bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dedicated time for antimicrobial stewardship—How much and why? Lessons learned from South Korea
Authors: Patel Payal K. , Srinivasan Arjun
Published: December 2020

Antimicrobial resistance is a global and pressing problem that requires large-scale, federal coordination of efforts and tailored local interventions and surveillance. Given the urgency of the threat, many countries now have national policies to reduce inappropriate antimicrobial use. However, few countries have followed this with resources at the institutional level to support the implementation of practices to achieve this goal. In the United States, accreditation bodies such as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and The Joint Commission have added antimicrobial stewardship standards to encourage uptake of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs).
THE LAST HUNTER-GATHERERS AND EARLY FARMERS OF THE MIDDLE SOUTHERN BUH RIVER VALLEY (CENTRAL UKRAINE) IN VIII–V MILL. BC
Authors: Kiosak Dmytro , Kotova Nadiia , Tinner Willy , Szidat Soenke , Nielsen Ebbe H , Brugger Sandra O , de Capitani Annick , Gobet Erika , Makhortykh Serhii
Published: December 2020

A new series of 19 radiocarbon dates provides new insights on the human settlement activity in central Ukraine. The paper presents data from the Early Holocene until the establishment of Trypillian mega-sites in the late Vth mill. BC. Our new dates from a long sequence of the site of Melnychna Krucha refine the chronology of the Middle and Late Mesolithic and local ceramic-bearing “Buh-Dniester” culture. Additional dates were obtained on bones from Linear Pottery culture sites and Trypillian sites of stages A3 and B1.
CHANGES IN SOLAR ACTIVITY DURING THE WOLF MINIMUM—NEW INSIGHTS FROM A HIGH-RESOLUTION14C RECORD BASED ON DANISH OAK
Authors: Fogtmann-Schulz Alexandra , Baittinger Claudia , Karoff Christoffer , Olsen Jesper , Knudsen Mads F
Published: December 2020

We present a new biennial record of radiocarbon (14C) measured in Danish oak. The new record covers the years 1251–1378 CE, thereby spanning the Grand Solar Minimum known as the Wolf Minimum. Two oak samples from every other year were measured at the AMS facility at Aarhus University (Denmark), resulting in an average precision of 1.4‰ for the record. Spectral analysis of the new record revealed two peaks at 27 and 9.1 years, which could indicate the Hale cycle was lengthened and the Schwabe cycle shortened during the Wolf Minimum, but it is also possible that the amplitude of the Schwabe cycle was too small to be accurately identified with the acquired precision of this record. The record was bandpass filtered to investigate the variability of the amplitude in different bands, which showed a dampening of the amplitude during the second half of the Wolf Minimum in bands centered on the Schwabe and the Hale cycle, respectively. A reconstruction of the solar modulation function, Φ, also showed a periodicity of ca. 9 years, and indicated that the Wolf Minimum was preceeded by one cycle of decreased solar activity.
Maternal depressive symptoms and children's academic performance: sex differences in the mediating role of school experiences
Authors: Ahun Marilyn N. , Psychogiou Lamprini , Guay Frédéric , Boivin Michel , Tremblay Richard E. , Côté Sylvana M.
Published: December 2020

Background

Maternal depressive symptoms (MDSs) are negatively associated with children's academic performance, with stronger effects sometimes reported in boys. However, few studies have tested the mechanisms of this association. We examined the mediating role of school engagement and peer victimization in this association and tested for sex differences.

Methods

Participants were 1173 families from a population-based longitudinal Canadian study. MDSs were self-reported annually using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (child's age: 5 months to 5 years). Data on mediators (peer victimization, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional school engagement) were reported annually from ages 6–10 by multiple informants including children, parents, and teachers using items from validated scales. Mathematics, reading, and writing exam scores at age 12 were obtained from standardized exams administered by Québec's Ministry of Education and Teaching. Structural equation modeling was used to test mediation by school experiences in boys and girls.

Results

Exposure to MDSs was negatively associated with mathematics, reading, and writing scores in girls and with mathematics only in boys. Cognitive and behavioral engagement significantly mediated the association between MDSs and mathematics, reading, and writing scores in girls. There were no significant mediators for boys.

Conclusions

Prevention and intervention strategies aiming to improve school engagement might be beneficial for daughters of mothers experiencing depressive symptoms. Further research is needed to replicate these findings and to identify the mechanisms explaining this association in boys.
Examining individual variation in learner production data: A few programmatic pointers for corpus-based analyses using the example of adverbial clause ordering
Authors: Gries Stefan Th. , Wulff Stefanie
Published: December 2020

