bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanopore size effect on critical infiltration depth of liquid nanofoam as a reusable energy absorber
Authors: Li Mingzhe , Xu Lijiang , Lu Weiyi
Published: January 2019

Liquid flow in nano-environment has been utilized as an advanced mechanism of energy absorption. While the process of liquid outflow from nanopores has been shown to have a significant effect on the system’s energy absorption efficiencies, its mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we have studied the liquid defiltration behavior of liquid nanofoam (LN) systems by controlling the infiltration depth. The LN samples, composed of a different non-wettable liquid phase and hydrophobic nanoporous silica with wide pore size distribution, have been compressed in two different loading modes under the quasi-static condition, i.e., the single-step compression and consecutive-step compression. Considerably different mechanical behaviors have been observed in these two loading modes, suggesting that the liquid outflow from nanopores is determined by the critical infiltration depth D*. The nanopore size effect on D* is further studied by a consecutive-step cyclic test. It has been shown that D* increases as the pore size gets smaller, which is related to gas solubility and diffusion rate in the nano-environment. The electrolyte concentration and temperature dependences of the critical infiltration depth have also been investigated. These findings provide a better understanding of the liquid outflow from nanopores and can be exploited to facilitate the design of next-generation reusable energy absorption systems.
Cross-plane thermal conduction in superlattices: Impact of multiple length scales on phonon transport
Authors: Malhotra Abhinav , Kothari Kartik , Maldovan Martin
Published: January 2019

We report a phonon transport study to elucidate nanoscale thermal conduction in silicon-germanium superlattices considering interactions of phonons with multiple structural length scales. Our results clearly demonstrate the need for quantifying the impact of all relevant length variables in superlattices, i.e., the mean free path and wavelength of phonons, the periodicity of the structure, total size of the superlattice, and the length scale of interfacial disorder, to fully understand the heat conduction in superlattices. Our predictions show that thermal conduction can be ballistic travelling across multiple low roughness interfaces of the superlattice even at room temperatures. In contrast to in-plane transport, we find that the strong surface scattering encountered in the cross-plane direction limits the phonon transport to mean-free-paths of less than 1 μm and wavelengths less than 10 nm even in alloyed superlattices of periods up to 50 nm. This strong role of boundaries also manifests itself in the form of thermal conductivity anisotropy in superlattices. We also investigate the impact of the number of periods and total structural size on the thermal conductivity which is critical for accurate experimental reporting of thermal conductivities.
3D printed selectable dilution mixer pumps
Authors: Gong Hua , Woolley Adam T. , Nordin Gregory P.
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we demonstrate the ability to 3D print tightly integrated structures with active valves, pumps, and mixers, and we use our compact chip-to-chip interconnects [Gong et al., Lab Chip 18, 639–647 (2018)] to move bulky world-to-chip connections to separate interface chips for both post-print flushing and post-cure device operation. As example devices, we first examine 3D printed pumps, followed by two types of selectable ratio mixer pumps, a linear dilution mixer pump (LDMP) and a parallelized dilution mixer pump (PDMP), which occupy volumes of only 1.5mm3 and 2.6mm3, respectively. The LDMP generates a selectable dilution ratio from a linear set of possibilities, while the PDMP generates a denser set of possible dilutions with a maximum dilution ratio of 1/16. The PDMP also incorporates a new 4-to-1 valve to simultaneously control 4 inlet channels. To characterize LDMP and PDMP operation and performance, we present a new, low-cost video method to directly measure the relative concentration of an absorptive dye on a pixel-by-pixel basis for each video frame. Using this method, we find that 6 periods of the active mixer that forms the core of the LDMP and PDMP are sufficient to fully mix the fluid, and that the generated concentrations track the designed dilution ratios as expected. The LDMP mixes 20 nl per 4.6 s mixer pump period, while the PDMP uses parallelized input pumps to process the same fluid volume with greater choice of dilution ratios in a 3.6 s period.
The interaction of twisted Laguerre-Gaussian light with a GaAs photocathode to investigate photogenerated polarized electrons
Authors: Sordillo L. A. , Mamani S. , Sharonov M. , Alfano R. R.
Published: January 2019

The interaction of Laguerre-Gaussian light at selected wavelengths from 690 to 810 nm with a p-type gallium arsenide (GaAs) photocathode photonic device and the production of photogenerated electrons were investigated. Spin angular momentum (SAM) and orbital angular momentum (OAM) were generated using linear or circular polarization and q-plates. The degree of polarization P from the photogenerated electron signal was measured. At an excitation of 695 nm (E = 1.78 eV), POAM = 2.1%, PSAM = 1.3%, and PSAM,OAM(q=1)=3.4%, whereas, at 800 nm (E = 1.55 eV), near the bandgap, POAM = −14.7%, PSAM = −2.6%, and PSAM,OAM(q=1)=4.0%.
Phonon driven charge dynamics in polycrystalline acetylsalicylic acid mapped by ultrafast x-ray diffraction
Authors: Hauf Christoph , Hernandez Salvador Antonio-Andres , Holtz Marcel , Woerner Michael , Elsaesser Thomas
Published: January 2019

