bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for redetectable positivity in recovered COVID‐19 children
Authors: Peng Denggao , Zhang Jing , Ji Yiling , Pan Dongming
Published: October 2020

Objective

To identify the risk factors for redetectable positivity (RP), and to provide a basis for prevention and control of coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) in children.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed on all pediatric patients diagnosed with COVID‐19. RP was defined as the positive result of real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) after symptom resolution and discharge. Children were defined as being less than 18 years old.

Results

Fourteen out of 38 (36.8%) pediatric patients exhibited RP. Compared with the non‐RP group (n = 24), the RP group (n = 14) had more family cluster infections, relatively higher white blood cell (WBC) count and longer plasma prothrombin time (PT), while age and gender were insignificant. T lymphocyte subclassification was observed at five‐time points: the first test after admission, 2 weeks, and 1, 2, and 3 months after discharge. The RP group had a higher percentage and count of CD8+ T lymphocytes and lower CD4+/CD8+ ratio at 2 weeks, while a lower percentage and count of CD4+ T lymphocytes and lower CD4+/CD8+ ratio at 2 months. The positive rate of nasopharyngeal swabs by RT‐PCR was higher during the onset, while that of anal swabs was higher during the recovery of COVID‐19.

Conclusions

Family cluster infection, higher WBC count, and longer PT are the early risk factors for RP in recovered COVID‐19 children. The dynamic changes in number and ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes may be involved in prolonged SARS‐CoV‐2 clearance. Nasopharyngeal swabs sampling during the onset and anal swabs sampling during the recovery may improve the positivity rate of RT‐PCR.
SynPharm and the guide to pharmacology database: A toolset for conferring drug control on engineered proteins
Authors: Davies Jamie A.
Published: October 2020

Optimizing synthetic biological systems, for example novel metabolic pathways, becomes more complicated with more protein components. One method of taming the complexity and allowing more rapid optimization is engineering external control into components. Pharmacology is essentially the science of controlling proteins using (mainly) small molecules, and a great deal of information, spread between different databases, is known about structural interactions between these ligands and their target proteins. In principle, protein engineers can use an inverse pharmacological approach to include drug response in their design, by identifying ligand‐binding domains from natural proteins that are amenable to being included in a designed protein. In this context, “amenable” means that the ligand‐binding domain is in a relatively self‐contained subsequence of the parent protein, structurally independent of the rest of the molecule so that its function should be retained in another context. The SynPharm database is a tool, built on to the Guide to Pharmacology database and connected to various structural databases, to help protein engineers identify ligand‐binding domains suitable for transfer. This article describes the tool, and illustrates its use in seeking candidate domains for transfer. It also briefly describes already‐published proof‐of‐concept studies in which the CRISPR effectors Cas9 and Cpf1 were placed separately under the control of tamoxifen and mefipristone, by including ligand‐binding domains of the Estrogen Receptor and Progesterone Receptor in modified versions of Cas9 and Cpf1. The advantages of drug control or the rival protein‐control technology of optogenetics, for different purposes and in different situations, are also briefly discussed.
Gravity as Universal UV Completion: Towards a Unified View of Swampland Conjectures
Authors: Gómez César
Published: October 2020

On the basis of the idea that gravity defines a universal UV‐completion and using a form of UV/IR correspondence we revisit some Swampland conjectures, in particular de Sitter and infinite distance conjectures, from the point of view of renormalization group energy flow. The rol and limitations of non perturbative instanton effects to define a metastable cosmological constant are briefly discussed in this context.
Serious cardiovascular adverse events with fluoroquinolones versus other antibiotics: A self‐controlled case series analysis
Authors: Aspinall Sherrie L. , Sylvain Nathan P. , Zhao Xinhua , Zhang Rongping , Dong Diane , Echevarria Kelly , Glassman Peter A. , Goetz Matthew Bidwell , Miller Donald R. , Cunningham Francesca E.
Published: October 2020

