bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coalescence of vertically aligned drops over a superhydrophobic surface
Authors: Somwanshi Praveen M. , Muralidhar K. , Khandekar Sameer
Published: May 2020

The coalescence process of two liquid droplets where one is placed initially over the other is investigated. The lower drop is placed over a horizontal surface in a sessile configuration. The liquids of interest selected are water, glycerin, and Cs-alloy. The two liquid drops merge under atmospheric conditions. The substrate is superhydrophobic with respect to the three liquids, the equilibrium contact angle being 150°. For the combined drop, the Bond number is ∼0.2. Numerical simulations have been performed in an axisymmetric coordinate system along with supporting experiments. A variety of contact line models reported in the literature have been adopted and compared. Experiments are carried out for validation against simulation with water as the liquid medium. The coalescence phenomenon is recorded by a high-speed camera. The two drops coalesce spontaneously and generate interfacial shapes, velocity fields, footprint, and wall shear stress in time. In water, the combined drop recoils from the surface before spreading over the surface and approaching equilibrium. This trend, including the instant and height of recoil, is correctly realized in the contact line models. Additionally, two distinct timescales originate during the coalescence process. These are associated with inertia and surface tension at small times and inertia–viscosity for longer durations. The instantaneous footprint radius and the average wall shear stress fall to zero during recoil, increase then to a maximum, and diminish to zero with damped oscillations over the longer timescale. Recoil is seen in water as well as Cs-alloy, but not in glycerin. Despite differences in the instantaneous data, these predictions are broadly reproduced by each of the contact line models.
Time-optimal control of quantum lambda systems in the KP configuration
Authors: D’Alessandro Domenico , Sheller Benjamin A. , Zhu Zhifei
Published: May 2020

We consider the problem of time-optimal control for a three-level quantum system where one level is coupled by the control field to the lowest two, which are not coupled to each other. A bound is assumed on the norm of the control at every time. Such a problem belongs to the class of KP sub-Riemannian problems for which we can perform a symmetry reduction and reduce to a Riemannian problem on the associated quotient space. We prove several properties of such a quotient space in our case, including the fact that it is an example of an almost-Kähler manifold that is not Kähler. We provide the explicit form of the optimal controls for any unitary transformation on the lowest two levels and discuss the geometric and practical implications of this result.
Raman spectroscopy of GaSb1−xBix alloys with high Bi content
Authors: Souto S. , Hilska J. , Galvão Gobato Y. , Souza D. , Andrade M. B. , Koivusalo E. , Puustinen J. , Guina M.
Published: May 2020

We report on the crystal morphology and Raman scattering features of high structural quality GaSb1−xBix alloys grown by molecular beam epitaxy with a high Bi content (x up to ∼0.10). The Raman spectra were measured at room temperature with different laser excitation wavelengths of 532 nm, 633 nm, and 785 nm. We observed well-defined Bi-induced Raman peaks associated with atomic Bin clusters and GaBi vibrational modes. Remarkably, some Bi-induced Raman modes were strongly enhanced when the laser energy was selected near an optical transition for the 5.8%Bi sample. This effect was attributed to a Raman resonant effect near an excited optical transition of the GaSbBi layer and has been used to identify the nature of the observed Raman peaks.
Probing the ionization potentials of the formaldehyde dimer
Authors: de Souza Gabriel L. C. , Peterson Kirk A.
Published: May 2020

In this work, we present a computational investigation on the ionization potentials (IPs) of the formaldehyde dimer, (H2CO)2. Twelve lowest lying IPs (corresponding to the entire valence orbitals) for both C2h and Cs symmetry conformers have been computed at the coupled cluster level of theory using large correlation consistent basis sets with extrapolation to the complete basis set limit and consideration of core electron correlation effects. Specifically, the equation-of-motion ionization potential coupled-cluster with single and double (EOMIP-CCSD) excitations method with the aug-cc-pVXZ and aug-cc-pCVXZ (X = T, Q, and 5) basis sets combined with the Feller–Peterson–Dixon approach was employed, as well as CCSD with perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. In general, excellent agreement was observed from the comparison between the results obtained through the use of these approaches. In addition, the IPs for the formaldehyde monomer were also obtained using such methodologies and the results compared with existing experimental data; excellent agreement was also observed in this case. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first of its kind to determine the IPs for all these systems using a high level theory approach and is presented to motivate experimental investigations, e.g., studies involving photoionization, particularly for the formaldehyde dimer. The equilibrium binding energy of the C2h dimer is calculated in this work at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory to be −4.71 kcal/mol. At this same level of theory, the equilibrium isomerization energy between C2h and Cs conformers is 0.76 kcal/mol (Cs conformer being more stable).
Nanometer-thick YIG-based magnonic crystals: Bandgap dependence on groove depth, lattice constant, and film thickness
Authors: Qin Huajun , van Dijken Sebastiaan
Published: May 2020

