bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Personalized recommendation algorithm based on online comment sentiment analysis
Authors: Lian Qing
Published: April 2021

Artificial intelligence is one of the many branches of computer science. With the continuous development of information technology and computer networks, artificial intelligence technology has also received tremendous support and rapid development. In the computer field, recommendation systems can be said to be the most extensive and successful application of artificial intelligence technology. This paper focuses on the problems of cold start and low recommendation accuracy caused by sparse rating data in traditional recommendation systems, proposes a personalized recommendation algorithm based on online comment sentiment analysis. The algorithm uses feature-level sentiment analysis to mine user preference information implicit in comments, and finally implements recommendations based on user ratings and preference information. Experiments show that the algorithm proposed in this paper can effectively make up for the shortcomings of traditional collaborative filtering recommendation algorithms, and is of great help in improving user cold start and the quality of recommendation results.
Intelligent Analysis and Research of M2M Technology Application Process
Authors: Li Hong
Published: April 2021

M2M technology is to use different types of mechanical equipment and electronic equipment to establish communication and information exchange technology. M2M technology provides one of the integrated solutions of data acquisition, transmission, analysis and management for all walks of life, realizing the control process and more automation of industrial process. The main application fields include logistics management, positioning and navigation, electric power, agriculture, urban management, urban safety, enterprise safety, environmental protection, pollution monitoring, water and soil detection, production monitoring, equipment management.
Multi-task continuous learning model
Authors: Guo Zhengbing , Wang Meng
Published: April 2021

In continual learning, previous learned knowledge tends to be overlapped by the subsequent training tasks. This bottleneck, known as catastrophic forgetting (CF), has recently been relieved between vision tasks involving simple tasks. Nevertheless, the challenge lies in the continuous classification of the sequential sets discriminated by global transformations, such as excessively spatial rotations. Aiming at this, a novel strategy of dynamic memory routing is proposed to dominate the forward paths of capsule network (CapsNet) according to the current input sets. To recall previous knowledge, a binary routing table is maintained among these sequential tasks. Then, an increment procedure of competitive prototype clustering is integrated to update the routing of current task. Moreover, a sparsity measurement is employed to decouple the salient routing among the different learned tasks. The experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed memory network over the state-of-art approaches by the recalling evaluations on extended sets of SVHN, Cifar-100 and CelebA etc.
Crystalline Silicon vs. Amorphous Silicon: the Significance of Structural Differences in Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Kang H
Published: April 2021

Firstly, the paper briefly introduces the structure of crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, and hydrogenated amorphous silicon and highlights the structural differences. Then, the paper presents a feature-by-feature based comparison between c-Si solar cells and a-Si solar cells. What roles different structures of silicon play in each PV characteristic are subsequently explored. In the end, based on these previously analyzed features, this paper further discusses circumstances in which the use of either c-Si or a-Si solar cells may be appropriate, the use of c-Si solar cells is more appropriate, and the use of a-Si solar cells is more appropriate. In short, the outstanding conversion efficiency and user-friendly cost of crystalline silicon solar cells prove successful, while the disturbing nature of amorphous silicon solar cells demonstrates several optical and electrical properties, like high absorption coefficient and Staebler-Wronski Effect, never before anticipated.
A Comparative Study on Carbon Footprints between Wheat Flour and Potato in China Considering the Nutrition Function of Foods
Authors: Zhao Rongrong , Yang Xiaoke , Lin Jingwen , Xu Zhongyue , Chen Qiuhua
Published: April 2021

The food production is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and it has attracted many researchers’ attention. In the present study, carbon footprints (CFs) of wheat-based foods and potato during cultivation, transportation, storage, and processing phases were investigated according to the LCA (life cycle assessment) principle. The results showed that wheat-based products were associated with much higher carbon emissions than potato per kilogram of edible portion. Cultivation phase is the most important stage, and carbon emissions per kg food increased with more machining process. For different carbon emission sources, fertilization, electricity use, and N2O emissions are the top three contributors. On the other hand, CFs of foods were evaluated based on carbohydrate based-, protein based-, fat based-, dietary fiber based-, and nutrient density based functional units. CF values of product per functional unit varied depending on the functional unit used. When the macro-nutrients were considered, the low-carbon emissions competitiveness of potato over wheat flour was reduced significantly. In this research, nutrient density used as the basis of functional unit could be more appropriate than individual nutrient alone to illustrate the environmental impacts of different foods. In summary, consumption of more standard grade flour and potato instead of tailared flour (grade one) could cut a considerable amount of GHG emissions in China.
Solar Wear Tattoo: Rethinking Design, Addressing Ecological Sustainability
Authors: Mendes V G , Kong M S M
Published: April 2021