The coupled lattice and charge dynamics induced by phonon excitation in polycrystalline acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) are mapped by femtosecond x-ray powder diffraction. The hybrid-mode character of the 0.9 ± 0.1 THz methyl rotation in the aspirin molecules is evident from collective charge relocations over distances of some 100 pm, much larger than the sub-picometer nuclear displacements. Oscillatory charge relocations around the methyl group generate a torque on the latter, thus coupling electronic and nuclear motions.
Density of defect states retrieved from the hysteretic gate transfer characteristics of monolayer MoS2 field effect transistors
Authors: Xu Qiang , Sun Yingri , Yang Peng , Dan Yaping
Published: January 2019

Defect states play an important role in low-dimensional semiconductor devices. However, it becomes increasingly challenging to find the density of defect states for ultra-scaled devices using traditional capacitive techniques such as capacitance-voltage (CV) method and deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). Here, we proposed a model to quantitatively retrieve the density of defect states from the hysteretic gate transfer characteristics of field effect transistors (FETs), and applied it to monolayer MoS2 FETs before and after superacid treatment. We found that the superacid treatment significantly reduced the density of deep level defects. As a result, the photoluminescence was enhanced 19 folds due to the suppression of non-radiative recombination via deep level defects.
Fourier-Transform Spectroscopy of the Persistent Photoconductivity in PbSnTe(In) Films at Low Temperatures
Authors: Ikonnikov A. V. , Chernichkin V. I. , Akopian D. A. , Dudin V. S. , Dolzhenko D. E. , Nikorici A. V. , Ryabova L. I. , Khokhlov D. R.
Published: January 2019

In this article, photoconductivity spectra were studied by Fourier-transform spectroscopy in a solid solution of Pb1–xSnxTe(In)) at low temperatures. It is shown that quenching of persistent photoconductivity in Pb1–xSnxTe(In) by radio pulses of very high frequency (100–200 MHz) can be used to obtain spectra using a Fourier-transform spectrometer. In the spectra, the interband absorption band was observed, and the temperature dependence of its red cut-off boundary was determined.
Band structure of a hybridized electron-hole system at a single broken-gap type II heterointerface
Authors: Moiseev K. D. , Berezovets V. A. , Golenitskii K. Yu. , Averkiev N. S.
Published: January 2019

The authors studied the features of planar and vertical quantum magnetotransport in the broken-gap type II p-GaInAsSb/p-InAs heterostructure. This study reveals the structure of the hybridized energy spectrum of a two-dimensional semi-metallic channel at a single broken-gap type II heterointerface. It is demonstrated that an energy diagram of Landau levels can be visualized for a hybridized electron-hole system taking into account their spin splitting and mutual intersections.
Scaling laws under quantum Hall effect for a smooth disorder potential
Authors: Gudina S. V. , Klepikova A. S. , Neverov V. N. , Shelushinina N. G. , Yakunin M. V.
Published: January 2019

We carried out the analysis of discovered experimental values of the critical parameter κ for the quantum Hall plateau-plateau transitions in modulation-doped GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures. It turned out that these values are in the main concentrated at the range of 0.5–0.7. We argue that within the theoretical concepts for the large-scale disorder potential, it corresponds to a borderland between quantum tunnelling processes and classical percolation regime. Just, the critical exponent value for the bandwidth of delocalized states, κ = 0.54 ± 0.01, obtained by us for HgTe-based heterostructure with inverted band spectrum, can be associated with a smooth character of impurity potential in our system.
On the issue of universality of critical exponents in the quantum Hall effect mode
Authors: Arapov Yu. G. , Gudina S. V. , Deryushkina E. V. , Shelushinina N. G. , Yakunin M. V.
Published: January 2019

A critical analysis of the work performed within the framework of the two-parameter scaling concept is carried out, and a brief review of modern percolation models for the quantum plateau–plateau phase transition in the quantum Hall effect mode is presented. The work was motivated by a discussion of theoretical models for describing the effect of overlapping and mixing the densities of localized and delocalized states at Landau levels on the universality of critical exponents.
The electron structure of Pb1–x–ySnxFeyTe alloys
Authors: Skipetrov E. P. , Kovalev B. B. , Skipetrova L. A. , Knotko A. V. , Slynko V. E.
Published: January 2019

