bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic resistance genes from livestock waste: occurrence, dissemination, and treatment
Authors: He Ya , Yuan Qingbin , Mathieu Jacques , Stadler Lauren , Senehi Naomi , Sun Ruonan , Alvarez Pedro J. J.
Published: February 2020

Antibiotics are widely used in animal husbandry, and various types of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are frequently detected in livestock waste around the world. Conventional livestock waste treatment processes do not completely remove ARGs, resulting in their release to soil and water environments. Various exposure routes of these ARGs to humans, including inhalation and ingestion of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) that harbor them, may be contributing to the rise in resistant clinical infections that are increasingly difficult to treat with antibiotics. In this review, we assess the occurrence and variability of ARGs in livestock wastes and their potential propagation pathways to human pathogens. We also review the mechanisms and environmental factors that influence the dissemination of ARGs through these pathways, and evaluate the ARG removal efficiency of common livestock waste management approaches. Challenges and research needs for assessing and mitigating the risk of antibiotic resistance dissemination from livestock waste are also presented.
Publisher Correction: Moderate Nucleoporin 133 deficiency leads to glomerular damage in zebrafish
Authors: Cianciolo Cosentino Chiara , Berto Alessandro , Pelletier Stéphane , Hari Michelle , Loffing Johannes , Neuhauss Stephan C. F. , Doye Valérie
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Design and synthesis of new energy restriction mimetic agents: Potent anti-tumor activities of hybrid motifs of aminothiazoles and coumarins
Authors: Hersi Fatema , Omar Hany A. , Al-Qawasmeh Raed A. , Ahmad Zainab , Jaber Areej M. , Zaher Dana M. , Al-Tel Taleb H.
Published: February 2020

The incidence of obesity-related diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and different types of cancers shed light on the importance of dietary control as preventive and treatment measures. However, long-term dietary control is challenging to achieve in most individuals. The use of energy restriction mimetic agents (ERMAs) as an alternative approach to affect the energy machinery of cancer cells has emerged as a promising approach for cancer therapy. ERMAs limit the high need for energy in rapidly growing tumor cells, with their survival rate strongly dependent on the robust availability of energy. In this context, initial phenotypic screening of an in-house pilot compound library identified a new class of aminothiazole anchored on coumarin scaffold as potent anticancer lead drug candidates with potential activity as ERMA. The identified chemotypes were able to inhibit glucose uptake and increase ROS content in cancer cells. Compounds 9b, 9c, 9i, 11b, and 11c were highly active against colorectal cancer cell lines, HCT116 and HT-29, with half-maximal inhibitory concertation (IC50) range from 0.25 to 0.38 µM. Further biological evaluations of 9b and 9f using Western blotting, caspase activity, glucose uptake, ROS production, and NADPH/NADP levels revealed the ability of these lead drug candidates to induce cancer cell death via, at least in part, energy restriction. Moreover, the assessment of 9b and 9f synergistic activity with cisplatin showed promising outcomes. The current work highlights the significant potential of the lead compounds, 9b, and 9f as potential anticancer agents via targeting the cellular energy machinery in cancer cells.
Sequential delayed [18 F]FDG PET/CT examinations in the pharynx
Authors: Pietrzak Agata Karolina , Marszalek Andrzej , Kazmierska Joanna , Kunikowska Jolanta , Golusinski Pawel , Suchorska Wiktoria Maria , Michalak Marcin , Cholewinski Witold
Published: February 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the biphasic 2-deoxy-2-[18 F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18 F]FDG PET/CT) examinations in terms of distinguishing benign and malignant lesions within the pharynx. 139 patients underwent sequential biphasic [18 F]FDG PET/CT examinations at 60 and 90 minutes (min) post intravenous injection (p.i.) of the [18 F]FDG. We evaluated the metabolic activity of 93 malignant lesions and 59 benign findings within pharynx as well as 70 normal blood vessels. We evaluated the maximal and mean standardized uptake value (SUVmax, SUVmean) and the retention index (RI-SUVmax). We used the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis to obtain the prognostic metabolic indices cut-off which may differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. The SUVmax value cut-off at 60 and 90 min p.i. differentiating between normal and abnormal metabolic activity in the pharynx was 1.9 and 2.0, respectively. When compared benign and malignant lesions, the SUVmax on initial and delayed scans were 3.1 and 3.6, respectively. In this material, the increase of the SUVmax value over time of 1.7% suggested abnormality, while RI-SUVmax of 5.7% indicated malignant etiology. The biphasic [18 F]FDG PET/CT study protocol is useful in better stratification of normal and abnormal glucose metabolism activity in the pharynx.
Author Correction: FTY720 Induces Autophagy-Associated Apoptosis in Human Oral Squamous Carcinoma Cells, in Part, through a Reactive Oxygen Species/Mcl-1-Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Bai Li-Yuan , Chiu Chang-Fang , Chiu Shih-Jiuan , Chu Po-Chen , Weng Jing-Ru
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Linking midlatitudes eddy heat flux trends and polar amplification
Authors: Chemke Rei , Polvani Lorenzo M.
Published: February 2020