Environmental issues concern the sustainability of global resources, needed for the survival of human kind. Water is one of the main ecological concerns in terms of maintaining life on earth. Water, which is responsible for the existence of almost, if not, every lifeform on the planet, is also a resource that is widely affected by humanity’s industrial and manufacturing systems. The fashion industry is no exception and, like industrial productions in other areas, requires urgent action regarding the present problem, so that natural resources can be provided to future generations. Water consumed in the creation of materials and products is one concern. Another is the industrial print left on the water during the usage and washing processes on any kind of fashion apparel worn on an aquatic environment was taken into consideration and revised. Recent worldwide happenings brought an emphasis on the urgencies of water-saving. Its use is more wisely applied upon body hydration and hygiene, making it urgent to plan upon strategies of producing fashion products and apparel that provide an eco-friendly approach. Conclusions were drawn through the prospection of existing surfwear models available on today’s market, as well as an introspective revisiting upon the initial project plans compared with the new and more conscious planning towards ecology.
Analysis of catastrophic earthquake characteristics and countermeasures in China
Authors: Li Hong , Wang Feng , Zhang Huifeng , Cui Na , Zhong Puyu
Published: April 2021

Using the 2000-2020 Chinese earthquake disaster population death data as the research object, we conducted an analysis of the characteristics and causes of earthquake disaster population death in mainland China, and put forward targeted countermeasure suggestions for earthquake disaster mitigation.
Atmospheric tidal waves in the troposphere and lower stratosphere observed by Wuhan MST radar
Authors: Qing Haiyin , Zhao Zhengyu , Zhou Chen
Published: April 2021

In this paper, the observation data of the Wuhan MST radar in the whole 2012 are used to make a statistical analysis on the low stratospheric and troposphere tidal waves. The results show that: (1) the diurnal tide is the strongest and most of the time at low levels of Sunday tide is stronger than the high tide of Sunday. (2) the amplitude of the tidal wave is not modulated by the fluctuation with a smaller time scale than their periods, and only these waves with a longer time scale than their periods can affect the variation of the amplitude of the tidal waves.
Bayesian estimation of scale factor for CG-5 relative gravimeter
Authors: Zheng Qiuyue , Liu Dong , Wang Linhai , Huang Jiangpei , Wang Qinghua
Published: April 2021

The terrestrial time-variable microgravity survey is an important means to monitor geodynamic processes underground. The Scintrex CG-5 relative gravimeter, which is the mainstream instrument for terrestrial relative gravity measurement at present, its scale factor (SF) is an important factor affecting the quality of the observation data. Unlike the conventional gravity adjustment procedure, this study takes account of the nonlinear drift rate of the CG-5 gravimeter, depending on the known absolute gravity (AG) in the network, and the scale factor is considered as one of the hyper-parameters to be estimated by means of Akaike’s Bayesian information Criterion (ABIC). In order to quantify the errors caused by the bias of scale factor, we applied this new approach to process actual gravity survey campaign data in Yunnan gravity network from 2018 to 2020, then analyzed the residuals of gravity differences (GD) between station pairs and the difference of GD between two relative gravimeters (CG5 #1169 and CG5 #1170). The cross-validation of the absolute gravity (AG) from the quasi-synchronous observation in the network is also used in the paper. It has shown that this new approach is effective to improve the accuracy of scale factor and adjustment results.
Study of mechanical property of shear thickening fluid (STF) for soft body-armor
Authors: Wang Lijuan , Du Zhaofang , Fu Wentao , Wang Ping
Published: April 2021

STFs have been widely used for soft body-armor because of STF reversible and repeatable thickening characteristics. However, shear thickening mechanism characterized by rheological properties cannot well explain thickening mechanism of STF against the penetrations and impacts. In this study, a cycle experiment of quasi-static squeeze and pull-out of STF by metal rod were carried out on the INSTRON. Effects of velocity, interface condition and boundary et al were discussed. Typical displacement-load curves show that STF thicken in the normal load when the rate reach critical value. Taking a pull-out experiment as example, force without thickening of STF is a constant value, about 1.5 N. The maximum force with thickening of STF is about 150 N, which increases 100 times due to the thickening of STF. A simple simulation of clustering behavior of nano-particles in STFs in the squeeze process is depicted. The experiment and simulation studies have proved that SiO2 nano-particles in STF will rearranged to cause a jammed zone in the normal load.
Microstructural and mechanical investigation of brazing 304L Stainless Steel with corner joint using a Ni-based shim and wire
Authors: Mohammad Soltani Hedayat , Tayebi Morteza
Published: April 2021

This study investigated a suitable filler metal, diffusion depth of the elements of this filler metal in the base metal, and its effect on the mechanical properties of brazing bonding of sheets with different thicknesses of 304L stainless steel. For this purpose, brazing was performed with thermal induction under a vacuum of 10−5 mbar and filler metal BNi-2 at the corner structures. First, the microstructure of different joint regions including base metals, Ni affected areas, and interfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy and then the relationships between microstructure and microhardness were compared. In sheets with different thicknesses, the differences in diffusion depth were observed. Moreover, the microhardness of different areas of the braze was revealed to be completely affected by the diffusion of nickel. Finally, it was found that, for the bonding between 304L sheets with different thicknesses, BNi-2 filler metal had reasonable strength, diffusion, and filling for vacuum applications.
Solid-state memory of ferroelectric tunnel junctions based on distorted ReS2
Authors: Kuai Jiajing , Zhang Weiwei , Wu Shuyi , Sheng Jingye , Cheng Xinli , Mao Hongmin , Li Yang , Zhang Jinlei , Ma Chunlan
Published: April 2021

