bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Actively tunable polarization-sensitive multiband absorber based on graphene*
Authors: Cao Ai-Li , Zhang Kun , Zhang Jia-Rui , Liu Yan , Kong Wei-Jin
Published: September 2020

We design an actively tunable polarization-sensitive multiband absorber in the mid-infrared region, which consists of stacked graphene multilayers separated by dielectric layers on a metal mirror. Benefiting from the anisotropic structure, the absorber has dual absorption bands with almost perfect absorption at different wavelengths under the x and y polarizations. Analyzing the electric field amplitude distributions and the surface currents, we find that the absorption peaks under the same polarization are excited in the graphene layers independently. Therefore, more absorption bands can be achieved by increasing the graphene layers. Adjusting the Fermi energy of the graphene layers, the working wavelengths of the polarization-sensitive multiband absorbers can be tuned actively, and thus achieving a wide band regulation range. Besides, the peak number and the peak strength of the multiband absorber can be actively controlled by the polarization angle as well. We also propose a method to design an actively tunable polarization-sensitive multiband absorber, which may have potential applications in mid-infrared devices, such as polarization-sensitive filters and detectors.
Magnetization reorientation induced by spin–orbit torque in YIG/Pt bilayers*
Authors: Tian Ying-Yi , Wang Shuan-Hu , Li Gang , Li Hao , Li Shu-Qin , Zhao Yang , Cui Xiao-Min , Wang Jian-Yuan , Zou Lv-Kuan , Jin Ke-Xin
Published: September 2020

In this work, we report the reorientation of magnetization by spin–orbit torque (SOT) in YIG/Pt bilayers. The SOT is investigated by measuring the spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR), which is highly sensitive to the direction of magnetic moment of YIG. An external in-plane rotating magnetic field which is applied to the YIG/Pt bilayers, and the evolutions of SMR under different injected currents in the Pt layer, result in deviation of SMR curve from the standard shape. We conclude that the SOT caused by spin accumulation near the interface between YIG and Pt can effectively reorient the in-plane magnetic moment of YIG. This discovery provides an effective way to modulate YIG magnetic moments by electrical methods.
Thermodynamics in rotating anti-de Sitter black holes with massive scalar field in three dimensions *
Authors: Gwak Bogeun
Published: September 2020

We investigated the tendency in the variations of CFT2 when a rotating AdS3 black hole changes because of the fluxes transferred by the scattering of a massive scalar field according to the anti-de Sitter (AdS)/conformal field theory (CFT) correspondence. The conserved quantities of the black hole are definitely constrained by the extremal condition. Moreover, the laws of thermodynamics provide a direction for the changes in the conserved quantities. Therefore, the black hole cannot be extremal under the scattering; this is naturally preferred. According to the relationship between the rotating AdS3 black hole and dual CFT2, we find that such changes in the black hole constrain thevariations in the eigenstates of dual CFT2. Furthermore, the tendency in the variations is closely related to the laws of thermodynamics.
A Bayesian-neural-network prediction for fragment production in proton induced spallation reaction *
Authors: Ma Chun-Wang , Peng Dan , Wei Hui-Ling , Wang Yu-Ting , Pu Jie
Published: September 2020

Fragment production in spallation reactions yields key infrastructure data for various applications. Based on the empirical SPACS parameterizations, a Bayesian-neural-network (BNN) approach is established to predict the fragment cross sections in proton-induced spallation reactions. A systematic investigation has been performed for the measured proton-induced spallation reactions of systems ranging from intermediate to heavy nuclei systems and incident energies ranging from 168 MeV/u to 1500 MeV/u. By learning the residuals between the experimental measurements and SPACS predictions, it is found that the BNN-predicted results are in good agreement with the measured results. The established method is suggested to benefit the related research on nuclear astrophysics, nuclear radioactive beam sources, accelerator driven systems, proton therapy, etc.
Surface functionalization of PEEK with silicon nitride
Authors: Boschetto Francesco , Marin Elia , Ohgitani Eriko , Adachi Tetsuya , Zanocco Matteo , Horiguchi Satoshi , Zhu Wenliang , McEntire Bryan J , Mazda Osam , Bal B Sonny , Pezzotti Giuseppe
Published: September 2020

Surface roughness, bioactivity, and antibacterial properties are desirable in skeletal implants. We hot-pressed a mix of particulate sodium chloride (NaCl) salt and silicon nitride (β-Si3N4) onto the surface of bulk PEEK. NaCl grains were removed by leaching in water, resulting in a porous PEEK surface embedded with sim15 vol% β-Si3N4 particles. This functionalized surface showed the osteogenic and antibacterial properties previously reported in bulk silicon nitride implants. Surface enhancement of PEEK with β-Si3N4 could improve the performance of spinal fusion cages, by facilitating arthrodesis and resisting bacteria.
A map of roadmaps for zero and low energy and carbon buildings worldwide
Authors: Mata É , Korpal A K , Cheng S H , Jiménez Navarro J P , Filippidou F , Reyna J , Wang R
Published: September 2020

