive coupling between anthropogenic NOxand localized biogenic SOA from autoxidation. This effect is observed in the Atlanta, Georgia, urban plume where HOM is enhanced in the presence of elevated NO, and predictions for Guangzhou, China, where increasing HOM-RO2production coincides with increases in NO from 1990 to 2010. These results suggest added benefits to PM2.5abatement strategies come with NOxemission reductions and have implications for aerosol–climate interactions due to changes in global SOA resulting from NOxinteractions since the preindustrial era.
Evidence that prenatal testosterone transfer from male twins reduces the fertility and socioeconomic success of their female co-twins
Authors: Bütikofer Aline , Figlio David N. , Karbownik Krzysztof , Kuzawa Christopher W. , Salvanes Kjell G.
Published: March 2019

Significance

In litter-bearing species, females exposed to prenatal testosterone from male littermates exhibit altered traits. In humans, rising twinning rates may be exposing a growing subset of females to similar effects. Data on all twin births in Norway between 1967 and 1978 show that females exposed in utero to a male co-twin have a decreased probability of graduating from high school (15.2%), completing college (3.9%), and being married (11.7%), and have lower fertility (5.8%) and life-cycle earnings (8.6%). These relationships remain unchanged among females whose male co-twin died soon after birth, implicating prenatal testosterone exposure rather than being raised with a male sibling. These findings support the hypothesis that being exposed to a male co-twin in utero can have lasting effects on females.
Variations of wealth resemblance by family relationship types in modern Chinese families
Authors: Chu C. Y. Cyrus , Kan Kamhon , Lin Jou Chun
Published: March 2019

Significance

This study uses millions of records from a public registry in Taiwan to estimate wealth correlations among kinship members. This wealth correlation as a measure of kinship resemblance is shown to capture much more information about the modern Chinese family than that of mechanical genetic relatedness or the correlations among immediate family members. We are able to see from our proposed measure the variations of family members’ resemblance between males and females, between paternal and maternal lines of relatives, between rich and ordinary families, and between adoptees and other children.
Gene activation precedes DNA demethylation in response to infection in human dendritic cells
Authors: Pacis Alain , Mailhot-Léonard Florence , Tailleux Ludovic , Randolph Haley E. , Yotova Vania , Dumaine Anne , Grenier Jean-Christophe , Barreiro Luis B.
Published: March 2019

DNA methylation is considered to be a relatively stable epigenetic mark. However, a growing body of evidence indicates that DNA methylation levels can change rapidly; for example, in innate immune cells facing an infectious agent. Nevertheless, the causal relationship between changes in DNA methylation and gene expression during infection remains to be elucidated. Here, we generated time-course data on DNA methylation, gene expression, and chromatin accessibility patterns during infection of human dendritic cells with
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. We found that the immune response to infection is accompanied by active demethylation of thousands of CpG sites overlapping distal enhancer elements. However, virtually all changes in gene expression in response to infection occur before detectable changes in DNA methylation, indicating that the observed losses in methylation are a downstream consequence of transcriptional activation. Footprinting analysis revealed that immune-related transcription factors (TFs), such as NF-κB/Rel, are recruited to enhancer elements before the observed losses in methylation, suggesting that DNA demethylation is mediated by TF binding to cis-acting elements. Collectively, our results show that DNA demethylation plays a limited role to the establishment of the core regulatory program engaged upon infection.
Instructive role of melanocytes during pigment pattern formation of the avian skin
Authors: Inaba Masafumi , Jiang Ting-Xin , Liang Ya-Chen , Tsai Stephanie , Lai Yung-Chih , Widelitz Randall Bruce , Chuong Cheng Ming
Published: March 2019