Ferroelectric with quantum-mechanical tunnel allows non-volatile resistance states and fast readout of the tunnel current in the ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs) through the influence of ferroic orders. However, the complex interfacial effect between electrodes and traditional ferroelectric films has still remained to be solved. When 2D ferroelectrics are used in FTJs, the lattice-matched constraint and intermixing of cations between ferroelectric and substrate electrode can be avoid. Here we show various FTJs with low energy consuming, and high endurance made from 2D ferroelectric ReS2 and different electrodes such as Pt/ReS2/Au, W/ReS2/SiO2/Si and W/ReS2/Nb:STO. With the help of in situ atomic force microscopy and piezoresponse force microscopy, we show that the memory can be manipulated in less than 1 μm2 and the resistance switching should be caused by the ferroelectric polarization direction in the distorted ReS2. Then, we demonstrate that the memory devices can be easily transferred to a polyimide or flexible SiO2/Si substrate. These FTJs shows good bending stability, illustrating their potential applications in flexible electronics. Considering the weak Van der Waals interfacial bonding between 2D ferroelectric and electrode, the polarization-dependent Schottky emission and interface-limited Fowler–Nordheim tunnel current play the key role in resistance switching respectively. Our work provides a simple way to construct various building blocks for circuits in harsh electronics with low energy consuming, good bending stability and high-density data storage.
Containing a pandemic: nonpharmaceutical interventions and the ‘second wave’
Authors: te Vrugt Michael , Bickmann Jens , Wittkowski Raphael
Published: April 2021

In response to the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus disease COVID-19, a variety of nonpharmaceutical interventions such as face masks and social distancing have been implemented. A careful assessment of the effects of such containment strategies is required to avoid exceeding social and economical costs as well as a dangerous ‘second wave’ of the pandemic. In this work, we combine a recently developed dynamical density functional theory model and an extended SIRD model with hysteresis to study effects of various measures and strategies using realistic parameters. Depending on intervention thresholds, a variety of phases with different numbers of shutdowns and deaths are found. Spatiotemporal simulations provide further insights into the dynamics of a second wave. Our results are of crucial importance for public health policy.
On the use of a digital twin to enhance femtosecond laser inscription of arbitrary phase patterns
Authors: Bernard Olivier , Bellouard Yves
Published: April 2021

Thanks to the non-linear nature of laser-matter interaction, the use of femtosecond lasers offers a versatile method for encoding information and modifying transparent materials in their volumes and this, with sub-micron resolution. The underlying physical process is a succession of intricate and complex nonlinear phenomena that are sensitive to multiple and multidimensional parameters, such as beam intensity distribution, exposure dose homogeneity and pulse-overlapping sequences as well as propagating wavefront angular orientations and temporal distortions. As a consequence to this inherent and often overwhelming complexity, obtaining a repeatable and accurate result relies strongly on time-consuming machine-specific calibration and experiment-specific fine-tuning attempts until the desired result is reached. Here, we present a digital twin of the processed specimen that not only accurately predicts the exposure outcome in terms of introduced retardance, but also offers a pathway for designing feedforward schemes that compensate for known inaccuracies. We demonstrate the merit of this approach through illustrative examples of arbitrary phase patterns, forming waveplates and images, based on refractive index modulation induced during laser exposure.
Periodic representations for quadratic irrationals in the field of 𝑝-adic numbers
Authors: Barbero Stefano , Cerruti Umberto , Murru Nadir
Published: April 2021

Continued fractions have been widely studied in the field of

p
p

-adic numbers

Q

p

\mathbb Q_p

, but currently there is no algorithm replicating all the good properties that continued fractions have over the real numbers regarding, in particular, finiteness and periodicity. In this paper, first we propose a periodic representation, which we will call standard, for any quadratic irrational via

p
p

-adic continued fractions, even if it is not obtained by a specific algorithm. This periodic representation provides simultaneous rational approximations for a quadratic irrational both in

R

\mathbb R

and

Q

p

\mathbb Q_p

. Moreover given two primes

p
1

p_1

and

p
2

p_2

, using the Binomial transform, we are also able to pass from approximations in

Q

p
1

\mathbb {Q}_{p_1}

to approximations in

Q

p
2

\mathbb {Q}_{p_2}

for a given quadratic irrational. Then, we focus on a specific

p
p

–adic continued fraction algorithm proving that it stops in a finite number of steps when processes rational numbers, solving a problem left open in a paper by Browkin [Math. Comp. 70 (2001), pp. 1281–1292]. Finally, we study the periodicity of this algorithm showing when it produces standard representations for quadratic irrationals.
Isotropic non-Lipschitz regularization for sparse representations of random fields on the sphere
Authors: Li Chao , Chen Xiaojun
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we consider an infinite-dimensional isotropic non-Lipschitz optimization problem with

