bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sequence of aCoxiellaEndosymbiont of the TickAmblyomma nuttalliSuggests a Pattern of Convergent Genome Reduction in theCoxiellaGenus
Authors: Nardi Tiago , Olivieri Emanuela , Kariuki Edward , Sassera Davide , Castelli Michele
Published: December 2020

Ticks require bacterial symbionts for the provision of necessary compounds that are absent in their hematophagous diet. Such symbionts are frequently vertically transmitted and, most commonly, belong to the Coxiella genus, which also includes the human pathogen Coxiella burnetii. This genus can be divided in four main clades, presenting partial but incomplete cocladogenesis with the tick hosts. Here, we report the genome sequence of a novel Coxiella, endosymbiont of the African tick Amblyomma nuttalli, and the ensuing comparative analyses. Its size (∼1 Mb) is intermediate between symbionts of Rhipicephalus species and other Amblyomma species. Phylogenetic analyses show that the novel sequence is the first genome of the B clade, the only one for which no genomes were previously available. Accordingly, it allows to draw an enhanced scenario of the evolution of the genus, one of parallel genome reduction of different endosymbiont lineages, which are now at different stages of reduction from a more versatile ancestor. Gene content comparison allows to infer that the ancestor could be reminiscent of C. burnetii. Interestingly, the convergent loss of mismatch repair could have been a major driver of such reductive evolution. Predicted metabolic profiles are rather homogenous among Coxiella endosymbionts, in particular vitamin biosynthesis, consistently with a host-supportive role. Concurrently, similarities among Coxiella endosymbionts according to host genus and despite phylogenetic unrelatedness hint at possible host-dependent effects.
On sharp and single-conclusion justification models
Authors: Krupski Vladimir N
Published: December 2020

Justification awareness models (JAMs) were proposed by S. Artemov as a tool for modelling epistemic scenarios such as Russell’s prime minister example. It was demonstrated that the sharpness and the single-conclusion property of a model play an essential role in the epistemic usage of JAMs. The problem to axiomatize these properties using the propositional justification language was left opened. We propose the solution and define a decidable justification logic $\textsf{J}_{\textit{ref}}$ that is sound and complete with respect to the class of all sharp single-conclusion justification models. We also provide the complete axiomatizations for the classes of all single-conclusion justification models and all sharp justification models.
Formation of binary black holes similar to GW190521 with a total mass of ∼150 M⊙ from Population III binary star evolution
Authors: Kinugawa Tomoya , Nakamura Takashi , Nakano Hiroyuki
Published: December 2020

In the case of zero-metal (Population III or Pop III) stars, we show that the total mass of binary black holes from binary Pop III star evolution can be ${\sim} 150 \, \mathrm{ M}_{\odot }$, which agrees with the mass of the binary black hole GW190521 recently discovered by LIGO/Virgo. The event rate of such binary black hole mergers is estimated as 0.13–0.66 (ρSFR/(6 × 105 M⊙ Mpc−3)) Errsys yr−1 Gpc−3, where ρSFR and Errsys are the cumulative comoving mass density of Pop III stars depending on star formation rate and the systematic errors depending on uncertainties in the Pop III binary parameters, respectively. The event rate in our fiducial model with ρSFR = 6 × 105 M⊙ Mpc−3 and Errsys = 1 is 0.13–0.66 yr−1 Gpc−3, which is consistent with the observed value of 0.02–0.43 yr−1 Gpc−3.
Characterization of M dwarfs using optical mid-resolution spectra for exploration of small exoplanets
Authors: Koizumi Yohei , Kuzuhara Masayuki , Omiya Masashi , Hirano Teruyuki , Wisniewski John , Aoki Wako , Sato Bun’ei
Published: December 2020

We present the optical spectra of 338 nearby M dwarfs, and compute their spectral types, effective temperatures (Teff), and radii. Our spectra were obtained using several optical spectrometers with spectral resolutions that range from 1200 to 10000. As many as 97% of the observed M-type dwarfs have a spectral type of M3–M6, with a typical error of 0.4 subtype, among which the spectral types M4–M5 are the most common. We infer the Teff of our sample by fitting our spectra with theoretical spectra from the PHOENIX model. Our inferred Teff is calibrated with the optical spectra of M dwarfs whose Teff have been well determined with the calibrations that are supported by previous interferometric observations. Our fitting procedures utilize the VO absorption band (7320–7570 Å) and the optical region (5000–8000 Å), yielding typical errors of 128 K (VO band) and 85 K (optical region). We also determine the radii of our sample from their spectral energy distributions. We find most of our sample stars have radii of <0.6 R⊙, with the average error being 3%. Our catalog enables efficient sample selection for exoplanet surveys around nearby M-type dwarfs.
Interdisciplinary Optimization of Admission Documentation
Authors: McIlreevy John , Rylee Tina L. , Shields-Tettamanti Tiffany , Gee Perry M.
Published: December 2020