We report on bandgap tuning in magnonic crystals made of nanometer-thick yttrium iron garnet (YIG) films with CoFeB-filled grooves via a variation of the groove depth, lattice constant, and film thickness. Using broadband spin-wave spectroscopy, we demonstrate bandgap widening in a 260-nm-thick YIG crystal when the grooves are deepened from half to full film thickness. Importantly, low-loss spin-wave transmission in the allowed bands of the magnonic crystal is almost unaffected by the patterning of fully discrete YIG stripes. Downscaling of the YIG film thickness to 35 nm decreases the bandgap size through a flattening of the spin-wave dispersion relation. We show that a reduction in the lattice constant effectively compensates for this trend. Our experimental results are corroborated by micromagnetic simulations, providing relevant information for the design of ultrathin YIG-based magnonic crystals with optimized bandgaps and spin-wave transmission properties.
Study protocol for an observational study to evaluate an accelerated chest pain pathway using point-of-care troponin in New Zealand rural and primary care populations
Authors: Miller Rory , Young Joanna , Nixon Garry , Pickering John W. , Stokes Tim , Turner Robin , Devlin Gerard , Watson Antony , Gutenstein Marc , Norman Tim , George Peter Myles , Du Toit Stephen , Than Martin
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTIONAccelerated diagnostic chest pain pathways are used widely in urban New Zealand hospitals. These pathways use laboratory-based troponin assays with good analytical precision. Widespread implementation has not occurred in many of New Zealand’s rural hospitals and general practices as they are reliant on point-of-care troponin assays, which are less sensitive and precise. An accelerated chest pain pathway using point-of-care troponin has been adapted for use in rural settings. A pilot study in a low-risk rural population showed no major adverse cardiac events at 30 days. A larger study is required to be confident that the pathway is safe.
AIMSTo assess the safety and effectiveness of an accelerated chest pain pathway adapted for rural settings and general practice using point-of-care troponin to identify low-risk patients and allow early discharge.
METHODSThis is a prospective observational study of an accelerated chest pain pathway using point-of-care troponin in rural hospitals and general practices in New Zealand. A total of 1000 patients, of whom we estimate 400 will be low risk, will be enrolled in the study.
OUTCOME MEASURESThe primary outcome is the proportion of patients identified by the pathway as low risk for a 30-day major adverse cardiac event. Secondary outcomes include the proportion of low-risk patients who were discharged directly from general practice or rural hospitals, the proportion of patients reclassified as having acute myocardial infarction by the pathway and the proportion of patients with low and intermediate risk safely managed in the rural hospital.
Stocking rate affects plant community structure and reproductive strategies of a desirable and an undesirable grass species in an alpine steppe, Qilian Mountains, China
Authors: Guo Yarong , He Xiong Z. , Hou Fujiang , Ren Jizhou
Published: May 2020

The effects of grazing on species reproduction is a fundamental issue of grassland management. We investigated plant density and dry weight changes at community and species levels, and the reproductive strategies of the dominant desirable Stipa purpurea and the undesirable Achnatherum inebrians grass species in response to stocking rate in an alpine steppe with a 10-year grazing history. Results showed complex patterns of plant community and reproductive strategy. Overall plant density increased with increasing stocking rate and dry weight was significantly higher at light and high stocking rates. Plant density and dry weight of A. inebrians peaked at moderate stocking rates. Higher stocking rate had little impact on S. purpurea density but significantly reduced its dry weight. Both species displayed linearly increasing/decreasing or unimodal/bimodal reproductive effort in response to increased stocking rate. The discrepancies in plant reproductive characteristics between S. purpurea and A. inebrians indicated that: (1) light and moderate grazing may promote an adaption strategy of reproduction by desirable species, which may then contribute to their maintenance in grasslands, and (2) undesirable species presence did not lead to the replacement of desirable species in the grasslands. Therefore, light and moderate stocking rates are recommended to maintain the grasslands and to increase the reproductive outputs of desirable species.
DCyFIR: a high-throughput CRISPR platform for multiplexed G protein-coupled receptor profiling and ligand discovery
Authors: Kapolka N. J. , Taghon G. J. , Rowe J. B. , Morgan W. M. , Enten J. F. , Lambert N. A. , Isom D. G.
Published: May 2020

Significance

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of membrane receptors in humans. As such, GPCR signaling is central to human biology and medicine. While more than 30% of approved drugs target roughly 150 GPCRs, most receptors lack well-defined endogenous ligands and are currently not druggable. To address this challenge, we created DCyFIR, a GPCR screening platform for ligand and drug discovery. This technology enables the cost-effective profiling of ligands and drug compounds against mixtures of hundreds of GPCR-barcoded cell strains in a single experiment. Because ligands are tested against many receptors simultaneously, DCyFIR profiling will eventually enable the physical screening of huge numbers of compounds, bringing wet-laboratory experimental throughput a step closer to what is done in silico.
Epstein–Barr virus co-opts TFIIH component XPB to specifically activate essential viral lytic promoters
Authors: Verma Dinesh , Church Trenton Mel , Swaminathan Sankar
Published: May 2020