ℓ

2
,
p

\ell _{2,p}

(

0
>
p
>
1

0>p>1

) regularizer for random fields on the unit sphere with spherical harmonic representations. The regularizer not only gives a group sparse solution, but also preserves the isotropy of the regularized random field represented by the solution. We present first order and second order necessary optimality conditions for local minimizers of the optimization problem. We also derive two lower bounds for the nonzero groups of stationary points, which are used to prove that the infinite-dimensional optimization problem can be reduced to a finite-dimensional problem. Moreover, we propose an iteratively reweighted algorithm for the finite-dimensional problem and prove its convergence. Finally, numerical experiments on Cosmic Microwave Background data are presented to show the efficiency of the non-Lipschitz regularization.
US Public’s Perceptions of Online Transformation Photos
Authors: Henderson Joshua T , Mullens Cody L , Woodberry Kerri M
Published: April 2021

Background

Although many plastic surgeons seek to optimize their online presence and reach a broader patient base, no studies to our knowledge have evaluated the general public’s perceptions of one of the most valued informational tools: transformation photos.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the general public’s preferences for viewing transformation photos online.

Methods

Respondents representative of the US public, crowdsourced through Amazon Mechanical Turk, answered a survey assessing perceptions of the posting of before-and-after photos.

Results

One thousand respondents completed the questionnaire. Ninety percent (905/1000) of respondents are willing to view online before-and-after photos. Sixty-three percent (634/1000) would consent to online posting of before-and-after photos of at least 1 body area, with comfort levels highest for facelift (36.4%), nonoperative facial rejuvenation (31.9%), liposuction (24.9%), and abdominoplasty (23.2%). Breast reduction (12.4%), breast reconstruction (10.9%), gluteal augmentation (14.0%), and vaginal rejuvenation (4.4%) are considered least acceptable for public posting. Respondents are significantly more opposed to online viewing of genitals than any other body area (P < 0.0001). Of those willing to have their own transformation photos posted online, 74.0% would allow posting on professional practice websites, 35.1% on Instagram, 26.6% on Facebook, 17.2% on Twitter, and 10.7% on Snapchat. Significantly more respondents prefer their transformation photos reside only on professional practice websites rather than on a social media platform (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The public considers aesthetic facial procedures and body contouring most acceptable for showcasing transformation photos online. Although most respondents prefer viewing these photos on professional practice websites, Instagram is the favored social media platform. The majority of the public seek transformation photos when choosing a plastic surgeon for a cosmetic procedure.
Plasma levels of phosphorylated tau 181 are associated with cerebral metabolic dysfunction in cognitively impaired and amyloid-positive individuals
Authors: Lussier Firoza Z , Benedet Andréa L , Therriault Joseph , Pascoal Tharick A , Tissot Cécile , Chamoun Mira , Mathotaarachchi Sulantha , Savard Melissa , Ashton Nicholas J , Karikari Thomas K , Rodriguez Juan Lantero , Snellman Anniina , Bezgin Gleb , Kang Min Su , Fernandez Arias Jaime , Wang Yi-Ting , Gauthier Serge , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Rosa-Neto Pedro ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: April 2021

Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers are primarily evaluated through MRI, PET and CSF methods in order to diagnose and monitor disease. Recently, advances in the assessment of blood-based biomarkers have shown promise for simple, inexpensive, accessible and minimally invasive tools with diagnostic and prognostic value for Alzheimer’s disease. Most recently, plasma phosphorylated tau181 has shown excellent performance. The relationship between plasma phosphorylated tau181 and cerebral metabolic dysfunction assessed by [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET in Alzheimer’s disease is still unknown. This study was performed on 892 older individuals (297 cognitively unimpaired; 595 cognitively impaired) from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort. Plasma phosphorylated tau181 was assessed using single molecular array technology and metabolic dysfunction was indexed by [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET. Cross-sectional associations between plasma and CSF phosphorylated tau181 and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose were assessed using voxelwise linear regression models, with individuals stratified by diagnostic group and by β-amyloid status. Associations between baseline plasma phosphorylated tau181 and longitudinal (24 months) rate of brain metabolic decline were also assessed in 389 individuals with available data using correlations and voxelwise regression models. Plasma phosphorylated tau181 was elevated in β-amyloid positive and cognitively impaired individuals as well as in apolipoprotein E ε4 carriers and was significantly associated with age, worse cognitive performance and CSF phosphorylated tau181. Cross-sectional analyses showed strong associations between plasma phosphorylated tau181 and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET in cognitively impaired and β-amyloid positive individuals. Voxelwise longitudinal analyses showed that baseline plasma phosphorylated tau181 concentrations were significantly associated with annual rates of metabolic decline in cognitively impaired individuals, bilaterally in the medial and lateral temporal lobes. The associations between plasma phosphorylated tau181 and reduced brain metabolism, primarily in cognitively impaired and in β-amyloid positive individuals, supports the use of plasma phosphorylated tau181 as a simple, low-cost, minimally invasive and accessible tool to both assess current and predict future metabolic dysfunction associated with Alzheimer’s disease, comparatively to PET, MRI and CSF methods.
Abnormal Right-Hemispheric Sulcal Patterns Correlate with Executive Function in Adolescents with Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Morton Sarah U , Maleyeff Lara , Wypij David , Yun Hyuk Jin , Rollins Caitlin K , Watson Christopher G , Newburger Jane W , Bellinger David C , Roberts Amy E , Rivkin Michael J , Grant P Ellen , Im Kiho
Published: April 2021