Moving toward the electronic health record increases the quality of information gathered. However, nurses argue that the electronic health record is an added burden. The aim of this study was to evaluate the removal of duplicative or unnecessary fields and reordering fields on the admission form to increase documentation that is meaningful to the patient story. A team of approximately 60 interdisciplinary clinicians engaged in document review to evaluate the importance of each field and removal or modification based on those findings. After a review of the 251 fields, the authors reduced the form to 124 fields, and the percentage of unfields by 31%. After outlier removal, the average time to complete the admission form decreased by 2.88 minutes. The new form showed a reduction of 36.71% of the use of the free text advance directive. Additionally, nurses' perceptions of the form significantly improved from pretest to posttest in terms of satisfaction with the form, time to complete, usability and usefulness, question flow, and length of the form. This study shows that an interdisciplinary team can effectively work together to optimize the Adult Admission History Form, increasing the quality of documentation while reducing the time to complete.
Long‐term Outcomes of Living‐donor Liver Transplantation for Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 1
Authors: Okamoto Tatsuya , Sonoda Mari , Ogawa Eri , Ito Shogo , Togawa Takao , Hayashi Hisamitsu , Okajima Hideaki , Uemoto Shiji
Published: December 2020

Objectives:

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1 (PFIC‐1), an autosomal recessive disorder, is characterized by cholestasis, jaundice, and refractory pruritus. In some patients with PFIC‐1, liver cirrhosis and end‐stage liver disease develop and lead to liver transplantation (LT). In this observational study, we sought to clarify the long‐term outcomes of LT for PFIC‐1 and predictors of favorable outcomes.

Methods:

The study cohort constituted 12 patients with PFIC‐1 who had undergone living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) during the previous 3 decades (1990–2019). We compared the clinical manifestations and type of ATP8B1 mutations between patients in whom LDLT had been successful and those in whom it had been unsuccessful.

Results:

LDLT failed in 5 of the 12 patients and the 25‐year survival rate was 58%. Comparison of physical growth after LDLT revealed significant retardation of stature in patients in whom LDLT had been unsuccessful; these patients developed severe and persistent diarrhea. ATP8B1 genotypic analysis revealed that frameshifting, splicing, and large deletion mutations occurred more commonly in successful cases, whereas missense mutations occurred more frequently in unsuccessful cases. No mutations were identical in the 2 groups.

Conclusions:

These results suggest an association between post‐LT outcomes and extrahepatic manifestations, especially intestinal function. Further investigation of correlations between ATP8B1 genotypes and intestinal function could help to identify patients with PFIC‐1 who will achieve favorable post‐LT outcomes.
Morphometric Changes in Children With Small Bowel Crohn Disease During Induction of Therapy
Authors: Steien Dana B. , Dillman Jonathan R. , Lopez M. James , Ehrlich Peter , Adler Jeremy
Published: December 2020

Objective:

Children and adolescents with Crohn disease (CD) commonly gain weight during treatment induction, which is thought to be a marker of better health. Body composition is, however, rarely assessed at diagnosis, and changes during early treatment are not often quantified. Therefore, it is unknown if these gains are truly healthy. We sought to evaluate skeletal muscle changes during initial treatment for CD by using routine imaging.

Methods:

Single‐center prospective study. Pediatric patients diagnosed with small bowel CD underwent serial magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) imaging, laboratory testing, and disease‐activity assessment, at diagnosis, 1 and 6 months of treatment. MRE‐based cross‐sectional morphometry was used to measure psoas muscle cross sectional area (CSA). Psoas CSA z‐scores were calculated using normative data.

Results:

We enrolled 30 children (ages 9‐‐17 years). Twenty‐eight of 30 (93%) received anti‐tumor necrosis factor therapy and 4 required surgical resection. Children with below‐average psoas CSA and body mass index (BMI) z‐scores at diagnosis were much more likely to fail treatment or undergo surgery by 6 months compared with those with higher z‐scores (55% vs 0%; P = 0.001). Children with no activity limitations at diagnosis had significantly larger muscle gains in the first month, compared with those whose activity was limited at diagnosis (P = 0.012). Most patients had higher psoas CSA z‐scores by 6 months, and these increases were associated with weight and BMI z‐score increases.

Conclusions:

Skeletal muscle growth contributes to weight gain during treatment induction in most patients with CD. Psoas muscle CSA on diagnostic imaging may have prognostic value in children with CD.
Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Financial Stress and Metabolic Abnormalities
Authors: Kuo Wan-chin , Oakley Linda D. , Brown Roger L. , Hagen Erika W. , Barnet Jodi H. , Peppard Paul E. , Bratzke Lisa C.
Published: December 2020

Background

Financial stress is associated with higher prevalence of metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular disease, but the extent to which this association differs by type of metabolic abnormalities or gender is unclear.

Objectives

The study aims were (a) to examine the association between financial stress and the prevalence of common metabolic abnormalities and (b) to test the association for gender differences.

Methods

A cross-sectional secondary analysis was conducted using data from the Retirement and Sleep Trajectories study, an ancillary study of the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort study. Composite indicator structural equation alpha modeling with a stacking approach was applied in the data analysis.

