bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetospheric chorus wave simulation with the TRISTAN-MP PIC code
Authors: Kuzichev I. V. , Soto-Chavez A. R. , Park J. , Gerrard A. , Spitkovsky A.
Published: July 2019

We present the results of particle-in-cell simulations of the whistler anisotropy instability that results in magnetospheric chorus wave excitation. The simulations were carried out using, for the first time for this problem, the 2D TRISTAN-massively parallelized code, widely used before in the modeling of astrophysical shocks. The code has been modified to allow for two populations of electrons: cold electrons (which maintain the wave propagation) and hot electrons (which provide the wave growth). For the hot electrons, the anisotropic form of the relativistic Maxwell–Jüttner distribution is implemented. We adopt the standard approximation of a parabolic magnetic field to simulate the Earth's magnetic field close to the equator. Simulations with different background magnetic field inhomogeneity strengths demonstrate that higher inhomogeneity yields lower frequency chirping rates and, eventually, it suppresses chorus generation. The results are in agreement with other numerical simulations and the theoretical predictions for the frequency chirping rates.
Highly efficient and accurate sum-over-poles expansion of Fermi and Bose functions at near zero temperatures: Fano spectrum decomposition scheme
Authors: Cui Lei , Zhang Hou-Dao , Zheng Xiao , Xu Rui-Xue , Yan YiJing
Published: July 2019

The Fano spectrum decomposition (FSD) scheme is proposed as an efficient and accurate sum-over-poles expansion of Fermi and Bose functions at cryogenic temperatures. The new method practically overcomes the discontinuity of Fermi and Bose functions near zero temperature, which causes slow convergence in conventional schemes such as the state-of-the-art Padé spectrum decomposition (PSD). The FSD scheme fragments Fermi or Bose function into a high-temperature reference and a low-temperature correction. While the former is efficiently decomposed via the standard PSD, the latter can be accurately described by several modified Fano functions. The resulting FSD scheme is found to converge overwhelmingly faster than the standard PSD method. Remarkably, the low-temperature correction supports further a recursive and scalable extension to access the near-zero temperature regime. Thus, the proposed FSD scheme, which obeys rather simple recursive relations, has a great value in efficient numerical evaluations of Fermi or Bose function-involved integrals for various low-temperature condensed physics formulations and problems. For numerical demonstrations, we exemplify FSD for the efficient unraveling of fermionic reservoir correlation functions and the exact hierarchical equations of motion simulations of spin-boson dynamics, both at extremely low temperatures.
A simplified experimental method to study conductivity percolation
Authors: Dziob Daniel , Sokołowska Dagmara , Młynarczyk Marcin , Mościcki Józef K.
Published: July 2019

A simplified experimental setup and a measurement method adapted to the simplified data analysis proposed in previous works are described in detail. The setup is intended for investigation of the conductivity percolation in the water network formed on granular materials and studied in the course of dehydration. The results show that the new, easily accessible experimental setup enables determination of the principal percolation parameters with the same accuracy as the more sophisticated equipment employing an impedance analyzer. Mean critical exponents obtained from data collected for the samples of moisturized sand grains sized 0.6–0.8 mm by means of both experimental methods give the same results within the limit of measurement uncertainty.
Phase field lattice Boltzmann model for air-water two phase flows
Authors: Dinesh Kumar E. , Sannasiraj S. A. , Sundar V.
Published: July 2019

Two phase flows occur in different forms with liquid and gas in general, among which, the interaction of the flow of air and water is a common scenario. However, modeling the two phase flow still remains a challenge due to the large density ratio between them and different space-time scales involved in the flow regimes. In the present work, the lattice Boltzmann (LB) model capable of handling large density ratio (1000) and high Reynolds number (104) simultaneously is proposed. The present model consists of two sets of LB equations, one for the flow field in terms of normalized pressure-velocity formulation and the other for the solution of the conservative Allen-Cahn equation to capture the interface. The numerical tests such as stationary drop, bubble coalescence, and capillary wave decay have been performed, and the results exhibit excellent mass conservation property. The capability of the present model to handle complex scenarios has been tested through test cases, for example, rise of an air bubble, splash of a water droplet on a wet bed, and Rayleigh-Taylor instability. In all test cases, the simulation results agree well with the available reference data. Finally, as an application of the present model, the breaking of a deep water wave with high Reynolds number (104) is simulated. The plunging breaker with wave overturning and the generation of secondary jet and splashes are well described by the present LB model. The evolution of wave energy dissipation during and after breaking is in agreement with the reference data.
A micropolar-Newtonian blood flow model through a porous layered artery in the presence of a magnetic field
Authors: Jaiswal Sneha , Yadav Pramod Kumar
Published: July 2019