A study of phase and elemental compositions, galvanomagnetic properties (4.2 K ≤ T ≤ 300 K, B ≤ 0.07 T) and Shubnikov – de Haas oscillations (T = 4.2 K, B ≤ 6.5 T) in Pb1–x–ySnxFeyTe alloys with varying concentrations of tin and iron in single-crystal ingots synthesized using the Bridgman-Stockbarger method was performed. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence microanalysis revealed the presence of iron enriched microscopic inclusions, and the distribution of tin and iron along the ingots was determined. An increase in the concentration of holes with increasing concentrations of tin and iron, as well as anomalous temperature dependences of the Hall coefficient, which indicates a pinning of the Fermi level at the resonant level of iron, were detected. A model of electron structure rearrangement is proposed in order to explain the experimental dependences of the hole concentration and the Fermi energy relative to the valence band top as a function of tin concentration in the alloys. The model assumes that the iron level moves from the top to the depth of the valence band as the tin concentration increases. The compositional coefficient of iron level movement relative to the edges of the energy bands with increasing tin content in Pb1–x–ySnxFeyTe alloys is determined using the two-band Kane dispersion law.
Nontrivial Phenomena in Magnetic Nanocomposites Co/Al2O3 and Co/SiO2
Authors: Lashkarev G. V. , Radchenko M. V. , Baibara A. E. , Bugaiova M. E. , Petrosian L. I. , Dumond Y. , Story T. , Knoff W. , Nedelko N. , Ślawska-Waniewska A. , Foltyn M. , Stelmakh Y. A. , Krushynskaya L. A.
Published: January 2019

Magnetic nanocomposites (MNC), in which nanoparticles of ferromagnetic metals are distributed in wide-gap dielectric matrices (Al2O3 or SiO2), are prospective materials for electronics due to their amenability to technological control of the concentration and size of ferromagnetic nanoparticles. Co/Al2O3 and Co/SiO2 MNC layers with Co concentrations below the percolation threshold were deposited on polycor substrates using electron-beam deposition in a vacuum (EB-PVD). Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of tightly packed Co grains of irregular shape with sizes of 5–50 nm in MNC. Low-temperature measurements of the magnetization for MNC Co/Al2O3 were made in the temperature range 4–300 K and magnetic fields up to 10 kOe. The ‘magnetic exchange bias’ has been detected, and it increases with a rise in Co concentration. By studying the electrical properties of the MNC Co/Al2O3 and Co/SiO2 in the temperature range of 77–280 K, the Mott type electron transport hopping mechanism was established. We first observed the effect of a giant positive thermoelectric power in a magnetic field in MNC Co/Al2O3 and the effect of a negative magnetothermoelectric power in a Co/SiO2.
Engagement of primary care practice in Australia: learnings from a diabetes care project
Authors: Ogrin Rajna , Aylen Tracy , Rice Toni , Audehm Ralph , Appannah Arti
Published: January 2019

Effective community-based chronic disease management requires general practice engagement and ongoing improvement in care models. This article outlines a case study on contributing factors to insufficient participant recruitment through general practice for an evidence-based diabetes care pilot project. Key stakeholder semi-structured interviews and focus groups were undertaken at cessation of the pilot project. Participants (15 GPs, five practice nurses, eight diabetes educators) were healthcare providers engaged in patient recruitment. Through descriptive analysis, common themes were identified. Four major themes were identified: (1) low perceived need for intervention; (2) communication of intervention problematic; (3) translation of research into practice not occurring; and (4) the service providing the intervention was not widely viewed as a partner in chronic disease care. Engaging GPs in new initiatives is challenging, and measures facilitating uptake of new innovations are required. Any new intervention needs to: be developed with GPs to meet their needs; have considerable lead-in time to develop rapport with GPs and raise awareness; and ideally, have dedicated support staff within practices to reduce the demand on already-overburdened practice staff. Feasible and effective mechanisms need to be developed to facilitate uptake of new innovations in the general practice setting.
An improved 96 well plate format lipid quantification assay for standardisation of experiments with extracellular vesicles
Authors: Visnovitz Tamás , Osteikoetxea Xabier , Sódar Barbara W. , Mihály Judith , Lőrincz Péter , Vukman Krisztina V. , Tóth Eszter Ágnes , Koncz Anna , Székács Inna , Horváth Robert , Varga Zoltán , Buzás Edit I.
Published: January 2019

The field of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is an exponentially growing segment of biomedical sciences. However, the problems of normalisation and quantification of EV samples have not been completely solved. Currently, EV samples are standardised on the basis of their protein content sometimes combined with determination of the particle number. However, even this combined approach may result in inaccuracy and overestimation of the EV concentration. Lipid bilayers are indispensable components of EVs. Therefore, a lipid‐based quantification, in combination with the determination of particle count and/or protein content, appears to be a straightforward and logical approach for the EV field. In this study, we set the goal to improve the previously reported sulfo‐phospho‐vanillin (SPV) lipid assay. We introduced an aqueous phase liposome standard (DOPC) to replace the purified lipid standards in organic solvents (used commonly in previous studies). Furthermore, we optimised the concentration of the vanillin reagent in the assay. We found that elimination of organic solvents from the reaction mixture could abolish the background colour that interfered with the assay. Comparison of the optimised assay with a commercial lipid kit (based on the original SPV lipid assay) showed an increase of sensitivity by approximately one order of magnitude. Thus, here we report a quick, reliable and sensitive test that may fill an existing gap in EV standardisation. When using the optimised lipid assay reported here, EV lipid measurements can be more reliable than protein‐based measurements. Furthermore, this novel assay is almost as sensitive and as easy as measuring proteins with a simple BCA test.
Functional characterization of the alanine-serine-cysteine exchanger of Carnobacterium sp AT7
Authors: Bartoccioni Paola , Fort Joana , Zorzano Antonio , Errasti-Murugarren Ekaitz , Palacín Manuel
Published: January 2019

