bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical emission intensity overshoot and electron heating mechanisms during the re-ignition of pulsed capacitively coupled Ar plasmas
Authors: Hernandez Keith , Press Alex , Goeckner Matthew J. , Overzet Lawrence J.
Published: March 2021

Phase resolved optical emission spectroscopy (PROES) measurements were combined with measurements of the optical emission intensity (OEI) and electrical characteristics (RF current and voltage, power, and DC bias voltage) as a function of time during the re-ignition of Ar plasmas pulsed at 100 Hz and 10 kHz. The OEI exhibits a large overshoot at the 100 Hz pulsing rate even though no such overshoot is present in any of the electrical characteristics. The OEI overshoot occurs at a point in time when the RF power, voltage, DC bias voltage, and electron density are all smaller than they become later in the glow. PROES measurements in combination with the time resolved electrical characteristics indicate that the heating mechanism for the electrons changes during the time of the overshoot in the OEI from stochastic heating to a combination of stochastic and ohmic heating. This combination appears to enable a more efficient transfer of the electrical energy into the electrons.
Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposited indium oxide film using a novel dimethylbutylamino-trimethylindium precursor for thin film transistors
Authors: Choi Su-Hwan , Jeong Hyun-Jun , Hong TaeHyun , Na Yong Hwan , Park Chi Kwon , Lim Myung Yong , Jeong Seong Hoon , Lim Jun Hyung , Park Jin-Seong
Published: March 2021

In this study, plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposited indium oxide (InOx) films were analyzed using a new [dimethylbutylamino]trimethylindium (DATI) liquid precursor and Ar/O2 plasma. The growth property using the DATI precursor, such as growth per cycle, is relatively higher (≥1.0 Å/cycle) than other precursors even in low deposition temperatures (100–250 °C). In addition, impurities (C and N) in the thin films were below the XPS detection limit. Because the number of oxygen vacancies that generate carriers in the InOx thin films increased with the deposition temperature, the carrier concentration (2.7 × 1018–1.4 × 1019 cm−3) and Hall mobility (0.3–1.1 cm2/V s) of the InOx thin film were increased. InOx channel based staggered bottom gate structure thin film transistors (TFTs) were fabricated, and their switching performance were studied. Because the InOx films were deposited with high purity, the electrical properties of TFTs show superior switching performance in terms of saturation mobility (17.5 cm2/V s) and Ion/Ioff ratio (2.9 × 109). Consequently, InOx films deposited with DATI have the potential to be widely used in indium oxide semiconductors, especially backplane TFTs.
Isolated Leucine and Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation for Enhancing Muscular Strength and Hypertrophy: A Narrative Review
Authors: Plotkin Daniel L. , Delcastillo Kenneth , Van Every Derrick W. , Tipton Kevin D. , Aragon Alan A. , Schoenfeld Brad J.
Published: March 2021

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are one of the most popular sports supplements, marketed under the premise that they enhance muscular adaptations. Despite their prevalent consumption among athletes and the general public, the efficacy of BCAA has been an ongoing source of controversy in the sports nutrition field. Early support for BCAA supplementation was derived from extrapolation of mechanistic data on their role in muscle protein metabolism. Of the three BCAA, leucine has received the most attention because of its ability to stimulate the initial acute anabolic response. However, a substantial body of both acute and longitudinal research has now accumulated on the topic, affording the ability to scrutinize the effects of BCAA and leucine from a practical standpoint. This article aims to critically review the current literature and draw evidence-based conclusions about the putative benefits of BCAA or leucine supplementation on muscle strength and hypertrophy as well as illuminate gaps in the literature that warrant future study.
Physical Activity and the Menstrual Cycle: A Mixed-Methods Study of Women’s Experiences
Authors: Kolić Petra V. , Sims David T. , Hicks Kirsty , Thomas Laura , Morse Christopher I.
Published: March 2021

The menstrual cycle is an important biological process in women that is associated with a range of physical symptoms, which can shape how women think, feel, and participate in activities of daily life. This study employed a mixed-methods design to investigate adult women’s physical activity throughout the menstrual cycle. One hundred and twenty-eight participants completed an online questionnaire that explored events of the menstrual cycle (e.g., bleeding, pain, fatigue) and physical activity. Semistructured interviews with 21 questionnaire respondents unpacked individual experiences of physical activity throughout the menstrual cycle. From the questionnaire data, 44 participants were categorized as avoiders and 84 as nonavoiders of physical activity due to menstrual events. Avoiders of physical activity reported longer periods, heavier menstrual flow, and higher levels of fatigue and pain compared with nonavoiders. Interviews revealed that avoidance of physical activity ranged from complete avoidance to adaptation (e.g., types of exercise). Reasons for avoidance and adaptation of physical activity included menstrual symptoms, personal thoughts, and concerns about other people’s views of the period. The present study findings emphasize the importance of not only evaluating prevalent physical symptoms, but also unpacking women’s individual perspectives and established societal norms to better understand and normalize physical activity throughout the menstrual cycle.
A clarified typology of core-periphery structure in networks
Authors: Gallagher Ryan J. , Young Jean-Gabriel , Welles Brooke Foucault
Published: March 2021

We introduce a new typology and corresponding statistical models for characterizing the core-periphery structure of networks.
Optimal anchoring of a foldamer inhibitor of ASF1 histone chaperone through backbone plasticity
Authors: Mbianda Johanne , Bakail May , André Christophe , Moal Gwenaëlle , Perrin Marie E. , Pinna Guillaume , Guerois Raphaël , Becher Francois , Legrand Pierre , Traoré Seydou , Douat Céline , Guichard Gilles , Ochsenbein Françoise
Published: March 2021