In this work, we present a two-phase model of blood flow through a porous layered artery in the presence of a uniform magnetic field. The characteristic of suspensions in blood allows us to assume blood as a micropolar fluid in the core region and plasma as a Newtonian fluid in the peripheral region of a blood vessel. The wall of a blood vessel is porous and composed of a thin Brinkman transition layer followed by a Darcy porous layer of different permeabilities. A magnetic field of uniform strength is transversally applied to the direction of blood flow. The authors obtained an analytical solution of the problem of blood flow through the composite porous walled artery. Analytical expressions for the flow velocity, microrotational velocity, flow rate, and stresses at the wall have been obtained in the closed form using the modified Bessel function. The effects of various flow parameters on the two-fluid model of blood flow are analyzed graphically. An important conclusion which is drawn from the solution of the present problem is that the different permeabilities of Darcy and Brinkman regions of the porous layered artery have a significant effect on the flow. The present work is validated from the previously published literature studies.
An acoustofluidic platform for non-contact trapping of cell-laden hydrogel droplets compatible with optical microscopy
Authors: Fornell Anna , Johannesson Carl , Searle Sean S. , Happstadius Axel , Nilsson Johan , Tenje Maria
Published: July 2019

Production of cell-laden hydrogel droplets as miniaturized niches for 3D cell culture provides a new route for cell-based assays. Such production can be enabled by droplet microfluidics and here we present a droplet trapping system based on bulk acoustic waves for handling hydrogel droplets in a continuous flow format. The droplet trapping system consists of a glass capillary equipped with a small piezoelectric transducer. By applying ultrasound (4 MHz), a localized acoustic standing wave field is generated in the capillary, trapping the droplets in a well-defined cluster above the transducer area. The results show that the droplet cluster can be retained at flow rates of up to 76 μl/min, corresponding to an average flow speed of 3.2 mm/s. The system allows for important operations such as continuous perfusion and/or addition of chemical reagents to the encapsulated cells with in situ optical access. This feature is demonstrated by performing on-chip staining of the cell nuclei. The key advantages of this trapping method are that it is label-free and gentle and thus well-suited for biological applications. Moreover, the droplets can easily be released on-demand, which facilitates downstream analysis. It is envisioned that the presented droplet trapping system will be a valuable tool for a wide range of multistep assays as well as long-term monitoring of cells encapsulated in gel-based droplets.
Acoustic focusing effect based on artificial periodic structure
Authors: Tang Shuai , Ren Yaqi , Wang Rui , Wen Tingdun , Han Jianning
Published: July 2019

To achieve high-efficiency acoustic focusing, an artificial periodic acoustic structure composed of two-dimensional three-component cell arrays was used to manipulate the transmission wave fronts of acoustic waves, and the acoustic field characteristics were numerically simulated by COMSOL finite element software. The results showed that whether the spherical acoustic wave generated by the point excitation source or the planar acoustic wave generated by the linear excitation source was used as the incident wave, an emission focus point can be generated at the top of the acoustic model. The intensity of the acoustic pressure at the focus point depended on the frequency of the incident acoustic waves. Under the same vibration period, the acoustic pressure will increase first and then decrease. It will reach a maximum value at the resonance frequency. In addition, when the model was cut into a right-angled trapezoidal structure with the axis of symmetry as a cross-section, the acoustic wave can produce a variable-direction focusing effect, and the “acoustic levitation” effect can also be realized. This series of anomalous acoustic phenomena can provide a new direction for acoustic directional transmission, acoustic wave detection, and acoustic stealth.
Thermoelectric properties and stability of Ba3Cu16 − xSe11 − yTey
Authors: Jafarzadeh Parisa , Assoud Abdeljalil , Ramirez Daniel , Farahi Nader , Zou Tianze , Müller Eckhard , Kycia Jan B. , Kleinke Holger
Published: July 2019

Ba3Cu16 − xSe11 − yTey materials were synthesized with different compositions by a melting and slow cooling process. Measurement of the thermoelectric properties revealed changes during repeated measurements of the same samples. This scenario is different from the case of the isostructural sulfide variants, where the physical properties were consistently reproducible under the measurement conditions applied. Further investigations including single crystal studies after the measurements proved that this is a consequence of different Cu ion conductivity in selenides and sulfides. The reproducibility of the data was investigated by varying the maximum temperature as well as the current density. The stability of these selenides was highly dependent on the temperature; decreasing the highest measurement temperature led to full reproducibility. Finally, while the selenides exhibited larger electrical conductivity than the sulfides, their figure-of-merit zT only reached a maximum value of 0.49, compared to 0.88 of the sulfides, mostly caused by the smaller Seebeck values of the selenides.
Functional divergence caused by mutations in an energetic hotspot in ERK2
Authors: Taylor Clinton A. , Cormier Kevin W. , Keenan Shannon E. , Earnest Svetlana , Stippec Steve , Wichaidit Chonlarat , Juang Yu-Chi , Wang Junmei , Shvartsman Stanislav Y. , Goldsmith Elizabeth J. , Cobb Melanie H.
Published: July 2019

