bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tensor renormalization group study of two-dimensional U(1) lattice gauge theory with a θ term
Authors: Kuramashi Yoshinobu , Yoshimura Yusuke
Published: April 2020

Abstract

We make an analysis of the two-dimensional U(1) lattice gauge theory with a θ term by using the tensor renormalization group. Our numerical result for the free energy shows good consistency with the exact one at finite coupling constant. The topological charge density generates a finite gap at θ = π toward the thermodynamic limit. In addition finite size scaling analysis of the topological susceptibility up to V = L × L = 1024 × 1024 allows us to determine the phase transition at θ = π is the first order.
Sequelae of Premature Birth in Young Adults
Authors: Hedderich Dennis M. , Boeckh-Behrens Tobias , Bäuml Josef G. , Menegaux Aurore , Daamen Marcel , Zimmer Claus , Bartmann Peter , Scheef Lukas , Boecker Henning , Wolke Dieter , Sorg Christian , Spiro Judith E.
Published: April 2020

Background and Purpose

Qualitative studies about the abnormalities appreciated on routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences in prematurely born adults are lacking. This article aimed at filling this knowledge gap by (1) qualitatively describing routine imaging findings in prematurely born adults, (2) evaluating measures for routine image interpretation and (3) investigating the impact of perinatal variables related to premature birth.

Methods

In this study two board-certified radiologists assessed T1-weighted and FLAIR-weighted images of 100 prematurely born adults born very preterm (VP <32 weeks) and/or at very low birth weight (VLBW <1500 g) and 106 controls born at full term (FT) (mean age 26.8 ± 0.7 years). The number of white matter lesions (WML) was counted according to localization. Lateral ventricle volume (LVV) was evaluated subjectively and by measurements of Evans’ index (EI) and frontal-occipital-horn ratio (FOHR). Freesurfer-based volumetry served as reference standard. Miscellaneous incidental findings were noted as free text.

Results

The LVV was increased in 24.7% of VP/VLBW individuals and significantly larger than in FT controls. This was best identified by measurement of FOHR (AUC = 0.928). Ventricular enlargement was predicted by low gestational age (odds ratio: 0.71, 95% CI 0.51–0.98) and presence of neonatal intracranial hemorrhage (odds ratio: 0.26, 95% CI 0.07–0.92). The numbers of deep and periventricular WML were increased while subcortical WMLs were not.

Conclusion

Enlargement of the LVV and deep and periventricular WMLs are typical sequelae of premature birth that can be appreciated on routine brain MRI. To increase sensitivity of abnormal LVV detection, measurement of FOHR seems feasible in clinical practice.
Real-time assessment of the behaviour of the bladder neck and proximal urethra during urine leaking in the cough stress test (CST) in supine and standing positions using transperineal ultrasound
Authors: Wen Lieming , Zhao Baihua , Chen Wenjie , Qing Zhenzhen , Liu Minghui
Published: April 2020

Introduction and hypothesis

The objective was to describe the behaviour of the bladder neck and proximal urethra during urine leaking in the cough stress test (CST) in supine and standing positions using transperineal ultrasound (TPUS).

Method

We carried out prospective data collection and a retrospective data analysis of 102 women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) who had a positive CST with TPUS in the supine and/or standing position. On TPUS, the behaviour of the bladder neck and proximal urethra was described by the urethral length, urethral funnelling, bladder neck descent (BND), retrovesical angle (RVA) and urethral rotation angle (URA). Differences between the ultrasound findings in the two positions were evaluated.

Results

In the 102 women, the mean age was 48 years and mean BMI was 23.8 kg/m2. On TPUS, urine leakage was detected in the supine or standing position in 102 women and in both positions in 81. Between the two positions, significant differences were found in the URA and RVA. In the standing position, the median RVA of 166° was significantly larger than that of 133° in the supine position (p < 0.001), and the median URA of 35° was significantly smaller than that of 64° in the supine position (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

TPUS in both positions can be used to detect the real-time behaviour of the bladder neck and urethra in the CST. In the standing position, less rotation and more straightening of the bladder neck and proximal urethra occurred during urine leakage.
Insight into indentation-induced plastic flow in austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Xia Wenzhen , Dehm Gerhard , Brinckmann Steffen
Published: April 2020

The indentation-induced plasticity and roughness have been investigated intensively by experiments and simulations during the last decades. However, the precise mechanisms of how dislocation flow leads to pile-up formation are still not completely understood, although this is one of the initial steps causing surface roughening in tribological contacts at low loads. In this work, $$\{001\}$${001}-, $$\{101\}$${101}- and $$\{111\}$${111}-grain orientations in an austenite stainless steel [(face-centered cubic (FCC) phase]) are indented with varying load forces. By using scanning electron-based methods and slip plane analysis, we reveal: (1) how slip-steps show the change of pile-up formation, (2) how the slip-plane inclination determines the dislocation flow and (3) how slip-plane interactions result in the final pile-up shape during indentation. We find that the flow direction transforms from the forward flow to the sideway at a transition angle of $$55^\circ{-}58^\circ $$55∘-58∘ between the slip-plane and the surface. We use large displacement finite element method simulations to validate an inversion of the resolved shear stress at this transition angle. We provide insights into the evolution of plasticity in dislocation-mediated FCC metal indentations, with the potential application of this information for indentation simulations and for understanding the initial stage of scratching during tribology in the future.
The generalisation of a multi-reaction model for polynomial ramping of temperature
Authors: Dhaundiyal Alok , Singh Suraj B.
Published: April 2020