Structural analysis reveals how critical foldamer backbone plasticity is for optimal interaction with the target protein surface.
Massive clonal expansion of polycytotoxic skin and blood CD8
+
T cells in patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis
Authors: Villani Axel Patrice , Rozieres Aurore , Bensaid Benoît , Eriksson Klara Kristin , Mosnier Amandine , Albert Floriane , Mutez Virginie , Brassard Océane , Baysal Tugba , Tardieu Mathilde , Allatif Omran , Fusil Floriane , Andrieu Thibault , Jullien Denis , Dubois Valérie , Giannoli Catherine , Gruffat Henri , Pallardy Marc , Cosset François-Loïc , Nosbaum Audrey , Kanagawa Osami , Maryanski Janet L. , Yerly Daniel , Nicolas Jean-François , Vocanson Marc
Published: March 2021

This study highlights the key role of polycytotoxic CD8
+
T cells in the severity of toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Mutual anticipation can contribute to self-organization in human crowds
Authors: Murakami Hisashi , Feliciani Claudio , Nishiyama Yuta , Nishinari Katsuhiro
Published: March 2021

Mutual anticipation between pedestrians facilitates efficient transition to ordered flow of movement in human crowds.
Breast cancer–secreted factors perturb murine bone growth in regions prone to metastasis
Authors: Chiou Aaron E. , Liu Chuang , Moreno-Jiménez Inés , Tang Tengteng , Wagermaier Wolfgang , Dean Mason N. , Fischbach Claudia , Fratzl Peter
Published: March 2021

A correlative materials analysis approach reveals perturbed bone growth in a mouse model of premetastatic breast cancer.
Multicolor three-photon fluorescence imaging with single-wavelength excitation deep in mouse brain
Authors: Hontani Yusaku , Xia Fei , Xu Chris
Published: March 2021

A new three-photon excitation scheme enables multicolor three-photon imaging deep in mouse brain with single-wavelength excitation.
Strongly correlated superconductivity in a copper-based metal-organic framework with a perfect kagome lattice
Authors: Takenaka T. , Ishihara K. , Roppongi M. , Miao Y. , Mizukami Y. , Makita T. , Tsurumi J. , Watanabe S. , Takeya J. , Yamashita M. , Torizuka K. , Uwatoko Y. , Sasaki T. , Huang X. , Xu W. , Zhu D. , Su N. , Cheng J.-G. , Shibauchi T. , Hashimoto K.
Published: March 2021

A metal-organic framework with a perfect kagome lattice exhibits strongly correlated unconventional superconductivity.
Severe violations of independence in response inhibition tasks
Authors: Bissett Patrick G. , Jones Henry M. , Poldrack Russell A. , Logan Gordon D.
Published: March 2021

The keystone assumption of independence in computational models for response inhibition is severely violated.
Resident memory T cells form during persistent antigen exposure leading to allograft rejection
Authors: Abou-Daya Khodor I. , Tieu Roger , Zhao Daqiang , Rammal Rayan , Sacirbegovic Faruk , Williams Amanda L. , Shlomchik Warren D. , Oberbarnscheidt Martin H. , Lakkis Fadi G.
Published: March 2021

Recipient effector T cells differentiate into functional tissue-resident memory T cells, causing graft rejection after kidney transplantation.
Citrullinated vimentin mediates development and progression of lung fibrosis
Authors: Li Fu Jun , Surolia Ranu , Li Huashi , Wang Zheng , Liu Gang , Kulkarni Tejaswini , Massicano Adriana V. F. , Mobley James A. , Mondal Santanu , de Andrade Joao A. , Coonrod Scott A. , Thompson Paul R. , Wille Keith , Lapi Suzanne E. , Athar Mohammad , Thannickal Victor J. , Carter A. Brent , Antony Veena B.
Published: March 2021

Cd/CB-induced citrullinated vimentin promotes PAD2- and TLR4-dependent lung fibrosis.
Graft-derived extracellular vesicles transported across subcapsular sinus macrophages elicit B cell alloimmunity after transplantation
Authors: Zeng Furong , Chen Zhizhao , Chen Rao , Shufesky William J. , Bandyopadhyay Mohna , Camirand Geoffrey , Oberbarnscheidt Martin H. , Sullivan Mara L. G. , Baty Catherine J. , Yang Mu-qing , Calderon Michel , Stolz Donna Beer , Erdos Geza , Pelanda Roberta , Brennan Todd V. , Catz Sergio D. , Watkins Simon C. , Larregina Adriana T. , Morelli Adrian E.
Published: March 2021

B cell sensitization to allografts is promoted by graft-derived extracellular vesicles concentrated by specialized macrophages in lymphoid tissues.
Ibrexafungerp Demonstrates
In Vitro
Activity against Fluconazole-Resistant Candida auris and
In Vivo
Efficacy with Delayed Initiation of Therapy in an Experimental Model of Invasive Candidiasis
Authors: Wiederhold Nathan P. , Najvar Laura K. , Olivo Marcos , Morris Kelsey N. , Patterson Hoja P. , Catano Gabriel , Patterson Thomas F.
Published: March 2021

