bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Placental function in maternal obesity
Authors: Kelly Amy C. , Powell Theresa L. , Jansson Thomas
Published: April 2020

Maternal obesity is associated with pregnancy complications and increases the risk for the infant to develop obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life. However, the mechanisms linking the maternal obesogenic environment to adverse short- and long-term outcomes remain poorly understood. As compared with pregnant women with normal BMI, women entering pregnancy obese have more pronounced insulin resistance, higher circulating plasma insulin, leptin, IGF-1, lipids and possibly proinflammatory cytokines and lower plasma adiponectin. Importantly, the changes in maternal levels of nutrients, growth factors and hormones in maternal obesity modulate placental function. For example, high insulin, leptin, IGF-1 and low adiponectin in obese pregnant women activate mTOR signaling in the placenta, promoting protein synthesis, mitochondrial function and nutrient transport. These changes are believed to increase fetal nutrient supply and contribute to fetal overgrowth and/or adiposity in offspring, which increases the risk to develop disease later in life. However, the majority of obese women give birth to normal weight infants and these pregnancies are also associated with activation of inflammatory signaling pathways, oxidative stress, decreased oxidative phosphorylation and lipid accumulation in the placenta. Recent bioinformatics approaches have expanded our understanding of how maternal obesity affects the placenta; however, the link between changes in placental function and adverse outcomes in obese women giving birth to normal sized infants is unclear. Interventions that specifically target placental function, such as activation of placental adiponectin receptors, may prevent the transmission of metabolic disease from obese women to the next generation.
DLC-1 down-regulation via exosomal miR-106b-3p exchange promotes CRC metastasis by the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Mannavola Francesco , Pezzicoli Gaetano , Tucci Marco
Published: April 2020

Exosomes (Exo) have emerged as potent amplifiers of pro-tumorigenic signals to distant cells. The knowledge of their role in colorectal cancer (CRC) is continuously up-growing, although their contribution to metastasis remains largely unclear. Liu et al. (Clinical Science (2020) 134, https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20191087) in their work have described a novel mechanism by which CRC-derived Exo promote metastasis through the down-regulation of the deleted in liver cancer-1 (DLC-1), a gene involved in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) event in cancer cells. The Authors also demonstrated an increase in serum exosomal miR-106b-3p in patients with metastatic CRC, suggesting its potential implication as a prognostic biomarker. These findings may be of great effort in clarifying the underlying mechanisms of CRC metastasis and provide new targets for future researches.
Twitter Usage Using Common Reference to Tinnitus
Authors: Ni Jianyuan , Bellon-Harn Monica L. , Zhang Jiang , Li Yueqing , Manchaiah Vinaya
Published: April 2020

Objective

The objective of the study was to examine specific patterns of Twitter usage using common reference to tinnitus.

Method

The study used cross-sectional analysis of data generated from Twitter data. Twitter content, language, reach, users, accounts, temporal trends, and social networks were examined.

Results

Around 70,000 tweets were identified and analyzed from May to October 2018. Of the 100 most active Twitter accounts, organizations owned 52%, individuals owned 44%, and 4% of the accounts were unknown. Commercial/for-profit and nonprofit organizations were the most common organization account owners (i.e., 26% and 16%, respectively). Seven unique tweets were identified with a reach of over 400 Twitter users. The greatest reach exceeded 2,000 users. Temporal analysis identified retweet outliers (> 200 retweets per hour) that corresponded to a widely publicized event involving the response of a Twitter user to another user's joke. Content analysis indicated that Twitter is a platform that primarily functions to advocate, share personal experiences, or share information about management of tinnitus rather than to provide social support and build relationships.

Conclusions

Twitter accounts owned by organizations outnumbered individual accounts, and commercial/for-profit user accounts were the most frequently active organization account type. Analyses of social media use can be helpful in discovering issues of interest to the tinnitus community as well as determining which users and organizations are dominating social network conversations.
Linear geometric algebra rotor estimator for efficient mesh deformation
Authors: Wu Jin , Lopez Mauricio , Liu Ming , Zhu Yilong
Published: April 2020

The authors solve the problem of estimating the best rotation aligning two sets of corresponding vectors (also known as Wahba's problem or point cloud registration). The proposed method is among the fastest methods reported in recent literatures, moreover it is robust to noise, accurate and simpler than most other methods. It is based on solving the linear equations derived from the formulation of the problem in Euclidean Geometric Algebra. The authors show its efficiency in two applications: the as‐rigid‐as‐possible (ARAP) surface modelling and the more smooth rotation enhanced ARAP mesh animation which is the only method capable of deforming surface modes with quality of tetrahedral models. Mesh deformation is a key technique in games, automated construction and robotics. The ARAP technique along with its improved variants, although have been extensively studied, can still not be achieved efficiently. Linear geometric algebra based rotor solution proposed in this study gives another perspective of the kernel problem. This, however, not only improves the real performance of the three‐dimensional mesh deformation, but also provides a brand new computationally efficient solution to the Wahba's problem and point cloud registration, which has been closely related to the automation science and engineering.
Spectral signatures of H-rich material stripped from a non-degenerate companion by a Type Ia supernova
Authors: Dessart Luc , Leonard Douglas C. , Prieto Jose L.
Published: April 2020

