bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ontogenetic trophic segregation between two threatened smooth-hound sharks in the Central Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Di Lorenzo Manfredi , Vizzini Salvatrice , Signa Geraldina , Andolina Cristina , Boscolo Palo Gabriele , Gristina Michele , Mazzoldi Carlotta , Colloca Francesco
Published: July 2020

Elasmobranchs are among the species most threatened by overfishing and a large body of evidence reports their decline around the world. As they are large predators occupying the highest levels of marine food webs, their removal can alter the trophic web dynamic through predatory release effects and trophic cascade. Suitable management of threatened shark species requires a good understanding of their behaviour and feeding ecology. In this study we provide one of the first assessments of the trophic ecology of the “vulnerable” smooth-houndsMustelus mustelusandM. punctulatusin the Central Mediterranean Sea, based on stomach contents and stable isotope analyses. Ontogenetic diet changes were addressed by comparing the feeding habits of three groups of individuals: juveniles, maturing and adults. Our results highlighted that the two species share a similar diet based mostly on the consumption of benthic crustaceans (e.g. hermit crabs). Their trophic level increases during ontogeny, with adults increasing their consumption of large-sized crustaceans (e.g.Calappa granulata,Palinurus elephas), cephalopods (e.g.Octopus vulgaris) and fish (e.g.Trachurus trachurus). Our results provide also evidence of ontogenetic shifts in diet for both species showing a progressive reduction of interspecific trophic overlap during growth. The results of this study contribute to improve the current knowledge on the trophic ecology of these two threatened sharks in the Strait of Sicily, thus providing a better understanding of their role in the food web.
Analysis and observation of the breakdown of Babinet’s principle in complementary spoof surface plasmon polariton structures
Authors: Itami Go , Sakai Osamu
Published: July 2020

A metal plate array (MPA) which is a structure complimentary to a metal hole array (MHA), supports spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPP) as well as an MHA does. Babinet’s principle attributes the phenomenon of duality to transmission characteristics of the complimentary impedance surfaces because of the symmetry of the behaviors of electric and magnetic fields. However, it is also a fact that the complimentary structures do not follow this principle if they have wavelength-size thickness, because electromagnetic waves do not treat such thick structures as a boundary surface but as propagation spaces with the specific boundaries such as a waveguide which shows SSPP modes. If the thickness is so small that it is negligible, Babinet’s principle is still valid, while it has been uncertain how the layer thickness works to break the principle as it is increased. The unconfirmed transformation is revealed analytically and experimentally with the use of MPAs and MHAs of varying thicknesses.
Circulating proteomic signature for detection of biomarkers in bladder cancer patients
Authors: Nedjadi Taoufik , Benabdelkamal Hicham , Albarakati Nada , Masood Afshan , Al-Sayyad Ahmed , Alfadda Assim A. , Alanazi Ibrahim O. , Al-Ammari Adel , Al-Maghrabi Jaudah
Published: July 2020

The identification of clinically-relevant early diagnostic and prognostic protein biomarkers is essential to maximize therapeutic efficacy and prevent cancer progression. The aim of the current study is to determine whether aberrant plasma protein profile can be applied as a surrogate tool for early diagnosis of bladder carcinoma. Plasma samples from patients with low grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and healthy controls were analyzed using combined 2D-DIGE and mass-spectrometry to identify differentially expressed proteins. Validation was performed using western blotting analysis in an independent cohort of cancer patients and controls. Fifteen differentially-expressed proteins were identified of which 12 were significantly up-regulated and three were significantly down-regulated in tumors compared to controls. The Ingenuity Pathways Analysis revealed functional connection between the differentially-expressed proteins and immunological disease, inflammatory disease and cancer mediated through chemokine and cytokine signaling pathway and NF-kB transcription factor. Among the three validated proteins, haptoglobin was able to distinguish between patients with low grade bladder cancer and the controls with high sensitivity and specificity (AUC > 0.87). In conclusion, several biomarker proteins were identified in bladder cancer. Haptoglobin is a potential candidate that merit further investigation to validate its usefulness and functional significance as potential biomarkers for early detection of bladder cancer.
PARGT: a software tool for predicting antimicrobial resistance in bacteria
Authors: Chowdhury Abu Sayed , Call Douglas R. , Broschat Shira L.
Published: July 2020

With the ever-increasing availability of whole-genome sequences, machine-learning approaches can be used as an alternative to traditional alignment-based methods for identifying new antimicrobial-resistance genes. Such approaches are especially helpful when pathogens cannot be cultured in the lab. In previous work, we proposed a game-theory-based feature evaluation algorithm. When using the protein characteristics identified by this algorithm, called ‘features’ in machine learning, our model accurately identified antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in Gram-negative bacteria. Here we extend our study to Gram-positive bacteria showing that coupling game-theory-identified features with machine learning achieved classification accuracies between 87% and 90% for genes encoding resistance to the antibiotics bacitracin and vancomycin. Importantly, we present a standalone software tool that implements the game-theory algorithm and machine-learning model used in these studies.
Dietary administration of the probiotic Shewanella putrefaciens to experimentally wounded gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) facilitates the skin wound healing
Authors: Chen Zhichu , Ceballos-Francisco Diana , Guardiola Francisco A. , Esteban M. Ángeles
Published: July 2020