Eddy heat fluxes play the important role of transferring heat from low to high latitudes, thus affecting midlatitude climate. The recent and projected polar warming, and its effects on the meridional temperature gradients, suggests a possible weakening of eddy heat fluxes. We here examine this question in reanalyses and state-of-the-art global climate models. In the Northern Hemisphere we find that the eddy heat flux has robustly weakened over the last four decades. We further show that this weakening emerged from the internal variability around the year 2000, and we attribute it to increasing greenhouse gases. In contrast, in the Southern Hemisphere we find that the eddy heat flux has robustly strengthened, and we link this strengthening to the recent multi-decadal cooling of Southern-Ocean surface temperatures. The inability of state-of-the-art climate models to simulate such cooling prevents them from capturing the observed Southern Hemisphere strengthening of the eddy heat flux. This discrepancy between models and reanalyses provides a clear example of how model biases in polar regions can affect the midlatitude climate.
Tools and analytic techniques to synthesise community knowledge in CBPR using computer-mediated participatory system modelling
Authors: Hayward Joshua , Morton Saraya , Johnstone Michael , Creighton Doug , Allender Steven
Published: February 2020

Participatory systems thinking methods are often used in community-based participatory research to engage and respond to complexity. Participation in systems thinking activities creates opportunities for participants to gain useful insights about complexity. It is desirable to design activities that extend the benefits of this participation into communities, as these insights are predictive of success in community-based prevention. This study tests an online, computer-mediated participatory system modelling platform (STICKE) and associated methods for collating and analysing its outputs. STICKE was trialled among a group of community members to test a computer-mediated system modelling exercise. The causal diagrams resulting from the exercise were then merged, and network analysis and DEMATEL methods applied to inform the generation of a smaller summary model to communicate insights from the participant group as a whole. Participants successfully completed the online modelling activity, and created causal diagrams consistent with expectations. The DEMATEL analysis was identified as the participant-preferred method for converging individuals causal diagrams into a coherent and useful summary. STICKE is an accessible tool that enabled participants to create causal diagrams online. Methods trialled in this study provide a protocol for combining and summarising individual causal diagrams that was perceived to be useful by the participant group. STICKE supports communities to consider and respond to complex problems at a local level, which is cornerstone of sustainable effective prevention. Understanding how communities perceive their own health challenges will be important to better support and inform locally owned prevention efforts.
Publisher Correction: Shape selective bifacial recognition of double helical DNA
Authors: Thadke Shivaji A. , Hridya V. M. , Perera J. Dinithi R. , Gil Roberto R. , Mukherjee Arnab , Ly Danith H.
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Production of biomedical cell products: requirements for the quality of donor material and excipients of animal origin (review)
Authors: Vodiakova Marina A. , Sayfutdinova Aliya R. , Melnikova Ekaterina V. , Goryaev Artem A. , Sadchikova Natalia P. , Gegechkori Vladimir I. , Merkulov Vadim A.
Published: February 2020

Donor biological materials and excipients of animal origin are important components in the production of biomedical cell products (BMCPs).
Effect of Cu loading on the structural evolution and catalytic activity of Cu–Mg/ZnO catalysts for dimethyl oxalate hydrogenation
Authors: Kong Xiangpeng , Wu Yuehuan , Ding Lifeng , Wang Ruihong , Chen Jiangang
Published: February 2020

Proper Cu loading introduced into the Cu–Mg/ZnO system facilitates strengthening of the Cu–Zn synergistic effect and optical surface chemical properties.
In[Ba3Cl3F6]: a novel infrared-transparent molecular sieve constructed by halides
Authors: Jiang Xiaoqing , Wu Hongping , Yu Hongwei , Hu Zhanggui , Wang Jiyang , Wu Yicheng
Published: February 2020

A new metal halide molecular sieve In[Ba3Cl3F6] has been synthesized by the hydrothermal method. It possesses a wide transparent window from 0.366 to 22 μm and can exhibit the good adsorption–desorption property.
Mechanically durable and long-term repairable flexible lubricant-infused monomer for enhancing water collection efficiency by manipulating droplet coalescence and sliding
Authors: Zhou Hui , Jing Xueshan , Guo Zhiguang
Published: February 2020

The flexible lubricant-infused surface can realize the slipping of pinned droplets based on the high degree of deformation generated by strain/release, which highly enhances its water collection efficiency and service life.
Bone morphogenetic protein-9 promotes the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer cells by activating PI3K/Akt and Smad1/5 pathways
Authors: Hou Xiaodong , Peng Yuanbo , Liu Jianhua , Zhong Qixiang , Yu Zhenglun , Zhang Lei
Published: February 2020

Non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is any type of epithelial lung cancer other than small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), which accounts for about 85% of all lung cancers.
Effects of lithium dendrites on thermal runaway and gassing of LiFePO4 batteries
Authors: Wang Suijun , Rafiz Kishen , Liu Jialiang , Jin Yi , Lin Jerry Y. S.
Published: February 2020