Results

After controlling for covariates, financial stress was positively associated with the prevalence of abdominal obesity, metabolic syndrome, and dyslipidemia, with significant gender differences. Among men, financial stress was positively associated with the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia. Among women, financial stress was positively associated with the prevalence of prediabetes, abdominal obesity, metabolic syndrome, and dyslipidemia.

Conclusion

Men living with financial stress are more likely to have hypertriglyceridemia, a specific metabolic abnormality and risk factor for acute cardiovascular events. However, financial stress in women is associated with a broader array of metabolic abnormalities (e.g., dyslipidemia, prediabetes, abdominal obesity, metabolic syndrome), highlighting a potential risk of multiple chronic conditions later in life.
Upper-Limb Entheses in Healthy Children
Authors: Martire María Victoria , Collado Paz
Published: December 2020

Background

Interest in ultrasound (US) as a diagnostic tool in spondyloarthritis is growing. Although the literature has provided detailed description of normal lower-limb entheses for adults and children, validated normal US findings of the pediatric upper-limb (UL) entheses are lacking.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe the sonographic characteristics of the UL entheses in healthy children to provide a basis for assessing pathologic findings in children with rheumatic diseases.

Methods

This is an observational, cross-sectional study. The recruited healthy children were grouped according to age: group 1, 3–9 years (n = 22); group 2, 10 to 13 years (n = 12); and group 3, 14 to 18 years (n = 9). The following UL entheses were examined: (1) supraspinatus, (2) common flexor, (3) common extensor, and (4) triceps. Ultrasound examination was performed in B mode for morphology and structural abnormalities, and power Doppler was applied to detect vascularization within the enthesis and cartilage sites.

Results

Forty-three children with a median age of 9 years (6–13 years) were included; 55% were boys. A total of 344 entheses were evaluated; all of them presented a homogeneous hyperechoic fibrillar pattern. Tendon insertion thickness at the bone attachment site increased with age and was greater in males. No signs of chronic enthesopathy were detected. Doppler signal was observed in children from groups 1 and 2, but not in any of the patients in group 3. In group 1, intraentheses signal was detected in the common extensor tendon insertion as an isolated signal (n = 2 patients), whereas intracartilage signal was detected in the supraspinatus (n = 1 patient) and the triceps (n = 1 patient). In group 2, intracartilage signal was detected in the common extensor (n = 2 patients) and the common flexor (n = 2 patients). Interobserver agreement for the entheses' thickness was as follows: intracorrelation coefficient class (ICC) of 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84–0.92) for the supraspinatus enthesis, ICC of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.83–0.90) for the common extensor enthesis, ICC of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.91–0.97) for the common flexor enthesis, and ICC of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.89–0.95) for the triceps enthesis. The κ index was 0.93 for the detection of the power Doppler signal. Intraobserver agreement was good for all evaluated entheses: ICC of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.83–0.91) for supraspinatus, ICC of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.84–0.91) for common extensor entheses, ICC of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.86–0.93) for common flexor entheses, and ICC of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.90–0.97) for evaluation of triceps entheses. The κ index was 0.91 for the detection of Doppler signal.

Conclusions

The current study provides a comprehensive description of the structural appearance and vascularization of UL entheses on healthy children. This information can be useful as reference for interpretation of pathological findings in children with musculoskeletal diseases in clinical practice.
The job search journey of Portuguese Millennials: a qualitative exploratory study
Authors: Miranda Sandra , Duarte Carolina
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to research the job search journey of Portuguese Millennials. A job search journey is defined as the contact points between organisations and candidates throughout the job search process and the flow of this journey.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 13 individuals.

Findings

This paper shows that the contact points established by individuals during the first stage of their job search influence the subsequent contact points chosen to gather information about the organisation and also the journey undertaken up until the decision is made to apply for the job.

Originality/value

This research intends to contribute to the existing literature in two ways: it proposes a new concept which is designated the job search journey, and it maps out the job search journey of Portuguese Millennials.
The relationship between teacher leadership and collective teacher efficacy in Chinese upper secondary schools
Authors: Liu Peng
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between teacher leadership and collective teacher efficacy in Chinese upper secondary schools.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on survey answers from 1,074 upper secondary teachers in a Chinese city, path analysis was conducted to understand the relationship.

Findings

This study identified that a number of dimensions of teacher leadership (recognition, collegiality, participation and positive environment) had positive relationships with group competence. Meanwhile, the dimensions of developmental focus, participation and positive environment had positive relationships with task analysis. Additionally, when the authors treated collective efficacy as a single variable, the dimensions of developmental focus, congeniality, participation and positive environment had positive relationships with collective efficacy.

Originality/value

This study is to understand the relationship between teacher leadership and collective teacher efficacy in a collective culture and hierarchical education system.
Does love of money matter for innovative work behavior in public sector organizations? Evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Susanto Ely
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to test the impact of public service motivation (PSM) and love of money (LOM) on innovative work behavior (IWB) and the moderating role of love of money on the relationship between PSM IWB in the public-sector environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 400 sets of questionnaires were distributed to camat (district heads) and lurah (sub-district heads), civil servants in Yogyakarta municipality, Indonesia. The final sample selected for analysis was comprised of 241 paired data responses. Multiple hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the study's hypotheses.