Animal skin pigment patterns are excellent models to study the mechanism of biological self-organization. Theoretical approaches developed mathematical models of pigment patterning and molecular genetics have brought progress; however, the responsible cellular mechanism is not fully understood. One long unsolved controversy is whether the patterning information is autonomously determined by melanocytes or nonautonomously determined from the environment. Here, we transplanted purified melanocytes and demonstrated that melanocytes could form periodic pigment patterns cell autonomously. Results of heterospecific transplantation among quail strains are consistent with this finding. Further, we observe that developing melanocytes directly connect with each other via filopodia to form a network in culture and in vivo. This melanocyte network is reminiscent of zebrafish pigment cell networks, where connexin is implicated in stripe formation via genetic studies. Indeed, we found
connexin40
(
cx40
) present on developing melanocytes in birds. Stripe patterns can form in quail skin explant cultures. Several calcium channel modulators can enhance or suppress pigmentation globally, but a gap junction inhibitor can change stripe patterning. Most interestingly, in ovo, misexpression of dominant negative
cx40
expands the black region, while overexpression of
cx40
expands the yellow region. Subsequently, melanocytes instruct adjacent dermal cells to express agouti signaling protein (
ASIP
), the regulatory factor for pigment switching, which promotes pheomelanin production. Thus, we demonstrate Japanese quail melanocytes have an autonomous periodic patterning role during body pigment stripe formation. We also show dermal agouti stripes and how the coupling of melanocytes with dermal cells may confer stable and distinct pigment stripe patterns.
Heterogeneous and rate-dependent streptavidin–biotin unbinding revealed by high-speed force spectroscopy and atomistic simulations
Authors: Rico Felix , Russek Andreas , González Laura , Grubmüller Helmut , Scheuring Simon
Published: March 2019

Significance

Protein–ligand interactions are commonly described in terms of a two-state or a lock-and-key mechanism. To provide a more detailed and dynamic description of receptor–ligand bonds and their (un)binding path, we combined high-speed force spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations to probe the prototypical streptavidin–biotin complex. The excellent agreement observed, never used for force-field refinement, provides the most direct test of the “computational microscope.” The so-far largest dynamic range of loading rates explored (11 decades) enabled accurate reconstruction of the free-energy landscape. We revealed velocity-dependent unbinding pathways and intermediate states that enhance rebinding, explaining the long lifetime of the bond. We expect similar behavior in most receptor–ligand complexes, implying unbinding pathways governed by transient, timescale-dependent induced fits.
Structural maturation of cortical perineuronal nets and their perforating synapses revealed by superresolution imaging
Authors: Sigal Yaron M. , Bae Haneui , Bogart Luke J. , Hensch Takao K. , Zhuang Xiaowei
Published: March 2019

Significance

Particular inhibitory neurons containing parvalbumin (PV) play a critical role in determining the time course by which experience shapes developing brain circuits. Embedded deep within cortical gray matter, extracellular matrices enwrapping PV-positive (PV+) cells have remained difficult to study partly due to the small length scale on which they are organized. To overcome such challenges, we used a superresolution fluorescence imaging approach to visualize these perineuronal nets (PNNs), a specialized form of the extracellular matrix critical for maintaining mature PV+ neuron function and their synaptic inputs. We quantified changes that define PNN structure and identified specific synaptic defects in a mouse model lacking
MeCP2
, the causative gene for Rett syndrome, a regressive neurodevelopmental disorder.
Electrical control of spatial resolution in mixed-dimensional heterostructured photodetectors
Authors: Zhang Ke , Wei Yang , Zhang Jin , Ma He , Yang Xinhe , Lu Gaotian , Zhang Kenan , Li Qunqing , Jiang Kaili , Fan Shoushan
Published: March 2019

Significance

Spatial resolution can be electrically switched between high-resolution mode (HRM) and low-resolution mode in mixed-dimensional heterostructured photodetectors, and an interference fringe with 334 nm in period can be discriminated by setting at HRM. This can be attributed to the asymmetric geometry and the gate-tunable Fermi levels of these low-dimensional materials. It reveals great potential of the mixed-dimensional architectures in future nanoelectronics and nano-optoelectronics.
Lightweight, flaw-tolerant, and ultrastrong nanoarchitected carbon
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Vyatskikh Andrey , Gao Huajian , Greer Julia R. , Li Xiaoyan
Published: March 2019

