bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quench-rate and size-dependent behaviour in glassy Ge2Sb2Te5 models simulated with a machine-learned Gaussian approximation potential
Authors: Mocanu F C , Konstantinou K , Elliott S R
Published: April 2020

Phase-change memory materials are promising candidates for beyond-silicon, next-generation non-volatile-memory and neuromorphic-computing devices; the canonical such material is the chalcogenide semiconductor alloy Ge2Sb2Te5. Here, we describe the results of an analysis of glassy molecular-dynamics models of this material, as generated using a newly developed, linear-scaling (O(N)), machine-learned, Gaussian approximation potential. We investigate the behaviour of the glassy models as a function of different quench rates (varied by two orders of magnitude, down to 1 K ps−1) and model sizes (varied by two orders of magnitude, up to 24 300 atoms). It is found that the lowest quench rate studied (1 K ps−1) is comparable to the minimum cooling rate needed in order completely to vitrify the models on quenching from the melt.
Measuring procedures for surface evaluation of additively manufactured powder bed-based polymer and metal parts
Authors: Heinl M , Greiner S , Wudy K , Pobel C , Rasch M , Huber F , Papke T , Merklein M , Schmidt M , Körner C , Drummer D , Hausotte T
Published: April 2020

Powder bed-based additive manufacturing has become increasingly important for industrial applications. In the light of this, qualitative considerations such as the geometrical accuracy, the resulting mechanical properties, and the surface quality of additively manufactured parts must be taken into account. Optical measuring techniques such as confocal laser scanning microscopy, fringe projection and focus variation as well as profilometers are evaluated here, to determine the surface quality of powder bed-based manufactured parts. Even though these surface evaluation methods are established commercially, no standardized measuring procedure has yet been established. Within an experimental study the validity and accuracy of surface measurement methods are evaluated below, taking the limitations of each measurement system and the comparability of areal surface textures into account. The examinations are carried out with the powder materials EN-AW2024, Ti-6V-4Al and PA12, which are processed by electron beam melting, and laser beam melting of metals and polymers. Guidance for a consistent and comparable surface evaluation is thereby provided.
Volumetric capnography slopes in ventilated term and preterm infants
Authors: Dassios Theodore , Dixon Paul , Williams Emma , Greenough Anne
Published: April 2020

Objective: To assess whether the slopes of volumetric capnography differ in preterm compared to term-born ventilated newborn infants and whether they are related to gestational age and the duration of ventilation. Approach: The slopes of phase II (SII) and III (SIII) of volumetric capnographs were measured in ventilated term and preterm infants at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The correlations of the slopes with gestational age (GA), duration of invasive ventilation and fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) were assessed. The slopes were normalised by multiplying the results with the expiratory tidal volume (VT) measurement. Main results: Fifty-six infants (44 preterm) were assessed. The preterm infants had a median (IQR) gestational age of 26 (25–29) weeks and were ventilated for 8 (3–32) days with a VT of 5.4 (4.1–6.8) ml kg−1. The term infants had a gestational age of 39 (37–40) weeks and were ventilated for 1 (1–6) day with a VT of 4.0 (3.6–5.3) ml kg−1. The SII (85.9 (76.2–98.4) mmHg) and SIII (16.5(10.0–21.9) mmHg) of the preterm infants were not significantly different compared to the SII (88.0 (74.6–110.0) mmHg) and SIII (13.5 (9.2–15.9) mmHg) of term infants (p = 0.625 and p = 0.144 respectively). SII was not significantly related to GA, duration of ventilation or FIO2. SIII was positively related to the duration of ventilation (r = 0.729, p < 0.001) and FIO2 (r = 0.704, p < 0.001). Significance: The volumetric capnography phase III slope was steeper in infants with higher ventilatory requirements, hence could potentially be used as an index of disease severity in ventilated newborns.
Stoichiometry of tetragonal and hexagonal FexSe: phase relations
Authors: Shahbazi Mahboobeh , Cathey Henrietta E , Mackinnon Ian D R
Published: April 2020

Precise compositional analyses at spatial resolution <1 μm, combined with structure determination using bulk (i.e. powder XRD) and individual grain (i.e. EBSD) techniques, show that both β-FexSe and δ-FexSe form as solids in a two-phase field above and below the apparent peritectic temperature of 457 °C. Microstructures show that β-FexSe and δ-FexSe form together via exsolution when cooled from this two-phase field; evident when annealing time and temperature are optimised. Using a facile one-pot method with elemental Fe:Se reactant ratios ranging from 0.95 to 1.14, β-FexSe occurs as the predominant phase in association with hexagonal δ-FexSe in the temperature range 330 °C < Tmax < 750 °C, where Tmax is the sintering temperature. Maximum yield of β-FexSe occurs after sintering at Tmax > 690 °C with annealing at 420 °C for ∼24 h. We define a modified phase diagram that includes this two phase field with β-FexSe and δ-FexSe for 1.02 < x < 0.90 and a second two phase field with β-FexSe and α-Fe for 1.08 < x < 1.02. This revised phase diagram for Fe:Se ∼ 1.0 suggests that the peretectic transition nominally identified at x = 1.04 is not evident.
Magnetic performance enhancement in La-Ca-Co doped SrFe12O19 ferrite permanent magnets via cold isostatic pressing
Authors: Geng Z W , Haseeb M , Quan X K , Li B S , Liu W Q , Hu G H , Sun W Q , Yue M , Liu R M
Published: April 2020

