bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of built-in electric field and donor impurity on linear and nonlinear optical properties of wurtzite InxGa1 – xN/GaN nanostructures*
Authors: Yang Xiao-Chen , Xing Yan
Published: May 2020

The linear and nonlinear optical absorption coefficients (ACs) and refraction index changes (RICs) of 1s–1p, 1p–1d, and 1f–1d transitions are investigated in a wurtzite In
x
Ga1 – x
N/GaN core–shell quantum dot (CSQD) with donor impurity by using density matrix approach. The effects of built-in electric field (BEF), ternary mixed crystal (TMC), impurity, and CSQD size are studied in detail. The finite element method is used to calculate the ground and excited energy state energy and wave function. The results reveal that the BEF has a great influence on the linear, nonlinear, and total ACs and RICs. The presence of impurity leads the resonant peaks of the ACs and RICs to be blue-shifted for all transitions, especially for 1s–1p transition. It is also found that the resonant peaks of the ACs and RICs present a red shift with In-composition decreasing or core radius increasing. Moreover, the amplitudes of the ACs and RICs are strongly affected by the incident optical intensity. The absorption saturation is more sensitive without the impurity than with the impurity, and the appearance of absorption saturation requires a larger incident optical intensity when considering the BEF.
A new car-following model with driver’s anticipation effect of traffic interruption probability*
Authors: Peng Guang-Han
Published: May 2020

Traffic interruption phenomena frequently occur with the number of vehicles increasing. To investigate the effect of the traffic interruption probability on traffic flow, a new optimal velocity model is constructed by considering the driver anticipation term in the interruption case for car-following theory. Furthermore, the effect of driver anticipation in the interruption case is investigated via linear stability analysis. Also, the MKdV equation is obtained concerning the effect of driver anticipation in the interruption case. Moreover, numerical simulation states that the driver anticipation term in the interruption case contributes to the stability of traffic flow.
Revenue use and public support for a carbon tax
Authors: Nowlin Matthew C , Gupta Kuhika , Ripberger Joseph T
Published: May 2020

Many experts see carbon pricing as an effective way to reduce emissions of greenhouses gases; however, political and public support for carbon pricing has faltered. Recent research indicates that revenue recycling and policy design options may induce public support for carbon pricing, but does not examine change in support as a result of revenue use or possible heterogeneity in these inducements across partisan groups. Does support for a carbon tax shift significantly once revenue uses are discussed? Do conservatives and Republicans and liberals and Democrats respond to different revenue reuse options when formulating opinions about carbon taxation? This study employs a survey experiment to examine these questions. Key results indicate that support shifts are largest when the revenue would be refunded and conservatives and Republicans are responsive to different revenue usage options. Specifically, conservatives and Republicans are more supportive of a carbon tax when revenues go towards a tax rebate or deficit reduction. While the differences are relatively small and variable (uncertain), these results provide suggestive insight into the policy design options that may induce a bipartisan basis of public support for carbon taxation policies.
Study on creep behavior and microstructure of a Fe–Cr–Al–Nb–W ferrtic heat-resistant steel based on C, N and Al element control
Authors: Zhang Shanjun , Shen Junjie , Kang Hui , Hu Fuyong
Published: May 2020

In this work, the effects of C, N, and Al on the microstructures and creep properties of Fe–Cr–Al–Nb–W ferritic alloys were investigated through scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffractometry, as well as uniaxial creep testing and hardness testing. The results demonstrated that the matrix of the Fe–Cr–Al–Nb–W heat-resistant steel was ferrite, while the precipitation phases were Laves phases, M23C6 carbides and MX nitride phases. M23C6 and MX precipitated at grain interior, Laves phases precipitated at grain interior, grain boundary and around MX phases. C, N and Al affected microstructure and creep of heat-resistant steel. As the Al content increased or as N content decreased along with the C increase, the average diameter of the Laves phases, along with M23C6 and MX phase grain interior decrease. Moreover, the unit density increased and the phase spacing decreased, which led to the minimum creep rate decrease and creep rupture time increase. Compared to M23C6, Laves and MX phases mainly affected the alloy creep strength. The decrease of Laves phase continuity coefficient (ratio of Laves phase particle spacing and size) on the grain boundary was conducive to the plasticity improvement of heat-resistant steel.
Low-regularity integrators for nonlinear Dirac equations
Authors: Schratz Katharina , Wang Yan , Zhao Xiaofei
Published: May 2020

In this work, we consider the numerical integration of the nonlinear Dirac equation and the Dirac–Poisson system (NDEs) under rough initial data. We propose an ultra low-regularity integrator (ULI) for solving the NDEs which enables optimal first-order time convergence in

H
r

H^r

for solutions in

H

r

H^{r}

, i.e., without requiring any additional regularity on the solution. In contrast to classical methods, a ULI overcomes the numerical loss of derivatives and is therefore more efficient and accurate for approximating low regular solutions. Convergence theorems and the extension of a ULI to second order are established. Numerical experiments confirm the theoretical results and underline the favourable error behaviour of the new method at low regularity compared to classical integration schemes.
Cheeger constants of hyperbolic reflection groups and Maass cusp forms of small eigenvalues
Authors: Benson Brian , Lakeland Grant , Then Holger
Published: May 2020