The single-degenerate scenario for Type Ia supernovae should yield metal-rich ejecta that enclose some stripped material from the non-degenerate H-rich companion star. We present a large grid of non-local thermodynamic equilibrium steady-state radiative transfer calculations for such hybrid ejecta and provide analytical fits for the Hα luminosity and equivalent width. Our set of models covers a range of masses for 56Ni and the ejecta, for the stripped material (Mst), and post-explosion epochs from 100 to 300 d. The brightness contrast between stripped material and metal-rich ejecta challenges the detection of H I and He I lines prior to ~100 d. Intrinsic and extrinsic optical depth effects also influence the radiation emanating from the stripped material. This inner denser region is marginally thick in the continuum and optically thick in all Balmer lines. The overlying metal-rich ejecta blanket the inner regions, completely below about 5000 Å, and more sparsely at longer wavelengths. As a consequence, Hβ should not be observed for all values of Mst up to at least 300 days, while Hα should be observed after ~100 d for all Mst ≥ 0.01 M⊙. Observational non-detections capable of limiting the Hα equivalent width to <1 Å set a formal upper limit of Mst < 0.001M⊙. This contrasts with the case of circumstellar-material (CSM) interaction, not subject to external blanketing, which should produce Hα and Hβ lines with a strength dependent primarily on CSM density. We confirm previous analyses that suggest low values of order 0.001 M⊙ for Mst to explain the observations of the two Type Ia supernovae with nebular-phase Hα detection, in conflict with the much greater stripped mass predicted by hydrodynamical simulations for the single-degenerate scenario. A more likely solution is the double-degenerate scenario, together with CSM interaction, or enclosed material from a tertiary star in a triple system or from a giant planet.
A convergent convex splitting scheme for a nonlocal Cahn–Hilliard–Oono type equation with a transport term
Authors: Cherfils Laurence , Fakih Hussein , Grasselli Maurizio , Miranville Alain
Published: April 2020

We devise a first-order in time convex splitting scheme for a nonlocal Cahn–Hilliard–Oono type equation with a transport term and subject to homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions. However, we prove the stability of our scheme when the time step is sufficiently small, according to the velocity field and the interaction kernel. Furthermore, we prove the consistency of this scheme and the convergence to the exact solution. Finally, we give some numerical simulations which confirm our theoretical results and demonstrate the performance of our scheme not only for phase separation, but also for crystal nucleation, for several choices of the interaction kernel.
Error analysis of a fully discrete finite element method for variable density incompressible flows in two dimensions
Authors: Cai Wentao , Li Buyang , Li Ying
Published: April 2020

An error estimate is presented for a fully discrete, linearized and stabilized finite element method for solving the coupled system of nonlinear hyperbolic and parabolic equations describing incompressible flow with variable density in a two-dimensional convex polygon. In particular, the error of the numerical solution is split into the temporal and spatial components, separately. The temporal error is estimated by applying discrete maximal Lp-regularity of time-dependent Stokes equations, and the spatial error is estimated by using energy techniques based on the uniform regularity of the solutions given by semi-discretization in time.
Adjuvantic cytokine IL-33 improves the protective immunity of cocktailed DNA vaccine of ROP5 and ROP18 against toxoplasma gondii infection in mice
Authors: Zhu Yu-Chao , He Yong , Liu Jian-Fa , Chen Jia
Published: April 2020

Toxoplasma gondii is a threat for immunocompromized individuals, and no treatment is available for enhancing immunity against infection. Molecular adjuvants may improve the efficacy of DNA vaccine-induced T cell immunity. Here, we report that cocktailed DNA immunization with ROP5 and ROP18 boosted immune responses induced by a single DNA immunization with ROP5 or ROP18, but also that co-administration of molecular adjuvant IL-33 enhanced immune efficacy induced by this cocktailed DNA vaccination. These improved immune responses were characterized by higher Toxoplasma-specific IgG2a titers, Th1 responses associated with the production of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12, as well as cell-mediated activity with higher frequencies of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. More importantly, this enhanced immunity has the ability to confer remarkable protection against a high dose lethal challenge of the T. gondii RH strain and thus against chronic infection with the T. gondii PRU strain. These data show that IL-33 is a promising immunoadjuvant to facilitate humoral as well as cellular immunity in a vaccine setting against T. gondii, and suggest that it should be evaluated in strategies against other apicomplexan parasites.
Criteria of the German Consortium for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer for the Classification of Germline Sequence Variants in Risk Genes for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Wappenschmidt Barbara , Hauke Jan , Faust Ulrike , Niederacher Dieter , Wiesmüller Lisa , Schmidt Gunnar , Groß Evi , Gehrig Andrea , Sutter Christian , Ramser Juliane , Rump Andreas , Arnold Norbert , Meindl Alfons
Published: April 2020

