bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precursor selection in hybrid molecular beam epitaxy of alkaline-earth stannates
Authors: Prakash Abhinav , Wang Tianqi , Choudhary Rashmi , Haugstad Greg , Gladfelter Wayne L. , Jalan Bharat
Published: November 2020

One of the challenges of oxide molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) is the synthesis of oxides containing metals with high electronegativity (metals that are hard to oxidize). The use of reactive organometallic precursors can potentially address this issue. To investigate the formation of radicals in MBE, we explored three carefully chosen metal-organic precursors of tin for SnO2 and BaSnO3 growth: tetramethyltin (TMT), tetraethyltin (TET), and hexamethylditin (HMDT). All three precursors produced single-crystalline, atomically smooth, and epitaxial SnO2 (101) films on r-Al2O3 (101¯2) in the presence of oxygen plasma. The study of growth kinetics revealed reaction-limited and flux-limited regimes except for TET, which also exhibited a decrease in the deposition rate with increasing temperature above ∼800 °C. Contrary to these similarities, the performance of these precursors was dramatically different for BaSnO3 growth. TMT and TET were ineffective in supplying adequate tin, whereas HMDT yielded phase-pure, stoichiometric BaSnO3 films. Significantly, HMDT resulted in phase-pure and stoichiometric BaSnO3 films even without the use of an oxygen plasma (i.e., with molecular oxygen alone). These results are discussed using the ability of HMDT to form tin radicals and therefore assisting with Sn → Sn4+ oxidation reaction. Structural and electronic transport properties of films grown using HMDT with and without oxygen plasma are compared. This study provides guideline for the choice of precursors that will enable the synthesis of metal oxides containing hard-to-oxidize metals using reactive radicals in MBE.
Highly Sensitive and Specific Multiplex Antibody Assays To Quantify Immunoglobulins M, A, and G against SARS-CoV-2 Antigens
Authors: Dobaño Carlota , Vidal Marta , Santano Rebeca , Jiménez Alfons , Chi Jordi , Barrios Diana , Ruiz-Olalla Gemma , Rodrigo Melero Natalia , Carolis Carlo , Parras Daniel , Serra Pau , Martínez de Aguirre Paula , Carmona-Torre Francisco , Reina Gabriel , Santamaria Pere , Mayor Alfredo , García-Basteiro Alberto L. , Izquierdo Luis , Aguilar Ruth , Moncunill Gemma
Published: November 2020

Reliable serological tests are required to determine the prevalence of antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to characterize immunity to the disease in order to address key knowledge gaps in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Quantitative suspension array technology (qSAT) assays based on the xMAP Luminex platform overcome the limitations of rapid diagnostic tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with their higher precision, dynamic range, throughput, miniaturization, cost-efficiency, and multiplexing capacity.
Characterization of Hepatitis B Precore/Core-Related Antigens
Authors: Hong Xupeng , Luckenbaugh Laurie , Mendenhall Megan , Walsh Renae , Cabuang Liza , Soppe Sally , Revill Peter A. , Burdette Dara , Feierbach Becket , Delaney William , Hu Jianming
Published: November 2020

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection afflicts approximately 257 million people, who are at high risk of progressing to chronic liver diseases, including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapies rarely achieve cure of HBV infection due to the persistence of the HBV episome, the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), in the nuclei of infected hepatocytes. Peripheral markers of cccDNA levels and transcriptional activities are urgently required to guide antiviral therapy and drug development. Serum hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) is one such emerging peripheral marker. We have characterized the components of HBcrAg in HBV-infected patients as well as in cell cultures. Our results provide important new quantitative information on levels of each HBcrAg component, as well as their biochemical and biophysical characteristics. Our findings suggest that each HBcrAg component may have distinct functions and applications in reflecting intrahepatic viral activities.
Broadly Reactive Influenza Antibodies Are Not Limited by Germinal Center Competition with High-Affinity Antibodies
Authors: Keating Rachael , Johnson Jenny L. , Brice David C. , Labombarde Jocelyn G. , Dent Alexander L. , McGargill Maureen A.
Published: November 2020

It is estimated that 250,000 to 650,000 individuals worldwide die each year from seasonal influenza A virus (IAV) infections. Current vaccines provide little protection against newly emerging strains. Thus, considerable effort is focused on enhancing the generation of broadly reactive IAV antibodies in order to develop a universal IAV vaccine. However, broadly reactive IAV antibodies are rare and the factors that limit their generation are not completely understood. Our data disprove the prevailing hypothesis that broadly reactive IAV antibodies are uncommon due to competition in the germinal centers with antibodies specific for the variable, hemagglutinin (HA) head. Understanding the factors that constrain development of antibodies specific for conserved regions of IAV is imperative for developing an effective universal IAV vaccine, which could potentially circumvent a catastrophic pandemic. These findings are significant as they highlight the importance of investigating other mechanisms that contribute to the paucity of broadly reactive IAV antibodies.
Molecular Architecture of Early Dissemination and Massive Second Wave of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus in a Major Metropolitan Area
Authors: Long S. Wesley , Olsen Randall J. , Christensen Paul A. , Bernard David W. , Davis James J. , Shukla Maulik , Nguyen Marcus , Saavedra Matthew Ojeda , Yerramilli Prasanti , Pruitt Layne , Subedi Sishir , Kuo Hung-Che , Hendrickson Heather , Eskandari Ghazaleh , Nguyen Hoang A. T. , Long J. Hunter , Kumaraswami Muthiah , Goike Jule , Boutz Daniel , Gollihar Jimmy , McLellan Jason S. , Chou Chia-Wei , Javanmardi Kamyab , Finkelstein Ilya J. , Musser James M.
Published: November 2020

