bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managerial overconfidence and bank loan covenant usage
Authors: Voon Jan P. , Lin Chen , Ma Yiu. C.
Published: December 2020

This paper examines how managerial overconfidence affects loan covenant usage. We find that creditors significantly use more covenants; increase covenant intensity; use financial (but not general) covenants; use performance‐based and capital‐based covenants and rely on different types of covenants such as debt to cash flow, coverage ratio, net worth, debt to balance sheet and liquidity covenants to curb the default risk emanating from managerial overconfidence. Besides, creditors tighten individual covenants such as debt to cash flow covenant and current ratio covenant in order to alleviate their risk exposure. Covenants that serve to allocate the control rights ex‐post are found to be important in controlling overconfidence risk. Covenant usage is reported to be quantitatively larger in the loan contracts of firms with higher market‐to‐book ratios, reflecting that high growth firms provide the opportunities for overconfident CEOs to invest more intensively. To address endogeneity, we use propensity score matching to mitigate potential endogeneity problem. In addition, we employ the SA Index and WW Index to control for firms' financial constraint. The effects of overconfident CEOs to loan covenant remain significant regardless of the firms' financial conditions.
Natural compounds against cytotoxic drug‐induced cardiotoxicity: A review on the involvement of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Authors: Yarmohammadi Fatemeh , Hayes A. Wallace , Karimi Gholamreza
Published: December 2020

Cardiotoxicity is a critical concern in the use of several cytotoxic drugs. Induction of apoptosis, inflammation, and autophagy following dysregulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway contributes to the cardiac damage induced by these drugs. Several natural compounds (NCs), including ferulic acid, gingerol, salvianolic acid B, paeonol, apigenin, calycosin, rutin, neferine, higenamine, vincristine, micheliolide, astragaloside IV, and astragalus polysaccharide, have been reported to suppress cytotoxic drug‐induced cardiac injury. This article reviews these NCs that have been reported to have a protective effect against cytotoxic drug‐induced cardiotoxicity through regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
Direct hemoperfusion using a polymyxin B‐immobilized polystyrene column for COVID‐19
Authors: Katagiri Daisuke , Ishikane Masahiro , Asai Yusuke , Izumi Shinyu , Takasaki Jin , Katsuoka Hiyori , Kondo Isao , Ide Satoshi , Nakamura Keiji , Nakamoto Takato , Nomoto Hidetoshi , Akiyama Yutaro , Miyazato Yusuke , Suzuki Tetsuya , Kinoshita Noriko , Ogawa Tatsunori , Togano Tomiteru , Suzuki Manabu , Hashimoto Masao , Sakamoto Keita , Kusaba Yusaku , Katsuno Takashi , Fukaya Takashi , Hojo Masayuki , Sugiyama Masaya , Mizokami Masashi , Okamoto Tatsuya , Kimura Akio , Noiri Eisei , Ohmagari Norio , Hinoshita Fumihiko , Sugiyama Haruhito
Published: December 2020

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of direct hemoperfusion using a polymyxin B‐immobilized polystyrene column (PMX‐DHP) in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐positive pneumonia patients.

Methods

This study was a case series conducted at a designated infectious diseases hospital. Twelve SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive patients with partial pressure of arterial oxygen/percentage of inspired oxygen (P/F) ratio < 300 were treated with PMX‐DHP on two consecutive days each during hospitalization. We defined day 1 as the first day when PMX‐DHP was performed. PMX‐DHP efficacy was assessed on days 7 and 14 after the first treatment based on eight categories. Subsequently, improvement in P/F ratio and urinary biomarkers on days 4 and 8, malfunctions, and ventilator and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation avoidance rates were also evaluated.

Results

On day 14 after the first treatment, disease severity decreased in 58.3% of the patients. P/F ratio increased while urine β2‐microglobulin decreased on days 4 and 8. Cytokine measurement pre‐ and post‐PMX‐DHP revealed decreased levels of interleukin‐6 and the factors involved in vascular endothelial injury, including vascular endothelial growth factor. Twenty‐two PMX‐DHPs were performed, of which seven and five PMX‐DHPs led to increased inlet pressure and membrane coagulation, respectively. When the membranes coagulated, the circuitry needed to be reconfigured. Circuit problems were usually observed when D‐dimer and fibrin degradation product levels were high before PMX‐DHP.

Conclusions

Future studies are expected to determine the therapeutic effect of PMX‐DHP on COVID‐19. Because of the relatively high risk of circuit coagulation, coagulation capacity should be assessed beforehand.
Serum antibodies against Staphylococcus aureus can prognose treatment success in patients with bone infections
Authors: Muthukrishnan Gowrishankar , Beck Christopher A. , Owen John R. , Xie Chao , Kates Stephen L. , Daiss John L.
Published: December 2020