Candida auris
is an emerging pathogen that has rapidly spread to many countries on multiple continents. Invasive infections caused by this species are associated with significant mortality, and treatment options are limited due to antifungal resistance.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Prazosin-Degrading
Bacillus
sp. Strain PR5, Isolated from a River Receiving Hospital and Urban Wastewater in Malaysia
Authors: Ahmad Sabri Nurul Syazwani , Mohd Mohsi Nur’Aqilah Farhanah , Apandi Atiqqoh , Yusof Nurtasbiyah , Megat Mohd Noor Megat Johari , Md Akhir Fazrena Nadia , Sugiura Norio , Utsumi Motoo , Othman Nor’azizi , Zakaria Zuriati , Hara Hirofumi
Published: March 2021

We report the complete genome sequence of
Bacillus
sp. strain PR5, isolated from a river receiving hospital and urban wastewater in Malaysia, which demonstrated a high capability for degrading prazosin. This genome sequence of 4,525,264 bp exhibited 41.5% GC content, 4,402 coding sequences, and 32 RNAs.
Draft Genome Sequence of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium
Burkholderia
sp. Strain USMB20, Isolated from Nodules of
Mucuna bracteata
Authors: Aziz Nurohaida Ab , Shaffie Salwani , Rahman Ahmad Yamin Abdul , Hokchai Yam , Najimudin Nazalan , Ghazali Amir Hamzah Ahmad
Published: March 2021

Burkholderia
sp. strain USMB20 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium that was isolated from nodules of the leguminous cover crop
Mucuna bracteata.
The draft genome sequence of
Burkholderia
sp. strain USMB20 has an assembly size of 7.7 Mbp in 26 contigs, with a GC content of 66.88%.
The role of slab geometry in the exhumation of cordilleran-type orogens and their forelands: Insights from northern Patagonia
Authors: Genge Marie C. , Zattin Massimiliano , Savignano Elisa , Franchini Marta , Gautheron Cécile , Ramos Victor A. , Mazzoli Stefano
Published: March 2021

In cordilleran-type orogens, subduction geometry exerts a fundamental control on the tectonic behavior of the overriding plate. An integrated low-temperature, large thermochronological data set is used in this study to investigate the burial and exhumation history of the overriding plate in northern Patagonia (40°–45°S). Thermal inverse modeling allowed us to establish that a ∼2.5–4-km-thick section originally overlaid the Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous successions deposited in half-graben systems that are presently exposed in the foreland. Removal of the sedimentary cover started in the late Early Cretaceous. This was coeval with an increase of the convergence rate and a switch to a westward absolute motion of the South American Plate that was accompanied by shallowing of the subducting slab. Unroofing was probably further enhanced by Late Cretaceous to early Paleogene opening of a slab window beneath the overriding plate. Following a tectonically quiescent period, renewed exhumation occurred in the orogen during relatively fast Neogene plate convergence. However, even the highly sensitive apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronometer does not record any coeval cooling in the foreland. The comparison between Late Cretaceous and Neogene exhumation patterns provides clear evidence of the fundamental role played by inter-plate coupling associated with shallow slab configurations in controlling plate-scale deformation. Our results, besides highlighting for the first time how the whole northern Patagonia foreland was affected by an exhumation of several kilometers since the Late Cretaceous, provide unrivalled evidence of the link between deep geodynamic processes affecting the slab and the modes and timing of unroofing of different sectors of the overriding plate.
Supplemental Material: Generation of Cretaceous high-silica granite by complementary crystal accumulation and silicic melt extraction in the coastal region of southeastern China
Authors: Chen Jing-Yuan , al. et
Published: March 2021

Table S1: Zircon Cameca 1280 U-Pb data for the granitic rocks from SE Fujian, coastal area of SE China; Table S2: LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb data for the granitic rocks from SE Fujian, coastal area of SE China; Table S3: Major and trace elements of the granitic rocks from SE Fujian, coastal area of SE China; Table S4: Whole-rock Sm-Nd isotopic data of the granitic rocks from SE Fujian, coastal area of SE China; Table S5: Whole-rock Lu-Hf isotopic data of the granitic rocks from SE Fujian, coastal area of SE China; Table S6: Zircon Hf-O isotopic data of the granitic rocks from SE Fujian, coastal area of SE China; Table S7: Zircon trace element of the granitic rocks from SE Fujian, coastal area of SE China.
Hiatal hernia prevalence and natural history on non-contrast CT in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)
Authors: Kim Jinhye , Hiura Grant T , Oelsner Elizabeth C , Yin Xiaorui , Barr R Graham , Smith Benjamin M , Prince Martin R
Published: March 2021

Objective

To determine the prevalence, risk factors and natural history of hiatal hernia (HH) on CT in the general population.

Materials and methods

The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) acquired full-lung CT on 3200 subjects, aged 53–94 years. Three blinded observers independently determined presence/absence and type (I–IV) of HH. Associations between HH and participant characteristics were assessed via unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted relative risk regression. HH natural history was assessed compared with prior MESA CT.

Results

Excellent interobserver agreement was found for presence (κ=0.86) and type of HH (κ=0.97). Among 316 HH identified (prevalence=9.9%), 223 (71%) were type I and 93 (29%) were type III. HH prevalence increased with age, from 2.4% in 6th decade to 16.6% in 9th decade (unadjusted prevalence ratio (PR)=1.1 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.1)). HH prevalence was greater in women (12.7%) than men (7.0%) (unadjusted PR=1.8 (95% CI 1.5 to 2.3)) and associated with proton pump inhibitor use (p<0.001). In 75 participants with HH with 10-year follow-up, median HH area increased from 9.9 cm2to 17.9 cm2(p=0.02) with a higher mean body mass index (BMI) in subjects with increasing HH size compared with HH decreasing in size: mean BMI=30.2±6.2 vs 26.8±7.2 (p=0.02).

