bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceived neighbourhood food environment and overweight and obesity among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) participants in the Midwest US
Authors: Katare Bhagyashree , Lynch Krystal , Savaiano Dennis
Published: August 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the relationship between neighbourhood food environment perceptions and obesity among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) or Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) participants.

Design:

A cross-sectional study conducted during SNAP-Ed or EFNEP programme participation in six states in the Midwest US between May 2016 and November 2017.

Setting:

Community centres, food pantries and other SNAP-Ed or EFNEP recruitment locations.

Participants:

Convenience sample of 1743 low-income, adult nutrition education programme participants.

Results:

Controlling for participant location and other demographic variables, those who perceived that a large selection of fruits and vegetables were available to them were 22 % less likely to be obese (adjusted odds ratio 0·78, 95 % CI 0·63, 0·97). In addition, participants who perceived the distance to the grocery store where they purchased most of their groceries to be greater than 5 miles were 1·36 times more likely to be overweight or obese than those who travelled shorter distances for their groceries.

Conclusions:

SNAP-Ed or EFNEP participants’ weight status may be associated with their perceptions of their neighbourhood food environments. Programmes incorporating nutrition education and food access initiatives should attempt to better understand participant perceptions in order to address barriers in their efforts and to ensure that healthy food is accessible to low-income residents.
A cross-sectional study using the Childhood Measurement Programme for Wales to examine population-level risk factors associated with childhood obesity
Authors: Beynon Claire , Pashayan Nora , Fisher Elizabeth , Hargreaves Dougal S , Bailey Linda , Raine Rosalind
Published: August 2020

Objective:

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between childhood obesity and modifiable population-level risk factors, after accounting for deprivation.

Design:

A review of the literature identified population-level risk factors including a healthy childcare setting, the local food environment, accessible open space, community safety and crime. Data for these risk factors were then identified and matched by each of the twenty-two local government areas in Wales to each child that had data on height and weight in the Wales Childhood Measurement Programme (CMP) (2012–2017). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify associations with childhood obesity.

Setting:

The current study was undertaken in Wales, UK, where approximately one in eight 4–5-year-olds are classified as obese.

Participants:

All participants were children aged 4 or 5 years who attend school, measured as part of the CMP, between 2012 and 2017 (n129 893, mean age 5·0 (sd0·4) years).

Results:

After adjusting for deprivation, small but statistically significant associations were found between childhood obesity and percentage of land available as accessible open space OR 0·981 (95 % CI: 0·973, 0·989)P< 0·001) and density of fast food outlets OR 1·002 (95 % CI 1·001, 1·004,P= 0·001). No other population-level risk factors were associated with childhood obesity.

Conclusions:

The current study indicates that, even after accounting for deprivation, risk factors such as the density of fast food outlets and access to green space should be considered when tackling childhood obesity as a public health issue.
Sodium concentration of pre-packaged foods sold in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong Anson Siu Cheung , Coyle Daisy H , Wu Jason HY , Louie Jimmy Chun Yu
Published: August 2020

Objective:

To describe the Na concentration of pre-packaged foods available in Hong Kong.

Design:

The Na concentrations (mg/100 g or mg/100 ml or per serving) of all pre-packaged foods available for sale in major supermarket chains in Hong Kong were obtained from the 2017 Hong Kong FoodSwitch database. Median and interquartile range (IQR) of Na concentration for different food groups and the proportion of foods and beverages considered low and high Na (<120 mg/100 g or mg/100 ml and >600 mg/100 g or mg/100 ml, respectively) were determined.

Setting:

Hong Kong.

Participants:

Not applicable.

Results:

We analysed 11 518 pre-packaged products. ‘Fruit and vegetables (including table salt)’ had the highest variability in Na concentration ranging from 0 to 39 000 mg/100 g, followed by ‘sauces, dressings, spreads and dips’ ranging from 0 to 34 130. The latter also had the highest median Na concentration (mg/100 g or mg/100 ml) at 1180 (IQR 446–3520), followed by meat and meat products (median 800, IQR 632–1068) and snack foods (median 650, IQR 453–926). Fish and fish products (median 531, 364–791) and meat and meat products (median 444, IQR 351–593) had the highest Na concentration per serving. Overall, 46·7 and 26·7 % of products were low and high in Na, respectively.

Conclusions:

Our results can serve as a baseline for food supply interventions in Hong Kong. We have identified several food groups as priority areas for reformulation, demonstrating the potential of such initiatives to improve the healthiness of the food supply in Hong Kong.
Advanced Microtexture Study of Anacardium occidentale L. Leaf Surface From the Amazon by Fractal Theory
Authors: Ramos Glenda Quaresma , Matos Robert Saraiva , da Fonseca Filho Henrique Duarte
Published: August 2020

This work applies stereometric parameters and fractal theory to characterize the structural complexity of the 3D surface roughness of Anacardium occidentale L. leaf using atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. Surface roughness was studied by AFM in tapping mode, in air, on square areas of 6,400 and 10,000 μm2. The stereometric analyses using MountainsMap Premium and WSXM software provided detailed information on the 3D surface topography of the samples. These data showed that the morphology of the abaxial and adaxial side of the cashew leaf is different, which was also observed in relation to their microtextures. Fractal analysis showed that the adaxial and abaxial sides have strong microtexture homogeneity, but the adaxial side presented higher surface entropy. These results show that image processing associated with fractal theory can be an indispensable tool for identifying plant species by their leaves because this species has singularities on each side of the leaf.
Relationship between the religious attitudes of women with gynecologic cancer and mental adjustment to cancer
Authors: Duman Mesude , Durgun Ozan Yeter , Doğan Yüksekol Özlem
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between religious attitudes of Muslim women with gynecologic cancer and mental adjustment to cancer.