Prognosing life‐threatening orthopedic infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus remains a major clinical challenge. To address this, we developed a multiplex assay to assess the humoral immune proteome against S. aureus in patients with musculoskeletal infections. We found initial evidence that antibodies against some antigens (autolysins: Amd, Gmd; secreted immunotoxins: CHIPS, SCIN, Hla) were associated with protection, whereas antibodies against the iron‐regulated surface determinant (Isd) proteins (IsdA, IsdB, IsdH) were aligned with adverse outcomes. To formally test this, we analyzed antibody levels and 1‐year clinical outcomes of 194 patients with confirmed S. aureus bone infections (AO Trauma Clinical Priority Program [CPP] Bone Infection Registry). A staggering 20.6% of the enrolled patients experienced adverse clinical outcomes (arthrodesis, reinfection, amputation, and septic death) after 1‐year. At enrollment, anti‐S. aureus immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in patients with adverse outcomes were 1.35‐fold lower than those in patients whose infections were successfully controlled (p < 0.0001). Overall, there was a 51%–69% reduction in adverse outcome risk for every 10‐fold increase in initial IgG concentration against Gmd, Amd, IsdH, CHIPS, SCIN, and Hla (p < 0.05). Notably, anti‐IsdB antibodies remained elevated in patients with adverse outcomes; for every 10‐fold change in the ratio of circulating anti‐Isd to anti‐Atl IgG at enrollment, there was a trending 2.6‐fold increased risk (odds ratio = 2.555) of an adverse event (p = 0.105). Moreover, antibody increases over time correlated with adverse outcomes and decreases with positive outcomes. These studies demonstrate the potential of the humoral immune response against S. aureus as a prognostic indicator for assessing treatment success and identifying patients requiring additional interventions.
Increased Risk of Nasal Septal Abscess After Septoplasty in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Luan Chih‐Wei , Tsai Ming‐Shao , Liu Chia‐Yen , Yang Yao‐Hsu , Tsai Yao‐Te , Hsu Cheng‐Ming , Wu Ching‐Yuan , Chang Pey‐Jium , Chang Geng‐He
Published: December 2020

Objective/Hypothesis

To investigate the risk of nasal septal abscess (NSA) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after septoplasty.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study through Taiwan National Health Insurance database.

Methods

The Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was used to conduct this retrospective cohort study. A total of 382 patients with T2DM (DM group) diagnosed between 2000 and 2010 and 382 matched patients without a DM diagnosis (non‐DM group) were enrolled. Patients were followed up until death or December 31, 2013. NSA incidence was the main outcome.

Results

After septoplasty, the cumulative incidence of NSA in the DM group was significantly higher than that in the non‐DM group (P < .001). Cox proportional hazards regression indicated a significant association between T2DM and higher NSA incidence (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.44–3.61; P < .001). However, subgroup analysis and sensitivity testing demonstrated that the effect of T2DM on NSA risk was stable. In addition, the subgroup with a Diabetes Complications Severity Index (DCSI) of ≥1 had higher NSA risk than that with DCSI = 0 (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.58; 95% CI, 2.10–6.09; P < .001). The treatment type for NSA did not differ between the groups.

Conclusions

T2DM is an independent risk factor for NSA in patients undergoing nasal septoplasty, and the NSA risk is greater among patients with high DM severity.

Level of Evidence

IV Laryngoscope, 131:E2420–E2425, 2021
Synthesis of Sulfonated Poly[Styrene‐co‐(Trimethylolpropane Triacrylate)] and Application in the Catalysis of Glycerol Acetylation
Authors: Godoy William , Castro Giulia , Nápolis Leonardo , Carpegiani Juliana , Guimarães Daniela , Aguiar Leandro
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study is the synthesis of a sulfonated resin of styrene cross‐linked with trimethylolpropane triacrylate (PS‐TMPTA) and its application as a catalyst in glycerol acetylation. The process for obtaining the resins is an aqueous suspension copolymerization at 80°C followed by a sulfonation with sulfuric acid at 57.5°C. Resin characterizations are performed regarding characteristics such as ion exchange capacity and swelling index. The ion exchange capacity (IEC) found for PS‐TMPTA (4.4 mmol g−1) is lower compared to those of commercial resins, for example, Amberlyst 36 (5.4 mmol g−1). Despite the low IEC (lower number of catalytic sites), PS‐TMPTA presents a relatively high swelling index (2.4) and a higher turnover number (TON = 62.3 h−1) in comparison with the resin Amberlyst 36 (TON = 51.1 h−1) in glycerol acetylation at 80°C with excess of acetic acid.
Effect of Hydrogel Nanocomposites on the Fresh and Hardened Properties of Cementitious Pastes
Authors: Siqueri Vitor A. S. , Filho Adhemar W. , de Moura Marcia R , Aouada Fauze A.
Published: December 2020

Cement is a material widely used in civil construction due to its physical and chemical properties, ensuring a good performance. Some polymeric materials, such as hydrogels, have been frequently added to improve these properties and mitigate autogenous retraction in cementitious matrices. This paper aimed to evaluate the influence of polymeric hydrogel on the fresh and hardened properties of cementitious pastes (water/binder ratio = 0.35). Fresh properties results showed that the consistency and exudation indexes of these matrices decreased with an increase in the amount of hydrogel. The values of the bulk density of all cementitious matrices are around 2.1–2.2 g cm−3. Matrices containing up to 1.0% of hydrogel have satisfactory mechanical properties, reaching compressive strength of 60 MPa for 112 days of curing age. From these results, it is possible to conclude that hydrogels are promising materials for civil engineering applications, acting mainly as a filler and hydroretentor agent.
Nanocellulose as Reinforcement in Carboxymethylcellulose Superabsorbent Nanocomposite Hydrogels
Authors: de Lima Giovanni F. , de Souza Alana G. , Rosa Derval dos S.
Published: December 2020