Significance

A long-standing challenge in modern materials manufacturing and design has been to create porous materials that are simultaneously lightweight, strong, stiff, and flaw-tolerant. Here, we fabricated pyrolytic carbon nanolattices with designable topologies by a two-step procedure: direct laser writing and pyrolysis at high temperature. The smallest characteristic size of the nanolattices approached the resolution limits of the available 3D lithography technologies. Due to the designable unit-cell geometries, reduced feature sizes, and high quality of pyrolytic carbon, the created nanoarchitected carbon structures are lightweight, can be made virtually insensitive to fabrication-induced defects, attain nearly theoretical strength of the constituent material, and achieve specific strength up to one to three orders of magnitude above that of all existing micro/nanoarchitected materials.
Intramolecular isotopic evidence for bacterial oxidation of propane in subsurface natural gas reservoirs
Authors: Gilbert Alexis , Sherwood Lollar Barbara , Musat Florin , Giunta Thomas , Chen Songcan , Kajimoto Yuki , Yamada Keita , Boreham Christopher J. , Yoshida Naohiro , Ueno Yuichiro
Published: March 2019

Significance

Microorganisms can oxidize hydrocarbons anaerobically, but the detection and quantification of this process in natural settings remains difficult, impeding reliable estimation of these processes at the global scale. We have used the technique of position-specific isotope analysis of propane and show that anaerobic biological degradation of propane leads to a specific signature that differs from that of propane produced from thermal decomposition of higher hydrocarbons. When applied to natural gas reservoirs, we show that anaerobic bacterial oxidation of propane can be detected and quantified, which is not the case with the use of conventional methods. Our findings are thus of importance for the detection of subsurface biology, for the understanding of the carbon cycle, and more broadly for environmental sciences.
Evolutionary expansion of connectivity between multimodal association areas in the human brain compared with chimpanzees
Authors: Ardesch Dirk Jan , Scholtens Lianne H. , Li Longchuan , Preuss Todd M. , Rilling James K. , van den Heuvel Martijn P.
Published: March 2019

The development of complex cognitive functions during human evolution coincides with pronounced encephalization and expansion of white matter, the brain’s infrastructure for region-to-region communication. We investigated adaptations of the human macroscale brain network by comparing human brain wiring with that of the chimpanzee, one of our closest living primate relatives. White matter connectivity networks were reconstructed using diffusion-weighted MRI in humans (
n
= 57) and chimpanzees (
n
= 20) and then analyzed using network neuroscience tools. We demonstrate higher network centrality of connections linking multimodal association areas in humans compared with chimpanzees, together with a more pronounced modular topology of the human connectome. Furthermore, connections observed in humans but not in chimpanzees particularly link multimodal areas of the temporal, lateral parietal, and inferior frontal cortices, including tracts important for language processing. Network analysis demonstrates a particularly high contribution of these connections to global network integration in the human brain. Taken together, our comparative connectome findings suggest an evolutionary shift in the human brain toward investment of neural resources in multimodal connectivity facilitating neural integration, combined with an increase in language-related connectivity supporting functional specialization.
In vitro analyses of suspected arrhythmogenic thin filament variants as a cause of sudden cardiac death in infants
Authors: Shafaattalab Sanam , Li Alison Yueh , Lin Eric , Stevens Charles M. , Dewar Laura J. , Lynn Francis C. , Sanatani Shubhayan , Laksman Zachary , Morin Ryan D. , van Petegem Filip , Hove-Madsen Leif , Tieleman D. Peter , Davis Jonathan P. , Tibbits Glen F.
Published: March 2019