The crystallographic alignment, microstructure and magnetic properties were studied for La0.6Ca0.6Sr0.1Fe12.4Co0.4O19 ferrite permanent magnets prepared with standard ceramic method. The effect of cold isostatic pressing (CIP) and sintering temperature on the structural and magnetic properties of the magnets were investigated. The CIP significantly improves the density of the green compact and final magnets, but undermines the crystallographic alignment of the magnets simultaneously. As a result, the remanence of the magnet achieves optimal value under the compromise between the increased density and the degraded alignment. Moreover, the coercivity of the magnet increases linearly with the increment of the CIP pressure due the fact that CIP processed samples bear more uniform and finer grains in favor of high coercivity. Under optimal CIP pressure and sintering temperature, the magnet obtains best magnetic properties of Br of 0.439 T, Hcj of 396 kA m−1, Hcb of 311 kA m−1, and (BH)maxof 35.8 kJ m−3.
An investigation on micro-hardness, micro-structure and ductility of clad layer in copper clad aluminum wire under multi stage–NCWD
Authors: Fatehi Sichani Fariborz , Rahnama Saeed , Raghebi Mehdi , Sommitsch Christof
Published: April 2020

The copper clad aluminum (CCA) wire was fabricated by roll forming of copper foil around the aluminum wire rode. Non-continuous wire drawing (NCWD) was employed to study the effect of wire drawing parameters on ductility, micro-hardness and microstructure of the copper clad layer. The NCWD process continued without intermediate annealing until cracks were observed on the copper clad layer. The cracks appeared after a 78% reduction in the cross-section. The micro-tensile test was performed on specimens with transverse curvature to determine elongation. A modified correction factor was introduced to correct the effect of curvature size on elongation. The introduced correction factor proportional to the sample characteristics was between 0.7 and 1.4. Moreover, variations in the hardness and microstructure of the copper clad layer were investigated in the base metal and at the welding zone. Before beginning the wire drawing process for the annealed CCA wire with a diameter of 10.1mm and a Cu clad thickness of 0.48mm , the hardness, ductility, UTS and grain size of the clad layer were 87HV, 43%, 103MPa and 80 μm, respectively. At the end of NCWD for 10° and the 20% reduction ratio of the die, the diameter of CCA wire reached 4.7mm with a 0.22mm thickness of Cu clad. The hardness, ductility, UTS and grain size of the clad layer were 157HV, 2.9%, 325MPa and 8 μm, respectively.
Assessment of burnout within a health-system pharmacy department
Authors: Kraus Shannon , Gardner Natalie , Jarosi Nancy , McMath Tamara , Gupta Anand , Mehta Bella
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Workplace-related burnout is a state of mental and physical exhaustion caused by one’s professional life. Literature demonstrates the link between physician burnout and serious consequences (reduced productivity, medical errors, and clinician suicide), but assessment of burnout in other healthcare professions is limited, especially in pharmacy. A quality improvement study was conducted to quantify burnout in a diverse health-system pharmacy department and identify potential strategies to improve well-being.

Methods

A survey was distributed to assess the perception and drivers of burnout within a health-system pharmacy. All associates received a survey comprised of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), demographic questions, and items affording respondents the opportunity to list stressors and potential solutions. Email reminders were sent weekly and site visits were conducted to encourage survey completion. Results were analyzed via descriptive statistics.

Results

Two hundred seventy-seven associates completed the survey (response rate, 40.5%). Seventy percent of those participants were experiencing moderate to high levels of burnout, with survey results indicating moderate levels of personal accomplishment and emotional exhaustion and low levels of depersonalization; there were no statistically significant differences in mean MBI scores by shift type, hours worked per week, or years of service. There were statistically significant differences in scores for personal accomplishment between males and females, as well as among positions and regions (P < 0.05). Participants identified issues related to workflow, control, and community as the greatest contributors to stress.

Conclusion

The diverse staff of a health-system pharmacy department reported a moderate amount of burnout, with the greatest variation in the dimension of personal accomplishment. The mitigation strategies most commonly cited were staffing/workflow adjustments and creating a culture of well-being.
Can ODE gene regulatory models neglect time lag or measurement scaling?
Authors: Hu Jie , Qin Huihui , Fan Xiaodan
Published: April 2020

Motivation

Many ordinary differential equation (ODE) models have been introduced to replace linear regression models for inferring gene regulatory relationships from time-course gene expression data. But, since the observed data are usually not direct measurements of the gene products or there is an unknown time lag in gene regulation, it is problematic to directly apply traditional ODE models or linear regression models.

Results

We introduce a lagged ODE model to infer lagged gene regulatory relationships from time-course measurements, which are modeled as linear transformation of the gene products. A time-course microarray dataset from a yeast cell-cycle study is used for simulation assessment of the methods and real data analysis. The results show that our method, by considering both time lag and measurement scaling, performs much better than other linear and ODE models. It indicates the necessity of explicitly modeling the time lag and measurement scaling in ODE gene regulatory models.