This study examines the variable positioning of a finite adverbial subordinate clause and its main clause with the subordinate clause either preceding or following the main clause in native versus nonnative English. Specifically, we contrast causal, concessive, conditional, and temporal adverbial clauses produced by German and Chinese learners of English with those produced by native speakers. We examined 2,362 attestations from the Chinese and German subsections of the International Corpus of Learner English (Granger, Dagneaux, Meunier, & Paquot, 2009) and from the Louvain Corpus of Native English Essays (Granger, 1998). All instances were annotated for the ordering, the subordinate clause type, the lengths of the main and subordinate clauses, the first language of the speakers, the conjunction used, and the file it originated from (as a proxy for the speaker producing the sentence so as to be able to study individual and lexical variation). The results of a two-step regression modeling protocol suggest that learners behave most nativelike with causal clauses and struggle most with conditional and concessive clauses; in addition, learners make more non-nativelike choices when the main and subordinate clause are of about equal length.
Pulmonary hypertension and mitral regurgitation in an infant with an anatomically normal mitral valve
Authors: Hoang Ryan , Cohen William , Mukadam Shireen , Combs Pamela , Husayni Tarek , El-Zein Chawki , Vricella Luca , Hibino Narutoshi
Published: December 2020

A full-term, female presented on her date of birth with severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) and mitral regurgitation (MR), requiring veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. After the treatment, her PH and MR were resolved with no anatomic abnormality present. We propose a positive feedback loop of PH causing right ventricular dilation and interventricular septal shifts, worsening MR, and elevated left atrial, and potentially pulmonary, pressures.
Freedom from Autonomy: An Essay on Accountability
Authors: O’connor Brian
Published: December 2020

Neo-Kantian philosophers see accountability as a key property of autonomy, or of social freedom more broadly. Autonomy, among those theorists, is, I contend, implicitly co-conceived with responsibility, producing a quasi-juridical conception of autonomy and a limiting notion of freedom. This article criticizes the connecting of freedom with accountability on a number of grounds. First, various conceptions of autonomy not only operate without a notion of accountability, but, in fact, would be impaired by an accountability requirement. Second, the neo-Kantians are unable to defend the freedom enhancing properties that are supposedly brought about by the giving of reasons for one’s beliefs and actions. Third, the project of accountability is indifferent to personal outlooks, not because it takes a holistic perspective, but because of its interest in social convergence.
Infekte in der Gelenkendoprothetik
Authors: Clauss Martin , Cadosch Dieter , Morgenstern Mario
Published: December 2020

Zusammenfassung. Die Diagnostik und Behandlung von Patienten mit Gelenkprotheseninfektionen ist eine interdisziplinäre Herausforderung. Der Schlüssel zur Sanierung der periprothetischen Infektion ist eine rasche und adäquate Behandlung in enger Zusammenarbeit des niedergelassenen Arztes mit dem orthopädischen Chirurgen sowie dem Infektiologen. Akute Gelenkprotheseninfektionen treten hauptsächlich in der peri- und früh-postoperativen Phase auf, können aber auch lebenslang nach Implantation als hämatogene oder lymphogene Infektionen auftreten. Beide Situationen stellen eine Notfallsituation dar, die direkt dem orthopädischen Chirurgen oder spezialisierten Zentrum zur Diagnostik und Behandlung zugewiesen werden sollten. Bei akuten Infektionen (d. h. < 4 Wochen postoperativ oder < 3 Wochen Symptome unabhängig vom Implantationszeitpunkt) hat die chirurgische Revision mit Prothesenerhalt (debridement, antibiotics and implant retention, DAIR) eine gute Prognose hinsichtlich der Sanierung der Infektion. Chronische Gelenkprotheseninfektionen benötigen hingegen immer eine aufwendige, interdisziplinäre Behandlung und sollten daher bereits zur Diagnostik, wenn immer möglich, in ein spezialisiertes interdisziplinäres Zentrum überwiesen werden. Ein kompletter Wechsel der Gelenkprothese zur Sanierung der Infektion ist hierbei unumgänglich. Die alleinige Operation ohne adäquate antibiotische Therapie sowie eine antibiotische Therapie ohne korrekte Operation sollte dringend verhindert warden, da sie nicht kurativ und häufig schädlich für den Patienten ist.
Trotz Knietotalprothese schmerzt das Knie – was nun?
Authors: Mathis Dominic T. , Hirschmann Michael T.
Published: December 2020

Zusammenfassung. Bei ungefähr einem Drittel aller Patienten nach Knieprothesen-Operation finden sich persistierende oder wiederkehrende Schmerzen und / oder eine Unzufriedenheit. Klinisch zeigt sich ein sehr komplexes und individuell sehr unterschiedliches Beschwerdebild. Die diagnostische Abklärung ist schwierig und sollte durch einen in der Knieprothetik spezialisierten Orthopäden erfolgen. Nur wenn die Ursache(n) der Beschwerden erkannt werden, besteht Aussicht auf eine Besserung, unabhängig davon, ob konservativ oder operativ therapiert wird.
Suicide Research in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau Over Three Decades
Authors: Cheng Qijin , Zhang Xingzhou , Lui Carrie , Yip Paul S. F.
Published: December 2020