Methods

Designed as a descriptive relational study, this study was conducted with 123 patients with gynecologic cancer. A personal information form, prepared in accordance with the literature, the Religious Attitude Scale (RAS), and the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (MACS) were used as data collection tools. The data were assessed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation analysis, and linear regression analysis.

Results

A positive correlation was determined between the RAS score and the fighting spirit subscale of the MACS (r= 0.65,p< 0.001). A negative correlation was found between the helplessness/hopelessness and anxious preoccupation subscales of the MACS and the RAS score (r= −0.40,p< 0.001;r= −0.30,p< 0.001, respectively).

Significance of results

The present results are helpful in understanding the influence of religious attitudes on the mental adjustment to gynecologic cancer patients. The results can serve as a reference for nursing education and clinical healthcare practice. Palliative healthcare providers can participate in improved care by recognizing spiritual needs and by advocating for attention to spiritual needs as a routine part of cancer care.
The prevalence rates and adversities of delirium: Too common and disadvantageous
Authors: Boettger Soenke , Zipser Carl Moritz , Bode Leonie , Spiller Tobias , Deuel Jeremy , Osterhoff Georg , Ernst Jutta , Petry Heidi , Volbracht Joerk , von Känel Roland
Published: August 2020

Objective

The prevalence rates and adversities of delirium have not yet been systematically evaluated and are based on selected populations, limited sample sizes, and pooled studies. Therefore, this study assesses the prevalence rates and outcome of and odds ratios for managing services for delirium.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) 5, the Delirium Observation Screening (DOS) scale, and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) construct, 28,118 patients from 35 managing services were included, and the prevalence rates and adverse outcomes were determined by simple logistic regressions and their corresponding odds ratios (ORs).

Results

Delirious patients were older, admitted from institutions (OR 3.44–5.2), admitted as emergencies (OR 1.87), hospitalized twice longer, and discharged, transferred to institutions (OR 5.47–6.6) rather than home (OR 0.1), or deceased (OR 43.88). The rate of undiagnosed delirium was 84.2%. The highest prevalence rates were recorded in the intensive care units (47.1–84.2%, pooled 67.9%); in the majority of medical services, rates ranged from 20% to 40% (pooled 26.2%), except, at both ends, palliative care (55.9%), endocrinology (8%), and rheumatology (4.4%). Conversely, in surgery and its related services, prevalence rates were lower (pooled 13.1%), except for cardio- and neurosurgical services (53.3% and 46.4%); the lowest prevalence rate was recorded in obstetrics (2%).

Significance of results

Delirium remains underdiagnosed, and novel screening approaches are required. Furthermore, this study identified the impact of delirium on patients, determined the prevalence rates for 32 services, and elucidated the association between individual services and delirium.
Living as a Colonial Girl: TheSonyǒ(少女) Discourse of School Curriculum and Newspapers in 1930s Korea
Authors: Shin Kyung-Sook , Lee Helen J. S.
Published: August 2020