Conclusion

HH on non-contrast CT is prevalent in the general population, increasing with age, female gender and BMI. Its association with proton pump inhibitor use confirms a role in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and HH progression is associated with increased BMI.

Trial registration number

NCT00005487.
Lessons from co-production of evidence and policy in Nigeria’s COVID-19 response
Authors: Abubakar Ibrahim , Dalglish Sarah L , Ihekweazu Chikwe A , Bolu Omotayo , Aliyu Sani H
Published: March 2021

In February 2020, Nigeria faced a potentially catastrophic COVID-19 outbreak due to multiple introductions, high population density in urban slums, prevalence of other infectious diseases and poor health infrastructure. As in other countries, Nigerian policymakers had to make rapid and consequential decisions with limited understanding of transmission dynamics and the efficacy of available control measures. We present an account of the Nigerian COVID-19 response based on co-production of evidence between political decision-makers, health policymakers and academics from Nigerian and foreign institutions, an approach that allowed a multidisciplinary group to collaborate on issues arising in real time. Key aspects of the process were the central role of policymakers in determining priority areas and the coordination of multiple, sometime conflicting inputs from stakeholders to write briefing papers and inform effective national decision making. However, the co-production approach met with some challenges, including limited transparency, bureaucratic obstacles and an overly epidemiological focus on numbers of cases and deaths, arguably to the detriment of addressing social and economic effects of response measures. Larger systemic obstacles included a complex multitiered health system, fragmented decision-making structures and limited funding for implementation. Going forward, Nigeria should strengthen the integration of the national response within existing health decision bodies and implement strategies to mitigate the social and economic impact, particularly on the poorest Nigerians. The co-production of evidence examining the broader public health impact, with synthesis by multidisciplinary teams, is essential to meeting the social and public health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and other countries.
Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in underweight and obesity in 5-year-old children, 2011–2018: a population-based, repeated cross-sectional study
Authors: Stewart Ryan , Reilly John J , Hughes Adrienne , Kelly Louise A , Conway David I , Young David , Sherriff Andrea
Published: March 2021

Objective

To explore trends in prevalence and socioeconomic inequalities in underweight and obesity in 5-year-old schoolchildren in Scotland between 2011/2012 and 2017/2018.

Design

A population-based, repeated cross-sectional study.

Setting

Local authority primary schools in Scotland.

Participants

373 189 5-year-old schoolchildren in Scotland between 2011/2012 and 2017/2018.

Methodology

Trends in prevalence and inequalities in underweight and obesity were examined across seven school years (2011/2012–2017/2018) for 373 189 5-year-old schoolchildren in Scotland. Body mass index SD scores were calculated, and epidemiological cut-offs relative to the UK 1990 references categorised underweight and obesity. Slope/relative indices of inequality (SII/RII) were calculated for underweight and obesity by school year using the area-based Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Results

The prevalence of obesity rose slightly overall during the study period (9.8% in 2011/2012; 10.1% in 2017/2018). However, this masked a widening of inequalities, with children from the most deprived areas experiencing a greater risk of obesity in 2017/2018 than in 2011/2012 (risk ratio=1.14, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.25) compared with an unchanged risk in children from the least deprived areas (risk ratio=0.95, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.11). SII and RII indicate widening inequalities for obesity, with RII rising from 1.95 (95% CI 1.71 to 2.22) in 2011/2012 to 2.22 (95% CI 1.93 to 2.56) in 2017/2018. The prevalence of underweight was consistently low (compared with the UK 1990 references) and remained unchanged over the study period (1.2% in 2011/2012; 1.1% in 2017/2018), with no consistent evidence of social patterning over time.

Conclusions

Inequalities in obesity in schoolchildren in Scotland are large and have widened from 2011, despite only a slight rise in overall prevalence. In contrast there has been little change in underweight prevalence or inequalities during the study period. Extra resources for policy implementation and measures which do not widen inequalities and focus on reaching the most deprived children are required to tackle the high prevalence and growing inequalities in childhood obesity in Scotland.
Mentors’ perspectives on strengths and weaknesses of a novel clinical mentorship programme in Rwanda: a qualitative study
Authors: Uwisanze Sandrine , Ngabonzima Anaclet , Bazirete Oliva , Hategeka Celestin , Kenyon Cynthia , Asingizwe Domina , Kanazayire Clementine , Cechetto David
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To identify mentors’ perspectives on strengths and weaknesses of the Training, Support and Access Model for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (TSAM-MNCH) clinical mentorship programme in Rwandan district hospitals. Understanding the perspectives of mentors involved in this programme can aid in the improvement of its implementation.

Design

The study used a qualitative approach with in-depth interviews.

Setting

Mentors of TSAM-MNCH clinical mentorship programme mentoring health professionals at district hospitals of Rwanda.

Participants

14 TSAM mentors who had at least completed six mentorship visits on a regular basis in three selected district hospitals.

Results

Mentors’ accounts demonstrated an appreciation of the two mentoring structures which are interprofessional collaboration and training. These structures are highlighted as the strengths of the mentoring programme and they play a significant role in the successful implementation of the mentorship model. Inconsistency of mentoring activities and lack of resources emerged as major weaknesses of the clinical mentorship programme which could hinder the effectiveness of the mentoring scheme.