The most frequent extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) mutation occurring in cancers is E322K (E-K). ERK2 E-K reverses a buried charge in the ERK2 common docking (CD) site, a region that binds activators, inhibitors, and substrates. Little is known about the cellular consequences associated with this mutation, other than apparent increases in tumor resistance to pathway inhibitors. ERK2 E-K, like the mutation of the preceding aspartate (ERK2 D321N [D-N]) known as the sevenmaker mutation, causes increased activity in cells and evades inactivation by dual-specificity phosphatases. As opposed to findings in cancer cells, in developmental assays in
Drosophila
, only ERK2 D-N displays a significant gain of function, revealing mutation-specific phenotypes. The crystal structure of ERK2 D-N is indistinguishable from that of wild-type protein, yet this mutant displays increased thermal stability. In contrast, the crystal structure of ERK2 E-K reveals profound structural changes, including disorder in the CD site and exposure of the activation loop phosphorylation sites, which likely account for the decreased thermal stability of the protein. These contiguous mutations in the CD site of ERK2 are both required for docking interactions but lead to unpredictably different functional outcomes. Our results suggest that the CD site is in an energetically strained configuration, and this helps drive conformational changes at distal sites on ERK2 during docking interactions.
“Yes, he is, at least, entertaining”
Authors: Malthus Miriam
Published: July 2019

This paper investigates facework and identity construction on a pro-community water fluoridation Facebook page, drawing on rapport management (Spencer-Oatey 2000) and Culpeper’s (1996,2010,2011) taxonomy of impoliteness in English. In contrast to previous work on conflictual political talk on social media, which focuses largely on right/left or socially conservative/progressive polarised topics, it addresses discourse on a topic where conflict is between factions aligned with or against the scientific establishment. The paper shows members of an activist group engaging in face-aggravating behaviour against an ideologically opposed commenter. Even when they profess to be educating the commenter, the core goals of their behaviour are enhancing their own quality and identity face within the group by antagonising the outsider; participants construct an expert identity through performing superior intelligence and education, expressed through displays of scientific knowledge and creative forms of linguistic impoliteness.
Changes in Voluntary Admission and Restraint use after a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Policy in Inpatient Psychiatric Health Facilities
Authors: Scheeres Annaka , Xhezo Regina , Julius Rose , Coffman Ryan , Frisby Jarma , Weber Luise , Streeter Jessica , Leone Frank , Bettigole Cheryl , Lawman Hannah
Published: July 2019

Background: Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, predominantly due to tobacco use, are the leading causes of death among individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. However, many psychiatric health facilities do not routinely treat tobacco use disorder. The purpose of the current study was to examine the impact of implementing a tobacco-free policy in inpatient psychiatric health facilities in a large, urban setting on behavioral problems, treatment access, and tobacco treatment.

Methods: Data on seclusion and restraint incidents, voluntary commitment at admission for each hospitalization episode, and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) prescriptions were collected through secondary analysis of Medicaid administrative records from baseline in January 2015 ( n = 8983) to follow-up in December 2016 ( n = 9685) at 14 inpatient psychiatric health facilities.

Results: There were no significant changes from baseline to follow-up in odds of seclusion and restraint incidents or voluntary admission status. There was a significant increase in the odds of NRT prescriptions at both 30 and 180 days post discharge (odds ratio [OR] range = 1.58–2.09, P < .01).

Conclusions: In a large, urban setting among Medicaid enrollees, implementation of a tobacco-free policy in inpatient psychiatric health facilities had no negative impact on behavioral problems or treatment access and improved access to NRT, although overall NRT use remained low. This study challenges perceptions among some providers that addressing tobacco use disorder will negatively impact treatment outcomes in individuals with serious mental illness. These findings support tobacco-free policies in psychiatric health facilities and the role of psychiatric health providers in treating tobacco use in this population, which is at high risk for tobacco-related mortality.
Opioid, Cocaine, and Amphetamine use Disorders are Associated with Higher30-Day Inpatient Readmission Rates in the United States
Authors: Mejia de Grubb Maria C. , Salemi Jason L. , Gonzalez Sandra J. , Chima Charles C. , Kowalchuk Alicia A. , Zoorob Roger J.
Published: July 2019

Background: Patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) are more likely to experience serious health problems, high healthcare utilization, and premature death. However, little is known about the contribution of SUDs to medical 30-day readmission risk. We examined the association between SUDs and 30-day all cause readmission among non-pregnant adult in-patients in the US.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using 2010–2014 data from the Nationwide Readmissions Database. Our primary focus was on opioid use compared to stimulant use (cocaine and amphetamine) identified by ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes in index hospitalizations. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% CI representing the association between substance use and 30-day readmission, overall and stratified by the principal reason for the index hospitalization.

Results: Nearly 118 million index hospitalizations were included in the study, 4% were associated with opioid or stimulant use disorder. Readmission rates for users (19.5%) were higher than for nonusers (15.7%), with slight variation by the type of substance used: cocaine (21.8%), opioid (19.0%), and amphetamine (17.5%). After adjusting for key demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and health system characteristics, SUDs and stimulant use disorders increased the odds of 30-day all-cause readmission by 20%.