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between fluoroquinolone (FQ) use and the occurrence of aortic aneurysm/dissection (AA/AD), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), ventricular arrhythmias (VenA), and all‐cause mortality vs other commonly used antibiotics. We conducted a self‐controlled case series analysis of patients who experienced the outcomes of AA/AD, AMI, and VenA, based on diagnosis codes from emergency department visits and hospitalizations within Veterans Health Administration, and death in FY2014‐FY2018. These Veterans also received outpatient prescriptions for FQs. Conditional Poisson regression models were used to estimate the association between FQs and each of the outcomes vs antibiotics of interest (ie amoxicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanate, azithromycin, doxycycline, cefuroxime or cephalexin, or sulfamethoxazole‐trimethoprim), adjusted for time‐varying covariates. Using a 30‐day risk period after each antibiotic prescription, adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) for FQs vs each comparator antibiotic were not statistically different for outcomes of VenA or AMI. For AA/AD, incidence was higher during FQ risk periods vs amoxicillin [aIRR 1.50 (95% CI 1.01, 2.25)] and azithromycin [aIRR 2.15 (95% CI 1.27, 3.64)] risk periods. A significantly increased risk of mortality was observed with FQs vs each antibiotic of interest. FQs were associated with an increased risk of AA/AD vs amoxicillin and azithromycin and an increased risk of all‐cause mortality vs multiple antibiotics commonly used for outpatient infections. Although the differences in event rates are small, FQ use should be limited to serious infections without appropriate alternatives.
Physiologically‐Based Pharmacokinetic Modelling of Creatinine‐Drug Interactions in the Chronic Kidney Disease Population
Authors: Takita Hiroyuki , Scotcher Daniel , Chinnadurai Rajkumar , Kalra Philip A. , Galetin Aleksandra
Published: October 2020

Elevated serum creatinine (SCr) caused by the inhibition of renal transporter(s) may be misinterpreted as kidney injury. The interpretation is more complicated in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to altered disposition of creatinine and renal transporter inhibitors. A clinical study was conducted in 17 patients with CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate 15–59 mL/min/1.73 m2); changes in SCr were monitored during trimethoprim treatment (100–200 mg/day), administered to prevent recurrent urinary infection, relative to the baseline level. Additional SCr‐interaction data with trimethoprim, cimetidine, and famotidine in patients with CKD were collated from the literature. Our published physiologically‐based creatinine model was extended to predict the effect of the CKD on SCr and creatinine‐drug interaction. The creatinine‐CKD model incorporated age/sex‐related differences in creatinine synthesis, CKD‐related glomerular filtration deterioration; change in transporter activity either proportional or disproportional to glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decline were explored. Optimized models successfully recovered baseline SCr from 64 patients with CKD (geometric mean fold‐error of 1.1). Combined with pharmacokinetic models of inhibitors, the creatinine model was used to simulate transporter‐mediated creatinine‐drug interactions. Use of inhibitor unbound plasma concentrations resulted in 66% of simulated SCr interaction data within the prediction limits, with cimetidine interaction significantly underestimated. Assuming that transporter activity deteriorates disproportional to GFR decline resulted in higher predicted sensitivity to transporter inhibition in patients with CKD relative to healthy patients, consistent with sparse clinical data. For the first time, this novel modelling approach enables quantitative prediction of SCr in CKD and delineation of the effect of disease and renal transporter inhibition in this patient population.
Rectifying Characteristics of the Perovskite Oxide La1−xSrxMnO3/Nb‐0.7 wt%‐Doped SrTiO3 Heterojunction
Authors: Zhang Dan , Liu Huayi , Wang Shuyu , Yuan Qiuting , Li Xu , Zhang Wei , Fu Guangsheng , Zhang Yan‐Fang , Zhu Beiyi , Dong Guoyi , Xia Fengjin , Fu Yueju
Published: October 2020