Many key cell processes require prior cell uptake of amino acids from the environment, which is facilitated by cell membrane amino acid transporters such as those of the L-type amino acid transporter (LAT) subfamily. Alterations in LAT subfamily amino acid transport are associated with several human diseases, including cancer, aminoacidurias, and neurodegenerative conditions. Therefore, from the perspective of human health, there is considerable interest in obtaining structural information about these transporter proteins. We recently solved the crystal structure of the first LAT transporter, the bacterial alanine-serine-cysteine exchanger of Carnobacterium sp AT7 (BasC). Here, we provide a complete functional characterization of detergent-purified, liposome-reconstituted BasC transporter to allow the extension of the structural insights into mechanistic understanding. BasC is a sodium- and proton-independent small neutral amino acid exchanger whose substrate and inhibitor selectivity are almost identical to those previously described for the human LAT subfamily member Asc-1. Additionally, we show that, like its human counterparts, this transporter has apparent affinity asymmetry for the intra- and extracellular substrate binding sites—a key feature in the physiological role played by these proteins. BasC is an excellent paradigm of human LAT transporters and will contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying substrate recognition and translocation at both sides of the plasma membrane.
Diophantine definability of nonnorms of cyclic extensions of global fields
Authors: Morrison Travis
Published: January 2019

We show that, for any square-free natural number

n
n

and any global field

K
K

with

(

char

(
K
)
,
n
)
=
1

(\textrm {char}(K), n)=1

containing a primitive

n
n

th root of unity, the pairs

(
x
,
y
)
∈

K

×

×

K

×

(x,y)\in K^{\times }\times K^{\times }

such that

x
x

is not a relative norm of

K
(

y
n

)

/

K

K(\sqrt [n]{y})/K

form a diophantine set over

K
K

. We use the Hasse norm theorem, Kummer theory, and class field theory to prove this result. We also prove that, for any

n
∈

N

n\in {\mathbb {N}}

and any global field

K
K

with

char

(
K
)
≠
n

\textrm {char}(K)\neq n

,

K

×

∖

K

×
n

K^{\times }\setminus K^{\times n}

is diophantine over

K
K

. For a number field

K
K

, this is a result of Colliot-Thélène and Van Geel, proved using results on the Brauer–Manin obstruction. Additionally, we prove a variation of our main theorem for global fields

K
K

without the

n
n

th roots of unity, where we parametrize varieties arising from norm forms of cyclic extensions of

K
K

without any rational points by a diophantine set.
PRMT7 methylates eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α and regulates its role in stress granule formation
Authors: Haghandish Nasim , Baldwin R. Mitchell , Morettin Alan , Dawit Haben Tesfu , Adhikary Hemanta , Masson Jean-Yves , Mazroui Rachid , Trinkle-Mulcahy Laura , Côté Jocelyn
Published: January 2019

Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are a family of enzymes that modify proteins by methylating the guanidino nitrogen atoms of arginine residues to regulate cellular processes such as chromatin remodeling, pre-mRNA splicing, and signal transduction. PRMT7 is the single type III PRMT solely capable of arginine monomethylation. To date, other than histone proteins, there are very few identified substrates of PRMT7. We therefore performed quantitative mass spectrometry experiments to identify PRMT7’s interactome and potential substrates to better characterize the enzyme’s biological function(s) in cells. These experiments revealed that PRMT7 interacts with and can methylate eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α), in vitro and in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, we uncovered a potential regulatory interplay between eIF2α arginine methylation by PRMT7 and stress-induced phosphorylation status of eIF2α at serine 51. Finally, we demonstrated that PRMT7 is required for eIF2α-dependent stress granule formation in the face of various cellular stresses. Altogether, our findings implicate PRMT7 as a novel mediator of eIF2α-dependent cellular stress response pathways.
Ant pollination of Paepalanthus lundii (Eriocaulaceae) in Brazilian savanna
Authors: Del-Claro K , Rodriguez-Morales D , Calixto E S , Martins A S , Torezan-Silingardi H M
Published: January 2019

Background and Aims

Ant–plant associations are widely diverse and distributed throughout the world, leading to complex ecological networks. Regarding ant–plant mutualism, ant pollination is a very rare interaction and few studies have shown the role of ants as pollinators. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the role of ants as effective pollinators of Paepalanthus lundii (Eriocaulaceae) in a Brazilian savanna.