Formulation of targets and establishing which factors in different contexts will achieve these targets are critical to successful decarbonization of the building sector. To contribute to this, we have performed an evidence map of roadmaps for zero and low energy and carbon buildings (ZLECB) worldwide, including a list and classification of documents in an on-line geographical map, a description of gaps, and a narrative review of the knowledge gluts. We have retrieved 1219 scientific documents from Scopus, extracted metadata from 274 documents, and identified 117 roadmaps, policies or plans from 27 countries worldwide. We find that there is a coverage bias towards more developed regions. The identified scientific studies are mostly recommendations to policy makers, different types of case studies, and demonstration projects. The geographical inequalities found in the coverage of the scientific literature are even more extreme in the coverage of the roadmaps. These underexplored world regions represent an area for further investigation and increased research/policy attention. Our review of the more substantial amount of literature and roadmaps for developed regions shows differences in target metrics and enforcement mechanisms but that all regions dedicate some efforts at national and local levels. Roadmaps generally focus more on new and public buildings than existing buildings, despite the fact that the latter are naturally larger in number and total floor area, and perform less energy efficiently. A combination of efficiency, technical upgrades, and renewable generation is generally proposed in the roadmaps, with behavioral measures only reflected in the use of information and communication technologies, and minimal focus being placed on lifecycle perspectives. We conclude that insufficient progress is being made in the implementation of ZLECB. More work is needed to couple the existing climate goals, with realistic, enforceable policies to make the carbon savings a reality for different contexts and stakeholders worldwide.
How have surface NO2 concentrations changed as a result of the UK’s COVID-19 travel restrictions?
Authors: Dacre H F , Mortimer A H , Neal L S
Published: September 2020

Restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to fewer vehicles on UK roads. Since fuel combustion is responsible for a large fraction of UK emissions it is expected that surface NO2 concentrations would reduce as a result. However, over parts of the UK, surface NO2 concentrations have increased following the implementation of travel restrictions. NO2 measurements from 142 Automatic Urban and Rural Network sites are combined with meteorological data from the Met Office high-resolution weather prediction model to build site specific models. These models predict NO2 concentrations given no change in emissions. It is found that both meteorological and emission changes contribute to the observed changes in NO2 concentrations. Given no change in emissions, changes in meteorology between pre- and post-lockdown periods would have led to a mean increase in NO2 concentrations of +6%. Conversely, changes in emissions would have led to a mean reduction in NO2 concentrations of -18%, resulting in the observed total change in NO2 concentrations of −12%. However at some sites the reduction in emissions is smaller than the increase in NO2 concentrations due to meteorology. The largest increases associated with changes in the meteorology are seen at rural sites (+20%) where NO2 measurements are representative of large areas and thus dominated by the regional advection of secondary NO2 from Europe. Conversely, the largest decreases associated with reduced emissions are found at urban traffic and urban background sites (−27% and −14% respectively) where NO2 concentrations are representative of local areas and thus dominated by local reduction in emissions from vehicles. As lockdown measures are relaxed, NO2 concentrations are likely to return to pre-COVID levels, but these results demonstrate that changes in our behaviour can result in positive impacts on air quality and illustrate the effectiveness of travel-reducing strategies in urban areas.
Electron in bilayer graphene with magnetic fields leading to shape invariant potentials
Authors: Fernández C David J , García M Juan D , O-Campa Daniel
Published: September 2020

The quantum behavior of electrons in bilayer graphene with applied magnetic fields is addressed. By using second-order supersymmetric quantum mechanics the problem is transformed into two intertwined one dimensional stationary Schrödinger equations whose potentials are required to be shape invariant. Analytical solutions for the energy bound states are obtained for several magnetic fields. The associated spectrum is analyzed, and the probability and current densities are determined.
Nanoindentation study and mechanical property analysis of nickel-based single crystal superalloys
Authors: Zhang Zhongkui , Wen Zhixun , Yue Zhufeng
Published: September 2020

Based on uniaxial tensile and compressive creeps, the mechanical properties of the third generation nickel-based single crystal superalloy were studied via the combination of nanoindentation, crystal plasticity theory, and finite element analysis. The Young’s moduli and hardness of γ, γ′ and the topologically close-packed (TCP) phases are related to chemical composition and applied stress. The maximum values of the Von Mises equivalent stress and damage are at the tip of the TCP phase. These values are inversely proportional to the distance to the TCP phase. Furthermore, the rafting of the γ′ phase can be predicted according to the distribution of the TCP phase and stress.
Mobility and threshold voltages comparison of zinc nitride-based thin-film transistor fabricated on Si and glass
Authors: Surve Sachin , Banerjee M K , Sachdev Kanupriya
Published: September 2020