Significance

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a human herpesvirus linked to the development of several cancers. We demonstrate that XPB, a component of the TFIIH transcription factor complex, is required for EBV lytic gene expression and virus production. We show that EBV SM protein regulates lytic gene transcription by utilizing XPB as a cofactor to activate specific target genes. Spironolactone blocks transcriptional activation by SM and spironolactone’s antiviral activity against EBV is mediated by degrading XPB protein. XPB is thus particularly important for expression of an SM-dependent group of EBV genes. Because SPR destabilizes XPB protein, inhibiting SM transcription function without affecting cellular gene-transcription machinery, XPB may be a useful therapeutic target to control EBV and other human herpesviruses.
Interferometric colours produced by anodised aluminium diffraction grating
Authors: Arango F. , Sepúlveda M. , Aguilar-Sierra S. , Ricaurte G. , Echeverría F.
Published: May 2020

Highly ordered dimple arrays that give rise to bright structural colours with a rainbow distribution have been fabricated by means of etidronic acid anodising and subsequent selective oxide dissolution. High-purity aluminium samples were anodised at 270 V and 313 K and after removing the alumina porous film, highly ordered structures were obtained with two different cell diameters, namely 701 ± 43 and 655 ± 36 nm. These highly ordered near-subwavelength structures fabricated on the aluminium surface induced an optical effect for surface colorisation that could be predicted by interferometric equations. The generated angle-dependent colours were investigated. The mathematically predicted colours agree well with the reflected measured colours.
Sas4 links basal bodies to cell division via Hippo signaling
Authors: Ruehle Marisa D. , Stemm-Wolf Alexander J. , Pearson Chad G.
Published: May 2020

Basal bodies (BBs) are macromolecular complexes required for the formation and cortical positioning of cilia. Both BB assembly and DNA replication are tightly coordinated with the cell cycle to ensure their accurate segregation and propagation to daughter cells, but the mechanisms ensuring coordination are unclear. The Tetrahymena Sas4/CPAP protein is enriched at assembling BBs, localizing to the core BB structure and to the base of BB-appendage microtubules and striated fiber. Sas4 is necessary for BB assembly and cortical microtubule organization, and Sas4 loss disrupts cell division furrow positioning and DNA segregation. The Hippo signaling pathway is known to regulate cell division furrow position, and Hippo molecules localize to BBs and BB-appendages. We find that Sas4 loss disrupts localization of the Hippo activator, Mob1, suggesting that Sas4 mediates Hippo activity by promoting scaffolds for Mob1 localization to the cell cortex. Thus, Sas4 links BBs with an ancient signaling pathway known to promote the accurate and symmetric segregation of the genome.
Individual kinetochore-fibers locally dissipate force to maintain robust mammalian spindle structure
Authors: Long Alexandra F. , Suresh Pooja , Dumont Sophie
Published: May 2020

At cell division, the mammalian kinetochore binds many spindle microtubules that make up the kinetochore-fiber. To segregate chromosomes, the kinetochore-fiber must be dynamic and generate and respond to force. Yet, how it remodels under force remains poorly understood. Kinetochore-fibers cannot be reconstituted in vitro, and exerting controlled forces in vivo remains challenging. Here, we use microneedles to pull on mammalian kinetochore-fibers and probe how sustained force regulates their dynamics and structure. We show that force lengthens kinetochore-fibers by persistently favoring plus-end polymerization, not by increasing polymerization rate. We demonstrate that force suppresses depolymerization at both plus and minus ends, rather than sliding microtubules within the kinetochore-fiber. Finally, we observe that kinetochore-fibers break but do not detach from kinetochores or poles. Together, this work suggests an engineering principle for spindle structural homeostasis: different physical mechanisms of local force dissipation by the k-fiber limit force transmission to preserve robust spindle structure. These findings may inform how other dynamic, force-generating cellular machines achieve mechanical robustness.
Mitochondrial translation, dynamics, and lysosomes combine to extend lifespan
Authors: Ali Levi , Haynes Cole M.
Published: May 2020

In this issue, Liu et al. (2019. J. Cell. Biol.https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201907067) find that the inhibition of mitochondrial ribosomes in combination with impaired mitochondrial fission or fusion increases C. elegans lifespan by activating the transcription factor HLH-30, which promotes lysosomal biogenesis.
Distinct fibroblast functional states drive clinical outcomes in ovarian cancer and are regulated by TCF21
Authors: Hussain Ali , Voisin Veronique , Poon Stephanie , Karamboulas Christina , Bui Ngoc Hoang Bao , Meens Jalna , Dmytryshyn Julia , Ho Victor W. , Tang Kwan Ho , Paterson Joshua , Clarke Blaise A. , Bernardini Marcus Q. , Bader Gary D. , Neel Benjamin G. , Ailles Laurie E.
Published: May 2020