Neurodevelopmental disabilities are the most common noncardiac conditions in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Executive function skills have been frequently observed to be decreased among children and adults with CHD compared with peers, but a neuroanatomical basis for the association is yet to be identified. In this study, we quantified sulcal pattern features from brain magnetic resonance imaging data obtained during adolescence among 41 participants with tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) and 49 control participants using a graph-based pattern analysis technique. Among patients with ToF, right-hemispheric sulcal pattern similarity to the control group was decreased (0.7514 vs. 0.7553, P = 0.01) and positively correlated with neuropsychological testing values including executive function (r = 0.48, P < 0.001). Together these findings suggest that sulcal pattern analysis may be a useful marker of neurodevelopmental risk in patients with CHD. Further studies may elucidate the mechanisms leading to different alterations in sulcal patterning.
A pilot study investigating a novel particle-based growth factor delivery system for preimplantation embryo culture
Authors: Gurner Kathryn H , Richardson Joseph J , Harvey Alexandra J , Gardner David K
Published: April 2021

STUDY QUESTION

Can vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-loaded silica supraparticles (V-SPs) be used as a novel mode of delivering VEGF to the developing preimplantation embryo in vitro?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Supplementation of embryo culture media with V-SPs promoted embryonic development in a manner equivalent to media supplemented with free VEGF.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

VEGF is a maternally derived growth factor that promotes preimplantation embryonic development in vitro. However, its use in clinical media has limitations due to its low stability in solution.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

This study was a laboratory-based analysis utilising a mouse model. V-SPs were prepared in vitro and supplemented to embryonic culture media. The bioactivity of V-SPs was determined by analysis of blastocyst developmental outcomes (blastocyst development rate and total cell number).

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

SPs were loaded with fluorescently labelled VEGF and release kinetics were characterised. Bioactivity of unlabelled VEGF released from V-SPs was determined by analysis of embryo developmental outcomes (blastocyst developmental rate and total cell number) following individual mouse embryo culture in 20 µl of G1/G2 media at 5% oxygen, supplemented with 10 ng/ml recombinant mouse VEGF in solution or with V-SPs. The bioactivity of freeze-dried V-SPs was also assessed to determine the efficacy of cryostorage.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

VEGF release kinetics were characterised by an initial burst of VEGF from loaded spheres followed by a consistent lower level of VEGF release over 48 h. VEGF released from V-SPs resulted in significant increases in total blastocyst cell number relative to the control (P < 0.001), replicating the effects of medium freely supplemented with fresh VEGF (P < 0.001). Similarly, freeze dried V-SPs exerted comparable effects on embryonic development (P < 0.05).

LARGE SCALE DATA

N/A.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

In this proof of principle study, the effects of V-SPs on embryonic development were only analysed in a mouse model.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

These findings suggest that SPs represent a novel method by which a targeted dose of therapeutic agents (e.g. bioactive VEGF) can be delivered to the developing in vitro embryo to promote embryonic development, an approach that negates the breakdown of VEGF associated with storage in solution. As such, V-SPs may be an alternative and effective method of delivering bioactive VEGF to the developing in vitro embryo; however, the potential use of V-SPs in clinical IVF requires further investigation.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was funded by the University of Melbourne. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive-Behavioral and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on the Quality of Life of Patients With Crohn Disease
Authors: Goren Ganit , Schwartz Doron , Friger Michael , Banai Hagar , Sergienko Ruslan , Regev Shirley , Abu-Kaf Heba , Greenberg Dan , Nemirovsky Anna , Ilan Karny , Lerner Livnat , Monsonego Alon , Dotan Iris , Yanai Henit , Eliakim Rami , Ben Horin Shomron , Slonim-Nevo Vered , Odes Shmuel , Sarid Orly
Published: April 2021

Background

Patients with Crohn disease have debilitating psychological symptoms, mental fatigue, and poor quality of life. Psychological intervention may improve these symptoms.

Methods

We performed a randomized parallel-group physician-blinded trial of cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based stress reduction (COBMINDEX) on quality of life and psychological symptoms in adults with mild-moderate Crohn disease. COBMINDEX was taught by social workers in one-on-one video conferences over 3 months; quotidian home practice was mandated.