There is concern about second and subsequent waves of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus occurring in communities globally that had an initial disease wave. Metropolitan Houston, TX, with a population of 7 million, is experiencing a massive second disease wave that began in late May 2020. To understand SARS-CoV-2 molecular population genomic architecture and evolution and the relationship between virus genotypes and patient features, we sequenced the genomes of 5,085 SARS-CoV-2 strains from these two waves. Our report provides the first molecular characterization of SARS-CoV-2 strains causing two distinct COVID-19 disease waves.
Geothermal Gases Shape the Microbial Community of the Volcanic Soil of Pantelleria, Italy
Authors: Picone Nunzia , Hogendoorn Carmen , Cremers Geert , Poghosyan Lianna , Pol Arjan , van Alen Theo A. , Gagliano Antonina L. , D’Alessandro Walter , Quatrini Paola , Jetten Mike S. M. , Op den Camp Huub J. M. , Berben Tom
Published: November 2020

The Favara Grande nature reserve on the volcanic island of Pantelleria (Italy) is known for its geothermal gas emissions and high soil temperatures. These volcanic soil ecosystems represent “hot spots” of greenhouse gas emissions. The unique community might be shaped by the hostile conditions in the ecosystem, and it is involved in the cycling of elements such as carbon, hydrogen, sulfur, and nitrogen. Our metagenome study revealed that most of the microorganisms in this extreme environment are only distantly related to cultivated bacteria. The results obtained profoundly increased the understanding of these natural hot spots of greenhouse gas production/degradation and will help to enrich and isolate the microbial key players. After isolation, it will become possible to unravel the molecular mechanisms by which they adapt to extreme (thermo/acidophilic) conditions, and this may lead to new green enzymatic catalysts and technologies for industry.
Microbiota-Derived Short-Chain Fatty Acids Promote LAMTOR2-Mediated Immune Responses in Macrophages
Authors: Wu Ting , Li Hongru , Su Cong , Xu Fangming , Yang Guangwei , Sun Kaili , Xu Mengran , Lv Na , Meng Bao , Liu Yanyan , Hu Lifen , Liu Yan , Gao Yufeng , Wang Heng , Lan Yanhu , Xu Dexiang , Li Jiabin
Published: November 2020

These observations highlight that SCFAs promote macrophage elimination of
K. pneumoniae
via a LAMTOR2-dependent signal pathway and suggest that it is possible to intervene in
K. pneumoniae
pneumonia by targeting the gut microbiota.
Handwashing and Detergent Treatment Greatly Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load on Halloween Candy Handled by COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Salido Rodolfo A. , Morgan Sydney C. , Rojas Maria I. , Magallanes Celestine G. , Marotz Clarisse , DeHoff Peter , Belda-Ferre Pedro , Aigner Stefan , Kado Deborah M. , Yeo Gene W. , Gilbert Jack A. , Laurent Louise , Rohwer Forest , Knight Rob
Published: November 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is leading to important tradeoffs between risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and mental health due to deprivation from normal activities, with these impacts being especially profound in children. Due to the ongoing pandemic, Halloween activities will be curtailed as a result of the concern that candy from strangers might act as fomites. Here, we demonstrate that these risks can be mitigated by ensuring that, prior to handling candy, the candy giver washes their hands and, after receipt, by washing candy with household dishwashing detergent. Even in the most extreme case, with candy deliberately coughed on by known COVID-19 patients, viral load was reduced dramatically after washing with household detergent. We conclude that with reasonable precautions, even if followed only by either the candy giver or the candy recipient, the risk of viral transmission by this route is very low.
Anaphylaxis following enteral exposure toChlorella vulgaris
Authors: Abasszade Joshua Haron , Rama Raj Palaniraj , Tinson Alistair John
Published: November 2020

We present a case of a 75-year-old man who was admitted to an Australian tertiary emergency department with severe hypotension, wheeze, widespread urticarial rash and diarrhoea. On arrival to the emergency department following initial resuscitation by ambulance staff, he was admitted to the intensive care unit with a presumptive diagnosis of gastroenteritis. This diagnosis was later revised following the availability of tryptase levels and clarification of his presenting circumstances, which established a clear temporal relationship between his anaphylactoid symptoms and the oral ingestion ofChlorella vulgarissupplements. While there are a few case studies describing allergic/anaphylactic reactions to several other species ofChlorella, this appears to be the first reported case of anaphylaxis toC. vulgaris.
Chilblain-like lesions with prominent bullae in a patient with COVID-19
Authors: Rubin Alexandra , Alamgir Mahin , Rubin Julia , Rao Babar K
Published: November 2020

A 27-year-old patient presented with acral chilblain-like lesions atypical of dermatological presentations appearing in current reports of COVID-19. Prominent bullae had formed on the dorsa of her toes and became haemorrhagic 2 days after the initial presentation. The patient had no underlying medical conditions, including any history of collagen vascular disease, Raynaud’s phenomenon, chilblains or cold exposure, and was not taking any medications. The patient reported 10 days of ageusia and anosmia 6 weeks prior to the manifestation of her toe lesions, with no other symptoms. A nasopharyngeal swab test for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA was positive. It is important that physicians recognise the myriad of cutaneous lesions associated with COVID-19 in this ongoing pandemic.
Human coronaviruses: ophthalmic manifestations
Authors: Abdul-Kadir Mohd-Asyraaf , Lim Lik Thai
Published: November 2020