Recent studies indicate that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous. However, little is known about CAF subtypes, the roles they play in cancer progression, and molecular mediators of the CAF “state.” Here, we identify a novel cell surface pan-CAF marker, CD49e, and demonstrate that two distinct CAF states, distinguished by expression of fibroblast activation protein (FAP), coexist within the CD49e+ CAF compartment in high-grade serous ovarian cancers. We show for the first time that CAF state influences patient outcomes and that this is mediated by the ability of FAP-high, but not FAP-low, CAFs to aggressively promote proliferation, invasion and therapy resistance of cancer cells. Overexpression of the FAP-low–specific transcription factor TCF21 in FAP-high CAFs decreases their ability to promote invasion, chemoresistance, and in vivo tumor growth, indicating that it acts as a master regulator of the CAF state. Understanding CAF states in more detail could lead to better patient stratification and novel therapeutic strategies.
Acidic fibroblast growth factor underlies microenvironmental regulation of MYC in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Bhattacharyya Sohinee , Oon Chet , Kothari Aayush , Horton Wesley , Link Jason , Sears Rosalie C. , Sherman Mara H.
Published: May 2020

Despite a critical role for MYC as an effector of oncogenic RAS, strategies to target MYC activity in RAS-driven cancers are lacking. In genetically engineered mouse models of lung and pancreatic cancer, oncogenic KRAS is insufficient to drive tumorigenesis, while addition of modest MYC overexpression drives robust tumor formation, suggesting that mechanisms beyond the RAS pathway play key roles in MYC regulation and RAS-driven tumorigenesis. Here we show that acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF1) derived from cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) cooperates with cancer cell–autonomous signals to increase MYC level, promoter occupancy, and activity. FGF1 is necessary and sufficient for paracrine regulation of MYC protein stability, signaling through AKT and GSK-3β to increase MYC half-life. Patient specimens reveal a strong correlation between stromal CAF content and MYC protein level in the neoplastic compartment, and identify CAFs as the specific source of FGF1 in the tumor microenvironment. Together, our findings demonstrate that MYC is coordinately regulated by cell-autonomous and microenvironmental signals, and establish CAF-derived FGF1 as a novel paracrine regulator of oncogenic transcription.
Personalized medicine and circadian rhythms: Opportunities for modern society
Authors: Greco Carolina Magdalen , Sassone-Corsi Paolo
Published: May 2020

Circadian rhythms govern physiology and metabolism, leading to controlled homeostasis. We discuss the impact of circadian rhythms on society and the challenges for the imminent future of personalized medicine.
Matrix-specific mechanism of Fe ion release from laser-generated 3D-printable nanoparticle-polymer composites and their protein adsorption properties
Authors: Li Yaya , Rehbock Christoph , Nachev Milen , Stamm Jacqueline , Sures Bernd , Blaeser Andreas , Barcikowski Stephan
Published: May 2020

Nanocomposites have been widely applied in medical device fabrication and tissue-engineering applications. In this context, the release of metal ions as well as protein adsorption capacity are hypothesized to be two key processes directing nanocomposite-cell interactions. The objective of this study is to understand the polymer-matrix effects on ion release kinetics and their relations with protein adsorption. Laser ablation in macromolecule solutions was employed for synthesizing Au and Fe nanoparticle-loaded nanocomposites based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and alginate. Confocal microscopy revealed a three-dimensional homogeneous dispersion of laser-generated nanoparticles in the polymer. The physicochemical properties revealed a pronounced dependence upon embedding of Fe and Au nanoparticles in both polymer matrices. Interestingly, the total Fe ion concentration released from alginate gels under static conditions decreased with increasing mass loadings, a phenomenon only found in the Fe-alginate system and not in the Cu/Zn-alginate and Fe-TPU control system (where the effects were proportioonal to the nanoparticle load). A detailed mechanistic examination of iron the ion release process revealed that it is probably not the redox potential of metals and diffusion of metal ions alone, but also the solubility of nano-metal oxides and affinity of metal ions for alginate that lead to the special release behaviors of iron ions from alginate gels. The amount of adsorbed bovine serum albumin (BSA) and collagen I on the surface of both the alginate and TPU composites was significantly increased in contrast to the unloaded control polymers and could be correlated with the concentration of released Fe ions and the porosity of composites, but was independent of the global surface charge. Interestingly, these effects were already highly pronounced at minute loadings with Fe nanoparticles down to 200 ppm. Moreover, the laser-generated Fe or Au nanoparticle-loaded alginate composites were shown to be a suitable bioink for 3D printing. These findings are potentially relevant for ion-sensitive bio-responses in cell differentiation, endothelisation, vascularisation, or wound healing.
Gamified physics challenges for teachers and the
public
Authors: Vieyra Rebecca , Vieyra Chrystian , Pendrill Ann-Marie , Xu Benjamin
Published: May 2020

This article describes the development and deployment of Physics Toolbox Play, a
gamified component of the Android Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite
app, that can introduce young children through adults to fundamental physics
principles. The app was used successfully in a variety of contexts, including
STEM fairs with primary and secondary students and workshops with undergraduate
physics majors and practicing teachers. Anecdotes from our experiences suggest
that smartphones are an effective way to introduce learners to the big ideas and
big principles in physics.
Reverse rain: a simple experiment using a smartphone as a strobe
light
Authors: Sobral G A
Published: May 2020