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is an abundant and low‐cost material that can be used to synthesize environmentally friendly superabsorbent hydrogels for numerous applications. However, this biopolymer results in hydrogels with poor mechanical properties; different fillers can be used to improve this property, but occasionally can decrease the swelling capacity. Nanocelluloses (NC) are an excellent option to improve hydrogel physicochemical characteristics. In this work, CMC‐hydrogels are prepared using citric acid, and NC is added as a filler in different contents: 1, 3, and 5 wt%. The Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is used to confirm the crosslink reaction, and a peak related to the carboxylic acid functional group confirmed the hydrogel formation. The NC incorporation didn't change the FTIR spectrum since both materials have a similar structure. The water absorption analysis indicated that the developed can be classified as superabsorbent since all of them show an absorption capacity above 40 g.g−1. Besides that, NC played an essential role in the water absorption capacity, the incorporation of 3% of NC resulted in a material with a degree of swelling of, approximately 100 g.g−1. The NCs act as an excellent filler, improving the storage modulus significantly, i.e., the mechanical resistance of the material. The developed hydrogels showed exceptional characteristics, being adequate to various applications, mainly agricultural ones aiming for the water delivery to the soil.
Hugoniostat and Direct Shock Simulations in cis‐1,4‐Polybutadiene Melts
Authors: Lecoutre Gautier , Lemarchand Claire A. , Soulard Laurent , Pineau Nicolas
Published: December 2020

The non‐reactive OPLS‐AA force‐field is used to compare direct shock and Hugoniostat simulations of a melt of cis‐1,4‐polybutadiene at different shock velocities and with chain lengths up to 500 monomers. Both methods yield equivalent Hugoniot data with negligible influence of the chain length. However, it is found that the dynamical compression effects induce a time‐dependent anisotropy in the stress tensor in the direct shock simulations, yielding a non‐zero shear component. This anisotropy vanishes to the usual isotropic stress through two specific relaxation mechanisms: a fast process (characteristic time ≈1 ps) associated with the relaxation of the local intramolecular degrees of freedom of the chains, and a second slower process (characteristic time ≈100 ps) associated with the structural reorganisation of the polymer chains, involving long‐range intramolecular and intermolecular interactions. A third potential relaxation process, associated with entanglements, may be at play but is beyond the scope of the present study.
The effectiveness of social media and in‐person interventions for low back pain conditions in nursing personnel (SMILE)
Authors: Kazemi Seyedeh‐Somayeh , Tavafian Sedigheh‐Sadat , Hiller Claire E. , Hidarnia Alireza , Montazeri Ali
Published: December 2020

Aim

To compare two educational approaches to reduce low back pain in nurses.

Design

A community randomized controlled clinical trial.

Methods

Data were collected with two interventions and a control arm between August 2018 and January 2019. Participants were recruited from three hospitals. Hospital 1 received an in‐person educational programme, Hospital 2 received via the website and Hospital 3 received nothing. Statistical analysis was carried out with a follow‐up of 3 and 6 months.

Results

A total of 180 female nurses with low back pain participated in the study. Dimensions of the quality of life improved over 3 and 6 months, pain and disability decreased over 3 months in both intervention groups and over 6 months in the social media group.

Conclusion

Two educational approaches can be effective in decreasing pain, disability and improving quality of life. However, the findings suggest that the social media approach was more successful over the long‐term and might be a better way to present the programme.
Static output feedback control of uncertain systems over uncertain communication links with guaranteed H∞ performance
Authors: Haghighi Payam , Tavassoli Babak
Published: December 2020

This article is concerned with the problem of robust static output feedback H∞ control for networked control systems (NCSs) by considering uncertainties in both controlled‐plant and communication subsystems. Markov chains are employed to model the bounded random network‐induced delays occurring in the communication channels. This modeling framework can be used to describe the packet dropout phenomena over a lossy communication channel as well. It is assumed that the transition probabilities of the Markov chains are uncertain but lying within given intervals. By utilizing the augmentation technique, the NCS model is transformed into a delay‐free Markovian jump linear system. A new sufficient condition is derived for the problem of robust H∞ control using static output feedback in NCSs with network‐induced delays. This design condition is expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities without requiring any constraints on the matrix variables. Furthermore, the proposed method is extended to the case of NCSs with bounded Markovian packet dropouts. Numerical examples are provided to make comparisons with other works and demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method.
Metabolic Labeling Mediated Targeting and Thermal Killing of Gram‐Positive Bacteria by Self‐Reporting Janus Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Hou Shuai , Mahadevegowda Surendra H. , Lu Derong , Zhang Kaixi , Chan‐Park Mary B. , Duan Hongwei
Published: December 2020