This essay explores how the term ‘girl,’ or 少女 (sonyŏ), in 1930s colonial Korean society simultaneously created and resisted homogeneity. We analyze the different contexts and cultural forces that shaped the term ‘girl’ in colonial Korea in order to illustrate some phases of the relationships that historical girls of colonial Korea had with their nation and state, the nation, that is, to which they thought they belonged at births and the state for which they were mobilized while they were systematically otherized. In our examination, we scrutinize the ways in which the subjectivities of colonial girls were ideologically forged through educational and institutional interventions and cultural interpellation. The first section discusses the concept of the girl in colonial Korea. The second part analyzes the various ideological functions that school textbooks played in gender-specific inculcation of colonial state ideals. We then read the waysThe Chosŏn Ilbo(Chosŏn Daily) used the term the ‘girl’ in the 1930s, the period when the conceptual distinction between children and adults was further solidified, and the call on children was gender-specific in public. We finally elucidate the colonial processes of which girls of colonial Korea became part, albeit unknowingly.
Mortality data reliability in an internal model
Authors: Balland Fabrice , Boumezoued Alexandre , Devineau Laurent , Habart Marine , Popa Tom
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we discuss the impact of some mortality data anomalies on an internal model capturing longevity risk in the Solvency 2 framework. In particular, we are concerned with abnormal cohort effects such as those for generations 1919 and 1920, for which the period tables provided by the Human Mortality Database show particularly low and high mortality rates, respectively. To provide corrected tables for the three countries of interest here (France, Italy and West Germany), we use the approach developed by Boumezoued for countries for which the method applies (France and Italy) and provide an extension of the method for West Germany as monthly fertility histories are not sufficient to cover the generations of interest. These mortality tables are crucial inputs to stochastic mortality models forecasting future scenarios, from which the extreme 0.5% longevity improvement can be extracted, allowing for the calculation of the solvency capital requirement. More precisely, to assess the impact of such anomalies in the Solvency II framework, we use a simplified internal model based on three usual stochastic models to project mortality rates in the future combined with a closure table methodology for older ages. Correcting this bias obviously improves the data quality of the mortality inputs, which is of paramount importance today, and slightly decreases the capital requirement. Overall, the longevity risk assessment remains stable, as well as the selection of the stochastic mortality model. As a collateral gain of this data quality improvement, the more regular estimated parameters allow for new insights and a refined assessment regarding longevity risk.
A circular polarized reflectarray antenna with electronically steerable beam and interchangeable polarizations
Authors: Fazaelifar Mohammad , Jam Shahrokh , Basiri Raheleh
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this paper is the design of a novel single layer reflectarray antenna in X-band, which can electronically steer the antenna beam and change its polarization. Each antenna element includes a circular patch and rings around it, equipped with two varactor diodes, which are positioned perpendicular together to create a circular polarization. First, using these elements, a circular polarized active electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) reflector is implemented. Then, a special feed is placed in a proper distance with respect to EBG reflector and a circular polarized reflectarray antenna is designed, which has capability of switching electronically between right- and left-handed circular polarizations. An electronic active board is designed and fabricated to provide the biasing voltages, control signals, and indicators. The elements of the reflectarray are designed and arranged in such a way that the varactor diodes can be biased independently. Consequently, a 3D beam is created, which can steer up to ±40o. For evaluating the antenna performance, the radiation patterns and the axial ratio of the antenna are determined at the operational frequency of 11.4 GHz. It is illustrated that, increasing the steering angle in θ direction decreases the directivity and the gain of the reflectarray antenna.
Neonatal parenteral nutrition affects the metabolic flow of glucose in newborn and adult male Hartley guinea pigs’ liver
Authors: Teixeira Vitor , Guiraut Clémence , Mohamed Ibrahim , Lavoie Jean-Claude
Published: August 2020

Extremely premature birth is associated with a permanent disruption of energy metabolism. The underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The oxidative stress induced by parenteral nutrition (PN) during the first week of life is suspected to reprogram energy metabolism in the liver. Full-term male Hartley guinea pigs (to isolate PN from prematurity) receiving PN enriched or not with glutathione (to isolate PN effects from PN-induced oxidative stress effects) or an Oral Nutrition (ON) during the first week of life were used. At 1 week (neonatal) and 16 weeks (adult), measurements of liver glutathione (GSH and GSSG) and activities of three key enzymes of energy metabolism (glucokinase (GCK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC)) were performed. Differences between groups were reported ifp≤ 0.05 (Analysis of Variance). At 1 week, compared to ON, PN induced higher GSSG (oxidative stress), higher GCK activity, and lower PFK and ACC activity, the glutathione supplement prevented all PN effects. At 16 weeks, early PN induced lower GSSG (reductive stress) and lower GCK activity, which was prevented by added glutathione, and higher ACC activity independent of glutathione supplement. ACC was negatively associated (r2= 0.33) with GSSG. Increased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate levels confirmed the glucose-6-phosphate accumulation at 1 week, whereas our protocol failed to document lipid accumulation at 16 weeks. In adult male guinea pigs, neonatal exposure to PN affected glutathione metabolism leading to reductive stress (lower GSSG) and an altered metabolic flow of glucose. Partial prevention with glutathione supplementation suggests that, in addition to peroxides, other factors of PN are involved.
Arctic and Antarctic Sea Ice Mean State in the Community Earth System Model Version 2 and the Influence of Atmospheric Chemistry
Authors: DuVivier Alice K. , Holland Marika M. , Kay Jennifer E. , Tilmes Simone , Gettelman Andrew , Bailey David A.
Published: August 2020

Arctic and Antarctic sea ice has undergone significant and rapid change with the changing climate. Here, we present preindustrial and historical results from the newly released Community Earth System Model Version 2 (CESM2) to assess the Arctic and Antarctic sea ice. Two configurations of the CESM2 are available that differ only in their atmospheric model top and the inclusion of comprehensive atmospheric chemistry, including prognostic aerosols. The CESM2 configuration with comprehensive atmospheric chemistry has significantly thicker Arctic sea ice year‐round and better captures decreasing trends in sea ice extent and volume over the satellite period. In the Antarctic, both CESM configurations have similar mean state ice extent and volume, but the ice extent trends are opposite to satellite observations. We find that differences in the Arctic sea ice between CESM2 configurations are the result of differences in liquid clouds. Over the Arctic, the CESM2 configuration without prognostic aerosol formation has fewer aerosols to form cloud condensation nuclei, leading to thinner liquid clouds. As a result, the sea ice receives much more shortwave radiation early in the melt season, driving a stronger ice albedo feedback and leading to additional sea ice loss and significantly thinner ice year‐round. The aerosols necessary for the Arctic liquid cloud formation are produced from different precursor emissions and transported to the Arctic. Thus, the main reason sea ice differs in the Arctic is the transport of cloud‐impacting aerosols into the region, while the Antarctic remains relatively pristine from extrapolar aerosol transport.
Grain‐Boundary Diffusion Creep of Olivine: 1. Experiments at 1 atm
Authors: Yabe K. , Sueyoshi K. , Hiraga T.
Published: August 2020