We compute the Cheeger constants of a collection of hyperbolic surfaces corresponding to maximal non-cocompact arithmetic Fuchsian groups, and to subgroups which are the rotation subgroup of maximal reflection groups. The Cheeger constants are geometric quantities, but relate to the smallest eigenvalues of Maass cusp forms. From geometrical considerations, we find evidence for the existence of small eigenvalues. We search for these small eigenvalues and compute the corresponding Maass cusp forms numerically.
A symmetrization inequality shorn of symmetry
Authors: Christ Michael , Maldague Dominique
Published: May 2020

An inequality of Brascamp-Lieb-Luttinger and of Rogers states that among subsets of Euclidean space

R

d

\mathbb {R}^d

of specified Lebesgue measures, (tuples of) balls centered at the origin are maximizers of certain functionals defined by multidimensional integrals. For

d
>
1

d>1

, this inequality only applies to functionals invariant under a diagonal action of

Sl
⁡
(
d
)

\operatorname {Sl}(d)

. We investigate functionals of this type, and their maximizers, in perhaps the simplest situation in which

Sl
⁡
(
d
)

\operatorname {Sl}(d)

invariance does not hold. Assuming a more limited symmetry encompassing dilations but not rotations, we show under natural hypotheses that maximizers exist, and, moreover, that there exist distinguished maximizers whose structure reflects this limited symmetry. For small perturbations of the

Sl
⁡
(
d
)

\operatorname {Sl}(d)

–invariant framework we show that these distinguished maximizers are strongly convex sets with infinitely differentiable boundaries. It is shown that in the absence of partial symmetry, maximizers fail to exist for certain arbitrarily small perturbations of

Sl
⁡
(
d
)

\operatorname {Sl}(d)

–invariant structures.
Stochastic heat equations for infinite strings with values in a manifold
Authors: Chen Xin , Wu Bo , Zhu Rongchan , Zhu Xiangchan
Published: May 2020

In the paper, we construct conservative Markov processes corresponding to the martingale solutions to the stochastic heat equation on

R

+

\mathbb {R}^+

or

R

\mathbb {R}

with values in a general Riemannian manifold, which is only assumed to be complete and stochastic complete. This work is an extension of the previous paper of Röckner and the second, third, and fourth authors [SIAM J. Math. Anal. 52 (2020), pp. 2237–2274] on finite volume case.

Moveover, we also obtain some functional inequalities associated to these Markov processes. This implies that on infinite volume case, the exponential ergodicity of the solution of the Ricci curvature is strictly positive and the non-ergodicity of the process if the sectional curvature is negative.
Questing by Tick Larvae (Acari: Ixodidae): A Review of the Influences That Affect Off-Host Survival
Authors: Leal Brenda , Zamora Emily , Fuentes Austin , Thomas Donald B , Dearth Robert K
Published: May 2020

Questing is a host-seeking behavior in which ticks ascend plants, extend their front legs, and wait poised for a chance to attach to a passing host. Hard ticks are ectoparasites of terrestrial vertebrates and because some species vector disease, they are among the most medically important of arthropod pests. All ixodid ticks require blood to survive and reproduce with the number of blood-hosts needed to complete their life cycle varying among species. The vast majority are three-host ticks requiring a different host for each developmental stage: larva, nymph, and adult. A few, including some of the most economically important species, are one-host ticks, that quest only in the larval stage. Questing is a rate-limiting behavior critical to tick survival and disease transmission. For the off-host larval stage, survival is highly dependent on ecological and physiological factors. Yet, off-host larval ecophysiology is often overlooked for the more obvious adult and nymphal tick-host interactions. This review summarizes the literature on ixodid larval questing with emphasis on how specific biotic and abiotic factors affect off-host survival.
Evaluating a Key Instrumental Variable Assumption Using Randomization Tests
Authors: Branson Zach , Keele Luke
Published: May 2020

Instrumental variable (IV) analyses are becoming common in health services research and epidemiology. Most IV analyses use naturally occurring instruments, such as distance to a hospital. In these analyses, investigators must assume that the instrument is as-if randomly assigned. This assumption cannot be tested directly, but it can be falsified. Most IV falsification tests compare relative prevalence or bias in observed covariates between the instrument and exposure. These tests require investigators to make covariate-by-covariate judgments about the validity of the IV design. Often, only some covariates are well-balanced, making it unclear whether as-if randomization can be assumed for the instrument. We propose an alternative falsification test that compares IV balance or bias with the balance or bias that would have been produced under randomization. A key advantage of our test is that it allows for global balance measures as well as easily interpretable graphical comparisons. Furthermore, our test does not rely on parametric assumptions and can be used to validly assess whether the instrument is significantly closer to being as-if randomized than the exposure. We demonstrate our approach using data from (SPOT)light, a prospective cohort study carried out in 48 National Health Service hospitals in the United Kingdom between November 1, 2010, and December 31, 2011. This study used bed availability in the intensive care unit as an instrument for admission to the intensive care unit.
Proper imputation of missing values in proteomics datasets for differential expression analysis
Authors: Liu Mingyi , Dongre Ashok
Published: May 2020