An in situ study to mechanistically understand the effect of dendrites on thermal runaway and safety of Li-ion batteries.
Phosphorization of a Prussian blue analogue-derived Co–N–C catalyst for synchronously boosting the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions
Authors: Zhou Xiangyang , Xu Lei , Gao Yuning , Li Liang , Tang Jingjing , Yang Juan
Published: February 2020

We successfully developed a PBA-driven method to obtain dual-functional catalysts for oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction and simultaneously enhance their catalytic performance through simple phosphating.
Miniature water monopolar patch antenna using transparent high‐permittivity liquid substrate
Authors: Sun Jie , Luk Kwai‐Man
Published: February 2020

A miniature water patch antenna using high‐permittivity liquid substrate is demonstrated. The utilised liquid substrate is ethyl acetate, which is an optically transparent liquid with permittivity of 7.8 over microwave frequencies. It turns out that when using ethyl acetate as the middle substrate, the diameter of the circular water patch can be decreased by 48% compared with the case using air as the middle substrate, and a wide bandwidth of 36% can be obtained. The results show that the ethyl acetate is an optional candidate to realise a compact transparent antenna.
Transmission electron microscope imaging of plasma grown electroformed silicon nitride-based light emitting diode for direct examination of nanocrystallization
Authors: Anutgan Tamila , Anutgan Mustafa , Atilgan İsmail
Published: February 2020

We report for the first time a direct transmission electron microscope (TEM) imaging of a cross-section of a silicon nitride-based light emitting diode (LED), produced via a method patented by our research group. Grown by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique the LED structure (glass/Cr/p+-nc-Si:H/i-SiNx:H/n+-nc-Si:H/ITO) was then subjected to a high forward voltage stress for one time only, i.e. electroforming process. After electroforming the LED exhibited a boosted visible light emission and memory effect. To study the structural effect of the electroforming on the as-deposited LED the cross-section was extracted by focused ion beam (FIB) technique directly from the electroformed diode and thus prepared for TEM imaging. Since the electroforming process caused crystallization of ITO and its breakup in some parts of the diode surface, the FIB was conducted for the cross-section containing some regions with ITO layer and some without ITO. TEM examination revealed the nanocrystalline phase formation within the intrinsic layer (i-SiNx:H) caused by the electroforming process. The average size and distribution of Si nanocrystallites formed inside i-SiNx:H was determined. The Si nanocrystallization within i-SiNx:H was compared for the regions with and without ITO layer. The previously proposed model describing the changes taken place in the diode during electroforming process was reconsidered in the light of this TEM analysis.
Theoretical and practical research on relationship between blast air condition and hearth activity in large blast furnace
Authors: Dai Bing , Long Hong-ming , Ji Yi-long , Rao Jia-ting , Liu Yun-cai
Published: February 2020

From the results calculated by theoretical derivations, it was found that the characteristics of tuyere raceway determined by the operation condition for blast air played a critical effect on the heart activity. The speed and kinetic energy of blast air should be proportional to the volume of blast furnace (BF), and the comprehensive optimization of air volume and tuyere which should vary with the quality of raw materials was essential. The calculation methods of air volume ratio and coefficient for different BFs were put forward. Moreover, the details on hearth activity recovery of a 4747 m3 blast furnace in China were elaborated. Based on the extensive experience in blast furnace production, the various phenomena used to judge air speed and kinetic energy whether reasonable were discussed. In summary, hearth activity was closely related to the characteristics of BF raceway and reasonable air speed and kinetic energy could effectively improve the activity.
An ideal MHD δW stability analysis that bypasses the Newcomb equation
Authors: Glasser Alexander S. , Glasser A. H. , Conlin Rory , Kolemen Egemen
Published: February 2020

In the following work, we demonstrate the efficacy of a Riccati δW ideal MHD stability analysis that bypasses the numerically intractable integration of the Newcomb equation. By transforming the linear Newcomb equation into a quadratic Riccati equation, an accurate and equivalent δW analysis is performed that is shown to enjoy some numerical advantages. We demonstrate that the Riccati approach is better conditioned than its Newcomb counterpart at the magnetic axis, and we apply dynamical systems insights to examine its behavior at singular points. We further discuss the constraints involved in solving for the extremal admissible perturbations of a δW analysis.
Equation of state and force fields for Feynman–Hibbs-corrected Mie fluids. II. Application to mixtures of helium, neon, hydrogen, and deuterium
Authors: Aasen Ailo , Hammer Morten , Müller Erich A. , Wilhelmsen Øivind
Published: February 2020