We conducted one‐atmosphere uniaxial compression experiments on fine‐grained (~1 μm) Fe‐bearing olivine (Mg1.8Fe0.2SiO4) aggregates that were variably doped with CaO ± Al2O3. We identified power‐law interface‐controlled creep at low stresses and grain‐boundary diffusion creep at high stresses, which operate as mutually coupled, that is, sequential processes. We established constitutive equations for interface‐controlled creep and diffusion creep of undoped olivine and used the combined rate equation as a reference to examine the effect of doping on creep rates. Ca and Al were found to enhance rates of both interface‐controlled creep and diffusion creep above certain temperatures, and this effect becomes significant with increasing temperature. We attribute the rate enhancements to grain‐boundary disordering promoted by grain‐boundary segregation of the dopants at near‐solidus conditions. The enhancements are well described in relation to the sample solidus temperature and an additional activation energy relative to that of the reference creep state.
Continuous Structural Parameterization: A Proposed Method for Representing Different Model Parameterizations Within One Structure Demonstrated for Atmospheric Convection
Authors: Lambert F. H. , Challenor P. G. , Lewis N. T. , McNeall D. J. , Owen N. , Boutle I. A. , Christensen H. M. , Keane R. J. , Mayne N. J. , Stirling A. , Webb M. J.
Published: August 2020

Continuous structural parameterization (CSP) is a proposed method for approximating different numerical model parameterizations of the same process as functions of the same grid‐scale variables. This allows systematic comparison of parameterizations with each other and observations or resolved simulations of the same process. Using the example of two convection schemes running in the Met Office Unified Model (UM), we show that a CSP is able to capture concisely the broad behavior of the two schemes, and differences between the parameterizations and resolved convection simulated by a high resolution simulation. When the original convection schemes are replaced with their CSP emulators within the UM, basic features of the original model climate and some features of climate change are reproduced, demonstrating that CSP can capture much of the important behavior of the schemes. Our results open the possibility that future work will estimate uncertainty in model projections of climate change from estimates of uncertainty in simulation of the relevant physical processes.
Estimating Horizontal Phase Speeds of a Traveling Ionospheric Disturbance From Digisonde Single Site Vertical Ionograms
Authors: Emmons D. J. , Dao E. V. , Knippling K. K. , McNamara L. F. , Nava O. A. , Obenberger K. S. , Colman J. J.
Published: August 2020

Horizontal phase speeds for a medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbance (TID) are calculated from three different atmospheric gravity wave (AGW) dispersion relations using vertical phase speeds derived from vertical ionograms measured by a single ionosonde. Observed heights from a network of four ionosondes in southern New Mexico provide the measured phase velocities. Horizontal phase speeds calculated from the dispersion relations are compared to measured TID speeds as a function of altitude and show general agreement. However, the linear relationship between the vertical and calculated horizontal AGW speeds for this TID frequency and wavenumber range predicts larger variations than the observations. The inclusion of viscosity and thermal diffusion terms in the dispersion relations increases the agreement with measurements. This technique provides a new method of predicting horizontal TID phase speeds from measurements at a single ionosonde site.
Stochastic Hydro‐Financial Watershed Modeling for Environmental Impact Bonds
Authors: Brand Matthew W. , Gudiño‐Elizondo Napoleon , Allaire Maura , Wright Steven , Matson Waylon , Saksa Phil , Sanders Brett F.
Published: August 2020

Soil erosion, poor water quality, and degraded ecosystems impose major cost burdens and challenges for stormwater managers. We present a stochastic hydro‐financial watershed modeling framework for designing an Environmental Impact Bond (EIB)—a new form of financing for comprehensive, watershed scale interventions. EIBs provide capital for interventions that is repaid over time with interest by stakeholders who experience reduced costs (savings). The EIB is also structured so stakeholders and investors share the reward of cost savings. The framework estimates cost savings from interventions and accounts for aleatory and epistemic uncertainty in costs, which in turn impacts the financial terms of the EIB. In particular, we show a method to reward investors for taking on the risk that interventions fail. The framework is applied to a transnational pollution and sedimentation problem on the U.S.‐Mexico border and has broad applicability for a wide range of environmental problems.
Global Changes in Baseflow Under the Impacts of Changing Climate and Vegetation
Authors: Tan Xuejin , Liu Bingjun , Tan Xuezhi
Published: August 2020