Nanoparticles have been widely used in detection and killing of bacteria; however, targeting bacteria is still challenging. Delicate design of nanoparticles is required for simultaneous targeting, detection, and therapeutic functions. Here the use of Au/MnFe2O4 (Au/MFO) Janus nanoparticles to target Gram‐positive bacteria via metabolic labeling is reported and realize integrated self‐reporting and thermal killing of bacteria. In these nanoparticles, the Au component is functionalized with tetrazine to target trans‐cyclooctene group anchored on bacterial cell wall by metabolic incorporation of d‐amino acids, and the MFO part exhibits peroxidase activity, enabling self‐reporting of bacteria before treatment. The spatial separation of targeting and reporting functions avoids the deterioration of catalytic activity after surface modification. Also important is that MFO facilitates magnetic separation and magnetic heating, leading to easy enrichment and magnetic thermal therapy of labeled bacteria. This method demonstrates that metabolic labeling with d‐amino acids is a promising strategy to specifically target and kill Gram‐positive bacteria.
Strain Engineering of Metal–Halide Perovskites toward Efficient Photovoltaics: Advances and Perspectives
Authors: Gu Lei , Li Deli , Chao Lingfeng , Dong He , Hui Wei , Niu Tingting , Ran Chenxin , Xia Yingdong , Song Lin , Chen Yonghua , Huang Wei
Published: December 2020

Due to the impressive optoelectronic properties, metal–halide perovskites (MHPs) have drawn much attention in the field of next‐generation photovoltaics, and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on MHPs as light absorbers have reached a certified power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.5% in 2020. Despite the great progress, it is still challenging to fabricate high‐quality MHP films. Due to the “soft” ionic nature of MHPs, their polycrystalline films suffer from inevitable residual strain, which is found to not only be fatal to photovoltaic performance of PSCs, but also seriously accelerate the degradation of MHP film. As a result, understanding of strain in MHPs and the key role of strain engineering in improving the photovoltaic performance of PSCs have recently been extensively investigated. Herein, the recent progress of strain engineering in MHPs and their PSCs is systematically summarized. First, the origin of strain in MHPs and the impact of strain on the optoelectronic characteristics of MHPs are carefully discussed. Thereafter, the up‐to‐date studies focusing on strain engineering in PSCs are comprehensively reviewed. At last, the current challenges and future prospects in this field are highlighted.
Effect of Modified Water‐Bath Method on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Wire Arc Additive Manufactured Low‐Carbon Low‐Alloy Steel
Authors: Luo Jingchuan , You Guoqiang , Lu Dashi , Zeng Sheng , Peng Lizhen , Liu Qing
Published: December 2020

Of late, wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is extensively used in the aerospace and automotive fields to produce large complex metallic components. The water‐bath method is applied for active cooling to address the heat accumulation problem in WAAM. Herein, the modified water‐bath method with a changing level is used to realize different phase transformations, and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the sample are investigated. Heat accumulation in the sample is eliminated using the modified water‐bath method. Furthermore, the microstructure of the fabricated sample shows a mixture of polygonal ferrite (PF), upper bainite (UB), and lath bainite (LB). Layer bands are formed in the entire sample, except in the final layer, and equiaxed ferrite (EF) and an increased fraction of PF appear in these zones. The microhardness and tensile property are enhanced due to the fine LB. The considerable difference in the microhardness between LB and PF causes an obvious wave of hardness, and the tensile property along the horizontal direction is better than the vertical. This study is expected to help broaden the application of the water bath in the microstructure control.
Dual down‐regulation of EGFR and ErbB2 by berberine contributes to suppression of migration and invasion of human ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Chuang Tzu‐Chao , Wu Kuohui , Lin Ying‐Yu , Kuo Han‐Peng , Kao Ming‐Ching , Wang Vinchi , Hsu Shih‐Chung , Lee Shou‐Lun
Published: December 2020

The overexpression of EGFR and/or ErbB2 occurs frequently in ovarian cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the anticancer effects and molecular mechanisms of berberine on human ovarian cancer cells with different levels of EGFR and/or ErbB2. We found that berberine reduced the motility and invasiveness of ovarian cancer cells. Berberine depleted both EGFR and ErbB2 in ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, berberine suppressed the activation of the EGFR and ErbB2 downstream targets cyclin D1, MMPs, and VEGF by down‐regulating the EGFR‐ErbB2/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The berberine‐mediated inhibition of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 activity could be rescued by co‐treatment with EGF. Finally, we demonstrated that berberine induced ErbB2 depletion through ubiquitin‐mediated proteasome degradation. In conclusion, the suppressive effects of berberine on the ovarian cancer cells that differ in the expression of EGFR and ErbB2 may be mediated by the dual depletion of EGFR and/or ErbB2.
Butein induces cellular senescence through reactive oxygen species‐mediated p53 activation in osteosarcoma U‐2 OS cells
Authors: Hsu Yung‐Ken , Chen Hsuan‐Ying , Wu Chia‐Chieh , Huang Ying‐Chih , Hsieh Cheng‐Pu , Su Po‐Feng , Huang Yi‐Fu
Published: December 2020