This paper deals with the numerical solution of a multi-reaction model for the complex thermal history. The effect of thermal and kinetic parameters is investigated in this analytical study. The concept of moving maximum with time and the approximation of complex integral form of reactivity are introduced with the help of an advance integral methodology. The sigmoidal reactions of biomass pyrolysis are explained through the transmuted density function. Thermogravimetry of biomass sample is performed with the help of thermogravimetric analyser at different heating rates (5 °C min−1, 10 °C min−1and 15 °C min−1). The solutions of the integral form are obtained at different degrees of the nonlinear equation and to generalise the proposed methodology for the industrial application. The main objective of the paper is to identify the correlation of temperature history with the kinetics of biomass pyrolysis.
Symbol of Wealth and Prestige: A Social History of Chinese-made Enamelware in Northern Nigeria
Authors: Liu Shaonan
Published: April 2020

Between the 1950s and the 1990s, Chinese enamelware products dominated kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms in the northern part of Nigeria. These were initially imported from China by European trading firms but later manufactured in Nigeria by Chinese-owned factories. Liu concludes that it was not only the immediately obvious “modern” advantages of the enamelware that enabled it to dominate northern Nigeria’s market, but it was also its integration into local, socio-cultural networks of meaning that granted it a significance far beyond its practical use. Such processes of integration further enabled enamelware to become an important component of local marriage customs and an essential possession for Hausa women.
Emergent Causal Laws and Physical Laws
Authors: Dosanjh Ranpal
Published: April 2020

Contrasting accounts of physicalism and strong emergentism face two problems. According to the neutrality problem, contrasting supervenience-based formulations of these positions cannot be neutral with respect to certain unrelated metaphysical commitments. According to the collapse problem, emergent properties can be accounted for using an appropriately expansive physical ontology, rendering strong emergentism metaphysically suspect. I argue that both these problems can be solved with a principled distinction between emergent causal laws and physical laws. I propose such a distinction based on a finite discontinuity in the behavior of fundamental physical constituents as a function of complexity.
Comparison of turbulent structures and energy fluxes over exposed and debris-covered glacier ice
Authors: Nicholson Lindsey , Stiperski Ivana
Published: April 2020

We present the first direct comparison of turbulence conditions measured simultaneously over exposed ice and a 0.08 m thick supraglacial debris cover on Suldenferner, a small glacier in the Italian Alps. Surface roughness, sensible heat fluxes (~20–50 W m−2), latent heat fluxes (~2–10 W m−2), topology and scale of turbulence are similar over both glacier surface types during katabatic and synoptically disturbed conditions. Exceptions are sunny days when buoyant convection becomes significant over debris-covered ice (sensible heat flux ~ −100 W m−2; latent heat flux ~ −30 W m−2) and prevailing katabatic conditions are rapidly broken down even over this thin debris cover. The similarity in turbulent properties implies that both surface types can be treated the same in terms of boundary layer similarity theory. The differences in turbulence between the two surface types on this glacier are dominated by the radiative and thermal contrasts, thus during sunny days debris cover alters both the local surface turbulent energy fluxes and the glacier component of valley circulation. These variations under different flow conditions should be accounted for when distributing temperature fields for modeling applications over partially debris-covered glaciers.
Homophily in the formation and development of learning networks among university students
Authors: Weber Hannes , Schwenzer Marc , Hillmert Steffen
Published: April 2020

Students’ personal learning networks can be a valuable resource of success in higher education: they offer opportunities for academic and personal support and provide sources of information related to exams or homework. We study the determinants of learning networks using a panel study among university students in their first and second year of study. A long-standing question in social network analysis has been whether the tendency of individuals with similar characteristics to form ties is a result of preferences “choice homophily” or rather selective opportunities “induced homophily”. We expect a latent preference for homophilic learning partnerships with regard to attributes, such as gender, ability, and social origin. We estimate recently developed temporal exponential random graph models to control for previous network structure and study changes in learning ties among students. The results show that especially for males, same-gender partnerships are preferred over heterogeneous ties, while chances for tie formation decrease with the difference in academic ability among students. Social origin is a significant factor in the crosssectional exploration but does appear to be less important in the formation of new (strong) partnerships during the course of studies.
A method to the madness: Ontogenetic changes in the hydrostatic properties of Didymoceras (Nostoceratidae: Ammonoidea)
Authors: Peterman David J. , Yacobucci Margaret M. , Larson Neal L. , Ciampaglio Charles , Linn Tom
Published: April 2020