The 2019 novel coronavirus which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) known as SARS-CoV-2 still remains as a global pandemic since its discovery and continues to spread across the world, given how highly contagious the virus is. We reviewed various articles that explore eye involvement in COVID-19 and other human coronaviruses, its human manifestations in comparison to animal studies and potential mechanism of viral entry into the eye surface. Evidence of animal studies depicted various complications of coronaviruses infection into the eyes, in both anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Conjunctival inflammation remains uncommon in association with COVID-19, with other ophthalmic findings. The risk of transmission via the ocular surface remains likely low, though it is inarguably present based on preliminary finding of viral load in ocular samples and expression of ACE2 on the ocular surface. Testing the tears sample for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 was unreliable due to limitations of the testing kits and conflicting evidence of the viral titre in the ocular samples. Further larger, more precise and specific studies are required to allow us to better understand the pattern of virulence underlying the associations of SARS-CoV-2 in the eye despite its rare occurrence. This review article aims to enhance better awareness among clinicians regarding ocular manifestations associated with COVID-19 and necessary precautions should be implemented to minimise the risk of person-to-person especially in the nosocomial setting.
Paediatric prehospital emergencies and restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study
Authors: Oulasvirta Jelena , Pirneskoski Jussi , Harve-Rytsälä Heini , Lääperi Mitja , Kuitunen Mikael , Kuisma Markku , Salmi Heli
Published: November 2020

Background

Children are less vulnerable to serious forms of the COVID-19 disease. However, concerns have been raised about children being the second victims of the pandemic and its control measures. Therefore, we wanted to study if the pandemic, the infection control measures and their consequences to the society projected to paediatric prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) contacts.

Methods

We conducted a population-based cohort study concerning all children aged 0–15 years with EMS contacts in the Helsinki University Hospital area during 1 March 2020–31 May 2020 (study period) and equivalent periods in 2017–2019 (control periods). We analysed the demographic characteristics, time of EMS contact, reason for EMS contact, priority of the dispatch, reason for transportation, priority of transportation, if any consultations were made or additional units required, any medication or oxygen or fluids given, if intubation was performed, and whether paramedics took precautions when COVID-19 infection was suspected.

Results

The number of paediatric EMS contacts decreased by 30.4% from mean of 1794 contacts to 1369 (p=0.003). The EMS contacts were more often due to trauma (+23.7%, p<0.05), dispatched in the most urgent category (+139.9%, p=0.001), additional help and the mobile intensive care unit were more frequently requested (+43.3%, p=0.040 and+46.3%, p=0.049, respectively). However, EMS contacts resulted less often in ambulance transport (−21.1%, p<0.001). Alarmingly, there were four deaths during the study period compared with 0–2 during the control periods.

Conclusions

The number of EMS contacts decreased during the pandemic. Nevertheless, the children encountered by the EMS were more seriously ill than during the control periods.
Presentation of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes in children and young people during COVID-19: a national UK survey
Authors: Ng Sze May , Woodger Katherine , Regan Fiona , Soni Astha , Wright Neil , Agwu Juliana Chizo , Williams Eleri , Timmis Alison , Kershaw Melanie , Moudiotis Christopher , Drew Josephine
Published: November 2020

In the UK, there have been reports of significant reductions in paediatric emergency attendances and visits to the general practitioners due to COVID-19. A national survey undertaken by the UK Association of Children’s Diabetes Clinicians found that the proportion of new-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) presenting with diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) during this COVID-19 pandemic was higher than previously reported, and there has been an increase in presentation of severe DKA at diagnosis in children and young people under the age of 18 years. Delayed presentations of T1D have been documented in up 20% of units with reasons for delayed presentation ranging from fear of contracting COVID-19 to an inability to contact or access a medical provider for timely evaluation. Public health awareness and diabetes education should be disseminated to healthcare providers on the timeliness of referrals of children with T1D.
Accuracy of a no-biopsy approach for the diagnosis of coeliac disease across different adult cohorts
Authors: Penny Hugo A , Raju Suneil A , Lau Michelle S , Marks Lauren JS , Baggus Elisabeth MR , Bai Julio C , Bassotti Gabrio , Bontkes Hetty J , Carroccio Antonio , Danciu Mihai , Derakhshan Mohammad H , Ensari Arzu , Ganji Azita , Green Peter H R , Johnson Matt W , Ishaq Sauid , Lebwohl Benjamin , Levene Adam , Maxim Roxana , Mohaghegh Shalmani Hamid , Rostami-Nejad Mohammad , Rowlands David , Spiridon Irene A , Srivastava Amitabh , Volta Umberto , Villanacci Vincenzo , Wild Graeme , Cross Simon S , Rostami Kamran , Sanders David S
Published: November 2020

Objective

We aimed to determine the predictive capacity and diagnostic yield of a 10-fold increase in serum IgA antitissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibody levels for detecting small intestinal injury diagnostic of coeliac disease (CD) in adult patients.