Butein is a flavonoid isolated from various medicinal plants. It is known to have different biological activities including anti‐inflammation, anti‐adipogenesis, and anti‐angiogenesis. In the study, we demonstrated the anti‐proliferative effect of butein in human osteosarcoma U‐2 OS cells. Our data showed that butein significantly suppressed the viability and colony formation ability of U‐2 OS cells. Further experiments revealed butein exposure resulted in a cell cycle arrest at S and G2/M phase in U‐2 OS cells. Importantly, we found that butein activated the tumor suppressor p53, and trigged a p53‐dependent senescence in U‐2 OS cells. Knockdown of p53 suppressed the senescence and rescued the viability in butein‐treated U‐2 OS cells. Furthermore, we observed that butein exposure significantly enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in U‐2 OS cells. Co‐administration of the ROS inhibitor NAC largely abolished the up‐regulated p53 protein level, and rescued the suppressed viability and colony formation ability in butein‐exposed U‐2 OS cells. Taken together, our data proposed the increased ROS by butein exposure activated p53, and the activated p53 was involved in the anti‐proliferative effect of butein via inducing senescence in U‐2 OS cells. This report suggests that butein is a promising candidate for cancer therapy against osteosarcoma.
Methode
Authors: Belz Malte
Published: December 2020

Für diese Arbeit kombiniere ich phonetische und korpuslinguistische Methoden, indem akustische Messwerte an den von meinen Annotationen ausgezeichneten Stellen aus dem Audiosignal extrahiert und weiter analysiert werden. Zusätzlich definiere ich Annotationswerte, die das akustische Signal beschreiben und in die Analyse einfließen. Dies geht über die ‚klassische‘ Korpusauswertung „gesprochener Korpora“ (Wichmann 2008) hinaus, die sich zwar auf Transkripte von Sprachaufnahmen bezieht (vgl. Kübler & Zinsmeister 2015: 4), aber die in ihnen enthalten „sound patterns“ außen vor lässt (Wichmann 2008: 189).
Ergebnisse der konfirmatorischen Studie
Authors: Belz Malte
Published: December 2020

Im Rahmen der Hypothese der Formvariabilität lautet die Nullhypothese, dass in BeDiaCoc die gleichen Füllpartikelformen zu finden sind wie in GECO-FP. Im Rahmen der Form-Kontext-Hypothese lautet die Nullhypothese, dass die in BeDiaCoc enthaltenen Füllpartikelformen die gleichen Kontextabhängigkeiten zeigen wie in GECO-FP.
Universal Free Choice from Concessive Copular Conditionals in Tibetan
Authors: Erlewine Michael Yoshitaka
Published: December 2020

I describe the expression of free choice in Tibetan, which involves the combination of awh-word, copula, conditional morphology, and a scalar ‘even’ particle. I demonstrate that the conventional semantics of these ingredients successfully combine to derive universal free choice meaning. This motivates a new approach to the compositional semantics of universal free choice, which does not prescribe its universal force. This quantificational force is parasitic on the modal/temporal operator which is restricted by the conditional; the scalar ‘even’ particle then ensures that the conditional restricts a necessity modal.
Liouville reflection operator, affine Yangian and Bethe ansatz
Authors: Litvinov Alexey , Vilkoviskiy Ilya
Published: December 2020

Abstract

In these notes we study integrable structure of conformal field theory by means of Liouville reflection operator/Maulik Okounkov R-matrix. We discuss relation between RLL and current realization of the affine Yangian of $$ \mathfrak{gl}(1) $$
gl

1

. We construct the family of commuting transfer matrices related to the Intermediate Long Wave hierarchy and derive Bethe ansatz equations for their spectra discovered by Nekrasov and Okounkov and independently by one of the authors. Our derivation mostly follows the one by Feigin, Jimbo, Miwa and Mukhin, but is adapted to the conformal case.
Complexity of mixed Gaussian states from Fisher information geometry
Authors: Di Giulio Giuseppe , Tonni Erik
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We study the circuit complexity for mixed bosonic Gaussian states in harmonic lattices in any number of dimensions. By employing the Fisher information geometry for the covariance matrices, we consider the optimal circuit connecting two states with vanishing first moments, whose length is identified with the complexity to create a target state from a reference state through the optimal circuit. Explicit proposals to quantify the spectrum complexity and the basis complexity are discussed. The purification of the mixed states is also analysed. In the special case of harmonic chains on the circle or on the infinite line, we report numerical results for thermal states and reduced density matrices.
A role for primary cilia in coral calcification?
Authors: Tambutté Eric , Ganot Philippe , Venn Alexander A , Tambutté Sylvie
Published: December 2020

Cilia are evolutionarily conserved organelles that extend from the surface of cells and are found in diverse organisms from protozoans to multicellular organisms. Motile cilia play various biological functions by their beating motion, including mixing fluids and transporting food particles. Non-motile cilia act as sensors that signal cells about their microenvironment. In corals, cilia have been described in some of the cell layers but never in the calcifying epithelium, which is responsible for skeleton formation. In the present study, we used scanning electron microscopy and immunolabelling to investigate the cellular ciliature of the different tissue layers of the coralStylophora pistillata, with a focus on the calcifying calicoblastic ectoderm. We show that the cilium of the calcifying cells is different from the cilium of the other cell layers. It is much shorter, and more importantly, its base is structurally distinct from the base observed in cilia of the other tissue layers. Based on these structural observations, we conclude that the cilium of the calcifying cells is a primary cilium. From what is known in other organisms, primary cilia are sensors that signal cells about their microenvironment. We discuss the implications of the presence of a primary cilium in the calcifying epithelium for our understanding of the cellular physiology driving coral calcification and its environmental sensitivity.
Correction to: Understanding the effects of dietary components on the gut microbiome and human health
Authors: Rackerby Bryna , Kim Hyun Jung , Dallas David C. , Park Si Hong
Published: December 2020