Label-free shotgun proteomics is an important tool in biomedical research, where tandem mass spectrometry with data-dependent acquisition (DDA) is frequently used for protein identification and quantification. However, the DDA datasets contain a significant number of missing values (MVs) that severely hinders proper analysis. Existing literature suggests that different imputation methods should be used for the two types of MVs: missing completely at random or missing not at random. However, the simulated or biased datasets utilized by most of such studies offer few clues about the composition and thus proper imputation of MVs in real-life proteomic datasets. Moreover, the impact of imputation methods on downstream differential expression analysis—a critical goal for many biomedical projects—is largely undetermined. In this study, we investigated public DDA datasets of various tissue/sample types to determine the composition of MVs in them. We then developed simulated datasets that imitate the MV profile of real-life datasets. Using such datasets, we compared the impact of various popular imputation methods on the analysis of differentially expressed proteins. Finally, we make recommendations on which imputation method(s) to use for proteomic data beyond just DDA datasets.
Kidney disease and electrolytes in COVID-19: more than meets the eye
Authors: Carriazo Sol , Kanbay Mehmet , Ortiz Alberto
Published: May 2020

COVID-19 is a global pandemic fuelled in some countries by government actions. The current issue of Clinical Kidney Journal presents 15 articles on COVID-19 and kidney disease from three continents, providing a global perspective of the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on electrolytes and different kidney compartments (glomeruli, tubules and vascular compartments) and presenting clinically as a syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, acute kidney injury, acute kidney disease, collapsing glomerulopathy and thrombotic microangiopathy, among others, in the context of a brand-new cardiorenal syndrome. Kidney injury may need acute dialysis that may overwhelm haemodialysis (HD) and haemofiltration capabilities. In this regard, acute peritoneal dialysis (PD) may be lifesaving. Additionally, pre-existent chronic kidney disease increases the risk of more severe COVID-19 complications. The impact of COVID-19 on PD and HD patients is also discussed, with emphasis on preventive measures. Finally, current therapeutic approaches and potential future therapeutic approaches undergoing clinical trials, such as complement targeting by eculizumab, are also presented.
Genome sequence and analysis of a Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus) cultivar named ‘Sakurajima Daikon’ possessing giant root
Authors: Shirasawa Kenta , Hirakawa Hideki , Fukino Nobuko , Kitashiba Hiroyasu , Isobe Sachiko
Published: May 2020

Aim

The complex genome of a Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus) cultivar named ‘Okute-Sakurajima’ with an extremely large edible round root was analysed to explore its genomic characteristics.

Methods and Results

Single-molecule real-time technology was used to obtain long sequence reads to cover 60× of the genome. De novo assembly generated 504.5 Mb contigs consisting of 1,437 sequences with the N50 value of 1.2 Mb and included 94.1% of the core eukaryotic genes. Nine pseudomolecules, comprising 69.3% of the assembled contigs, were generated along with a high-density SNP genetic map. The sequence data thus established revealed the presence of structural variations and rearrangements in the Brassicaceae genomes.

Conclusion and perspective

A total of 89,915 genes were identified in the ‘Okute-Sakurajima’ genome, 30,033 of which were newly found in this study. The genome information reported here will not only contribute to the establishment of a new resource for the radish genomics but also provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying formation of the giant root.
Colonization of Marginal Host Plants by Seed Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Effects of Geographic Source and Genetic Admixture
Authors: Messina Frank J , Lish Alexandra M , Springer Amy , Gompert Zachariah
Published: May 2020

The ability to adapt to a novel host plant may vary among insect populations with different genetic histories, and colonization of a marginal host may be facilitated by genetic admixture of disparate populations. We assembled populations of the seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), from four continents, and compared their ability to infest two hosts, lentil and pea. We also formed two cross-continent hybrids (Africa × N.A. and Africa × S.A.). In pre-selection assays, survival was only ~3% in lentil and ~40% in pea. For three replicate populations per line, colonization success on lentil was measured as cumulative exit holes after 75–175 d. On pea, we estimated the change in larval survival after five generations of selection. Females in all lines laid few eggs on lentil, and survival of F1 larvae was uniformly <5%. Subsequently, however, the lines diverged considerably in population growth. Performance on lentil was highest in the Africa × N.A. hybrid, which produced far more adults (mean > 11,000) than either parental line. At the other extreme, Asian populations on lentil appeared to have gone extinct. The Africa × N.A. line also exhibited the highest survival on pea, and again performed better than either parent line. However, no line displayed a rapid increase in survival on pea, as is sometimes observed on lentil. Our results demonstrate that geographic populations can vary substantially in their responses to the same novel resource. In addition, genetic admixtures (potentially caused by long-distance transport of infested seeds) may facilitate colonization of an initially poor host.
A call to action becomes practice: cardiac and vascular surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic based on the Lombardy emergency guidelines
Authors: Bonalumi Giorgia , Giambuzzi Ilaria , Barbone Alessandro , Ranieri Camilla , Cavallotti Laura , Trabattoni Piero , Naliato Moreno , Polvani Gianluca , Torracca Lucia , Pelenghi Stefano , Ragni Franco , Russo Claudio Francesco , Guerra Francisco , Trimarchi Santi , Civilini Efrem , Romani Federico , Bellosta Raffaello , Losa Sergio , Roberto Maurizio , Alamanni Francesco
Published: May 2020

OBJECTIVES

During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, Northern Italy had to completely reorganize its hospital activity. In Lombardy, the hub-and-spoke system was introduced to guarantee emergency and urgent cardiovascular surgery, whereas most hospitals were dedicated to patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to analyse the results of the hub-and-spoke organization system.

