bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of mites Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Cheyletus eruditus in flour using hyperspectral imaging system coupled with chemometrics
Authors: He Peihuan , Wu Yi , Wang Jingjing , Ren Yi , Ahmad Waqas , Liu Rui , Ouyang Qin , Jiang Hui , Chen Quansheng
Published: February 2020

An automatic method for detecting mites in flour has been established using hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system coupled with chemometrics. Reflectance differences among flour, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, and Cheyletus eruditus were relatively distinct. Majority of the shape features, including area, perimeter, the major, and minor axis in C. eruditus were remarkably larger than flour and T. putrescentiae. Textural features reached the level of the maximum significance except for contrast with one‐way analysis of variance. Images under the ant colony optimization (ACO) wavebands in random forests (RF) classification showed at least 89% recognition rates, better than the successive projections algorithm wavebands. Artificial neural networks (ANN) with ACO wavebands gave higher recognition accuracies in training and validation sets than RF. Further analysis verified hyperspectrum with ACO‐PCA‐ANN (PCA, principal component analysis), which showed over 98% accuracy. This study revealed the promising potential of HSI coupled with ACO‐PCA‐ANN as an accurate and rapid method for detecting mites in flour.

Practical applications

Mite infection in flour is a global problem and an important research area related to stored food safety and quality control in the food industry. An effective classification method for mite contaminants with automated detection has not been previously established in the literature. Therefore, the current study reports an automated hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system coupled with chemometrics to detect mites Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Cheyletus eruditus in flour. This study revealed the promising potential of HSI coupled with ACO‐PCA‐ANN as an accurate and rapid method for detecting mites T. putrescentiae and C. eruditus in flour. We believe the knowledge gained in this research could be incorporated in the food storage and processing industry to promote the accuracy of detecting and identifying mites by using HSI system combined with chemometric algorithms.
Characterizing cognitive deficits and potential predictors in multiple sclerosis: A large nationwide study applying Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis in standard clinical care
Authors: Renner Alina , Baetge Sharon J. , Filser Melanie , Ullrich Sebastian , Lassek Christoph , Penner Iris‐Katharina
Published: February 2020

With the proposal of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) battery, the need to screen for cognitive deficits within standard clinical care of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been acknowledged. Data regarding how patient characteristics might predict low cognitive performance and therefore require particularly close monitoring is, however, limited so far. We investigated a large, nationwide patient cohort from ambulatory settings, representing the typical distribution of different subtypes, levels of physical disability, and disease durations. Besides cognitive testing with BICAMS, additional sampling of multiple demographics and clinical variables allowed us to characterize general and domain‐specific prevalence patterns of cognitive impairment (CI) as well as to delineate which factors are associated with cognitive performance. In a total of 1,094 patients, CI was present in 28% (using a conservative cut‐off of the 5th percentile below normative values), with information‐processing speed being most frequently affected. Impairment was overall higher in patients with primary progressive (PPMS) and secondary progressive MS than in patients with relapsing–remitting (RR)MS. Regression modelling revealed that disease subtype (i.e., PPMS), long disease duration, high physical disability, unemployment, low educational level, high age, male sex, and the absence of current disease‐modifying treatment were important predictors for worse BICAMS’ test performance. These results emphasize the importance of continuous cognitive assessment during regular neurological follow‐up visits, with a particular focus on patients being identified as high‐risk subjects for CI according to the reported factors.
Effect of hair restoration surgery on the scalp sensitivity
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad , Mohmand Mohammad Humayun
Published: February 2020

Background

Hair transplant procedure is a surgical procedure which affects the sensitivity of the scalp.

Objectives

To compare scalp two‐point discrimination (2PD) values in healthy controls and patients who had hair transplant surgery.

Patients/methods

The comparative study was conducted in 25 healthy individuals and 25 patient who underwent hair transplant surgery (either strip surgery or FUE). An area was marked o scalp about 10 cm from the nasion. A caliper with 15 g weight was used. Both the prongs were ensured to be placed perpendicular to the skin. The contact time was only 2.0 seconds. An interval of 10 seconds was given before increasing the 2PD distance. In each measurement, the distance was increased by 1 mm. All the data were recorded and analyzed statistically using ANOVA test.

Results

The mean age of the control group was 29.72 and 31.7 years in patients' group. The average 2PD score in controls was 12.76 and 17.80 mm in patients. The average 2PD score was found to be 17.7 in patients who had surgery less than 18 months ago as compared to the score of 17.6 in patients who had surgery more than 18 months ago (P > .05). The smokers had less sensitivity as compared to the nonsmokers (P < .05).