Findings

This study found that PSM does not positively influence IWB, whereas LOM does. This study also confirmed the moderating role of LOM in the relationship between PSM and IWB.

Research limitations/implications

First, the sample size is limited to civil servants working at districts (kecamatan) and sub-districts (kelurahan) in Yogyakarta municipality. Such a limited amount of sample may have an impact on the findings. Second, causal inferences are difficult to achieve as this study employed cross-sectional data. Longitudinal studies should, thus, be considered for future studies. Third, most respondents are 46–50 years old.

Practical implications

Leaders in public organizations should consider the living conditions of their civil servants when drafting policies to encourage innovative behavior. Theoretically, intrinsic motivation is the dominant factor that encourages people to behave innovatively. This theory, however, may not be viable when applied in a condition where civil servants face a difficult life as a result of their relatively low level of salary. Under such conditions, monetary reward policy can subsequently be an alternative to encourage them to behave innovatively.

Social implications

Leaders should carefully pay attention to this policy and follow what Tang and Ciu (2003) and Frey and Jegen (2001) suggest. As an LOM attitude can lead to improper behaviors (Tang and Ciu, 2003), monetary rewards should be used as a support rather than as a control in reference to the civil servants. Moreover, leaders should consistently maintain the sustainability of their monetary policy to improve IWB. This is because they have changed their focus to monetary rewards rather than intrinsic motivation. When this policy is terminated, it may impact the diminishing IWB.

Originality/value

Scholars and practitioners agree that IWB can help public-sector organizations improve performance. While most existing research has been conducted in the context of the private sector, this study investigates IWB in the context of public sector organizations. Previous studies have also indicated that the battle between two approaches, utilitarianism and romanticism, continues. Therefore, this study is designed to enrich the debate about this struggle between the two approaches in order to uncover ideas that help explain IWB in a developing country.
Plague reservoir species throughout the world
Authors: MAHMOUDI Ahmad , KRYŠTUFEK Boris , SLUDSKY Alexander , SCHMID Boris V. , DE ALMEIDA Alzira M. P. , LEI Xu , RAMASINDRAZANA Beza , BERTHERAT Eric , YESZHANOV Aidyn , STENSETH Nils Chr. , MOSTAFAVI Ehsan
Published: December 2020

Plague has been known since ancient times as a re‐emerging infectious disease, causing considerable socioeconomic burden in regional hotspots. To better understand the epidemiological cycle of the causative agent of the plague, its potential occurrence, and possible future dispersion, one must carefully consider the taxonomy, distribution, and ecological requirements of reservoir‐species in relation either to natural or human‐driven changes (e.g. climate change or urbanization). In recent years, the depth of knowledge on species taxonomy and species composition in different landscapes has undergone a dramatic expansion, driven by modern taxonomic methods such as synthetic surveys that take into consideration morphology, genetics, and the ecological setting of captured animals to establish their species identities. Here, we consider the recent taxonomic changes of the rodent species in known plague reservoirs and detail their distribution across the world, with a particular focus on those rodents considered to be keystone host species. A complete checklist of all known plague‐infectable vertebrates living in plague foci is provided as a Supporting Information table.
Assessing ontogenetic maturity in extinct saurian reptiles
Authors: Griffin Christopher T. , Stocker Michelle R. , Colleary Caitlin , Stefanic Candice M. , Lessner Emily J. , Riegler Mitchell , Formoso Kiersten , Koeller Krista , Nesbitt Sterling J.
Published: December 2020

Morphology forms the most fundamental level of data in vertebrate palaeontology because it is through interpretations of morphology that taxa are identified, creating the basis for broad evolutionary and palaeobiological hypotheses. Assessing maturity is one of the most basic aspects of morphological interpretation and provides the means to study the evolution of ontogenetic changes, population structure and palaeoecology, life‐history strategies, and heterochrony along evolutionary lineages that would otherwise be lost to time. Saurian reptiles (the least‐inclusive clade containing Lepidosauria and Archosauria) have remained an incredibly diverse, numerous, and disparate clade through their ~260‐million‐year history. Because of the great disparity in this group, assessing maturity of saurian reptiles is difficult, fraught with methodological and terminological ambiguity. We compiled a novel database of literature, assembling >900 individual instances of saurian maturity assessment, to examine critically how saurian maturity has been diagnosed. We review the often inexact and inconsistent terminology used in saurian maturity assessment (e.g. ‘juvenile’, ‘mature’) and provide routes for better clarity and cross‐study coherence. We describe the various methods that have been used to assess maturity in every major saurian group, integrating data from both extant and extinct taxa to give a full account of the current state of the field and providing method‐specific pitfalls, best practices, and fruitful directions for future research. We recommend that a new standard subsection, ‘Ontogenetic Assessment’, be added to the Systematic Palaeontology portions of descriptive studies to provide explicit ontogenetic diagnoses with clear criteria. Because the utility of different ontogenetic criteria is highly subclade dependent among saurians, even for widely used methods (e.g. neurocentral suture fusion), we recommend that phylogenetic context, preferably in the form of a phylogenetic bracket, be used to justify the use of a maturity assessment method. Different methods should be used in conjunction as independent lines of evidence when assessing maturity, instead of an ontogenetic diagnosis resting entirely on a single criterion, which is common in the literature. Critically, there is a need for data from extant taxa with well‐represented growth series to be integrated with the fossil record to ground maturity assessments of extinct taxa in well‐constrained, empirically tested methods.
Three questions about the eco‐physiology of overwintering underground
Authors: Huey Raymond B. , Ma Liang , Levy Ofir , Kearney Michael R.
Published: December 2020