Design

The study comprised three adult cohorts. Cohort 1: 740 patients assessed in the specialist CD clinic at a UK centre; cohort 2: 532 patients with low suspicion for CD referred for upper GI endoscopy at a UK centre; cohort 3: 145 patients with raised tTG titres from multiple international sites. Marsh 3 histology was used as a reference standard against which we determined the performance characteristics of an IgA tTG titre of ≥10×ULN for a diagnosis of CD.

Results

Cohort 1: the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for IgA tTG levels of ≥10×ULN at identifying individuals with Marsh 3 lesions were 54.0%, 90.0%, 98.7% and 12.5%, respectively. Cohort 2: the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for IgA tTG levels of ≥10×ULN at identifying individuals with Marsh 3 lesions were 50.0%, 100.0%, 100.0% and 98.3%, respectively. Cohort 3: the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for IgA tTG levels of ≥10×ULN at identifying individuals with Marsh 3 lesions were 30.0%, 83.0%, 95.2% and 9.5%, respectively.

Conclusion

Our results show that IgA tTG titres of ≥10×ULN have a strong predictive value at identifying adults with intestinal changes diagnostic of CD. This study supports the use of a no-biopsy approach for the diagnosis of adult CD.
Risk of digestive cancers in a cohort of 69 460 five-year survivors of childhood cancer in Europe: the PanCareSurFup study
Authors: Reulen Raoul C , Wong Kwok F , Bright Chloe J , Winter David L , Alessi Daniela , Allodji Rodrigue M , Bagnasco Francesca , Bárdi Edit , Bautz Andrea , Byrne Julianne , Feijen Elizabeth AM , Fidler-Benaoudia Miranda M , Diallo Ibrahim , Garwicz Stanislaw , Grabow Desiree , Gudmundsdottir Thorgerdur , Guha Joyeeta , Haddy Nadia , Høgsholt Stine , Jankovic Moncilo , Kaatsch Peter , Kaiser Melanie , Kuonen Rahel , Linge Helena , Øfstaas Hilde , Ronckers Cecile M , Hau Eva-Maria , Skinner Roderick , van Leeuwen Flora E , Teepen Jop C , Veres Cristina , Zrafi Wael , Debiche Ghazi , Llanas Damien , Terenziani Monica , Vu-Bezin Giao , Wesenberg Finn , Wiebe Thomas , Sacerdote Carlotta , Jakab Zsuzsanna , Haupt Riccardo , Lähteenmäki Päivi M , Zadravec Zaletel Lorna , Kuehni Claudia E , Winther Jeanette F , de Vathaire Florent , Kremer Leontien C , Hjorth Lars , Hawkins Michael M
Published: November 2020

Background

Survivors of childhood cancer are at risk of subsequent primary neoplasms (SPNs), but the risk of developing specific digestive SPNs beyond age 40 years remains uncertain. We investigated risks of specific digestive SPNs within the largest available cohort worldwide.

Methods

The PanCareSurFup cohort includes 69 460 five-year survivors of childhood cancer from 12 countries in Europe. Risks of digestive SPNs were quantified using standardised incidence ratios (SIRs), absolute excess risks and cumulative incidence.

Results

427 digestive SPNs (214 colorectal, 62 liver, 48 stomach, 44 pancreas, 59 other) were diagnosed in 413 survivors. Wilms tumour (WT) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors were at greatest risk (SIR 12.1; 95% CI 9.6 to 15.1; SIR 7.3; 95% CI 5.9 to 9.0, respectively). The cumulative incidence increased the most steeply with increasing age for WT survivors, reaching 7.4% by age 55% and 9.6% by age 60 years (1.0% expected based on general population rates). Regarding colorectal SPNs, WT and HL survivors were at greatest risk; both seven times that expected. By age 55 years, 2.3% of both WT (95% CI 1.4 to 3.9) and HL (95% CI 1.6 to 3.2) survivors had developed a colorectal SPN—comparable to the risk among members of the general population with at least two first-degree relatives affected.

Conclusions

Colonoscopy surveillance before age 55 is recommended in many European countries for individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer, but not for WT and HL survivors despite a comparable risk profile. Clinically, serious consideration should be given to the implementation of colonoscopy surveillance while further evaluation of its benefits, harms and cost-effectiveness in WT and HL survivors is undertaken.
Urinary mutagenicity and oxidative status of wildland firefighters working at prescribed burns in a Midwestern US forest
Authors: Wu Chieh-Ming , Warren Sarah H , DeMarini David M , Song Chi (Chuck) , Adetona Olorunfemi
Published: November 2020

Objective

Wildland firefighters (WLFFs) experience repeated exposures to wildland fire smoke (WFS). However, studies about WLFFs remain regionally limited. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of WFS exposure on urinary mutagenicity and cell oxidation among WLFFs who work at prescribed burns in the Midwestern USA.

Methods

A total of 120 spot urine samples was collected from 19 firefighters right before (pre-shift), immediately after (post-shift), and the morning (next-morning) following work shifts on prescribed burn days (burn days) and regular workdays (non-burn days). The levels of urinary mutagenicity, 8-isoprostane, malondialdehyde and oxidised guanine species (Ox-GS) were measured. Linear mixed-effect models were used to determine the difference of cross-shift changes in the concentrations of urinary biomarkers.