The influence of Sr‐doping on the rectifying characteristics of the perovskite oxide La1−xSrxMnO3/Nb‐0.7 wt%‐doped SrTiO3(LSMO/NSTO) heterojunction is studied systematically. Clear rectification characteristics are observed in the Au/LSMO/NSTO heterojunction with Sr‐doping rate of 0.1–0.6 at 300 K. The threshold voltage and Schottky barrier height increase linearly with the increase in Sr‐doping. Combined with first‐principles calculations, it is found that the variation of Sr‐doping concentration directly leads to a change in the LSMO work function, then a change in barrier height, and finally a change in the threshold voltage and rectification characteristics. Ultimately, it is proved that the rectification characteristics of the perovskite metal oxide heterostructure are consistent with the potential barrier mechanism of semiconductors. The rectifying characteristics of the perovskite oxide p–n junction can be well modulated by the change in energy band structure caused by Sr‐doping. These results lay a foundation for further understanding of the rectification characteristics of the perovskite oxide heterostructure and improving its application value.
Revisiting pharmacological potentials of Nigella sativa seed: A promising option for COVID‐19 prevention and cure
Authors: Islam Mohammad Nazrul , Hossain Khandkar Shaharina , Sarker Partha Protim , Ferdous Jannatul , Hannan Md. Abdul , Rahman Md. Masudur , Chu Dinh‐Toi , Uddin Md. Jamal
Published: October 2020

Nigella sativa seed and its active compounds have been historically recognized as an effective herbal panacea that can establish a balanced inflammatory response by suppressing chronic inflammation and promoting healthy immune response. The essential oil and other preparations of N. sativa seed have substantial therapeutic outcomes against immune disturbance, autophagy dysfunction, oxidative stress, ischemia, inflammation, in several COVID‐19 comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, Kawasaki‐like diseases, and many bacterial and viral infections. Compelling evidence in the therapeutic efficiency of N. sativa along with the recent computational findings is strongly suggestive of combating emerged COVID‐19 pandemic. Also, being an available candidate in nutraceuticals, N. sativa seed oil could be immensely potential and feasible to prevent and cure COVID‐19. This review was aimed at revisiting the pharmacological benefits of N. sativa seed and its active metabolites that may constitute a potential basis for developing a novel preventive and therapeutic strategy against COVID‐19. Bioactive compounds of N. sativa seed, especially thymiquinone, α‐hederin, and nigellidine, could be alternative and promising herbal drugs to combat COVID‐19. Preclinical and clinical trials are required to delineate detailed mechanism of N. sativa's active components and to investigate their efficacy and potency under specific pathophysiological conditions of COVID‐19.
Relationships between leaf δ15N and leaf metallic nutrients
Authors: Chen Chongjuan , Wu Yingjie , Wang Shuhan , Liu Zhaotong , Wang Guoan
Published: October 2020

Rationale

Nitrogen (N) isotopic ratios (δ15N values) of plants are primarily determined by the δ15N values of their N sources. Metallic nutrients affect plant N uptake. However, there is little knowledge of the relationships between leaf δ15N values and leaf metallic nutrients. The δ15N values are often lower in soil nitrate (NO3−) than in ammonium (NH4+) due to large isotopic fractionation during nitrification. Plants acquire more NO3− than NH4+ when accumulating high potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) to maintain charge balance. In addition, plants that absorb more NO3− than NH4+ increase the soil pH and decrease the availability of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn). We therefore hypothesized that leaf δ15N values correlate negatively with K, Ca and Mg contents, while positively with Fe, Mn and Zn contents.