More than ten years ago, the German Consortium for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (GC-HBOC) set up a panel of experts (VUS Task Force) which was tasked with reviewing the classifications of genetic variants reported by individual centres of the GC-HBOC to the central database in Leipzig and reclassifying them, where necessary, based on the most recent data. When it evaluates variants, the VUS Task Force must arrive at a consensus. The resulting classifications are recorded in a central database where they serve as a basis for ensuring the consistent evaluation of previously known and newly identified variants in the different centres of the GC-HBOC. The standardised VUS evaluation by the VUS Task Force is a key element of the recall system which has also been set up by the GC-HBOC. The system will be used to pass on information to families monitored and managed by GC-HBOC centres in the event that previously classified variants are reclassified based on new information. The evaluation algorithm of the VUS Task Force was compiled using internationally established assessment methods (IARC, ACMG, ENIGMA) and is presented here together with the underlying evaluation criteria used to arrive at the classification decision using a flow chart. In addition, the characteristics and special features of specific individual risk genes associated with breast and/or ovarian cancer are discussed in separate subsections. The URLs of relevant databases have also been included together with extensive literature references to provide additional information and cover the scope and dynamism of the current state of knowledge on the evaluation of genetic variants. In future, if criteria are updated based on new information, the update will be published on the website of the GC-HBOC (https://www.konsortium-familiaerer-brustkrebs.de/).
Traditionelle Chinesische Medizin – Der (Stellen-)Wert der Erfahrung
Authors: Unschuld Paul U.
Published: April 2020

Die Traditionelle Chinesische Medizin ist heutzutage sowohl in China als auch in der westlichen Welt ein vielbeachtetes Heilsystem. Die Geschichte der chinesischen Medizin ist eine tausendjährige Ansammlung von therapeutisch relevanten Theorien und Praktiken unterschiedlichster Art. Diese Empfehlungen sind bis heute in einer überaus reichhaltigen Literatur nachzulesen. In Europa befinden wir uns jedoch noch in der Aufarbeitung der chinesischen Medizingeschichte. Aus dem überaus reichhaltigen historischen Erbe chinesischer Medizin müssen diejenigen Anteile herausgefiltert werden, die auch zukünftig noch einen Nutzen entfalten können. Dazu dient auch die „Sammlung Unschuld“ in der Berliner Staatsbibliothek.
Use of Taxanes in Metastatic HER2-negative Breast Cancer – a Status Report
Authors: Gluz Oleg , Kolberg-Liedtke Cornelia , Marmé Frederik , Thill Marc
Published: April 2020

The most important goal of treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer is maintenance or even improvement of quality of life. In this setting, chemotherapy should be used with as much restraint as possible. If palliative chemotherapy is indicated, the taxane drug class is an established treatment option. The updated guidelines of the Gynaecological Oncology Working Group (AGO), Breast Committee, of the German Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) and the German Cancer Society e. V. (DKG) provide recommendations with the greatest possible evidence on which of the licensed taxanes can be used in which treatment situation in the metastatic setting.
Norway Spruce Balm: Phytochemical Composition and Ability to Enhance Re-epithelialization In Vitro
Authors: Goels Thomas , Eichenauer Elisabeth , Langeder Julia , Hoeller Franziska , Sykora Christina , Tahir Ammar , Urban Ernst , Heiss Elke H. , Saukel Johannes , Glasl Sabine
Published: April 2020

The balm of the Norway spruce (Picea abies) is a well-known traditional herbal medicine used to cure wounds. Even though clinical trials have confirmed its empirical use, the active constituents, their mode of action, and the exact composition of this natural product are still unknown. In this study, the balm was subjected to fractionated extraction and further purified employing flash chromatography, HPLC-PDA-ELSD, preparative and analytical TLC. Hydroxycinnamic acids (

1–

3), the lignan pinoresinol (

4), four hydroxylated derivatives of dehydroabietic acid (DHAA) (

5 – 

8), and dehydroabietic acid (

9) were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by LC-MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR. Four extracts, two commercially available resin acids–pimaric acid (

10) and isopimaric acid (

11)–and the isolated compounds were tested for increased re-epithelialization of cell-free areas in a human adult low calcium high temperature keratinocytes monolayer. Lysophosphatidic acid (10 µM) served as positive control and ranged between 100% and 150% rise in cell-covered area related to the vehicle control. Two extracts containing carboxylic acids and non-acidic apolar constituents, respectively, boosted wound closure by 47% and 36% at 10 and 3 µg/mL, respectively. Pinoresinol, DHAA, three of its hydroxylated derivatives, and pimaric and isopimaric acid as well as defined combinations of the hydroxylated DHAA derivatives led to a significantly enhanced wound closure by up to 90% at concentrations between 1 and 10 µM. Overall, lignans and diterpene resin acids, main constituents of Norway spruce balm, are able to increase migration or proliferation of keratinocytes in vitro. The presented data link the phytochemistry of this natural wound healing
agent with boosted re-epithelialization.
BF3·OEt2-Catalyzed Aldol Condensation of Steroid Sapogenins and 2-Oxoacids: A Single Step Conversion of Steroid Spiroketals into Branched α,β-Unsaturated Spirolactones
Authors: Iglesias-Arteaga Martin A. , Hernández-Martínez Juan E.
Published: April 2020