The present work reports the fabrication and characterization of high mobility thin-film transistors, where zinc nitride is used as the active layer (∼100 nm thick). For the TFT, the active layer was deposited at room temperature on different substrates (Si-p type and glass) by RF magnetron sputtering method and annealed at 350 °C post-fabrication and HfO2 was used as the gate insulation layer (∼50 nm thick). The obtained value of field-effect mobility was greater than 5 cm2 Vs−1, with optical bandgap ∼3.07 eV. The two MIS (metal insulator semiconductor) structures were analyzed using I–V and C–V measurements. It is demonstrated that Zinc Nitride is a potential candidate to be used as an active layer in TFT fabrication. The threshold voltages of the device built on Si and glass substrates were obtained as 0.8 volts and 2.6 volts respectively.
Preparation a three-dimensional hierarchical graphene/stearic acid as a phase change materials for thermal energy storage
Authors: Wang Xiuli , Cheng Xiaomin , Li Dan , Li Yuanyuan , Li Ruguang , Gong Shengqin , Zhong Hao
Published: September 2020

Three-dimensional hierarchical graphene (3DHG) was compounded with stearic acid (SA) to obtain SA/3DHG composite phase change materials (PCMs). The specific surface area and pore volume of 3DHG are 393 m2 g−1 and 0.57 m3 g−1. The phase-transition temperatures of SA/3DHG composites keep at 69 ± 1 °C with different adding amounts of 3DHG, meanwhile SA/3DHG-3 possesses the melting enthalpy of 189.7 J·g−1 and solidifying enthalpy of 188.8 J·g−1. 3DHG shows significant enhancement on the thermal properties and shape stability of SA. The thermal conductivity of SA/3DHG-3 reaches to 0.93 W·m−1·K−1, which is as high as 2.8 times of pure SA (0.33 W·m−1·K−1). The investigations of XRD and FTIR indicate that no chemical but physical combination occurs between SA and graphene. 3DHG has substantial meso-porous/macro-porous structure for packaging SA to form the irregular core–shell structure. The hierarchical pores are also beneficial to the graded thermal transfer inside SA/3DHG composite PCMs. The efficiency of heating process from 25 °C to 90 °C was improved by about 57%. Furthermore, the 3D network skeleton built up by graphene sheets can form an effective and connected heat transfer paths for SA, thus improves the endothermic and exothermic efficiency of SA/3DHG composite PCMs. This work emphasizes the 3D hierarchical structure of graphene and provides a promising way to prepare composite PCMs with high large storage density and heat transfer efficiency.
Mode rolling effects in nitride laser diodes
Authors: Kuhn E , Uhlig L , Wachs M , Schwarz U T , Thränhardt A
Published: September 2020

Due to their small separation of longitudinal modes, Fabry-Pérot type laser diodes show rich mode competition effects. We present streak camera measurements of two nitride laser diodes with different cavity lengths and model them using a fully dynamic model based on the semiconductor Bloch equations, obtaining good agreement. Both theory and experiment show that the different mode spacing has a large influence on the interactions between longitudinal modes. In contrast to rate-equation type models, our approach includes the detailed density distribution as well as the derivation of the relevant parameters, e.g. broadening, from standard material quantities, thus setting a milestone on the way towards a fully predictive laser model.
Deep reinforcement learning for optical systems: A case study of mode-locked lasers
Authors: Sun Chang , Kaiser Eurika , Brunton Steven L , Nathan Kutz J
Published: September 2020

We demonstrate that deep reinforcement learning (deep RL) provides a highly effective strategy for the control and self-tuning of optical systems. Deep RL integrates the two leading machine learning architectures of deep neural networks and reinforcement learning to produce robust and stable learning for control. Deep RL is ideally suited for optical systems as the tuning and control relies on interactions with its environment with a goal-oriented objective to achieve optimal immediate or delayed rewards. This allows the optical system to recognize bi-stable structures and navigate, via trajectory planning, to optimally performing solutions, the first such algorithm demonstrated to do so in optical systems. We specifically demonstrate the deep RL architecture on a mode-locked laser, where robust self-tuning and control can be established through access of the deep RL agent to its waveplates and polarizers. We further integrate transfer learning to help the deep RL agent rapidly learn new parameter regimes and generalize its control authority. Additionally, the deep RL learning can be easily integrated with other control paradigms to provide a broad framework to control any optical system.
Low cost electrical probe station using etched tungsten nanoprobes: role of cathode geometry
Authors: Prasad Rakesh K , Singh Dilip K
Published: September 2020

Electrical measurement of nano-scale devices and structures requires skills and hardware to make nano-contacts. Such measurements have been difficult for number of laboratories due to cost of probe station and nano-probes. In the present work, we have demonstrated possibility of assembling low cost probe station using USB microscope (US $ 30) coupled with in-house developed probe station. We have explored the effect of shape of etching electrodes on the geometry of the microprobes developed. The variation in the geometry of copper wire electrode is observed to affect the probe length

(
0.58

mm

to

2.15

mm
)

and its half cone angle (1.4° to 8.8˚). These developed probes were used to make contact on micro patterned metal films and was used for electrical measurement along with semiconductor parameter analyzer. These probes show low contact resistance (∼4 Ω) and follows ohmic behavior. Such probes can be used for laboratories involved in teaching and multidisciplinary research activities and Atomic Force Microscopy.
Feasible-metabolic-pathway-exploration technique using chemical latent space
Authors: Fuji Taiki , Nakazawa Shiori , Ito Kiyoto
Published: September 2020