Availability and implementation

R code is available at https://www.sta.cuhk.edu.hk/xfan/share/lagODE.zip.
Orthodox Perspectives on In Vitro Fertilization in Russia
Authors: Tarabrin Roman
Published: April 2020

The views on in vitro fertilization (IVF) within Russian Orthodox Christian society are diverse. One reason for that variation is the ambiguity found in “The Basis of the Social Concept,” the document issued in 2000 by the Russian Orthodox Church and considered to be the primary guidelines for determining the Church’s stance on bioethics. This essay explores how the treatment of infertility reconciles with the Orthodox Christian faith and what methods of medical assistance for infertility may be appropriate for Orthodox Christians. The focus here is on IVF because it is among the most widely used methods to overcome childlessness, and the permissibility of IVF is the object of disagreement among Orthodox. The article defines criteria that can help to discern what is absolutely wrong and must be avoided from what only falls short of the mark, but not very far, for Orthodox Christians. If treatment of the underlying causes of infertility has failed or promises no hope and a husband and a wife do not feel able to carry the Cross of infertility, then from pastoral dispensation they might be blessed to use ethically acceptable variants of IVF. IVF has many variants that are different in their spiritual influence on a person. Orthodox Christians pursuing IVF should seek spiritual guidance and a blessing to pursue IVF. They must not form more embryos than will be transferred in the same cycle. Freezing, discarding, or reduction of embryos is forbidden. Infertile couples ought to use only their reproductive cells. The use of donor gametes is unacceptable. Any embryo formed ought to be transferred into the wife’s womb, and the use of surrogates is impermissible. Only a husband and wife who are able to maintain their marital union and where the wife is still of childbearing age should be blessed to use IVF.
Phylogenetic Cluster Analysis Identifies Virological and Behavioral Drivers of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission in Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Bachmann Nadine , Kusejko Katharina , Nguyen Huyen , Chaudron Sandra E , Kadelka Claus , Turk Teja , Böni Jürg , Perreau Matthieu , Klimkait Thomas , Yerly Sabine , Battegay Manuel , Rauch Andri , Ramette Alban , Vernazza Pietro , Bernasconi Enos , Cavassini Matthias , Günthard Huldrych F , Kouyos Roger D ,   Swiss HIV Cohort Study, Anagnostopoulos A , Battegay M , Bernasconi E , Böni J , Braun D L , Bucher H C , Calmy A , Cavassini M , Ciuffi A , Dollenmaier G , Egger M , Elzi L , Fehr J , Fellay J , Furrer H , Fux C A , Günthard H F , Haerry D , Hasse B , Hirsch H H , Hoffmann M , Hösli I , Huber M , Kahlert C R , Kaiser L , Keiser O , Klimkait T , Kouyos R D , Kovari H , Ledergerber B , Martinetti G , Martinez de Tejada B , Marzolini C , Metzner K J , Müller N , Nicca D , Paioni P , Pantaleo G , Perreau M , Rauch A , Rudin C , Scherrer A U , Schmid P , Speck R , Stöckle M , Tarr P , Trkola A , Vernazza P , Wandeler G , Weber R , Yerly S
Published: April 2020

Background

Identifying local outbreaks and their drivers is a key step toward curbing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission and potentially achieving HIV elimination. Such outbreaks can be identified as transmission clusters extracted from phylogenetic trees constructed of densely sampled viral sequences. In this study, we combined phylogenetic transmission clusters with extensive data on virological suppression and behavioral risk of cluster members to quantify the drivers of ongoing transmission over 10 years.

Methods

Using the comprehensive Swiss HIV Cohort Study and its drug-resistance database, we reconstructed phylogenetic trees for each year between 2007 and 2017. We identified HIV transmission clusters dominated by men who have sex with men (MSM) and determined their annual growth. We used Poisson regression to assess if cluster growth was associated with a per-cluster infectivity and behavioral risk score.

Results

Both infectivity and behavioral risk scores were significantly higher in growing MSM transmission clusters compared to nongrowing clusters (P ≤ .01). The fraction of transmission clusters without infectious members acquiring new infections increased significantly over the study period. The infectivity score was significantly associated with per-capita incidence of MSM transmission clusters in 8 years, while the behavioral risk score was significantly associated with per-capita incidence of MSM transmission clusters in 3 years.

Conclusions

We present a phylogenetic method to identify hotspots of ongoing transmission among MSM. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of treatment as prevention at the population level. However, the significantly increasing number of new infections among transmission clusters without infectious members highlights a relative shift from diagnosed to undiagnosed individuals as drivers of HIV transmission in Swiss MSM.
Detectable Serum Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Viral Load (RNAemia) Is Closely Correlated With Drastically Elevated Interleukin 6 Level in Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Chen Xiaohua , Zhao Binghong , Qu Yueming , Chen Yurou , Xiong Jie , Feng Yong , Men Dong , Huang Qianchuan , Liu Ying , Yang Bo , Ding Jinya , Li Feng
Published: April 2020

Background

Although the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral load in respiratory specimens has been widely used to diagnose coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is undeniable that serum SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid (RNAemia) could be detected in a fraction of COVID-19 patients. However, it is not clear whether testing for RNAemia is correlated with the occurrence of cytokine storms or with the specific class of patients.

Methods

This study enrolled 48 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the General Hospital of Central Theater Command, People’s Liberation Army, a designated hospital in Wuhan, China. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the Diagnosis and Treatment of New Coronavirus Pneumonia (sixth edition) guidelines issued by the National Health Commission of China. Clinical and laboratory data were collected, and the serum viral load and interleukin 6 (IL-6) level were determined.