Results

Fifty-five COBMINDEX and 61 waitlist control patients completed the study; mean age was 33 years and 65% of participants were women. At 3 months, COBMINDEX patients had significantly reduced disease activity (per Harvey-Bradshaw Index score, C-reactive protein level, and calprotectin level), increased quality of life (Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [SIBDQ] score increased from baseline 41 to 50; P < 0.001), decreased psychological symptoms (Global Severity Index [GSI], 0.98-0.70; P < 0.001), reduced fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue, 26-33; P < 0.001), and increased mindfulness disposition (Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, 33-38; P < 0.001). Waitlist patients had a significant but small change in Harvey-Bradshaw Index, SIBDQ, and GSI scores, without improvement in fatigue or mindfulness. There were significant correlations (0.02 > P < 0.002) in COBMINDEX patients between baseline SIBDQ, GSI, Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scores with a relative change (baseline to 3 months) of the SIBDQ score, but none among waitlist patients. Predictors of relative change of the SIBDQ score in COBMINDEX patients included the GSI score (90% quantile; coefficient 0.52; P < 0.001), somatization (90%; 0.20; P = 0.001), depression (75%; 0.16; P = 0.03), and phobic anxiety (75%; 0.31; P = 0.008).

Conclusions

COBMINDEX was effective in increasing patients’ quality of life and reducing psychological symptoms and fatigue. Patients with severe baseline psychological symptoms benefited the most from COBMINDEX.
Identifying policy approaches to build social–ecological resilience in marine fisheries with differing capacities and contexts
Authors: Kleisner Kristin M , Ojea Elena , Battista Willow , Burden Merrick , Cunningham Erica , Fujita Rod , Karr Kendra , Amorós Samuel , Mason Julia , Rader Doug , Rovegno Nicolas , Thomas-Smyth Alice
Published: April 2021

Fisheries are critically important for nutrition, food security, livelihoods, and culture of hundreds of millions of people globally. As climate impacts on ocean ecosystems increase, policy-makers are asking critical questions about how to implement reforms at local and national levels to reach goals around improving performance of management systems, sustainability, equity, and resilience to climate change. These goals can be achieved by enhancing the structure, function, and biodiversity of marine ecosystems as climate change proceeds, together with adaptive, sustainable management. However, resource, technical, and governance capacities vary widely across management systems. These capacities will determine, in part, the best policy approaches to build resilience and overcome systemic challenges to equity and sustainability to stressors such as climate change. To illuminate how fisheries resilience can be improved within the constraints imposed by these capacity limits, we present case studies from Myanmar, Belize, Peru, and Iceland, which offer a spectrum of capacity conditions to explore social–ecological resilience challenges and solutions. Using a set of nine social–ecological resilience criteria, we examine each system’s attributes that may confer or undermine resilience and explore interactions between them. We use this assessment to identify policy approaches that can help build resilience in each particular context.
Maternal smoking and smokeless tobacco use during pregnancy and offspring development: sibling analysis in an intergenerational Swedish cohort
Authors: Madley-Dowd Paul , Lundberg Michael , Heron Jon , Zammit Stanley , Ahlqvist Viktor H , Magnusson Cecilia , Rai Dheeraj
Published: April 2021

Background

The association between maternal smoking in pregnancy and offspring intellectual disability (ID) is less well understood than that of smoking and fetal growth restriction. As fetal growth and cognitive development may share similar confounding structures, comparison of the two associations may improve understanding of the causal nature of the association with ID. Furthermore, comparisons of smoking with smokeless tobacco use may aid identification of mechanisms of action.

Methods

This was a cohort study of all Swedish births between 1999 and 2012 (n = 1 070 013), with prospectively recorded data. We assessed the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring outcomes ID and born small for gestational age (SGA). Analyses were repeated for snus use in pregnancy. Using a sibling design, we estimated within-family effects that control for shared sibling characteristics.

Results

Those exposed to maternal smoking in pregnancy had increased odds of ID [odds ratio (OR) = 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16-1.33] and SGA (OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 2.11-2.27) after confounder adjustment. Within-family effects were found for SGA (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.27-1.63) but not ID (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.74-1.14). For snus use, the results for ID were similar to smoking. We found increased odds of offspring SGA among mothers who used snus in pregnancy in sensitivity analyses but not in primary analyses.

Conclusions

Our findings are consistent with a causal effect of maternal smoking in pregnancy on risk of offspring born SGA but not on risk of ID. We found no evidence for a causal effect of snus use in pregnancy on ID and inconclusive evidence for SGA.
Parameter Spaces of Locally Constant Cocycles
Authors: Christodoulou Argyrios
Published: April 2021

This article concerns the locus of locally constant $\textrm{SL}(2,\mathbb{R})$-valued cocycles that have a dominated splitting, called the hyperbolic locus. By developing the theory of Möbius semigroups we show that cocycles on the boundary of the hyperbolic locus, apart from a few exceptions, exhibit some form of hyperbolic behaviour. This behaviour is used to answer a question posed by Avila, Bochi and Yoccoz. Our approach introduces a new locus of cocycles, closely related to the hyperbolic locus, and motivates a line of investigation on the subject.
Plasmodium simium: Population Genomics Reveals the Origin of a Reverse Zoonosis
Authors: de Oliveira Thaís C , Rodrigues Priscila T , Early Angela M , Duarte Ana Maria R C , Buery Julyana C , Bueno Marina G , Catão-Dias José L , Cerutti Crispim , Rona Luísa D P , Neafsey Daniel E , Ferreira Marcelo U
Published: April 2021

Background

The population history of Plasmodium simium, which causes malaria in sylvatic Neotropical monkeys and humans along the Atlantic Coast of Brazil, remains disputed. Genetically diverse P vivax populations from various sources, including the lineages that founded the species P simium, are thought to have arrived in the Americas in separate migratory waves.