Motivation

Exploring metabolic pathways is one of the key techniques for developing highly productive microbes for the bioproduction of chemical compounds. To explore feasible pathways, not only examining a combination of well-known enzymatic reactions but also finding potential enzymatic reactions that can catalyze the desired structural changes are necessary. To achieve this, most conventional techniques use manually predefined-reaction rules, however, they cannot sufficiently find potential reactions because the conventional rules cannot comprehensively express structural changes before and after enzymatic reactions. Evaluating the feasibility of the explored pathways is another challenge because there is no way to validate the reaction possibility of unknown enzymatic reactions by these rules. Therefore, a technique for comprehensively capturing the structural changes in enzymatic reactions and a technique for evaluating the pathway feasibility are still necessary to explore feasible metabolic pathways.

Results

We developed a feasible-pathway-exploration technique using chemical latent space obtained from a deep generative model for compound structures. With this technique, an enzymatic reaction is regarded as a difference vector between the main substrate and the main product in chemical latent space acquired from the generative model. Features of the enzymatic reaction are embedded into the fixed-dimensional vector, and it is possible to express structural changes of enzymatic reactions comprehensively. The technique also involves differential-evolution-based reaction selection to design feasible candidate pathways and pathway scoring using neural-network-based reaction-possibility prediction. The proposed technique was applied to the non-registered pathways relevant to the production of 2-butanone, and successfully explored feasible pathways that include such reactions.
synergy: a Python library for calculating, analyzing and visualizing drug combination synergy
Authors: Wooten David J , Albert Réka
Published: September 2020

Combinations of multiple pharmacological agents can achieve a substantial benefit over treatment with single agents alone. Combinations that achieve ‘more than the sum of their parts’ are called synergistic. There have been many proposed frameworks to understand and quantify drug combination synergy with different assumptions and domains of applicability. We introduce here synergy, a Python library that (i) implements a broad array of popular synergy models, (ii) provides tools for evaluating confidence intervals and conducting power analysis and (iii) provides standardized tools to analyze and visualize drug combinations and their synergies and antagonisms.

Availability and implementation

synergy is available on all operating systems for Python >=3.5. It is freely available from https://pypi.org/project/synergy, and its source code is available at https://github.com/djwooten/synergy. This software is released under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0 or later.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Prioritizing transcriptomic and epigenomic experiments using an optimization strategy that leverages imputed data
Authors: Schreiber Jacob , Bilmes Jeffrey , Noble William Stafford
Published: September 2020

Motivation

Successful science often involves not only performing experiments well, but also choosing well among many possible experiments. In a hypothesis generation setting, choosing an experiment well means choosing an experiment whose results are interesting or novel. In this work, we formalize this selection procedure in the context of genomics and epigenomics data generation. Specifically, we consider the task faced by a scientific consortium such as the National Institutes of Health ENCODE Consortium, whose goal is to characterize all of the functional elements in the human genome. Given a list of possible cell types or tissue types (‘biosamples’) and a list of possible high-throughput sequencing assays, where at least one experiment has been performed in each biosample and for each assay, we ask ‘Which experiments should ENCODE perform next?’

Results

We demonstrate how to represent this task as a submodular optimization problem, where the goal is to choose a panel of experiments that maximize the facility location function. A key aspect of our approach is that we use imputed data, rather than experimental data, to directly answer the posed question. We find that, across several evaluations, our method chooses a panel of experiments that span a diversity of biochemical activity. Finally, we propose two modifications of the facility location function, including a novel submodular–supermodular function, that allow incorporation of domain knowledge or constraints into the optimization procedure.

Availability and implementation

Our method is available as a Python package at https://github.com/jmschrei/kiwano and can be installed using the command pip install kiwano. The source code used here and the similarity matrix can be found at http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3708538.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Acetylcholine ameliorated TNF-α-induced primary trophoblast malfunction via muscarinic receptors†
Authors: Wang Zheng , Zibrila Adoulaye Issotina , Liu Shuhua , Zhao Gongxiao , Li Yubei , Xu Jingning , Liu Dan , Li Chunfang , Feng Weiyi , Liu Jinjun
Published: September 2020

Oxidative stress and apoptosis of trophoblasts are involved in preeclampsia (PE). Numerous studies have shown that acetylcholine (ACh), the principal vagal neurotransmitter, plays a crucial role in attenuating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in a variety of human diseases. However, the role of ACh in PE management remains unclear. Here, we aimed to determine the effects of ACh on TNF-α-treated human primary trophoblast cells. Western blotting, CCK-8, DHE, TUNEL immunofluorescence staining, transwell assays, and wound-healing assays were performed to evaluate the role of ACh in vitro. We found that both TNF-α expression and the apoptotic index were higher in placentas from preeclamptic women than in normal placentas. TNF-α enhanced oxidative stress and increased the number of TUNEL-positive nuclei, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and the cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 ratio while decreasing cell viability in primary human trophoblast cells. TNF-α promoted cell migration and invasion. PDTC, a selective NF-κB inhibitor, significantly blunted TNF-α-induced effects. ACh treatment attenuated oxidative stress and apoptosis while further promoting migration and invasion of TNF-α-treated primary trophoblast cells. The effects of ACh could be reversed by the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine. Overall, our findings indicate that ACh significantly ameliorates TNF-α-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis of human primary trophoblast cells via muscarinic receptors. This is the first time that the improvement of vagal activity served as a therapeutic strategy for PE-like trophoblasts, suggesting its potential value in clinical practice.
Lack of effect of short-term DHEA supplementation on the perimenopausal ovary†
Authors: Luna Selva L , Brown Donald I , Kohama Steven G , Urbanski Henryk F
Published: September 2020