Abstract. Background: China accounts for 15% of the global suicide death toll, yet suicide research efforts in the country are not well known by international colleagues. Aims: We aimed to outline the development of suicide research in China, appraise research findings, and identify key contributors. Method: English and Chinese research publication databases were systematically searched and relevant papers were reviewed. Chinese and English publications were compared. Results: There are almost 10 times more Chinese publications than English ones. The research focuses of and key contributors to the Chinese and English literature exhibit more differences than commonalities. The field experienced rapid expansion in the new millennium with more and higher quality publications and more funding support. Psychosocial-oriented perspectives guided most of the papers. Poisoning by pesticide as a suicide method and youth as a subpopulation group received the most research attention. Limitations: The scoping review does not provide in-depth syntheses on specific topics and does not include more recent publications. Conclusion: Research on suicide in China has been actively carried out during the 30-year period we reviewed, which might have contributed to suicide prevention in China. Research gaps identified by the review should be addressed to sustain the achievements.
Understanding the Context of Suicides by Older Men Compared With Younger Old Men and Women
Authors: King Kylie , Schlichthorst Marisa , Millar Ciara , Sutherland Georgina , Too Lay San
Published: December 2020

Abstract. Background: The rate of suicide among men aged 85 years or older is the highest of any age or gender group in many countries, but little is known about their pathways to suicide. Aims: This study aimed to determine the context of suicide by men aged 85 years or older. Method: Data were extracted from the Victorian Suicide Register regarding suicide deaths between 2009 and 2015. Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare old men (65–84 years old) and older men (85 years or more), and old women and old men (both 65 years or more). Results: The context of suicide by older men differed significantly from that of old men, as did that of old men compared with old women, on variables related to suicidal behavior and intention, mental illness, mental health treatment, and life stressors. Limitations: The study is limited by the small numbers of deaths by suicide in this age group in Victoria. Conclusion: The context of suicide by older and old men is different from that of old men and old women, respectively. More research is needed to understand the pathways to suicide by older men.
Display on Demand Method Increases Time Spent Looking Outside the	Cockpit
Authors: Blättler Colin , Fabre Ludovic , Froger Gregory
Published: December 2020

Abstract. Modern on-board instrumentation can lead to distraction, particularly by absorbing attention inside the cockpit, which reduces air safety. The display on demand (DoD) method tested here aims to impede that problem for glider and visual flight rules (VFR) pilots. In total, 21 students were assigned to either an experimental or a control group in a pre- and post-test design. In the experimental group, the cockpit instruments were displayed on the participants’ demand to allow for the orientation of visual attention out of the cockpit. Three types of basic exercises were tested. Skills acquisition was measured while evaluating the ability to follow flight indications given by the instructor such as airspeed, and visual attention was measured by an eye tracker. All participants improved their performance after training. Compared with classic training, the DoD method allows participants to spend more time looking outside the cockpit without any impact on the subjective workload. This is a promising method for ab initio flight training.
A Better Understanding of How the Sun Bends Light
Authors: Benningfield Damond
Published: December 2020

Incorporating the refractive index of the Sun into models of gravitational lensing effects improves agreement with measurements of the phenomenon.
The Induced Mw 5.0 March 2020 West Texas Seismic Sequence
Authors: Skoumal Robert J. , Kaven J. Ole , Barbour Andrew J. , Wicks Charles , Brudzinski Michael R. , Cochran Elizabeth S. , Rubinstein Justin L.
Published: December 2020

On March 26, 2020, a M 5.0 earthquake occurred in the Delaware Basin, Texas, near the border between Reeves and Culberson Counties. This was the third largest earthquake recorded in Texas and the largest earthquake in the Central and Eastern United States since the three M 5.0–5.8 induced events in Oklahoma during 2016. Using multistation waveform template matching, we detect 3,940 earthquakes in the sequence with the first event in the area occurring in May 2018. The M 5.0 earthquake sequence occurred on a ENE (∼082°) normal fault dipping ∼37° toward the south. The earthquake caused 6 mm of oblique surface deformation, and geodetic slip inversion suggests slip was isolated above 6 km depth. We find that the sequence was most likely induced by nearby wastewater disposal operations, and seismicity rates in the region surrounding the M 5.0 will likely continue to increase in the future if disposal operations continue unaltered.
Four‐Dimensional Paleomagnetic Dataset: Plio‐Pleistocene Paleodirection and Paleointensity Results From the Erebus Volcanic Province, Antarctica
Authors: Asefaw H. , Tauxe L. , Koppers A. A. P. , Staudigel H.
Published: December 2020

A fundamental assumption in paleomagnetism is that a geocentric axial dipole (GAD) geomagnetic field structure extends to the ancient field. Global paleodirectional compilations that span 0–5‐million year support a GAD dominated field structure with minor non‐GAD contributions, however, the paleointensity data over the same period do not. In a GAD field, higher latitudes should preserve higher intensity, but the current database suggests that intensities are independent of latitude. To determine whether the seemingly “low” intensities from Antarctica reflect the ancient field, rather than low‐quality data or inadequate temporal sampling, we have conducted a new study of the paleomagnetic field in Antarctica. This study focuses on the paleomagnetic field structure over the Plio‐Pleistocene. We combine and reanalyze new and published paleodirectional and paleointensity results from the Erebus volcanic province to recover paleodirections from 98 sites that were both thermally and alternating field demagnetized and then subjected to a set of strict selection criteria and paleointensities from 26 sites from the Plio‐Pleistocene that underwent the IZZI modified Thellier‐Thellier experiment and were also subjected to a strict set of selection criteria. The paleopole (201.85°, 87.65°) and α95 (5.51°) recovered from our paleodirectional study supports the GAD hypothesis and the scatter of the virtual geomagnetic poles falls within the uncertainty of that predicted by TK03 paleosecular variation model. Our time‐averaged field strength estimate, 33.57 ± 2.71 μT, is significantly weaker than that expected from a GAD field estimated by the present field.
Cool Skin Effect and its Impact on the Computation of the Latent Heat Flux in the South China Sea
Authors: Zhang Rongwang , Zhou Fenghua , Wang Xin , Wang Dongxiao , Gulev Sergey K.
Published: December 2020