Understanding the impacts of climate change and human activities on hydrological processes, especially the baseflow, is vital for sustainable water resource management. We analyzed the global changes in baseflow and baseflow index (BFI) for 2,374 global streamflow stations from 1970 to 2016 to examine their associations with precipitation, temperature, terrestrial water storage (TWS), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) representing the vegetation regimes, potential evapotranspiration (PET), and a humidity index (HI)‐precipitation/PET. Results showed that changes in both baseflow and BFI are significantly region dependent in continents, due to spatial differences of changes in climate and vegetation that determines the baseflow generation. Seasonal baseflow changed slightly, while seasonal BFI varied greatly, partly due to the shift from snowfall to rainfall and warming effects on glacial retreat and the timing of snowmelt. The multibasin baseflow elasticity analyses show that baseflow (BFI) was highly sensitive to changes in NDVI, precipitation, and temperature (temperature and PET). The multivariate regression analyses show that globally, changes in precipitation and TWS contributed to the majority (64.8% and 20.2%) of changes in baseflow, while changes in HI, PET, and precipitation contributed to the majority (30.3%, 28.9%, and 27.5%) of changes in BFI. The spatially varying interaction between climate, vegetation, and baseflow implies that regional adaptation of water resources utilization to climate change should consider the regional shifts in vegetation. This study quantified the elasticity and relative contribution of changes in geographic factors to changes in baseflow and BFI around the world and could inform practices for sustainable water management.
The Fabrication of Plagioclase Feldspar Microdevices: An Experimental Tool for Pore‐Scale Mineral Dissolution Studies
Authors: Jung Heewon , Malenda Margariete , Worts Nathan , Squier Jeff , Gorman Brian P. , Navarre‐Sitchler Alexis
Published: August 2020

Pore‐scale mineral dissolution reactions are of fundamental importance for sustaining life and determining the fate of chemicals in Earth's near‐surface environments. However, experimental investigations are largely limited to macroscopic approaches due to difficulties in controlling and observing geochemical processes at the pore scale. Here, we present an experimental method using both femtosecond laser ablation and hydrofluoric (HF) etching techniques to fabricate reactive microdevices in a natural silicate mineral, anorthite. The femtosecond laser minimizes damage to the mineral during ablation and HF etching successfully removes a thin amorphous layer induced by laser irradiation. Anorthite dissolution rates under far‐from‐equilibrium conditions (10−8.14to 10−8.43 mol m−2 s−1), quantified by total calcium flux from the microfluidic device, correspond to previous laboratory‐measured rates also measured under far‐from‐equilibrium conditions, thereby supporting the reactive mineral microdevice as a valuable tool for mineral dissolution studies.
Central nervous system miliary metastasis in breast cancer: a case series analysis and proposed identification criteria of a rare metastasis subtype
Authors: Bashour Sami I. , Ibrahim Nuhad K. , Schomer Donald F. , Hess Kenneth R. , Gao Chao , Tripathy Debu , Fuller Gregory N.
Published: August 2020

Background

CNS miliary metastasis (MiM) is poorly recognised in breast and other malignancies. Given its rarity, little epidemiologic, radiographic and clinical data are known. Although usually identified on neuroimaging, criteria for radiographic diagnosis do not exist. In this analysis, we establish its presence in breast cancer and identify factors contributing to outcome.

Methods

We identified 546 female patients with brain metastasis from breast cancer between 2000 and 2015. Radiographic criteria were established through review of neuroimages by a senior Neuroradiologist, and defined as: (1) ≥20 lesions per image on ≥2 non-contiguous MRI images or ≥10 lesions per image on ≥2 non-contiguous CT images, and (2) bilateral lesions located in both the supratentorial and infratentorial compartments.

Results

Twenty-one MiM cases were identified (3.8%). Number and anatomical distribution of metastases best identified MiM, while lesion size did not. Ten patients were diagnosed with MiM as initial CNS metastasis; 11 developed MiM following known CNS metastasis. Breast cancer subtype did not influence MiM development before or after other CNS metastasis.

Conclusions

This is the first study to propose radiographic criteria for MiM diagnosis. Additional analysis is needed to verify data, but our results may enable a standardised approach for future MiM research.
High-throughput gas separation by flexible metal–organic frameworks with fast gating and thermal management capabilities
Authors: Hiraide Shotaro , Sakanaka Yuta , Kajiro Hiroshi , Kawaguchi Shogo , Miyahara Minoru T. , Tanaka Hideki
Published: August 2020

Establishing new energy-saving systems for gas separation using porous materials is indispensable for ensuring a sustainable future. Herein, we show that ELM-11 ([Cu(BF4)2(4,4′-bipyridine)2]n), a member of flexible metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), exhibits rapid responsiveness to a gas feed and an ‘intrinsic thermal management’ capability originating from a structural deformation upon gas adsorption (gate-opening). These two characteristics are suitable for developing a pressure vacuum swing adsorption (PVSA) system with rapid operations. A combined experimental and theoretical study reveals that ELM-11 enables the high-throughput separation of CO2 from a CO2/CH4 gas mixture through adiabatic operations, which are extreme conditions in rapid pressure vacuum swing adsorption. We also propose an operational solution to the ‘slipping-off’ problem, which is that the flexible MOFs cannot adsorb target molecules when the partial pressure of the target gas decreases below the gate-opening pressure. Furthermore, the superiority of our proposed system over conventional systems is demonstrated.
as-Indaceno[3,2,1,8,7,6-ghijklm]terrylene as a near-infrared absorbing C70-fragment
Authors: Tanaka Yuki , Fukui Norihito , Shinokubo Hiroshi
Published: August 2020