Conclusion

The scalp sensitivity was found to be less than 39% in patients after hair transplant surgery.
P2P finance and the effectiveness of monetary controls
Authors: Wong Chin‐Yoong , Eng Yoke‐Kee
Published: February 2020

The emergence of a decentralized peer‐to‐peer (P2P) platform that matches lending and borrowing without collateral requirement could have weakened the bank lending and balance sheet channels of monetary policy, calling monetary policy effectiveness into question. Through the perspective of a new Keynesian model expanded with a two‐sided P2P platform and group identity, we find that monetary policy can be financially destabilizing when firms have access to alternative unregulated financing instruments to dodge monetary grabs. Contractionary monetary policy that aims to disincentivize leverage could unintendedly end up with elevated debt leverage. Although the economy largely responds to productivity and investment shocks as intended by the policy, the responses become more volatile, indicating the weakening monetary grips on the economy.
First azole‐resistant Aspergillus fumigatus isolates with the environmental TR46/Y121F/T289A mutation in Iran
Authors: Ahangarkani Fatemeh , Puts Ynze , Nabili Mojtaba , Khodavaisy Sadegh , Moazeni Maryam , Salehi Zahra , Laal Kargar Melika , Badali Hamid , Meis Jacques F.
Published: February 2020

Background

Azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus is an emerging problem and reported from all continents. As triazole antifungals are the mainstay of therapy in the management of invasive aspergillosis, azole‐resistant A fumigatus has become a major medical concern and with complicated clinical management.

Objective

Screening of environmental presence of azole‐resistant A fumigatus in Iran.

Methods

Compost from Northern Iran, collected between 2017 and 2018, was screened for the presence of azole‐resistant A fumigatus with azole‐containing agar. Phenotypic MICs were obtained from selected, molecularly confirmed isolates. cyp51A gene sequencing and genotyping of azole‐resistant isolates were done.

Results

Among 300 compost samples, three A fumigatus isolates had high voriconazole MICs (≥16 mg/L) and harboured the TR46/Y121F/T289A mutation in the cyp51A gene. Microsatellite typing of these isolates showed that two strains had the same allele across all nine examined microsatellite loci and were genotypically related to Indian azole‐resistant strains. The other isolate had a different genotype.

Conclusion

This is the first report of A fumigatus with TR46/Y121F/T289A mutation from the region. Monitoring and surveillance of antifungal susceptibility of clinical A fumigatus is warranted in Iran and elsewhere in the region.
Landscape structure influences the use of social information in an insectivorous bat
Authors: Roeleke Manuel , Blohm Torsten , Hoffmeister Uwe , Marggraf Lara , Schlägel Ulrike E. , Teige Tobias , Voigt Christian C.
Published: February 2020

In anthropogenic landscapes, aerial insectivores are often confronted with variable habitat complexity, which may influence the distribution of prey. Yet, high mobility may allow aerial insectivores to adjust their foraging strategy to different prey distributions. We investigated whether aerial‐hunting common noctules Nyctalus noctula adjust their foraging strategy to landscapes with different habitat complexity and assumingly different prey distribution. We hypothesized that the movement behaviour of hunting common noctules and changes of movement behaviour in reaction towards conspecifics would depend on whether they hunt in a structurally poor cropland dominated landscape or a structurally rich forest dominated landscape. We tracked flight paths of common noctules in northeastern Germany using GPS loggers equipped with an ultrasonic microphone that recorded foraging events and presence of conspecifics. Above cropland, common noctules hunted mainly during bouts of highly tortuous and area restricted movements (ARM). Bats switched from straight flight to ARM after encountering conspecifics. In the forested landscape, common noctules hunted both during ARM and during straight flights. The onset of ARM did not correlate with the presence of conspecifics. Common noctules showed a lower feeding rate and encountered more conspecifics above the forested than above the cropland dominated landscape. We conjecture that prey distribution above cropland was patchy and unpredictable, thus making eavesdropping on hunting conspecifics crucial for bats during search for prey patches. In contrast, small scale structural diversity of the forested landscape possibly led to a more homogeneous prey distribution at the landscape scale, thus enabling bats to find sufficient food independent of conspecific presence. This suggests that predators depending on ephemeral prey can increase their foraging success in structurally poor landscapes by using social information provided by conspecifics. Hence, a minimum population density might be obligatory to enable successful foraging in simplified landscapes.
Evaluation of respiratory complications in patients with X‐linked and autosomal recessive agammaglobulinemia
Authors: Fekrvand Saba , Yazdani Reza , Olbrich Peter , Azizi Gholamreza , Shirzadi Rohola , Modaresi Mohammadreza , Sohani Mahsa , Delavari Samaneh , Kalantari Arash , Shariat Mansoureh , Shafiei Alireza , Lu Na , Hassanpour Gholamreza , Rahimi Hajiabadi Maziar , Ashournia Parisa , Razaghian Anahita , Asgharyan Marzieh , Shahraki‐Ghadimi Zahra , Rouhani Roja , Hoda Fallah Fatemeh , Rezaei Nima , Abolhassani Hassan , Aghamohammadi Asghar
Published: February 2020

Background

Congenital agammaglobulinemia is the first primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by a defect in B lymphocyte development and subsequently decreased immunoglobulin levels. These patients are prone to suffer from recurrent infections mostly involving the respiratory tract. In this study, we aimed to describe in detail respiratory tract complications as the most prominent clinical feature among agammaglobulinemic patients.

Methods

A total number of 115 patients were included. Demographic, clinical, and genetic data were collected from the patients’ medical records. Among the available patients, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and/or high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were performed.