In cold environments ectotherms can be dormant underground for long periods. In 1941 Cowles proposed an ecological trade‐off involving the depth at which ectotherms overwintered: on warm days, only shallow reptiles could detect warming soils and become active; but on cold days, they risked freezing. Cowles discovered that most reptiles at a desert site overwintered at shallow depths. To extend his study, we compiled hourly soil temperatures (5 depths, 90 sites, continental USA) and physiological data, and simulated consequences of overwintering at fixed depths. In warm localities shallow ectotherms have lowest energy costs and largest reserves in spring, but in cold localities, they risk freezing. Ectotherms shifting hourly to the coldest depth potentially reduce energy expenses, but paradoxically sometimes have higher expenses than those at fixed depths. Biophysical simulations for a desert site predict that shallow ectotherms have increased opportunities for mid‐winter activity but need to move deep to digest captured food. Our simulations generate testable predictions to eco‐physiological questions but rely on physiological responses to acute cold rather than to natural cooling profiles. Furthermore, natural‐history data to test most predictions do not exist. Thus, our simulation approach uncovers knowledge gaps and suggests research agendas for studying ectotherms overwintering underground.
Acceptability and potential impact on uptake of using different risk stratification approaches to determine eligibility for screening: A population‐based survey
Authors: Usher‐Smith Juliet A. , Harvey‐Kelly Laragh L. W. , Rossi Sabrina H. , Harrison Hannah , Griffin Simon J. , Stewart Grant D.
Published: December 2020

Background

Using risk stratification approaches to determine eligibility has the potential to improve efficiency of screening.

Objectives

To compare the public acceptability and potential impact on uptake of using different approaches to determine eligibility for screening.

Design

An online population‐based survey of 668 adults in the UK aged 45‐79 including a series of scenarios in the context of a potential kidney cancer screening programme in which eligibility was determined by age, sex, age and sex combined, a simple risk score (age, sex, body mass index, smoking status), a complex risk score additionally incorporating family history and lifestyle, or a genetic risk score.

Outcome measures

We used multi‐level ordinal logistic regression to compare acceptability and potential uptake within individuals and multivariable ordinal logistic regression differences between individuals.

Results

Using sex, age and sex, or the simple risk score were less acceptable than age (P < .0001). All approaches were less acceptable to women than men. Over 70% were comfortable waiting until they were older if the complex risk score or genetics indicated a low risk. If told they were high risk, 85% would be more likely to take up screening. Being told they were low risk had no overall influence on uptake.

Conclusions

Varying the starting age of screening based on estimated risk from models incorporating phenotypic or genetic risk factors would be acceptable to most individuals and may increase uptake.

Patient or Public Contribution

Two members of the public contributed to the development of the survey and have commented on this paper.
Aerosol‐deposited Al2O3/PTFE hydrophobic coatings with adjustable transparency
Authors: Kim Ik‐Soo , Cho Myung‐Yeon , Jeong Yohan , Shin Yun‐Cheol , Lee Dong‐Won , Park Chulhwan , Koo Sang‐Mo , Ho Shin Weon , Yang Won‐Jik , Park Yeol , Sohn Hiesang , Oh Jong‐Min
Published: December 2020

With the wide range of requirements for architectural glass, such as transparency, opacity, and hydrophobicity, there is a need to address the issues in the complexity of convention methods. Thus, considering functionality and applicability in various architectural windows, hydrophobic alumina/polytetrafluoroethylene (Al2O3/PTFE) composite layers with transparency or opacity were transferred to commercial architectural glass using a facile aerosol deposition (AD) process. We successfully fabricated hydrophobic coating layers with high transmittance (only a 0.03% difference from sheet glass) by optimizing the PTFE content in Al2O3 using solution‐based synthesized powders to enable a uniform surface topology. The opaque hydrophobic Al2O3/PTFE coating layers exhibit a transmittance of approximately 0% with excellent hydrophobicity of 130°. Remarkably, this opaque film was successfully employed onto a large deposition area, curved substrate, and micro‐patterned regions. It is believed that our AD‐prepared composite layers have great potential for architectural glass in terms of economic feasibility and versatility.
Teaching Turkish‐Dutch kindergartners Dutch vocabulary with a social robot: Does the robot's use of Turkish translations benefit children's Dutch vocabulary learning?
Authors: Leeuwestein Hanneke , Barking Marie , Sodacı Hande , Oudgenoeg‐Paz Ora , Verhagen Josje , Vogt Paul , Aarts Rian , Spit Sybren , de Haas Mirjam , de Wit Jan , Leseman Paul
Published: December 2020