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) hormonal supplementation can improve oocyte quality in women with diminished ovarian function. However, it is unclear whether DHEA supplementation can also enhance ovarian function during the perimenopause (i.e., when the number of follicles in the ovary has undergone a marked reduction). To address this question, we examined the impact of 2.5-months of daily 5-mg oral DHEA supplementation on the number of ovarian follicles and the concentration of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in perimenopausal rhesus macaques. Like women, these long-lived nonhuman primates have ~ 28-day menstrual cycles and eventually undergo menopause. They also show similar age-related neuroendocrine changes, including a marked decrease in circulating concentrations of DHEA and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS). Our experimental design involved the following three groups of animals (N = 6 per group): Young adult (mean age = 11.6 years), Old control (mean age = 23.1 years), and Old DHEA-treated (mean age = 23.5 years). Histological examination of the ovaries revealed a significant age-related decrease in the mean number of primordial follicles despite DHEA supplementation. Moreover, AMH concentrations within the ovaries and circulation, assessed by Western analysis and ELISA, respectively, showed significant age-related decreases that were not attenuated by DHEA supplementation. Taken together, these results fail to show a clear effect of short-term physiological DHEA supplementation on the perimenopausal ovary. However, they do not exclude the possibility that alternative DHEA supplementation paradigms (e.g., involving an earlier start date, longer duration and using pharmacological doses) may extend reproductive potential during aging.
Pathophysiological subtypes of Alzheimer’s disease based on cerebrospinal fluid proteomics
Authors: Tijms Betty M , Gobom Johan , Reus Lianne , Jansen Iris , Hong Shengjun , Dobricic Valerija , Kilpert Fabian , ten Kate Mara , Barkhof Frederik , Tsolaki Magda , Verhey Frans R J , Popp Julius , Martinez-Lage Pablo , Vandenberghe Rik , Lleó Alberto , Molinuevo José Luís , Engelborghs Sebastiaan , Bertram Lars , Lovestone Simon , Streffer Johannes , Vos Stephanie , Bos Isabelle ,   The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), Blennow Kaj , Scheltens Philip , Teunissen Charlotte E , Zetterberg Henrik , Visser Pieter Jelle
Published: September 2020

Alzheimer’s disease is biologically heterogeneous, and detailed understanding of the processes involved in patients is critical for development of treatments. CSF contains hundreds of proteins, with concentrations reflecting ongoing (patho)physiological processes. This provides the opportunity to study many biological processes at the same time in patients. We studied whether Alzheimer’s disease biological subtypes can be detected in CSF proteomics using the dual clustering technique non-negative matrix factorization. In two independent cohorts (EMIF-AD MBD and ADNI) we found that 705 (77% of 911 tested) proteins differed between Alzheimer’s disease (defined as having abnormal amyloid, n = 425) and controls (defined as having normal CSF amyloid and tau and normal cognition, n = 127). Using these proteins for data-driven clustering, we identified three robust pathophysiological Alzheimer’s disease subtypes within each cohort showing (i) hyperplasticity and increased BACE1 levels; (ii) innate immune activation; and (iii) blood–brain barrier dysfunction with low BACE1 levels. In both cohorts, the majority of individuals were labelled as having subtype 1 (80, 36% in EMIF-AD MBD; 117, 59% in ADNI), 71 (32%) in EMIF-AD MBD and 41 (21%) in ADNI were labelled as subtype 2, and 72 (32%) in EMIF-AD MBD and 39 (20%) individuals in ADNI were labelled as subtype 3. Genetic analyses showed that all subtypes had an excess of genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease (all P > 0.01). Additional pathological comparisons that were available for a subset in ADNI suggested that subtypes showed similar severity of Alzheimer’s disease pathology, and did not differ in the frequencies of co-pathologies, providing further support that found subtypes truly reflect Alzheimer’s disease heterogeneity. Compared to controls, all non-demented Alzheimer’s disease individuals had increased risk of showing clinical progression (all P < 0.01). Compared to subtype 1, subtype 2 showed faster clinical progression after correcting for age, sex, level of education and tau levels (hazard ratio = 2.5; 95% confidence interval = 1.2, 5.1; P = 0.01), and subtype 3 at trend level (hazard ratio = 2.1; 95% confidence interval = 1.0, 4.4; P = 0.06). Together, these results demonstrate the value of CSF proteomics in studying the biological heterogeneity in Alzheimer’s disease patients, and suggest that subtypes may require tailored therapy.
Surveying Chemosensory Dysfunction in COVID-19
Authors: Green Barry G
Published: September 2020