In this article we show how to use a smartphone’s flash as a strobe lamp,
allowing one to analyze simple periodic phenomena such as water dripping from a
tap, among others. Finally, we propose a simple setup for the ‘reverse
rain’ experiment that became famous in the film ‘Now You See Me
2’. The proposed experiment allows to approach in a fun and engaging way
concepts related to periodic phenomena such as frequency, period and duty
cycle.
Liposomal dexamethasone–moxifloxacin nanoparticle combinations with collagen/gelatin/alginate hydrogel for corneal infection treatment and wound healing
Authors: Chang Ming-Cheng , Kuo Yu-Jen , Hung Kuo-Hsuan , Peng Cheng-Liang , Chen Kuan-Yin , Yeh Lung-Kun
Published: May 2020

Infectious keratitis is still one of the major causes of visual impairment and blindness, often affecting developing countries. Eye-drop therapy to reduce disease progression is the first line of treatment for infectious keratitis. The current limitations in controlling ophthalmic infections include rapid precorneal drug loss and the inability to provide long-term extraocular drug delivery. The aim of the present study was to develop a novel ophthalmic formulation to treat corneal infection. The formulation was prepared by constructing moxifloxacin (MFX) and dexamethasone (DEX)-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (Lipo-MFX/DEX) mixed with a collagen/gelatin/alginate (CGA) biodegradable material (CGA-Lipo-MFX/DEX) for prolonged ocular application. The characteristics of the prepared Lipo-MFX/DEX nanoparticles were as follows: average size, 132.1 ± 73.58 nm; zeta potential, −6.27 ± 4.95 mV; entrapment efficiency, 91.5 ± 3.5%; drug content, 18.1 ± 1.7%. Our results indicated that CGA-Lipo-MFX/DEX could release an effective working concentration in 60 min and sustain the drug release for at least 12 h. CGA-Lipo-MFX/DEX did not produce significant toxicities, but it increased cell numbers when co-cultured with ocular epithelial cells. An animal study also confirmed that CGA-Lipo-MFX/DEX could inhibit pathogen microorganism growth and improve corneal wound healing. Our results suggest that CGA-Lipo-MFX/DEX could be a useful anti-inflammatory formulation for ophthalmological disease treatment.
Sustained release from biodegradable metallic matrix—The entrapment of drugs within iron
Authors: Menagen Barak , Avnir David
Published: May 2020

Iron and its alloys have been widely used for variety of medical implants. These are used for long term applications as cheap implants with high inertness and low corrosion rate, and also as implants with high biocompatibility (the fourth-generation type). Such degrading implants can provide a temporary scaffold while the body heals. In addition to the needed mechanical support, it is highly desirable to provide local drug therapy, providing antibacterial properties, preventing rejection of the implant, and more. So far, the combination of a degradable metallic implant which serves also as a three-dimensional matrix for drug release, remained un-answered. Here we present, we believe for the first time realization of this concept: Entrapment of drugs within a 3D degradable metal matrix—iron—from which the entrapped drugs are sustain-released. This new type of material is based on the molecular metals entrapment materials methodology, resulting in drugs@Fe. Two drugs have been successfully entrapped and released: chlorhexidine - an antiseptic drug, and rapamycin—used for avoiding transplant rejection. The delivery profiles of the composites were studied in two forms—powders and pressed discs showing two different types of drug release profiles. The release of the drugs from the powder hasa first order release profile, while the pressed disk is a slower, zero-order release profile, which is highly desirable due to the constant rate of the release. Full characterization of the metallic biomaterials is provided, including XRD, SEM, TGA, elemental analysis, and surface area/porosity analysis.
Porous PVA/Zn–Fe–Mn oxide nanocomposites: methylene blue dye adsorption studies
Authors: Abebe Buzuayehu , H C Ananda Murthy , Zerefa Enyew , Abdisa Eticha
Published: May 2020

Adsorption is one of the noble techniques for remediation of organic and inorganic pollutants. The poly (vinyl alcohol) supported sol-gel and self-propagation routes have been used for the synthesis of porous ternary metal oxides nanocomposites. The optical, chemical bonding, crystallinity, morphological, textural, and electrochemical properties of the synthesized materials were characterized by DRS-UV–vis, FT-IR, XRD, SEM/EDX and TEM/HRTEM/SAED, BET, and CV/EIS techniques, respectively. The characterization of the nanocomposites confirmed their porous nature, high surface area, and better electrochemical properties. The synthesized nanomaterials were tested for the adsorption property of methylene blue dye. Important parameters such as the amount of PVA supported ternary metal oxide nanocomposite, pH of the solution, contact time, and concentration of methylene blue dye were optimized. For further understanding of the adsorption process, the adsorption isotherms and adsorption kinetics models were used. The adsorption tests revealed the presence of the chemisorption type of the adsorption process.
Novel process for the production of 3Y-TZP ceramics: comparison between ageing in artificial saliva and accelerated ageing
Authors: Aragón-Duarte M C , Bocanegra Bernal M , Reyes-Rojas A , Esparza-Ponce H E
Published: May 2020