Conclusion

The findings of this study highlight the strengths and weaknesses perceived by mentors of the TSAM-MNCH clinical mentorship programme, providing insights that can be used to improve its implementation. The study represents unique TSAM-MNCH structural settings, but its findings shed light on Rwandan health system issues that need to be further addressed to ensure better quality of care for mothers, newborns and children.
How does the situation before a tackle influence a tackler’s head placement in rugby union?: application of the decision tree analysis
Authors: Suzuki Keita , Nagai Satoshi , Iwai Koichi , Furukawa Takuo , Takemura Masahiro
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Tacklers need to decide where to place their head based on the evasive manoeuvres of the ball-carrier and positional relationship with the ball-carrier before tackle. Therefore, it is difficult for tacklers to improve incorrect head placement at the moment of contact. Moreover, the characteristics prior to tackle have a relationship with the tackler’s head placement. However, how situations lead to incorrect head placement remains unknown. The aim of this study was to identify pre-contact situations that lead to incorrect head placement by using decision tree analysis.

Methods

Tackles leading to concussions were used to identify events that provoked injury using the video recordings of matches. Injury-free tackle was used as a control. All tackles were classified according to head placements and coded from seven pre-contact factors configured aspect of both tacklers and ball-carriers.

Results

Three situations that led to incorrect head placement were identified. Evasive manoeuvres implemented by the ball-carrier significantly contributed to the head placement at the time of contact.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that tacklers should keep their heads up to identify the movements of the ball-carrier, which might lead to tackling the head on the correct side at the moment of tackling and decrease the risk of tackler-related concussions.
Extreme opioid-induced constipation in advanced cancer: successful management
Authors: Mercadante Sebastiano , Gueci Marina
Published: March 2021

Unrecognised and untreated constipation may be a serious risk for complications, including definitive obstruction due to faecal impact or perforation due to the hypertensive intraluminal state. An intensive approach in an acute supportive palliative care unit may resolve the clinical picture allowing the resumption of intestinal transit in a short period of time.
Abstracts from international emergency medicine journals
Authors: Production EMJ
Published: March 2021

Editor’s note: EMJ has partnered with the journals of multiple international emergency medicine societies to share from each a highlighted research study, as selected by their editors. This edition will feature an abstract from each publication.
Melatonin may decrease risk for and aid treatment of COVID-19 and other RNA viral infections
Authors: DiNicolantonio James J , McCarty Mark , Barroso-Aranda Jorge
Published: March 2021

A recent retrospective study has provided evidence that COVID-19 infection may be notably less common in those using supplemental melatonin. It is suggested that this phenomenon may reflect the fact that, via induction of silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1), melatonin can upregulate K63 polyubiquitination of the mitochondrial antiviral-signalling protein, thereby boosting virally mediated induction of type 1 interferons. Moreover, Sirt1 may enhance the antiviral efficacy of type 1 interferons by preventing hyperacetylation of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), enabling its retention in the nucleus, where it promotes transcription of interferon-inducible genes. This nuclear retention of HMGB1 may also be a mediator of the anti-inflammatory effect of melatonin therapy in COVID-19—complementing melatonin’s suppression of nuclear factor kappa B activity and upregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2. If these speculations are correct, a nutraceutical regimen including vitamin D, zinc and melatonin supplementation may have general utility for the prevention and treatment of RNA virus infections, such as COVID-19 and influenza.
The effects of 3 weeks of oral glutathione supplementation on whole body insulin sensitivity in obese males with and without type 2 diabetes: a randomized trial
Authors: Søndergård Stine D. , Cintin Ida , Kuhlman Anja B. , Morville Thomas H. , Bergmann Marie Louise , Kjær Laura K. , Poulsen Henrik E. , Giustarini Daniela , Rossi Ranieri , Dela Flemming , Helge Jørn W. , Larsen Steen
Published: March 2021

The effect of oral glutathione (GSH) supplementation was studied in obese subjects with and without type 2 diabetes (T2DM) on measures of glucose homeostasis and markers of oxidative stress. Twenty subjects (10 patients with T2DM and 10 obese subjects) were recruited for the study, and randomized in a double-blinded placebo-controlled manner to consume either 1000 mg GSH per day or placebo for 3 weeks. Before and after the 3 weeks insulin sensitivity was measured with the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and a muscle biopsy was obtained to measure GSH and skeletal muscle mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) emission rate. Whole body insulin sensitivity increased significantly in the GSH group. Skeletal muscle GSH was numerically increased (∼19%) in the GSH group; no change was seen in GSH to glutathione disulfide ratio. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial H2O2 emission rate did not change in response to the intervention and neither did the urinary excretion of the RNA oxidation product 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine or the DNA oxidation product 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), although 8-oxodG decreased as a main effect of time. Oral GSH supplementation improves insulin sensitivity in obese subjects with and without T2DM, although it does not alter markers of oxidative stress. The study has been registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02948673).