METHODS

Centro Cardiologico Monzino (Monzino) became one of the four hubs for cardiovascular surgery, with a total of eight spokes. SARS-CoV-2 screening became mandatory for all patients. New flow charts were designed to allow separated pathways based on infection status. A reorganization of spaces guaranteed COVID-19-free and COVID-19-dedicated areas. Patients were also classified into groups according to their pathological and clinical status: emergency, urgent and non-deferrable (ND).

RESULTS

A total of 70 patients were referred to the Monzino hub-and-spoke network. We performed 41 operations, 28 (68.3%) of which were emergency/urgent and 13 of which were ND. The screening allowed the identification of COVID-19 (three patients, 7.3%) and non-COVID-19 patients (38 patients, 92.7%). The newly designed and shared protocols guaranteed that the cardiac patients would be divided into emergency, urgent and ND groups. The involvement of the telematic management heart team allowed constant updates and clinical discussions.

CONCLUSIONS

The hub-and-spoke organization system efficiently safeguards access to heart and vascular surgical services for patients who require ND, urgent and emergency treatment. Further reorganization will be needed at the end of this pandemic when elective cases will again be scheduled, with a daily increase in the number of operations.
Novel mechanisms of TolC-independent decreased bile-salt susceptibility in Escherichia coli
Authors: Le Vuong Van Hung , Biggs Patrick J , Wheeler David , Davies Ieuan G , Rakonjac Jasna
Published: May 2020

Bile salts, including sodium deoxycholate (DOC), are secreted into the intestine to aid fat digestion and contribute to antimicrobial protection. Gram-negative pathogens such as Escherichia coli, however, are highly resistant to DOC, using multiple mechanisms of which the multidrug efflux pump AcrAB-TolC is the dominant one. Given that TolC-mediated efflux masks the interaction of DOC with potential targets, we sought to identify those targets by identifying genes whose mutations cause an increase in the MIC to DOC relative to the ∆tolC parental strain, that lacks TolC-associated functional efflux pumps. Using a mutant screen, we isolated twenty independent spontaneous mutants that had a higher MICDOC than the E. coli parental ∆tolC strain. Whole genome sequencing of these mutants mapped most mutations to the ptsI or cyaA gene. Analysis of knock-out mutants and complementation showed that elimination of PtsI, a component of the carbohydrate phosphotransferase system, or one of the two key proteins involved in cAMP synthesis and signaling, adenylate cyclase (CyaA) or cAMP receptor protein (Crp) causes low-level increased resistance of a ∆tolC E. coli strain to DOC.
The Equations Defining Affine Grassmannians in Type A and a Conjecture of Kreiman, Lakshmibai, Magyar, and Weyman
Authors: Muthiah Dinakar , Weekes Alex , Yacobi Oded
Published: May 2020

The affine Grassmannian of $SL_n$ admits an embedding into the Sato Grassmannian, which further admits a Plücker embedding into the projectivization of Fermion Fock space. Kreiman, Lakshmibai, Magyar, and Weyman describe the linear part of the ideal defining this embedding in terms of certain elements of the dual of Fock space called shuffles, and they conjecture that these elements together with the Plücker relations suffice to cut out the affine Grassmannian. We give a proof of this conjecture in two steps; first, we reinterpret the shuffle equations in terms of Frobenius twists of symmetric functions. Using this, we reduce to a finite-dimensional problem, which we solve. For the 2nd step, we introduce a finite-dimensional analogue of the affine Grassmannian of $SL_n$, which we conjecture to be precisely the reduced subscheme of a finite-dimensional Grassmannian consisting of subspaces invariant under a nilpotent operator.
Role of Rapid Diagnostics in Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Sepsis
Authors: Eubank Taryn A , Long S W , Perez Katherine K
Published: May 2020

Delayed administration of active anti-infective therapy is associated with increased rates of adverse events, mortality, and costs among sepsis patients. Inherent limitations of conventional culture identification methods and the lengthy turnaround time of antimicrobial susceptibility testing are significant barriers to the timely delivery of life-saving therapy, particularly among antibiotic-resistant infections. Culture-independent diagnostic techniques that detect pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes within clinical samples present a tremendous benefit to timely diagnosis and management of patients. Improved outcomes for rapid intervention with rapid diagnostics have been documented and include decreased mortality rates, decreased health care delivery costs, and faster delivery of appropriate therapeutics.
Effect of performance-based financing on health service delivery: a case study from Adamawa state, Nigeria
Authors: Sato Ryoko , Belel Abdullahi
Published: May 2020