The degradation of tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline (3Y-TZP) ceramics prepared by a novel film growth technique, and by sintering at 1400 °C, was evaluated for one year using two processes: (i) degradation under oral conditions in artificial saliva (37 °C and pH 6.8) and (ii) accelerated degradation by autoclaving at 134 °C at 0.2 MPa of pressure. X-ray diffraction analysis of 3Y-TZP ceramics sintered at 1400 °C showed a phase transformation (tetragonal to monoclinic) in 3Y-TZP ceramics after the fifth month in artificial saliva. After 12 months in artificial saliva, there was ∼11% of monoclinic phase present in 3Y-TZP ceramics, but only ∼2% of monoclinic phase in samples that were subjected to accelerated degradation for 5 h. No correlation was found between the level of ageing during accelerated degradation and degradation in artificial saliva. There was no degradation of 3Y-TZP ceramics prepared by a novel film growth technique, independently of the degradation method used, which suggests that this material could be used for dental prosthetics.
A bilinear version of Bogolyubov’s theorem
Authors: Gowers W. , Milićević L.
Published: May 2020

A theorem of Bogolyubov states that for every dense set

A
A

in

Z

N

\mathbb {Z}_N

we may find a large Bohr set inside

A
+
A
−
A
−
A

A+A-A-A

. In this note, motivated by work on a quantitative inverse theorem for the Gowers

U
4

U^4

norm, we prove a bilinear variant of this result for vector spaces over finite fields. Given a subset

A
⊂

F

p
n

×

F

p
n

A \subset \mathbb {F}^n_p \times \mathbb {F}^n_p

, we consider two operations: one of them replaces each row of

A
A

by the set difference of it with itself, and the other does the same for columns. We prove that if

A
A

has positive density and these operations are repeated several times, then the resulting set contains a bilinear analogue of a Bohr set, namely the zero set of a biaffine map from

F

p
n

×

F

p
n

\mathbb {F}^n_p \times \mathbb {F}^n_p

to an

F

p

\mathbb {F}_p

-vector space of bounded dimension. An almost identical result was proved independently by Bienvenu and Lê.
The hidden cost of group living for aggregating juveniles in a sexually dimorphic species
Authors: Allen Pablo E , Miller Christine W
Published: May 2020

The number of conspecifics present during the juvenile stages can have profound consequences on development rates and adult body size, traits often closely related to fitness. Conspecifics can have direct negative effects on each other due to resource competition, and also direct positive effects due to benefits like improved thermoregulation. We investigated morphological and developmental consequences of juvenile group size in the leaf-footed cactus bug Narnia femorata (Hemiptera: Coreidae). These insects are ideal to test the consequences of social environment during development because nymphs naturally aggregate in groups of varying size. Furthermore, the sexual dimorphism of this species allowed us to test for sex-specific effects of developmental density. Males possess enlarged hind legs used as weapons in male-male contests, yet females are physically larger. We found insects from smaller groups had 43% higher mortality than those from the larger groups. On average, adult body and hind leg sizes did not differ across densities for either sex. Interestingly, we found that those first to mature into adults within a sibling group became the largest adults. The largest, fastest males to adulthood also wielded the biggest weapons due to the positive allometry of this trait.
The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and Their Families and Signs of Safety: Competing or Complementary Frameworks?
Authors: Baginsky Mary , Manthorpe Jill , Moriarty Jo
Published: May 2020

Signs of Safety (SoS) is a comprehensive assessment framework (AF) used in some form in most English children’s service departments as well as in many other countries. The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (AF) was introduced nearly twenty years ago to address identified failures to adopt a holistic approach to assessments of families where there were concerns that children were in need of protection or support. The AF is not only a statutory requirement in England but it has influenced the development of approaches to assessment globally. An evaluation of SoS in pilot local authorities in England provided opportunities to examine the extent to which the two frameworks were being used together. Findings from interviews, case record analysis and a survey indicate that while recording processes were aligned with the AF, it was not central to many of the assessments conducted and it proved difficult to detect its influence on their content. It appears timely to examine the extent to which the AF is used across England, to assess its relevance to current practice and the extent to which frameworks such as SoS have supplemented or replaced it.
Association of Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone System Inhibitors With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)- Related Outcomes in Korea: A Nationwide Population-based Cohort Study
Authors: Jung Sun-Young , Choi Jae Chol , You Seung-Hun , Kim Won-Young
Published: May 2020

Background

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors may facilitate host cell entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or attenuate organ injury via RAAS blockade. We aimed to assess the associations between prior use of RAAS inhibitors and clinical outcomes among Korean patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods

We performed a nationwide population-based cohort study using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment database. Claim records were screened for 69 793 individuals who were tested for COVID-19 until 8 April 2020. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were used to compare the clinical outcomes between RAAS inhibitor users and nonusers.