The seemingly aberrant coiling of heteromorphic ammonoids suggests that they underwent more significant changes in hydrostatic properties throughout ontogeny than their planispiral counterparts. Such changes may have been responses to different selective pressures at different life stages. The hydrostatic properties of three species of Didymoceras (D. stevensoni, D. nebrascense, and D. cheyennense) were investigated by creating virtual 3D models at several stages during growth. These models were used to compute the conditions for neutral buoyancy, hydrostatic stability, orientation during life, and thrust angles (efficiency of directional movement). These properties suggest that Didymoceras and similar heteromorphs lived low-energy lifestyles with the ability to hover above the seafloor. The resultant static orientations yielded a downward-facing aperture in the hatchling and a horizontally facing aperture throughout most of the juvenile stage, before terminating in an upward direction at maturity. Relatively high hydrostatic stabilities would not have permitted the orientation of Didymoceras to be considerably modified with active locomotion. During the helical phase, Didymoceras would have been poorly suited for horizontal movement, yet equipped to pirouette about the vertical axis. Two stages throughout growth, however, would have enhanced lateral mobility: a juvenile stage just after the formation of the first bend in the shell and the terminal stage after completion of the U-shaped hook. These two more mobile phases in ontogeny may have improved juvenile dispersal potential and mate acquisition during adulthood, respectively. In general, life orientation and hydrostatic stability change more wildly for these aberrantly coiled ammonoids than their planispiral counterparts.
A detailed exploration of early infant milk feeding in a prospective birth cohort study in Ireland: combination feeding of breast milk and infant formula and early breast-feeding cessation
Authors: Hemmingway Andrea , Fisher Dawn , Berkery Teresa , Dempsey Eugene , Murray Deirdre M. , Kiely Mairead E.
Published: April 2020

Breast-feeding initiation and continuation rates in the UK and Ireland are low relative to many European countries. As a core outcome of the prospective Cork Nutrition and Development Maternal-Infant Cohort (COMBINE) study (Cork, Ireland), we aimed to describe infant milk feeding practices in detail and examine the prevalence and impact of combination feeding of breast milk and infant formula on breast-feeding duration. COMBINE recruited 456 nulliparous mothers (2015–2017) for maternal–infant follow-up via interview at hospital discharge (median 3 (interquartile range (IQR) 2, 4) d (n 453)), 1 (n 418), 2 (n 392), 4 (n 366), 6 (n 362) and 9 (n 345) months of age. Median maternal age was 32 (IQR 29, 34) years, 97 % of mothers were of white ethnicity, 79 % were Irish-born and 75 % were college-educated. Overall, 75 % breastfed to any extent at discharge and 44 % breastfed solely. At 1, 2, 4, 6 and 9 months, respectively, 40, 36, 33, 24 and 19 % breastfed solely. Combination feeding of breast milk and infant formula was common at discharge (31 %) and 1 month (20 %). Reasons for combination feeding at 1 month included perceived/actual hunger (30 %), healthcare professional advice (31 %) and breast-feeding difficulties (13 %). Of mothers who breastfed to any extent at discharge, 45 % stopped within 4 months. Mothers who combination fed were more likely to cease breast-feeding than those who breastfed solely (relative risk 2·3 by 1 month and 12·0 by 2 months). These granular data provide valuable insight to early milk feeding practices and indicate that supporting early breast-feeding without formula use may be key to the successful continuation of breast-feeding.
Rival Carceralities: Legitimising Discourses of Prison Regime Formations in Bolivarian Venezuela
Authors: Fischer-Hoffman Cory
Published: April 2020

Venezuela has two types of prisons: a prison regime ruled by a hierarchical organisation of armed inmates and the securitised ‘New Regime’ system under the control of the Ministry of Penitentiary Services. This article uses a comparative approach to examine how legitimacy is constructed in these competing yet co-existing prison regime formations in Venezuela. Both the Venezuelan state and the prisons under ‘carceral self-rule’ legitimate their respective carceral orders through discourses of left-wing emancipation that correspond with different phases of the Bolivarian project. Yet contradictions emerge from these legitimising discourses and neither regime conforms to its respective discourse of participation or socialism. In the state-abandoned, violent and hierarchical prisons under carceral self-rule, prisoners are only partially empowered, while in the New Regime prison types predation at the hands of one's fellow inmates is replaced by the violence of the ‘humanising’ state.
Rationalization enables cooperation and cultural evolution
Authors: Levy Neil
Published: April 2020

Cushman argues that the function of rationalization is to attribute mental representations to ourselves, thereby making these representations available for future planning. I argue that such attribution is often not necessary and sometimes maladaptive. I suggest a different explanation of rationalization: making representations available to other agents, to facilitate cooperation, transmission, and the ratchet effect that underlies cumulative cultural evolution.
X-ray diffraction as a major tool for the analysis of PM2.5 and PM10 aerosols
Authors: Hamdan Nasser M. , Alawadhi Hussain
Published: April 2020