The article “Understanding the effects of dietary components on the gut microbiome and human health”, written by Bryna Rackerby, Hyun Jung Kim, David C. Dallas, Si Hong Park, was originally published Online First without Open Access.
False iodine-131 MIBG scintigraphy findings in adrenal tumors: correlation with MR imaging
Authors: Dell’Aversana Serena , Romeo Valeria , Assante Roberta , Klain Michele , Maurea Simone
Published: December 2020

In this study, we report our experience regarding the occurrence of false radionuclide findings in adrenal iodine-131 MIBG scintigraphy. We present a total of five patients in which nuclear images were false negative or positive in three and two cases, respectively, according to the standard radionuclide established criteria. In particular, the three cases of false-negative MIBG images consisted of two patients with necrotic or cystic pheochromocytomas (Cases 1 and 3) and a patient with a small pheochromocytoma (Case 2); the two cases of false-positive MIBG imaging consisted of a patient with an adenoma showing intense tracer uptake and of a large primary necrotic carcinoma with heterogeneous tracer concentration.
Invisible epidemics: ethics and asymptomatic infection
Authors: Jamrozik Euzebiusz , Selgelid Michael J.
Published: December 2020

Interactions between microbes and human hosts can lead to a wide variety of possible outcomes including benefits to the host, asymptomatic infection, disease (which can be more or less severe), and/or death. Whether or not they themselves eventually develop disease, asymptomatic carriers can often transmit disease-causing pathogens to others. This phenomenon has a range of ethical implications for clinical medicine, public health, and infectious disease research. The implications of asymptomatic infection are especially significant in situations where, and/or to the extent that, the microbe in question is transmissible, potentially harmful, and/or untreatable. This article reviews the history and concept of asymptomatic infection, and relevant ethical issues associated with this phenomenon. It illustrates the role and ethical significance of asymptomatic infection in outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics–including recent crises involving drug resistance, Zika, and Covid19. Serving as the Introduction to this Special Issue of Monash Bioethics Review, it also provides brief summaries of the other articles comprising this collection.
Resource and waste quantification scenarios for wind turbine decommissioning in the United Kingdom
Authors: Tota-Maharaj Kiran , McMahon Alexander
Published: December 2020

Wind power produces more electricity than any other form of renewable energy in the United Kingdom (UK) and plays a key role in decarbonisation of the grid. Although wind energy is seen as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, there are still several environmental impacts associated with all stages of the lifecycle of a wind farm. This study determined the material composition for wind turbines for various sizes and designs and the prevalence of such turbines over time, to accurately quantify waste generation following wind turbine decommissioning in the UK. The end of life stage is becoming increasingly important as a rapid rise in installation rates suggests an equally rapid rise in decommissioning rates can be expected as wind turbines reach the end of their 20–25-year operational lifetime. Waste data analytics were applied in this study for the UK in 5-year intervals, stemming from 2000 to 2039. Current practices for end of life waste management procedures have been analysed to create baseline scenarios. These scenarios have been used to explore potential waste management mitigation options for various materials and components such as reuse, remanufacture, recycling, and heat recovery from incineration. Six scenarios were then developed based on these waste management options, which have demonstrated the significant environmental benefits of such practices through quantification of waste reduction and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions savings. For the 2015–2019 time period, over 35 kilotonnes of waste are expected to be generated annually. Overall waste is expected to increase over time to more than 1200 kilotonnes annually by 2039. Concrete is expected to account for the majority of waste associated with wind turbine decommissioning initially due to foundations for onshore turbines accounting for approximately 80% of their total weight. By 2035–2039, steel waste is expected to account for almost 50% of overall waste due to the emergence of offshore turbines, the foundations of which are predominantly made of steel.
Natural Language Processing
Authors: Zhang Yue , Teng Zhiyang
Published: December 2020

With a machine learning approach and less focus on linguistic details, this gentle introduction to natural language processing develops fundamental mathematical and deep learning models for NLP under a unified framework. NLP problems are systematically organised by their machine learning nature, including classification, sequence labelling, and sequence-to-sequence problems. Topics covered include statistical machine learning and deep learning models, text classification and structured prediction models, generative and discriminative models, supervised and unsupervised learning with latent variables, neural networks, and transition-based methods. Rich connections are drawn between concepts throughout the book, equipping students with the tools needed to establish a deep understanding of NLP solutions, adapt existing models, and confidently develop innovative models of their own. Featuring a host of examples, intuition, and end of chapter exercises, plus sample code available as an online resource, this textbook is an invaluable tool for the upper undergraduate and graduate student.
Stones Left Unturned
Authors: Vandeginste Stef
Published: December 2020

Stones Left Unturned looks at the post-colonial history of Burundi through transitional justice lenses. It describes how repeated cycles of politico-ethnic violence as well as the so-called ‘remedial’ action undertaken in their aftermath have been inspired by the desire to maintain or obtain political power. Throughout Burundi’s negotiated transition from conflict to peace, dealing with the past has been a constant matter of attention. The book zooms in on the gap between the rhetorical commitment by domestic and international actors to establish a truth and reconciliation commission and a special tribunal and the little achievements made so far. The historical account of transitional justice in Burundi is indicative of a fundamental evolution in the conception of law and how it relates to the exercise of political authority. It reveals a growing awareness that neither the process nor the outcome of transitional justice should solely be left to the discretion of the incumbent regime, but that international and constitutional norms impose substantive and procedural barriers.
Long Road Home
Authors: Stovel Laura
Published: December 2020