The Nigeria State Health Investment Project (NSHIP) was implemented in three Nigerian states between 2013 and 2018. Under the NSHIP, some local government areas were randomly assigned to Performance-Based Financing (PBF) intervention while others received decentralized facility financing (DFF) for comparison. This article evaluates the effect of PBF compared with DFF on health service delivery indicators in Adamawa state, under this quasi-experimental design, using the difference-in-differences technique. The analysis used health facility monthly data collected by the Health Management Information System through the District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2). The PBF intervention group significantly increased the quantity of most of its service delivery indicators, such as antenatal care visits and deliveries by skilled personnel compared with the comparison group (DFF) after the introduction of NSHIP, although the baseline level of service delivery between PBF and DFF health facilities was statistically identical prior to the introduction of the intervention. We also conducted robustness check analysis to confirm the effect of PBF. Overall, we found a significant positive effect of PBF on most service delivery outcomes, except full vaccinations and post-natal care. One important policy implication is that we should carefully use PBF for targeted indicators.
Frequent Job Changes can Signal Poor Work Attitude and Reduce Employability
Authors: Cohn Alain , Maréchal Michel André , Schneider Frédéric , Weber Roberto A
Published: May 2020

We study whether employment history provides information about a worker’s “work attitude”, that is, the tendency to act cooperatively and reliably in the workplace. We conjecture that, holding all else equal, frequent job changes can indicate poor work attitude and that this information is transmitted through employment histories. We find support for this hypothesis across three studies that employ complementary laboratory, field, and survey experiments, as well as in labor market panel data. First, a tightly controlled laboratory labor market experiment demonstrates that prior employment information allows employers to screen for reliable and cooperative workers and that these workers obtain better employment outcomes. Secondly, we conduct a field experiment that varies the frequency of job changes in applicants’ resumes and find that those with fewer job changes receive substantially more callbacks from prospective employers. Thirdly, a survey experiment with human resources professionals confirms that the resume manipulations in the field study create different perceptions of work attitude and that these largely account for the callback differences. Finally, we find evidence consistent with our hypothesized relationships in empirical labor market data. Our work highlights the potential importance of job history as a signal of work attitude in labor markets, and points to a potential cost of frequent job changes.
Reconstructing the Evolutionary History of Chromosomal Races on Islands: A Genome-Wide Analysis of Natural House Mouse Populations
Authors: Franchini Paolo , Kautt Andreas F , Nater Alexander , Antonini Gloria , Castiglia Riccardo , Meyer Axel , Solano Emanuela
Published: May 2020

Chromosomal evolution is widely considered to be an important driver of speciation, as karyotypic reorganization can bring about the establishment of reproductive barriers between incipient species. One textbook example for genetic mechanisms of speciation are large-scale chromosomal rearrangements such as Robertsonian (Rb) fusions, a common class of structural variants that can drastically change the recombination landscape by suppressing crossing-over and influence gene expression by altering regulatory networks. Here, we explore the population structure and demographic patterns of a well-known house mouse Rb system in the Aeolian archipelago in Southern Italy using genome-wide data. By analyzing chromosomal regions characterized by different levels of recombination, we trace the evolutionary history of a set of Rb chromosomes occurring in different geographical locations and test whether chromosomal fusions have a single shared origin or occurred multiple times. Using a combination of phylogenetic and population genetic approaches, we find support for multiple, independent origins of three focal Rb chromosomes. The elucidation of the demographic patterns of the mouse populations within the Aeolian archipelago shows that an interplay between fixation of newly formed Rb chromosomes and hybridization events has contributed to shaping their current karyotypic distribution. Overall, our results illustrate that chromosome structure is much more dynamic than anticipated and emphasize the importance of large-scale chromosomal translocations in speciation.
A Qualitative Analysis of Maori and Pacific people’s Experiences of Using Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)
Authors: Strickett Elizabeth , Robertson Lindsay , Waa Andrew , Blank Mei-Ling , Erick Stephanie , Hoek Janet
Published: May 2020

Introduction

If electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are to bring public health benefits, members of population groups most affected by smoking must find them an easily adopted and satisfying replacement for smoking. We explored experiences of ENDS uptake and use among Māori and Pacific peoples living in New Zealand and probed factors that assisted transitions from smoking to vaping.

Methods

We recruited 16 participants using whānaungatanga and community advertising. All were aged 18 or over, identified as Māori or Pacific (or both), had smoked at least 100 cigarettes, and were current ENDS users. We undertook in-depth interviews and analyzed the data using a thematic analysis approach.

Results

We identified two key challenges that participants reported facing: their search for a satisfying ENDS experience and resisting social cues that could trigger relapse. Two supportive factors facilitated and reinforced smoking to vaping transitions: improved financial and physical well-being, and feeling connected to vaping communities.

Conclusion

Learning about ENDS devices from those who had successfully switched from smoking to vaping provided much-needed information, reinforced the financial benefits of switching, and could inspire those making this transition to persist until they too become smoke free.