Results

Post-shift levels of creatinine-corrected urinary mutagenicity and 8-isoprostane were non-significantly higher than pre-shift levels (1.16× and 1.64×; p=0.09 and 0.07) on burn days. Creatinine-corrected Ox-GS levels increased significantly in next-morning samples following WFS exposure (1.62×, p=0.03). A significant difference in cross-shift changes between burn and non-burn days was observed in 8-isoprostane (2.64×, p=0.03) and Ox-GS (3.00×, p=0.02). WLFFs who contained the fire (performed holding tasks) had a higher pre-morning to next-morning change in urinary mutagenicity compared with those who were lighting fires during the prescribed burns (1.56×, p=0.03).

Conclusions

Compared with the other regions, WLFFs who worked in Midwestern forests had an elevated urinary mutagenicity and systemic oxidative changes associated with WFS exposure at prescribed burns.
Medical informed choice: understanding the element of time to meet the standard of care for valid informed consent
Authors: Paterick Zachary R , Paterick Timothy Edward , Paterick Barb Block
Published: November 2020

Medical informed choice is essential for a physician meeting their fiduciary duty when proposing medical and surgical actions, and necessary for a patient to consent or cull the outlined therapeutic approaches. Informed choice, as part of a shared decision-making model, allows widespread give-and-take of ideas between the patient and physician. This sharing of ideas results in a partnership for decision-making and a responsibility for medical and surgical outcomes.

Informed choice is indispensible to the patient education process that meets the desired outcome of any covenant—an offer of and acceptance of the proposed treatment. The covenant anchors a true patient–physician partnership with parity and equality in decision-making and medical/surgical outcomes.

Medical informed choice flows from ethical and legal principles necessary to meet the acknowledged standard of care. This is codified by statute and fortified in general common law. This espouses a fiduciary relationship where the patient and physician understand and accede to the degree of autonomy the patient requests.

The growth of an equal patient–physician relationship requires time. There is no alternative to the time variable when developing a physician–patient relationship. Despite physicians being under pressures to perform more clinical and administrative duties in less time in the corporate model of medicine, time remains the most critical variable when considering informed choice and shared decision-making. Videos, pamphlets and alternate healthcare providers cannot and should not substitute for physician time.
Sputum microbiota in adults with CF associates with response to inhaled tobramycin
Authors: Heirali Alya , Thornton Christina , Acosta Nicole , Somayaji Ranjani , Laforest Lapointe Isabelle , Storey Douglas , Rabin Harvey , Waddell Barbara , Rossi Laura , Arrieta Marie Claire , Surette Michael , Parkins Michael D
Published: November 2020

Background

Inhaled tobramycin powder/solution (TIP/S) use has resulted in improved clinical outcomes in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, TIP/S effect on the CF sputum microbiome has not been explored. We hypothesised that TIP/S has additional ‘off-target’ effects beyond merely P. aeruginosa and that baseline microbiome prior to initiation of therapy is associated with subsequent patient response.

Methods

We drew sputum samples from a prospectively collected biobank. Patients were included if they had one sputum sample in the 18 months before and after TIP/S. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene profiling was used to characterise the sputum microbiome.

Results

Forty-one patients met our inclusion criteria and 151 sputum samples were assessed. At baseline, median age was 30.4 years (IQR 24.2–35.2) and forced expiratory volume in 1 (FEV1) second was 57% predicted (IQR 44–74). Nineteen patients were defined a priori as responders having no net decrease in FEV1 in the year following TIP/S. No significant changes were observed in key microbiome metrics of alpha (within-sample) or beta (between-sample) diversity for samples collected before and after TIP/S. However, significant beta-diversity (Bray-Curtis) differences were noted at baseline between patients based on response status. Notably, responders were observed to have a higher abundance of Staphylococcus in pretherapy baseline samples.

Conclusions

Our longitudinal study demonstrates that the sputum microbiome of patients with CF is relatively stable following inhaled tobramycin over many months. Intriguingly, our findings suggest that baseline microbiome may associate with patient response to TIP/S—suggesting the sputum microbiome could be used to personalise therapy.
Long-term responses of forest-floor bryophytes buried by tephra in the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens
Authors: Waxwing Stella R. , Fischer Dylan G. , Antos Joseph A. , Biswas Abir , Zobel Donald B.
Published: November 2020

Responses in bryophyte communities following volcanic disturbance are not well understood. The eruption of Mount St. Helens on 18 May 1980 deposited large amounts of tephra (aerially transported volcanic ejecta) on nearby forests in southwestern Washington and presented an opportunity to examine bryophyte succession, with a focus on mosses. We examined changes in moss community over 36 years following this disturbance, using permanent plots located in old-growth conifer forests. We used an experimental design where we removed the tephra from some of the plots shortly after the eruption. Initial dramatic decreases in total bryophyte cover, moss species richness, and diversity in plots with intact tephra were followed by increases by 2016. Community profiles also shifted through time but were somewhat site-specific. Moss community change was related to changes in vascular plant species and was driven by changes in a few key moss species with distinct growth strategies. Bryophyte change through time was most pronounced in the plots buried by tephra, but differed among sites. Overall, total bryophyte cover had recovered, reaching our estimate of pre-disturbance levels at all sites after 36 years, but trajectories of change differed among sites, demonstrating the importance of idiosyncratic site factors and the dynamics of the vascular plant species.
The $$^{229}$$Th isomer: prospects for a nuclear optical clock
Authors: von der Wense Lars , Seiferle Benedict
Published: November 2020