Conclusions: Reducing the frequency of inpatient readmission is an important goal for improving the quality of care and ensuring proper transition to residential/outpatient care among patients with SUDs. Differences between groups may suggest directions for further investigation into the distinct needs and challenges of hospitalized opioid- and other drug-exposed patients.
Development of a regulatable low-temperature protein expression system using the psychrotrophic bacterium, Shewanella livingstonensis Ac10, as the host
Authors: Kawai Soichiro , Kawamoto Jun , Ogawa Takuya , Kurihara Tatsuo
Published: July 2019

A low-temperature protein expression system is useful for the production of thermolabile proteins. We previously developed a system that enables constitutive protein production at low temperatures, using the psychrotrophic bacterium Shewanella livingstonensis Ac10 as the host. To increase the utility of this system, in the present study, we introduced a repressible promoter of the trp operon of this bacterium into the system. When ß-lactamase was produced under the control of this promoter at 18°C and 4°C, the yields were 75 and 33 mg/L-culture, respectively, in the absence of l-Trp, and the yields were decreased by 72% and 77%, respectively, in the presence of l-Trp. We also found that 3-indoleacrylic acid, a competitive inhibitor of the Escherichia coli trp repressor, increased the expression of the reporter gene. This repressible gene expression system would be useful for regulatable recombinant protein production at low temperatures.
Work practices, normative control and ascetic responsibilization in Cistercian monasteries
Authors: Sundberg Mikaela
Published: July 2019

How is work organized and experienced in monasteries? Based on a multi-sited, qualitative case study of Cistercian monasteries in France, this article brings an archetypal setting of normative control into the purview of sociological research on work and organization. It reveals a tension
between the hierarchical organization of work and the ideology of all forms of work as “services” of equal importance and shows how the ideology affects the experiences of member differently depending on their position. Whereas those who feel recognized become spokespersons, less
privileged members are not only discontent, but this experience also constitutes a failure to obey “gladly.” Because members have chosen to enter a monastery, it is up to them to reach a state of acceptance regardless of the work position they have. The notion of ascetic responsibilization
conceptualizes the mechanism behind this reasoning, which serves to maintain a status quo in monastic power relations.
The ubiquitin-editing enzyme A20 controls NK cell homeostasis through regulation of mTOR activity and TNF
Authors: Vetters Jessica , van Helden Mary J. , Wahlen Sigrid , Tavernier Simon J. , Martens Arne , Fayazpour Farzaneh , Vergote Karl , Vanheerswynghels Manon , Deswarte Kim , Van Moorleghem Justine , De Prijck Sofie , Takahashi Nozomi , Vandenabeele Peter , Boon Louis , van Loo Geert , Vivier Eric , Lambrecht Bart N. , Janssens Sophie
Published: July 2019

The ubiquitin-editing enzyme A20 is a well-known regulator of immune cell function and homeostasis. In addition, A20 protects cells from death in an ill-defined manner. While most studies focus on its role in the TNF-receptor complex, we here identify a novel component in the A20-mediated decision between life and death. Loss of A20 in NK cells led to spontaneous NK cell death and severe NK cell lymphopenia. The few remaining NK cells showed an immature, hyperactivated phenotype, hallmarked by the basal release of cytokines and cytotoxic molecules. NK-A20−/− cells were hypersensitive to TNF-induced cell death and could be rescued, at least partially, by a combined deficiency with TNF. Unexpectedly, rapamycin, a well-established inhibitor of mTOR, also strongly protected NK-A20−/− cells from death, and further studies revealed that A20 restricts mTOR activation in NK cells. This study therefore maps A20 as a crucial regulator of mTOR signaling and underscores the need for a tightly balanced mTOR pathway in NK cell homeostasis.
Effects of rising atmospheric CO2, climate change, and nitrogen deposition on aboveground net primary production in a temperate forest
Authors: Wang Wen J , Ma Shuang , He Hong S , Liu Zhihua , Thompson Frank R , Jin Wenchi , Wu Zheng Fang , Spetich Martin A , Wang Lei , Xue Song , Zhang Wenguang , Wang Xianwei
Published: July 2019

Temperate forests regrowing from historical land use and land cover change in the eastern US serve as carbon (C) sinks. Environmental drivers have been significantly altered (e.g. rising atmospheric CO2concentration, warmer temperature, and elevated nitrogen (N) deposition) and will have a wide range of impacts on future forest C sinks. However, the interactions among these environmental drivers are unclear and their effects are subject to uncertainty. We assessed the combined and interactive effects of rising CO2concentration, climate change (temperature, precipitation), and N deposition on forest aboveground net primary production (ANPP) and their relative contribution to ANPP changes of a temperate forest in the eastern US. We used a process-based ecosystem model PnET-day to simulate coupled cycles of C, water, and N of forest ecosystems. We found that (1) climate change exerted negative effects on ANPP (−0.250 kg C m−2yr−1) whereas rising CO2and N deposition enhanced ANPP (+0.253, +0.014 kg C m−2yr−1); (2) climate change interacted with rising CO2and N deposition to decrease ANPP (−0.032, −0.018 kg C m−2yr−1); rising CO2and N deposition acted in synergy to increase ANPP (+0.014 kg C m−2yr−1); (3) changes in ANPP were mainly attributed to rising CO2and climate change whereas N deposition effects and any two- or three-factor interactive effects were relatively small. Our results suggest that the total negative effect sizes will not be offset by the total positive effect sizes, thus resulting in reductions in forest ANPP over the 21st century.
Pilot-scale AC electric arc furnace plasma characterization
Authors: Pauna Henri , Willms Thomas , Aula Matti , Echterhof Thomas , Huttula Marko , Fabritius Timo
Published: July 2019