Methods

Leaves of non‐N‐fixing plants were sampled across an approx. 6000 km transect in China and their δ15N values and metallic nutrient content were determined using elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

Results

Inconsistent with the hypothesis, leaf δ15N values correlated positively with leaf K, Ca and Mg, indicating higher δ15N values of soil NO3− than NH4+. Higher δ15N values of soil NO3− revealed stronger denitrification than nitrification in the study regions because isotopic fractionation occurs during both processes. Leaf δ15N values correlated negatively with Fe, relating to decreases in soil Fe availability, which might be attributed to oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ supplying electrons for denitrification, while greater uptake of NO3− than NH4+ of plants increases soil pH. Leaf δ15N values correlated positively with Zn and did not correlate with Mn. These observed relationships between leaf δ15N values and metallic nutrients, except Mn, were independent of vegetation or soil types.

Conclusions

This study has enriched our knowledge of associations between metallic nutrients and N cycling in plant–soil systems, especially for the roles of Fe in soil N transformations and K, Ca and Mg in plant N uptake.
Pre‐implantation genetic testing: Past, present, future
Authors: Takeuchi Kazuhiro
Published: October 2020

Background

Pre‐implantation genetic testing (PGT) has been performed worldwide since it was first used by Handyside et al in the United Kingdom to sex embryos in 1990. Until about 2010, cleavage stage embryo biopsy and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) were mainstream; however, in 2012, blastocyst biopsy (trophectoderm; TE biopsy) became mainstream. In addition, array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) was used for analysis and further evolved to next‐generation sequencing (NGS), which is used worldwide.

Methods

PGT for reciprocal balanced translocation and Robertsonian translocation (PGT‐SR) was approved in Japan for habitual abortion to reduce pregnancy loss, and since 2008, we have been performing PGT‐SR using cleavage stage embryos and FISH. In 2014, we performed TE biopsy and NGS analysis.

Main findings

In this paper, I separately described the details of our methods and clinical results of FISH and NGS. NGS is superior to FISH because it can detect all chromosomes.

Conclusion

TE biopsy and NGS, which have recently become mainstream, have stable outcomes, because TE biopsy yields more cells and fewer mosaics than the cleavage stage. As a result, diagnoses are more reliable, resulting in higher pregnancy rates and lower abortion rates.
Event‐triggered H∞ filtering for nonlinear discrete‐time stochastic systems with application to vehicle roll stability control
Authors: Zhang Tianliang , Deng Feiqi , Shi Peng
Published: October 2020

In this article, the problem of event‐triggered H∞ filtering for general discrete‐time nonlinear stochastic systems is investigated. An event‐triggered mechanism is introduced to reduce the communication burden by judging whether the measured data should be transmitted. First, two results about the event‐triggered H∞ filtering for general discrete nonlinear stochastic systems are presented. Second, when the linear discrete‐time stochastic system is considered, the corresponding event‐triggered H∞ filtering can be designed via linear matrix equality approach. Finally, a numerical example and a practical example about the vehicle roll angle estimation are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed new design method.
Mechanistic Insights into the Synthesis of Telluride Colloidal Quantum Dots with Trioctylphosphine‐Tellurium
Authors: Shuklov Ivan A. , Mikhel Igor S. , Nevidimov Alexander V. , Birin Kirill P. , Dubrovina Natalia V. , Lizunova Anna A. , Razumov Vladimir F.
Published: October 2020

The combined NMR and quantum chemical study of tellurium solution in trioctylphosphine, for the first time, revealed the new unexpected P−Te species. The observed intermediates are absolutely different from the species forming in the reaction of trialkylphosphines with chalcogens up in the group. This finding sheds new light on the mechanism of telluride nanocrystals formation and allow to rationalize the application of this key tellurium precursor in the synthesis of nanostructures. The studied solution was applied in the synthesis of HgTe colloidal quantum dots.
Chemotaxis‐Driven 2D Nanosheet for Directional Drug Delivery toward the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Zhang Hao , Cao Zhenbang , Zhang Qianyi , Xu Jiangtao , Yun Sung Lai Jimmy , Liang Kang , Gu Zi
Published: October 2020