Results

Respiratory tract complications (85.2%) especially pneumonia (62.6%) were the most prominent clinical features in our cohort. Among patients with abnormal PFT results (N = 19), a mixed respiratory pattern was observed in 36.8%. HRCT was carried out in 29 patients; Bhalla scoring‐based evaluation of these patients indicated excellent (44.8%), followed by good (34.5%) and mild (20.7%) results. Bronchiectasis was found in 13 patients undergoing HRCT (44.8%). We found significant inverse correlations between the Bhalla score and incidence rate of pneumonia, as well as the presence of bronchiectasis. Patients with abnormal PFT results had statistically significant higher bronchiectasis frequency and lower Bhalla scores compared to those with normal results. Forty‐one patients were deceased, and here, respiratory failure was the most common cause of death (45.5%).

Conclusion

High prevalence of respiratory tract infections among agammaglobulinemic patients and subsequent progression to permanent lung damage highlights the importance of implementing respiratory evaluation as part of routine follow‐up program of agammaglobulinemic patients. Physicians should be aware of this and regularly monitor the respiratory function of these patients to allow for timely diagnosis and treatment initiation aiming to improve patients’ prognosis and quality of life.
Seed dispersal and realized gene flow of two forest orchids in a fragmented landscape
Authors: Kotilínek M. , Těšitelová T. , Košnar J. , Fibich P. , Hemrová L. , Koutecký P. , Münzbergová Z. , Jersáková J.
Published: February 2020

Species with vast production of dust‐like windborne seeds, such as orchids, should not be limited by seed dispersal. This paradigm, however, does not fit recent studies showing that many sites suitable for orchids are unoccupied and most seeds land close to their maternal plant. To explore this issue, we studied seed dispersal and gene flow of two forest orchid species, Epipactis atrorubens and Cephalanthera rubra, growing in a fragmented landscape of forested limestone hills in southwest Bohemia, Czech Republic.

We used a combination of seed trapping and plant genotyping methods (microsatellite DNA markers) to quantify short‐ and long‐distance dispersal, respectively. In addition, seed production of both species was estimated.

We found that most seeds landed very close to maternal plants (95% of captured seeds were within 7.2 m) in both species, and dispersal distance was influenced by forest type in E. atrorubens. In addition, C. rubra showed clonal reproduction (20% of plants were of clonal origin) and very low fruiting success (only 1.6% of plants were fruiting) in comparison with E. atrorubens (25.7%). Gene flow was frequent up to 2 km in C. rubra and up to 125 km in E. atrorubens, and we detected a relatively high dispersal rate among regions in both species.

Although both species occupy similar habitats and have similar seed dispersal abilities, C. rubra is notably rarer in the study area. Considerably low fruiting success in this species likely limits its gene flow to longer distances and designates it more sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Origin of the cultivated passion fruit Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and genomic relationships among species of the subgenera Decaloba and Passiflora
Authors: Silva G. S. , Souza M. M.
Published: February 2020

Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa is the most economically important species in the genus Passiflora. However, the origin of this yellow form of passion fruit remains unclear, being suggested as a hybrid (P. edulis f. edulis × P. ligularis) or wild mutant.

Here, the origin and genomic relationships of P. edulis f. flavicarpa with some related species in the genus Passiflora (subgenera Decaloba and Passiflora) were investigated using genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). Genomic DNA of 18 species was used as probe, which was hybridized onto chromosomes of P. edulis f. flavicarpa.

Of all genomic DNA probes tested, none allowed us to identify a specific chromosome set in P. edulis f. flavicarpa. Conversely, probes from the subgenus Passiflora, P. edulis f. edulis, P. alata, P. cincinnata, P. coccinea, P. nitida and P. vitifolia, produced intense and uniform hybridizations on all chromosomes of P. edulis f. flavicarpa. Moreover, probes from P. ligularis, P. foetida and P. sublanceolata produced more intense hybridizations in the terminal region of four chromosomes, corresponding to the DNAr 45S locus, and also dispersed, less intense, hybridization across all chromosomes. Probes from the subgenus Decaloba, P. biflora, P. capsularis, P. cervii, P. coriacea, P. micropetala, P. morifolia, P. rubra and P. suberosa, produced hybridizations restricted to the DNAr 45S sites.

The hybrid origin of P. edulis f. flavicarpa could not be supported based on the GISH results, and it is suggested that this species is conspecific with P. edulis f. edulis, because the probe with DNA of this form hybridized strongly throughout the target genome. The other putative parent species, P. ligularis, showed only a distant relationship with the target genome. The results also suggest that species of the subgenus Passiflora share many repetitive sequences and that the relationship between subgenera Decaloba and Passiflora is very distant.
Behaviour and reproductive performance of Nigerian native chickens subjected to different mating ratios for a short term
Authors: Iyasere Oluwaseun Serah , Adeuyi David Oluwatowo , Alade Rasheed Adebayo , Durosaro Samuel Olutunde , Wheto Mathew , Ogunbanjo Olajide James , Oyakhilome Lucky Ebhodage , Emmanuel Samuel , Daramola James Olamitibo
Published: February 2020