Soon after the outbreak of COVID-19, reports that smell and taste are disrupted by the illness drew the attention of chemosensory scientists and clinicians throughout the world. While other upper respiratory viruses are known to produce such disruptions, their occurrence with the deadly and highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus raised new questions about the nature of the deficits, their cause, and whether they might serve as indicators of the onset of the disease. Published in the July and August 2020 issues of Chemical Senses are 2 innovative, large-scale survey studies that were quickly devised and launched by separate multinational groups to address these questions in olfaction, taste, and chemesthesis. The surveys, which took different approaches and had somewhat different goals, add significant new data on the incidence and severity of smell loss in COVID-19, and the potential for olfactory dysfunction to serve as an indicator of the spread and severity of the disease. Less definitive evidence of the frequency, characteristics, and magnitude of disruptions in taste and chemesthesis point to the need for future survey studies that combine and refine the strengths of the present ones, as well as clinical studies designed to selectively measure deficits in all 3 chemosensory systems.
Central Nervous System Safety During Brief Analytic Treatment Interruption of Antiretroviral Therapy Within 4 Human Immunodeficiency Virus Remission Trials: An Observational Study in Acutely Treated People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Hellmuth Joanna , Muccini Camilla , Colby Donn J , Kroon Eugène , de Souza Mark , Crowell Trevor A , Chan Phillip , Sacdalan Carlo , Intasan Jintana , Benjapornpong Khunthalee , Tipsuk Somporn , Puttamaswin Suwanna , Chomchey Nitiya , Valcour Victor , Sarnecki Michal , Tomaka Frank , Krebs Shelly J , Slike Bonnie M , Jagodzinski Linda L , Dumrongpisutikul Netsiri , Sailasuta Napapon , Samboju Vishal , Michael Nelson L , Robb Merlin L , Vasan Sandhya , Ananworanich Jintanat , Phanuphak Praphan , Phanuphak Nittaya , Paul Robert , Spudich Serena
Published: September 2020

Background

The central nervous system (CNS) is a likely reservoir of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), vulnerable to viral rebound, inflammation, and clinical changes upon stopping antiretroviral therapy (ART). It is critical to evaluate the CNS safety of studies using analytic treatment interruption (ATI) to assess HIV remission.

Methods

Thirty participants who started ART during acute HIV infection underwent CNS assessments across 4 ATI remission trials. ART resumption occurred with plasma viral load >1000 copies/mL. CNS measures included paired pre- vs post-ATI measures of mood, cognitive performance, and neurologic examination, with elective cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling, brain diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

Results

Median participant age was 30 years old and 29/30 were male. Participants’ median time on ART before ATI was 3 years, and ATI lasted a median of 35 days. Post-ATI, there were no differences in median mood scores or neurologic findings and cognitive performance improved modestly. During ATI, a low level of CSF HIV-1 RNA was detectable in 6 of 20 participants with plasma viremia, with no group changes in CSF immune activation markers or brain DTI measures. Mild worsening was identified in post-ATI basal ganglia total choline MRS, suggesting an alteration in neuronal membranes.

Conclusion

No adverse CNS effects were observed with brief, closely monitored ATI in participants with acutely treated HIV, except an MRS alteration in basal ganglia choline. Further studies are needed to assess CNS ATI safety in HIV remission trials, particularly for studies using higher thresholds to restart ART and longer ATI durations.
Social Disadvantage, Politics, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Trends: A County-level Analysis of United States Data
Authors: Mourad Ahmad , Turner Nicholas A , Baker Arthur W , Okeke Nwora Lance , Narayanasamy Shanti , Rolfe Robert , Engemann John J , Cox Gary M , Stout Jason E
Published: September 2020

Background

Understanding the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is essential for public health control efforts. Social, demographic, and political characteristics at the United States (US) county level might be associated with changes in SARS-CoV-2 case incidence.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of the relationship between the change in reported SARS-CoV-2 case counts at the US county level during 1 June–30 June 2020 and social, demographic, and political characteristics of the county.

Results

Of 3142 US counties, 1023 were included in the analysis: 678 (66.3%) had increasing and 345 (33.7%) nonincreasing SARS-CoV-2 case counts between 1 June and 30 June 2020. In bivariate analysis, counties with increasing case counts had a significantly higher Social Deprivation Index (median, 48 [interquartile range {IQR}, 24–72]) than counties with nonincreasing case counts (median, 40 [IQR, 19–66]; P = .009). Counties with increasing case counts were significantly more likely to be metropolitan areas of 250 000–1 million population (P < .001), to have a higher percentage of black residents (9% vs 6%; P = .013), and to have voted for the Republican presidential candidate in 2016 by a ≥10-point margin (P = .044). In the multivariable model, metropolitan areas of 250 000–1 million population, higher percentage of black residents, and a ≥10-point Republican victory were independently associated with increasing case counts.