Carbon and hydrogen are fundamental components of organic molecules and a fascinating plethora of functions can be generated using these two elements. Yet, realizing attractive electronic structures only by using carbon and hydrogen remains challenging. Herein, we report the synthesis and properties of the C70 fragment as-indaceno[3,2,1,8,7,6-ghijklm]terrylene, which exhibits near-infrared (NIR) absorption (up to ca. 1300 nm), even though this molecule consists of only 34 carbon and 14 hydrogen atoms. A remarkably small highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO–LUMO) gap is confirmed by electrochemical measurement and theoretical calculations. Furthermore, as-indacenoterrylene is stable despite the absence of peripheral substituents, which contrasts with the cases of other NIR-absorbing hydrocarbons such as diradicaloids and antiaromatic molecules. The results of this study thus offer fundamental insights into the design of hydrocarbons with a small band gap.
Multilevel fMRI adaptation for spoken word processing in the awake dog brain
Authors: Gábor Anna , Gácsi Márta , Szabó Dóra , Miklósi Ádám , Kubinyi Enikő , Andics Attila
Published: August 2020

Human brains process lexical meaning separately from emotional prosody of speech at higher levels of the processing hierarchy. Recently we demonstrated that dog brains can also dissociate lexical and emotional prosodic information in human spoken words. To better understand the neural dynamics of lexical processing in the dog brain, here we used an event-related design, optimized for fMRI adaptation analyses on multiple time scales. We investigated repetition effects in dogs’ neural (BOLD) responses to lexically marked (praise) words and to lexically unmarked (neutral) words, in praising and neutral prosody. We identified temporally and anatomically distinct adaptation patterns. In a subcortical auditory region, we found both short- and long-term fMRI adaptation for emotional prosody, but not for lexical markedness. In multiple cortical auditory regions, we found long-term fMRI adaptation for lexically marked compared to unmarked words. This lexical adaptation showed right-hemisphere bias and was age-modulated in a near-primary auditory region and was independent of prosody in a secondary auditory region. Word representations in dogs’ auditory cortex thus contain more than just the emotional prosody they are typically associated with. These findings demonstrate multilevel fMRI adaptation effects in the dog brain and are consistent with a hierarchical account of spoken word processing.
Impact of vaccine type on HIV-1 vaccine elicited antibody durability and B cell gene signature
Authors: Palli Rohith , Seaton Kelly E. , Piepenbrink Michael S. , Hural John , Goepfert Paul A. , Laher Fatima , Buchbinder Susan P. , Churchyard Gavin , Gray Glenda E. , Robinson Harriet L. , Huang Yunda , Janes Holly , Kobie James J. , Keefer Michael C. , Tomaras Georgia D. , Thakar Juilee
Published: August 2020

Efficacious HIV-1 vaccination requires elicitation of long-lived antibody responses. However, our understanding of how different vaccine types elicit durable antibody responses is lacking. To assess the impact of vaccine type on antibody responses, we measured IgG isotypes against four consensus HIV antigens from 2 weeks to 10 years post HIV-1 vaccination and used mixed effects models to estimate half-life of responses in four human clinical trials. Compared to protein-boosted regimens, half-lives of gp120-specific antibodies were longer but peak magnitudes were lower in Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA)-boosted regimens. Furthermore, gp120-specific B cell transcriptomics from MVA-boosted and protein-boosted vaccines revealed a distinct signature at a peak (2 weeks after last vaccination) including CD19, CD40, and FCRL2-5 activation along with increased B cell receptor signaling. Additional analysis revealed contributions of RIG-I-like receptor pathway and genes such as SMAD5 and IL-32 to antibody durability. Thus, this study provides novel insights into vaccine induced antibody durability and B-cell receptor signaling.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in tinnitus patients exhibiting severe distress
Authors: Watabe Takahisa , Kanzaki Sho , Sato Noriko , Matsunaga Tatsuo , Muramatsu Masaaki , Ogawa Kaoru
Published: August 2020

The association between distress caused by tinnitus and psychological factors such as depression and anxiety has been examined and reported. However, prognostic factors remain poorly understood because there are only a few reports on genetic associations. We theorized there might be an association between the grade of tinnitus distress and the genetic background related to psychological factors which might lead us to identify prognostic markers. We enrolled 138 patients who had suffered from tinnitus for over 3 months. Using Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores, we examined the association between tinnitus distress and a genetic background related to depression or anxiety. A significant association between single nucleotide polymorphism rs131702 of the Breakpoint Cluster Region (BCR) gene and the severe THI score was identified. In addition, there was an association with the severity of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, an index of state anxiety severity. No association was found with the Self-Rating Depression Scale, an index of depression severity. It is reported that rs131702 of BCR in Japanese patients are related to bipolar II depression characterized by fluctuation between abnormal mood states of mania and depression. Our results indicate that rs131702 of BCR is independent of depression in this study and is, therefore, a prognostic factor unique to tinnitus. We conclude that the severity of tinnitus is associated with genes related to depression.
Accuracy of older adults in judging self-generated elbow torques during multi-joint isometric tasks
Authors: Cai Ninghe M. , Dewald Julius P. A. , Gurari Netta
Published: August 2020