The cool skin effect, known as the temperature difference (ΔT) across the skin layer of sea surface, is of vital importance for the accurate computation of the latent heat flux (LHF). The observed features of ΔT in the South China Sea are analyzed using in situ data from a buoy platform over an ∼6‐week period. Only nighttime data are used to exclude the possible warm layer effect. The positive values of ΔT falling into the range of 0–1 K comprise 95% of the data, and the most frequently observed values occur in the range of 0.4–0.6 K (38%). The cool skin model in the Coupled Ocean‐Atmosphere Response Experiment 3.0 algorithm is then validated against those observations. The cool skin model has an efficient but insufficient ability to reduce the overestimation of the LHF. The overestimation of the LHF is reduced to 9.5% from 18.0%, leaving nearly half of the biases in the LHF unresolved. The Saunders constant (λ) in the cool skin model is markedly underestimated, leading to a much weaker prediction of ΔT. A strong linear relationship exists between the mean values of λ and the LHF with a slope of −0.9 W m−2. With an approximately doubled λ, the biases in ΔT and in the LHF could be eliminated. Considering the possible uncertainties in sensors, the value of λ is estimated as 11.6 ± 6.7 in the current study.
The Importance of Organic Content to Fractal Floc Properties in Estuarine Surface Waters: Insights From Video, LISST, and Pump Sampling
Authors: Fall Kelsey A. , Friedrichs Carl T. , Massey Grace M. , Bowers David G. , Smith S. Jarrell
Published: December 2020

To better understand the nature of flocs of varying organic content in estuarine surface waters, Laser in situ Scattering and Transmissometry, video settling, and pump sampling were deployed in the York River estuary. A new in situ method was developed to simultaneously solve the floc fractal dimension (F), primary particle size (dp), and primary particle density (ρp) by fitting a simple fractal model to observations of effective floc density (Δρ) as a function of floc diameter (df), while ensuring that the integrated particle size distribution was consistent with measurements of bulk apparent density (ρa). When fractal fits were statistically justified, application of the above methods showed the bulk fraction of organic matter (forg) to be well correlated to multiple floc properties. As forg increased, dp and ρa also increased, while ρp, total suspended solids (TSS), and median floc size decreased. Notably for microflocs, neither F nor Δρ was significantly related to either forg or TSS. This indicates that organic matter may partially displace water content within microflocs without fundamentally changing the flocs' inorganic structure. When pooling multiple samples, a marked decrease in F was seen at the transition to macroflocs, and most strongly for high forg cases. This suggested that settling velocities ≥ ∼1 mm/s may produce turbulent stresses that tend to tear macroflocs apart. This study also found that when the fractal theory held, ρp had a near 1:1 correlation with the bulk dry density of filtered TSS, implying that primary particles are tightly bound aggregates of combined mineral and organic components.
Non-metabolic role of UCK2 links EGFR-AKT pathway activation to metastasis enhancement in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Cai Jie , Sun Xuehua , Guo Han , Qu Xiaoye , Huang Hongting , Yu Chang , Wu Hailong , Gao Yueqiu , Kong Xiaoni , Xia Qiang
Published: December 2020

Up-regulation of Uridine-cytidine kinase 2 (UCK2), a rate-limiting enzyme of the pyrimidine salvage pathway, has been suggested in HCC, but the detailed molecular mechanisms and therapic role of UCK2 remain elusive. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that UCK2 might be a key up-regulated metabolic gene in HCCs. The expressional pattern and prognostic value of UCK2 were further examined in a large number of clinical samples. Functional assays based on site-directed mutagenesis showed that UCK2 promoted cell proliferation in a metabolic manner, but non-catalytically facilitates HCC metastasis. Mechanistically, in response to EGF, UCK2 interacted with EGFR to block EGF-induced EGFR ubiquitination and degradation, which resulted in elevated EGFR-AKT pathway activation and metastasis enhancement in HCCs. Concurrent pharmacological targeting on UCK2 and EGFR showed synergistic effects on HCC treatment. This study disclosed the non-metabolic role of UCK2 and suggested the therapeutic potential of concurrent blocking the metabolic and non-metabolic roles of UCK2 in HCC treatment.
Correction: A balance score between immune stimulatory and suppressive microenvironments identifies mediators of tumour immunity and predicts pan-cancer survival
Authors: Turan Tolga , Kongpachith Sarah , Halliwill Kyle , Roelands Jessica , Hendrickx Wouter , Marincola Francesco M. , Hudson Thomas J. , Jacob Howard J. , Bedognetti Davide , Samayoa Josue , Ceccarelli Michele
Published: December 2020