Fundamental knowledge of the electric arc properties is important for the development of process control of electric arc furnaces. In this work, a pilot-scale AC electric arc has been studied with optical emission spectroscopy together with filtered camera footage. The properties of the arcs were determined with plasma diagnostics and image analysis in order to obtain both the characteristic plasma parameters and the physical form of the arc. The plasma temperatures, ranging from 4500 to 9000 K, were derived individually for three elements. The electron densities of the plasma were between 1018 and 1020 cm−3 and fulfilled the local thermal equilibrium criterion, but the plasma temperatures derived from atomic emission lines for different elements had high and unpredictable differences. The properties of the electric arcs have been studied with respect to the arc length derived from the image analysis. The slag composition, especially the relative FeO content of over 30%, was observed to have a notable effect on the brightness of the arc on slag and thus also on the radiative heat transfer.
DDT - Drug Discovery Tool: a fast and intuitive graphics user interface for docking and molecular dynamics analysis
Authors: Aureli Simone , Di Marino Daniele , Raniolo Stefano , Limongelli Vittorio
Published: July 2019

Motivation

The ligand/protein binding interaction is typically investigated by docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In particular, docking-based virtual screening (VS) is used to select the best ligands from database of thousands of compounds, while MD calculations assess the energy stability of the ligand/protein binding complexes. Considering the broad use of these techniques, it is of great demand to have one single software that allows a combined and fast analysis of VS and MD results. With this in mind, we have developed the Drug Discovery Tool (DDT) that is an intuitive graphics user interface able to provide structural data and physico-chemical information on the ligand/protein interaction.

Results

DDT is designed as a plugin for the Visual Molecular Dynamics (VMD) software and is able to manage a large number of ligand/protein complexes obtained from AutoDock4 (AD4) docking calculations and MD simulations. DDT delivers four main outcomes: i) ligands ranking based on an energy score; ii) ligand ranking based on a ligands’ conformation cluster analysis; iii) identification of the aminoacids forming the most occurrent interactions with the ligands; iv) plot of the ligands’ center-of-mass coordinates in the Cartesian space. The flexibility of the software allows saving the best ligand/protein complexes using a number of user-defined options.

Availability and implementation

DDT_site_1 (alternative DDT_site_2); the DDT tutorial movie is available here.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The influence of heterogeneous codon frequencies along sequences on the estimation of molecular adaptation
Authors: Del Amparo Roberto , Vicens Alberto , Arenas Miguel
Published: July 2019

Motivation

The nonsynonymous/synonymous substitution rate ratio (dN/dS) is a commonly used parameter to quantify molecular adaptation in protein-coding data. It is known that the estimation of dN/dS can be biased if some evolutionary processes are ignored. In this concern, common ML methods to estimate dN/dS assume invariable codon frequencies among sites, despite this characteristic is rare in nature, and it could bias the estimation of this parameter.

Results

Here we studied the influence of variable codon frequencies among genetic regions on the estimation of dN/dS. We explored scenarios varying the number of genetic regions that differ in codon frequencies, the amount of variability of codon frequencies among regions and the nucleotide frequencies at each codon position among regions. We found that ignoring heterogeneous codon frequencies among regions overall leads to underestimation of dN/dS and the bias increases with the level of heterogeneity of codon frequencies. Interestingly, we also found that varying nucleotide frequencies among regions at the first or second codon position leads to underestimation of dN/dS while variation at the third codon position leads to overestimation of dN/dS. Next, we present a methodology to reduce this bias based on the analysis of partitions presenting similar codon frequencies and we applied it to analyze four real datasets. We conclude that accounting for heterogeneous codon frequencies along sequences is required to obtain realistic estimates of molecular adaptation through this relevant evolutionary parameter.

Availability and implementation

The applied frameworks for the computer simulations of protein-coding data and estimation of molecular adaptation are SGWE and PAML, respectively. Both are publicly available and referenced in the study.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A trans-fatty acid-rich diet promotes liver tumorigenesis in HCV core gene transgenic mice
Authors: Hu Xiao , Wang Xiaojing , Jia Fangping , Tanaka Naoki , Kimura Takefumi , Nakajima Takero , Sato Yoshiko , Moriya Kyoji , Koike Kazuhiko , Gonzalez Frank J , Nakayama Jun , Aoyama Toshifumi
Published: July 2019