Providing first language (L1) translations in L2 vocabulary interventions may be beneficial for L2 vocabulary learning. However, in linguistically diverse L2 classrooms, teachers cannot provide L1 translations to all children. Social robots do offer such opportunities, as they can be programmed to speak any combination of languages. This study investigates whether providing L1 translations in a robot‐assisted L2 vocabulary training facilitates children's learning. Participants were Turkish‐Dutch kindergartners (n = 67) who were taught six Dutch (L2) words for which they knew the L1 (Turkish), but not the L2 Dutch form. Half of these words were taught by a Turkish‐Dutch bilingual robot, alongside their Turkish translations; the other half by a monolingual Dutch robot. Children also completed Dutch and Turkish receptive vocabulary tests. Results of generalized linear regression models indicated better performance in the Dutch‐only condition than in the Turkish‐Dutch condition. Children with well‐developed Turkish and Dutch vocabulary knowledge outperformed children with less well‐developed vocabulary knowledge. The majority of children preferred working with the bilingual robot, but children's preference did not affect word learning. Thus, contrary to our prediction, we found no evidence for a facilitating effect of providing L1 translations through a robot on bilingual children's L2 word learning.
Periodontal treatment, psychological factors and oral health‐related quality of life
Authors: Rawlinson Andrew , Vettore Mario V. , Baker Sarah R , Robinson Peter G
Published: December 2020

Aims

To determine changes in OHRQoL and clinical status after periodontal treatment and the factors predicting these changes.

Methods

Cohort of 140 patients with chronic periodontitis receiving non‐surgical treatment. Participant self‐completed questionnaires: Sense of Coherence, Locus of Control, Self‐esteem and Task‐specific Self‐efficacy before treatment, and Oral Health Impact Profile at treatment, oral hygiene review and end of study. Relationships between OHRQoL, clinical data, individual and environmental characteristics were analysed with structural equation modelling guided by the Wilson and Cleary model.

Results

OHRQoL and the periodontal status improved after treatment. Greater sense of coherence and age, better periodontal status, lower DMFT and being male predicted better OHRQoL after treatment. Better task‐specific self‐efficacy and self‐esteem, but worse plaque score predicted better end periodontal status.

Conclusions

OHRQoL and periodontal status improved after periodontal treatment, and this was predicted by individual demographic and psychological factors. These factors may assist with case selection and as possible points for intervention to improve clinical and subjective outcomes of periodontal treatment.
Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue Crack Growth Testing
Authors: Borg Jennifer , Platts Norman , Gill Peter , Mann Jonathan , Currie Chris
Published: December 2020

Laboratory data have indicated that light water reactor environments can significantly reduce the fatigue life and crack growth performance of austenitic stainless steels. These environmental effects have been codified into design procedures and documents such as NUREG/CR-6909 Rev 1 (fatigue life) and ASME code case N-809 (crack growth). However, there is considered to be significant conservatism in these methods when applied to plant relevant loadings.

The Weighted K-Rate, WKR, method was initially developed by J. Emslie et.al (PVP2016-63497) to address the influence of waveform shape as one of the potential sources of the over-conservatism in code case N-809. This method was found to significantly reduce the over-conservatism associated with ASME code case N-809. However, this method was based solely on isothermal data, and was shown to also retain significant over-conservatism, especially for out-of-phase non-isothermal waveforms typical of many thermally induced loading transients. The WKR method was further evolved into the Weighted Temperature and K-rate (WTKR) method, by Currie et.al (PVP2019-93855), further updated by Mann et.al (PVP2020-21585), which partitions the damage across the loading cycle, under non-isothermal conditions, and has been shown to significantly reduce the perceived over-conservatism associated with ASME code case N-809 when applied to many plant-relevant loading waveforms. This paper describes work that was done to investigate the impact of non-isothermal temperature / loading waveforms, and forms the bulk of non-isothermal data from which the WTKR method was derived.

The data presented in this paper indicate that for out-of-phase transient loading (typical of most thermally induced plant loadings), and simple isothermal loading at low temperatures and longer rise times, the WTKR method provides a more accurate prediction of fatigue crack growth rates than the application of ASME code case N-809.
Mode I Ductile Crack Growth of 1TC(T) Specimen Under Large Cyclic Loading: Part IV
Authors: Hojo Kiminobu
Published: December 2020