Micro/nanoscaled motor particles represent a group of intelligent materials that can precisely and rapidly respond to biological microenvironments and improve therapeutic outcomes. In order to maximize biomedical application potentials, developing a nanoscaled motor particle that is able to move autonomously toward a biological target is highly desired but still remains a critical challenge. Herein, a 2D nanosheet‐based catalytic nanomotor with chemotaxis behavior is developed for enhanced drug delivery toward the tumor microenvironment. The nanomotors are constructed via a facile one‐pot method and exhibit ultrathin monolayer nanosheet morphology. The 2D structure of nanomotors allows high catalytic activity, leading to responsive, sustained, and relatively long distance movement. Importantly, this nanomotor demonstrates directional motion toward the high gradient of H2O2 fuel, exhibiting excellent chemotactic properties. After loading an anticancer drug doxorubicin, the nanomotor shows effective inhibition on cancer cell growth in simulated tumor microenvironments. The practical drug delivery application is further strengthened by the intracellular acidity‐triggered biodegradability of the nanomotor after accomplishing the directional drug delivery function. This proof‐of‐concept work highlights the efficient catalytic activity, tumor microenvironment‐guided chemotactic movement, excellent cellular performance of the 2D nanomotor, and opens an avenue for biomedical applications such as controlled and smart drug delivery.
Accurately Regulating the Electronic Structure of NixSey@NC Core–Shell Nanohybrids through Controllable Selenization of a Ni‐MOF for pH‐Universal Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Huang Zhaodi , Xu Ben , Li Zongge , Ren Jianwei , Mei Hao , Liu Zhanning , Xie Donggang , Zhang Haobing , Dai Fangna , Wang Rongming , Sun Daofeng
Published: October 2020

N‐doped carbon‐encapsulated transition metal selenides (TMSs) have garnered increasing attention as promising electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Accurately regulating the electronic structure of these nanohybrids to reveal the underlying mechanism for enhanced HER performances is still challenging and thus requires deep excavation. Herein, a series of pomegranate‐like NixSey@NC core–shell nanohybrids (including Ni0.85Se @ NC, NiSe2@NC, and NiSe@NC) through controllable selenization of a Ni‐MOF precursor is reported. The component of the nanohybrids can be fine‐tuned by tailoring the selenization temperature and feed ratio, through which the electronic structure can be synchronously regulated. Among these nanohybrids, the Ni0.85Se @ NC exhibits the optimum pH‐universal HER performance with overpotentials of 131, 135, and 183 mV in 0.5 m H2SO4, 1.0 m KOH, and 1.0 m PBS, respectively, at 10 mA cm−2, which are attributed to the increased partial density of state at the Fermi level and effective van der Waals interactions between Ni0.85Se and NC matrix explained by density functional theory calculations.
Nanozymes and Glucuronides: Glucuronidase, Esterase, and/or Transferase Activity
Authors: Walther Raoul , van den Akker Wouter , Fruergaard Anne Sofie , Zelikin Alexander N.
Published: October 2020

Nanozymes are fundamentally interesting catalysts that are investigated as alternatives to fragile protein‐enzymes for applications in biotechnology, for prodrug activation, and use in biomedicine, as well as the catalysts that contributed to the Origin of Life. However, until now, nanozymes mostly have been documented to exhibit activity as red/ox catalysts, whereas examples of activity outside this broad class of reactions are very few. Herein, activity of nanozymes on glucuronide prodrugs is investigated, specifically focusing on the mechanism of prodrug conversion reactions. The main finding of this work is that nanozymes exhibit glucuronide‐like activity, but also catalyze prodrug conversion via esterase‐like mechanism and facilitate group transfer reactions.
On the Significance of Thermal Deformation and Dynamic Recrystallization on Flow Behavior of 25Mn2Si2Cr Bainitic Alloy
Authors: Li Ji , Tan Zhunli , Zhang Min , Gao Bo , Tian Yu , Wang Junxiang , Misra Raja Devesh Kumar , Bai Bingzhe
Published: October 2020