Particulate matter (PM) specimens from a traffic site were sampled on Teflon filters using a low volume sampler. The sampling campaign ran over a one-year period with sampling frequency of twice a week for both PM2.5 and PM10. X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods, which are not commonly used in PM analysis, have been utilized successfully to identify crystalline phases present, including secondary pollutants. XRD data confirmed results obtained by X-ray fluorescence, positive matrix factorization modeling, and scanning electron microscopy. PM2.5 consisted mainly of secondary sulfates, like Mascagnite [(NH4)2SO4], Koktaite [(NH4)2Ca(SO4)2·H2O], and Gypsum [CaSO4·2H2O]. For PM10, it was found that the major phases are mostly originating from natural sources, such as dust storms and sea salts, in addition to secondary compounds, such as sodium nitrate. The main phases identified were Calcite, Quartz, Gypsum, Halite, and Palygorskite.
The impact of physical activity modification on the well-being of a cohort of children with an inherited arrhythmia or cardiomyopathy
Authors: Christian Susan , Somerville Martin , Taylor Sherry , Spence John C. , Giuffre Michael , Atallah Joseph
Published: April 2020

Background:

We evaluated a cohort of 35 children diagnosed with long QT syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy with regard to physical and psychosocial well-being.

Material and Methods:

Patients wore an accelerometer to record their time involved in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity and completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and the Pediatric Cardiac Quality of Life Inventory. Parents were also asked to describe if their child had changed their physical activity because of their diagnosis and how difficult and upsetting it was for the child to adapt to the physical activity recommendations.

Results:

Patients were involved in less moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity per day (35 min/day versus 55 min/day) and had lower Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory total health scores (79 versus 84) compared to normative data. Overall, 51% of the cohort modified their physical activity in some way because of their diagnosis and changing physical activity was associated with lower Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and Pediatric Cardiac Quality of Life Inventory scores.

Conclusion:

Our cohort was involved in less moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity and had lower Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory total health scores compared to normative paediatric data. Modifying one’s physical activity was associated with worse health-related quality of life scores, highlighting a vulnerable sub-group of children. These findings are useful for families and healthcare professionals caring for children who are adjusting to a new cardiac diagnosis of an inherited arrhythmia or cardiomyopathy.
Hierarchy, Symmetry and Scale in Mathematics and Bi-Logic in Psychoanalysis, with Consequences
Authors: Murtagh Fionn
Published: April 2020

Hierarchy has properties of symmetry and scale. All that is related to hierarchy provides important perspectives on many other domains. The primary focus here is on renowned psychoanalyst Ignacio Matte Blanco’s Bi-Logic. Bi-Logic relates to the two modes of being, respectively symmetry and asymmetry in thought and reasoning and brain processes, in unconscious and in conscious modes of being. Some further consequences and implications are noted. These include relevance and potential in social sciences; in qualitative as well as quantitative literary analysis, and content analytics of text, speech, visual recording, and so on; in security and forensics; and in the contemporary theme of research and development relating to Big Data analytics.
Environmental pollution and mental health: a narrative review of literature
Authors: Ventriglio Antonio , Bellomo Antonello , di Gioia Ilaria , Di Sabatino Dario , Favale Donato , De Berardis Domenico , Cianconi Paolo
Published: April 2020

Pollutant agents are exponentially increasing in modern society since industrialization processes and technology are being developed worldwide. Impact of pollution on public health is well known but little has been described on the association between environmental pollutants and mental health. A literature search on PubMed and EMBASE has been conducted and 134 articles published on the issue of pollution and mental health have been included, cited, reviewed, and summarized. Emerging evidences have been collected on association between major environmental pollutants (air pollutants,heavy metals,ionizing radiation [IR],organophosphate pesticides,light pollution,noise pollution,environmental catastrophes) and various mental health disorders including anxiety, mood, and psychotic syndromes. Underlying pathogenesis includesdirectandindirecteffects of these agents on brain, respectively, due to their biological effect on human Central Nervous System or related to some levels of stress generated by the exposure to the pollutant agents over the time. Most of emerging evidences are still nonconclusive. Further studies should clarify how industrial production, the exploitation of certain resources, the proximity to waste and energy residues, noise, and the change in lifestyles are connected with psychological distress and mental health problems for the affected populations.
ON THE EXPECTATIONAL STABILITY OF RATIONAL EXPECTATIONS EQUILIBRIA IN NEWS-SHOCK DSGE MODELS
Authors: Dombeck Brian
Published: April 2020

The expectational stability (E-stability) property of rational expectations equilibria (REE) in linear macroeconomic dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models is known to be sensitive to the information available to decision makers as well as the structure of the economic environment considered. Models featuring news shocks as a source of macroeconomic fluctuations depart from traditional assumptions regarding both the structure of the economy and the information set of agents. This paper investigates whether E-stability of REE is affected by either the inclusion of news shocks by themselves or the complementary structural changes. The main results find that the E-stability property of REE is robust to the inclusion (or exclusion) of news shocks and that well-known news-shock DSGE models permit REE which are simultaneously E-stable and capable of producing qualitatively realistic expectationally driven business cycles.
The value of quantitative pentavalent 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid scan in predicting progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Saad Ehab , Badawy Ahmed , Abougabal Mahasen , Kandeel Ahmed
Published: April 2020

Aim:

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the commonest and the most aggressive primary brain tumour. Pentavalent 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (99mTc (V)-DMSA) has been found to be a tumour-seeking agent. Pre-radiotherapy 99mTc (V)-DMSA positive scan was found to be significantly correlated with poor progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). This study aims at evaluating the impact of quantitative 99mTc (V)-DMSA tumour uptake before and after radiotherapy on PFS and OS in patients with GBM.