To date, there is no reported standard mating ratio for Nigerian native chickens despite their large population in the country. This study investigated the effect of mating ratio on behaviour, semen quality and level of stress. Sixty‐three (9 cocks and 54 hens) sexually matured birds were randomly assigned to three mating ratios (MR) of 1 cock to 3 hens (1C:3H), 1 cock to 6 hens (1C:6H) and 1 cock to 9 hens (1C:9H), and each MR was replicated three times. Each cock spent 2 weeks in a particular MR before it was moved to another. By the 6th week, all cocks had experienced the three mating ratios. Behaviour of the hens and sexual behaviour of the cocks were observed in the morning and evening, respectively, for 6 weeks. At the end of 2nd week in each MR, semen samples were collected and evaluated for motility, morphology, liveability and concentration, and blood samples were also taken from the cocks to determine the heterophil/lymphocyte (H:L) ratio, an indicator of stress. There was also no significant effect of mating ratio on the fertility of eggs and hatchability of the chicks. The number of hen–hen aggression instances, frequency of visits to the nest box and duration of nesting was not influenced by the mating ratio. However, the duration of nest seeking was higher at 1C:3H and lower at 1C:9H. A mating ratio of 1C:9H is therefore recommended for farmers interested in raising Nigerian native chickens.
The role of the most favored nation principle of the GATT/WTO in the New Trade model
Authors: Suwanprasert Wisarut
Published: February 2020

I study the impact of the most favored nation (MFN) principle of the GATT/WTO on bilateral trade agreements in the New Trade model. The paper offers four main predictions. First, a bilateral trade agreement without external tariff adjustments hurts the outside country, while a bilateral trade agreement under MFN benefits the outside country. Second, the MFN principle may cause a free‐rider problem. Third, a Pareto‐improving bilateral trade agreement under MFN does not exist if initial tariffs and the elasticity of substitution are sufficiently low. This suggests that the MFN principle may prevent bilateral trade agreements in the future when tariffs are already low and that the definition of “like products” in the MFN rule is welfare improving only if it covers only goods that are closely substituted. Fourth, in the future when tariffs are low, multilateral negotiations and preferential trade areas will become more desirable. Using a calibrated 10‐region 33‐industry model, I show that around 30% of bilateral trade agreements that would be agreed upon in the absence of the MFN rule could not be agreed upon if the MFN rule is imposed.
Failure of multiplex meningitis/encephalitis (ME) NAT during cryptococcal meningitis in solid organ recipients
Authors: Pilmis Benoit , Bougnoux Marie‐Elizabeth , Guery Romain , Senghor Yaye , Le Monnier Alban , Lanternier Fanny , Bretagne Stephane , Alanio Alexandre , Lortholary Olivier
Published: February 2020

Cryptococcal meningitis is a severe cause of central nervous system infections among immunocompromised solid organ transplant (SOT) patients. While new diagnostic methods as multiplex meningitis/encephalitis (ME) NAT (nucleic acid test) are increasingly used as a first‐line tool in hospital practice, data in HIV‐negative patients including SOT remain scarce. We report here false‐negative results of multiplex NAT among SOT patients with proven cryptococcal meningitis.
Fetal inheritance of GP*Mur causing severe HDFN in an unrecognized case of maternal alloimmunization
Authors: Mallari Rose A. , Chan Ada , Powers Richard J. , Pandipati Santosh , Bensing Kathleen M. , Biese Danielle , Denomme Gregory A.
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

The clinical and laboratory features of hemolytic disease of the newborn can be challenging to diagnose during pregnancy in the apparent absence of a blood group antibody. Low‐frequency antibodies go undetected due to the lack of appropriate antigen‐positive reagent red blood cells (RBCs).

CASE REPORT

A pregnant woman of Southeast Asian descent was referred to a maternal‐fetal medicine outpatient clinic due to a complicated obstetric history and a negative antibody screen. This initial visit at 29 weeks and 0 days’ gestational age (GA) was unremarkable. A hydropic infant, born at 29 weeks and 5 days’ GA, succumbed on the seventh day of life. Comprehensive laboratory testing was performed after birth. The hospital blood bank performed a maternal antibody identification. Direct antiglobulin test was performed on the cord blood. A reference laboratory confirmed an anti‐Mia, performed paternal Mia phenotyping, and identified a hybrid glycophorin B‐A‐B GP*Mur allele.

DISCUSSION

Maternal alloimmunization to low‐frequency antigens remains a challenge. Southeast Asians make up a significant percentage in some US locations. Worldwide reports on the frequency of maternal alloimmunization of the MNS system can be used to guide the use of specific reagent RBCs for testing. Such strategies rely on the identification of blood donor units for reagent manufacture and use in perinatal antibody screens.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of Mia and related antibodies is significant among Southeast Asians. In North America, prenatal antibody screening cells are not routinely chosen to match this population. The clinical and societal implications are discussed.
Prospective evaluation of the influence of sampling method on bacterial culture results and antimicrobial selection in 52 dogs with infected wounds
Authors: Concannon Timothy M. , Kidd Linda , Osmond Christian , Dong Fanglong , Griffon Dominique
Published: February 2020

Objective

To determine the influence of sampling methods on culture results and selection of antimicrobials for treating infected wounds in dogs.

Design

Prospective study from January to July 2016.

Setting

Three private multispecialty referral centers.

Animals

Fifty‐two client‐owned dogs with infected wounds.