Implications

Measures to support transitions from smoking to ENDS use could reduce inequities in smoking prevalence that indigenous people experience. Collective cessation interventions that draw on communities’ knowledge and connections may enable smokers to access support that helps them navigate the potentially complex pathway from smoking to vaping.
To reserve or not to reserve? What can possibly go wrong—Part II
Authors: Goodman Dawn , Johnson Lucy
Published: May 2020

This article builds on Part I, in which we looked at options for reserving powers in a number of key trust jurisdictions. We also suggested that caution and restraint would be appropriate, given such provisions have not been widely tested in the courts and the appreciation in the profession that the greater the powers retained, the greater the risk of invalidity or some form of look through has been borne out in the Pugachev case.1 This second part explores what can possibly go wrong when too much power is retained or concentrated, and asks what—if anything—can be done to remedy any resulting difficulties.
Response to and recovery from treatment in human liver-mimetic clinostat spheroids: a model for assessing repeated-dose drug toxicity
Authors: Fey Stephen J , Korzeniowska Barbara , Wrzesinski Krzysztof
Published: May 2020

Medicines are usually prescribed for repeated use over shorter or longer times. Unfortunately, repeated-dose animal toxicity studies do not correlate well with observations in man. As emphasized by the ‘3Rs’ and the desire to phase-out animal research, in vitro models are needed. One potential approach uses clinostat-cultured 3D HepG2–C3A liver-mimetic spheroids. They take 18 days to recover in vivo physiological functionality and reach a metabolic equilibrium, which is thereafter stable for a year. Acute and chronic repeated-dose studies of six drugs (amiodarone, diclofenac, metformin, phenformin, paracetamol and valproic acid) suggest that spheroids are more predictive of human in vivo toxicity than either 2D-cultured HepG2 cells or primary human hepatocytes. Repeated non-lethal treatment results in a clear response and return to equilibrium. Mitochondrial toxic compounds can be identified using a galactose-based medium. Some drugs induced a protective (or stress) response that intensifies after the second treatment. This 3D spheroid model is inexpensive, highly reproducible and well-suited for the determination of repeated-dose toxicity of compounds (naturally or chemically synthesized).
Effect of Benzovindiflupyr + Azoxystrobin + Propiconazole Fungicide Applied at Different Growth Stages on Foliar Disease Severity, Grain Yield, and Economic Benefit of Hybrid Corn Grown in Kentucky
Authors: Bradley Carl A. , Kenimer Richard C. , Shockley Jordan M. , Wise Kiersten A.
Published: May 2020

Field trials were conducted across nine different environments in Kentucky in 2017 and 2018 that evaluated a fungicide containing benzovindiflupyr + azoxystrobin + propiconazole applied to hybrid corn (Zea mays) at the six-leaf collar stage (V6) or at silking (R1) and a sequential application timing (V6 + R1). Results indicated that treatments that included an R1 application provided the best foliar disease control and were the only treatments that preserved yields compared with the nontreated control. A single application at R1 did not differ from the sequential V6 + R1 application for disease control or yield response, suggesting that Kentucky corn growers likely can rely on a more cost-effective single fungicide application at R1 for foliar disease management and improve return on fungicide investment rather than making multiple applications at different timings.
Potato-Infecting Ralstonia solanacearum Strains in Iran Expand Knowledge on the Global Diversity of Brown Rot Ecotype of the Pathogen
Authors: Sedighian Nasim , Taghavi S. Mohsen , Hamzehzarghani Habiballah , van der Wolf Jan M. , Wicker Emmanuel , Osdaghi Ebrahim
Published: May 2020

Bacterial wilt and brown rot disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) is one of the major constraints of potato (Solanum tuberosum) production around the globe. During 2017 to 2018, an extensive field survey was conducted in six potato-growing provinces of Iran to monitor the status of bacterial wilt disease. Pathogenicity and host range assays using 59 bacterial strains isolated in Iran showed that they were pathogenic on eggplant, red nightshade, pepper, potato and tomato, while nonpathogenic on common bean, cowpea, cucumber, sunflower, zinnia and zucchini. PCR-based diagnosis revealed that the strains belong to the phylotype IIB/sequevar 1 (IIB/I) lineage of the RSSC. Furthermore, a five-gene multilocus sequence analysis and typing (egl, fliC, gyrB, mutS, and rplB) confirmed the phylogenetically near-homogeneous nature of the strains within IIB/I lineage. Four sequence types were identified among 58 IIB/1 strains isolated in Iran. Phylogenetically near-homogeneous nature of the strains in Iran raise questions about the mode of inoculum entry of the bacterial wilt pathogen into the country (one-time introduction versus multiple introductions), while the geographic origin of the Iranian R. solanacearum strains remains undetermined. Furthermore, sequence typing showed that there were shared alleles (haplotypes) and sequence types among the strains isolated in geographically distant areas in Iran, suggesting intranational transmission of the pathogen in the country.
Low Splanchnic Oxygenation and Risk for Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Extremely Preterm Newborns
Authors: Palleri Elena , Wackernagel Dirk , Wester Tomas , Bartocci Marco
Published: May 2020

Objective:

The aim of the study was to investigate whether splanchnic oxygenation (SrSO2), measured with near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), during the first week of life is associated with the risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in extremely preterm infants.

Methods:

This was a prospective observational cohort study including extremely preterm infants (<28 weeks of gestation) born at Karolinska University Hospital from September 2014 to December 2016. Using 1‐hour NIRS monitoring during enteral feeding, mainly continuous enteral feeding, in the first week of life we measured both cerebral and splanchnic oxygenation. Primary outcome was risk of developing NEC (Bell stage ≥ II). Secondary outcome was the association between low mean SrSO2 during the first week of life and postnatal age at full enteral nutrition.