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-020-01193-w
Experimental test of non-macrorealistic cat states in the cloud
Authors: Ku Huan-Yu , Lambert Neill , Chan Feng-Jui , Emary Clive , Chen Yueh-Nan , Nori Franco
Published: December 2020

The Leggett–Garg inequality attempts to classify experimental outcomes as arising from one of two possible classes of physical theories: those described by macrorealism (which obey our intuition about how the macroscopic classical world behaves) and those that are not (e.g., quantum theory). The development of cloud-based quantum computing devices enables us to explore the limits of macrorealism. In particular, here we take advantage of the properties of the programmable nature of the IBM quantum experience to observe the violation of the Leggett–Garg inequality (in the form of a ‘quantum witness’) as a function of the number of constituent systems (qubits), while simultaneously maximizing the ‘disconnectivity’, a potential measure of macroscopicity, between constituents. Our results show that two- and four-qubit ‘cat states’ (which have large disconnectivity) are seen to violate the inequality, and hence can be classified as non-macrorealistic. In contrast, a six-qubit cat state does not violate the ‘quantum witness’ beyond a so-called clumsy invasive-measurement bound, and thus is compatible with ‘clumsy macrorealism’. As a comparison, we also consider un-entangled product states with n = 2, 3, 4 and 6 qubits, in which the disconnectivity is low.
Entropy production in continuously measured Gaussian quantum systems
Authors: Belenchia Alessio , Mancino Luca , Landi Gabriel T. , Paternostro Mauro
Published: December 2020

The entropy production rate is a key quantity in nonequilibrium thermodynamics of both classical and quantum processes. No universal theory of entropy production is available to date, which hinders progress toward its full grasping. By using a phase space-based approach, here we take the current framework for the assessment of thermodynamic irreversibility all the way to quantum regimes by characterizing entropy production—and its rate—resulting from the continuous monitoring of a Gaussian system. This allows us to formulate a sharpened second law of thermodynamics that accounts for the measurement back action and information gain from a continuously monitored system. We illustrate our framework in a series of physically relevant examples.
Orbital-enhanced warping effect in px,py-derived Rashba spin splitting of monatomic bismuth surface alloy
Authors: Chen Guan-Yu , Huang Angus , Lin Yen-Hui , Chen Chia-Ju , Lin Deng-Sung , Chang Po-Yao , Jeng Horng-Tay , Bihlmayer Gustav , Hsu Pin-Jui
Published: December 2020

Spin-split Rashba bands have been exploited to efficiently control the spin degree of freedom of moving electrons, which possesses a great potential in frontier applications of designing spintronic devices and processing spin-based information. Given an intrinsic breaking of inversion symmetry and sizeable spin–orbit interaction, two-dimensional (2D) surface alloys formed by heavy metal elements exhibit a pronounced Rashba-type spin splitting of the surface states. Here, we have revealed the essential role of atomic orbital symmetry in the hexagonally warped Rashba spin-split surface state of the $$\sqrt 3 \times \sqrt 3 R30^0$$

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3

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BiCu2 monatomic alloy by scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) and density functional theory (DFT). From dI/dU spectra and calculated band structures, three hole-like Rashba-split bands hybridized from distinct orbital symmetries have been identified in the unoccupied energy region. Because of the hexagonally deformed Fermi surface, quasi-particle interference (QPI) mappings have resolved scattering channels opened from interband transitions of px,py (mj = 1/2) band. In contrast to the s,pz-derived band, the hexagonal warping is predominately accompanied by substantial out-of-plane spin polarization Sz up to 24% in the dispersion of px,py (mj = 1/2) band with an in-plane orbital symmetry.
A RCT for assessment of active human-centred learning finds teacher-centric non-human teaching of evolution optimal
Authors: Buchan Loredana , Hejmadi Momna , Abrahams Liam , Hurst Laurence D.
Published: December 2020

Current educational discourse holds that effective pedagogy requires engagement through active student participation with subject matter relating to them. The lack of testing of lessons in series is recognized as a potential weakness in the evidence base, not least because standard parallel designs cannot capture serial interaction effects (cf. drug interactions). However, logistic issues make large-scale replicated in situ assessment of serial designs challenging. The recent introduction of evolution into the UK primary school curriculum presents a rare opportunity to overcome this. We implemented a randomised control 2 × 2 design with four inexpensive schemes of work, comparable to drug interaction trials. This involved an initial test phase (N = 1152) with replication (N = 1505), delivered by teachers, after training, in their classrooms with quantitative before-after-retention testing. Utilising the “genetics-first” approach, the schemes comprised four lessons taught in the same order. Lessons 1 (variation) and 3 (deep-time) were invariant. Lesson 2 (selection) was either student-centred or teacher-centred, with subject organism constant, while lesson 4 (homology) was either human-centred or not, with learning mode constant. All four schemes were effective in replicate, even for lower ability students. Unexpectedly, the teacher-focused/non-human centred scheme was the most successful in both test and replicate, in part owing to a replicable interaction effect but also because it enabled engagement. These results highlight the importance of testing lessons in sequence and indicate that there are many routes to effective engagement with no “one-size fits all” solution in education.
Feature replacement methods enable reliable home video analysis for machine learning detection of autism
Authors: Leblanc Emilie , Washington Peter , Varma Maya , Dunlap Kaitlyn , Penev Yordan , Kline Aaron , Wall Dennis P.
Published: December 2020