The proposal for the development of a nuclear optical clock has triggered a multitude of experimental and theoretical studies. In particular the prediction of an unprecedented systematic frequency uncertainty of about$$10^{-19}$$10-19has rendered a nuclear clock an interesting tool for many applications, potentially even for a re-definition of the second. The focus of the corresponding research is a nuclear transition of the$$^{229}$$229Th nucleus, which possesses a uniquely low nuclear excitation energy of only$$8.12\pm 0.11$$8.12±0.11eV ($$152.7\pm 2.1$$152.7±2.1 nm). This energy is sufficiently low to allow for nuclear laser spectroscopy, an inherent requirement for a nuclear clock. Recently, some significant progress toward the development of a nuclear frequency standard has been made and by today there is no doubt that a nuclear clock will become reality, most likely not even in the too far future. Here we present a comprehensive review of the current status of nuclear clock development with the objective of providing a rather complete list of literature related to the topic, which could serve as a reference for future investigations.
Gauss–Bonnet inflation with a constant rate of roll
Authors: Gao Tie-Jun
Published: November 2020

In the model of the inflaton nonminimal coupling to the Gauss–Bonnet term, we discuss the constant-roll inflation with constant $$\epsilon _1$$

ϵ
1

, constant $$\epsilon _2$$

ϵ
2

and constant $$\eta _H$$

η
H

, respectively, with the additional assumption that $$\delta _1$$

δ
1

is a constant. Using the Bessel function approximation, we get the analytical expressions for the scalar and tensor power spectrum and derive the scalar spectral index $$n_{\mathcal {R}}$$

n
R

and the tensor to scalar ratio r to the first order of $$\epsilon _1$$

ϵ
1

. By using the Planck 2018 observations constraint on $$n_{\mathcal {R}}$$

n
R

and r, we obtain some feasible parameter space and show the result on the $$n_{\mathcal {R}}-r$$

n
R

-
r

region. The scalar potential is also reconstructed in some special cases.
The holographic p + ip solution failed to win the competition in dRGT massive gravity
Authors: Nie Zhang-Yu , Hu Ya-Peng , Zeng Hui
Published: November 2020

In this paper, the holographic p-wave superfluid model with charged complex vector field is studied in dRGT massive gravity beyond the probe limit. The stability of p-wave and p + ip solutions are compared in the grand canonical ensemble. The p-wave solution always get lower value of grand potential than the p + ip solution, showing that the holographic system still favors an anisotropic (p-wave) solution even with considering a massive gravity theory in bulk. In the holographic superconductor models with dRGT massive gravity in bulk, a key scaling symmetry is found to be violated by fixing the reference metric parameter $$c_0$$

c
0

. Therefore, in order to get the dependence of condensate and grand potential on temperature, different values of horizon radius should be considered in numerical work. With a special choice of model parameters, we further study the dependence of critical back-reaction strength on the graviton mass parameter, beyond which the superfluid phase transition become first order. We also give the dependence of critical temperature on the back reaction strength b and graviton mass parameter $$m^2$$

m
2

.
The complex green operator with Sobolev estimates up to a finite order
Authors: Liu Bingyuan , Raich Andrew
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this paper is to explore the geometry of a smooth CR manifold of hypersurface type and its relationship to the higher regularity properties of the complex Green operator on [Formula: see text]-forms in the [Formula: see text]-Sobolev space [Formula: see text] for a fixed [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
A numerical method for computing optimum radii of host stars and orbits of planets, with application to Kepler-11, Kepler-90, Kepler-215, HD 10180, HD 34445 and TRAPPIST-1
Authors: Geroyannis V. S.
Published: November 2020

In the so-called “global polytropic model”, we assume planetary systems in hydrostatic equilibrium and solve the Lane–Emden equation in the complex plane. We thus find polytropic spherical shells providing accommodation to planetary orbits. On the basis of this model, we develop a numerical method which can compute optimum values for the polytropic index of the global polytropic model that simulates the planetary system, for the orbits of the planets, and for the host star radius. We apply our method to the exoplanetary systems Kepler-11, Kepler-90, Kepler-215, HD 10180, HD 34445 and TRAPPIST-1.
Numerical investigation of the effect of temperature variation on heat transfer rate in a square cavity filled water-Al2O3 nanofluid with a hot circular cylinder in the center of the cavity
Authors: Enjilela Vali , Soltani Elshan , Ghadyani Mohsen , Bagheri Rasul
Published: November 2020

In this paper, the natural convection flow in a square cavity filled with nanofluid water-[Formula: see text] with a hot circular cylinder in the center of the cavity is numerically analyzed. All the walls are in lower temperatures than the circular cylinder. The Navier–Stokes and energy equations in the primitive variable form are discretized and solved by the finite element method (FEM). The effect of the volume fraction, the radius of the circular cylinder, the temperature and Rayleigh number is considered on the average Nusselt number. For the calculation of the viscosity coefficient and thermal conductivity coefficient of water-[Formula: see text] nanofluid, an experimental model is used which is the function of the volume fraction, temperature and nanoparticles diameter. This model is compared to the Brinkman model for viscosity and Maxwell model for thermal conductivity which are only the functions of volume fraction and are used by many researchers. The results show the experimental model leads to different results in comparison with the Brinkman model and Maxwell model, and indicate that the rate of the heat transfer can increase or decrease with the increase in volume fraction and temperature.
Non-left-orderable surgeries on 1-bridge braids
Authors: Liang Shiyu
Published: November 2020