Methods:

A prospective study included 40 patients with GBM. Single-photon emission computed tomography studies were done before and after adjuvant radiotherapy and were qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated. The retention index (RI) of the viable tumour was correlated with PFS and OS.

Results:

The qualitative enhancement of 99mTc (V)-DMSA uptake either positive or negative was significantly correlated with PFS at both early and late images (p-values 0·04 and 0·026, respectively) and OS only in the late image (p-value 0·036). The calculated ion/non-lesion ratios at late images were statistically correlated with PFS and OS (p-values 0·021 and 0·025, respectively). The baseline RI had significant correlation with PFS only (p-value 0·01).

Conclusion:

The degree of 99mTc (V)-DMSA scan positivity is a poor prognostic factor for PFS and OS in GBM patients.
Propagating and Dynamic Properties of Magnetic Dips in the Dayside Magnetosheath: MMS Observations
Authors: Yao S. T. , Hamrin M. , Shi Q. Q. , Yao Z. H. , Degeling A. W. , Zong Q.‐G. , Liu H. , Tian A. M. , Liu J. , Hu H. Q. , Li B. , Bai S. C. , Russell C. T. , Giles B. L.
Published: April 2020

The magnetosheath is inherently complex and rich, exhibiting various kinds of structures and perturbations. It is important to understand how these structures propagate and evolve and how they relate to the perturbations. Here we investigate a kind of magnetosheath structure known as a magnetic dip (MD). As far as we are aware, there have been no previous studies concerning the evolution (contracting or expanding) of these types of structures, and their propagation properties cannot be unambiguously determined. In this study, using Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) high‐temporal resolution data and multispacecraft analysis methods, we obtain the propagation and dynamic features of a set of MDs. Four different types of MDs are identified: “frozen‐in,” “expanding,” “contracting,” and “stable‐propagating.” Significantly, a stable‐propagation event is observed with a sunward propagation component. This indicates that the source of the structure in this case is closely associated with the magnetopause, which provides strong support to the contention in earlier research. We further reveal the mechanism leading to the MD contraction or expansion. The motion of the MDs boundary is found closely related with the dynamic pressure. The scale of the contracting and expanding events are typically ~5–20 ρi (ion gyroradius), significantly smaller than that of frozen‐in events (~40 ρi). The observations could relate large‐scale (more than several tens of ρi) and kinetic‐scale (less than ρi) MDs, by revealing an evolution that spans these different scales, and help us better understand the variation and dynamics of magnetosheath structures and plasmas.
Measurement of Volume Change and Mass Transfer During Serpentinization: Insights From the Oman Drilling Project
Authors: Malvoisin Benjamin , Zhang Chang , Müntener Othmar , Baumgartner Lukas P. , Kelemen Peter B. ,   Oman Drilling Project Science Party
Published: April 2020

Serpentinization plays a key role on the evolution of the physicochemical properties of the mantle lithosphere. The rate of serpentinization reactions is controlled by the transport of fluid, which itself depends on volume change during reaction. Element transfer can strongly modify the magnitude and sign of volume change. Here, we measure solid volume change and element transport perpendicular to a serpentine vein in a serpentinized dunite collected at depth during the Oman Drilling Project. The sample is extensively replaced (extent of reaction > 80%) by a serpentine/brucite mixture parallel to a main serpentine vein network. The Mg content of serpentine and brucite indicates reaction with a small amount of fluid at temperatures below 100°C. Concentrations of fluid‐mobile trace elements (Na, Ca, Sr, Rb, and Ba) decrease perpendicular to the main vein. Primary olivine contains parallel platelets of a clinopyroxene/magnetite symplectite. Tomography at the nanoscale reveals that these inclusions do not react during serpentinization but are cracked and displaced. We use these inert markers to measure a 59% to 74% positive volume change that is close to the 52% expected for reaction in a closed system. Chemical data indicate no change in major element composition during reaction except for the addition of water. The initial olivine zoning in Al, Ti, V, Sc, and Cr is still preserved in serpentine and brucite. Serpentinization can thus be a local replacement process during which the solid volume homogeneously increases at the micrometer scale and the transport of aqueous species is limited.
Ballistic Sedimentation of Impact Crater Ejecta: Implications for the Provenance of Lunar Samples and the Resurfacing Effect of Ejecta on the Lunar Surface
Authors: Xie Minggang , Liu Tiantian , Xu Aoao
Published: April 2020