Novelty: Reduced glutathione supplementation increases insulin sensitivity in obese subjects with and without T2DM. H2O2 emission rate from skeletal muscle mitochondria was not affected by GSH supplementation.
The history of LHCb
Authors: Belyaev I. , Carboni G. , Harnew N. , Matteuzzi C. , Teubert F.
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we describe the history of the LHCb experiment over the last three decades, and its remarkable successes and achievements. LHCb was conceived primarily as a $${b} $$
b
-physics experiment, dedicated to $$CP$$

CP

violation studies and measurements of very rare $${{b}} $$
b
decays; however, the tremendous potential for $${c} $$
c
-physics was also clear. At first data taking, the versatility of the experiment as a general-purpose detector in the forward region also became evident, with measurements achievable such as electroweak physics, jets and new particle searches in open states. These were facilitated by the excellent capability of the detector to identify muons and to reconstruct decay vertices close to the primary $${{p}} {{p}} $$

pp

 interaction region. By the end of the LHC Run 2 in 2018, before the accelerator paused for its second long shut down, LHCb had measured the CKM quark mixing matrix elements and $$CP$$

CP

violation parameters to world-leading precision in the heavy-quark systems. The experiment had also measured many rare decays of $${b} $$
b
 and $${c} $$
c
 quark mesons and baryons to below their Standard Model expectations, some down to branching ratios of order 10$$^{-9}$$

-
9

. In addition, world knowledge of $${{b}} $$
b
and $${{c}} $$
c
spectroscopy had improved significantly through discoveries of many new resonances already anticipated in the quark model, and also adding new exotic four and five quark states. The paper describes the evolution of the LHCb detector, from conception to its operation at the present time. The authors’ subjective summary of the experiment’s important contributions is then presented, demonstrating the wide domain of successful physics measurements that have been achieved over the years.
Difference oxidation behaviors of Ni8Al and Ni25Cr coatings in air with water vapor at 650∘
Authors: Li Dingjun , Huang Wenlang , Yuan Xiaohu , Huang Taihong , Li Chao , Song Peng
Published: March 2021

The oxidation behaviour of Ni8Al and Ni25Cr coatings produced by high velocity oxygen fuel spray (HVOF) which were deposited on Fe-based alloys (CB2) was investigated. We simulated the service environment of the steam generator unit, and put the samples in a thermostatic tube furnace at 650[Formula: see text] in air with 20 wt.% water vapor for 1000 hours of cyclic oxidation. The formation mechanism are explained using SEM, XRD, and EDX. There were no spallations and obvious cracks in both coatings. Ni25Cr coating generated a better protection oxides scale than that scale on Ni8Al. The behavior and mechanism of the oxide scale formation had an important influence in coatings and we have discussed these phenomenons in the study.
A Survey of Automatic Contact Tracing Approaches Using Bluetooth Low Energy
Authors: Reichert Leonie , Brack Samuel , Scheuermann BjÖRN
Published: March 2021

To combat the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, many new ways have been proposed on how to automate the process of finding infected people, also called
contact tracing
. A special focus was put on preserving the privacy of users. Bluetooth Low Energy as base technology has the most promising properties, so this survey focuses on automated contact tracing techniques using Bluetooth Low Energy. We define multiple classes of methods and identify two major groups: systems that rely on a server for finding new infections and systems that distribute this process. Existing approaches are systematically classified regarding security and privacy criteria.
Neocortical Layer 1: An Elegant Solution to Top-Down and Bottom-Up Integration
Authors: Schuman Benjamin , Dellal Shlomo , Prönneke Alvar , Machold Robert , Rudy Bernardo
Published: March 2021

Many of our daily activities, such as riding a bike to work or reading a book in a noisy cafe, and highly skilled activities, such as a professional playing a tennis match or a violin concerto, depend upon the ability of the brain to quickly make moment-to-moment adjustments to our behavior in response to the results of our actions. Particularly, they depend upon the ability of the neocortex to integrate the information provided by the sensory organs (bottom-up information) with internally generated signals such as expectations or attentional signals (top-down information). This integration occurs in pyramidal cells (PCs) and their long apical dendrite, which branches extensively into a dendritic tuft in layer 1 (L1). The outermost layer of the neocortex, L1 is highly conserved across cortical areas and species. Importantly, L1 is the predominant input layer for top-down information, relayed by a rich, dense mesh of long-range projections that provide signals to the tuft branches of the PCs. Here, we discuss recent progress in our understanding of the composition of L1 and review evidence that L1 processing contributes to functions such as sensory perception, cross-modal integration, controlling states of consciousness, attention, and learning.
Dense Circuit Reconstruction to Understand Neuronal Computation: Focus on Zebrafish
Authors: Friedrich Rainer W. , Wanner Adrian A.
Published: March 2021

The dense reconstruction of neuronal wiring diagrams from volumetric electron microscopy data has the potential to generate fundamentally new insights into mechanisms of information processing and storage in neuronal circuits. Zebrafish provide unique opportunities for dynamical connectomics approaches that combine reconstructions of wiring diagrams with measurements of neuronal population activity and behavior. Such approaches have the power to reveal higher-order structure in wiring diagrams that cannot be detected by sparse sampling of connectivity and that is essential for neuronal computations. In the brain stem, recurrently connected neuronal modules were identified that can account for slow, low-dimensional dynamics in an integrator circuit. In the spinal cord, connectivity specifies functional differences between premotor interneurons. In the olfactory bulb, tuning-dependent connectivity implements a whitening transformation that is based on the selective suppression of responses to overrepresented stimulus features. These findings illustrate the potential of dynamical connectomics in zebrafish to analyze the circuit mechanisms underlying higher-order neuronal computations.
A Novel Route for Electrolytic Production of Very Branchy Copper Dendrites under Extreme Conditions
Authors: Karimi Tabar Shafiei Fatemeh , Jafarzadeh Kourosh , Madram Ali Reza , Nikolić Nebojša D.
Published: March 2021