Significance

A major aim of this study was to develop an experimental pipeline for the analysis and assessment of variants potentially causal in sudden cardiac death of infants (SCDI). The
TNNI
R37C
+/−
variant in this study was reliably and reproducibly disruptive to the normal physiology, in contrast to that in isogenic controls, across a battery of in silico and in vitro assays. This strengthens the evidence of pathogenicity and implicates a neonatal gene paralog encoding a sarcomeric contractile protein as having likely contributed to SCDI through a proarrhythmic pathway. This platform has the potential to be applied broadly as part of a standardized and clinically relevant death investigation in cases of SCDI where novel variants are identified.
Solar-driven, highly sustained splitting of seawater into hydrogen and oxygen fuels
Authors: Kuang Yun , Kenney Michael J. , Meng Yongtao , Hung Wei-Hsuan , Liu Yijin , Huang Jianan Erick , Prasanna Rohit , Li Pengsong , Li Yaping , Wang Lei , Lin Meng-Chang , McGehee Michael D. , Sun Xiaoming , Dai Hongjie
Published: March 2019

Significance

Electrolysis of water to generate hydrogen fuel could be vital to the future renewable energy landscape. Electrodes that can sustain seawater splitting without chloride corrosion could address the issue of freshwater scarcity on Earth. Herein, a hierarchical anode consisting of a nickel–iron hydroxide electrocatalyst layer uniformly coated on a sulfide layer formed on Ni substrate was developed, affording superior catalytic activity and corrosion resistance in seawater electrolysis. In situ-generated polyanion-rich passivating layers formed in the anode are responsible for chloride repelling and high corrosion resistance, leading to new directions for designing and fabricating highly sustained seawater-splitting electrodes and providing an opportunity to use the vast seawater on Earth as an energy carrier.
In the beginning there was conversation
Authors: Sandler Sergeiy , Pascual Esther
Published: March 2019

This paper explores the use of non-quotational direct speech – a construction displaying deictic perspective persistence – in the Hebrew Bible, an ancient text of great cultural significance. We focus on the use of non-quotational direct speech to introduce intentions, hopes, motives, or states of affairs. Special emphasis is laid on the complementizerlemor, grammaticalized from a speaking verb, which introduces the import of an action through direct speech. We claim that such fictive speech is grounded in face-to-face conversation as conceptual model or frame. Beyond the Hebrew Bible itself, we discuss possible extended implications that our findings have for the link between grammatical structures conventionally associated with perspective shift and orality, as well as possible links between the conceptual frame of situated interaction and the notion of linguistic meaning. Ultimately, we hope to advance the view that grammar and discourse are inherently conversational and thus viewpointed in nature.
Social protection in an aspiring ‘developmental state’: The political drivers of Ethiopia’s PSNP
Authors: Lavers Tom
Published: March 2019

Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) is among the largest social protection programmes in Africa and has been promoted as a model for the continent. This article analyses the political drivers of the programme, arguing that elite commitment to the PSNP needs to be understood in the context of shifts within Ethiopia’s political settlement and the government’s evolving development strategy. While food security had long been a priority for the ruling party, the 2002/03 food crisis—coming on the back of a series of other political shocks—was perceived as an existential crisis for the ruling coalition, prompting the incorporation of the PSNP into the existing rural development strategy. Foreign donors provided policy ideas and pushed for reform, but it was not until incentives flowing from the political settlement were favourable that elite commitment was secured. Even then, longstanding ideological commitments shaped the productive focus of the programme, ensuring consistency with the development strategy. While the removal of the PSNP is now unthinkable, the extent to which this represents a broader commitment to social protection remains an open question.
Battle of the sexes: a multi-male mating strategy helps lionesses win the gender war of fitness
Authors: Chakrabarti Stotra , Jhala Yadvendradev V
Published: March 2019