Methods

Fieldwork with experimental manipulation was conducted to evaluate the fitness of P. lundii, considering potential pollinators. For this, we mainly observed the number of seeds produced in different conditions: control, ant exclusion, exclusion of flying insects, and exclusion (entomophily test) of both ants and flying insects. Furthermore, we evaluated all floral visitors throughout the day, stigma receptivity, the numbers of male and female flowers, and patterns of species co-occurrence, which can indicate the presence of different pollinators in the plants at the same time.

Key Results

We observed a relation between seed production and ant visits; Camponotus crassus was the most frequent floral visitor and the most effective pollinator. Also, we observed a statistical difference between the numbers of male and female flowers produced, with a greater number of male flowers. Furthermore, P. lundii presented flowering asynchrony, with 12 different types of maturation sequence, which indicates a cross-pollination system. Lastly, we observed an overlap of the greatest abundance of C. crassus and the time of plant stigmatic receptivity, and a pattern of non co-occurrence of ants, which shows the pollinator role of this ant.

Conclusions

Our data provide evidence that previous generalizations neglecting the importance of ants as pollinators are wrong. Brazilian savanna can reveal a lot about the ant-pollination syndrome, since this environment presents peculiar characteristics related to this association. Thus, this study has great significance for the understanding of the ant-pollination syndrome, and for the understanding of the complex ecological networks present in these dry arid systems.
A Cross-Sectional Investigation of Cognition and Ultrasound-Based Vascular Strain Indices
Authors: Meshram N H , Jackson D , Varghese T , Mitchell C C , Wilbrand S M , Dempsey R J , Hermann B P
Published: January 2019

Objective

We examine the relationship between variability in the plaque strain distribution estimated using ultrasound with multiple cognitive domains including executive, language, visuospatial reasoning, and memory function.

Method

Asymptomatic (n = 42) and symptomatic (n = 34) patients with significant (>60%) carotid artery stenosis were studied for plaque instability using ultrasound strain imaging and multiple cognitive domains including executive, language, visuospatial reasoning, and memory function. Correlation and ROC analyses were performed between ultrasound strain indices and cognitive function. Strain indices and cognition scores were also compared between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients to determine whether there are significant group differences.

Results

Association of high-strain distributions with dysexecutive function was observed in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. For memory, visuospatial, and language functions, the correlations between strain and cognition were weaker for the asymptomatic compared to symptomatic group.

Conclusions

Both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients demonstrate a relationship between vessel strain indices and executive function indicating that silent strokes and micro-emboli could initially contribute to a decline in executive function, whereas strokes and transient ischemic attacks may cause the further decline in other cognitive functions.
Batch-normalization of cerebellar and medulloblastoma gene expression datasets utilizing empirically defined negative control genes
Authors: Weishaupt Holger , Johansson Patrik , Sundström Anders , Lubovac-Pilav Zelmina , Olsson Björn , Nelander Sven , Swartling Fredrik J
Published: January 2019

Motivation

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a brain cancer predominantly arising in children. Roughly 70% of patients are cured today, but survivors often suffer from severe sequelae. MB has been extensively studied by molecular profiling, but often in small and scattered cohorts. To improve cure rates and reduce treatment side effects, accurate integration of such data to increase analytical power will be important, if not essential.

Results

We have integrated 23 transcription datasets, spanning 1350 MB and 291 normal brain samples. To remove batch effects, we combined the Removal of Unwanted Variation (RUV) method with a novel pipeline for determining empirical negative control genes and a panel of metrics to evaluate normalization performance. The documented approach enabled the removal of a majority of batch effects, producing a large-scale, integrative dataset of MB and cerebellar expression data. The proposed strategy will be broadly applicable for accurate integration of data and incorporation of normal reference samples for studies of various diseases. We hope that the integrated dataset will improve current research in the field of MB by allowing more large-scale gene expression analyses.

Availability and implementation

The RUV-normalized expression data is available through the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/) and can be accessed via the GSE series number GSE124814.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Overlapping Anatomical Networks Convey Cross-Modal Suppression in the Sighted and Coactivation of “Visual” and Auditory Cortex in the Blind
Authors: Anurova Irina , Carlson Synnöve , Rauschecker Josef P
Published: January 2019

In the present combined DTI/fMRI study we investigated adaptive plasticity of neural networks involved in controlling spatial and nonspatial auditory working memory in the early blind (EB). In both EB and sighted controls (SC), fractional anisotropy (FA) within the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus correlated positively with accuracy in a one-back sound localization but not sound identification task. The neural tracts passing through the cluster of significant correlation connected auditory and “visual” areas in the right hemisphere. Activity in these areas during both sound localization and identification correlated with FA within the anterior corpus callosum, anterior thalamic radiation, and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus. In EB, FA in these structures correlated positively with activity in both auditory and “visual” areas, whereas FA in SC correlated positively with activity in auditory and negatively with activity in visual areas. The results indicate that frontal white matter conveys cross-modal suppression of occipital areas in SC, while it mediates coactivation of auditory and reorganized “visual” cortex in EB.
Detection of Epidemic Scarlet Fever Group A Streptococcus in Australia
Authors: Walker Mark J , Brouwer Stephan , Forde Brian M , Worthing Kate A , McIntyre Liam , Sundac Lana , Maloney Sam , Roberts Leah W , Barnett Timothy C , Richter Johanna , Cork Amanda J , Irwin Adam D , You Yuanhai , Zhang Jianzhong , Dougan Gordon , Yuen Kwok Y , Nizet Victor , Beatson Scott A , Grimwood Keith , Davies Mark R
Published: January 2019