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neuropsychiatric condition affecting 53 million children worldwide and for which early diagnosis is critical to the outcome of behavior therapies. Machine learning applied to features manually extracted from readily accessible videos (e.g., from smartphones) has the potential to scale this diagnostic process. However, nearly unavoidable variability in video quality can lead to missing features that degrade algorithm performance. To manage this uncertainty, we evaluated the impact of missing values and feature imputation methods on two previously published autism detection classifiers, trained on standard-of-care instrument scoresheets and tested on ratings of 140 children videos from YouTube. We compare the baseline method of listwise deletion to classic univariate and multivariate techniques. We also introduce a feature replacement method that, based on a score, selects a feature from an expanded dataset to fill-in the missing value. The replacement feature selected can be identical for all records (general) or automatically adjusted to the record considered (dynamic). Our results show that general and dynamic feature replacement methods achieve a higher performance than classic univariate and multivariate methods, supporting the hypothesis that algorithmic management can maintain the fidelity of video-based diagnostics in the face of missing values and variable video quality.
Structural characterization and in vitro lipid binding studies of non-specific lipid transfer protein 1 (nsLTP1) from fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds
Authors: Megeressa Mekdes , Siraj Bushra , Zarina Shamshad , Ahmed Aftab
Published: December 2020

Non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) are cationic proteins involved in intracellular lipid shuttling in growth and reproduction, as well as in defense against pathogenic microbes. Even though the primary and spatial structures of some nsLTPs from different plants indicate their similar features, they exhibit distinct lipid-binding specificities signifying their various biological roles that dictate further structural study. The present study determined the complete amino acid sequence, in silico 3D structure modeling, and the antiproliferative activity of nsLTP1 from fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds. Fennel is a member of the family Umbelliferae (Apiaceae) native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. It is used as a spice medicine and fresh vegetable. Fennel nsLTP1 was purified using the combination of gel filtration and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Its homogeneity was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The purified nsLTP1 was treated with 4-vinyl pyridine, and the modified protein was then digested with trypsin. The complete amino acid sequence of nsLTP1 established by intact protein sequence up to 28 residues, overlapping tryptic peptides, and cyanogen bromide (CNBr) peptides. Hence, it is confirmed that fennel nsLTP1 is a 9433 Da single polypeptide chain consisting of 91 amino acids with eight conserved cysteines. Moreover, the 3D structure is predicted to have four α-helices interlinked by three loops and a long C-terminal tail. The lipid-binding property of fennel nsLTP1 is examined in vitro using fluorescent 2-p-toluidinonaphthalene-6-sulfonate (TNS) and validated using a molecular docking study with AutoDock Vina. Both of the binding studies confirmed the order of binding efficiency among the four studied fatty acids linoleic acid > linolenic acid > Stearic acid > Palmitic acid. A preliminary screening of fennel nsLTP1 suppressed the growth of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50value of 6.98 µM after 48 h treatment.
Dynamic wavelet correlation analysis for multivariate climate time series
Authors: Polanco-Martínez Josué M. , Fernández-Macho Javier , Medina-Elizalde Martín
Published: December 2020

The wavelet local multiple correlation (WLMC) is introduced for the first time in the study of climate dynamics inferred from multivariate climate time series. To exemplify the use of WLMC with real climate data, we analyse Last Millennium (LM) relationships among several large-scale reconstructed climate variables characterizing North Atlantic: i.e. sea surface temperatures (SST) from the tropical cyclone main developmental region (MDR), the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the North Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), and tropical cyclone counts (TC). We examine the former three large-scale variables because they are known to influence North Atlantic tropical cyclone activity and because their underlying drivers are still under investigation. WLMC results obtained for these multivariate climate time series suggest that: (1) MDRSST and AMO show the highest correlation with each other and with respect to the TC record over the last millennium, and: (2) MDRSST is the dominant climate variable that explains TC temporal variability. WLMC results confirm that this method is able to capture the most fundamental information contained in multivariate climate time series and is suitable to investigate correlation among climate time series in a multivariate context.
Short chain fatty acids produced by Cutibacterium acnes inhibit biofilm formation by Staphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Nakamura Kouki , O’Neill Alan M. , Williams Michael R. , Cau Laura , Nakatsuji Teruaki , Horswill Alexander R. , Gallo Richard L.
Published: December 2020