Results

Analysis of clinical characteristics of 48 cases of COVID-19 showed that RNAemia was diagnosed only in the critically ill group and seemed to reflect the severity of the disease. Furthermore, the level of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in critically ill patients increased significantly, almost 10 times that in other patients. More importantly, the extremely high IL-6 level was closely correlated with the detection of RNAemia (R = 0.902).

Conclusions

Detectable serum SARS-CoV-2 RNA (RNAemia) in patients with COVID-19 was associated with elevated IL-6 concentration and poor prognosis. Because elevated IL-6 may be part of a larger cytokine storm that could worsen outcome, IL-6 could be a potential therapeutic target for critically ill patients with an excessive inflammatory response.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection in Febrile Infants Without Respiratory Distress
Authors: Paret Michal , Lighter Jennifer , Pellett Madan Rebecca , Raabe Vanessa N , Shust Gail F , Ratner Adam J
Published: April 2020

We report 2 cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (COVID-19) in infants presenting with fever in the absence of respiratory distress who required hospitalization for evaluation of possible invasive bacterial infections. The diagnoses resulted from routine isolation and real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction–based testing for SARS-CoV-2 for febrile infants in an outbreak setting.
The independent reduction in mortality associated with guideline-directed medical therapy in patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Wolfe Natasha K , Mitchell Joshua D , Brown David L
Published: April 2020

Aims

Guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) is underutilized in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, there are no studies evaluating the impact of GDMT adherence on mortality among patients with CAD and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We sought to investigate the association of GDMT adherence with long-term mortality in patients with CAD and HFrEF.

Methods and results

Surgical Treatment for Ischaemic Heart Failure (STICH) was a trial of patients with an left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% and CAD amenable to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) who were randomized to CABG plus medical therapy (N = 610) or medical therapy alone (N = 602). Median follow-up time was 9.8 years. We defined GDMT for the treatment of CAD and HFrEF as the combination of at least one antiplatelet drug, a statin, a beta-blocker, and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Assessment of the independent association between GDMT and mortality was performed using multivariable Cox regression with GDMT as a time-dependent covariate. In the CABG arm, 63.6% of patients were on GDMT throughout the study period compared to 66.5% of patients in the medical therapy arm (P = 0.3). GDMT was independently associated with a significant reduction in mortality (hazard ratio 0.65, 95% confidence interval 0.56–0.76; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

GDMT is associated with reduced mortality in patients with CAD and HFrEF independent of revascularization with CABG. Strategies to improve GDMT adherence in this population are needed to maximize survival.
Intra-Couple (Dis)Similarity in Gender Role Attitudes and the Transition to Parenthood in Germany
Authors: Hudde Ansgar , Engelhardt Henriette
Published: April 2020

This paper tests whether couples in which partners hold dissimilar gender role attitudes are less likely to have a first child together compared to couples in which both partners share similar attitudes. The study contributes to micro-level research on gender role attitudes and fertility, which has examined the content of one partner’s attitudes, but not the fit of both partners’ views. We analyse unique panel data from the German Family Panel (pairfam) collected between 2008 and 2017, which includes information on the attitudes of both partners in a couple. Results show that couples whose members have dissimilar gender role attitudes are substantially and significantly less likely to have a child together over time. This observation holds independently of both partners’ individual attitudes and holds against a number of robustness checks.
Recommendations for participation in leisure-time physical activity and competitive sports of patients with arrhythmias and potentially arrhythmogenic conditions. Part 2: ventricular arrhythmias, channelopathies, and implantable defibrillators
Authors: Heidbuchel Hein , Arbelo Elena , D’Ascenzi Flavio , Borjesson Mats , Boveda Serge , Castelletti Silvia , Miljoen Hielko , Mont Lluis , Niebauer Josef , Papadakis Michael , Pelliccia Antonio , Saenen Johan , Sanz de la Garza María , Schwartz Peter J , Sharma Sanjay , Zeppenfeld Katja , Corrado Domenico ,   EHRA/EAPC Scientific Review Group, Heinzel Frank R , Veltmann Christian , Odening Katja E , Boldt Leif-Hendrik , Anne Wim , Napolitano Carlo , Davos Constantinos , Piepoli Massimo , Biffi Alessandro , van Buuren Frank
Published: April 2020

This paper belongs to a series of recommendation documents for participation in leisure-time physical activity and competitive sports by the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC). Together with an accompanying paper on supraventricular arrhythmias, this second text deals specifically with those participants in whom some form of ventricular rhythm disorder is documented, who are diagnosed with an inherited arrhythmogenic condition, and/or who have an implanted pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator. A companion text on recommendations in athletes with supraventricular arrhythmias is published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Since both texts focus on arrhythmias, they are the result of a collaboration between EAPC and the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA). The documents provide a framework for evaluating eligibility to perform sports, based on three elements, i.e. the prognostic risk of the arrhythmias when performing sports, the symptomatic impact of arrhythmias while performing sports, and the potential progression of underlying structural problems as the result of sports.
Towards dynamic forest trafficability prediction using open spatial data, hydrological modelling and sensor technology
Authors: Salmivaara Aura , Launiainen Samuli , Perttunen Jari , Nevalainen Paavo , Pohjankukka Jonne , Ala-Ilomäki Jari , Sirén Matti , Laurén Ari , Tuominen Sakari , Uusitalo Jori , Pahikkala Tapio , Heikkonen Jukka , Finér Leena
Published: April 2020