Ductile crack growth calculation method under excessive cyclic loading in a fitness for service rule has not been established even in Mode I. Since 2017 to 2019 the author had tried to establish how to determine the parameters of the combined hardening rule and applied it to simulate the ductile crack growth behavior of the 1TC(T) specimens of the different loading levels for ferritic steel. Also ΔJ calculation using the reference stress method, and the transferred crack growth rate from a code were applied to estimate the ductile crack growth. Several equations of the reference stress method were tried to apply in the previous paper. Further the prediction procedure using the ΔJ, the reference stress method and da/dN-ΔJ curve based on the JSME rules on fitness for service (FFS) was applied to the pipe fracture tests under cyclic loading and its applicability was discussed for the case of a pipe structure in the previous paper. In this paper similar procedures were applied to 1TC(T) specimens of stainless steel. The combined hardening rule was applied for the constitution law of stress-strain curve. The numerical simulation with the combined rule traced the load-load line displacement curve under the cyclic loading experiments of 1TC(T). Also austenitic stainless fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) in air condition from the JSME rules on FFS bounded the experimental crack growth rate, which means the FCGR of the JSME rules is applicable to fatigue crack growth calculation.
High order local absorbing boundary conditions for acoustic and elastic scattering
Authors: Villamizar Vianey , Khajah Tahsin , Acosta Sebastian , Grundvig Dane , Badger Jacob , Rojas Otilio
Published: December 2020

The formulation of high order local absorbing boundary conditions in terms of farfield expansions (FE-ABC) for time-harmonic waves is considered. Our previously constructed FE-ABC for single and multiple acoustic scattering are improved. Furthermore, we extend the FE-ABC to elastic scattering. By decomposing the vector elastic displacement in terms of scalar potentials, the Navier's equation of elasticity is reduced to a boundary value problem consisting of two Helmholtz equations coupled through their boundary conditions. As a result, the formulation of the elastic FE-ABC from the acoustic case becomes natural. In this work, we present some numerical results by coupling the FE-ABC with finite difference methods and a general curvilinear finite element method based on isogeometric analysis. We present our results for two and three dimensional acoustic and elastic scattering problems from obstacles of arbitrary shape.
Black holes by the dozens challenge theorists
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: December 2020

Trove of gravitational wave detections allows black holes to be studied en masse.
‘Nothing is impossible,’ says lab ace Nita Patel
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: December 2020

She rose from rural poverty in India. Now, she's buoying a crash effort to make a coronavirus vaccine.
Cross-reactivity between tumor MHC class I–restricted antigens and an enterococcal bacteriophage
Authors: Fluckiger Aurélie , Daillère Romain , Sassi Mohamed , Sixt Barbara Susanne , Liu Peng , Loos Friedemann , Richard Corentin , Rabu Catherine , Alou Maryam Tidjani , Goubet Anne-Gaëlle , Lemaitre Fabien , Ferrere Gladys , Derosa Lisa , Duong Connie P. M. , Messaoudene Meriem , Gagné Andréanne , Joubert Philippe , De Sordi Luisa , Debarbieux Laurent , Simon Sylvain , Scarlata Clara-Maria , Ayyoub Maha , Palermo Belinda , Facciolo Francesco , Boidot Romain , Wheeler Richard , Boneca Ivo Gomperts , Sztupinszki Zsofia , Papp Krisztian , Csabai Istvan , Pasolli Edoardo , Segata Nicola , Lopez-Otin Carlos , Szallasi Zoltan , Andre Fabrice , Iebba Valerio , Quiniou Valentin , Klatzmann David , Boukhalil Jacques , Khelaifia Saber , Raoult Didier , Albiges Laurence , Escudier Bernard , Eggermont Alexander , Mami-Chouaib Fathia , Nistico Paola , Ghiringhelli François , Routy Bertrand , Labarrière Nathalie , Cattoir Vincent , Kroemer Guido , Zitvogel Laurence
Published: December 2020

Phages and cancer immunity

Gut bacteria are involved in the education of T cell immune responses, and the intestinal ecosystem influences anticancer immunity. Fluckiger
et al.
report microbial antigens that might cross-react with antigens associated with tumor cells. They found that a type of intestinal bacteria called enterococci harbor a bacteriophage that modulates immune responses. In mouse models, administration of enterococci containing the bacteriophage boosted T cell responses after treatment with chemotherapy or programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade. In humans, the presence of the bacteriophage was associated with improved survival after PD-1 immunotherapy. A fraction of human T cells specific for naturally processed melanoma epitopes appeared to be able to recognize microbial peptides. This “molecular mimicry” may represent cross-reactivity between tumors and microbial antigens.

Science
, this issue p.
936
Complete Genome Sequences of Four Brucella suis Strains Isolated from Swiss Wild Boars
Authors: Akarsu Hatice , Brodard Isabelle , Kittl Sonja , Overesch Gudrun , Jores Joerg
Published: December 2020

We present the complete genomes of four
Brucella suis
biovar 2 isolates that were obtained from wild boars in Switzerland in 2008 and 2009. Genomes were sequenced with PacBio technology, contained two chromosomes each, had a genome size of 3.3 Mbp, and contained more than 3,225 genes per genome.
Metagenome-Assembled Genome Sequence of
Vulcanococcus
sp. Strain Clear-D1, Assembled from a Cyanobacterial Enrichment Culture
Authors: Floback Alexis E. , Florea Kyra M. , Thrash J. Cameron , Webb Eric A.
Published: December 2020