Boyer, Gordon and Watson have conjectured that an irreducible rational homology [Formula: see text]-sphere is an L-space if and only if its fundamental group is not left-orderable. Since Dehn surgeries on knots in [Formula: see text] can produce large families of L-spaces, it is natural to examine the conjecture on these [Formula: see text]-manifolds. Greene, Lewallen and Vafaee have proved that all [Formula: see text]-bridge braids are L-space knots. In this paper, we consider three families of [Formula: see text]-bridge braids. First we calculate the knot groups and peripheral subgroups. We then verify the conjecture on the three cases by applying the criterion developed by Christianson, Goluboff, Hamann and Varadaraj, when they verified the same conjecture for certain twisted torus knots and generalized the criteria due to Clay and Watson and due to Ichihara and Temma.
Mining Fuzzy Common Sequential Rules with Fuzzy Time-Interval in Quantitative Sequence Databases
Authors: Thanh Do Van , Phuong Truong Duc
Published: November 2020

There are two kinds of sequential rules. They are classical sequential rules and common sequential rules. The common sequential rules present the relationship between unordered itemsets in which all the items in the antecedent part have to appear before the ones in the consequent part. All existing algorithms for mining common sequential rules can not apply to quantitative sequence databases. Furthermore, the common sequential rules found so far did not yet reveal the time gap about the apperance of itemsets in its antecedent and consequent parts. The purpose of this article is to overcome the two disadvantages mentioned above. Specifically, the article proposes an algorithm called IFERMiner to discover common sequential rules in quantitative sequence databases, where the time gap about appearance of two attribute sets in its antecedent and consequent parts is taken account. This algorithm was developed from the ERMiner algorithm that is the most efficient algorithm to discover common sequential rules in transactional sequence databases now. The computational complexity of the IFERMiner algorithm is also shown in the article and it is polynomial. The FCSI rules found out by the IFERMiner algorithm are useful for marketing domain and market analysis.
FML-Based Reinforcement Learning Agent with Fuzzy Ontology for Human-Robot Cooperative Edutainment
Authors: Lee Chang-Shing , Wang Mei-Hui , Tsai Yi-Lin , Chang Wei-Shan , Reformat Marek , Acampora Giovanni , Kubota Naoyuki
Published: November 2020

The currently observed developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its influence on different types of industries mean that human-robot cooperation is of special importance. Various types of robots have been applied to the so-called field of Edutainment, i.e., the field that combines education with entertainment. This paper introduces a novel fuzzy-based system for a human-robot cooperative Edutainment. This co-learning system includes a brain-computer interface (BCI) ontology model and a Fuzzy Markup Language (FML)-based Reinforcement Learning Agent (FRL-Agent). The proposed FRL-Agent is composed of (1) a human learning agent, (2) a robotic teaching agent, (3) a Bayesian estimation agent, (4) a robotic BCI agent, (5) a fuzzy machine learning agent, and (6) a fuzzy BCI ontology. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed system, the FRL-Agent is used as a robot teacher in a number of elementary schools, junior high schools, and at a university to allow robot teachers and students to learn together in the classroom. The participated students use handheld devices to indirectly or directly interact with the robot teachers to learn English. Additionally, a number of university students wear a commercial EEG device with eight electrode channels to learn English and listen to music. In the experiments, the robotic BCI agent analyzes the collected signals from the EEG device and transforms them into five physiological indices when the students are learning or listening. The Bayesian estimation agent and fuzzy machine learning agent optimize the parameters of the FRL agent and store them in the fuzzy BCI ontology. The experimental results show that the robot teachers motivate students to learn and stimulate their progress. The fuzzy machine learning agent is able to predict the five physiological indices based on the eight-channel EEG data and the trained model. In addition, we also train the model to predict the other students’ feelings based on the analyzed physiological indices and labeled feelings. The FRL agent is able to provide personalized learning content based on the developed human and robot cooperative edutainment approaches. To our knowledge, the FRL agent has not applied to the teaching fields such as elementary schools before and it opens up a promising new line of research in human and robot co-learning. In the future, we hope the FRL agent will solve such an existing problem in the classroom that the high-performing students feel the learning contents are too simple to motivate their learning or the low-performing students are unable to keep up with the learning progress to choose to give up learning.
Valued fields with finitely many defect extensions of prime degree
Authors: Kuhlmann Franz-Viktor
Published: November 2020

We prove that a valued field of positive characteristic [Formula: see text] that has only finitely many distinct Artin–Schreier extensions (which is a property of infinite NTP2 fields) is dense in its perfect hull. As a consequence, it is a deeply ramified field and has [Formula: see text]-divisible value group and perfect residue field. Further, we prove a partial analogue for valued fields of mixed characteristic and observe an open problem about 1-units in this setting. Finally, we fill a gap that occurred in a proof in an earlier paper in which we first introduced a classification of Artin–Schreier defect extensions.
Quasi-s.Baer and related modules
Authors: Birkenmeier Gary F. , Kara Yeliz , Tercan Adnan
Published: November 2020