Forest harvesting operations with heavy machinery can lead to significant soil rutting. Risks of rutting depend on the soil bearing capacity which has considerable spatial and temporal variability. Trafficability prediction is required in the selection of suitable operation sites for a given time window and conditions, and for on-site route optimization during the operation. Integrative tools are necessary to plan and carry out forest operations with minimal negative ecological and economic impacts. This study demonstrates a trafficability prediction framework that utilizes a spatial hydrological model and a wide range of spatial data. Trafficability was approached by producing a rut depth prediction map at a 16 × 16 m grid resolution, based on the outputs of a general linear mixed model developed using field data from Southern Finland, modelled daily soil moisture, spatial forest inventory and topography data, along with field measured rolling resistance and information on the mass transported through the grid cells. Dynamic rut depth prediction maps were produced by accounting for changing weather conditions through hydrological modelling. We also demonstrated a generalization of the rolling resistance coefficient, measured with harvester CAN-bus channel data. Future steps towards a nationwide prediction framework based on continuous data flow, process-based modelling and machine learning are discussed.
Probabilistic earthquake locations of induced seismicity in the Groningen region, the Netherlands
Authors: Smith Jonathan D , White Robert S , Avouac Jean-Philippe , Bourne Stephen
Published: April 2020

The Groningen gas reservoir, situated in the northeast of the Netherlands, is western Europe’s largest producing gas field and has been in production since 1963. The gas production has induced both subsidence and seismicity. Seismicity is detected and located using the Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut shallow-borehole array for the period 2015–2017, incorporating the back projection techniques of QuakeMigrate and the nonlinear location procedure to constrain earthquake locations and depths. The uncertainties on the estimated depths are estimated taking into account velocity model, changes in station array geometry and uncertainties in the measurement of arrival times of the P and S waves. We show that the depth distribution of seismicity is consistent with nucleation within the reservoir (28 per cent) or in the overburden (60 per cent) within ∼500 m from the top of the reservoir. Earthquakes with hypocentres in the overburden likely originate from overlying Zechstein anhydrite caprock. Based on their depth distribution, it seems like the earthquakes are primarily driven by the elastic strain in the reservoir and overburden, induced by the reservoir compaction. We estimate the probability of earthquakes nucleating beneath the reservoir in the underlying Carboniferous limestone and basement, to be no more than 12 per cent.
Differential Plasma Protein Regulation and Statin Effects in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Infected and Non-HIV-Infected Patients Utilizing a Proteomics Approach
Authors: deFilippi Chris , Toribio Mabel , Wong Lai Ping , Sadreyev Ruslan , Grundberg Ida , Fitch Kathleen V , Zanni Markella V , Lo Janet , Sponseller Craig A , Sprecher Emmett , Rashidi Narges , Thompson Melanie A , Cagliero Diana , Aberg Judith A , Braun Laurie R , Stanley Takara L , Lee Hang , Grinspoon Steven K
Published: April 2020

Background

People with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) demonstrate increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Statins are being studied to prevent ASCVD in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but little is known regarding the effects of statins on a broad range of inflammatory and cardiovascular proteins in this population.

Methods

We used a highly specific discovery proteomic approach (Protein Extension Assay), to determine statin effects on over 350 plasma proteins in relevant ASCVD pathways among HIV and non-HIV groups. Responses to pitavastatin calcium were assessed in 89 PWH in the INTREPID trial and 46 non-HIV participants with features of central adiposity and insulin resistance. History of cardiovascular disease was exclusionary for both studies.

Results

Among participants with HIV, PCOLCE (enzymatic cleavage of type I procollagen) significantly increased after pitavastatin therapy and PLA2G7 (systemic marker of arterial inflammation) decreased. Among participants without HIV, integrin subunit alpha M (integrin adhesive function) and defensin alpha-1 (neutrophil function) increased after pitavastatin therapy and PLA2G7 decreased. At baseline, comparing participants with and without HIV, differentially expressed proteins included proteins involved in platelet and endothelial function and immune activation.

Conclusions

Pitavastatin affected proteins important to platelet and endothelial function and immune activation, and effects differed to a degree within PWH and participants without HIV.
Lipid mediators and sterile inflammation in ischemic stroke
Authors: Nakamura Akari , Otani Kento , Shichita Takashi
Published: April 2020

Stroke is one of the major causes of lethality and disability, yet few effective therapies have been established for ischemic stroke. Inflammation in the ischemic brain is induced by the infiltration and subsequent activation of immune cells. Loss of cerebral blood flow and ischemic brain-cell death trigger the activation of infiltrating immune cells and drastic changes in the lipid content of the ischemic brain. In particular, polyunsaturated fatty acids and their metabolites regulate cerebral post-ischemic inflammation and ischemic stroke pathologies. In this review, we discuss the relationships between the lipid mediators and cerebral post-ischemic inflammation and their relevance to possible future therapeutic strategies targeting lipid mediators for ischemic stroke.
Detailed characterization of an IncFII plasmid carrying blaOXA-48 from Lebanon
Authors: Moussa Jennifer , Panossian Balig , Nassour Elie , Salloum Tamara , Abboud Edmond , Tokajian Sima
Published: April 2020

Background

The spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae is an important challenge and an increasing healthcare problem. OXA-48 is a class D carbapenemase that is usually localized on a conjugative plasmid belonging to the IncL incompatibility group.