Methods

We use population genomic approaches to investigate the origin and evolution of P simium.

Results

We find a minimal genome-level differentiation between P simium and present-day New World P vivax isolates, consistent with their common geographic origin and subsequent divergence on this continent. The meagre genetic diversity in P simium samples from humans and monkeys implies a recent transfer from humans to non-human primates – a unique example of malaria as a reverse zoonosis of public health significance. Likely genomic signatures of P simium adaptation to new hosts include the deletion of >40% of a key erythrocyte invasion ligand, PvRBP2a, which may have favored more efficient simian host cell infection.

Conclusions

New World P vivax lineages that switched from humans to platyrrhine monkeys founded the P simium population that infects nonhuman primates and feeds sustained human malaria transmission in the outskirts of major cities.
Tracing the Fate of Pollen Substitute Patties in Western Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies
Authors: Noordyke Emily R , van Santen Edzard , Ellis James D
Published: April 2021

Commercial beekeepers need healthy, productive honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies, even when the landscape lacks adequate pollen forage to sustain the colonies. As a result, many commercial beekeepers spend significant money and labor on the use of pollen substitutes in their colonies. However, there is little consensus in the literature about the benefits and drawbacks of pollen substitute use on honey bee colony health. In order to understand this critically, it is important to know first how honey bees distribute pollen substitute patties throughout their colonies. We traced the fate of three commercially available pollen substitute patties (MegaBee, UltraBee, AP23) dyed with a nontoxic food coloring (Brilliant Blue FCF) and undyed as negative controls, a dyed positive control (fondant), and a dyed consumption control (Crayola Model Magic Clay) in 44 honey bee colonies. Using spectrophotometry and visual inspection, we analyzed adult bee guts, larval guts, bee bread stores and colony debris underneath the hive for presence of the dye. Our data suggest that (1) a proportion of adult bees ingest the patty, (2) adult bees likely do not feed patty directly to larvae, (3) adult bees do not store patty like bee bread, and (4) only a very small proportion of patty is lost as debris. Collectively our data suggest that honey bee colonies use pollen substitute patties. However, patties likely do not replace the function of natural pollen entirely in terms of larval provisioning and long-term storage as bee bread.
Field and Laboratory Testing of Feeding Stimulants to Enhance Insecticide Efficacy Against Spotted-Wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura)
Authors: Fanning Philip , Lanka Srinivas , Mermer Serhan , Collins Judith , Van Timmeren Steven , Andrews Heather , Hesler Stephen , Loeb Gregory , Drummond Francis , Wiman Nik G , Walton Vaughn , Sial Ashfaq A , Isaacs Rufus
Published: April 2021

The invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), is a key insect pest of berries globally, causing lost revenues and increased production costs associated with applications of insecticides. The insecticides utilized are commonly broad-spectrum pyrethroids, organophosphates, or carbamates in conventionally managed fields and spinosad in organically managed fields. Adoption of more selective insecticides has been limited due to their lower residual activity, and the requirement that some must be ingested to be effective. We investigated the use of feeding stimulants for D. suzukii as a method to improve longevity and efficacy in a range of insecticides. In laboratory bioassays, sugar increased the efficacy of all chemical classes tested; however, the inclusion of yeast only showed a benefit with malathion. Feeding stimulants had a limited effect in some cases under field conditions. Similarly, infestation in field plots and a semifield bioassay showed no significant decreases in infestation with the inclusion of feeding stimulants for the insecticides tested in these trials. We discuss the implications of these findings for managing D. suzukii in fruit crops to help ensure the harvest of marketable fruit.
Evaluation of a Novel User-Friendly Arthropod Repellent Gel, Verdegen
Authors: Chauhan Kamlesh R , McPhatter Lee P , O’Dell Kenneth , Syed Zainulabeuddin , Wheeler Alan , Debboun Mustapha
Published: April 2021

Hand sanitizers are developed as alcohol-based liquid gel formulations, generally used to decrease the amount of infectious agents on human hands. Verdegen, LLC proposed to prepare an arthropod repellent gel for public use when the recent outbreaks of Zika infection vectored through Aedes mosquitoes in the American continents prompted multi-faceted emergency measures. Four different gel formulations were developed, comprising two of the most efficacious commercial arthropod repellent active ingredients, N,N-diethyl-3-methyl benzamide (deet) and 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 1-methylpropyl ester (picaridin), each at different concentrations (20 and 33% deet, or 20 and 33% picaridin). Compliance with the use of topical arthropod repellents remains an issue among military personnel. One of the most common complaints by Soldiers is that they do not like how the repellents applied on their skin leave behind an oily or greasy residue. These new gel formulations offer a user-friendly alternative for commonly used arthropod repellents formulations for the military and civilian personnel. We tested the efficacy and protection time of these new gel formulations in comparison with the commercially available cream formulations of deet and picaridin at similar concentrations. Our data show that gel formulations have better topical attributes, and offer equal or better biting protection for up to 48 h against host-seeking Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) female mosquitoes.
Low frequency view of GRB 190114C reveals time varying shock micro-physics
Authors: Misra K , Resmi L , Kann D A , Marongiu M , Moin A , Klose S , Bernardi G , Postigo A de Ugarte , Jaiswal V K , Schulze S , Perley D A , Ghosh A , Dimple Dimple , Kumar H , Gupta R , Michałowski M J , Martín S , Cockeram A , Cherukuri S V , Bhalerao V , Anderson G E , Pandey S B , Anupama G C , Thöne C C , Barway S , Wieringa M H , Fynbo J P U , Habeeb N
Published: April 2021