Conclusions

Increasing case counts of SARS-CoV-2 in the US during June 2020 were associated with a combination of sociodemographic and political factors. Addressing social disadvantage and differential belief systems that may correspond with political alignment will play a critical role in pandemic control.
Analysis on the Component Connectivity of Enhanced Hypercubes
Authors: Xu Liqiong , Guo Litao
Published: September 2020

Reliability evaluation of interconnection networks is of significant importance to the design and maintenance of interconnection networks. The component connectivity is an important parameter for the reliability evaluation of interconnection networks and is a generalization of the traditional connectivity. The $g$-component connectivity $c\kappa _g (G)$ of a non-complete connected graph $G$ is the minimum number of vertices whose deletion results in a graph with at least $g$ components. Determining the $g$-component connectivity is still an unsolved problem in many interconnection networks. Let $Q_{n,k}$ ($1\leq k\leq n-1$) denote the $(n, k)$-enhanced hypercube. In this paper, let $n\geq 7$ and $1\leq k \leq n-5$, we determine $c\kappa _{g}(Q_{n,k}) = g(n + 1) - \frac{1}{2}g(g + 1) + 1$ for $2 \leq g \leq n$. The previous result in Zhao and Yang (2019, Conditional connectivity of folded hypercubes. Discret. Appl. Math., 257, 388–392) is extended.
Honeycomb-like structure in spontaneous recanalized coronary thrombus demonstrated by serial angiograms: a case report
Authors: Kahata Mitsuru , Satomi Natsuko , Otsuka Masato , Ishii Yasuhiro
Published: September 2020

Background

The honeycomb-like structure (HLS) is a rare cause of myocardial ischaemia characterized by multiple communicating channels divided by thin septa. The aetiology of this specific structure remains speculative.

Case summary

A 55-year-old man was admitted due to worsening effort angina during the previous 2 months. Diagnostic coronary angiography revealed occlusion of the distal right coronary artery (RCA) with good collateral flow from the left coronary artery. We considered this lesion as a recent total occlusion, and planned a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). At the time of PCI, 7 days after admission, an angiogram showed a spontaneous recanalization of the occlusive RCA. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) depicted a HLS at the recanalized lesion, including atherosclerotic stenosis. We managed these lesions with drug-eluting stents.

Discussion

A recanalized thrombus may manifest as a HLS. In this case, the patient suffered from worsening effort angina during the previous 2 months, we confirmed a spontaneous recanalization of the occluded coronary lesion by serial angiographic images, and observed HLS adjacent to the atherosclerotic attenuated plaque by using high-resolution IVUS. Recanalized organizing thrombus is considered an entity of HLS. However, all previous studies on the HLS in vivo have detected the structure in an already recanalized state. Therefore, the aetiology remained speculative and evidence has been indirect. This present case demonstrates that recanalized atherosclerotic thrombosis might be one of the causes of HLS.
A case report of generalized lymphangiomatosis with chylopericardium: the crucial role of magnetic resonance lymphangiography
Authors: Mi Honglan , Chi Jiachang , Zhao Xiaojing , Lu Qing
Published: September 2020

Background

Chylopericardium due to generalized lymphangiomatosis is a rare clinical entity. Its aetiology and treatment remain unclear.

Case summary

We report one case of a 51-year-old man who was diagnosed with generalized lymphangiomatosis with idiopathic chylopericardium by bilateral inguinal intranodal contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance lymphangiography. Magnetic resonance lymphangiography demonstrated abnormal communications between the pericardial sac and the thoracic duct. The patient with idiopathic chylopericardium was therefore successfully treated by exclusive surgical ligation of the abnormal communications and partial pericardiectomy by thoracotomy. The patient’s postoperative recovery was uneventful, and no recurrence of pericardial effusion occurred during the 13-month follow-up.

Discussion

Magnetic resonance lymphangiography showed a good capability for evaluating the extent of generalized lymphangiomatosis and therefore is helpful for delineating the anatomy of the thoracic duct and identifying chyle leakage and abnormal communications between the thoracic duct and the pericardial sac. This makes a simple ligature of the abnormal communications, instead of thoracic duct mass ligation possible in the treatment of chylopericardium.
‘Something new and different’: student perceptions of content and language integrated learning
Authors: Mahan Karina Rose , Norheim Helga
Published: September 2020

Content and language integrated learning (CLIL) is a growing field, but we have limited knowledge of how students actually experience CLIL teaching. This study examines why students choose CLIL programmes, how they perceive them, and how they assess their science teaching in English L2. Students from two Norwegian CLIL 11th-grade classes (N = 50) answered two questionnaires. The results revealed that students primarily chose CLIL programmes because they view English as a key factor to success in their studies and their future work lives. The pros included improving English, classroom environment, and motivation, and the cons were the diminished role of L1, school environment, and cognitive difficulties in learning through L2. Students were satisfied, noting that their teachers clarified the material and often conferred with and challenged them. However, students lacked the freedom to create their own tasks and felt that L1 needed to be more clearly integrated into the teaching.
Midlife blood pressure is associated with the severity of white matter hyperintensities: analysis of the UK Biobank cohort study
Authors: Wartolowska Karolina Agnieszka , Webb Alastair John Stewart
Published: September 2020

Aims

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) progress with age and hypertension, but the key period of exposure to elevated blood pressure (BP), and the relative role of systolic BP (SBP) vs. diastolic BP (DBP), remains unclear. This study aims to determine the relationship between WMH and concurrent vs. past BP. 