We extend the statistical associating fluid theory of quantum corrected Mie potentials (SAFT-VRQ Mie), previously developed for pure fluids [Aasen et al., J. Chem. Phys. 151, 064508 (2019)], to fluid mixtures. In this model, particles interact via Mie potentials with Feynman–Hibbs quantum corrections of first order (Mie-FH1) or second order (Mie-FH2). This is done using a third-order Barker–Henderson expansion of the Helmholtz energy from a non-additive hard-sphere reference system. We survey existing experimental measurements and ab initio calculations of thermodynamic properties of mixtures of neon, helium, deuterium, and hydrogen and use them to optimize the Mie-FH1 and Mie-FH2 force fields for binary interactions. Simulations employing the optimized force fields are shown to follow the experimental results closely over the entire phase envelopes. SAFT-VRQ Mie reproduces results from simulations employing these force fields, with the exception of near-critical states for mixtures containing helium. This breakdown is explained in terms of the extremely low dispersive energy of helium and the challenges inherent in current implementations of the Barker–Henderson expansion for mixtures. The interaction parameters of two cubic equations of state (Soave–Redlich–Kwong and Peng–Robinson) are also fitted to experiments and used as performance benchmarks. There are large gaps in the ranges and properties that have been experimentally measured for these systems, making the force fields presented especially useful.
Protonation-dependent adsorption of polyarginine onto silver nanoparticles
Authors: Kyrychenko Alexander , Blazhynska Margaret M. , Kalugin Oleg N.
Published: February 2020

Polyarginine (poly-Arg) and arginine-rich peptides have been attracting enormous interest in chemical and cell biology as cell-penetrating peptides capable of direct intracellular penetration. Owing to advances in protein engineering, arginine-rich fragments are often incorporated into multifunctional bioorganic/inorganic core–shell nanoparticles, enabling them the novel unique ability to cross cells and deliver biopharmaceutical cargos. Therefore, understanding the molecular details of the adsorption, packing, and release of poly-Arg onto or from metal nanoparticles is one of the current challenges. In this work, we carry out atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to identify the most favorable location, orientation, and conformation of poly-Arg adsorbed onto a silver nanoparticle (AgNP). Herein, we utilize the constant protonation approach to identify the role of protonation of side chain arginine moieties in the adsorption of poly-Arg to AgNP as a function of pH. The strong adsorption of unprotonated poly-Arg30 onto the quasispherical surface of AgNP with an average diameter of 3.9 nm is primarily governed by multiple interactions of side chain guanidinium (Gdm) moieties, which get stacked and align flat onto the surface. The protonation of the arginine side chain enhances the protein–solvent interactions and promotes the weakening of the protein–nanoparticle binding. The formation of multiple H-bonds between the protonated Arg residues and water molecules favors exposing the charged Gdm+ moieties to the solvent. Protonated poly-Arg30 is found to be partially bound to AgNP due to some weak protein–nanoparticle contacts, maintained by binding of the amide oxygen atoms of the peptide bond. These results suggest that reversible acid–base switching between the arginine protonation states is able to drive the rearrangement of the polyarginine coating around AgNPs, which could be important for a rational design of “intelligent” multifunctional core–shell nanosystems.
On the role of solvent in hydrophobic cavity–ligand recognition kinetics
Authors: Ahalawat Navjeet , Bandyopadhyay Satyabrata , Mondal Jagannath
Published: February 2020

A solvent often manifests itself as the key determinant of the kinetic aspect of the molecular recognition process. While the solvent is often depicted as a source of barrier in the ligand recognition process by the polar cavity, the nature of solvent’s role in the recognition process involving hydrophobic cavity and hydrophobic ligand remains to be addressed. In this work, we quantitatively assess the role of solvent in dictating the kinetic process of recognition in a popular system involving the hydrophobic cavity and ligand. In this prototypical system, the hydrophobic cavity undergoes dewetting transition as the ligand approaches the cavity, which influences the cavity–ligand recognition kinetics. Here, we build a Markov state model (MSM) using adaptively sampled unrestrained molecular dynamics simulation trajectories to map the kinetic recognition process. The MSM-reconstructed free energy surface recovers a broad water distribution at an intermediate cavity–ligand separation, consistent with a previous report of dewetting transition in this system. Time-structured independent component analysis of the simulated trajectories quantitatively shows that cavity–solvent density contributes considerably in an optimized reaction coordinate involving cavity–ligand separation and water occupancy. Our approach quantifies two solvent-mediated macrostates at an intermediate separation of the cavity–ligand recognition pathways, apart from the fully ligand-bound and fully ligand-unbound macrostates. Interestingly, we find that these water-mediated intermediates, while transient in populations, can undergo slow mutual interconversion and create possibilities of multiple pathways of cavity recognition by the ligand. Overall, the work provides a quantitative assessment of the role that the solvent plays in facilitating the recognition process involving the hydrophobic cavity.
Generation of magnetic skyrmions by focused vortex laser pulses
Authors: Polyakov O. P. , Gonoskov I. A. , Stepanyuk V. S. , Gross E. K. U.
Published: February 2020

We propose a method to generate magnetic skyrmions by intense laser pulses optimally focused on a magnetically ordered 2D-layer. In particular, we consider few-cycle intense pulses with the magnetic vortex structure near the focus region on the layer. The spin dynamics is modeled using the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation and includes the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction. We demonstrate that skyrmions can be observed within a few picoseconds after the end of the laser pulse. We analyze the physical picture of this process and work out which laser pulse and 2D-layer parameters are required for the generation.
The effect of CO2 contamination in rechargeable non-aqueous sodium–air batteries
Authors: Benti Natei Ermias , Mekonnen Yedilfana Setarge , Christensen Rune , Tiruye Girum Ayalneh , Garcia-Lastra Juan Maria , Vegge Tejs
Published: February 2020