Methods

In this study, we used a combination of short- and long-read WGS approaches and molecular typing techniques to characterize the genetic environment of the smallest reported 27 029 bp IncFII plasmid carrying blaOXA-48 (pLAU-OXA48).

Results

The plasmid recovered from a clinical Escherichia coli isolate was positive for blaOXA-48, which was located within the Tn6237 composite transposon. Primers targeting junctions between the IncF fragment and Tn6237 for the rapid identification of pLAU-OXA48-like plasmids were designed.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first report showing the complete sequence of an IncFII plasmid carrying blaOXA-48 within Tn6237 using hybrid assembly of long- and short-read sequencing.
An Analytical Method to Quantify Osteopontin in Dairy Powders and Infant Formulas by Signature Peptide Quantification with UHPLC-MS/MS
Authors: Moloney Cian , Brosnan Brid , Faulkner Hope , O’Regan Jonathan
Published: April 2020

Background

Osteopontin (OPN) is an important protein in human milk, and is of growing interest to infant formula (IF) manufacturers. OPN is present at low quantities in bovine milk and its derived ingredients, and there is a need for an accurate quantitative method in complex matrixes such as IF and growing-up milks (GUMs).

Objective

The objective of this work was to validate a method to quantify OPN in several dairy powders produced from bovine milk, including skimmed milk powder (SMP), whey protein concentrate (WPC), demineralized WPC and α-lactalbumin-enriched WPC (α-lac WPC). The method was further validated in intact-protein IF and GUM powders produced using combinations of these ingredients.

Methods

Test samples were digested using trypsin, and the most appropriate peptide fragmentation transitions were identified by UHPLC-MS/MS. Quantification was made against a standard curve constructed from OPN reference material, and isotopically-labelled peptide standards were used as internal standards. Curve linearity was assessed, and samples were spiked at two OPN levels.

Results

The validation parameters were met in almost all cases, with precision RSDr and RSDiR values ranging from 0.26–7.43% and 1.22–12.70%, respectively, and spike recoveries ranging from 88–102%. The method was used to accurately measure OPN in bovine milk-based IF and GUM powders with intact protein systems, based on comparisons with mass balance calculations.

Conclusions

The results from this study show that the method is fit-for-purpose to support IF and GUM manufacturers in evaluating OPN contents of raw materials and products containing whole, intact protein systems from bovine milk.

Highlights

An LC-MS/MS method was developed to measure OPN in dairy powders, IF and GUMs containing whole, intact protein systems from bovine milk.
Gasdermine E-Dependent Mitochondrial Pyroptotic Pathway in Dermatomyositis: A Possible Mechanism of Perifascicular Atrophy
Authors: Liu Meirong , Li Ling , Dai Tingjun , Hou Ying , Li Wei , Zhao Yuying , Fang Qi , Yan Chuanzhu
Published: April 2020

Different mechanisms have been proposed to explain the pathological basis of perifascicular atrophy (PFA), a pathognomonic histologic feature of dermatomyositis (DM); however, the detailed mechanisms remain to be elucidated. There is mitochondrial dysfunction in PFA and expression of mitochondrial apoptosis molecules has been reported in DM. Overexpression of gasdermin E (GSDME) can turn mitochondrial apoptosis to mitochondrial pyroptosis, a newly characterized form of programmed cell death. We determined the expression of proteins involved in the caspase-3- and GSDME-dependent mitochondrial pyroptotic pathway, including BAX, BAK, cytochrome C, caspase-9, caspase-3, GSDME, and IL-1α, in biopsied muscles from DM and control patients. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that those markers were expressed in most fibers in PFA in DM. GSDME-positive and IL-1α-positive staining was mainly localized around punched-out vacuoles or sarcolemma. These markers were significantly upregulated at the protein and mRNA levels in DM versus controls. Our results suggest that caspase-3- and GSDME-dependent mitochondrial pyroptosis are involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms of PFA in DM and that targeting GSDME-dependent mitochondrial pyroptosis may be an effective therapeutic approach for this condition.
Mothers' Attachment Style as a Predictor of Breastfeeding and Room-Sharing Practices
Authors: Jones Jason D , Beijers Roseriet , Fraley R Chris , Gross Jacquelyn T , Cassidy Jude , de Weerth Carolina
Published: April 2020

Objective

To prospectively assess breastfeeding and room-sharing practices during the infant’s first 6 months and investigate whether mothers’ own adult attachment style predicts the initiation and course of these recommended parenting behaviors.

Method

This study included 193 mother–infant dyads living in the Netherlands. Diary methodology was used to generate 27 weekly measures of breastfeeding and room-sharing during the infant’s first 6 months. Multilevel mixed effects models were used to examine trajectories of breastfeeding and room-sharing and to test whether mothers’ own adult attachment style predicted the initiation and course of these behaviors, adjusting for covariates.