BF3·OEt2-catalyzed aldol reaction of steroid sapogenins with glyoxylic acid or pyruvic acid led to compounds in which the novel spirocyclic side chain bears an α,β-unsaturated lactone. The structures of the new spirolactones were established with the aid of combined 1D and 2D NMR techniques. A plausible mechanism is described.
Mental Health Care Service and Mental Problems among Orphan and Vulnerable Children in Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Authors: Selamu Liranso G. , Singhe Mohan S.
Published: April 2020

A lot of children in the world suffer from untreated mental health problems. The global burdens of childhood mental disorders are increasing but mental health care services are neglected in most countries. The objective of this critical analysis was to realize the access to mental health service and mental problems among orphan and vulnerable children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. To achieve the purpose of the analysis, the method was based on the critical analysis of the recent research literature from Pub-Med, Global Health, Google Scholar, Ethiopian Universities, Psych-Info, and WHO data sources. Thirty-six journals published after 2001 were identified and critically analyzed based on scientific inclusion and exclusion criteria as well as analyzed in a systematic manner. The orphan and vulnerable children face a prospect of a persistent effort for physically continued existence, for fundamental needs, education, love and affection, and protection against exploitation violence and bias. The problem of meeting these desires of the children corresponds to a major new challenge that requires an in-depth research, future interventions, and policy plans in tackling the problem. In light of the problem in Ethiopia, researches regarding the mental health care services of the orphan and vulnerable children in Addis Ababa are extremely inadequate.
A Comprehensive Review on Zygomatic Implants
Authors: Gulia Shagun , Vigarniya Monika Malik
Published: April 2020

Severely resorbed or atrophic maxilla has always posed a problem in terms of conventional implant therapy due to insufficient bone. A new approach to such situations is placing implants in the zygoma. Zygomatic implants are placed in patients with inadequate bone due to resection of the maxilla after surgery or in cases of resorbed maxilla. These are longer implants anchoraged in the zygoma, and present as an alternative to sinus augmentation or bone grafting. Being a technique sensitive procedure extreme care has to be taken during the placement of these implants to obtain promising results. This article reviews the zygomatic implants used in dentistry.
Oral Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid with Contact Dermatitis - A Rare Clinical Entity.
Authors: Shenoy Santhosh , Kedlaya Madhurya N , R. Sajna H , Ramesh Amitha
Published: April 2020

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a rare inflammatory, autoimmune, subepithelial vesiculobullous lesion. Oral mucosa is affected in almost 90% of cases. Its development is chronic with a possible involvement of ocular, laryngeal and genital mucosa. Spontaneous remission is rare. Currently, improving oral hygiene, topical corticosteroid treatment is used to control the oral lesions of MMP. In the present case report, a 53 year old female patient with a known history of hypothyroidism reported to the department of Periodontology with a complaint of burning sensation and tenderness in the gums on intake of spicy food for the past one week .The patient had also noticed the formation of blisters on the gums which would break off on their own. Hence provisional diagnosis of MMP was considered based on the clinical and histopathological examination which was later confirmed with immunofluorescent interpretations. The treatment objective is to suppress extensive blister formation, to promote healing, and to prevent scarring. The above objectives were met in our case by thorough periodontal maintenance and steroid therapy. She also presented with skin lesions due to contact dermatitis caused by occupational exposure to tobacco which makes this case report unique.
Radiation induced caries: An overview
Authors: Hegde Mithra N , John Ananiya
Published: April 2020

Amongst all the different varieties of cancers diagnosed across the world around 6% is found to be head and neck cancer and radiotherapy is the choice of treatment. Head and neck radiotherapy cause several changes in dentition, saliva, oral microflora and food habits of the patient thus increasing the risk of radiation-induced dental caries a common, yet serious complication. This paper analyses the literature pertaining to radiation-induced caries and discusses the predisposing factors, etiology, structural changes in the tooth, clinical features of radiation caries and management. To review this, the Pubmed and Scopus database was searched using the keywords “radiation-induced caries”, “xerostomia”, “effects of radiology” and “head and neck tumors”, “osteoradionecrosis”, “management of radiation caries”, “structural changes in teeth after radiotherapy”, “prevention of radiation caries”. Radiation caries is a rampant form of caries commonly seen within the first 3 months after the radiotherapy. Thus, early dynamic involvement of the dentist in the preventive and therapeutic strategies are important. Furthermore, educating and motivating patients about the risk factors, maintenance of oral hygiene, stimulation of salivary flow, fluoride use, and nutritional orientation are essential to decrease the incidence of radiation caries and eventually enhances the quality of life of patients.
Severe Measles-Related Pneumonia in Children Treated with Steroid
Authors: Alanazi Aeshah , Otayn Bashaer , Al Fawaz Tariq S.
Published: April 2020

Measles still remains one of the major causes of childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries. It is a highly contagious viral illness with worldwide occurrence. In spite of a highly vaccinated population, a measles outbreak still occurred in Saudi Arabia in 2019, mainly in the northern regions. Measles-related pneumonia (MRP) is the commonest cause of death in children with measles. In this study, we described two cases of severe MRP in children, who were successfully treated with steroid during the 2019 outbreak.
‘Operative’ natural rights
Authors: Harries Emma
Published: April 2020