Sentinel hospital surveillance was instituted in Australia to detect the presence of pandemic group A Streptococcus strains causing scarlet fever. Genomic and phylogenetic analyses indicated the presence of an Australian GAS emm12 scarlet fever isolate related to United Kingdom outbreak strains. National surveillance to monitor this pandemic is recommended.
Alteration to Woodland Structure through Midstory Mastication Increased Fuel Loading and Cover of Understory Species in Two Upland Hardwood Stands
Authors: Black Devin E , Arthur Mary A , Leuenberger Wendy , Taylor David D , Lewis Jeffrey F
Published: January 2019

The contemporary decline of open woodlands in the eastern United States has prompted land managers to implement management prescriptions that encourage landscape and habitat diversity, often using mechanical thinning and prescribed fire as tools to alter stand structure. To increase habitat diversity and restore natural processes, a long-term oak woodland restoration project was planned for two upland hardwood stands in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky, United States. As an initial phase of restoration, we examined the effects of midstory mastication on stand structure, understory vegetation response, and fuels. The mastication treatment reduced stem density and basal area of trees ≤7.9 in. (20.1 cm) dbh by 69 percent and 47 percent, respectively, encouraged vigorous stump/root sprouting, and increased ground cover of forbs (204 percent) and native graminoids (253 percent) the first year on treated plots. Additionally, mastication created a variable cover of woody mulch on the forest floor and increased 1-h and 100-h time-lag fuels compared with controls. In year 2, Microstegium vimineum (invasive grass) cover increased by 700 percent on treated plots. This study imparts novel information on the mastication of upland hardwoods to benefit land managers in directing future treatments to shape desired stand structures and compositions, and increase landscape heterogeneity.
The unique composition of Indian gut microbiome, gene catalogue, and associated fecal metabolome deciphered using multi-omics approaches
Authors: Dhakan D B , Maji A , Sharma A K , Saxena R , Pulikkan J , Grace T , Gomez A , Scaria J , Amato K R , Sharma V K
Published: January 2019

Background

Metagenomic studies carried out in the past decade have led to an enhanced understanding of the gut microbiome in human health; however, the Indian gut microbiome has not been well explored. We analyzed the gut microbiome of 110 healthy individuals from two distinct locations (North-Central and Southern) in India using multi-omics approaches, including 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, whole-genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing, and metabolomic profiling of fecal and serum samples.

Results

The gene catalogue established in this study emphasizes the uniqueness of the Indian gut microbiome in comparison to other populations. The gut microbiome of the cohort from North-Central India, which was primarily consuming a plant-based diet, was found to be associated with Prevotella and also showed an enrichment of branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis pathways. In contrast, the gut microbiome of the cohort from Southern India, which was consuming an omnivorous diet, showed associations with Bacteroides, Ruminococcus, and Faecalibacterium and had an enrichment of short chain fatty acid biosynthesis pathway and BCAA transporters. This corroborated well with the metabolomics results, which showed higher concentration of BCAAs in the serum metabolome of the North-Central cohort and an association with Prevotella. In contrast, the concentration of BCAAs was found to be higher in the fecal metabolome of the Southern-India cohort and showed a positive correlation with the higher abundance of BCAA transporters.

Conclusions

The study reveals the unique composition of the Indian gut microbiome, establishes the Indian gut microbial gene catalogue, and compares it with the gut microbiome of other populations. The functional associations revealed using metagenomic and metabolomic approaches provide novel insights on the gut-microbe-metabolic axis, which will be useful for future epidemiological and translational researches.
Improving child literacy using South Australia’s Health in All Policies approach
Authors: van Eyk Helen , Delany-Crowe Toni , Lawless Angela , Baum Fran , MacDougall Colin , Wildgoose Deborah
Published: January 2019

The Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach aims to create coherent policy across government that will improve population health, wellbeing and equity while progressing the goals of other sectors. The quest to achieve policy coherence across government has focused interest on processes that facilitate collaboration between health and many other sectors. Health and education sectors have long been seen as natural partners with mutually beneficial goals. This article focuses on a case study of HiAP work, undertaken between health and education in South Australia to increase parental engagement in children’s literacy among lower socio-economic families. It draws on a document analysis of 71 documents, seven in-depth interviews with senior policy actors and a programme logic model. The project began with the intention of using policy levers to improve long-term health outcomes through addressing child literacy, a proven social determinant of health. Because of the context in which it was operating, the project extended from a focus on policy to working directly with four schools implementing strategies to facilitate parental engagement, with the intention of finally influencing system-wide education policy. We use an institutional framework to support our analysis through a discussion of ideas, actors and institutions and how these influenced the project. The article provides insight into the facilitators and impediments to intersectoral efforts to progress shared educational and health goals and achieve sustainable change, and identifies lessons for others intending to use this approach.
Sense Equivalence in plWordNet to Princeton WordNet Mapping
Authors: Rudnicka Ewa , Piasecki Maciej , Bond Francis , Grabowski Łukasz , Piotrowski Tadeusz
Published: January 2019