Excess consumption of trans-fatty acid (TFA), an unsaturated fatty acid containing trans double bonds, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. However, little is known about the link between TFA and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) despite it being a frequent form of cancer in humans. In this study, the impact of excessive dietary TFA on hepatic tumorigenesis was assessed using hepatitis C virus (HCV) core gene transgenic mice that spontaneously developed HCC. Male transgenic mice were treated for 5 months with either a control diet or an isocaloric TFA-rich diet that replaced the majority of soybean oil with shortening. The prevalence of liver tumors was significantly higher in TFA-rich diet-fed transgenic mice compared with control diet-fed transgenic mice. The TFA-rich diet significantly increased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and activated nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), leading to high p62/sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) expression. Furthermore, the TFA diet activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and stimulated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, synergistically upregulating cyclin D1 and c-Myc, driving cell proliferation. Excess TFA intake also promoted fibrogenesis and ductular reaction, presumably contributing to accelerated liver tumorigenesis. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that a TFA-rich diet promotes hepatic tumorigenesis, mainly due to persistent activation of NF-κB and NRF2-p62/SQSTM1 signaling, ERK and Wnt/β-catenin pathways and fibrogenesis. Therefore, HCV-infected patients should avoid a TFA-rich diet to prevent liver tumor development.
Graded Dalbavancin Challenge in a Patient With Severe Vancomycin Hypersensitivity Reaction
Authors: Ishizuka Kelly T , Tran Thao K , Ayars Andrew G , Chau Alice S , Chan Jeannie D
Published: July 2019

Cross-reactivity should be considered when treating patients with a previous hypersensitivity reaction within the same class of antibiotics that share similar chemical structures. This case report describes a patient with severe hypersensitivity reaction to vancomycin who successfully tolerated a dalbavancin graded challenge.
Monitoring of cerebral oximetry in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
Authors: Kharraziha Isabella , Holm Hannes , Bachus Erasmus , Melander Olle , Sutton Richard , Fedorowski Artur , Hamrefors Viktor
Published: July 2019

Aims 

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a disorder of unknown aetiology characterized by orthostatic intolerance and tachycardia with diverse other symptoms, including neurocognitive deficits. Cerebral oximetry non-invasively measures cerebral tissue saturation (SctO2) and has been shown to be informative in syncope evaluation. We aimed to assess SctO2 in POTS patients and those with normal response to orthostatic provocation, relative to haemodynamic parameters and symptoms.

Methods and results 

Thirty-four patients with POTS (29.1 ± 9.5 years; 26 females) and 34 age-/sex-matched controls with normal head-up tilt tests (HUTs) were included. SctO2 at rest and during HUT were compared between POTS and controls. The relation between SctO2, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and heart rate (HR) during HUT was linearly assessed. SctO2 values were related to dizziness or syncope during HUT. The minimum SctO2-value during HUT was lower (65.4 ± 5.6 vs. 68.2 ± 4.2%, P = 0.023) and changes in SctO2 from supine to minimum HUT value were more pronounced in POTS patients (−5.7 ± 2.9% vs. −4.3 ± 2.1%, P = 0.028). Decrease in SBP from supine to minimum HUT value (P = 0.004) and increase in HR from supine to HUT value at 3 min (P = 0.022) correlated with more pronounced SctO2 decrease in POTS but not controls. SctO2 did not predict syncope or dizziness during HUT.

Conclusion 

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome patients have lower cerebral tissue saturation during orthostatic provocation compared with those subjects having normal haemodynamic response to tilt. Orthostatic decrease in cerebral saturation only weakly correlates with HR increase and does not predict vasovagal reflex in POTS. Other hitherto unknown factors may affect cerebral tissue saturation in POTS.
Inactivated Rabies Virus–Based Ebola Vaccine Preserved by Vaporization Is Heat-Stable and Immunogenic Against Ebola and Protects Against Rabies Challenge
Authors: Kurup Drishya , Fisher Christine R , Smith Todd G , Abreu-Mota Tiago , Yang Yong , Jackson Felix R , Gallardo-Romero Nadia , Franka Richard , Bronshtein Victor , Schnell Matthias J
Published: July 2019

Background

Ebola virus (EBOV) is a highly lethal member of the Filoviridae family associated with human hemorrhagic disease. Despite being a sporadic disease, it caused a large outbreak in 2014–2016 in West Africa and another outbreak recently in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Several vaccine candidates are currently in preclinical and clinical studies but none are stable without cold chain storage.

Methods

We used preservation by vaporization (PBV), a novel processing technology to heat-stabilize FiloRab1 (inactivated rabies-based Ebola vaccine), a candidate Ebola vaccine, and stored the vials at temperatures ranging from 4°C to 50°C for 10 days to 12 months. We immunized Syrian hamsters with the best long-term stable FiloRab1 PBV vaccines and challenged them with rabies virus (RABV).

Results

Syrian hamsters immunized with FiloRab1 PBV–processed vaccines stored at temperatures of 4°C and 37°C for 6 months, and at 50°C for 2 weeks, seroconverted against both RABV-G and EBOV-GP. Notably, all of the FiloRab1 PBV vaccines proved to be 100% effective in a RABV challenge model.