There is general disagreement today regarding the philosophical basis of human rights. In order to help give human rights a philosophical basis, this article examines the debate between Joel Feinberg and Rex Martin. Accepting Feinberg’s work characterising natural rights as rights derived from correct moral principles and identified through the use of reason, as well as Martin’s work arguing that valid claims must be recognised in order to function as effective human rights, this article proposes that unrecognised natural rights are ‘inoperative’ but—contrary to Martin’s theory—still existent natural rights, and that recognised natural rights are ‘operative’ but—contrary to Feinberg’s theory—not inalienable natural rights because recognition can be withdrawn. This article thus contains a normative element insofar as it reveals an onus on each person to recognise the rights of others.
A pressurized flow reactor combustion experiment interfaced with synchrotron double imaging photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy
Authors: Hoener M. , Kaczmarek D. , Bierkandt T. , Bodi A. , Hemberger P. , Kasper T.
Published: April 2020

A new pressurized low-temperature combustion experiment has been commissioned at the Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute. The experiment uses photoionization with tunable synchrotron radiation and double imaging photoelectron photoion coincidence (i2PEPICO) detection at the vacuum ultraviolet beamline. The experimental setup is described, including the high-pressure reactor experiment, sampling interface, and reactant delivery system. The CRF-PEPICO (Combustion Reactions Followed by Photoelectron Photoion Coincidence) endstation and VUV beamline are briefly elaborated. The novel aspects of the apparatus and the new components are elucidated in detail, such as the fluid supply system to the reactor and the reactor integration into the endstation. We also present a system overview of the experimental setup. The technical details are followed by a description of the experimental procedure used to operate the pressurized flow reactor setup. Finally, first experimental results demonstrating the capability of the setup are provided and analyzed. A major advantage of this new experiment is that the excellent isomer resolution capabilities of the i2PEPICO technique can be transferred to the investigation of reactions at elevated pressures of several bars. This enables the investigation of pressure effects on the reactivity of fuel mixtures and covers more realistic conditions found in technical combustors. The capability to obtain quantitative oxidation data is confirmed, and the main and certain intermediate species are quantified for a selected condition. The results show excellent agreement with a chemical kinetics model and previously published reference measurements performed with a gas chromatography setup.
Nonlinear δf particle in cell gyrokinetic simulations of the microtearing mode
Authors: Chowdhury J. , Chen Yang , Parker Scott E.
Published: April 2020

Nonlinear simulations are carried out for the microtearing mode using particle-based δf gyrokinetic simulations for parameters relevant to spherical tokamaks. The present study finds that the microtearing mode can generate significant electron heat flux, which is predominantly carried out by the electromagnetic component of the heat flux with a negligible contribution from the electrostatic component. The mode sustains without the electrostatic component. We observe that the electron heat flux increases with the electron temperature gradient. The heat flux exhibits a very weak dependence on the collisions. It increases with electron β initially; however, at very high β, the electron heat flux is reduced.
Tunable magnetoelastic anisotropy in epitaxial (111) Tm3Fe5O12 thin films
Authors: Vu Nguyen M. , Meisenheimer Peter B. , Heron John T.
Published: April 2020

Ferrimagnetic insulators with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy are of particular interest for spintronics due to their ability to mitigate current shunting in spin–orbit torque heterostructures and enable low switching energy, high-density storage magnetic devices. Rare earth iron garnet Tm3Fe5O12 (TmIG) is one such material where prior studies have shown that the negative magnetostriction coefficient and isotropic in-plane tensile strain enable the magnetoelastic anisotropy to overcome the demagnetization energy and stabilize perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. However, the investigation of the tunability of the magnetoelastic anisotropy between thin films that possess perpendicular magnetization and quantification of the magnetoelastic constants has not been reported. Here, we quantify the evolution of magnetic anisotropy in (111)-oriented, epitaxial, 17 nm thick thin films of TmIG using a systematic variation of in-plane epitaxial strain (ranging 0.49%–1.83%) imposed by a suite of commercially available garnet substrates. Within the confines of the imposed strain range and deposition condition, the distortion from cubic symmetry is found to be approximately linear within the in-plane strain. The magnetic anisotropy field can be tuned by a factor of 14 in this strain range. The magnetoelastic anisotropy constant, B2, is found to be approximately constant (∼2500 kJ m−3) and more than 2× larger than the reported bulk value (∼1200 kJ m−3) for a cubic distortion between 90.17° and 90.71°. B2 is found to decrease at cubic distortions of 90.74° and larger. Our results highlight strain engineering, and its limitations, for control of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy.
Features of the flow velocity and pressure gradient of an undular bore on a horizontal bed
Authors: Lin Chang , Kao Ming-Jer , Yuan Juan-Ming , Raikar Rajkumar Venkatesh , Wong Wei-Ying , Yang James , Yang Ray-Yeng
Published: April 2020