Methods and results 

UK Biobank is a prospective community-based cohort of 40–69-year olds from 22 centres, with magnetic resonance imaging in a subgroup of over 40 000 people at 4–12 years after baseline assessment. Standardized associations between WMH load (WMH volume normalized by total white matter volume and logit-transformed) and concurrent vs. past BP were determined using linear models, adjusted for age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, BP source, assessment centre, and time since baseline. Associations adjusted for regression dilution bias were determined between median WMH and usual SBP or DBP, stratified by age and baseline BP.

In 37 041 eligible participants with WMH data and BP measures, WMH were more strongly associated with concurrent SBP [DBP: β = 0.064, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.050–0.078; SBP: β = 0.076, 95% CI 0.062–0.090], but the strongest association was for past DBP (DBP: β = 0.087, 95% CI 0.064–0.109; SBP: β = 0.045, 95% CI 0.022–0.069), particularly under the age of 50 (DBP: β = 0.103, 95% CI 0.055–0.152; SBP: β = 0.012, 95% CI −0.044 to 0.069). Due to the higher prevalence of elevated SBP, median WMH increased 1.126 (95% CI 1.107–1.146) per 10 mmHg usual SBP and 1.106 (95% CI 1.090–1.122) per 5 mmHg usual DBP, whilst the population attributable fraction of WMH in the top decile was greater for elevated SBP (19.1% for concurrent SBP; 24.4% for past SBP). Any increase in BP, even below 140 for SBP and below 90 mmHg for DBP, and especially if requiring antihypertensive medication, was associated with increased WMH.

Conclusions

WMH were strongly associated with concurrent and past elevated BP with the population burden of severe WMH greatest for SBP. However, before the age of 50, DBP was more strongly associated with WMH. Long-term prevention of WMH may require control of even mildly elevated midlife DBP.
Long-term cardiovascular disease mortality among 160 834 5-year survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer: an American population-based cohort study
Authors: Wang Lai , Wang Fengjiao , Chen Lianyu , Geng Yawen , Yu Shulin , Chen Zhen
Published: September 2020

Aims 

Our aim was to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in US 5-year survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer compared with those of the general population and contemporaneous 5-year survivors of childhood cancer.

Methods and results 

A total of 160 834 5-year AYA cancer survivors (aged 15–39 years at diagnosis) were included, representing 2 239 390 person-years of follow-up. Overall, 2910 CVD deaths occurred, which was 1.4-fold [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3–1.4] that expected in the general population, corresponding to 3.6 (95% CI 3.2–3.9) excess CVD deaths per 10 000 person-years. The highest risk of cardiac mortality was experienced after Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL), and the highest risk of cerebrovascular mortality was observed with central nervous system (CNS) tumours. Even survivors in their 6th and 7th decades of life, the risk of CVD mortality remained markedly higher than that of the matched general population. Competing risk analysis showed that the cumulative mortality of CVD was elevated among AYA cancer survivors compared with childhood cancer survivors during the whole study period.

Conclusion 

Long-term AYA cancer survivors have a greater risk of CVD mortality than the US general population and childhood cancer survivors. Vulnerable subgroups, especially survivors of HL and CNS tumours, require continued close follow-up care for cardiovascular conditions throughout survivorship.
The unfolded protein response in Pichia pastoris without external stressing stimuli
Authors: Fauzee Yasmin Nabilah Binti Mohd , Taniguchi Naoki , Ishiwata-Kimata Yuki , Takagi Hiroshi , Kimata Yukio
Published: September 2020

Dysfunction or capacity shortage of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is cumulatively called ER stress and provokes the unfolded protein response (UPR). In various yeast species, the ER-located transmembrane protein Ire1 is activated upon ER stress and performs the splicing reaction of HAC1 mRNA, the mature form of which is translated into a transcription factor protein that is responsible for the transcriptome change on the UPR. Here we carefully assessed the splicing of HAC1 mRNA in Pichia pastoris (Komagataella phaffii) cells. We found that, inconsistent with previous reports by others, the HAC1 mRNA was substantially, but partially, spliced even without ER-stressing stimuli. Unlike Saccharomyces cerevisiae, growth of P. pastoris was significantly retarded by the IRE1-gene knockout mutation. Moreover, P. pastoris cells seemed to push more abundant proteins into the secretory pathway than S. cerevisiae cells. We also suggest that P. pastoris Ire1 has the ability to control its activity stringently in an ER stress-dependent manner. We thus propose that P. pastoris cells are highly ER-stressed possibly because of the high load of endogenous proteins into the ER.