Results:

We enrolled 52 extremely preterm newborns, but only 45 infants had complete NIRS data. One infant developed NEC within 1 day of NIRS monitoring and was excluded from the study. Median gestational age was 25.6 weeks (range 23.0–27.9) and median birth weight 698 g (range 485–1353). Eight infants developed NEC at the median postnatal age of 15 days (range 6–35). Median postnatal age at full enteral nutrition was 10 days (range 6–23). Infants with mean SrSO2 <30% had a higher risk for developing NEC compared with those with SrSO2 >30% (crude risk ratio 5.25; 95% CI [1.19–23.01]). Small for gestational age, gestational age, birth weight, postnatal age did not affect the results. We found no association between SrSO2 and age at full enteral nutrition.

Conclusions:

Low mean SrSO2 (<30%) during the first week of life is associated with an increased risk for developing NEC in extremely preterm infants on mainly continuous enteral nutrition.
EZN-2208 treatment suppresses chronic lymphocytic leukaemia by interfering with environmental protection and increases response to fludarabine
Authors: Valsecchi Roberta , Coltella Nadia , Magliulo Daniela , Bongiovanni Lucia , Scarfò Lydia , Ghia Paolo , Ponzoni Maurilio , Bernardi Rosa
Published: May 2020

The transcription factor HIF-1α is overexpressed in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), where it promotes leukaemia progression by favouring the interaction of leukaemic cells with protective tissue microenvironments. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a pharmacological compound previously shown to inhibit HIF-1α may act as a chemosensitizer by interrupting protective microenvironmental interactions and exposing CLL cells to fludarabine-induced cytotoxicity. We found that the camptothecin-11 analogue EZN-2208 sensitizes CLL cells to fludarabine-induced apoptosis in cytoprotective
in vitro
cultures;
in vivo
EZN-2208 improves fludarabine responses, especially in early phases of leukaemia expansion, and exerts significant anti-leukaemia activity, thus suggesting that this or similar compounds may be considered as effective CLL therapeutic approaches.
Evolution of conditional cooperation in public good games
Authors: Battu Balaraju , Srinivasan Narayanan
Published: May 2020

Cooperation declines in repeated public good games because individuals behave as conditional cooperators. This is because individuals imitate the social behaviour of successful individuals when their payoff information is available. However, in human societies, individuals cooperate in many situations involving social dilemmas. We hypothesize that humans are sensitive to both success (payoffs) and how that success was obtained, by cheating (not socially sanctioned) or good behaviour (socially sanctioned and adds to prestige or reputation), when information is available about payoffs and prestige. We propose and model a repeated public good game with heterogeneous conditional cooperators where an agent's donation in a public goods game depends on comparing the number of donations in the population in the previous round and with the agent's arbitrary chosen conditional cooperative criterion. Such individuals imitate the social behaviour of role models based on their payoffs and prestige. The dependence is modelled by two population-level parameters:affinity towards payoffandaffinity towards prestige. These affinities influence the degree to which agents value the payoff and prestige of role models. Agents update their conditional strategies by considering both parameters. The simulations in this study show that high levels of cooperation are established in a population consisting of heterogeneous conditional cooperators for a certain range of affinity parameters in repeated public good games. The results show that social value (prestige) is important in establishing cooperation.
Corrosion resistance of graphene/waterborne epoxy composite coatings in CO
2
-satarated NaCl solution
Authors: Xu Hao , Hu Haijun , Wang Hongmei , Li Yongjun , Li Yun
Published: May 2020

This study investigated the corrosion resistance of graphene/waterborne epoxy composite coatings in CO
2
-satarated NaCl solution. The coatings were prepared by dispersing graphene in waterborne epoxy with the addition of carboxymethylcellulose sodium. The structure and composition of the coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies. The corrosion resistance of the composite coatings was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Composite coatings with more uniform surfaces and far fewer defects than blank waterborne epoxy coatings were obtained on 1020 steel. The 0.5 wt% graphene/waterborne epoxy composite coating exhibited a much lower corrosion rate and provided better water resistance properties and long-term protection than those of the blank epoxy coating in CO
2
-satarated NaCl solution.
Preconcentration with
Chlorella vulgaris
combined with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for rapid determination of Cd in water
Authors: Gan Tingting , Zhao Nanjing , Yin Gaofang , Chen Min , Wang Xiang , Hua Hui
Published: May 2020