Successful execution of daily activities requires accurate perception of the torques one generates about multiple joints. Even so, previous studies are mostly limited to an individual’s perception when torques are generated about a single joint. Consequently, this study investigates how accurately individuals judge torques at their arm during a multi-joint task. The accuracy of fifteen right-hand dominant participants (age: 60 ± 10 years) in matching isometric elbow torques, within the same arm, was quantified during single- and/or multi-joint tasks. Participants generated and matched elbow torques when the shoulder was: (1) not abducted (single-to-single-joint), (2) abducted (multi-to-multi-joint), and (3) abducted and then not abducted (multi-to-single-joint). The constant error for the multi-to-single-joint condition (dominant: 6.9 ± 5.9 Nm, non-dominant: 6.0 ± 5.5 Nm) was greater than that for the single-to-single-joint condition (dominant: 2.7 ± 3.1 Nm, non-dominant: 3.4 ± 2.8 Nm) (p < 0.001) and multi-to-multi-joint condition (dominant: 3.0 ± 2.8 Nm, non-dominant: 3.9 ± 2.7 Nm) (p < 0.001). The constant error for the multi-to-multi-joint condition did not significantly differ from that of the single-to-single-joint condition (p $$=$$
=
0.780). Findings indicate that in older adults the perception of a self-generated torque during a 2-degree-of-freedom (DOF), multi-joint task is largely influenced by the motor commands associated with the 2-DOF task and is not specific to the DOF at each joint.
Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) not detected in an intensive survey of wild North American amphibians
Authors: Waddle J. Hardin , Grear Daniel A. , Mosher Brittany A. , Grant Evan H. Campbell , Adams Michael J. , Backlin Adam R. , Barichivich William J. , Brand Adrianne B. , Bucciarelli Gary M. , Calhoun Daniel L. , Chestnut Tara , Davenport Jon M. , Dietrich Andrew E. , Fisher Robert N. , Glorioso Brad M. , Halstead Brian J. , Hayes Marc P. , Honeycutt R. Ken , Hossack Blake R. , Kleeman Patrick M. , Lemos-Espinal Julio A. , Lorch Jeffrey M. , McCreary Brome , Muths Erin , Pearl Christopher A. , Richgels Katherine L. D. , Robinson Charles W. , Roth Mark F. , Rowe Jennifer C. , Sadinski Walt , Sigafus Brent H. , Stasiak Iga , Sweet Samuel , Walls Susan C. , Watkins-Colwell Gregory J. , White C. LeAnn , Williams Lori A. , Winzeler Megan E.
Published: August 2020

The salamander chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans [Bsal]) is causing massive mortality of salamanders in Europe. The potential for spread via international trade into North America and the high diversity of salamanders has catalyzed concern about Bsal in the U.S. Surveillance programs for invading pathogens must initially meet challenges that include low rates of occurrence on the landscape, low prevalence at a site, and imperfect detection of the diagnostic tests. We implemented a large-scale survey to determine if Bsal was present in North America designed to target taxa and localities where Bsal was determined highest risk to be present based on species susceptibility and geography. Our analysis included a Bayesian model to estimate the probability of occurrence of Bsal given our prior knowledge of the occurrence and prevalence of the pathogen. We failed to detect Bsal in any of 11,189 samples from 594 sites in 223 counties within 35 U.S. states and one site in Mexico. Our modeling indicates that Bsal is highly unlikely to occur within wild amphibians in the U.S. and suggests that the best proactive response is to continue mitigation efforts against the introduction and establishment of the disease and to develop plans to reduce impacts should Bsal establish.
Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes as a target platform for paracrine protection by cardiac mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Constantinou Chrystalla , Miranda Antonio M. A. , Chaves Patricia , Bellahcene Mohamed , Massaia Andrea , Cheng Kevin , Samari Sara , Rothery Stephen M. , Chandler Anita M. , Schwarz Richard P. , Harding Sian E. , Punjabi Prakash , Schneider Michael D. , Noseda Michela
Published: August 2020

Ischemic heart disease remains the foremost cause of death globally, with survivors at risk for subsequent heart failure. Paradoxically, cell therapies to offset cardiomyocyte loss after ischemic injury improve long-term cardiac function despite a lack of durable engraftment. An evolving consensus, inferred preponderantly from non-human models, is that transplanted cells benefit the heart via early paracrine signals. Here, we tested the impact of paracrine signals on human cardiomyocytes, using human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) as the target of mouse and human cardiac mesenchymal stromal cells (cMSC) with progenitor-like features. In co-culture and conditioned medium studies, cMSCs markedly inhibited human cardiomyocyte death. Little or no protection was conferred by mouse tail tip or human skin fibroblasts. Consistent with the results of transcriptomic profiling, functional analyses showed that the cMSC secretome suppressed apoptosis and preserved cardiac mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Protection was independent of exosomes under the conditions tested. In mice, injecting cMSC-conditioned media into the infarct border zone reduced apoptotic cardiomyocytes > 70% locally. Thus, hPSC-CMs provide an auspicious, relevant human platform to investigate extracellular signals for cardiac muscle survival, substantiating human cardioprotection by cMSCs, and suggesting the cMSC secretome or its components as potential cell-free therapeutic products.
Uniaxial films of maximally controllable response under visible light
Authors: Tulegenov Dias , Valagiannopoulos Constantinos
Published: August 2020