The effect of the probiotic Shewanella putrefaciens Pdp11 (SpPdp11) was studied on the skin healing of experimentally wounded gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.). Two replicates (n = 12) of fish were fed CON diet or SP diet for 30 days. Half of the fish were sampled while the others were injured and sampled 7 days post-wounding. Results by image analysis of wound areas showed that SpPdp11 inclusion facilitated wound closure. Compared with the CON group, fish in SP group sampled 7 days post-wounding had a significantly decreased serum AST and increased ALB/GLOB ratio. Furthermore, protease and peroxidase activities were significantly increased in skin mucus from fish in SP group sampled 7 days post-wounding, compared with those fed CON diet. Additionally, SP diet up-regulated the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and re-epithelialization related genes in the fish skin. Furthermore, significant decreases in pro-inflammatory cytokines expression were detected in fish from SP group, respect to control ones. Overall, SpPdp11 inclusion facilitated the wound healing and the re-epithelialization of the damaged skin, alleviated the inflammatory response in the wound area through intensifying the antioxidant system, and enhancing the neo-vascularization and the synthesis of matrix proteins in the skin wound sites of fish.
Study on improvement of the performance parameters of a novel 0.41–0.47 THz on-chip antenna based on metasurface concept realized on 50 μm GaAs-layer
Authors: Alibakhshikenari Mohammad , Virdee Bal S. , See Chan H. , Shukla Pancham , Salekzamankhani Shahram , Abd-Alhameed Raed A. , Falcone Francisco , Limiti Ernesto
Published: July 2020

A feasibility study is presented on the performance parameters of a novel on-chip antenna based on metasurface technology at terahertz band. The proposed metasurface on-chip antenna is constructed on an electrically thin high-permittivity gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrate layer. Metasurface is implemented by engraving slot-lines on an array of 11 × 11 circular patches fabricated on the top layer of the GaAs substrate and metallic via-holes implemented in the central patch of each row constituting the array, which connects the patch to the leaky-wave open-ended feeding slot-lines running underneath the patches. The slot-lines are connected to each other with a slit. A waveguide port is used to excite the array via slot-lines that couple the electromagnetic energy to the patches. The metasurface on-chip antenna is shown to exhibit an average measured gain in excess of 10 dBi and radiation efficiency above 60% over a wide frequency range from 0.41 to 0.47 THz, which is significant development over other on-chip antenna techniques reported to date. Dimensions of the antenna are 8.6 × 8.6 × 0.0503 mm3. The results show that the proposed GaAs-based metasurface on-chip antenna is viable for applications in terahertz integrated circuits.
Spatio-molecular domains identified in the mouse subthalamic nucleus and neighboring glutamatergic and GABAergic brain structures
Authors: Wallén-Mackenzie Åsa , Dumas Sylvie , Papathanou Maria , Martis Thiele Mihaela M. , Vlcek Bianca , König Niclas , Björklund Åsa K.
Published: July 2020

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is crucial for normal motor, limbic and associative function. STN dysregulation is correlated with several brain disorders, including Parkinsonʼs disease and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), for which high-frequency stimulation of the STN is increasing as therapy. However, clinical progress is hampered by poor knowledge of the anatomical–functional organization of the STN. Today, experimental mouse genetics provides outstanding capacity for functional decoding, provided selective promoters are available. Here, we implemented single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNASeq) of the mouse STN followed through with histological analysis of 16 candidate genes of interest. Our results demonstrate that the mouse STN is composed of at least four spatio-molecularly defined domains, each distinguished by defined sets of promoter activities. Further, molecular profiles dissociate the STN from the adjoining para-STN (PSTN) and neighboring structures of the hypothalamus, mammillary nuclei and zona incerta. Enhanced knowledge of STN´s internal organization should prove useful towards genetics-based functional decoding of this clinically relevant brain structure.
DNA methylation reprogramming during seed development and its functional relevance in seed size/weight determination in chickpea
Authors: Rajkumar Mohan Singh , Gupta Khushboo , Khemka Niraj Kumar , Garg Rohini , Jain Mukesh
Published: July 2020

Seed development is orchestrated via complex gene regulatory networks and pathways. Epigenetic factors may also govern seed development and seed size/weight. Here, we analyzed DNA methylation in a large-seeded chickpea cultivar (JGK 3) during seed development stages. Progressive gain of CHH context DNA methylation in transposable elements (TEs) and higher frequency of small RNAs in hypermethylated TEs during seed development suggested a role of the RNA-dependent DNA methylation pathway. Frequency of intragenic TEs was higher in CHH context differentially methylated region (DMR) associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). CG context hyper/hypomethylation within the gene body was observed for most of DMR-associated DEGs in JGK 3 as compared to small-seeded chickpea cultivar (Himchana 1). We identified candidate genes involved in seed size/weight determination exhibiting CG context hypermethylation within the gene body and higher expression in JGK 3. This study provides insights into the role of DNA methylation in seed development and seed size/weight determination in chickpea.
A Cu9S5 nanoparticle-based CpG delivery system for synergistic photothermal-, photodynamic- and immunotherapy
Authors: Zhou Lulu , Chen Lv , Hu Xiaochun , Lu Yonglin , Liu Wenjie , Sun Yanting , Yao Tianming , Dong Chunyan , Shi Shuo
Published: July 2020