Interventions

Each wound was sampled for culture by 3 methods: swabbing prior to preparation (dirty swabs), swabbing after debridement and sterile lavage (clean swabs), and biopsy. Bacterial species and phenotypes were compared. Three clinicians unaware of patient, wound, and sampling information selected antimicrobial drugs based on culture and sensitivity reports. Antimicrobials were divided into class I, II, or III based on established guidelines. The number, highest class of antimicrobial chosen, and inter‐investigator agreement were examined.

Measurements and Main Results

Identical populations of bacteria were isolated for all 3 sampling techniques in only 31% of wounds. Significantly fewer bacterial species were isolated from biopsy samples (1.87 bacterial species per wound ± 1.14) than from clean swab samples (2.29 ± 1.18; P = 0.009) but not dirty swab samples (2.29 ± 1.29; P = 0.06). The recovery frequency for gram‐positive bacteria was lower for biopsy compared to either swabbing technique (P = 0.001 for both comparisons). No difference was observed between clean and dirty swabbing techniques for any parameter examined. Sampling technique did not affect the proportion of wounds with anaerobic, gram‐negative, or multi‐drug resistant bacteria. The number (P = 0.28) and highest class of antimicrobial (P = 0.9) selected per wound did not differ between the 3 sampling techniques (P = 0.28). Clinician agreement was 83–90% depending on sampling technique.

Conclusion

Although there were some differences in bacteria isolated from biopsy samples compared to swab samples from infected wounds, technique did not influence the number and highest class of antimicrobial selected by clinicians. Wound debridement prior to sampling by swabbing did not alter the number or type of bacteria isolated, nor the number or the highest class of antimicrobial selected by clinicians.
Evidence that distinct human primary motor cortex circuits control discrete and rhythmic movements
Authors: Wiegel Patrick , Kurz Alexander , Leukel Christian
Published: February 2020

Key points

Discrete and rhythmic dynamics are inherent components of (human) movements.

We provide evidence that distinct human motor cortex circuits contribute to discrete and rhythmic movements. Excitability of supragranular layer circuits of the human motor cortex was higher during discrete movements than during rhythmic movements. Conversely, more complex corticospinal circuits showed higher excitability during rhythmic movements than during discrete movements. No task‐specific differences existed for corticospinal output neurons at infragranular layers.

The excitability differences were found to be time(phase)‐specific and could not be explained by the kinematic properties of the movements.

The same task‐specific differences were found between the last cycle of a rhythmic movement period and ongoing rhythmic movements.

Human actions entail discrete and rhythmic movements (DM and RM, respectively). Recent insights from human and animal studies indicate different neural control mechanisms for DM and RM, emphasizing the intrinsic nature of the task. However, how distinct human motor cortex circuits contribute to these movements remains largely unknown. In the present study, we tested distinct primary motor cortex and corticospinal circuits and proposed that they show differential excitability between DM and RM. Human subjects performed either 1) DM or 2) RM using their right wrist. We applied an advanced electrophysiological approach involving transcranial magnetic stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation to test the excitability of the neural circuits. Probing was performed at different movement phases: movement initiation (MI, 20 ms after EMG onset) and movement execution (ME, 200 ms after EMG onset) of the wrist flexion. At MI, excitability at supragranular layers was significantly higher in DM than in RM. Conversely, excitability of more complex corticospinal circuits was significantly lower in DM than RM at ME. No task‐specific differences were found for direct corticospinal output neurons at infragranular layers. The neural differences could not be explained by the kinematic properties of the movements and also existed between ongoing RM and the last cycle of RM. Our results therefore strengthen the hypothesis that different neural control mechanisms engage in DM and RM.
From Scan Strategy to Melt Pool Prediction: A Neighboring-Effect Modeling Method
Authors: Yang Zhuo , Lu Yan , Yeung Ho , Krishnamurty Sundar
Published: February 2020

The quality of additive manufacturing (AM) built parts is highly correlated to the melt pool characteristics. Hence, melt pool monitoring and control can potentially improve the AM part quality. This paper presents a neighboring-effect modeling method (NBEM) that uses a scan strategy to predict melt pool size. The prediction model can further assist in scan strategy optimization and real-time process control. The structure of the proposed model is formulated based on the physical principles of melt pool formation, while experimental data are used to identify the optimal coefficients. Compared to the traditional power-velocity prediction models, the NBEM model introduces the cumulative neighboring-effect factors as additional input variables. These factors represent the neighborhood impact of scan path on the focal point melt pool formation from time and distance perspective. Two experiments use different scan strategies to collect in situ measurements of the melt pool size for model construction and validation. By introducing the neighboring-effect factors, the global normalized root-mean-square Error (NRMSE) is improved from around 0.10 to 0.08. More importantly, the local NRMSE of irregular melt pool area prediction is improved to around 0.15 for more than 50% improvement. The case studies verify that the proposed method can predict the melt pool variations by seamlessly integrating scan strategy considerations.
Thermal atomic layer etching of silicon nitride using an oxidation and “conversion etch” mechanism
Authors: Abdulagatov Aziz I. , George Steven M.
Published: February 2020