The controllability of photonic setups is strongly related to how coherently their outputs react to changes in their inputs; such a generic concept is treated in the case of films comprising multilayers of tilted optical axes, under visible light. The optimized designs incorporate ordinary metals or semiconductors while being able to achieve practically all the combinations of reflected, transmitted and absorbed power within the passivity limits. Importantly, most of the proposed structures exhibit substantial robustness to manufacturing defects and are fabricable with various methods. Therefore, they can make indispensable pieces of integrated photonic systems by improving their light-controlling operation for applications ranging from steering and electrodynamic switching to filtering and optical signal processing.
Rogue waves in disordered 1D photonic lattices
Authors: Rivas Danilo , Szameit Alexander , Vicencio Rodrigo A.
Published: August 2020

In this work, we study the phenomena of Rogue waves (RW) on one-dimensional (1D) photonic lattices presenting diagonal and non-diagonal disorder. Our results show the appearance of extreme events coming from the superposition of different, extended and localized, linear waves for weak disorder. We perform experiments on femtosecond laser written waveguide arrays having disorder in coupling constants, which is originated from a random waveguide distribution. Both, numerics and experiments, are in good agreement and show that RW are generically present in 1D lattices for weak disorder only, after a mandatory data filtering process.
Identification of adolescent girls and young women for targeted HIV prevention: a new risk scoring tool in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Authors: Ayton Sarah Gabrielle , Pavlicova Martina , Abdool Karim Quarraisha
Published: August 2020

The ongoing spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has driven novel interventions, such as antiretrovirals, for pre-exposure prophylaxis. Interventions have overlooked a high-risk Sub-Saharan African population: adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), particularly those under 18. We apply the Balkus risk tool among rural South African AGYW (n = 971) in a hyper-endemic setting, identify limitations, and assess deficiencies with modern statistical techniques. We apply the “Ayton” tool, the first risk tool applicable to sub-Saharan African AGYW, and compare performance of Balkus and Ayton tools under varying conditions. The Ayton tool more effectively predicted HIV acquisition. In low and high-risk AGYW, the Ayton tool out-performed the Balkus tool, which did not distinguish between risk classes. The Ayton tool better captured HIV acquisition risk and risk heterogeneities due to its AGYW-focused design. Findings support use of the Ayton tool for AGYW and underscore the need for diverse prognostic tools considering epidemic severity, age, sex and transmission.

Clinical Trial Number ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01187979) and the South African National Clinical Trials Registry (SANCTR) (DOH-27-0812-3345).
Exploring the molecular determinants for subtype-selectivity of 2-amino-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid analogs as betaine/GABA transporter 1 (BGT1) substrate-inhibitors
Authors: Kickinger Stefanie , Al-Khawaja Anas , Haugaard Anne Stæhr , Lie Maria E. K. , Bavo Francesco , Löffler Rebekka , Damgaard Maria , Ecker Gerhard F. , Frølund Bente , Wellendorph Petrine
Published: August 2020

We have previously identified 2-amino-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid (ATPCA) as the most potent substrate-inhibitor of the betaine/GABA transporter 1 (BGT1) (IC502.5 µM) reported to date. Herein, we characterize the binding mode of 20 novel analogs and propose the molecular determinants driving BGT1-selectivity. A series ofN1-, exocyclic-N-, andC4-substituted analogs was synthesized and pharmacologically characterized in radioligand-based uptake assays at the four human GABA transporters (hGATs) recombinantly expressed in mammalian cells. Overall, the analogs retained subtype-selectivity for hBGT1, though with lower inhibitory activities (mid to high micromolar IC50values) compared to ATPCA. Further characterization of five of these BGT1-active analogs in a fluorescence-based FMP assay revealed that the compounds are substrates for hBGT1, suggesting they interact with the orthosteric site of the transporter. In silico-guided mutagenesis experiments showed that the non-conserved residues Q299 and E52 in hBGT1 as well as the conformational flexibility of the compounds potentially contribute to the subtype-selectivity of ATPCA and its analogs. Overall, this study provides new insights into the molecular interactions governing the subtype-selectivity of BGT1 substrate-inhibitors. The findings may guide the rational design of BGT1-selective pharmacological tool compounds for future drug discovery.
Highly synergistic drug combination prevents vaginal HIV infection in humanized mice
Authors: Baum Marc M. , Ramirez Christina M. , Moss John A. , Gunawardana Manjula , Bobardt Michael , Gallay Philippe A.
Published: August 2020

The HIV-1 epidemic remains an urgent global health concern. Young women are disproportionately at risk of acquiring the virus. A range of highly effective, female-controlled, discrete vaginal products therefore is needed to help curb the epidemic. Oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC) are effective in HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and form a promising basis for a vaginal product. Here, we evaluate TDF and FTC in combination with the broadly neutralizing antibody VRC01-N using a highly reproducible humanized mouse model. The agents were vaginally dosed individually and in combination, and the efficacy of HIV-1 prevention was analyzed using the established, rigorous median-effect model. Surprisingly, the triple combination showed a high degree of synergism, unprecedented for in vivo HIV-1 PrEP, leading to a possible fivefold dose reduction for some of the agents. Vaginal administration of the TDF-FTC-VRC01-N combination holds significant promise for HIV-1 PrEP.