Despite its great potential in cancer therapy, phototherapy, including photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT), often cause metastasis of tumors. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the cancer treatment owing to the capability of activating immune system to eliminate tumors. However, the integration of phototherapy and immunotherapy in a single nanoagent for cancer therapy is still a challenging task. Here, we fabricated (Cu9S5@mSiO2-PpIX@MnO2@CpG (CSPM@CpG)) as a synergistic therapeutic model for phototherapy enhanced immunotherapy. The intracellular uptake of cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) promoted the infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in tumor tissue, further stimulating the production of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and remarkably elevating the immune response level. Excellent anti-tumor effects have been achieved by synergistic PTT/PDT/immunotherapy. The metastasis of tumors was effectively inhibited by the immune response of CpG. Thus, our proposed work provides a strategy to combine phototherapy with immunotherapy to enhance the therapeutic efficiency and further inhibit metastasis of tumors.
Select amino acids in DGCR8 are essential for the UGU-pri-miRNA interaction and processing
Authors: Dang Thi Lieu , Le Cong Truc , Le Minh Ngoc , Nguyen Trung Duc , Nguyen Thuy Linh , Bao Sheng , Li Shaohua , Nguyen Tuan Anh
Published: July 2020

Microprocessor, composed of DROSHA and DGCR8, processes primary microRNAs (pri-miRNAs) in miRNA biogenesis. Its cleavage efficiency and accuracy are enhanced because DGCR8 interacts with the apical UGU motif of pri-miRNAs. However, the mechanism and influence of DGCR8–UGU interaction on cellular miRNA expression are still elusive. In this study, we demonstrated that Rhed (i.e., the RNA-binding heme domain, amino acids 285–478) of DGCR8 interacts with UGU. In addition, we identified three amino acids 461–463 in Rhed, which are critical for the UGU interaction and essential for Microprocessor to accurately and efficiently process UGU-pri-miRNAs in vitro and UGU-miRNA expression in human cells. Furthermore, we found that within the DGCR8 dimer, the amino acids 461–463 from one monomer are capable of discriminating between UGU- and noUGU-pri-miRNAs. Our findings improve the current understanding of the substrate-recognizing mechanism of DGCR8 and implicate the roles of this recognition in differentiating miRNA expression in human cells.
Rapid activation of distinct members of multigene families in Plasmodium spp
Authors: Omelianczyk Radoslaw Igor , Loh Han Ping , Chew Marvin , Hoo Regina , Baumgarten Sebastian , Renia Laurent , Chen Jianzhu , Preiser Peter R.
Published: July 2020

The genomes ofPlasmodium spp. encode a number of different multigene families that are thought to play a critical role for survival. However, with the exception of theP. falciparum vargenes, very little is known about the biological roles of any of the other multigene families. Using the recently developed Selection Linked Integration method, we have been able to activate the expression of a single member of a multigene family of our choice inPlasmodium spp. from its endogenous promoter. We demonstrate the usefulness of this approach by activating the expression of a uniquevar, rifinandstevorinP. falciparumas well asyirinP. yoelii. Characterization of the selected parasites reveals differences between the different families in terms of mutual exclusive control, co-regulation, and host adaptation. Our results further support the application of the approach for the study of multigene families inPlasmodiumand other organisms.
Flow-to-fracture transition and pattern formation in a discontinuous shear thickening fluid
Authors: Ozturk Deren , Morgan Miles L. , Sandnes Bjørnar
Published: July 2020

Recent theoretical and experimental work suggests a frictionless-frictional transition with increasing inter-particle pressure explains the extreme solid-like response of discontinuous shear thickening suspensions. However, analysis of macroscopic discontinuous shear thickening flow in geometries other than the standard rheometry tools remain scarce. Here we use a Hele-Shaw cell geometry to visualise gas-driven invasion patterns in discontinuous shear thickening cornstarch suspensions. We plot quantitative results from pattern analysis in a volume fraction-pressure phase diagram and explain them in context of rheological measurements. We observe three distinct pattern morphologies: viscous fingering, dendritic fracturing, and system-wide fracturing, which correspond to the same packing fraction ranges as weak shear thickening, discontinuous shear thickening, and shear-jammed regimes.
Mechanistic insight into the electrocatalytic performance of reduced graphene oxide supported palladium, silver and palladium–silver nanodeposits toward electro-dehalogenation of halocarbons in room temperature ionic liquids
Authors: Pandit Sarwar Ahmad , Bhat Sajad Ahmad , Rather Mudasir Ahmad , Ingole Pravin P. , Bhat Mohsin Ahmad
Published: July 2020

The electrocatalytic performance of reduced graphene oxide supported metal nano-deposits toward the electro-dehalogenation of halocarbons in room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) is related to the mechanistic aspects of the electroreduction.
Noble-metal-free TiO2 photocatalysis for selective CC reduction of α,β-enones by CF3SO3H modification
Authors: Li Jundan , Liu Anan , Wang Yi , Zhai Shan , Ma Dongge , Chen Chuncheng
Published: July 2020

The highly selective CC reduction of α,β-enones was realized by CF3SO3H-modifying noble-metal-free TiO2 photocatalysis.
(2-Pyridyloxy)arsines as ligands in transition metal chemistry: a stepwise As(iii) → As(ii) → As(i) reduction
Authors: Gericke Robert , Wagler Jörg
Published: July 2020