Metal–air batteries have higher theoretical specific energies than existing rechargeable batteries including Li-ion batteries. Among metal–air batteries, the Na–O2 battery has gained much attention due to its low discharge/charge overpotentials (∼100 mV) at relatively high current densities (0.2 mA/cm2), high electrical energy efficiency (90%), high theoretical energy density, and low cost. However, there is no information reported regarding the effect of CO2 contamination in non-aqueous Na–air batteries. Density functional theory has, here, been applied to study the effect of low concentrations of CO2 contamination on NaO2 and Na2O2 growth/depletion reaction pathways and overpotentials. This was done on step surfaces of discharge products in non-aqueous Na–air batteries. Adsorption energies of CO2 at various nucleation sites for both step surfaces were determined, and results revealed that CO2 preferentially binds at the step valley sites of (001) NaO2 and 11¯00 Na2O2 surfaces with binding energies of −0.65 eV and −2.67 eV, respectively. CO2 blocks the step nucleation site and influences the reaction pathways and overpotentials due to carbonate formation. The discharge electrochemical overpotential increases remarkably from 0.14 V to 0.30 V and from 0.69 V to 1.26 V for NaO2 and Na2O2 surfaces, respectively. CO2 contamination is thus drastically impeding the growth/depletion mechanism pathways and increases the overpotentials of the surface reaction mechanism, hampering the performance of the battery. Avoiding CO2 contamination from intake of gas and electrolyte decomposition is thus critical in development of Na–air batteries.
Determination of background doping polarity of unintentionally doped semiconductor layers
Authors: Fink D. R. , Lee S. , Kodati S. H. , Rogers V. , Ronningen T. J. , Winslow M. , Grein C. H. , Jones A. H. , Campbell J. C. , Klem J. F. , Krishna S.
Published: February 2020

We present a method of determining the background doping type in semiconductors using capacitance–voltage measurements on overetched double mesa p–i–n or n–i–p structures. Unlike Hall measurements, this method is not limited by the conductivity of the substrate. By measuring the capacitance of devices with varying top and bottom mesa sizes, we were able to conclusively determine which mesa contained the p–n junction, revealing the polarity of the intrinsic layer. This method, when demonstrated on GaSb p–i–n and n–i–p structures, concluded that the material is residually doped p-type, which is well established by other sources. The method was then applied to a 10 monolayer InAs/10 monolayer AlSb superlattice, for which the doping polarity was unknown, and indicated that this material is also p-type.
Methodological nationalism in translation studies
Authors: Cussel Mattea
Published: February 2020

This article critiques methodological nationalism and binaries in theoretical discussions of literary translation. The naturalization of the national story of translation is traced from the Renaissance up to its uncritical adoption when the discipline of translation studies was established. Borrowing from critiques of methodological nationalism in other disciplines, it is argued that a thorough revision of certain vocabularies is still needed to definitively break with lingering national and binary tropes. Venuti’s foreignization is challenged due to its most problematic but previously overlooked aspect: its reliance on national paradigms and circumscribed domestic and foreign groups. To eschew the image of literary translation as transfer from culture A to culture B, an alternative empirical approach to networks of intersectionally-positioned readers in transnational localities is proposed. This critique is necessary given the messiness of subjectivity and the need for new solidarities in our transforming transnational world.
Butterfly-wing pollination inScadoxusand other South African Amaryllidaceae
Authors: Butler Hannah C , Johnson Steven D
Published: February 2020

Understanding the evolution of floral morphology requires information about the identity of pollinators as well as the specific mechanisms of pollen transfer. Based on preliminary field observations and floral structure, we hypothesized that pollination mechanisms involving the transfer of pollen on butterfly wings occur in several lineages of South African Amaryllidaceae. Here we report findings from a detailed study of butterfly-wing pollination in two subspecies of Scadoxus multiflorus and review the prevalence of this pollination mechanism among other Amaryllidaceae in southern Africa. We established that S. multiflorus subsp. katherinae is genetically self-incompatible and thus entirely reliant on pollinators for seed production. We determined that this subspecies is pollinated almost exclusively by large swallowtail butterflies, principally males of the mocker swallowtail Papilio dardanus cenea. Flowers of S. multiflorus subsp. multiflorus are pollinated by pierid and swallowtail butterflies. Pollen is deposited on the ventral surface of the wings of butterflies as they flutter over the strongly exserted stamens. We predict that butterfly-wing pollination occurs in at least nine species of South African Amaryllidaceae, which may reflect several independent origins of this mechanism. The flowers of these species are red or orange with strong herkogamy and are either bowl-brush or open-brush in shape. We provide maps of the distribution of pollen on the ventral surface of the wings of pollinators for four of these species. All four appear to be pollinated via the ventral surface of large butterfly wings, with the floral structure facilitating the process. These findings illustrate the importance of investigating pollen transfer mechanisms in order to understand patterns of floral diversification and floral convergence.
Leveraging Integrated Continuous Manufacturing to Address Critical Issues in the U.S. Military
Authors: Takizawa Bayan Teisho , Born Stephen Christopher , Mascia Salvatore
Published: February 2020