We report the metagenome-assembled genome sequence of a
Vulcanococcus
sp. binned from a cyanobacterial enrichment culture. The genome contains 39 contigs comprising 2.96 Mbp and is estimated as 100% complete, with a GC content of 63.9% and 3,261 predicted coding genes.
Metagenome-Assembled Genome Sequence of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae Strain Clear-A1, Assembled from an Enrichment Culture
Authors: Yemenian Tiffany , Florea Kyra M. , Thrash J. Cameron , Webb Eric A.
Published: December 2020

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae
is a significant harmful algal bloom forming cyanobacterial species. Here, we report the draft genome for a strain of
A. flos-aquae
(Clear-A1) from a harmful algal bloom enrichment culture. This metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) sequence comprises 4,452,466 bp in 60 contigs with a GC content of 37.1%.
Time-Varying Parameter Identification of Bridges Subject to Moving Vehicles Using Ridge Extraction Based on Empirical Wavelet Transform
Authors: Li Jiantao , Guo Jian , Zhu Xinqun
Published: December 2020

For a vehicle moving over a bridge, the vehicle-bridge interaction (VBI) embraces the time-varying modal parameters of the system. The identification of non-stationary characteristics of bridge responses due to moving vehicle load is important and remains a challenging task. A new method based on the improved empirical wavelet transform (EWT) along with ridge detection of signals in time-frequency representation (TFR) is proposed to estimate the instantaneous frequencies (IFs) of the bridge. Numerical studies are conducted using a VBI model to investigate the time-varying characteristics of the system. The effects of the measurement noise, road surface roughness and structural damage on the bridge IFs are investigated. Finally, the dynamic responses of an in-situ cable-stayed bridge subjected to a passing vehicle are analyzed to further explore the time varying characteristics of the VBI system. Numerical and experimental studies demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method on the IF estimation. The identified IFs reveal important time-varying characteristics of the bridge dynamics that is significant to evaluating the actual performance of operational bridges in operation and may be used for structural health assessment.
Magma plumbing system and origin of the intraplate volcanoes in Mainland China: an overview of constraints from geophysical imaging
Authors: Yu Weiqian , Wei Wei , Wei Feixiang , Bai Xiang , Liu Songjun , Xu Dan
Published: December 2020

Volcanic eruptions, despite causing large-scale disasters, also provide important natural resources and are an effective way to understand the Earth's internal structure and its evolution. Herein, a comprehensive review is presented on recent progress in geophysical imaging of the structure and origin of intraplate volcanoes in Mainland China. We primarily focus on the Changbaishan, Wudalianchi, Tengchong, Hainan and Ashikule volcanoes as they are currently active and hence pose potential hazards during future eruptions, particularly the Changbaishan volcano. The Changbaishan and Wudalianchi volcanoes are widely believed to be caused by the dehydration of the stagnant Pacific slab in the mantle transition zone along with wet upwelling in the big mantle wedge. There are a number of different views regarding the formation mechanism of the Tengchong volcano. Some studies suggest that a big mantle wedge structure is also present under eastern Tibet, and the Tengchong volcano has a deep origin, similar to volcanism in NE China. Others suggest that the Tengchong volcano is caused by a local and shallow process. Most tomographic studies suggest that the Hainan volcano is a hotspot, and its track has been located in SE China by combining seismological, geochemical and numerical modelling data. A gap exists between the subducted Indian Plate and the Tarim lithosphere beneath the Ashikule volcano, which provides a channel for asthenospheric upwelling to give rise to intraplate volcanism in the Ashikule basin. The interactions of lithospheres may produce shear heating of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle, which can generate localized melting. This process has been proposed as an explanation for the intraplate volcanism in Ashikule.
3D Nanostructures for Tissue Engineering, Cancer Therapy, and Gene Delivery
Authors: Gholami Ahmad , Hashemi Seyyed Alireza , Yousefi Khadije , Mousavi Seyyed Mojtaba , Chiang Wei-Hung , Ramakrishna Seeram , Mazraedoost Sargol , Alizadeh Ali , Omidifar Navid , Behbudi Gity , Babapoor Aziz
Published: December 2020

The self-assembling is a spontaneous progression through which objects of nanophase/molecules materialize into prepared collections. Several biomolecules can interact and assemble into highly structured supramolecular structures, for instance, proteins and peptides, with fibrous scaffolds, helical ribbons, and many other functionalities. Various self-assembly systems have been established, from copolymers in blocks to three-dimensional (3D) cell culture scaffolds. Another advantage of self-assembly is its ability to manage a large variety of materials, including metals, oxides, inorganic salts, polymers, semiconductors, and various organic semiconductors. The most basic self-assembly of 3D nanomaterials is three primary forms of nanostructured carbon-based materials that perform a critical role in the progress of modern nanotechnologies, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, and fullerene. This review summarized important information on the 3D self-assembly nanostructure, such as peptide hydrogel, graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and fullerene for application in gene delivery, cancer therapy, and tissue engineering.