2-Pyridyloxy bridged AsIII–RuII-complexes were shown capable of reductively eliminating an As-bound substituent with formation of AsII–RuIand, upon coordinating AuCl at the vacant As lone pair, AsI–RuIIcomplexes.
The tunable negative thermal expansion covering a wide temperature range around room temperature in Sn, Mn co-substituted Mn3ZnN
Authors: Tan Shugang , Gao Chenhao , Wang Cao , Zhou Tong , Yin Guangchao , Sun Meiling , Xing Fei , Cao Rui , Sun Yuping
Published: July 2020

Based on anti-perovskite Mn3ZnN, the negative thermal expansion (NTE) temperature can be effectively broadened via co-substituting Sn, Mn.
Corn silk crude polysaccharide exerts anti-pancreatic cancer activity by blocking the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/CREB signaling pathway
Authors: Tao Hong , Chen Xia , Du Zhenyun , Ding Kan
Published: July 2020

S1, a crude polysaccharide from corn silk, may significantly inhibit pancreatic cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. It can induce apoptosis, arrest the cell cycle in S phase and impede pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion.
Chitin hydrolysis in acidified molten salt hydrates
Authors: Gözaydın Gökalp , Song Song , Yan Ning
Published: July 2020

At present, there is a lack of green protocols to hydrolyze chitin into its monomer using a chemical approach.
Achieving efficient polymer solar cells based on benzodithiophene–thiazole-containing wide band gap polymer donors by changing the linkage patterns of two thiazoles
Authors: Xue Changguo , Tang Yu , Liu Shihui , Feng He , Li Shiqin , Xia Debin
Published: July 2020

Two conjugated polymers with different combinations of two thiazoles were synthesized to study their photovoltaic performances.
Dynamics of chiral state transitions and relaxations in an FeGe thin plate via in situ Lorentz microscopy
Authors: Chai Ke , Li Zi-An , Liu Ruibin , Zou Bingsuo , Farle Michael , Li Jianqi
Published: July 2020

Studying the magnetic transition between different topological spin textures in noncentrosymmetric magnets under external stimuli is an important topic in chiral magnetism.
Modulation of cell membrane functionalization with aggregates of oligodeoxynucleotides containing alkyl chain-modified uridines
Authors: Kainuma Reina , Motohashi Yuto , Nishihara Tatsuya , Kurihara Ryohsuke , Tanabe Kazuhito
Published: July 2020

In this study, we prepared oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing the uridine base modified by an alkyl chain at the 5-position (AU) and characterized their aggregate formation, localization, and functions in cells.
Effects on the photovoltaic properties of copolymers with five-membered chalcogen-π-heterocycle bridges
Authors: Liu Jiao , Ren Junzhen , Zhang Shaoqing , Hou Jianhui
Published: July 2020

Polymers containing different chalcogen-π-heterocycles in their conjugated backbones present varied photovoltaic characteristics, and the PBDB-TF-S:BTP-4Cl-based OSCs present a desirable PCE of 16.22%.
In situ catalyzed and nanoconfined magnesium hydride nanocrystals in a Ni-MOF scaffold for hydrogen storage
Authors: Ma Zhewen , Zhang Qiuyu , Panda Subrata , Zhu Wen , Sun Fengzhan , Khan Darvaish , Dong Jinjian , Ding Wenjiang , Zou Jianxin
Published: July 2020

Nanostructured Mg2NiH4in situ formed around nanoconfined MgH2 crystals (top) and the superior thermodynamic and kinetic properties of MgH2@Ni-MOF (bottom).
Complexation of single stranded RNA with an ionizable lipid: an all-atom molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Rissanou Anastassia N. , Ouranidis Andreas , Karatasos Kostas
Published: July 2020

Complexation of a lipid-based ionizable cationic molecule with RNA in an aqueous medium was examined in detail by means of fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations.
Microrheology to probe smectic clusters in bent-core nematic liquid crystals
Authors: Paladugu Sathyanarayana , Kaur Supreet , Mohiuddin Golam , Pujala Ravi Kumar , Pal Santanu Kumar , Dhara Surajit
Published: July 2020

Probing “cybotactic clusters” in bent-core nematic liquid crystals using microrheological technique.
Titanate for water remediation: synthesis, application, mechanism and optimization
Authors: Bi Jingtao , Huang Xin , Wang Jingkang , Tao Qingqing , Wang Ting , Hao Hongxun
Published: July 2020

This work gives systematic illustrations for the syntheses, applications, mechanisms and optimizations of titanate materials in water remediation.
Correction: Identifying the electrocatalytic active sites of a Ru-based catalyst with high Faraday efficiency in CO2-saturated media for an aqueous Zn–CO2 system
Authors: Kim Jeongwon , Yang Yejin , Seong Arim , Noh Hyuk-Jun , Kim Changmin , Joo Sangwook , Cho Ara , Zhang Linjuan , Zhou Jing , Wang Jian-Qiang , Han Jeong Woo , Mahmood Javeed , Baek Jong-Beom , Kim Guntae
Published: July 2020