Thermal atomic layer etching (ALE) of silicon nitride was achieved using sequential exposures of oxygen (O2) or ozone (O3), hydrofluoric acid (HF), and trimethylaluminum [TMA, Al(CH3)3]. Thermal Si3N4 ALE will be useful to etch Si3N4 in semiconductor, optoelectronic, and MEMS devices. Thermal Si3N4 ALE was performed with Si3N4 thin films deposited on silicon wafers using low pressure chemical vapor deposition. In situ spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) was employed to monitor the changes in the Si3N4 film thickness as well as the SiO2 layer thickness. The SE results at 290 °C yielded an Si3N4 etch rate of 0.25 Å/cycle with an O2-HF-TMA reactant sequence using partial pressures of 250, 0.65, and 1.2 Torr for O2, HF, and TMA, respectively. The O2, HF, and TMA reactants were held statically at the indicated partial pressures for 10, 5, and 5 s, respectively. Larger etch rates were observed using O3 instead of O2 as the oxidant. A higher Si3N4 etch rate of 0.47 Å/cycle was measured at 290 °C using an O3-HF-TMA reactant sequence at the same partial pressures and static exposure times as the O2-HF-TMA sequence. The Si3N4 etch rate was observed to decrease at lower temperatures. An Si3N4 etch rate of 0.07 Å/cycle was measured at the lowest temperature of 210 °C using an O3-HF-TMA reactant sequence. The Si3N4 surface roughness was reduced after Si3N4 ALE. The SiO2 layer on Si3N4 could be removed using sequential HF and TMA exposures. These sequential HF and TMA exposures could also very slowly etch the Si3N4 substrate. The Si3N4 etch rate was dependent on the reaction sequence. When an O3-TMA-HF sequence was employed with reactant partial pressures of 250, 0.65, and 1.2 Torr for O3, HF, and TMA, respectively, the Si3N4 etch rate was 0.20 Å/cycle at 290 °C. Thermal Si3N4 ALE adds to the growing list of materials that can be etched with atomic layer control using thermal chemistry.
NIH hopes ‘cluster hiring’ will improve diversity
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: February 2020

Hiring faculty in batches could help erase racial gap in NIH awards.
Global ecosystem thresholds driven by aridity
Authors: Berdugo Miguel , Delgado-Baquerizo Manuel , Soliveres Santiago , Hernández-Clemente Rocío , Zhao Yanchuang , Gaitán Juan J. , Gross Nicolas , Saiz Hugo , Maire Vincent , Lehmann Anika , Rillig Matthias C. , Solé Ricard V. , Maestre Fernando T.
Published: February 2020

Thresholds of aridity

Increasing aridity due to climate change is expected to affect multiple ecosystem structural and functional attributes in global drylands, which cover ∼45% of the terrestrial globe. Berdugo
et al.
show that increasing aridity promotes thresholds on the structure and functioning of drylands (see the Perspective by Hirota and Oliveira). Their database includes 20 variables summarizing multiple aspects and levels of ecological organization. They found evidence for a series of abrupt ecological events occurring sequentially in three phases, culminating with a shift to low-cover ecosystems that are nutrient- and species-poor at high aridity values. They estimate that more than 20% of land surface will cross at least one of the thresholds by 2100, which can potentially lead to widespread land degradation and desertification worldwide.

Science
, this issue p.
787
; see also p.
739
Resilience to trauma: Just a matter of control?
Authors: Ersche Karen D.
Published: February 2020

Deficits in memory control may facilitate posttraumatic stress disorder
Physics meets Bohemia
Einstein in Bohemia
Michael D. Gordin
Princeton University Press, 2020. 360 pp.
Authors: Sauer Tilman
Published: February 2020

A historian dives deep into Einstein's brief, often overlooked time in Prague
The art of misleading the public
The Triumph of Doubt: Dark Money and the Science of Deception
David Michaels
Oxford University Press, 2020. 344 pp.
Authors: Kirshenbaum Sheril
Published: February 2020

A government insider exposes the industry playbook for undermining evidence-based policy
Psychiatric adverse drug reactions in the paediatric population
Authors: Ekhart Corine , Vries Tjalling de , Hunsel Florence van
Published: February 2020

Objective

Due to lack of information on drug use in children, many drugs are used off-label in paediatrics. Increased knowledge of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) would enable a better risk–benefit analysis. Our aim was to characterise drugs causing psychiatric ADRs in children by conducting a descriptive study based on pharmacovigilance reports.

Design

Reports submitted to the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb from 2003 to 2016 were used to investigate drugs causing psychiatric ADRs in the Dutch paediatric population. These data were corrected for drug utilisation in order to correct the number of reports for the number of users of a drug.

Main outcome measures

ORs were calculated as a measure of disproportionality for drug–ADR associations for three different age groups. Significant drug–ADR associations were checked if it was labelled in the product information.

Results

Lareb received 918 reports of psychiatric ADRs, which constitute 15% of the reports of ADRs in children. Drugs used for the treatment of ADHD (methylphenidate and atomoxetine) and drugs used for the treatment of asthma (montelukast and fluticasone) were the most frequently reported. However, psychiatric ADRs were also reported for less often prescribed medications such as oxybutynin and isotretinoin.