There is a tremendous opportunity to modernize the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry—relinquishing outdated machines that have been used for decades, and replacing them with state-of-the-art equipment that reflect more contemporary advanced technologies. This article describes how the implementation of continuous manufacturing, replacing outdated batch systems, can positively impact our health care sector. Important benefits will include the creation of advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing jobs in the United States, the establishment of capabilities and capacity to quickly produce drugs critical to U.S. citizens, the reduction of health care costs through more efficient manufacturing, and access to better quality drugs through more sophisticated and reliable production processes. Furthermore, the application of continuous manufacturing will enable the U.S. Government, in partnership with pharmaceutical companies, to address current issues such as drug shortages, national emergencies (eg, natural disasters or chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats), the Strategic National Stockpile (ie, improving response time and reducing maintenance costs), and the delivery of critical drugs to distant geographies (eg, forward military bases). The article also provides a detailed example of a critical aspect of continuous manufacturing: the ability to overcome technical challenges encountered by batch technologies.
Scrambler Therapy Treatment: The Importance of Examining Clinically Meaningful Improvements in Chronic Pain and Quality of Life
Authors: Nayback-Beebe Ann , Panula Tanya , Arzola Sonya , Goff Brandon
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Calmare Scrambler Therapy (ST) interferes with pain signal transmission by using nerve fibers to convey a message of normality to the central nervous system. This prospective, double-blinded, randomized trial had three aims. First, we tried to determine ST’s effectiveness in reducing chronic neuropathic pain symptoms and analgesic medication use in military service members, when compared to sham treatment. Next, we examined its effect on reported mental and physical health-related quality of life. Finally, we sought to describe participant perceptions of treatment effectiveness.

Materials and Methods

Forty-seven subjects were randomized to receive ten 30-minute active ST or sham treatments. Data were collected at baseline, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up.

Results

The groups showed no statistically significant differences in pain scores, medication use, or mental or physical health-related quality of life with active versus sham treatment. However, both produced clinically meaningful reductions in pain and improvements in physical health-related quality posttreatment that was sustained at 1-month follow-up. Ninety percent of the blinded sample described the treatment intervention as a partial or complete success.

Conclusion

ST is no better than sham treatment in decreasing pain. Yet, patient perceptions of treatment effectiveness are equally important in chronic pain treatment.
Pediatric Prehospital Wound Prophylaxis in Iraq and Afghanistan
Authors: Naylor Jason F , April Michael D , Hill Guyon J , Schauer Steven G
Published: February 2020

Background

Infectious complications of war wounds are a significant source of mortality and morbidity. Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) guidelines recommend prehospital moxifloxacin, ertapenem, or cefotetan for “all open combat wounds.” We describe the prehospital administration of antibiotics to pediatric trauma patients.

Methods

We queried the Department of Defense Trauma Registry for all pediatric subjects admitted to United States and Coalition fixed-facility hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan from January 2007 to January 2016.

Results

During this time, there were 3,439 pediatric encounters which represented 8.0% of all admissions. Prehospital providers administered a total of 216 antibiotic doses to 210 subjects. Older children received antibiotics more frequently than younger children, were more likely to be male, located in Afghanistan, and injured by explosive with the majority surviving to hospital discharge. Cefazolin and ceftriaxone were the most frequently utilized antibiotics.

Conclusions

The most frequently administered antibiotics were cephalosporins. TCCC recommended agents for adult prehospital wound prophylaxis were infrequently administered to pediatric casualties. Administration rates of pediatric prehospital wound prophylaxis may be improved with pediatric-specific TCCC guidelines recommending cephalosporins as first-line agents, fielding of a TCCC-oriented Broselow tape, and training prehospital providers on administration of antimicrobials.
Relationship of Anthropometric Measures on Female Trainees’ and Active Duty Soldiers’ Performance of Common Soldiering Tasks
Authors: Redmond Jan E , Cohen Bruce S , Haven Caitlin C , Pierce Joseph R , Foulis Stephen A , Frykman Peter N , Canino Maria C , Sharp Marilyn A
Published: February 2020

Introduction

This study compared the relationship between height (HT), body mass (BM), and body mass index (BMI) of female trainees and active duty female soldiers and their performance on simulated common soldiering tasks (CSTs) with high physical demands.

Methods

Female trainees (n = 133) and soldiers (n = 229) completed the following CSTs: sandbag carry, move under fire, casualty drag, casualty evacuation, and road march. Quartiles were created among HT, BM, and BMI by which task performance was compared using ANOVAs with Tukey post hoc comparisons.

Results

For both trainees and soldiers, HT, BM, and BMI were positively associated with improved road march, casualty drag, casualty evacuation, and sandbag carry performance. On the move under fire task, only soldier HT was positively associated with improved performance.