Correction for ‘Identifying the electrocatalytic active sites of a Ru-based catalyst with high Faraday efficiency in CO2-saturated media for an aqueous Zn–CO2 system’ by Jeongwon Kim et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2020, DOI: 10.1039/d0ta03050c.
Bottlebrush-like highly efficient antibacterial coating constructed using α-helical peptide dendritic polymers on the poly(styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene) surface
Authors: Zhang Yujia , Kang Ke , Zhu Nanhang , Li Guohao , Zhou Xiaoxi , Zhang Aimin , Yi Qiangying , Wu Yao
Published: July 2020

Antibacterial coating constructed using α-helical peptide dendritic polymers exhibited high antibacterial activity with no obvious cytotoxicity and hemolysis on SEBS.
A dynamo amplifying the magnetic field of a Milky-Way-like galaxy
Authors: Ntormousi Evangelia , Tassis Konstantinos , Del Sordo Fabio , Fragkoudi Francesca , Pakmor Rüdiger
Published: July 2020

Context.The magnetic fields of spiral galaxies are so strong that they cannot qualify as primordial. Their typical values are over one billion times higher than any value predicted for the early Universe. Explaining this immense growth and incorporating it in galaxy evolution theories is one of the long-standing challenges in astrophysics.

Aims.So far, the most successful theory for the sustained growth of the galactic magnetic field is the alpha-omega dynamo. This theory predicts a characteristic dipolar or quadrupolar morphology for the galactic magnetic field, which has been observed in external galaxies. So far, however, there has been no direct demonstration of a mean-field dynamo operating in direct, multi-physics simulations of spiral galaxies. We carry out such a demonstration in this work.

Methods.We employed numerical models of isolated, star-forming spiral galaxies that include a magnetized gaseous disk, a dark matter halo, stars, and stellar feedback. Naturally, the resulting magnetic field has a complex morphology that includes a strong random component. Using a smoothing of the magnetic field on small scales, we were able to separate the mean from the turbulent component and analyze them individually.

Results.We find that a mean-field dynamo naturally occurs as a result of the dynamical evolution of the galaxy and amplifies the magnetic field by an order of magnitude over half a Gyr. Despite the highly dynamical nature of these models, the morphology of the mean component of the field is identical to analytical predictions.

Conclusions.This result underlines the importance of the mean-field dynamo in galactic evolution. Moreover, by demonstrating the natural growth of the magnetic field in a complex galactic environment, it brings us a step closer to understanding the cosmic origin of magnetic fields.
Das Kompartmentsyndrom im Sport
Authors: Steuer Kurt , Steuer Victoria , Zapp Christopher
Published: July 2020

Unterschätzt, aber sehr gefährlich – so könnte man das Kompartmentsyndrom knapp beschreiben. Wer es schon einmal erlebt hat, weiß, dass im Fall des Falles keine Zeit verloren gehen darf. Dabei stecken nicht immer besonders schwere Verletzungen hinter der tickenden Bombe …
Magnifying i-scan Imaging for Endoscopic Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Prospective Study
Authors: Balekuduru Avinash Bhat , Rau Aarathi , Gouri Mangala , Shetty Athish , Subbaraj Satyaprakash Bonthala
Published: July 2020

Background DEFINA (EPK 3000) plus (with i-scan) is a digital chromoendoscopy. It uses surface/tone/contrast enhancement for detection, demarcation, and characterization of lesions. The aim of this study was to compare the usefulness of i-scan and conventional magnification white light endoscopy (M-WLE) for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in stomach.

Patients and Methods Subjects undergoing evaluation for functional dyspepsia were prospectively enrolled at Ramaiah Medical College and Hospitals, Bangalore from November 2018 to February 2019. In total, 68 participants underwent gastroscopy with standard M-WLE followed by i-scan. Two biopsies from greater curve at 3 cm from the angulus were collected for histology. Successful diagnosis of Hp using imaging modality with M-WLE and i-scan were compared with histology.

Results A total of 68 (36 men and 32 women) patients with a mean age of 47 ± 13 years (range 18–75 years) were enrolled in our study. The prevalence of Hp on the biopsies was 41%; 64% of the patients used proton pump inhibitors, 20% were current smokers; 25% of the patients were consuming alcohol. The sensitivity: 96.4%; specificity: 95%; accuracy: 95.5% of i-scan in diagnosis of Hp gastritis is better than the sensitivity: 50%; specificity: 50%; accuracy: 50% with M-WLE.

Conclusion In conclusion, the diagnostic ability of i-scan (95%) for predicting Hp status is acceptable as compared with M-WLE (50%) for accurate diagnosis. The results suggest that i-scan improves endoscopic diagnostic accuracy of Hp infection compared with M-WLE.
Endoscopic Management of Double Esophageal Perforation by Ingested Foreign Body Using Over-the-Scope Clip: A Case Report
Authors: Debnath Prasanta , Rathi Pravin , Nair Sujit , Udgirkar Suhas , Chandnani Sanjay
Published: July 2020