A clear understanding of ballistic sedimentation is critical for interpreting the evolution of the lunar surface and the provenance of lunar samples. Quantitative models have been established to estimate the characteristics of ejecta deposits, such as the abundance of distantly sourced ejecta compared to the amount of excavated local materials. Here, we revise a previously established ballistic sedimentation model by considering the shielding effect of ejecta deposits on the emplacement process of later‐arriving ejecta. Our model shows that, due to the shielding effect, the ratio of excavated local materials to ejecta in continuous ejecta deposits increases significantly with increasing distance from the center of their parent crater. Model‐derived results imply that basin formation resurfaces regions within continuous ejecta deposits and proximal light plains but only partially resurfaces distal areas; thus, the partial resurfacing effect should be considered when dating units older than the youngest basin, Orientale, or units located close to large craters. Applying our model to the Apollo 16 landing site, we found that 10% of the Apollo 16 regolith may be of Orientale origin, which is almost the same as those of Imbrium (9%) and Serenitatis ejecta (10%). The most abundant basin ejecta in Apollo 16 regolith is from the Nectaris basin (23%). These results provide important constraints for interpreting the provenance of the Apollo 16 samples.
High Resolution Modeling of River‐Floodplain‐Reservoir Inundation Dynamics in the Mekong River Basin
Authors: Shin Sanghoon , Pokhrel Yadu , Yamazaki Dai , Huang Xiaodong , Torbick Nathan , Qi Jiaguo , Pattanakiat Sura , Ngo‐Duc Thanh , Nguyen Tuan Duc
Published: April 2020

Numerous studies have examined the changes in streamflow in the Mekong River Basin (MRB) using observations and hydrological modeling; however, there is a lack of integrated modeling studies that explicitly simulate the natural and human‐induced changes in flood dynamics over the entire basin. Here we simulate the river‐floodplain‐reservoir inundation dynamics over the MRB for 1979–2016 period using a newly integrated, high‐resolution (~5 km) river hydrodynamics‐reservoir operation model. The framework is based on the river‐floodplain hydrodynamic model CaMa‐Flood in which a new reservoir operation scheme is incorporated by including 86 existing MRB dams. The simulated flood extent is downscaled to a higher resolution (~90 m) to investigate fine‐scale inundation dynamics, and results are validated with ground‐ and satellite‐based observations. It is found that the historical variations in surface water storage have been governed primarily by climate variability; the impacts of dams on river‐floodplain hydrodynamics were marginal until 2009. However, results indicate that the dam impacts increased noticeably in 2010 when the basin‐wide storage capacity doubled due to the construction of new mega dams. Further, results suggest that the future flood dynamics in the MRB would be considerably different than in the past even without climate change and additional dams. However, it is also found that the impacts of dams can largely vary depending on reservoir operation strategies. This study is expected to provide the basis for high‐resolution river‐floodplain‐reservoir modeling for a holistic assessment of the impacts of dams and climate change on the floodpulse‐dependent hydro‐ecological systems in the MRB and other global regions.
How Accurate Are Our Measurements of the Sun’s Energy?
Authors: Thompson Elizabeth
Published: April 2020

As instruments collecting solar data degrade, researchers must correct for errors. A new study compares several methods to correct solar spectral irradiance measurements.
Suppression of Magnetic Reconnection at Saturn's Low‐Latitude Magnetopause
Authors: Fuselier S. A. , Petrinec S. M. , Sawyer R. P. , Mukherjee J. , Masters A.
Published: April 2020

Observations from the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer/Electron Spectrometer (CAPS/ELS) are used in an in‐depth investigation of the occurrence and location of reconnection at Saturn's magnetopause. Heated, streaming electrons parallel and/or antiparallel to the magnetic field in the magnetosheath adjacent to the magnetopause indicate that reconnection is occurring somewhere on the boundary. In these instances, the Cassini spacecraft is connected to open magnetic field lines that thread the magnetopause boundary. A survey of 99 crossings with sufficient pitch angle coverage from CAPS/ELS indicates that 65% of the crossings had this evidence of reconnection. Specific crossings from this survey are used to demonstrate that there are times when reconnection at Saturn's low‐latitude magnetopause may be suppressed.
High-fidelity manipulation of a qubit enabled by a manufactured nucleus
Authors: Christensen Justin E. , Hucul David , Campbell Wesley C. , Hudson Eric R.
Published: April 2020

The recently demonstrated trapping and laser cooling of 133Ba+ has opened the door to the use of this nearly ideal atom for quantum information processing. However, before high-fidelity qubit operations can be performed, a number of unknown state energies are needed. Here, we report measurements of the 2P3/2 and 2D5/2 hyperfine splittings, as well as the 2P3/2 ↔ 2S1/2 and 2P3/2 ↔ 2D5/2 transition frequencies. Using these transitions, we demonstrate high-fidelity 133Ba+ hyperfine qubit manipulation with electron shelving detection to benchmark qubit state preparation and measurement (SPAM). Using single-shot, threshold discrimination, we measure an average SPAM fidelity of $${\mathcal{F}}=0.99971(3)$$

F
=
0.99971

(

3

)

, a factor of ≈2 improvement over the best reported performance of any qubit.
Impact of river discharge seasonality change on tidal duration asymmetry in the Yangtze River Estuary
Authors: Yu Xiayan , Zhang Wei , Hoitink A. J. F.
Published: April 2020