Experimental results are presented regarding the free-surface elevations, velocity fields, and horizontal pressure gradients of dambreak-generated undular bores propagating over a horizontal bottom. Ultrasonic wave gauges, high-speed particle image velocimetry, and a flow visualization method are used to investigate the flow fields. Features of the full-depth velocity field and pressure gradient (equal to minus the sum of the local and convective accelerations) in the free stream over the boundary layer are elucidated with respect to the phase of the free-surface elevation and are categorized into four temporal stages. For stage I with rising free-surface elevations, a successive increase in the magnitude of the pressure gradient (with a negative value) corresponds to a favorable pressure gradient in the free stream. Around the zero-up/down-crossing phase of each leading wave evolving in stage II, the pressure gradient has a negative/positive maximum, revealing the maximum favorable/adverse pressure gradient in the free stream. However, the pressure gradient is zero at each crest or trough phase, showing an instantaneous zero pressure gradient. Within stage III characterized by a constant free-surface elevation, the pressure gradient is almost zero. In stage IV with descending free-surface elevations, the pressure gradient first increases from nearly zero to a positive maximum (representing the maximum adverse pressure gradient), then keeps this value for a period of time, and eventually decreases to zero. Subsequently, flow reversal with an increase in thickness over the bottom and free-stream velocity equal to zero takes place.
Strongly polarized quantum well infrared photodetector with metallic cavity for narrowband wavelength selective detection
Authors: Nie Xiaofei , Zhen Honglou , Huang Gaoshan , Yin Yizhe , Li Shilong , Chen Pingping , Zhou Xiaohao , Mei Yongfeng , Lu Wei
Published: April 2020

A quantum well-integrated metallic microcavity infrared photodetector is designed and fabricated to achieve highly polarized narrowband wavelength selective detection. Linear grooves are etched on top of the mesa and then the whole device is completely coated with Ti/Au to form an open metallic microcavity, and the resonant mode of the metallic cavity can be detected by the embedded quantum well active layer. The obtained devices show very narrow wavelength selective detection ability as well as strong polarization-dependent characteristics. High performances such as a quality factor of 60 and a polarization extinction ratio of 146 are noticed. Our work provides a promising basis for developing highly integrated infrared cameras with a remarkable performance.
An antipodal Vivaldi antenna for improved far-field properties and polarization manipulation of broadband terahertz quantum cascade lasers
Authors: Senica U. , Mavrona E. , Olariu T. , Forrer A. , Shahmohammadi M. , Beck M. , Faist J. , Scalari G.
Published: April 2020

We present an antipodal Vivaldi antenna for broadband double metal waveguide terahertz quantum cascade lasers and frequency combs. Its exponentially curved flare profile results in an adiabatic in-plane mode expansion, producing an improved far-field with a single-lobed beam of (23°×19°) full width half maximum with an octave-spanning bandwidth. The antenna also acts as a wave retarder, rotating the polarization from vertical toward horizontal polarization by a frequency-dependent angle. The laser's emission spectrum and current–voltage characteristics are not affected, as well as frequency comb operation. Measurements agree well with numerical simulations, and the proposed antenna covers a broad spectral range (1.5–4.5 THz).
An anomalous wave formation at the Al/Cu interface during magnetic pulse welding
Authors: Li J. S. , Raoelison R. N. , Sapanathan T. , Zhang Z. , Chen X. G. , Marceau D. , Hou Y. L. , Rachik M.
Published: April 2020

This paper reports an anomalous wave formation at an Al/Cu bimetallic interface produced by magnetic pulse welding. The mechanism of the anomalous wave formation is investigated using both metallurgical characterization and the interface kinematics. It reveals that the anomalous wave is formed with the combination of the intermediate zone and the interdiffusion zone with a thickness of 70 nm, wherein the intermediate zone is caused by the local melting due to the high shear instability, and the interdiffusion zone is formed below the melting point of aluminum combined with ultrahigh heating and cooling rates of about 1013 °C s−1. A multiphysics simulation of impact welding has been performed, and it is identified that the jetting kinematics and non-uniform distribution of shear strains during high-speed collision enable the formation of the anomalous wave. The numerical and experimental results comprehensively lead to understanding of the mechanism and the characteristics of the anomalous wave produced during an impact welding.
Microwave assisted gating of spin wave propagation
Authors: Haldar Arabinda , Adeyeye Adekunle Olusola
Published: April 2020

Magnonics is an emerging research area where magnons or spin waves are used as a medium of information processing. Efficient manipulation/gating of magnons on-chip is crucial for realization of logic circuitry and device integration. Here, we show a simple method for gating of the magnons in a magnetic wire based on the dipolar coupled chain of nanomagnets. Spin wave propagation has been directly measured using the micro-Brillouin light scattering technique. We observed a significant reduction of spin wave amplitude by switching the nanomagnets using microwave current through a coplanar waveguide, which was also used for spin wave generation. Microwave assisted magnetization switching has been probed using the magnetic force microscopy technique. The results have potential implications in the area of wave based devices for next generation high frequency communication technologies.
Loss of the neural-specific BAF subunit ACTL6B relieves repression of early response genes and causes recessive autism
Authors: Wenderski Wendy , Wang Lu , Krokhotin Andrey , Walsh Jessica J. , Li Hongjie , Shoji Hirotaka , Ghosh Shereen , George Renee D. , Miller Erik L. , Elias Laura , Gillespie Mark A. , Son Esther Y. , Staahl Brett T. , Baek Seung Tae , Stanley Valentina , Moncada Cynthia , Shipony Zohar , Linker Sara B. , Marchetto Maria C. N. , Gage Fred H. , Chen Dillon , Sultan Tipu , Zaki Maha S. , Ranish Jeffrey A. , Miyakawa Tsuyoshi , Luo Liqun , Malenka Robert C. , Crabtree Gerald R. , Gleeson Joseph G.
Published: April 2020