Biofilm formation by bacterial pathogens is associated with numerous human diseases and can confer resistance to both antibiotics and host defenses. Many strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis are capable of forming biofilms and are important human pathogens. Since S. epidermidis coexists with abundant Cutibacteria acnes on healthy human skin and does not typically form a biofilm in this environment, we hypothesized that C. acnes may influence biofilm formation of S. epidermidis. Culture supernatants from C. acnes and other species of Cutibacteria inhibited S. epidermidis but did not inhibit biofilms by Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Bacillus subtilis, and inhibited biofilms by S. aureus to a lesser extent. Biofilm inhibitory activity exhibited chemical properties of short chain fatty acids known to be produced from C. acnes. The addition of the pure short chain fatty acids propionic, isobutyric or isovaleric acid to S. epidermidis inhibited biofilm formation and, similarly to C. acnes supernatant, reduced polysaccharide synthesis by S. epidermidis. Both short chain fatty acids and C. acnes culture supernatant also increased sensitivity of S. epidermidis to antibiotic killing under biofilm-forming conditions. These observations suggest the presence of C. acnes in a diverse microbial community with S. epidermidis can be beneficial to the host and demonstrates that short chain fatty acids may be useful to limit formation of a biofilm by S. epidermidis.
The novel method to reduce the silica content in lignin recovered from black liquor originating from rice straw
Authors: Do Nghi H. , Pham Hieu H. , Le Tan M. , Lauwaert Jeroen , Diels Ludo , Verberckmoes An , Do Nga H. N. , Tran Viet T. , Le Phung K.
Published: December 2020

Difficulties in the production of lignin from rice straw because of high silica content in the recovered lignin reduce its recovery yield and applications as bio-fuel and aromatic chemicals. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop a novel method to reduce the silica content in lignin from rice straw more effectively and selectively. The method is established by monitoring the precipitation behavior as well as the chemical structure of precipitate by single-stage acidification at different pH values of black liquor collected from the alkaline treatment of rice straw. The result illustrates the significant influence of pH on the physical and chemical properties of the precipitate and the supernatant. The simple two-step acidification of the black liquor at pilot-scale by sulfuric acid 20w/v% is applied to recover lignin at pH 9 and pH 3 and gives a percentage of silica removal as high as 94.38%. Following the developed process, the high-quality lignin could be produced from abundant rice straw at the industrial-scale.
Longitudinal changes in reproductive hormones through the menopause transition in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)
Authors: Soares Ana Goncalves , Kilpi Fanny , Fraser Abigail , Nelson Scott M. , Sattar Naveed , Welsh Paul I. , Tilling Kate , Lawlor Deborah A.
Published: December 2020

We characterised changes in reproductive hormones—LH, FSH, SHBG and AMH—by chronological age and time around the menopause (reproductive age) in mid-life women and explored their associations with lifestyle and reproductive factors. We used data from 1608 women from a UK cohort who had repeat hormone measures and experienced a natural menopause. Multilevel models were used to assess: (i) changes in hormones (outcomes) by reproductive age and chronological age (these age variables being the key exposures) and (ii) associations of body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol intake, parity and age at menarche with changes in hormones by reproductive age. Both LH and FSH increased until ~ 5 and 7 years postmenopause, respectively, after which they declined, but not to premenopausal levels. SHBG decreased slightly until ~ 4 years postmenopause and increased thereafter. AMH decreased markedly before menopause and remained low subsequently. For all hormones, the best fitting models included both reproductive and chronological age. BMI, smoking and parity were associated with hormone changes; e.g., higher BMI was associated with slower increase in LH and FSH and decrease in AMH. Reproductive and chronological age contribute to changes in LH, FSH, SHBG and AMH across mid-life in women, and BMI, smoking and parity are associated with these hormone changes.
Integrated analyses of the microbiological, immunological and ontological transitions in the calf ileum during early life
Authors: Lyons Tamsin , Jahns Hanne , Brady Joseph , O’Hara Eóin , Waters Sinéad M. , Kenny David , Doyle Evelyn , Meade Kieran G.
Published: December 2020

Aberdeen Angus calves were sacrificed from immediately post-birth up to 96 days of age (DOA) and ileal samples were collected for microbial, histological and immunological analyses.Firmicutesbacteria were established immediately in the ileum of calves after birth and remained the dominant phyla at all time points from birth until 96 DOA. Temporal shifts in phyla reflected significantly increasedBacteroidetesat birth followed by temporal increases inActinobacteriaabundance over time. At a cellular level, a significant increase in cell density was detected in the ileal villi over time. The innate cell compartment at birth was composed primarily of eosinophils and macrophages with a low proportion of adaptive T lymphocytes; whereas an increase in the relative abundance of T cells (including those in the intra-epithelial layer) was observed over time. The ileal intestinal cells were immunologically competent as assessed by expression levels of genes encoding the inflammasome sensorNLRP3, and inflammatory cytokinesIL1A,IL1BandIL33—all of which significantly increased from birth. In contrast, a temporal reduction in genes encoding anti-inflammatory cytokineIL10was detected from birth. This study provides an integrated baseline of microbiological, histological and immunological data on the immune adaptation of the neonatal ileum to microbial colonisation in calves.
Extremely large third-order nonlinear optical effects caused by electron transport in quantum plasmonic metasurfaces with subnanometer gaps
Authors: Takeuchi Takashi , Yabana Kazuhiro
Published: December 2020