The Yangtze River Estuary (YRE) is one of the world’s largest river-tidal systems with rapidly changing hydrology and morphology following the construction of multiple dams. The effects of dam construction may extend to the region close to the coast, where channel stability depends on the asymmetry of the tide. Here, we focus on the possible effects of changing discharge regimes on tidal asymmetry in the YRE. Specifically, we focus on the difference in duration between ebb and flood, quantified as tidal duration asymmetry, because it has strong implications for residual sediment transport and can be derived from available water level data. To cope with nonstationary tides under the influence of a time-varying river discharge, a nonstationary harmonic analysis tool (NS_TIDE) is applied to explore the spatiotemporal variations in tidal duration asymmetry, under the influence of different combinations of tidal constituents. Tidal duration asymmetry initially increases, then slightly decreases, in an upstream direction. It experiences significant seasonal variations in response to rapidly varying discharge: tides are more asymmetric upstream of Zhenjiang in the dry season and more asymmetric downstream in the wet season. The combined effects of discharge regulation and morphological changes cause seasonal alterations in tidal duration asymmetry. In the wet season, reduced river discharge caused by water storage and climate change enhance the asymmetry upstream (+11.74% at Wuhu, +7.19 at Nanjing) while the asymmetry is weakened downstream (−2.90% at Zhenjiang, −7.19 at Jiangyin) following the TGD’s operation. Downstream channel erosion caused by post-TGD lower sediment loads has become the dominant factor weakening tidal asymmetry in most parts of the YRE in the dry season. Understanding these evolutions of tidal duration asymmetry under the hydrological and morphological effects has important implications for the management of estuarine ecosystem and navigation.
Loss-of-function of the long non-coding RNA A830019P07Rik in mice does not affect insulin expression and secretion
Authors: Guay Claudiane , Abdulkarim Baroj , Tan Jennifer Y. , Dubuis Gilles , Rütti Sabine , Laybutt David Ross , Widmann Christian , Regazzi Romano , Marques Ana Claudia
Published: April 2020

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to diverse cellular functions and the dysregulation of their expression or function can contribute to diseases, including diabetes. The contributions of lncRNAs to β-cell development, function and survival has been extensively studied in vitro. However, very little is currently known on the in vivo roles of lncRNAs in the regulation of glucose and insulin homeostasis. Here we investigated the impact of loss-of-function in mice of the lncRNA A830019P07Rik, hereafter P07Rik, which was previously reported to be associated with reduced plasma insulin levels. Compared with wild-type littermates, male and female P07Rik mutant mice did not show any defect in glycaemia and plasma insulin levels in both fed and fasted state. Furthermore, P07Rik mutant mice displayed similar glucose and insulin levels in response to an intra-peritoneal glucose tolerance test. Ex vivo, islets from mutant P07Rik released similar amount of insulin in response to increased glucose concentration as wildtype littermates. In contrast with previous reports, our characterization of P07Rik mouse mutants revealed that loss of function of this lncRNA does not affect glucose and insulin homeostasis in mice.
Yoga-based lifestyle treatment and composite treatment goals in Type 2 Diabetes in a rural South Indian setup- a retrospective study
Authors: Arumugam Geetharani , Nagarathna Raghuram , Majumdar Vijaya , Singh Mandeep , Srinivasalu Rambabu , Sanjival Rajagopal , Ram Venkat S. , Nagendra Hongasandra Ramarao
Published: April 2020

This multicentre retrospective study examined the effects of adjunct yoga-treatment in achieving composite cardiovascular goals for type 2 diabetes (T2D), set forth by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in rural Indian settings. Records were extracted for 146 T2D patients, aged ≥20–70 years, and treated under the “Apollo Total Health Programme” for rural diabetes management, for the period April 2016 to November 2016. The study cohort comprised of two treatment groups (n = 73 each); non-yoga group (standard of care) and yoga group (adjunct yoga-treatment). Propensity score matching was applied between the study groups to define the cohort. Composite cardiovascular scores were based on the combination of individual ADA goals; A1c < 7%, blood pressure (BP) < 140/90 mmHg, stringent BP (<130/80 mmHg) and lipid, LDL-C < 100 mg/dl [risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease]. Logistic regression was used to compare between the two treatment groups. Compared to standard of care, adjunct yoga-treatment was found to significantly facilitate the attainment of ADA composite score by 8-fold; A1c, ~2-fold; LDL-C, ~2-fold; BP < 140/90 mmHg and <130/80 mmHg by ~8-and ~6-fold respectively. This study provides the first evidence for significant efficacy of adjunct yoga-treatment for the attainment of favourable treatment goals for T2D in rural Indian settings. Clinical Trial Registration Number: CTRI/2020/02/0232790
Cold storage reveals distinct metabolic perturbations in processing and non-processing cultivars of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)
Authors: Datir Sagar S. , Yousf Saleem , Sharma Shilpy , Kochle Mohit , Ravikumar Ameeta , Chugh Jeetender
Published: April 2020