The 1991–2002 war in Sierra Leone was infamous for mass amputations, widespread sexual violence, and forced recruitment of children into rebel forces. It was not an ethnic war, but one that tore families and communities apart in ways that could not be sustained in peacetime. After the war, the Sierra Leone government and civil society organizations encouraged combatants to return home and communities to accept them, even when the combatants, or forces they were associated with, had committed horrendous crimes in those very villages. This book describes how excombatants and civilian survivors in Sierra Leone struggled to reconcile and build trust in their communities a year after the war ended. It explores the contribution of the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission to reconciliation and justice, and questions whether reconciliation is always a good thing. And it examines how the seemingly nebulous concept of reconciliation can be understood so that the term is useful for peacebuilding and consistent with justice. Finally the author argues that Sierra Leone has much to teach peacebuilders in societies emerging from intra-communal violence and much to contribute to comparative analyses of post-conflict transitions.
President’s Farewell Message: The Anthropocene, Earth Jurisprudence, and the Rights of Nature
Authors: FUKURAI Hiroshi
Published: December 2020

A new paradigmatic shift in confronting the climactic endgame of the Anthropocene in Asia is in order. Scientific studies warned that Asia would become the epicentre of anthropogenic catastrophes and environmental disasters in the world. As the outgoing Asian Law and Society Association (ALSA) president, I wish to contribute to critical discussions on two issues: (1) Earth Jurisprudence and (2) the Rights of Nature. These legal concepts must be critically examined, discussed, and developed by socio-legal researchers and policy-makers in order to avert the impending crises of the Anthropocene in Asia. This report examines the recent development of a robust movement toward Earth Jurisprudence in multiple countries of Asia, the Americas, and the Pacific—that is, countries that have recently enshrined the concept of the Rights of Nature into their legal system through transforming nature into rights-bearing entities in order to protect them from harmful human activities. Failing any significant remedial measures, many Asian cities, shores, and coastlines, including the archipelagos of multiple island states in the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean may soon disappear due to the many decades of egregious human activities of industrialized countries and the corporate world. A robust system of Earth Jurisprudence must be established, in which the Rights of Nature must be imbedded in the centre of legislative and constitutional discussions and deliberations.
Foraging behavior and bait station preference in scavenging termite,Odontotermes obesus(Blattodea: Termitidae)
Authors: Iqbal Naeem , Alvi Abid Mahmood , Hussain Mujahid , Saeed Shafqat , Naeem-Ullah Unsar , Khan Alamgir A. , Abid Allah Ditta
Published: December 2020

Termites are a significant pest of buildings, agriculture, and trees, and are mainly controlled by baiting. However, baiting systems are available for only lower termites (Rhinotermitidae) not for higher termites (Termitidae). Termite foraging behavior associated with baiting systems varies among species and families, and plays a significant role in baiting success. Here, foraging behavior ofOdontotermes obesus(Blattodea: Termitidae: Macrotermitinae), a fungus-growing higher termite, was investigated relative to three bait-station sizes (small, medium, and large) containing different quantities of food. Significantly more workers recruited to large stations (470/station) compared to medium (246/station) and small (124/station) stations. Abundance ofO. obesusin large and medium stations significantly positively correlated with relative humidity whereas negative but non-significant correlations were observed with temperature in large and medium stations. Total and continuous contacts with the stations increased with time and were greater in large stations. Station abandonment due to disturbance was significantly less in large stations (3%) followed by medium (9%) and small stations (20%). Our results suggest that large stations (≈8 litres volume) work best for population management ofO. obesusand other related fungus-growing higher termites.
Components of a risk assessment tool for prevention and control of bovine respiratory disease in preweaned dairy calves
Authors: Aly Sharif S. , Karle Betsy M. , Williams Deniece R. , Maier Gabriele U. , Dubrovsky Sasha
Published: December 2020

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the leading natural cause of death in US beef and dairy cattle, causing the annual loss of more than 1 million animals and financial losses in excess of $700 million. The multiple etiologies of BRD and its complex web of risk factors necessitate a herd-specific intervention plan for its prevention and control on dairies. Hence, a risk assessment is an important tool that producers and veterinarians can utilize for a comprehensive assessment of the management and host factors that predispose calves to BRD. The current study identifies the steps taken to develop the first BRD risk assessment tool and its components, namely the BRD risk factor questionnaire, the BRD scoring system, and a herd-specific BRD control and prevention plan. The risk factor questionnaire was designed to inquire on aspects of calf-rearing including management practices that affect calf health generally, and BRD specifically. The risk scores associated with each risk factor investigated in the questionnaire were estimated based on data from two observational studies. Producers can also estimate the prevalence of BRD in their calf herds using a smart phone or tablet application that facilitates selection of a true random sample of calves for scoring using the California BRD scoring system. Based on the risk factors identified, producers and herd veterinarians can then decide the management changes needed to mitigate the calf herd's risk for BRD. A follow-up risk assessment after a duration of time sufficient for exposure of a new cohort of calves to the management changes introduced in response to the risk assessment is recommended to monitor the prevalence of BRD.
The Effects of Different Drivers on the Induced Martian Magnetosphere Boundary: A Case Study of September 2017
Authors: Lentz C. L. , Baker D. N. , Andersson L. , Thaller S. , Fowler C. M. , Leonard T. W.
Published: December 2020