Though the interest in use of wordnets for lexicography is (gradually) growing, no research has been conducted so far on equivalence between lexical units (or senses) in inter-linked wordnets. In this paper, we present and validate a procedure of sense-linking between plWordNet and Princeton WordNet. The proposed procedure employs a continuum of three equivalence types: strong, regular and weak, distinguished by a custom-designed set of formal, semantic and translational features. To validate the procedure, three independent samples of 120 sense pairs were manually analysed with respect to the features. The results show that synsets from the two wordnets linked by interlingual synonymy relation have a greater number of equivalents than those linked through interlingual partial synonymy or interlingual hyponymy relations. Even synsets linked via interlingual synonymy may have pairs of lexical units which are only weak equivalents. More-fine grained sense linking enhances the usefulness of the mapped wordnets as a bilingual lexicon for translators or researchers.
Robust mixed H2 and passive switching control for uncertain discrete switched systems with time delay
Authors: Lien Chang-Hua , Yu Ker-Wei , Chang Hao-Chin
Published: January 2019

In this paper, the problem of mixed ${H}_2$ and passive switching control of uncertain discrete time-delay switched systems is investigated via a switching signal selection. Lyapunov theory with Wirtinger inequality is applied to guarantee the mixed performance for discrete switched time-delay system. The used Linear Matrix Inequality variables are less than our past proposed results. Finally, the improvement of the developed results is illustrated via a numerical example.
Forensic Drug Profile: Cocaethylene
Authors: Jones Alan Wayne
Published: January 2019

This article is intended as a brief review or primer about cocaethylene (CE), a pharmacologically active substance formed in the body when a person co-ingests ethanol and cocaine. Reference books widely used in forensic toxicology contain scant information about CE, even though this cocaine metabolite is commonly encountered in routine casework. CE and cocaine are equi-effective at blocking the reuptake of dopamine at receptor sites, thus reinforcing the stimulant effects of the neurotransmitter. In some animal species, the LD50 of CE was lower than for cocaine. CE is also considered more toxic to the heart and liver compared with the parent drug cocaine. The plasma elimination half-life of CE is ~2 h compared with ~1 h for cocaine. The concentrations of CE in blood after drinking alcohol and taking cocaine are difficult to predict and will depend on the timing of administration and the amounts of the two precursor drugs ingested. After an acute single dose of cocaine and ethanol, the concentration–time profile of CE runs on a lower level to that of cocaine, although CE is detectable in blood for several hours longer. A strong case can be made for adding together the concentrations of cocaine and CE in forensic blood samples when toxicological results are interpreted in relation to acute intoxication and the risk of an overdose death.
Ambiguity Aversion Decreases the Impact of Partial Insurance: Evidence from African Farmers
Authors: Bryan Gharad
Published: January 2019

Indemnifying smallholder farmers against crop loss is thought to play an important role in encouraging the adoption of new technologies and facilitating productivity growth, but to be infeasible due to information problems. Consequently there is interest in developing alternative, partial, insurance products. Examples include rainfall insurance and the limited liability inherent in credit contracts. I argue that although these products may reduce information asymmetry, ambiguity averse farmers struggle to assess whether the contracts reduce risk. This problem is most pronounced when the production technology is ambiguous, as is likely the case for new technologies. I formalize this argument and test the theory using data from two RCTs, conducted in Malawi and Kenya. Comparative statics from the theory are consistent with both sets of data, and I argue that income losses from ambiguity aversion may be substantial.
In Theory, Yes; in Practice, Uncertain: A Qualitative Study Exploring Physical Therapists’ Attitudes Toward Their Roles in Weight Management for People With Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Allison Kim , Setchell Jenny , Egerton Thorlene , Delany Clare , Bennell Kim L
Published: January 2019

Background

Physical therapists are at the frontline of treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA). International guidelines recommend weight loss for individuals with knee OA who are overweight, and research indicates that patients believe it is appropriate for physical therapists to address weight.

Objectives

The objective was to explore physical therapists’ attitudes about their role in weight management for people with OA.

Design

This was a qualitative semistructured telephone interview study.

Methods

Participants included 13 purposively sampled physical therapists who had treated at least 1 patient with knee OA within the past 12 months. Each participated in a telephone interview exploring their perceptions and attitudes toward the role of physical therapists in providing weight management support for people with knee OA. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach.

Results

Three main themes were identified, which highlighted that physical therapists: (1) believe they have a role in facilitating weight loss for people with knee OA; (2) are uncertain how to integrate weight loss into their management; and (3) are conscious of the psychosocial complexities and the need to tread cautiously around weight management.