Cold-induced sweetening (CIS) causes considerable losses to the potato processing industry wherein the selection of potato genotypes using biochemical information has found to be advantageous. Here, 1H NMR spectroscopy was performed to identify metabolic perturbations from tubers of five potato cultivars (Atlantic, Frito Lay-1533, Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Pukhraj, and PU1) differing in their CIS ability and processing characteristics at harvest and after cold storage (4 °C). Thirty-nine water-soluble metabolites were detected wherein significantly affected metabolites after cold storage were categorized into sugars, sugar alcohols, amino acids, and organic acids. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated significant differences in the metabolic profiles among the potato cultivars. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that carbohydrates, amino acids, and organic acids are the key players in CIS. Interestingly, one of the processing cultivars, FL-1533, exhibited a unique combination of metabolites represented by low levels of glucose, fructose, and asparagine accompanied by high citrate levels. Conversely, non-processing cultivars (Kufri Pukhraj and Kufri Jyoti) showed elevated glucose, fructose, and malate levels. Our results indicate that metabolites such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, asparagine, glutamine, citrate, malate, proline, 4-aminobutyrate can be potentially utilized for the prediction, selection, and development of potato cultivars for long-term storage, nutritional, as well as processing attributes.
Digitalization of the IOM: A comprehensive cadaveric study for obtaining three-dimensional models and morphological properties of the forearm’s interosseous membrane
Authors: Carrillo Fabio , Suter Simon , Casari Fabio A. , Sutter Reto , Nagy Ladislav , Snedeker Jess G. , Fürnstahl Philipp
Published: April 2020

State-of-the-art of preoperative planning for forearm orthopaedic surgeries is currently limited to simple bone procedures. The increasing interest of clinicians for more comprehensive analysis of complex pathologies often requires dynamic models, able to include the soft tissue influence into the preoperative process. Previous studies have shown that the interosseous membrane (IOM) influences forearm motion and stability, but due to the lack of morphological and biomechanical data, existing simulation models of the IOM are either too simple or clinically unreliable. This work aims to address this problematic by generating 3D morphological and tensile properties of the individual IOM structures. First, micro- and standard-CT acquisitions were performed on five fresh-frozen annotated cadaveric forearms for the generation of 3D models of the radius, ulna and each of the individual ligaments of the IOM. Afterwards, novel 3D methods were developed for the measurement of common morphological features, which were validated against established optical ex-vivo measurements. Finally, we investigated the individual tensile properties of each IOM ligament. The generated 3D morphological features can provide the basis for the future development of functional planning simulation of the forearm.
Up-regulation of pro-angiogenic pathways and induction of neovascularization by an acute retinal light damage
Authors: Tisi A. , Parete G. , Flati V. , Maccarone R.
Published: April 2020

The light damage (LD) model was mainly used to study some of the main aspects of age related macular degeneration (AMD), such as oxidative stress and photoreceptor death. Several protocols of light-induced retinal degeneration exist. Acute light damage is characterized by a brief exposure (24 hours) to high intensity light (1000 lux) and leads to focal degeneration of the retina which progresses over time. To date there are not experimental data that relate this model to neovascular events. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize the retina after an acute light damage to assess whether the vascularization was affected. Functional, molecular and morphological investigations were carried out. The electroretinographic response was assessed at all recovery times (7, 60, 120 days after LD). Starting from 7 days after light damage there was a significant decrease in the functional response, which remained low up to 120 days of recovery. At 7 days after light exposure, neo-vessels invaded the photoreceptor layer and retinal neovascularization occurred. Remarkably, neoangiogenesis was associated to the up-regulation of VEGF, bFGF and their respective receptors (VEGFR2 and FGFR1) with the progression of degeneration. These important results indicate that a brief exposure to bright light induces the up-regulation of pro-angiogenic pathways with subsequent neovascularization.
Role of non-thermal electrons in ultrafast spin dynamics of ferromagnetic multilayer
Authors: Shim Je-Ho , Syed Akbar Ali , Kim Jea-Il , Piao Hong-Guang , Lee Sang-Hyuk , Park Seung-Young , Choi Yeon Suk , Lee Kyung Min , Kim Hyun-Joong , Jeong Jong-Ryul , Hong Jung-Il , Kim Dong Eon , Kim Dong-Hyun
Published: April 2020

Understanding of ultrafast spin dynamics is crucial for future spintronic applications. In particular, the role of non-thermal electrons needs further investigation in order to gain a fundamental understanding of photoinduced demagnetization and remagnetization on a femtosecond time scale. We experimentally demonstrate that non-thermal electrons existing in the very early phase of the photoinduced demagnetization process play a key role in governing the overall ultrafast spin dynamics behavior. We simultaneously measured the time-resolved reflectivity (TR-R) and the magneto-optical Kerr effect (TR-MOKE) for a Co/Pt multilayer film. By using an extended three-temperature model (E3TM), the quantitative analysis, including non-thermal electron energy transfer into the subsystem (thermal electron, lattice, and spin), reveals that energy flow from non-thermal electrons plays a decisive role in determining the type I and II photoinduced spin dynamics behavior. Our finding proposes a new mechanism for understanding ultrafast remagnetization dynamics.