The Magnetic Pileup Boundary or Induced Magnetosphere Boundary (IMB) has been an enigma in Mars aeronomy. Previously dubbed the planetopause, magnetopause, ion‐composition boundary, and protonopause, identification of this unique plasma region has been marked by difficulty. In this case study, we used data from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission to identify IMB crossings and configurations during the month of September 2017, with a particular focus on the September 10, 2017 solar events. It was concluded that the Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejection had no statistically significant impact on the IMB standoff locations. This study also investigated the effects of upstream dynamic pressure, thermal pressure from the magnetosheath, magnetic pressure from the magnetic pileup region (MPR), thermal pressure associated with the ionosphere, and Extreme Ultraviolet irradiance on the IMB during September 2017. We have found that during the 163 IMB crossings, magnetic pressure in the MPR and thermal pressure in the ionosphere had the largest influence on the IMB standoff distance.
Ancient Auroral Records Compiled From Korean Historical Books
Authors: Wang Yuqi , Chen Si , Xu Kaihua , Yan Limei , Yue Xinan , He Fei , Wei Yong
Published: December 2020

Aurora provides an essential diagnostic to spatial and temporal variations of terrestrial space environment and is also an important proxy of solar and geomagnetic activities. Contemporary auroral observations have just continued for more than half a century. Visual auroral phenomena recorded in historical books provide key clues to understand the solar and geomagnetic activities in the long history prior to modern era. In this study, we compiled a new auroral catalog from ancient Korean historical books, including 2013 auroral records with day‐level resolution from 1012 to 1811 CE, especially for the records searched from the Seungjeongweon Ilgi. The number of auroral records in this new catalog is greatly enlarged compared with previous lists. The occurrence of the aurora in the new catalog is generally consistent with previous data sets. This extended data set provides valuable support for various studies related to solar‐terrestrial space weather and ancient climates in the past millennium.
Physical and Chemical Evolution of Lunar Mare Regolith
Authors: O'Brien P. , Byrne S.
Published: December 2020

The lunar landscape evolves both physically and chemically over time due to impact cratering and energetic processes collectively known as space weathering. Despite returned soil samples and global remote sensing reflectance measurements, the rate of space weathering in the lunar regolith is not well understood. To address this, we developed a novel three‐dimensional landscape evolution model to simulate the physical processes that control the burial, excavation, and transport of regolith on airless bodies. Applying this model to the lunar mare, we find that over billions of years of surface evolution, material typically spends only a few million years on the surface where it is exposed to the effects of space weathering. The small surface residence times are a result of vigorous mixing by small‐scale impacts, predominantly driven by secondary crater formation. We deduce the rate of space weathering by comparing our modeled distribution of surface residence times on the lunar mare to measurements of space weathering maturity from Apollo soil samples and orbital surface reflectance datasets. These chemical constraints indicate that soil on the lunar mare reaches maturity in 7 Myr of cumulative surface exposure though due to uncertainties in the rate of small secondary crater production, this timescale could be 2–3 times higher. Weathering progresses more rapidly upon initial exposure to space but the surface residence time required to achieve maturity is realized over billions of years as regolith is repeatedly buried and exposed by small impacts.
A single dose of recombinant VSV-∆G-spike vaccine provides protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge
Authors: Yahalom-Ronen Yfat , Tamir Hadas , Melamed Sharon , Politi Boaz , Shifman Ohad , Achdout Hagit , Vitner Einat B. , Israeli Ofir , Milrot Elad , Stein Dana , Cohen-Gihon Inbar , Lazar Shlomi , Gutman Hila , Glinert Itai , Cherry Lilach , Vagima Yaron , Lazar Shirley , Weiss Shay , Ben-Shmuel Amir , Avraham Roy , Puni Reut , Lupu Edith , Bar-David Elad , Sittner Assa , Erez Noam , Zichel Ran , Mamroud Emanuelle , Mazor Ohad , Levy Haim , Laskar Orly , Yitzhaki Shmuel , Shapira Shmuel C. , Zvi Anat , Beth-Din Adi , Paran Nir , Israely Tomer
Published: December 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 imposes an urgent need for rapid development of an efficient and cost-effective vaccine, suitable for mass immunization. Here, we show the development of a replication competent recombinant VSV-∆G-spike vaccine, in which the glycoprotein of VSV is replaced by the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. In-vitro characterization of this vaccine indicates the expression and presentation of the spike protein on the viral membrane with antigenic similarity to SARS-CoV-2. A golden Syrian hamster in-vivo model for COVID-19 is implemented. We show that a single-dose vaccination results in a rapid and potent induction of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. Importantly, vaccination protects hamsters against SARS-CoV-2 challenge, as demonstrated by the abrogation of body weight loss, and  alleviation of the extensive tissue damage and viral loads in lungs and nasal turbinates. Taken together, we suggest the recombinant VSV-∆G-spike as a safe, efficacious and protective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.