Synaptic activity in neurons leads to the rapid activation of genes involved in mammalian behavior. ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers such as the BAF complex contribute to these responses and are generally thought to activate transcription. However, the mechanisms keeping such “early activation” genes silent have been a mystery. In the course of investigating Mendelian recessive autism, we identified six families with segregating loss-of-function mutations in the neuronal BAF (nBAF) subunitACTL6B(originally namedBAF53b). Accordingly,ACTL6Bwas the most significantly mutated gene in the Simons Recessive Autism Cohort. At least 14 subunits of the nBAF complex are mutated in autism, collectively making it a major contributor to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Patient mutations destabilized ACTL6B protein in neurons and rerouted dendrites to the wrong glomerulus in the fly olfactory system. Humans and mice lackingACTL6Bshowed corpus callosum hypoplasia, indicating a conserved role forACTL6Bin facilitating neural connectivity.Actl6bknockout mice on two genetic backgrounds exhibited ASD-related behaviors, including social and memory impairments, repetitive behaviors, and hyperactivity. Surprisingly, mutation ofActl6brelieved repression of early response genes including AP1 transcription factors (Fos,Fosl2,Fosb, andJunb), increased chromatin accessibility at AP1 binding sites, and transcriptional changes in late response genes associated with early response transcription factor activity.ACTL6Bloss is thus an important cause of recessive ASD, with impaired neuron-specific chromatin repression indicated as a potential mechanism.
Starvation and antimetabolic therapy promote cytokine release and recruitment of immune cells
Authors: Püschel Franziska , Favaro Francesca , Redondo-Pedraza Jaime , Lucendo Estefanía , Iurlaro Raffaella , Marchetti Sandrine , Majem Blanca , Eldering Eric , Nadal Ernest , Ricci Jean-Ehrland , Chevet Eric , Muñoz-Pinedo Cristina
Published: April 2020

Significance

Poorly irrigated tumors exhaust nutrients from their environment. On the other hand, innate immune cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, have been frequently shown to infiltrate tumors and promote an immunosuppressive environment. Our results show that, when nutrients are low, tumor cells secrete factors related to wound healing that stimulate endothelial cells and attract innate immune cells. This suggests that targeting signals elicited by metabolic stress may help the immune system target malignant cells and that metabolites regulate the communication between immune and tumor cells also through modulation of peptidic signals.
Reversal of hyperactive subthalamic circuits differentially mitigates pain hypersensitivity phenotypes in parkinsonian mice
Authors: Luan Yiwen , Tang Dongliang , Wu Haichuan , Gu Weixin , Wu Yuqing , Cao Jun-Li , Xiao Cheng , Zhou Chunyi
Published: April 2020

Significance

Treatments for pain symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) show inconsistent efficacy across clinical trials, largely owing to our limited understanding of the mechanisms underlying PD pain. Here, we demonstrate that overactivation of subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons and their projections is adequate to produce a pain hypersensitivity phenotype, and that such overactivation is essential for the hypersensitivity in pain processing pathways and the maintenance of pain hypersensitivity observed in parkinsonian mice. These results suggest that inhibition of STN neurons may be a potential therapeutic strategy for pain relief in PD. Our finding that individual STN projections differentially regulate mechanical and thermal pain thresholds raises the possibility that individual STN projections may be optimal therapeutic targets for different pain phenotypes.
Improved surrogates in inertial confinement fusion with manifold and cycle consistencies
Authors: Anirudh Rushil , Thiagarajan Jayaraman J. , Bremer Peer-Timo , Spears Brian K.
Published: April 2020

Significance

Neural networks have demonstrated remarkable success in predictive modeling. However, when applied to surrogate modeling, they 1) are often nonrobust, 2) require large amounts of data, and 3) are inadequate for estimating the inversion process; i.e., they do not capture parameter sensitivities well. We propose a different form of self-consistency regularization by incorporating an inverse surrogate into the learning process and show that it leads to highly robust, self-consistent surrogate models for complex scientific applications.
In utero MRI identifies consequences of early-gestation alcohol drinking on fetal brain development in rhesus macaques
Authors: Wang Xiaojie , Cuzon Carlson Verginia C. , Studholme Colin , Newman Natali , Ford Matthew M. , Grant Kathleen A. , Kroenke Christopher D.
Published: April 2020