In species exhibiting infanticide by males, females lose out with high stakes and should adopt preemptive mechanisms, pitching the genders in an evolutionary arms race for maximizing fitness. African lions remain a quintessential model of this gender war, with a coalition of males gaining temporary but exclusive breeding rights over a female group after killing all cubs of former males. However in Asiatic lions, now found as a single population in Gir forests, India, adults live in same-sex groups that interact primarily for mating. Intensive monitoring of 70 adult lions revealed that female groups (n = 9) used exclusive territories, whereas male ranges (n = 11 coalitions) overlapped at areas of intense female use. A social network of mating events (n = 76) indicated that lionesses mated with multiple rival coalitions before conceiving. These neighboring coalitions, although hostile to each other were tolerant toward the same litters, suggestive of confused paternity among them. Given a land-tenure system where lionesses encounter many males capable of killing unfamiliar cubs, multi-male mating buffers cub infanticide and likely diversifies paternal lineages in litters. Consequently, infanticide was observed only when “new” males invaded a female group’s territory. An age-based mate choice was observed in lionesses: maiden breeders chose males having highest range overlaps, whereas experienced females selected peripheral males. The intergender spacing patterns and resultant sexual strategies of lions differ in Asia and Africa probably because of contrasting resource availability, highlighting behavioral plasticity within species inhabiting diverse eco-regions. By mating with multiple males, lionesses safeguard their investments and outdo the males in the war of fitness.
The Mental Health Act Assessment Process and Risk Factors for Compulsory Admission to Psychiatric Hospital: A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Wickersham Alice , Nairi Shilpa , Jones Rebecca , Lloyd-Evans Brynmor
Published: March 2019

Background

Compulsory admission rates under the Mental Health Act (MHA) have been on the rise for many years despite representing a costly and coercive approach to psychiatric care. There is therefore an urgent need to minimise compulsory admission rates using interventions based on known risk factors for detention. However, risk factors in the MHA assessment process have been under-researched.

Methods

A mixed methods service evaluation was conducted in one inner London NHS Trust. A retrospective cohort study used routinely collected assessment records to model potential risk factors for detention. Local assessors were interviewed to explore factors that might help or hinder detention minimisation.

Main findings

Assessments were less likely to result in detention when professionals other than the assessing team were in attendance, although this association weakened after adjusting for potential confounders. Interviewed assessors identified factors that could contribute to detention minimisation in the assessment process, in general service provision, and in wider society.

Conclusion

Some local assessment processes could contribute to minimising detention rates, such as community team participation in assessments. Challenges posed by limited resources and community and inpatient care were particularly evident. Consideration of these might also help reduce detentions.
“Clean Care for All—It’s in Your Hands”: The 5 May 2019 World Health Organization SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands Campaign
Authors: Peters Alexandra , Borzykowski Tcheun , Tartari Ermira , Kilpatrick Claire , Mai Safiah Hwai Chuen , Allegranzi Benedetta , Pittet Didier
Published: March 2019

Each improvement in infection prevention control contributes toward quality universal health coverage.
Dose-related Effectiveness of Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Against Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Verdoodt Freija , Dehlendorff Christian , Kjaer Susanne K
Published: March 2019

Background

A reduced, 2-dose schedule of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has been endorsed for preadolescent women on the basis of immunogenicity data from randomized trials, and limited data suggest that even 1 dose may provide sufficient protection. Surveillance of the impact of <3 vaccine doses on clinical endpoints in the targeted age group is warranted.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide cohort study of all women aged 17–25 years, living in Denmark between 2006 and 2016. From nationwide registries, we extracted individual-level data on vaccination with the quadrivalent HPV (qHPV) vaccine at 16 years or younger, number of doses administered, diagnoses of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) or grade 3 or worse (CIN3+), and potential confounders. Using Poisson regression, we estimated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CIN2+ and CIN3+, according to vaccination status.