Conclusions

Physical therapists are aware of the importance of weight loss in the management of knee OA, and believe weight management falls within their role and responsibilities; however, they do not feel equipped to fulfill this role. They also acknowledge the weight management conversation as potentially sensitive. This study highlights the need for training opportunities to develop physical therapists’ skills and confidence in weight management for people with knee OA who are overweight, including consideration of the potential harms and benefits of this aspect of care.
Variation in Hospital-Based Rehabilitation Services Among Patients With Ischemic Stroke in the United States
Authors: Kumar Amit , Adhikari Deepak , Karmarkar Amol , Freburger Janet , Gozalo Pedro , Mor Vince , Resnik Linda
Published: January 2019

Background

Little is known about variation in use of rehabilitation services provided in acute care hospitals for people who have had a stroke.

Objective

The objective was to examine patient and hospital sources of variation in acute care rehabilitation services provided for stroke.

Design

This was a retrospective, cohort design.

Methods

The sample consisted of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries with ischemic stroke admitted to acute care hospitals in 2010. Medicare claims data were linked to the Provider of Services file to gather information on hospital characteristics and the American Community Survey for sociodemographic data. Chi-square tests compared patient and hospital characteristics stratified by any rehabilitation use. We used multilevel, multivariable random effect models to identify patient and hospital characteristics associated with the likelihood of receiving any rehabilitation and with the amount of therapy received in minutes.

Results

Among 104,295 patients, 85.2% received rehabilitation (61.5% both physical therapy and occupational therapy; 22.0% physical therapy only; and 1.7% occupational therapy only). Patients received 123 therapy minutes on average (median [SD] = 90.0 [99.2] minutes) during an average length of stay of 4.8 [3.5] days. In multivariable analyses, male sex, dual enrollment in Medicare and Medicaid, prior hospitalization, ICU stay, and feeding tube were associated with lower odds of receiving any rehabilitation services. These same variables were generally associated with fewer minutes of therapy. Patients treated by tissue plasminogen activator, in limited-teaching and nonteaching hospitals, and in hospitals with inpatient rehabilitation units, were more likely to receive more therapy minutes.

Limitation

The findings are limited to patients with ischemic stroke.

Conclusion

Only 61% of patients with ischemic stroke received both physical therapy and occupational therapy services in the acute setting. We identified considerable variation in the use of rehabilitation services in the acute care setting following a stroke.
The AC4 Protein of a Cassava Geminivirus Is Required for Virus Infection
Authors: Chen Kegui , Khatabi Behnam , Fondong Vincent N.
Published: January 2019

Geminiviruses (family Geminiviridae) are among the most devastating plant viruses worldwide, causing severe damage in crops of economic and subsistence importance. These viruses have very compact genomes and many of the encoded proteins are multifunctional. Here, we investigated the role of the East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus (EACMCV) AC4 on virus infectivity in Nicotiana benthamiana. Results showed that plants inoculated with EACMCV containing a knockout mutation in an AC4 open reading frame displayed symptoms 2 to 3 days later than plants inoculated with wild-type virus, and these plants recovered from infection, whereas plants inoculated with the wild-type virus did not. Curiously, when an additional mutation was made in the knockout mutant, the resulting double mutant virus completely failed to cause any apparent symptoms. Interestingly, the role of AC4 on virus infectivity appeared to be dependent on an encoded N-myristoylation motif that mediates cell membrane binding. We previously showed that EACMCV containing the AC4T38I mutant produced virus progeny characterized by second-site mutations and reversion to wild-type virus. These results were confirmed in this study using additional mutations. Together, these results show involvement of EACMCV AC4 in virus infectivity; they also suggest a role for the combined action of mutation and selection, under prevailing environmental conditions, on begomovirus genetic variation and diversity.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Pfieffer Mary Lauren
Published: January 2019

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder. Patients may present with a combination of hyperandrogenism symptoms, menstrual irregularities, metabolic syndrome, infertility, acne, and obesity. PCOS diagnosis is based on three diagnostic guidelines. Treatment options include oral contraceptive pills, antiandrogens, and metformin. NPs can improve diagnosed patients' quality of life through education about this disorder.
Confronting Racial Violence: Resident, Unit, and Institutional Responses
Authors: Williams J. Corey , Rohrbaugh Robert M.
Published: January 2019

By describing an instance of racial violence by a patient against a resident physician, the authors hope to stimulate further discussion by addressing three specific questions about managing racist patients: (1) How should the resident (or any level of trainee) respond to the immediate situation? (2) How should the unit respond to the event as a community? and (3) How should the institution (hospital and/or academic institution) respond to the event? The authors argue that responses to such incidents should acknowledge the history of structural racism in U.S. society and in medicine. The authors recommend an approach that names the racism directly while addressing the safety of the patient and the providers in the moment, supports those affected in the aftermath, and considers appropriate consequences for the perpetrators of violence.