Copper electrodeposition in a form of powder was examined using the pulsating overpotential (PO) regime from the sulfate electrolyte without or with an addition of various concentrations of chloride ions. Morphological and structural characteristics of the produced particles were analyzed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. The final morphology of Cu powders was determined with two parallel processes: a) suppression of hydrogen evolution reaction due to pause duration considerably longer than the deposition time, and b) catalytic effect of added chlorides. Depending on the amplitude of overpotential applied, addition of chlorides into the solution led to either an appearing of dendrites or to formation of very branchy dendrites, what confirms a catalytic effect of these ions on the process of Cu electrolysis. The novel forms of copper dendrites, such as the needle-like and the 2D (two dimensional), were identified in this investigation, and the catalytic effect of chlorides on copper electrodeposition has been just discussed by morphological analysis of these dendritic forms. The XRD analysis of the copper dendrites obtained with an addition of chlorides showed predominantly oriented the Cu crystallites in (111) plane.
The Phase Transition and Photoluminescence Properties of (Ca9−x
Sr
x
)Mg1.5(PO4)7:Eu2+ Solid-Solution Phosphors
Authors: Fulati Ranziguli , Dai Pengpeng
Published: March 2021

A series of color-tunable (Ca9−x
Sr
x
)Mg1.5(PO4)7:Eu2+ (0 ≤ x ≤ 9) phosphors are designed by using mineral-inspired structural design strategy and synthesized by solid-state reaction. The mineral structure β-Ca3(PO4)2-type compounds, Ca9Mg1.5(PO4)7 and Sr9Mg1.5(PO4)7 are chosen as structural prototypes. Both of them are hexagonal structure but have different space groups. The former has R3c space group, while the latter possesses R3m space group. When Ca9Mg1.5(PO4)7 compound is used as maternal materials, the powder X-ray diffraction results demonstrate that the successive substitution of Ca2+ with Sr2+ ions expands and distorts the lattice parameters and unit cell volume of Ca9Mg1.5(PO4)7 compound, rendering phase transition from the (Ca9−x
Sr
x
)Mg1.5(PO4)7:Eu2+ (phase 1, 0 ≤ x < 3) with R3c space group to (Ca9−x
Sr
x
)Mg1.5(PO4)7:Eu2+ (phase 2, 5 < x ≤ 9) with R3m space group. The phase transition causes noticeable spectral redshift from the original blue-violet emission of x = 0 to bright yellow emission of x = 9 sample. Importantly, at x = 1, a bright white-light emission with a full width at half maximum of ∼255 nm is discovered in Ca8SrMg1.5(PO4)7:Eu2+ phosphor, which is beneficial to achieve phosphor-converted white-light-emitting diodes with high color-rendering index. These findings indicate that the mineral-inspired structural design strategy is very helpful for the development of new phosphors.
Catalysts Containing Transition Metals on Nitrogen and Carbon Structures for Hydrogen Production through Saltwater Electrolysis
Authors: Camargo Camila Andrea Delgadillo , da Cunha Campos Alex , Beruski Otavio , Lopes Thiago
Published: March 2021

When hydrogen is produced by electrolysis the possibility of water stress in some populations and scarcity of precious metals for catalyst production are seen as future barriers. The use of non-precious metal catalysts allied to direct saltwater splitting reduce the pressure on scarce resources. Here, four Metal-Nitrogen-Carbon (M-N-C) catalysts were synthesized with metal salts of Co, Fe, Ni and FeNi, with 1,5-diaminonhaptalene as N-C source. These catalysts were compared with a blank N-C without metal and a Pt/C commercial catalyst. Tests were conducted in electrolyte solution 0.5 M of H2SO4 and 0.5 M of NaCl. Results showed limited activity towards Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) compared with Pt/C and other non precious metal catalysts. Nevertheless, points out trends for better catalyst synthesis as improved activity of FeNi catalyst in acidic media and saltwater.
Deletion of mucin 2 induces colitis with concomitant metabolic abnormalities in mice
Authors: Ye Jiayu , Haskey Natasha , Dadlani Hansika , Zubaidi Hatem , Barnett Jacqueline A. , Ghosh Sanjoy , Gibson Deanna L.
Published: March 2021

This study discloses the impaired systemic energy metabolism in a classic colitis murine model (Muc2−/− knock-out model). Investigating the interaction between colitis and metabolic disorders helps to extend our knowledge on deciphering inflammatory bowel disease-associated comorbidities and provides new insight into clinical treatment.
Approaches to revealing the neural basis of muscle synergies: a review and a critique
Authors: Cheung Vincent C. K. , Seki Kazuhiko
Published: March 2021

The central nervous system (CNS) may produce coordinated motor outputs via the combination of motor modules representable as muscle synergies. Identification of muscle synergies has hitherto relied on applying factorization algorithms to multimuscle electromyographic data (EMGs) recorded during motor behaviors. Recent studies have attempted to validate the neural basis of the muscle synergies identified by independently retrieving the muscle synergies through CNS manipulations and analytic techniques such as spike-triggered averaging of EMGs. Experimental data have demonstrated the pivotal role of the spinal premotor interneurons in the synergies’ organization and the presence of motor cortical loci whose stimulations offer access to the synergies, but whether the motor cortex is also involved in organizing the synergies has remained unsettled. We argue that one difficulty inherent in current approaches to probing the synergies’ neural basis is that the EMG generative model based on linear combination of synergies and the decomposition algorithms used for synergy identification are not grounded on enough prior knowledge from neurophysiology. Progress may be facilitated by constraining or updating the model and algorithms with knowledge derived directly from CNS manipulations or recordings. An investigative framework based on evaluating the relevance of neurophysiologically constrained models of muscle synergies to natural motor behaviors will allow a more sophisticated understanding of motor modularity, which will help the community move forward from the current debate on the neural versus nonneural origin of muscle synergies.
The Correlation between Targeted Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging and Tumor Neovascularization of Ovarian Cancer Xenografts in Nude Mice
Authors: Hu Rong , Zeng Qianqian , Su Xiaoling , Feng Wenxia , Xiang Hong
Published: March 2021