Esophageal perforation is a life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate. First described around 300 years ago, management of this fatal condition has emerged from surgical to endoscopic modalities with much less morbidity and mortality when instituted early. We present this case of 55-year-old male, with double esophageal perforation by meat bone, perforating lower esophageal wall, leading to localized hydropneumothorax on right side with mild bilateral pleural effusion managed endoscopically with Over-the-Scope-Clip. Endoscopic management of esophageal perforation has been well mentioned in literature, without any mention of such management in case of double esophageal perforation. Surgery with or without endoscopy remains the main stay of management of such cases.
Interpretation of Benign Gastric Mucosal Lesions Using Narrow-Band Imaging
Authors: Paghadhar Sameer , Jain Mayank , Mahadevan B. , Venkataraman Jayanthi
Published: July 2020

The major drawback of conventional white light endoscopy (WLE) is that it lacks accuracy in diagnosis and differentiation of various benign and premalignant mucosal gastrointestinal lesions. To overcome this, image-enhanced endoscopy techniques, which provide high-definition images with good resolution and contrast enhancement, have been developed. One such technique is narrow-band imaging (NBI). NBI functions by filtering the illumination light. The red component of the standard red, green, and blue filters is rejected and the selected bandwidth of the blue and green light is transmitted. The present review highlights the role of NBI in diagnosis of benign gastric lesions like atrophic gastritis, Helicobacter pylori–related gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and other rarer conditions. NBI is a simple procedure which does not require any additional equipment and does not have a long learning curve. Use of NBI in daily practice is likely to improve detection of mucosal abnormalities.
Exposure to Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid and Long-Term Neurological-Related Hospitalizations throughout Childhood
Authors: Matalon Ron , Wainstock Tamar , Walfisch Asnat , Sheiner Eyal
Published: July 2020

Objective This study aimed to investigate the possible impact of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) on the occurrence of neurological-related hospitalizations throughout childhood and adolescence.

Study Design In this population-based cohort analysis, all singleton deliveries occurring between 1991 and 2014 at the Soroka University Medical center were included and the long-term neurological-related hospitalizations were compared between children with and without MSAF during their delivery. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was constructed for the evaluation of cumulative hospitalization rate due to neurological morbidity over the 18 years of follow-up, and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to study the independent association between MSAF and childhood neurological morbidity while controlling for potential confounders.

Results During the study period, 243,725 deliveries met the inclusion criteria; 35,897 of the cohort (15%) constituted the exposed group (MSAF), while the rest of the cohort (n = 207,828) constituted the unexposed group (no MSAF). A total of 7,543 hospitalizations due to neurological-related morbidity were documented with a rate of 3.2% (1,152) in children exposed to MSAF as compared with 3.1% (6,391) in the unexposed group (OR 1.1, 95% confidence interval 0.9–1.1, p = 0.149). The survival curve showed a comparable cumulative hospitalization rate in the MSAF-exposed group compared with the unexposed group (log rank p = 0.349). The Cox analysis, controlled for gestational diabetes and hypertension, gestational and maternal ages, demonstrated MSAF exposure not to be an independent risk factor for neurological-related hospitalizations during childhood (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.03, 0.96–1.09).

Conclusion Fetal exposure to MSAF, at any gestational age, does not appear to be an independent risk factor for later neurological-related hospitalizations throughout childhood and adolescence.

Key Points
Premature termination codons in the
DMD
gene cause reduced local mRNA synthesis
Authors: García-Rodríguez Raquel , Hiller Monika , Jiménez-Gracia Laura , van der Pal Zarah , Balog Judit , Adamzek Kevin , Aartsma-Rus Annemieke , Spitali Pietro
Published: July 2020

Significance

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare disease caused by lack of dystrophin due to mutations in the
DMD
gene. The presence of mutations leads to a reduction of the transcript levels. In this study, we show that the transcript reduction is not caused by the cytoplasmic nonsense-mediated decay mechanism as previously thought. We demonstrate that dystrophin mRNA is primarily localized in the nuclear compartment of skeletal muscle fibers. Analysis of nascent RNA and histone marks shows that transcription is less efficient in the presence of premature termination codons. Treatment of dystrophic mice with an epigenetic drug, currently in clinical development, partially restores transcription of the locus. This work will help the development of RNA targeting therapies for Duchenne patients.
Revealing 29 sets of independently modulated genes inStaphylococcus aureus, their regulators, and role in key physiological response
Authors: Poudel Saugat , Tsunemoto Hannah , Seif Yara , Sastry Anand V. , Szubin Richard , Xu Sibei , Machado Henrique , Olson Connor A. , Anand Amitesh , Pogliano Joe , Nizet Victor , Palsson Bernhard O.
Published: July 2020

Significance

Staphylococcus aureusinfections impose an immense burden on the healthcare system. To establish a successful infection in a hostile host environment,S. aureusmust coordinate its gene expression to respond to a wide array of challenges. This balancing act is largely orchestrated by the transcriptional regulatory network. Here, we present a model of 29 independently modulated sets of genes that form the basis for a segment of the transcriptional regulatory network in clinical USA300 strains ofS. aureus. Using this model, we demonstrate the concerted role of various cellular systems (e.g., metabolism, virulence, and stress response) underlying key physiological responses, including response during blood infection.
Where do complementizers come from and how did they come about?
Authors: Weiß Helmut
Published: July 2020