Results

Most (86%) mothers initiated breastfeeding immediately after birth and the rates of breastfeeding declined steadily over the 6 months (b = −2.47, SE = 0.19, p < .001). Mothers with higher attachment avoidance showed faster decreases in breastfeeding than less avoidant mothers (b = −1.07, SE = 0.21, p < .001). Sixty-four percent of mothers engaged in room-sharing after birth which also decreased steadily over the 6 months (b = −3.51, SE = 0.21, p < .001). Mothers’ attachment style did not predict the initiation or course of room-sharing.

Conclusions

Given the major implications of breastfeeding and room-sharing for infants’ health, safety, and development, the pediatrics community has issued clear guidelines encouraging these behaviors. Yet many new parents do not adhere to the recommended practices. This study identifies mothers’ adult attachment style as a predictor of breastfeeding over time that could be incorporated into interventions for parents.
Belief, Rational and Justified
Authors: Siscoe Robert Weston
Published: April 2020

It is clear that beliefs can be assessed both as to their justification and as to their rationality. What is not as clear, however, is how the rationality and justification of belief relate to one another. Stewart Cohen has stumped for the popular proposal that rationality and justification come to the same thing, that rational beliefs just are justified beliefs, supporting his view by arguing that ‘justified belief’ and ‘rational belief’ are synonymous. In this paper, I will give reason to think that Cohen’s argument is spurious. I will show that ‘rational’ and ‘justified’ occupy two distinct semantic categories—‘rational’ is an absolute gradable adjective and ‘justified’ is a relative gradable adjective—telling against the thought that ‘rational belief’ and ‘justified belief’ are synonymous. I will then argue that the burden of proof is on those who would equate rationality and justification, making the case that those who hold this prominent position face the difficulty of explaining how rationality and justification come to the same thing even though ‘rational’ and ‘justified’ are not synonymous.
On the disc reflection spectroscopy of NS LMXB Serpens X-1: analysis of a recent NuSTAR observation
Authors: Mondal Aditya S , Dewangan G C , Raychaudhuri B
Published: April 2020

We present NuSTAR observation of the atoll type neutron star (NS) low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) Serpens X-1 (Ser X-1) performed on 2018 February 17. We observed Ser X-1 in a soft X-ray spectral state with 3–79 keV luminosity of LX ∼ 0.4 × 1038 erg s−1 (${\sim}23{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the Eddington luminosity), assuming a distance of 7.7 kpc. A positive correlation between intensity and hardness ratio suggests that the source was in the banana branch during this observation. The broad-band 3–30 keV NuSTAR energy spectrum can be well described either by a three-component continuum model consisting of a disc blackbody, a single temperature blackbody, and a power law or by a two-component continuum model consisting of a disc blackbody and a Comptonization component. A broad iron line ∼5–8 keV and the Compton back-scattering hump peaking at ∼10–20 keV band are clearly detected in the X-ray spectrum. These features are best interpreted by a self-consistent relativistic reflection model. Fits with relativistically blurred disc reflection model suggests that the inner disc radius Rin is truncated prior to the ISCO at (1.9–2.5) RISCO (${\simeq}11.4\!-\!15\, R_{g}\: \text{or}\: 26\!-\!34$ km) and the accretion disc is viewed at a low inclination of i ≃ 16°−20°. The disc is likely to be truncated either by a boundary layer or by the magnetosphere. Based on the measured flux and the mass accretion rate, the maximum radial extension for the boundary layer is estimated to be ∼6.4 Rg from the NS surface. The truncated inner disc in association with pressure from a magnetic field sets an upper limit of B ≤ 1.9 × 109 G.
Galaxy pairs in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey – XIV. Galaxy mergers do not lie on the fundamental metallicity relation
Authors: Bustamante Sebastián , Ellison Sara L , Patton David R , Sparre Martin
Published: April 2020

In recent observational studies, star-forming galaxies have been shown to follow a relation often dubbed the fundamental metallicity relation (FMR). This relation links the stellar mass of a galaxy with its star formation rate (SFR) and its gas-phase metallicity. Specifically, the FMR predicts that galaxies, at a given stellar mass, exhibit lower metallicities for higher SFRs. This trend is qualitatively consistent with observations of galaxy pairs, which have been robustly shown to experience increasing gas-phase metallicity dilution and enhanced star formation activity with decreasing projected separation. In this work, we show that, despite the qualitative consistency with FMR expectations, the observed O/H dilution in galaxy pairs of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey is stronger than what is predicted by the FMR. We conclude that the evolutionary phase of galaxies interacting with companions is not encoded in the FMR, and thus, mergers constitute a clearly defined population of outliers. We find that galaxies in pairs are consistent with the FMR only when their separation is larger than 110 kpc. Finally, we also quantify the local environment of the pairs using the number of galaxy neighbours within 2 Mpc, N2, and the projected separation to the second closest galaxy, r2. We find that pairs are more sensitive to a second companion than to the local galaxy density, displaying less elevated SFRs with smaller values of r2.
Predictions for measuring the 21-cm multifrequency angular power spectrum using SKA-Low
Authors: Mondal Rajesh , Shaw Abinash Kumar , Iliev Ilian T , Bharadwaj Somnath , Datta Kanan K , Majumdar Suman , Sarkar Anjan K , Dixon Keri L
Published: April 2020