Results

The cohort comprised 590 083 women, of which 215 309 (36%) women were vaccinated at ≤16 years, and among these, 40 742 (19%) received <3 vaccine doses. A total of 5561 women had a diagnosis of CIN3+. We found considerable vaccine effectiveness against CIN3+ after 1 (IRR, 0.38 [95% CI, .14–.98]), 2 (IRR, 0.38 [95% CI, .22–.66]), or 3 (IRR, 0.37 [95% CI, .30–.45]) vaccine doses, compared to unvaccinated women. Results were similar for CIN2+.

Conclusions

We find substantial effectiveness of qHPV vaccination against high-grade cervical precancerous lesions, among women vaccinated with 1, 2, or 3 doses at ≤16 years of age. One-dose vaccination appeared to provide similar protection as 3-dose vaccination.
Is Crohn’s Disease the Price to Pay Today for Having Survived the Black Death?
Authors: Dumay Anne , Gergaud Olivier , Roy Maryline , Hugot Jean-Pierre
Published: March 2019

Background and Aims

Nucleotide Oligomerisation Domain 2 [NOD2] is a key gene of innate immunity which participates in the host defence against pathogens. Several loss-of-function NOD2 mutations are associated with Crohn’s disease [CD]. Their high frequencies in populations of European ancestry suggest a model of balancing selection. Because NOD2 deficiency has been associated with a resistance to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in mice, we hypothesised that NOD2 mutations have been selected during past plague outbreaks due to the closely related bacterium Yersinia pestis.

Methods

Contemporary frequencies of the main CD-associated NOD2 mutations [R702W, G908R, and 1007fs], measured in healthy people from European and Mediterranean countries, were collected from 60 studies via a PubMed search. Plague exposure was calculated from a dataset providing outbreaks from 1346 to 1860 in Europe and the Mediterranean Bassin. A plague index was built to capture the intensity of plague exposure in the studied geographical areas.

Results

NOD2 mutation frequencies were associated with the past exposure to plague. Statistical significance was obtained for the most frequent mutation [R702W, p = 0.03] and for the pooled three mutations [p = 0.023]. The association remained significant when putative demographic biases were considered.

Conclusions

This result argues for a selection of CD-associated NOD2 mutations by plague outbreaks and further questioned the role of exposure to enteropathogenic Yersinia species in CD.
Time course of left ventricular remodelling and mechanics after aortic valve surgery: aortic stenosis vs. aortic regurgitation
Authors: Vollema E Mara , Singh Gurpreet K , Prihadi Edgard A , Regeer Madelien V , Ewe See Hooi , Ng Arnold C T , Mertens Bart J A , Klautz Robert J M , Ajmone Marsan Nina , Bax Jeroen J , Delgado Victoria
Published: March 2019

Aims

Pressure overload in aortic stenosis (AS) and both pressure and volume overload in aortic regurgitation (AR) induce concentric and eccentric hypertrophy, respectively. These structural changes influence left ventricular (LV) mechanics, but little is known about the time course of LV remodelling and mechanics after aortic valve surgery (AVR) and its differences in AS vs. AR. The present study aimed to characterize the time course of LV mass index (LVMI) and LV mechanics [by LV global longitudinal strain (LV GLS)] after AVR in AS vs. AR.

Methods and results

Two hundred and eleven (61 ± 14 years, 61% male) patients with severe AS (63%) or AR (37%) undergoing surgical AVR with routine echocardiographic follow-up at 1, 2, and/or 5 years were evaluated. Before AVR, LVMI was larger in AR patients compared with AS. Both groups showed moderately impaired LV GLS, but preserved LV ejection fraction. After surgery, both groups showed LV mass regression, although a more pronounced decline was seen in AR patients. Improvement in LV GLS was observed in both groups, but characterized by an initial decline in AR patients while LV GLS in AS patients remained initially stable.