It is an old and widespread assumption in historical linguistics that hypotactic structures evolved out from paratactic structures. In more recent times, the parataxis-to-hypotaxis hypothesis was associated with the assumption that syntactic structures are discourse-based. This means that hypotactic structures evolved via syntacticization, i.e., via “a process by which flat, paratactic discourse-pragmatic structures transform over time into tight, hierarchic syntactic structures” (Givón 1979: 82f.). One special aspect of this assumption is that complementizers are held to have grammaticalized from nouns, verbs, prepositions, or pronouns in bi-sentential, paratactic source structures. In this paper, I will re-evaluate the existing evidence for the parataxis-to-hypotaxis hypothesis with special focus on the emergence of complementizers. The result of the re-evaluation is that in all cases, where we have enough historical data to reconstruct the development in detail, we have to assume a source structure that already displays subordination. In most cases, the subordinate clause is a relative clause suggesting that relativization is probably the oldest form of subordination. The over-all result of the re-evaluation is that there is no reliable evidence at all for the parataxis-to-hypotaxis hypothesis in its current form.
On the nature of roots
Authors: Panagiotidis Phoevos
Published: July 2020

This paper offers a review of a current understanding of the content and the form of linguistic roots. It first
updates and buttresses the case against semantic content of uncategorised roots and for Late Insertion of roots; then it
investigates how native speakers identify roots. More specifically, the idea that roots may be polysemous or may encode the shadow
of a denotation, namely the common denominator of the denotations of words derived from it, is refuted on the basis of conceptual
and empirical arguments from a number of languages. Subsequently, the existence of a spectrum of content to which roots belong,
with roots ranging from contentless to semantically specific and concrete, is also shown to be illusory, and to result from the
actual productivity, hence diversity, of the words derived from it. Arguments for Late Insertion of roots are then reviewed and
updated, divorcing roots from the forms that realise them. These arguments are systematically combined with the semantic
contentlessness of roots in support of Acquaviva’s analysis of them as abstract indices, i.e. as the syntax-internal criteria of
lexical identity. This account is taken to its logical conclusion in the final section: if roots are indeed abstract indices, then
they cannot be identified either by the semantic content they realise within grammatical structures or by their forms. An account
is therefore advanced according to which roots are identified just once by native speakers over their lexicon at a given moment
and on the basis of three heuristic principles: one form-based, one based on the feature content and the exponence of the
structures in which roots are embedded, and one taking care of root suppletion.
On twittizens and city residents
Authors: Tarasova Elizaveta , Beliaeva Natalia
Published: July 2020

The present study analyses native speaker perceptions of the differences in the semantic structure of compounds and blends
to specify whether the formal differences between compounds and blends are reflected on the semantic level. Viewpoints on blending vary,
with some researchers considering it to be an instance of compounding (Kubozono, 1990), while
others identify blending as an interim word formation mechanism between compounding and shortening (López Rúa, 2004). The semantic characteristics of English determinative blends and N+N subordinative compounds are compared by
evaluating the differences in native speakers’ perceptions of the semantic relationships between constituents of the analysed structures.
The results of two web-based experiments demonstrate that readers’ interpretations of both compounds and blends differ in terms of lexical
indicators of semantic relations between the elements of these units. The experimental findings indicate that language users’ interpretation
of both compounds and blends includes information on semantic relationships. The differences in the effect of the semantic relations on
interpretations is likely to be connected to the degree of formal transparency of these units.
A (distributional) semantic perspective on the processing of morphologically complex words
Authors: Amenta Simona , Günther Fritz , Marelli Marco
Published: July 2020

While morphemes are theoretically defined as linguistic units linking form and meaning, semantic effects in morphological
processing are not reported consistently in the literature on derived and compound words. The lack of consistency in this line of research
has often been attributed to methodological differences between studies or contextual effects. In this paper, we advance a different
proposal where semantic effects emerge quite consistently if semantics is defined in a dynamic and flexible way, relying on distributional
semantics approaches. In this light, we revisit morphological processing, taking a markedly cognitive perspective, as allowed by models that
focus on morphology as systematic meaning transformation or that focus on the mapping between the orthographic form of words and their
meanings.
Remarks on the semantics and paradigmaticity of NN compounds
Authors: Fernández-Domínguez Jesús
Published: July 2020

English Noun+Noun compounding has garnered the attention of morphologists due to characteristics that involve its semantics (Bauer & Tarasova, 2010;Jackendoff, 2009), degree of productivity (Bauer, Beliaeva, & Tarasova, 2019;Maguire, Wisniewski, & Storms, 2010) and possible paradigmatic nature (Bagasheva, in press;Boyé & Schalchli, 2016). This article addresses the above questions from an inclusive perspective with the aim of bringing together various unsolved issues in the study of this morphological process. The experiment exploits data from the BNC Sampler and theOxford English Dictionary, from which morphological and semantic information is extracted in order to fathom the contribution of nominal root compounding to the lexicon. The results show that the paradigmatic nature, semantics and high productivity of NN compounding are all closely interrelated, which explains certain characteristics associated to the current status of this process and its role in the enrichment of the lexicon.
Mobilizing Policy (In)Capacity to Fight COVID-19: Understanding Variations in State Responses
Authors: Capano Giliberto , Howlett Michael , Jarvis Darryl S L , Ramesh M , Goyal Nihit
Published: July 2020