Conclusions

Real-world data on psychiatric ADRs in the Dutch paediatric population show a consistent pattern with what is known from drug labels and the literature. Reports of psychiatric ADRs should be taken seriously because of the impact on medication adherence and the well-being of the child and its family.
Glycyrrhizic Acid Modulates Apoptosis through Extrinsic/Intrinsic Pathways and Inhibits Protein Kinase B- and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase-Mediated Metastatic Potential in Hepatocellular CarcinomaIn VitroandIn Vivo
Authors: Tsai Jai-Jen , Pan Po-Jung , Hsu Fei-Ting , Chung Jing-Gung , Chiang I-Tsang
Published: February 2020

A previous study presented that glycyrrhizic acid as the hepatoprotective agent inhibits total parenteral nutrition-associated acute liver injury in rats. However, the anticancer effect and mechanism of glycyrrhizic acid in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is ambiguous. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of glycyrrhizic acid on apoptosis dysregulation and metastatic potential in HCC in vitro and in vivo. Both SK-Hep1 and Hep3B cells were treated with different concentrations of glycyrrhizic acid for 24 or 48[Formula: see text]h. SK-Hep1/luc2 tumor-bearing mice were treated with vehicle or glycyrrhizic acid (50[Formula: see text]mg/kg/day by intraperitoneal injection) for 7 days. Tumor cells growth, apoptotic, and metastatic signaling transduction were evaluated by using MTT assay, digital caliper, bioluminescence imaging (BLI), flow cytometry, western blotting assay, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. The results demonstrated glycyrrhizic acid significantly inhibits tumor cell growth, cell invasion, and expression of AKT (Ser473), extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation, anti-apoptotic and metastatic proteins in HCC in vitro and in vivo. Glycyrrhizic acid also significantly triggered apoptosis and extrinsic/intrinsic apoptotic signaling transduction. In addition, PD98059 (ERK inhibitor) and LY294002 (AKT inhibitor) obviously reduced cell invasion and expression of metastasis-associated proteins. Taken together, these results indicated that glycyrrhizic acid induces apoptosis through extrinsic/intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathways and diminishes EGFR/AKT/ERK-modulated metastatic potential in HCC in vitro and in vivo.
Dynamic self-diffusion behaviors of nickel adatoms on clusters with Wulff shape
Authors: Dai Xiongying , Yang Jianyu , Hu Wangyu , Yang Zhixiong , Peng Shenglin
Published: February 2020

The dynamic self-diffusion behaviors of a nickel (Ni) adatom on the surface of the 4033-atom clusters with Wulff shape are studied. The interfacet and intrafacet self-diffusion processes are simulated via molecular dynamics (MDs) method, and the corresponding energy barriers are calculated by using the nudged elastic band (NEB) method. Based on the research and detailed analyses on all the possible diffusion processes, we found that the interfacet self-diffusion processes and intrafacet self-diffusion processes on the (100) facets are difficult to sustain at room-temperature because of high-energy barriers. However, the Ni adatoms can diffuse the inner (111) facet of the cluster easily either from the center of the facets to the step edges or along the step edges. This means that the epitaxial growth for Wulff[Formula: see text] cannot take place at low-temperature, and all facets of the cluster will grow uniformly.
Bifurcations and Exact Solutions for a Class of MKdV Equations with the Conformable Fractional Derivative via Dynamical System Method
Authors: Liang Jianli , Tang Longkun , Xia Yonghui , Zhang Yi
Published: February 2020

In 2014, Khalil et al. [2014] proposed the conformable fractional derivative, which obeys chain rule and the Leibniz rule. In this paper, motivated by the monograph of Jibin Li [Li, 2013], we study the exact traveling wave solutions for a class of third-order MKdV equations with the conformable fractional derivative. Our approach is based on the bifurcation theory of planar dynamical systems, which is much different from the simplest equation method proposed in [Chen & Jiang, 2018]. By employing the traveling wave transformation [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text], we reduce the PDE to an ODE which depends on the fractional order [Formula: see text], then the analysis depends on the order [Formula: see text]. Moreover, as [Formula: see text], the exact solutions are consistent with the integer PDE. However, in all the existing papers, the reduced ODE is independent of the fractional order [Formula: see text]. It is believed that this method can be applicable to solve the other nonlinear differential equations with the conformable fractional derivative.
Nilpotent Global Centers of Linear Systems with Cubic Homogeneous Nonlinearities
Authors: García-Saldaña J. D. , Llibre Jaume , Valls Claudia
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we characterize the global nilpotent centers of polynomial differential systems of the linear form plus cubic homogeneous terms.
High-Order Analysis of Global Bifurcations in a Codimension-Three Takens–Bogdanov Singularity in Reversible Systems
Authors: Qin Bo-Wei , Chung Kwok-Wai , Algaba Antonio , Rodríguez-Luis Alejandro J.
Published: February 2020

A codimension-three Takens–Bogdanov bifurcation in reversible systems has been very recently analyzed in the literature. In this paper, we study with the help of the nonlinear time transformation method, the codimension-one and -two homoclinic and heteroclinic connections present in the corresponding unfolding. The algorithm developed allows to obtain high-order approximations for the global connections, in such a way that it supplies in a very efficient manner the coefficients that would be obtained with high-order Melnikov functions. As we show, all our analytical predictions have excellent agreement with the numerical results. In particular we remark that, for the two different codimension-two points, the theoretical approximation coincides in six decimal digits with the numerical continuation, even being quite far from the codimension-three point. The better approximations we provide in this work will help in the study of reversible systems that exhibit this codimension-three Takens–Bogdanov bifurcation.
Is memorization the name of the game? Undergraduates’ perceptions of the usefulness of physiology songs
Authors: Crowther Gregory J. , Wessels Jason , Lesser Lawrence M. , Breckler Jennifer L.
Published: February 2020