Conclusion

In severe AS and AR patients undergoing AVR, LV mass regression and changes in LV GLS are similar despite different LV remodelling before AVR. In AR, relief of volume overload led to reduction in LVMI and an initial decline in LV GLS. In contrast, relief of pressure overload in AS was characterized by a stable LV GLS and more sustained LV mass regression.
High-intensity interval training modulates retinal microvascular phenotype and DNA methylation of p66Shc gene: a randomized controlled trial (EXAMIN AGE)
Authors: Streese Lukas , Khan Abdul Waheed , Deiseroth Arne , Hussain Shafaat , Suades Rosa , Tiaden Andre , Kyburz Diego , Cosentino Francesco , Hanssen Henner
Published: March 2019

Aims

Impairments of retinal vessel diameter are associated with major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events. Promoter DNA methylation is a repressor of the mitochondrial adaptor p66Shc gene transcription, a key driver of ageing-induced reactive oxygen species. The study aimed to investigate whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) affects retinal microvascular phenotype as well as p66Shc expression and oxidative stress in ageing subjects with increased CV risk from the EXAMIN AGE cohort.

Methods and results

Eighty-four sedentary subjects (mean age 59.4 ± 7.0 years) with ≥2 CV risk factors were randomized into either a 12-week HIIT or standard physical activity recommendations. Retinal arteriolar and venular diameters were measured by use of a retinal vessel analyser. As a marker of oxidative stress plasma 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) level was determined by ELISA. Gene expression of p66Shc and DNA methylation were assessed in mononuclear cells by RT-qPCR and methylated-DNA capture (MethylMiner Enrichment Kit) coupled with qPCR, respectively. High-intensity interval training reduced body mass index, fat mass, low-density lipoprotein and increased muscle mass, as well as maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Moreover, HIIT restored microvascular phenotype by inducing retinal arteriolar widening (pre: 175 ± 14 µm vs. post: 181 ± 13 µm, P = 0.001) and venular narrowing (pre: 222 ± 14 µm vs. post: 220 ± 14 µm, P = 0.007). After HIIT, restoration of p66Shc promoter methylation (P = 0.034) reduced p66Shc gene expression (P = 0.037) and, in turn, blunted 3-NT plasma levels (P = 0.002).

Conclusion

High-intensity interval training rescues microvascular dysfunction in ageing subjects at increased CV risk. Exercise-induced reprogramming of DNA methylation of p66Shc gene may represent a putative mechanistic link whereby exercise protects against age-related oxidative stress.

Clinical trial registration

 ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02796976 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02796976).
The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Undiagnosed Depression and Anxiety Disorders Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Lewis Kylee , Marrie Ruth Ann , Bernstein Charles N , Graff Lesley A , Patten Scott B , Sareen Jitender , Fisk John D , Bolton James M ,   CIHR Team in Defining the Burden and Managing the Effects of Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Disease, Marrie Ruth Ann , Bolton James M , Sareen Jitender , Walker John R , Patten Scott B , Singer Alexander , Lix Lisa M , Hitchon Carol A , El-Gabalawy Renée , Katz Alan , Fisk John D , Bernstein Charles N , Graff Lesley , Berrigan Lindsay , Zarychanski Ryan , Peschken Christine , Marriott James
Published: March 2019

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with a high prevalence of comorbid depressive and anxiety disorders. A significant proportion of IBD patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders remain undiagnosed and untreated, but factors associated with diagnosis are unknown. We evaluated the prevalence of undiagnosed depression and anxiety in an IBD cohort, along with the associated demographic and clinical characteristics.

Methods

We obtained data from the enrollment visit of a cohort study of psychiatric comorbidity in immune-mediated diseases including IBD. Each participant underwent a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders (SCID) to identify participants who met lifetime criteria for a diagnosis of depression or anxiety. Those with a SCID-based diagnosis were classified as diagnosed or undiagnosed based on participant report of a physician diagnosis.