We present radio and optical afterglow observations of the TeV-bright long Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) 190114C at a redshift of z = 0.425, which was detected by the MAGIC telescope. Our observations with ALMA, ATCA, and uGMRT were obtained by our low frequency observing campaign and range from ∼1 to ∼140 days after the burst and the optical observations were done with three optical telescopes spanning up to ∼25 days after the burst. Long term radio/mm observations reveal the complex nature of the afterglow, which does not follow the spectral and temporal closure relations expected from the standard afterglow model. We find that the microphysical parameters of the external forward shock, representing the share of shock-created energy in the non-thermal electron population and magnetic field, are evolving with time. The inferred kinetic energy in the blast-wave depends strongly on the assumed ambient medium density profile, with a constant density medium demanding almost an order of magnitude higher energy than in the prompt emission, while a stellar wind-driven medium requires approximately the same amount energy as in prompt emission.
Evolution after Whole-Genome Duplication: Teleost MicroRNAs
Authors: Desvignes Thomas , Sydes Jason , Montfort Jerôme , Bobe Julien , Postlethwait John H
Published: April 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important gene expression regulators implicated in many biological processes, but we lack a global understanding of how miRNA genes evolve and contribute to developmental canalization and phenotypic diversification. Whole-genome duplication events likely provide a substrate for species divergence and phenotypic change by increasing gene numbers and relaxing evolutionary pressures. To understand the consequences of genome duplication on miRNA evolution, we studied miRNA genes following the teleost genome duplication (TGD). Analysis of miRNA genes in four teleosts and in spotted gar, whose lineage diverged before the TGD, revealed that miRNA genes were retained in ohnologous pairs more frequently than protein-coding genes, and that gene losses occurred rapidly after the TGD. Genomic context influenced retention rates, with clustered miRNA genes retained more often than nonclustered miRNA genes and intergenic miRNA genes retained more frequently than intragenic miRNA genes, which often shared the evolutionary fate of their protein-coding host. Expression analyses revealed both conserved and divergent expression patterns across species in line with miRNA functions in phenotypic canalization and diversification, respectively. Finally, major strands of miRNA genes experienced stronger purifying selection, especially in their seeds and 3′-complementary regions, compared with minor strands, which nonetheless also displayed evolutionary features compatible with constrained function. This study provides the first genome-wide, multispecies analysis of the mechanisms influencing metazoan miRNA evolution after whole-genome duplication.
Metabolic imaging detects elevated glucose flux through the pentose phosphate pathway associated with TERT expression in low-grade gliomas
Authors: Viswanath Pavithra , Batsios Georgios , Ayyappan Vinay , Taglang Céline , Gillespie Anne Marie , Larson Peder E Z , Luchman H Artee , Costello Joseph F , Pieper Russell O , Ronen Sabrina M
Published: April 2021

Background

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is essential for tumor proliferation, including in low-grade oligodendrogliomas (LGOGs). Since TERT is silenced in normal cells, it is also a therapeutic target. Therefore, noninvasive methods of imaging TERT are needed. Here, we examined the link between TERT expression and metabolism in LGOGs, with the goal of leveraging this information for noninvasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)-based metabolic imaging of LGOGs.

Methods

Immortalized normal human astrocytes with doxycycline-inducible TERT silencing, patient-derived LGOG cells, orthotopic tumors, and LGOG patient biopsies were studied to determine the mechanistic link between TERT expression and glucose metabolism. The ability of hyperpolarized [U-13C, U-2H]-glucose to noninvasively assess TERT expression was tested in live cells and orthotopic tumors.

Results

TERT expression was associated with elevated glucose flux through the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), elevated NADPH, which is a major product of the PPP, and elevated glutathione, which is maintained in a reduced state by NADPH. Importantly, hyperpolarized [U-13C, U-2H]-glucose metabolism via the PPP noninvasively reported on TERT expression and response to TERT inhibition in patient-derived LGOG cells and orthotopic tumors. Mechanistically, TERT acted via the sirtuin SIRT2 to upregulate the glucose transporter GLUT1 and the rate-limiting PPP enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Conclusions

We have, for the first time, leveraged a mechanistic understanding of TERT-associated metabolic reprogramming for noninvasive imaging of LGOGs using hyperpolarized [U-13C, U-2H]-glucose. Our findings provide a novel way of imaging a hallmark of tumor immortality and have the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment response assessment for LGOG patients.