In this study, a third-order nonlinear optical responses in quantum plasmonic metasurfaces composed of metallic nano-objects with subnanometer gaps were investigated using time-dependent density functional theory, a fully quantum mechanical approach. At gap distances of ≥ 0.6 nm, the third-order nonlinearities monotonically increased as the gap distance decreased, owing to enhancement of the induced charge densities at the gaps between nano-objects. Particularly, when the third harmonic generation overlapped with the plasmon resonance, a large third-order nonlinearity was achieved. At smaller gap distances down to 0.1 nm, we observed the appearance of extremely large third-order nonlinearity without the assistance of the plasmon resonance. At a gap distance of 0.1 nm, the observed third-order nonlinearity was approximately three orders of magnitude larger than that seen at longer gap distances. The extremely large third-order nonlinearities were found to originate from electron transport by quantum tunneling and/or overbarrier currents through the subnanometer gaps.
Serotonin receptor 5-HT7 in Drosophila mushroom body neurons mediates larval appetitive olfactory learning
Authors: Ganguly Archan , Qi Cheng , Bajaj Jeevisha , Lee Daewoo
Published: December 2020

Serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine are critical neuromodulators known to regulate a range of behaviors in invertebrates and mammals, such as learning and memory. Effects of both serotonin and dopamine are mediated largely through their downstream G-protein coupled receptors through cAMP-PKA signaling. While the role of dopamine in olfactory learning inDrosophilais well described, the function of serotonin and its downstream receptors onDrosophilaolfactory learning remain largely unexplored. In this study we show that the output of serotonergic neurons, possibly through points of synaptic contacts on the mushroom body (MB), is essential for training during olfactory associative learning inDrosophilalarvae. Additionally, we demonstrate that the regulation of olfactory associative learning by serotonin is mediated by its downstream receptor (d5-HT7) in a cAMP-dependent manner. We show that d5-HT7 expression specifically in the MB, an anatomical structure essential for olfactory learning inDrosophila,is critical for olfactory associative learning. Importantly our work shows that spatio-temporal restriction of d5-HT7 expression to the MB is sufficient to rescue olfactory learning deficits in a d5-HT7 null larvae. In summary, our results establish a critical, and previously unknown, role of d5-HT7 in olfactory learning.
Wireless, miniaturized, semi-implantable electrocorticography microsystem validated in vivo
Authors: Keramatzadeh Keivan , Kiakojouri Ali , Nahvi Mohammad Sadegh , Khazaei Yousef , Feizi-nejad Ali , Maghami Mohammad Hossein , Mohammadi Reza , Sharifshazileh Mohammadali , Nasiri Soraya , Akbari Boroumand Farhad , Nadimi Ebrahim , Rezaei Mahmoud , Shojaei Amir , Mirnajafi-Zadeh Javad , Sodagar Amir M.
Published: December 2020

This paper reports on the design, development, and test of a multi-channel wireless micro-electrocorticography (µECoG) system. The system consists of a semi-implantable, ultra-compact recording unit and an external unit, interfaced through a 2.4 GHz radio frequency data telemetry link with 2 Mbps (partially used) data transfer rate. Encased in a 3D-printed 2.9 cm × 2.9 cm × 2.5 cm cubic package, the semi-implantable recording unit consists of a microelectrode array, a vertically-stacked PCB platform containing off-the-shelf components, and commercially-available small-size 3.7-V, 50 mAh lithium-ion batteries. Two versions of microelectrode array were developed for the recording unit: a rigid 4 × 2 microelectrode array, and a flexible 12 × 6 microelectrode array, 36 of which routed to bonding pads for actual recording. The external unit comprises a transceiver board, a data acquisition board, and a host computer, on which reconstruction of the received signals is performed. After development, assembly, and integration, the system was tested and validated in vivo on anesthetized rats. The system successfully recorded both spontaneous and evoked activities from the brain of the subject.
Ascorbic acid during the suckling period is required for proper DNA demethylation in the liver
Authors: Kawahori Kenichi , Kondo Yoshitaka , Yuan Xunmei , Kawasaki Yuki , Hanzawa Nozomi , Tsujimoto Kazutaka , Wada Fumiko , Kohda Takashi , Ishigami Akihito , Yamada Tetsuya , Ogawa Yoshihiro , Hashimoto Koshi
Published: December 2020

Ascorbic acid (AA, vitamin C) serves as a cofactor for ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes and induces DNA demethylation in vitro. However, its role in DNA demethylation in vivo remains unclear. We previously reported that DNA demethylation in the mouse liver was enhanced during the suckling period. Therefore, we hypothesized that DNA demethylation is enhanced in an AA-dependent manner during the suckling period. To examine our hypothesis, we employed wild-type (WT) mice, which synthesize AA, and senescence marker protein-30/gluconolactonase (SMP30/GNL) knockout (KO) mice, which cannot synthesize AA, and analyzed the DNA methylation status in the livers of offspring in both the suckling period and adulthood. SMP30/GNL KO offspring showed DNA hypermethylation in the liver possibly due to low plasma and hepatic AA levels during the suckling period despite the administration of rescue-dose AA to dams. Furthermore, DNA hypermethylation of the fibroblast growth factor 21 gene (Fgf21), a PPARα target gene, persisted into adulthood. In contrast, a high-dose AA administration to SMP30/GNL KO dams during the lactation period restored DNA demethylation in the livers of offspring. Even though a slight increase was observed in plasma AA levels with the administration of rescue-dose AA to WT dams during the gestation and lactation periods, DNA demethylation in the livers of offspring was minimally enhanced. The present results demonstrate that AA intake during the suckling period is required for proper DNA demethylation in the liver.