Results

Of 242 eligible participants, 97 (40.1%) met SCID criteria for depression, and 74 (30.6%) met criteria for anxiety. One-third of participants with depression and two-thirds with anxiety were undiagnosed. Males were more likely to have an undiagnosed depressive disorder (odds ratio [OR], 3.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28–8.85). Nonwhite participants were less likely to have an undiagnosed anxiety disorder (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.042–0.72).

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the importance of screening for depression and anxiety in patients with IBD, with particular attention to those of male sex and with a lower education level.
Impact of Microscopic and Submicroscopic Parasitemia During Pregnancy on Placental Malaria in a High-Transmission Setting in Uganda
Authors: Briggs Jessica , Ategeka John , Kajubi Richard , Ochieng Teddy , Kakuru Abel , Ssemanda Cephus , Wasswa Razack , Jagannathan Prasanna , Greenhouse Bryan , Rodriguez-Barraquer Isabel , Kamya Moses , Dorsey Grant
Published: March 2019

In pregnant women assessed for parasitemia every 28 days, the risk of placental malaria increased in a dose-response relationship with both increasing frequency and density of parasitemia; however, even women with only submicroscopic parasitemia were at risk for placental malaria.
A new risk and issue management system to improve productivity, quality, and compliance in clinical trials
Authors: Ciervo Joseph , Shen Shih Chuan , Stallcup Kristin , Thomas Abraham , Farnum Michael A , Lobanov Victor S , Agrafiotis Dimitris K
Published: March 2019

Objective

We present a new system to track, manage, and report on all risks and issues encountered during a clinical trial.

Materials and Methods

Our solution utilizes JIRA, a popular issue and project tracking tool for software development, augmented by third-party and custom-built plugins to provide the additional functionality missing from the core product.

Results

The new system integrates all issue types under a single tracking tool and offers a range of capabilities, including configurable issue management workflows, seamless integration with other clinical systems, extensive history, reporting, and trending, and an intuitive web interface.

Discussion and Conclusion

By preserving the linkage between risks, issues, actions, decisions, and outcomes, the system allows study teams to assess the impact and effectiveness of their risk management strategies and present a coherent account of how the trial was conducted. Since the tool was put in production, we have observed an increase in the number of reported issues and a decrease in the median issue resolution time which, along with the positive user feedback, point to marked improvements in quality, transparency, productivity, and teamwork.
Influence of Deforestation on the Community Structure of Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Eastern Amazonia
Authors: Rebêlo José Manuel Macário , Moraes Jorge Luiz Pinto , Cruz Gustavo Barbosa Vieira , Andrade-Silva Joudellys , Bandeira Maria Da Conceição Abreu , Oliveira Pereira Yrla Nívea , Santos Ciro Líbio Caldas Dos
Published: March 2019

Variation in the structure of phlebotomine (sand fly) communities in forest fragments with different degrees of preservation and human occupation (peridomicile) in eastern Amazonia was studied. We identified 43 species of sand flies in our study, of which 38 occurred in both preserved forest areas and in the peridomiciles of short-term settlements, while another 28 species occurred in altered forest fragments and long-term settlements. The composition of the community at each site changed with the type of environment (forest or peridomicile), with the species Lutzomyia evandroi, L. whitmani, L. choti, L. serrana, L. triacantha, L. migonei, L. hirsuta, L. shannoni, and L. brachyphylla accounting for more than 54% of the differences among environments. The quality of the environment exerted a significant influence on the structure of phlebotomine communities, and affected their species composition, richness, and abundance.
A temporal epistemic logic with a non-rigid set of agents for analyzing the blockchain protocol
Authors: MarinkoviĆ Bojan , Glavan Paola , OgnjanoviĆ Zoran , Studer Thomas
Published: March 2019

In this paper we provide a strongly complete axiomatization of a temporal epistemic logic in which non-rigid sets of agents are allowed. Using this framework, we prove a number of properties of the blockchain protocol with respect to the given set of axioms and premises.