In this paper, the s.Baer module concept and some of its generalizations (e.g. quasi-s.Baer, [Formula: see text]-s.Baer and p.q.-s.Baer) are developed. To this end, we characterize the class of rings for which every module is quasi-s.Baer as the class of rings which are finite direct sums of simple rings. Connections are made between the s.Baer (quasi-s.Baer, [Formula: see text]-s.Baer) and the extending (FI-extending, [Formula: see text]-extending) properties. We introduce the notions of quasi-nonsingularity (FI-s.nonsingular, [Formula: see text]-s.nonsingular) and [Formula: see text]-cononsingular (FI-[Formula: see text]-cononsingular, [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-cononsingular) to extend the Chatters–Khuri theorem from rings to modules satisfying s.Baer or related conditions. Moreover, we investigate the transfer of various Baer properties between a module and its ring of scalars. Conditions are found for which some classes of quasi-s.Baer modules coincide with some classes of p.q.-s.Baer modules. Further we show that the class of quasi-s.Baer (p.q.-s.Baer) modules is closed with respect to submodules, extensions, and finite (arbitrary) direct sums. Examples illustrate and delimit our results.
BIOMECHANICAL EVALUATION OF RECONSTRUCTED EXTENSIVE MANDIBULAR DEFECTS BY DIFFERENT MODELS USING FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Authors: KARGARNEJAD SAHAND , GHALICHI FARZAN , POURGOL-MOHAMMAD MOHAMMAD , OSKUI I. Z. , GARAJEI ATA
Published: November 2020

Rehabilitation of major mandibular defects after tumor resection has become a serious challenge for surgeons. In this research, four various models were designed to repair a critical mandibular lateral defect. Biomechanical behavior of the models was assessed by Finite Element Method. These models are including Fibular-Free Flap (FFF), Customized Prosthesis (CP), Tray Implant without Bone Graft (TI-wo-BG), and Tray Implant with Bone Graft (TI-w-BG). FFF is a subset of microvascular free flap technique in which some segments of patient’s fibula bone are used to restore mandibular defects. CP is a hollow and light prosthesis which is fabricated using Additive Manufacturing technology from Ti alloy powder. TI-wo-BG is similar to a crib which is designed according to the geometry of the patient’s mandible. TI-w-BG, in fact, is a TI-wo-BG which is filled with small cortico-cancellous chips in order to benefit potential profit of bone grafting. The chewing operation and loading on the mandible was simulated considering the three mandibular muscular forces including masseter, medial pterygoid, and temporalis.

The result of FEM analysis of TI-wo-BG and TI-w-BG showed that in both models, screw number 6 endured a strain of 5684 and 2852[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m/m which exceeded pathological and mild overload risk, respectively. This may increase the probability of screw loosening and system failure. The results proved the stability of the FFF and CP models. In addition, it can be concluded that stress and strain on the screw’s interfaces can decrease by improving the plate and increasing the friction at the interface of plate, bone and screw.
Sparse robust graph-regularized non-negative matrix factorization based on correntropy
Authors: Wang Chuan-Yuan , Gao Ying-Lian , Liu Jin-Xing , Dai Ling-Yun , Shang Junliang
Published: November 2020

Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) is a popular data dimension reduction method in recent years. The traditional NMF method has high sensitivity to data noise. In the paper, we propose a model called Sparse Robust Graph-regularized Non-negative Matrix Factorization based on Correntropy (SGNMFC). The maximized correntropy replaces the traditional minimized Euclidean distance to improve the robustness of the algorithm. Through the kernel function, correntropy can give less weight to outliers and noise in data but give greater weight to meaningful data. Meanwhile, the geometry structure of the high-dimensional data is completely preserved in the low-dimensional manifold through the graph regularization. Feature selection and sample clustering are commonly used methods for analyzing genes. Sparse constraints are applied to the loss function to reduce matrix complexity and analysis difficulty. Comparing the other five similar methods, the effectiveness of the SGNMFC model is proved by selection of differentially expressed genes and sample clustering experiments in three The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets.
Physical aspects of specific dark energy model in modified theories of gravity
Authors: Jawad Abdul , Hussain Sabir
Published: November 2020

We study Tsallis holographic dark energy model with generalized ghost as an infrared cutoff in the context of Dvali–Gabadadze–Porrati braneworld and loop quantum cosmology with infrared cutoff for flat Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) universe. In these directions, we develop some cosmological parameters such as equation of state, deceleration parameter, squared speed of sound and [Formula: see text] (combination of Hubble and cosmos redshift parameter) diagnostic to analyze the expansion of the universe. The cosmic planes such as [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are also being established. We also compare these parameters and planes with recent Planck data 2018 which represents the consistency in most of the cases.
Self-Supported Nickel-Iron Layered Double Hydroxide and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composite as a Bifunctional Catalyst for Highly Efficient Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Qi Xuejun , Yu Haibin
Published: November 2020

Due to fossil fuel consumption, the development of green and clean hydrogen energy sources is crucial. In this paper, a composite bifunctional catalyst comprised of Ni–Fe layered double hydroxide and multi-walled carbon nanotubes on nickel foam (LDHCN) were synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal method. The catalyst displayed excellent catalytic activity in both the hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction. The composition and morphology of LDHCN were determined. Electrochemical testing was performed by building a parallel two-electrode electrolyzer (LDHCN‖LDHCN) that required a voltage of only 1.542[Formula: see text]V to drive 10 mA/cm2. LDHCN‖LDHCN also maintained 100[Formula: see text]mA/cm2 for at least 30 hours, indicating its excellent stability and activity. These results show that the material is viable for the highly efficient conversion and transport of hydrogen energy.