Results

Among 5179 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 762 patients were RAAS inhibitor users and 4417 patients were nonusers. Relative to nonusers, RAAS inhibitor users were more likely to be older, male, and have comorbidities. Among 1954 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, 377 patients were RAAS inhibitor users, and 1577 patients were nonusers. In-hospital mortality was observed for 33 RAAS inhibitor users (9%) and 51 nonusers (3%) (P < .001). However, after adjustment for age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, immunosuppression, and hospital type, the use of RAAS inhibitors was not associated with a higher risk of mortality (adjusted OR, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.53–1.44; P = .60). No significant differences were observed between RAAS inhibitor users and nonusers in terms of vasopressor use, modes of ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, renal replacement therapy, and acute cardiac events.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that prior use of RAAS inhibitors was not independently associated with mortality among COVID-19 patients in Korea.
Characterization of an Asymptomatic Cohort of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infected Individuals Outside of Wuhan, China
Authors: Wang Yubo , He Yong , Tong Jin , Qin Yalan , Xie Ting , Li Jianghua , Li Jianrong , Xiang Jianhua , Cui Yong , Higgs Elizabeth S , Xiang Jianglin
Published: May 2020

Purpose

We aimed to further clarify the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of asymptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections.

Methods

We identified close contacts of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in northeast Chongqing, China, who were confirmed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction-positive (RT-PCR+). We stratified this cohort by normal vs abnormal findings on chest computed tomography (CT) and compared the strata regarding comorbidities, demographics, laboratory findings, viral transmission and other factors.

Results

Between January 2020 and March 2020, we identified and hospitalized 279 RT-PCR+ contacts of COVID-19 patients. 63 (23%) remained asymptomatic until discharge; 29 had abnormal and 34 had normal chest CT findings. The mean cohort age was 39.3 years, and 87.3% had no comorbidities. Mean time to diagnosis after close contact with a COVID-19 index patient was 16.0 days, and it was 13.4 days and 18.7 days for those with abnormal and normal CT findings, respectively (P < .05). Nine patients (14.3%) transmitted the virus to others; 4 and 5 were in the abnormal and normal CT strata, respectively. The median length of time for nucleic acid to turn negative was 13 days compared with 10.4 days in those with normal chest CT scans (P < .05).

Conclusions

A portion of asymptomatic individuals were capable of transmitting the virus to others. Given the frequency and potential infectiousness of asymptomatic infections, testing of traced contacts is essential. Studies of the impact of treatment of asymptomatic RT-PCR+ individuals on disease progression and transmission should be undertaken.
From mainland to islands: colonization history in the tree frog Kurixalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae)
Authors: Yu Guo-Hua , Du Li-Na , Wang Ji-Shan , Rao Ding-Qi , Wu Zheng-Jun , Yang Jun-Xing
Published: May 2020

The origin and colonization history of Kurixalus, a genus of small arboreal tree frogs breeding exclusively in shallow swamps, is under disputed. On the basis of comprehensive sampling program, the evolutionary history of Kurixalus is investigated based on 3 mitochondrial genes. Our results indicate that the genus Kurixalus originated in the Asian mainland and subsequently arrived at its current distribution in Borneo, Taiwan, Ryukyu, and Hainan islands by a series of dispersal events. Moreover, the colonization of Taiwan from mainland Asia has occurred 2 times. The initial colonization of Taiwan occurred at 3.46–8.68 Mya (95% highest posterior density), which rejects the hypothesis that Kurixalus probably originated from Taiwan during the early Oligocene and favors the model of Neogene-origin rather than the model of Quaternary-origin for Taiwanese Kurixalus. Kurixalus eiffingeri has dispersed from Taiwan to the Ryukyus once or 2 times pending more data. Both transoceanic dispersal and landbridge dispersal have played a role in the colonization process; the former resulted in the colonization of Taiwan and the Ryukyus and the latter led to the colonization of Borneo and Hainan.
Is Pornography Consumption a Risk Factor for Condomless Sex?
Authors: Tokunaga Robert S , Wright Paul J , Vangeel Laurens
Published: May 2020

This paper presents meta-analytic findings on the association between pornography consumption and condomless sex. Results were based on 45 reports spanning two decades. Data from 18 countries, with a participant total of over 35,000, were located. Higher levels of pornography consumption were associated with an elevated likelihood of engaging in condomless sex. A model-based meta-analysis did not support the viewpoint that the pornography use–condomless sex association is spurious and confounded by sensation seeking. Instead, a path analysis suggested that pornography use energizes consumers' sensation seeking desires, in turn making them more likely to engage in condomless sex. Although the results indicated homogeneity of effect sizes across most contexts tested, the type of pornography content consumed moderated the pornography use–condomless sex relationship. Viewing pornography that does not show condoms was associated with an increased risk for having sex without condoms, whereas consuming pornography showing condoms was unrelated to sexual risk.
Tribal Leadership and Care Services: “Overcoming These Divisions That Keep Us Apart”
Authors: Balestrery Jean E , Going Hannah , Pacheco Ruby
Published: May 2020