The objective of this collection of essays is to gain insights into the different national-level state responses to COVID-19 around the world and the conditions that shaped them. The pandemic offers a natural experiment wherein the policy problem governments faced was the same but the responses they made were different, creating opportunities for comparison of both the kinds of policy tools being used and the factors that accounted for their choice. Accordingly, after surveying on-line databases of policy tools used in the pandemic and subjecting these to topic modelling to reveal the characteristics of a ‘standard’ national pandemic response, we discuss the similarities and differences found in specific responses. This is done with reference to the nature and level of policy capacity of respective governments, highlighting the critical roles played by (in)adequate preparation and lesson-drawing from past experiences with similar outbreaks or crises. Taken together the articles show how the national responses to the COVID-19 pandemic were shaped by the opportunity and capacity each government had to learn from previous pandemics and their capacity to operationalize and build political support for the standard portfolio of policy measures deployed to deal with the crisis. However, they also show how other factors such as the nature of national leadership, the organization of government and civil society, and blindspots towards the vulnerabilities of certain population segments also helped to shape policy responses to the pandemic.
International pilot study CCQM-P193: 10 μmol mol−1 water vapour in nitrogen
Authors: Brewer P J , Gieseking B , Ferracci V F , Ward M , Carroll P , Bell S , Hall B
Published: July 2020

The measurement of trace amounts of water in process gases is of paramount importance to a number of manufacturing processes. Water is considered to be one of the most difficult impurities to remove from gas supply systems and there is strong evidence that the presence of water contamination in semiconductor gases has a measurable impact on the quality and performance of devices. Consequently, semiconductor manufacturers are constantly reducing target levels of water in purge and process gases. As the purity of gases improves, the problem of quantifying contamination and ensuring that the gases are within specification at the point of use becomes more challenging. There are several established techniques for detecting trace water vapour in process gases. These include instruments based on the chilled mirror principle which measures the dew-point of the gas and the quartz crystal adsorption principle which measures the adsorption of water vapour into a crystal with a hygroscopic coating. Most recently, spectroscopic instruments such as those employing cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) have become available. The calibration of such instruments is a difficult exercise because of the very limited availability of accurate water vapour standards. This CCQM pilot study aims to assess the analytical capabilities of laboratories for measuring the composition of 10 μmol mol−1 water vapour in nitrogen.

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To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
One-dimensional phase retrieval: regularization, box relaxation and uniqueness
Authors: Wong Wing Hong , Lou Yifei , Marchesini Stefano , Zeng Tieyong
Published: July 2020

Recovering a signal from its Fourier magnitude is referred to as phase retrieval, which occurs in different fields of engineering and applied physics. This paper gives a new characterization of the phase retrieval problem. Particularly useful is the analysis revealing that the common gradient-based regularization does not restrict the set of solutions to a smaller set. Specifically focusing on binary signals, we show that a box relaxation is equivalent to the binary constraint for Fourier-types of phase retrieval. We further prove that binary signals can be recovered uniquely up to trivial ambiguities under certain conditions. Finally, we use the characterization theorem to develop an efficient denoising algorithm.
Continuous gas temperature measurement of cold plasma jets containing microdroplets, using a focussed spot IR sensor
Authors: Hendawy N , McQuaid H , Mariotti D , Maguire P
Published: July 2020

Controlling gas temperature via continuous monitoring is essential in various plasma applications especially for biomedical treatments and nanomaterial synthesis but traditional techniques have limitations due to low accuracy, high cost or experimental complexity. We demonstrate continuous high-accuracy gas temperature measurements of low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma jets using a small focal spot infrared sensor directed at the outer quartz wall of the plasma. The impact of heat transfer across the capillary tube was determined using calibration measurements of the inner wall temperature. Measured gas temperatures varied from 25 °C–50 °C, increasing with absorbed power and decreased gas flow. The introduction into the plasma of a stream (∼105 s−1) of microdroplets, in the size range 12 μm–15 μm, led to a reduction in gas temperature of up to 10 °C, for the same absorbed power. This is an important parameter in determining droplet evaporation and its impact on plasma chemistry.
First principles prediction of structural, mechanical and thermodynamic stability in new 18-valence electron XVZ (X = Fe, Ni, Z = Ga, As) half-Heusler semiconductors
Authors: Osafile O E , Azi J O
Published: July 2020

A suitable semiconductor adds a significant advantage to the technology industry, and the need for better, available, and tunable materials is insatiable. Of the various materials in use as semiconductor devices, the half-Heusler alloys have proved to be promising premised on the possibilities of tuning the various properties to meet the desired demand. In this work, we have investigated the structural, electronic, elastic, mechanical, thermodynamic, and phonon properties of FeVAs and NiVGa half-Heusler alloys. The alloys have 18-valence electrons, and they obey the Slater–Pauling rule. They both belong to the C1b face-centered cubic crystal structure and exhibit indirect bandgap. The negative formation energy shows that experimental fabrication can be attempted; it also confirms the stability of the structures. The elastic properties obey the stability criteria set by Born and Huang and are, therefore, stable. We analyzed the mechanical strength of the alloys, and FeVAs proves to be a superhard material with a Vickers hardness of 78.8 while NiVGa alloy is not. The Debye temperature promotes FeVAs alloy over NiVGa alloy in terms of thermal conductivity. From investigations on the phonon properties using a

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supercell to facilitate convergence, there are no negative frequencies; hence, we submit that both alloys are dynamically stable.