One factor that contributes to the high prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is binge-like consumption of alcohol before pregnancy awareness. It is known that treatments are more effective with early recognition of FASD. Recent advances in retrospective motion correction for the reconstruction of three-dimensional (3D) fetal brain MRI have led to significant improvements in the quality and resolution of anatomical and diffusion MRI of the fetal brain. Here, a rhesus macaque model of FASD, involving oral self-administration of 1.5 g/kg ethanol per day beginning prior to pregnancy and extending through the first 60 d of a 168-d gestational term, was utilized to determine whether fetal MRI could detect alcohol-induced abnormalities in brain development. This approach revealed differences between ethanol-exposed and control fetuses at gestation day 135 (G135), but not G110 or G85. At G135, ethanol-exposed fetuses had reduced brainstem and cerebellum volume and water diffusion anisotropy in several white matter tracts, compared to controls. Ex vivo electrophysiological recordings performed on fetal brain tissue obtained immediately following MRI demonstrated that the structural abnormalities observed at G135 are of functional significance. Specifically, spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current amplitudes measured from individual neurons in the primary somatosensory cortex and putamen strongly correlated with diffusion anisotropy in the white matter tracts that connect these structures. These findings demonstrate that exposure to ethanol early in gestation perturbs development of brain regions associated with motor control in a manner that is detectable with fetal MRI.
Ammonia emission abatement does not fully control reduced forms of nitrogen deposition
Authors: Tan Jiani , Fu Joshua S. , Seinfeld John H.
Published: April 2020

Significance

Control of nitrogen oxides emissions has successfully reduced the deposition of oxidized nitrogen over the United States. Recent studies have called attention to the rapid growth of deposition of reduced forms of nitrogen, which would offset the benefits of reduction in oxidized nitrogen deposition. Our analysis, based on both monitoring and modeling approaches, illustrates that implementing ammonia emission abatement may not lead to full response in nitrogen deposition over continental regions. Here we provide important information to the community and policy makers concerning nitrogen deposition, given the urgent needs for developing control strategies on ammonia emissions.
Procedural justice training reduces police use of force and complaints against officers
Authors: Wood George , Tyler Tom R. , Papachristos Andrew V.
Published: April 2020

Existing research shows that distrust of the police is widespread and consequential for public safety. However, there is a shortage of interventions that demonstrably reduce negative police interactions with the communities they serve. A training program in Chicago attempted to encourage 8,480 officers to adopt procedural justice policing strategies. These strategies emphasize respect, neutrality, and transparency in the exercise of authority, while providing opportunities for civilians to explain their side of events. We find that training reduced complaints against the police by 10.0% and reduced the use of force against civilians by 6.4% over 2 y. These findings affirm the feasibility of changing the command and control style of policing which has been associated with popular distrust and the use of force, through a broad training program built around the concept of procedurally just policing.
Cannabinoid exposure in rat adolescence reprograms the initial behavioral, molecular, and epigenetic response to cocaine
Authors: Scherma Maria , Qvist Johanna S. , Asok Arun , Huang Shao-shan C. , Masia Paolo , Deidda Matteo , Wei Ya B. , Soni Rajesh K. , Fratta Walter , Fadda Paola , Kandel Eric R. , Kandel Denise B. , Melas Philippe A.
Published: April 2020

The initial response to an addictive substance can facilitate repeated use: That is, individuals experiencing more positive effects are more likely to use that drug again. Increasing evidence suggests that psychoactive cannabinoid use in adolescence enhances the behavioral effects of cocaine. However, despite the behavioral data, there is no neurobiological evidence demonstrating that cannabinoids can also alter the brain’s initial molecular and epigenetic response to cocaine. Here, we utilized a multiomics approach (epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and phosphoproteomics) to characterize how the rat brain responds to its first encounter with cocaine, with or without preexposure to the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 (WIN). We find that in adolescent (but not in adult) rats, preexposure to WIN results in cross-sensitization to cocaine, which correlates with histone hyperacetylation and decreased levels of HDAC6 in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). In the PFC, we also find that WIN preexposure blunts the typical mRNA response to cocaine and instead results in alternative splicing and chromatin accessibility events, involving genes such as
Npas2
. Moreover, preexposure to WIN enhances the effects of cocaine on protein phosphorylation, including ERK/MAPK-targets like gephyrin, and modulates the synaptic AMPAR/GluR composition both in the PFC and the nucleus accumbens (NAcc). PFC–NAcc gene network topological analyses, following cocaine exposure, reveal distinct top nodes in the WIN preexposed group, which include PACAP/ADCYAP1. These preclinical data demonstrate that adolescent cannabinoid exposure reprograms the initial behavioral, molecular, and epigenetic response to cocaine.
Earth 2020: Science, society, and sustainability in the Anthropocene
Authors: Tortell Philippe D.
Published: April 2020

April 22, 2020, marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the birth of the modern environmental movement. As we look back over the past half century, we can gain significant insights into the evolving human imprint on Earth’s biophysical systems, and the role of science and scientists in driving societal transitions toward greater sustainability. Science is a foundation for such transitions, but it is not enough. Rather, it is through wide collaborations across fields, including law, economics, and politics, and through direct engagement with civil society, that science can illuminate a better path forward. This is illustrated through a number of case studies highlighting the role of scientists in leading positive societal change, often in the face of strong oppositional forces. The past five decades reveal significant triumphs of environmental protection, but also notable failures, which have led to the continuing deterioration of Earth’s natural systems. Today, more than ever, these historical lessons loom large as we face increasingly complex and pernicious environmental problems.