Conclusions

We successfully demonstrated that the FiloRab1 PBV vaccines are stable and efficacious for up to 6 months when stored at temperatures ranging from 4°C to 37°C and for up to 2 weeks at 50°C.
Eliminating Hepatitis C Virus Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Men Who Have Sex With Men in Berlin: A Modeling Analysis
Authors: Martin Natasha K , Jansen Klaus , an der Heiden Matthias , Boesecke Christoph , Boyd Anders , Schewe Knud , Baumgarten Axel , Lutz Thomas , Christensen Stefan , Thielen Alexander , Mauss Stefan , Rockstroh Jürgen K , Skaathun Britt , Ingiliz Patrick
Published: July 2019

Background

Despite high hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment rates, HCV incidence among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected men who have sex with men (HIV-infected MSM) in Germany rose before HCV direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). We model what intervention can achieve the World Health Organization (WHO) elimination target of an 80% reduction in HCV incidence by 2030 among HIV-infected MSM in Berlin.

Methods

An HCV transmission model among HIV-diagnosed MSM was calibrated to Berlin (rising HCV incidence and high rates of HCV testing and treatment). We modeled the HCV incidence among HIV-diagnosed MSM in Berlin until 2030 (relative to 2015 WHO baseline) under scenarios of DAA scale-up with or without behavior change (among HIV-diagnosed MSM and/or all MSM).

Results

Continuing current treatment rates will marginally reduce the HCV incidence among HIV-diagnosed MSM in Berlin by 2030. Scaling up DAA treatment rates, beginning in 2018, to 100% of newly diagnosed HCV infections within 3 months of diagnosis and 25% each year of previously diagnosed and untreated HCV infections could reduce the HCV incidence by 61% (95% confidence interval, 55.4%–66.7%) by 2030. The WHO target would likely be achieved by combining DAA scale-up with a 40% reduction in HCV transmission among HIV-diagnosed MSM and a 20% reduction among HIV-undiagnosed or HIV-uninfected MSM.

Discussion

HCV elimination among HIV-infected MSM in Berlin likely requires combining DAA scale-up with moderately effective behavioral interventions to reduce risk among all MSM.
Interventions in Live Poultry Markets for the Control of Avian Influenza: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Shi Naiyang , Huang Jinxin , Zhang Xuefeng , Bao Changjun , Yue Na , Wang Qiang , Cui Tingting , Zheng Mengyun , Huo Xiang , Jin Hui
Published: July 2019

Background

This review aimed to provide constructive suggestions for the control and management of avian influenza through quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the impact of different live poultry market (LPM) interventions.

Methods

Both English and Chinese language databases were searched for articles that were published on or before 9 November 2018. After extraction and assessment of the included literature, Stata14.0 was applied to perform a meta-analysis to explore the impacts of LPM interventions.

Results

A total of 19 studies were identified. In total, 224 human, 3550 poultry, and 13 773 environment samples were collected before the intervention; 181 people, 4519 poultry, and 9562 environments were sampled after LPM interventions. Avian influenza virus (AIV) detection rates in the LPM environment (odds ratio [OR], 0.393; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.262–0.589) and the incidence of AIV infection (OR, 0.045; 95% CI, 0.025–0.079) were significantly lower after LPM interventions, while interventions were not significantly effective in reducing AIV detection in poultry samples (OR, 0.803; 95% CI, 0.403–1.597).

Conclusions

LPM interventions can reduce AIV human infections and the detection rate of AIV in market environments.
From Wealth to Power? The Failure of Layered Reforms in India's Defense Sector
Authors: Weiss Moritz
Published: July 2019

This article puts forward a historical institutionalist explanation of how rising powers translate increased wealth into military strength. It develops microfoundations for path dependence and applies them empirically as an approach to defense procurement. The Indian government layered market reforms onto a state-run defense sector. It aimed to exploit competition in its massive acquisition of combat fighter aircraft after 2007. Yet, despite formal rule changes and overwhelming material benefits, government reformers ultimately failed and returned to an intergovernmental purchase in 2015. I develop two mechanisms to explain this instance of failed institutional change in India. First, the reform's structural misfit created uncertainty, as some of the prerequisites for a market such as sound legal protection and private actors were absent. Second, the government reformers were reluctantly supported at the outset by a coalition of so-called opportunists, which neither fully embraced nor strongly opposed institutional reforms. When problems resulting from the misfit multiplied and promised benefits vanished, however, this coalition dissolved and layering failed. A process-tracing analysis and the triangulation of a diverse set of data substantiate this explanation. The article contributes to debates on institutional change as well as to those on rising powers and the constraints they face in their attempts to transform growing wealth into military strength. Most significantly, it specifies a causal pathway along which state institutions shape the defense policies of rising powers. Layered reforms may fail not only when faced by defenders of the status quo; opportunists may suffice to defeat them.
Wave propagation effect on differential image motion monitor measurements
Authors: Kornilov Victor , Safonov Boris
Published: July 2019