Conclusion

Female trainees and soldiers who are taller and heavier with a higher BMI may demonstrate better performance on CSTs required of all soldiers. In addition to task-specific training, performance of CSTs may be enhanced in tasks requiring strength and power by recruiting and retaining taller and heavier females with a higher BMIs. Allowances should be considered for soldiers and trainees who can successfully perform soldiering tasks with high physical demands despite less desirable anthropometric measurements.
How comets work: nucleus erosion versus dehydration
Authors: Fulle Marco , Blum J , Rotundi A , Gundlach B , Güttler C , Zakharov V
Published: February 2020

We develop an activity model based on ice sublimation and gas diffusion inside cm-sized pebbles making-up a cometary nucleus. Our model explains cometary activity assuming no free parameters and fixing the nucleus surface temperature Ts, its gradient below the nucleus surface at thermal equilibrium, the pressure inside the porous pebbles, and the gas flux from them. We find that (i) the nucleus erosion rate and water vapour flux are independent of the nucleus refractory-to-ice ratio, which affects the dehydration rate only; (ii) water-driven dust ejection occurs in thermal quasi-equilibrium at Ts > 205 K; (iii) the smallest and largest ejected dust sizes depend on the nucleus surface temperature and its gradient at depths of few cm; and (iv) the water-driven nucleus erosion rate is independent of the water vapour flux. Regarding comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, we find that (i) during the northern and southern polar summers, the nucleus active areas are ≈5 km2; (ii) >95 per cent of the southern pristine nucleus has a refractory-to-water-ice mass ratio >5; and (iii) the different temperature dependences of the dehydration and erosion rates explain the seasonal cycle: at perihelion, dm-sized chunks ejected by the sublimation of CO2 ices are rapidly enveloped by an insulating crust, preserving most water ice up to their fallout on the northern dust deposits; the inbound water-driven activity at low temperatures triggers a complete erosion of the fallout if its water-ice mass fraction is >0.1 per cent.
Exonuclease combinations reduce noises in 3D genomics technologies
Authors: Kong Siyuan , Li Qing , Zhang Gaolin , Li Qiujia , Huang Qitong , Huang Lei , Zhang Hui , Huang Yinghua , Peng Yanling , Qin Baoming , Zhang Yubo
Published: February 2020

Chromosome conformation-capture technologies are widely used in 3D genomics; however, experimentally, such methods have high-noise limitations and, therefore, require significant bioinformatics efforts to extract reliable distal interactions. Miscellaneous undesired linear DNAs, present during proximity-ligation, represent a main noise source, which needs to be minimized or eliminated. In this study, different exonuclease combinations were tested to remove linear DNA fragments from a circularized DNA preparation. This method efficiently removed linear DNAs, raised the proportion of annulation and increased the valid-pairs ratio from ∼40% to ∼80% for enhanced interaction detection in standard Hi-C. This strategy is applicable for development of various 3D genomics technologies, or optimization of Hi-C sequencing efficiency.
Recombination may occur in the absence of transcription in the immunoglobulin heavy chain recombination centre
Authors: Oudinet Chloé , Braikia Fatima-Zohra , Dauba Audrey , Khamlichi Ahmed Amine
Published: February 2020

Developing B cells undergo V(D)J recombination to generate a vast repertoire of Ig molecules. V(D)J recombination is initiated by the RAG1/RAG2 complex in recombination centres (RCs), where gene segments become accessible to the complex. Whether transcription is the causal factor of accessibility or whether it is a side product of other processes that generate accessibility remains a controversial issue. At the IgH locus, V(D)J recombination is controlled by Eμ enhancer, which directs the transcriptional, epigenetic and recombinational events in the IgH RC. Deletion of Eμ enhancer affects both transcription and recombination, making it difficult to conclude if Eμ controls the two processes through the same or different mechanisms. By using a mouse line carrying a CpG-rich sequence upstream of Eμ enhancer and analyzing transcription and recombination at the single-cell level, we found that recombination could occur in the RC in the absence of detectable transcription, suggesting that Eμ controls transcription and recombination through distinct mechanisms. Moreover, while the normally Eμ-dependent transcription and demethylating activities were impaired, recruitment of chromatin remodeling complexes was unaffected. RAG1 was efficiently recruited, thus compensating for the defective transcription-associated recruitment of RAG2, and providing a mechanistic basis for RAG1/RAG2 assembly to initiate V(D)J recombination.
DeepMicrobes: taxonomic classification for metagenomics with deep learning
Authors: Liang Qiaoxing , Bible Paul W , Liu Yu , Zou Bin , Wei Lai
Published: February 2020

Large-scale metagenomic assemblies have uncovered thousands of new species greatly expanding the known diversity of microbiomes in specific habitats. To investigate the roles of these uncultured species in human health or the environment, researchers need to incorporate their genome assemblies into a reference database for taxonomic classification. However, this procedure is hindered by the lack of a well-curated taxonomic tree for newly discovered species, which is required by current metagenomics tools. Here we report DeepMicrobes, a deep learning-based computational framework for taxonomic classification that allows researchers to bypass this limitation. We show the advantage of DeepMicrobes over state-of-the-art tools in species and genus identification and comparable accuracy in abundance estimation. We trained DeepMicrobes on genomes reconstructed from gut microbiomes and discovered potential novel signatures in inflammatory bowel diseases. DeepMicrobes facilitates effective investigations into the uncharacterized roles of metagenomic species.
The Tohono O’odham “Attack” on El Plomo: A Study in Sovereignty, Survivance, Security, and National Identity at the Dawn of the American Century
Authors: Bess Jennifer
Published: February 2020