In order to explore the correlation between targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging and tumor neovascularization of ovarian cancer xenografts in nude mice, a total of 49 nude mice were selected and randomly divided into 1-week group, 2-week group, 3-week group, 4-week group, 5-week group, 6-week group, and 7-week group according to their ovarian cancer xenografts’ growth time, with 7 ovarian cancer xenografts in each group. After preparing antibody-carrying targeted contrast agent, each group of xenografts performed normal and targeted contrast ultrasound examinations to obtain peak intensity, time to peak, and other imaging parameters; then, those ovarian cancer xenografts were sacrificed for pathological analysis: the neovascular density and antibody expression of the cancer xenografts at different stages were observed and counted, and the correlation between targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters and tumor neovascular densities of the ovarian cancer xenografts was analyzed. The results show that the peak intensities of targeted contrast ultrasound imaging are greater than that of ordinary ultrasound imaging in the 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-week groups with statistically significant differences (

P
<
0.05

); the time to peak of targeted contrast ultrasound imaging is shorter than that of ordinary ultrasound imaging in the 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-week groups with statistically significant differences (

P
<
0.05

); there is a positive correlation between the peak intensities of targeted contrast ultrasound imaging and tumor neovascular densities of the ovarian cancer xenografts in the 2-, 3-, and 4-week group (r2 = 0.645, r3 = 0.668, and r4 = 0.693,

P
<
0.05

); there is a negative correlation between the time to peak of targeted contrast ultrasound imaging and tumor neovascular densities of the ovarian cancer xenografts in the 2-, 3-, and 4-week groups (r2 = −0.669, r3 = −0.692, and r4 = −0.704,

P
<
0.05

). Therefore, the targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging parameters have a certain correlation with tumor neovascular density of ovarian cancer xenografts in nude mice and this correlation is more significant in the early stage of ovarian cancer; hence, targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging may provide a new method, new idea, and new basis for the diagnosis of early ovarian cancer.
Amyotrophic Monoplegia Secondary to Posttraumatic Rupture of the Brachial Plexus’s Roots: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Abouhanine Oumniya , Belgadir Hasnaa , Ndayishimiye Vianney , Amriss Omar , Merzem Aicha , Moussali Nadia , El Benna Naima
Published: March 2021

Brachial plexus lesions most often occur in multiple trauma. We report a case of a 37-year-old patient who presented an upper left limb total sensitivomotor deficit and amyotrophy after a cervical and upper limb trauma. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. It noted pseudomeningoceles at the levels of C6-C7, C7-D1, and D1-D2 in T1 hyposignal , T2 and STIR hypersignal , not enhanced by the injection of Gadolinium extending in foraminal and extraforaminal spaces without visualization of the corresponding rootlets. Traumatic brachial plexus injury is a potentially serious debilitating injury which can be well explored on MRI.
Hybrid Prediction Method for ECG Signals Based on VMD, PSR, and RBF Neural Network
Authors: Huang Fuying , Qin Tuanfa , Wang Limei , Wan Haibin
Published: March 2021

To explore a method to predict ECG signals in body area networks (BANs), we propose a hybrid prediction method for ECG signals in this paper. The proposed method combines variational mode decomposition (VMD), phase space reconstruction (PSR), and a radial basis function (RBF) neural network to predict an ECG signal. To reduce the nonstationarity and randomness of the ECG signal, we use VMD to decompose the ECG signal into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) with finite bandwidth, which is helpful to improve the prediction accuracy. The input parameters of the RBF neural network affect the prediction accuracy and computational burden. We employ PSR to optimize input parameters of the RBF neural network. To evaluate the prediction performance of the proposed method, we carry out many simulation experiments on ECG data from the MIT‐BIH Arrhythmia Database. The experimental results show that the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) of the proposed method are of 10-3 magnitude, while the RMSE and MAE of some competitive prediction methods are of 10-2 magnitude. Compared with other several prediction methods, our method obviously improves the prediction accuracy of ECG signals.
Static Force Measurement Using Piezoelectric Sensors
Authors: Kim Kyungrim , Kim Jinwook , Jiang Xiaoning , Kim Taeyang
Published: March 2021

In force measurement applications, a piezoelectric force sensor is one of the most popular sensors due to its advantages of low cost, linear response, and high sensitivity. Piezoelectric sensors effectively convert dynamic forces to electrical signals by the direct piezoelectric effect, but their use has been limited in measuring static forces due to the easily neutralized surface charge. To overcome this shortcoming, several static (either pure static or quasistatic) force sensing techniques using piezoelectric materials have been developed utilizing several unique parameters rather than just the surface charge produced by an applied force. The parameters for static force measurement include the resonance frequency, electrical impedance, decay time constant, and capacitance. In this review, we discuss the detailed mechanism of these piezoelectric‐type, static force sensing methods that use more than the direct piezoelectric effect. We also highlight the challenges and potentials of each method for static force sensing applications.