The differential image motion monitor (DIMM) is widely used to measure the atmospheric optical turbulence (OT) integral over the line of sight. However, it is known that because of the wave propagation effect, the DIMM’s sensitivity falls with the distance to the turbulent layer and the variance of differential image motion is only approximately proportional to the OT integral. In this paper, we study this problem using the formalism of so-called weighting functions (WFs). We develop a method for calculating these WFs, including the case of the wide spectral band of detected radiation. The effect of underestimating the OT integral for different DIMM devices involved in previous site-testing campaigns is estimated using real measurements of OT vertical profiles. For instruments with small apertures (4–6 cm), the underestimation is ≈10 per cent, whereas for larger devices with apertures of 8–10 cm, the underestimation is less than 5 per cent, on average. This leads to a negative bias in seeing estimation of 7 and 3 per cent, respectively.
On neutralization of charged black holes
Authors: Gong Yi , Cao Zhoujian , Gao He , Zhang Bing
Published: July 2019

For non-spinning, charged (Reissner–Nordström) black holes, the particles with an opposite sign of charge with respect to that of the black hole will be pulled into the black hole by the extra electromagnetic force. Such a hole will be quickly neutralized so that there should not exist significantly charged, non-spinning black holes in the universe. The case of spinning, charged (Kerr–Newmann, KN) black holes is more complicated. For a given initial position and initial velocity of the particle, an oppositely charged particle does not always more easily fall into the black hole than a neutral particle. The possible existence of a magnetosphere further complicate the picture. One therefore cannot straightforwardly conclude that a charged spinning black hole will be neutralized. In this paper, we make the first step to investigate the neutralization of KN black holes without introducing a magnetosphere. We track the particle trajectories under the influence of the curved space–time and the electromagnetic field carried by the spinning, charged black hole. A statistical method is used to investigate the neutralization problem. We find a universal dependence of the falling probability into the black hole on the charge of the test particle, with the oppositely charged particles having a higher probability of falling. We therefore conclude that charged, spinning black holes without a magnetosphere should be quickly neutralized, consistent with people’s intuition. The neutralization problem of KN black holes with a corotating force-free magnetosphere is subject to further studies.
The global star formation law by supernova feedback
Authors: Dekel Avishai , Sarkar Kartick C , Jiang Fangzhou , Bournaud Frederic , Krumholz Mark R , Ceverino Daniel , Primack Joel R
Published: July 2019

We address a simple model where the Kennicutt–Schmidt (KS) relation between the macroscopic densities of star formation rate (SFR, ρsfr) and gas (n) in galactic discs emerges from self-regulation of the SFR via supernova feedback. It arises from the physics of supernova bubbles, insensitive to the microscopic SFR recipe and not explicitly dependent on gravity. The key is that the filling factor of SFR-suppressed supernova bubbles self-regulates to a constant, f ∼ 0.5. Expressing the bubble fading radius and time in terms of n, the filling factor is $f\propto S\, n^{-s}$ with s ≃ 1.5, where S is the supernova rate density. A constant f thus refers to ρsfr ∝ n1.5, with a density-independent SFR efficiency per free-fall time ∼0.01. The self-regulation to f ∼ 0.5 and the convergence to a KS relation independent of the local SFR recipe are demonstrated in cosmological and isolated-galaxy simulations using different codes and recipes. In parallel, the spherical analysis of bubble evolution is generalized to clustered supernovae, analytically and via simulations, yielding s ≃ 1.5 ± 0.5. An analysis of photoionized bubbles about pre-supernova stars yields a range of KS slopes but the KS relation is dominated by the supernova bubbles. Superbubble blowouts may lead to an alternative self-regulation by outflows and recycling. While the model is oversimplified, its simplicity and validity in the simulations may argue that it captures the origin of the KS relation.
The i-process yields of rapidly accreting white dwarfs from multicycle He-shell flash stellar evolution models with mixing parametrizations from 3D hydrodynamics simulations
Authors: Denissenkov Pavel A , Herwig Falk , Woodward Paul , Andrassy Robert , Pignatari Marco , Jones Samuel
Published: July 2019

We have modelled the multicycle evolution of rapidly accreting CO white dwarfs (RAWDs) with stable H burning intermittent with strong He-shell flashes on their surfaces for 0.7 ≤ MRAWD/M⊙ ≤ 0.75 and [Fe/H] ranging from 0 to −2.6. We have also computed the i-process nucleosynthesis yields for these models. The i process occurs when convection driven by the He-shell flash ingests protons from the accreted H-rich surface layer, which results in maximum neutron densities Nn, max ≈ 1013–1015 cm−3. The H-ingestion rate and the convective boundary mixing (CBM) parameter ftop adopted in the one-dimensional nucleosynthesis and stellar evolution models are constrained through three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic simulations. The mass ingestion rate and, for the first time, the scaling laws for the CBM parameter ftop have been determined from 3D hydrodynamic simulations. We confirm our previous result that the high-metallicity RAWDs have a low mass retention efficiency ($\eta \lesssim 10{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$). A new result is that RAWDs with [Fe/H] $\lesssim -2$ have $\eta \gtrsim 20{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$; therefore, their masses may reach the Chandrasekhar limit and they may eventually explode as SNeIa. This result and the good fits of the i-process yields from the metal-poor RAWDs to the observed chemical composition of the CEMP-r/s stars suggest that some of the present-day CEMP-r/s stars could be former distant members of triple systems, orbiting close binary systems with RAWDs that may have later exploded as SNeIa.