Having inhabited the Sonoran Desert since time immemorial, the Tohono O’odham had been moving their herds of cattle across the U.S-Mexico border since they began ranching. But in 1898, within the context of the Spanish-American War, their migrations and subsequent local conflicts became national news, inciting the intervention of four government agencies.
Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis: Clinical Presentation and Management Updates
Authors: Schwartzlow Coreen , Kazamel Mohamed
Published: February 2020

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis, once a rare progressive neuropathy and/or cardiomyopathy, is now recognized with increasing worldwide frequency, various phenotypes, and over 130 gene mutations identified to date. This inherited disorder develops as a result of mutated transthyretin amyloid aggregation and systematic deposition throughout the body. With increasing knowledge about the pathophysiology of this disease, new disease-modifying therapies are being developed. In addition to slowing progression, these new agents were found to improve quality of life and reduce the severity of neuropathic symptoms. Two new gene-modifying therapies recently received Food and Drug Administration approval following the positive results from phase III trials. These include an antisense oligonucleotide, inotersen, and small interfering RNA, patisiran, which were reported to reduce the production of transthyretin and had promising safety profiles. Additional novel therapies are being explored with hopes to prolong survival. Therefore, early diagnosis of this treatable disorder has become increasingly important in clinical practice.
Possible Sampling Error in Corneal Specular Microscopy: Can Central Endothelial Data Generated by Specular Microscope Represent the Real Clinical Condition of the Whole Cornea?
Authors: van den Berg Arthur Buffara , Holzchuh Ricardo , Hida Richard Yudi
Published: February 2020

Purpose:

To estimate the minimum number of cells required to obtain reliable data in a specular microscope, which could possibly represent the real clinical condition of the corneal endothelium.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study of 122 eyes of 61 individuals submitted to noncontact specular microscope was conducted. Data generated by the manufacturer's software were uploaded to specific statistical software for sampling relative error calculation. When relative error was above 5%, new images were acquired and more cells counted until the desired relative error was reached. Data analyzed in this study for the desired relative error were number of cells marked by the examiner for each eye (marked cells), number of cells used for data analysis (analyzed cells), endothelial area used for analysis, sampling error, and absolute number of images used for each eye.

Results:

The average number of marked cells required to obtain a relative sampling error of less than 5% was 425.2 ± 102.2 cells. The average number of analyzed cells used by the specular microscope to generate the data was 247.4 ± 51.6 cells. The average endothelial area of the analyzed cells was 0.43 ± 0.08 mm2. The mean sampling error was 3.7% ± 0.6%, and an average of 2.95 ± 0.74 images was needed to obtain a relative sampling error of less than 5%.

Conclusions:

We conclude that, theoretically, a minimum of 425.2 cells from 2.95 images must be marked to obtain reliable results, which could possibly represent the real endothelial clinical condition of the whole cornea.
Current state of adult intestinal transplantation in Europe
Authors: Clarysse Mathias , Canovai Emilio , Vanuytsel Tim , Pirenne Jacques
Published: February 2020

Purpose of review

In Europe, adult intestinal transplantation (ITx) has continuously evolved since the first successful case in 1989. However, despite several recent innovations, no significant improvement in survival has been seen since 2005, illustrating the unique difficulty of transplanting the intestine. In this review, a subanalysis of adult ITx in Europe is discussed and recent publications on adult ITx in Europe are presented.

Recent findings

Increased medical and surgical arsenal in the treatment of intestinal failure reduce the need for ITx. At the same time, new indications (diffuse ischemia) have emerged. Static cold storage after vascular flush remains the gold standard but promising results are shown with additional luminal preservation. Pretransplant embolization facilitates multivisceral transplantation. Chronic rejection remains a major difficulty to tackle and currently, liver inclusion is the only effective strategy. Treatment of graft-versus-host-disease remains debated. Quality of life substantially improves after successful ITx. ITx becomes cost-effective three years after transplantation.

ITx remains more challenging than other solid organ transplants. However, long term outcome, particularly after combined liver and ITx, is excellent and similar to other solid organ transplants. Further studies are warranted to tackle the fundamental immunobiological challenge that ITx represents.
Job crafting as a work adjustment strategy for workers returning after long-term sickness absence due to common mental disorders
Authors: Nielsen Karina , Yarker Jo
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the way workers with common mental disorders use job crafting to adjust their work to their levels of functioning after returning from long-term sick leave. Thirty-eight workers who had returned within the last 24 months from sickness absence due to common mental disorders were interviewed using semistructured interviews. Questions were asked about how they job crafted to match their changed needs for work functioning post return. To interpret the results, we coded the data according to the Wrzesniewski and Dutton typology of job crafting and conducted thematic analysis. We identified task, relational and cognitive job crafting strategies that workers had employed after returning to work. Our findings have important implications for how managers and organizations can support workers to make adjustments that enable them to stay and thrive at work with reduced work functioning.