The possible benefits of using music to enhance learning of STEM content are numerous, diverse, and largely unproven. We sought to determine which (if any) of these possible benefits are commonly experienced by undergraduate students and are thus especially worthy of further investigation. Four hundred ninety-three students in nine physiology courses at two midsized American universities rated the usefulness of short instructor-penned mathematical physiology songs and explained in their own words why each song would or would not be a useful study aid. The students collectively perceived the usefulness of each song to depend on both academic factors (e.g., the lyrics’ clarity or relevance to the course) and aesthetic values (e.g., the appeal of the rhythm or the quality of the singing). Most strikingly, although students’ free responses were brief (median length: 18 words in study phase 1, 16 words in study phase 2), nearly one-half of them (1,039 of 2,191) concerned memory, suggesting that many students see educational songs primarily as mnemonic devices. A second major theme of students’ comments concerned the conciseness and information density of the songs. Though all 10 songs were brief, lasting 17–54 s, students seemed to prefer shorter songs (perhaps better called “jingles”). This first-of-its-kind data set on student perceptions of educational songs should inform the creation and usage of such songs, as well as further research on their possible value.
Undergraduate biological sciences and biotechnology students’ reflective essays focus on descriptive details of experiential learning experiences
Authors: Halpin Patricia A. , Donahue Ann E. , Johnson Kathryn M. S.
Published: February 2020

Experiential learning experiences (ELEs), opportunities for students to apply knowledge and skills critically in a hands-on environment, are fundamental to the apprenticeship model of biological and biotechnological sciences. ELEs enhance student-learning gains, increase career readiness, and provide important networking opportunities. However, students do not often recognize the benefits of ELEs. Reflection is a highly effective tool to articulate learning gains and connect new content with established knowledge. Therefore, senior undergraduate students ( n = 23), majoring in biological sciences or biotechnology, wrote required reflective essays about their ELE, in response to an intentionally vague prompt. Qualitative assessment of the reflective essays identified themes present in the reflective essays that typically included descriptions of what students did, with whom they worked, and what they learned during their ELE, but lacked critical analysis or deep reflection about their experience. Differences were also present between different types of ELEs. These results provide a foundation for guiding students to deeper reflection, ultimately resulting in greater benefits from their ELEs. To promote more robust reflection, and, therefore, theoretically enhance learning gains from ELEs, we suggest multiple iterations of reflection, instructor feedback and coaching, and ELE-specific prompts that focus on the placement of ELEs within students’ personal and professional trajectory.
DMBA‐Induced Oral Carcinoma in Syrian Hamster: Increased Carcinogenic Effect by Dexamethasone Coexposition
Authors: Martínez B. Diana A. , Barato Gómez Paola Andrea , Iregui Castro Carlos Arturo , Rosas Pérez Jaiver E.
Published: February 2020

Objectives. To investigate the effect of systemic administration of the immunosuppressant dexamethasone (DM) while inducing hamster buccal pouch DMBA carcinogenesis. Materials and Methods. Two different experiments were performed. In the first experiment, hamsters’ right buccal pouches in group A (n = 10) were painted three times per week with 7,12‐dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) 0.5%, while pouches of animals in group B (n = 4) were painted with mineral oil only. Two animals were sacrificed every three weeks to obtain histological samples and to evaluate pathological abnormalities. After 12 weeks of exposition and with no macroscopic evidence of neoplasms, dexamethasone DM (1 mg/kg) was administered daily for 7 days to the last two animals in the study. In the second experiment, DM was administered since DMBA exposition, following the same protocol as the first experiment. Results. The time of macroscopic neoplasm development was reduced when DM‐DMBA coexposition was employed, finding tumors after 10–12 weeks of exposition. In addition, the frequency of histopathological lesions was higher. Conclusion. Immunomodulatory action of dexamethasone may reduce the time of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) induction and may increase the incidence of neoplasms developed.
Microbiology of Ethiopian Traditionally Fermented Beverages and Condiments
Authors: Wedajo Lemi Bikila
Published: February 2020

Globally, fermented beverage and condiments are made by using different conventional practices, raw materials, and microorganisms. This paper presents the available literature review on the technology and microbiology of traditional Ethiopian beverages and condiment products. Traditional fermented beverage and condiment products have essential vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants that are all enhanced through the process of traditional fermentation practices. In Ethiopia, fermented beverage and condiment products have practiced in a long history. During the production of traditional fermented beverage and condiment products, controlled natural fermentation process with the absence of starter cultures are used to initiate it. Moreover, the preparation of many traditionally fermented beverage and condiment products is still practiced in a household art, thereby a wide variety of fermented beverages and condiments are consumed in Ethiopia. In conclusion, the review discusses the nature of the beverage and condiment preparation, poor traditional household processing, and the extent and limitation of scientific work done so far and suggests some recommendations to limit the problem in Ethiopia.