The light-cone effect causes the mean as well as the statistical properties of the redshifted 21-cm signal ${T_{\rm b}}(\hat{\boldsymbol {n}}, \nu)$ to change with frequency ν (or cosmic time). Consequently, the statistical homogeneity (ergodicity) of the signal along the line-of-sight (LoS) direction is broken. This is a severe problem particularly during the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) when the mean neutral hydrogen fraction ($\bar{x}_{\rm {H\,{\small I}}}$) changes rapidly as the Universe evolves. This will also pose complications for large bandwidth observations. These effects imply that the 3D power spectrum P(k) fails to quantify the entire second-order statistics of the signal as it assumes the signal to be ergodic and periodic along the LoS. As a proper alternative to P(k), we use the multifrequency angular power spectrum (MAPS) ${\mathcal {C}}_{\ell }(\nu _1,\nu _2)$, which does not assume the signal to be ergodic and periodic along the LoS. Here, we study the prospects for measuring the EoR 21-cm MAPS using future observations with the upcoming SKA-Low. Ignoring any contribution from the foregrounds, we find that the EoR 21-cm MAPS can be measured at a confidence level ≥5σ at angular scales ℓ ∼ 1300 for total observation time tobs ≥ 128 h across ∼44 MHz observational bandwidth. We also quantitatively address the effects of foregrounds on MAPS detectability forecast by avoiding signal contained within the foreground wedge in $({\boldsymbol {k}}_\perp , k_\parallel)$ plane. These results are very relevant for the upcoming large bandwidth EoR experiments as previous predictions were all restricted to individually analysing the signal over small frequency (or equivalent redshift) intervals.
From stellar haloes to intracluster light: the physics of the Intra-Halo Stellar Component in cosmological hydrodynamical simulations
Authors: Cañas Rodrigo , Lagos Claudia del P , Elahi Pascal J , Power Chris , Welker Charlotte , Dubois Yohan , Pichon Christophe
Published: April 2020

We study the Intra-Halo Stellar Component (IHSC) of Milky Way-mass systems up to galaxy clusters in the Horizon-AGN cosmological hydrodynamical simulation. We identify the IHSC using an improved phase-space galaxy finder algorithm which provides an adaptive, physically motivated, and shape-independent definition of this stellar component, that can be applied to haloes of arbitrary masses. We explore the IHSC mass fraction – total halo’s stellar mass, $f_{M_{*,\mathrm{IHSC}}} - M_{*}$, relation, and the physical drivers of its scatter. We find that on average, the $f_{M_{*,\mathrm{IHSC}}}$ increases with total stellar mass, with the scatter decreasing strongly with mass from 2 dex at $M_{*,\mathrm{tot}}\simeq 10^{11}\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ to 0.3 dex at group masses. At high masses, $M_{*,\mathrm{tot}}\gt 10^{11.5}\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$, $f_{M_{*,\mathrm{IHSC}}}$ increases with the number of substructures, and with the mass ratio between the central galaxy and largest satellite, at fixed M*, tot. From mid-size groups and systems below $M_{*,\mathrm{tot}}\lt 10^{12}\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$, we find that the central galaxy’s stellar rotation-to-dispersion velocity ratio, V/σ, displays the strongest (anti)-correlation with $f_{M_{*,\mathrm{IHSC}}}$ at fixed M*, tot of all the galaxy and halo properties explored, transitioning from $f_{M_{*,\mathrm{IHSC}}}\lt 0.1$ per cent for high V/σ, to $f_{M_{*,\mathrm{IHSC}}}\approx 5$ per cent for low V/σ galaxies. By studying the $f_{M_{*,\mathrm{IHSC}}}$ temporal evolution, we find that, in the former, mergers not always take place, but if they did, they happened early (z > 1), while the high $f_{M_{*,\mathrm{IHSC}}}$ population displays a much more active merger history. In the case of massive groups and galaxy clusters, $M_{*,\mathrm{tot}}\gtrsim 10^{12}\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$, a fraction $f_{M_{*,\mathrm{IHSC}}}\approx 10-20$ per cent is reached at z ≈ 1 and then they evolve across lines of constant $f_{M_{*,\mathrm{IHSC}}}$ modulo some small perturbations. Because of the limited simulation’s volume, the latter is only tentative and requires a larger sample of simulated galaxy clusters to confirm.
Multiwavelength cross-correlation analysis of the simulated cosmic web
Authors: Gheller C , Vazza F
Published: April 2020

We used magnetohydrodynamical cosmological simulations to investigate the cross-correlation between different observables (i.e. X-ray emission, Sunyaev–Zeldovich (SZ) signal at 21 cm, H i temperature decrement, diffuse synchrotron emission, and Faraday Rotation) as a probe of the diffuse matter distribution in the cosmic web. We adopt a uniform and simplistic approach to produce synthetic observations at various wavelengths, and we compare the detection chances of different combinations of observables correlated with each other and with the underlying galaxy distribution in the volume. With presently available surveys of galaxies and existing instruments, the best chances to detect the diffuse gas in the cosmic web outside of haloes is by cross-correlating the distribution of galaxies with SZ observations. We also find that the cross-correlation between the galaxy network and the radio emission or the Faraday Rotation can already be used to limit the amplitude of extragalactic magnetic fields, well outside of the cluster volume usually explored by existing radio observations, and to probe the origin of cosmic magnetism with the future generation of radio surveys.