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Peoples are among groups continuing to experience health disparities. Eliminating health disparities, a national priority in the United States, requires addressing structural forces, also known as structural determinants of health. This case study examines linkages between health disparities, structural forces, and colonial trauma relevant to care services and AN Peoples in Alaska. It centers on an Inupiaq Elder with leadership experience in AN tribal care services. Guided by a conceptual lens based on division–unification processes, this study yields the following findings as represented by five in vivo themes: severing of relationship, aftereffects of colonization, striking alliances, overcoming these divisions that keep people apart, and growing together in relationship. Colonial legacies continue to linger and have a multidimensional impact on AI/AN communities, including tribal care services. Healing from colonial trauma requires collective effort among AI/AN Peoples and people from the wider community. Practice implications emphasize trauma-informed approaches to promote reconciliation and a larger collective commitment to reconciliation in a global reality of increasing interdependence.
Phenotype and Natural History of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Patients With Concomitant Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Authors: Mintz Michael J , Ananthakrishnan Ashwin N
Published: May 2020

Background

The co-occurrence of autoimmune diseases is well recognized. Though studies have suggested that eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is more common in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), whether co-occurrence of EoE modifies natural history of IBD is unknown.

Methods

This was a retrospective case-control study at a referral center. Cases consisted of patients with IBD and EoE, with both diseases diagnosed using established criteria. Controls comprised patients with IBD without concomitant EoE. Two controls were selected per case and were matched for duration of IBD. Relevant covariates regarding disease presentation and natural history were extracted from the medical record and compared between the 2 groups.

Results

A total of 95 IBD-EoE cases and 190 IBD controls were included in our study. The IBD-EoE group was diagnosed with IBD at a younger age than those with IBD alone (22.3 years vs 29.0 years; P < 0.001) and were more likely to be male (80.0% vs 45.8%; P < 0.001). There were no differences in medical or surgical therapy for IBD between the 2 groups. Among those with IBD-EoE, patients for whom IBD was diagnosed first presented more commonly with dysphagia (50.8% vs 26.9%; P = 0.04) and endoscopically had evidence of esophageal rings (50.0% vs 23.1%; P = 0.02) when compared with those where EoE was diagnosed first.

Conclusion

Patients with concurrent IBD-EoE are diagnosed at a younger age and more likely to be males but have similar natural history as those without EoE. There were differences in EoE phenotype based on whether the EoE or IBD was diagnosed first.
Opening and closing the doors of the lockdown in Italy without forgetting lung cancer patients
Authors: Bertolaccini Luca , Spaggiari Lorenzo
Published: May 2020

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread to more than 200 countries all around the world, which are facing challenges in controlling its spread. The Italian Government initiated an unprecedented public health intervention to contain the epidemic by shutting down all people movements. Two weeks after the start of the lockdown period, the daily rate of patient admissions to hospitals significantly decreased. After 2 months, the quarantine progressively came to an end. A practical issue at this time is when and how the lockdown interventions should be relaxed since, without an effective vaccine, the general public still remains vulnerable. However, patient should not be placed at an increased risk of dying of lung cancer just to avoid COVID-19. Attention must be paid to all types of cancers and people should not hesitate to go to the hospital to be treated in time. All necessary actions should be taken by hospitals to minimize the risks of potential contagion, by designating differentiated routes and areas for patients potentially affected by COVID-19, while maintaining the highest standard of oncological care. If this ‘cancer amnesia’ situation persists, the mortality from lung neoplasms would far exceed that directly associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
A convergent FV–FE scheme for the stationary compressible Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Perrin Charlotte , Saleh Khaled
Published: May 2020

In this paper we prove a convergence result for a discretization of the three-dimensional stationary compressible Navier–Stokes equations assuming an ideal gas pressure law $p(\rho )=a \rho ^{\gamma }$ with $\gamma> \frac{3}{2}$. It is the first convergence result for a numerical method with adiabatic exponents $\gamma $ less than $3$ when the space dimension is 3. The considered numerical scheme combines finite volume techniques for the convection with the Crouzeix–Raviart finite element for the diffusion. A linearized version of the scheme is implemented in the industrial software CALIF3S developed by the French Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire.
A novel soybean protein disulphide isomerase family protein possesses dithiol oxidation activity: identification and characterization of GmPDIL6
Authors: Okuda Aya , Matsusaki Motonori , Masuda Taro , Morishima Ken , Sato Nobuhiro , Inoue Rintaro , Sugiyama Masaaki , Urade Reiko
Published: May 2020

Secretory and membrane proteins synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are folded with intramolecular disulphide bonds, viz. oxidative folding, catalysed by the protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) family proteins. Here, we identified a novel soybean PDI family protein, GmPDIL6. GmPDIL6 has a single thioredoxin-domain with a putative N-terminal signal peptide and an active centre (CKHC). Recombinant GmPDIL6 forms various oligomers binding iron. Oligomers with or without iron binding and monomers exhibited a dithiol oxidase activity level comparable to those of other soybean PDI family proteins. However, they displayed no disulphide reductase and extremely low oxidative refolding activity. Interestingly, GmPDIL6 was mainly expressed in the cotyledon during synthesis of seed storage proteins and GmPDIL6 mRNA was up-regulated under ER stress. GmPDIL6 may play a role in the formation of disulphide bonds in nascent proteins for oxidative folding in the ER.