Freshwater green algae
Chlorella vulgaris
was selected as an adsorbent, and a simple, rapid, economical and environmentally friendly method for the detection of heavy metal Cd in water samples based on preconcentration with
C. vulgaris
combined with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry was proposed.
 Chlorella vulgaris
could directly and rapidly adsorb Cd
2+
without any pretreatment, and the maximum adsorption efficiency could be obtained when the contact time was 1 min with an optimal pH of 10. The obtained Cd-enriched thin samples after preconcentration with
C. vulgaris
by suction filtration of reaction solution had very good uniformity, which could be directly measured by EDXRF spectrometry, and the net integral fluorescence intensity of Cd K
α
characteristic peak had a very good linear relationship with the initial concentration of Cd in the range of 0.703–74.957 µg ml
−1
with a correlation coefficient of 0.9979. When the Cd thin samples with a Cd-enriched region of 15.1 mm in diameter were formed by the developed preconcentration method with suction filtration of 10 ml reaction solution, the detection limit of this method was 0.0654 µg ml
−1
, which was lower than the maximum allowable discharge concentration of Cd in various industrial wastewaters. The proposed method was simple to operate, and could effectively remove the influence of matrix effect of water samples and effectively improve the sensitivity and stability of EDXRF spectrometry directly detecting heavy metals in water samples, which was successfully applied to detect Cd in real water samples with satisfactory results, and the recoveries ranged from 94.80% to 116.94%. Moreover, this method can be applied to the rapid detection and early warning of excessive Cd in discharged industrial wastewaters. This work will provide a methodological basis for the development of rapid and online monitoring technology and instrument of heavy metal pollutants in water.
Cancer Cell Intrinsic Expression of MHCII Regulates the Immune Microenvironment and Response to Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Johnson Amber M. , Bullock Bonnie L. , Neuwelt Alexander J. , Poczobutt Joanna M. , Kaspar Rachael E. , Li Howard Y. , Kwak Jeff W. , Hopp Katharina , Weiser-Evans Mary C. M. , Heasley Lynn E. , Schenk Erin L. , Clambey Eric T. , Nemenoff Raphael A.
Published: May 2020

MHC class II (MHCII) expression is usually restricted to antigen presenting cells, but can be expressed by cancer cells. We examined the effect ofcancer cell-intrinsicMHC class II (csMHCII) expression in lung adenocarcinoma on T cell recruitment to tumors and response to anti-PD-1 therapy. The functional significance of altering csMHCII expression was explored using two orthotopic immunocompetent murine models of non-small cell lung cancer: CMT167 (CMT) and Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC). We previously showed that CMT167 tumors are eradicated by anti-PD1 therapy, while LLC tumors are resistant. RNA-seq analysis of cancer cells recovered from tumors revealed that csMHCII correlated with response to anti-PD1 therapy, with immunotherapy-sensitive CMT167 cells being csMHCII positive, while resistant LLC cells were csMHCII negative. To test the functional effects of csMHCII, MHCII expression was altered on the cancer cells through loss- and gain-of-function of CIITA, a master regulator of the MHCII pathway. Loss of CIITA in CMT167 decreased csMHCII, and converted tumors from anti-PD-1-sensitive to anti-PD-1-resistant. This was associated with decreased T cell infiltration, lower levels of Th1 cytokines, increased B cell number and decreased macrophage recruitment. Conversely, overexpression of CIITA in LLC cells resulted in csMHCIIin vitroandin vivo. Enforced expression of CIITA increased T cell infiltration and sensitized tumors to anti-PD-1 therapy. csMHCII expression was also examined in a subset of surgically resected human lung adenocarcinomas by multispectral imaging, provided a survival benefit and positively correlated with T cell infiltration. These studies demonstrate a functional role for csMHCII in regulating T cell infiltration and sensitivity to anti-PD-1.
Treatment of COVID-19 Patients with Convalescent Plasma in Houston, Texas
Authors: Salazar Eric , Perez Katherine K. , Ashraf Madiha , Chen Jian , Castillo Brian , Christensen Paul A. , Eubank Taryn , Bernard David W. , Eagar Todd N. , Long S. Wesley , Subedi Sishir , Olsen Randall J. , Leveque Christopher , Schwartz Mary R. , Dey Monisha , Chavez-East Cheryl , Rogers John , Shehabeldin Ahmed , Joseph David , Williams Guy , Thomas Karen , Masud Faisal , Talley Christina , Dlouhy Katharine G. , Lopez Bevin Valdez , Hampton Curt , Lavinder Jason , Gollihar Jimmy D. , Maranhao Andre C. , Ippolito Gregory C. , Saavedra Matthew Ojeda , Cantu Concepcion C. , Yerramilli Prasanti , Pruitt Layne , Musser James M.
Published: May 2020

Background

COVID-19 disease, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread globally, and no proven treatments are available. Convalescent plasma therapy has been used with varying degrees of success to treat severe microbial infections for more than 100 years.

Methods

Patients (n=25) with severe and/or life-threatening COVID-19 disease were enrolled at the Houston Methodist hospitals from March 28 – April 14, 2020. Patients were transfused with convalescent plasma obtained from donors with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and had been symptom free for 14 days. The primary study outcome was safety, and the secondary outcome was clinical status at day 14 post-transfusion. Clinical improvement was assessed based on a modified World Health Organization 6-point ordinal scale and laboratory parameters. Viral genome sequencing was performed on donor and recipient strains.

Results

At baseline, all patients were receiving supportive care, including anti-inflammatory and anti-viral treatments, and all patients were on oxygen support. At day 7 post-transfusion with convalescent plasma, nine patients had at least a 1-point improvement in clinical scale, and seven of those were discharged. By day 14 post-transfusion, 19 (76%) patients had at least a 1-point improvement in clinical status and 11 were discharged. No adverse events as a result of plasma transfusion were observed. The whole genome sequencing data did not identify a strain genotype-disease severity correlation.

Conclusions

The data indicate that administration of convalescent plasma is a safe treatment option for those with severe COVID-19 disease. Randomized, controlled trials are needed to determine its efficacy.