Thermal deformation characteristics, dynamic recrystallization behavior, and processing map of 25Mn2Si2Cr high strength bainitic steels are elucidated during wide temperature range (850–1100 °C) and strain rate (0.1–10 s−1) from flow behavior. Thermomechanical analysis by Thermo‐Calc software indicates that microstructure during thermal deformation is austenite, which is conducive to dynamic recrystallization. Phenomenological constitutive equations of thermal deformation, dynamic recrystallization equation, and processing map are established to predict flow behavior. The experimental results indicate that deformation temperature and strain rate have significant effect on thermal deformation process. Flow stress increases with decrease in deformation temperature and increase in strain rate. Increasing deformation temperature and decreasing strain rate promote dynamic recrystallization occurrence. However, the grain size increases with increase in deformation temperature. Thermal simulations predict that optimum thermal deformation parameters are deformation temperature (950–1000 °C), strain rate (0.25–5 s−1) and deformation temperature (850–950 °C), strain rate (1–5 s−1) for processing of Mn–Si–Cr bainitic steels.
Analytical model for concrete cover separation of FRP strengthened RC beams with multiple steel bolts
Authors: Zhang Dawei , Shi Haifeng , Zhu Jihua , Ueda Tamon
Published: October 2020

In this paper, analytical models for concrete cover separation (CCS) of FRP strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) beams with multiple steel bolts were developed based on concrete tooth model for strengthened RC beams without anchors. The derivation of the models involved three major steps: (a) determination of the crack spacing (width of the concrete teeth); (b) determination of the pull‐out strength of steel bolt considering the effect of shear crack; and (c) determination of the peak load of FRP strengthened beams when CCS occurs based on the concrete tooth model. Validation test on five RC beams was conducted to investigate the effect of anchorage systems on the premature debonding of FRP strengthened RC beams. Results showed that steel bolts with enough embedding length can effectively suppress the initiation and propagation of CCS, thus improve the performance of FRP strengthened RC beams. Moreover, a database of FRP strengthened RC beams with mechanical fasteners (MFs) and failed in CCS or FRP fracture (FR) was assembled from the literature. The analytical predictions agreed well with the experimental results.
Seismic performance of high‐rise special truss moment frames with multiple Vierendeel ductile segments and high panel aspect ratios
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Sahoo Dipti Ranjan
Published: October 2020

Special truss moment frames (STMFs) are often adopted as the lateral force‐resisting systems in structures, in which the inelastic activity is mostly accommodated in the special segments of truss girders. Current design standards permit the use of STMFs in buildings if the maximum height is less than 48.8 m and the aspect ratio of single Vierendeel panel is limited to 1.5. The present study is focused on the influence of multiple Vierendeel panels and the higher aspect ratios of special segments on the seismic performance of STMFs. Both nonlinear static and dynamic analyses are conducted on 12 numbers of low‐ to high‐rise STMFs to assess their lateral strengths, yield mechanisms, energy dissipation potential, and drift response under seismic loadings. Forty scaled ground motions representing the design‐basis earthquake and the maximum‐considered earthquake hazard levels have been considered in the nonlinear dynamic analyses. Analysis results showed that STMFs having the special segments of the higher aspect ratio and the multiple Vierendeel panels exhibited the desired yield mechanisms and satisfied the acceptance criteria. It is recommended that the limiting values of the panel aspect ratio and the overall height of STMFs should be considered as 2.5 and 65.0 m, respectively.
Rethinking instructional strategies with English learners in the content areas
Authors: Grapin Scott E. , Llosa Lorena , Haas Alison , Lee Okhee
Published: October 2020

The latest content standards in U.S. K–12 education are academically rigorous for all students, including a fast‐growing population of English learners (ELs). Because these standards are different from previous standards in terms of not only their rigor but also their theoretical underpinnings, enacting instruction aligned to the standards will require shifts in how teachers conceptualize the nature of content and language learning. In this article, the authors argue that instructional strategies traditionally used with ELs in the content areas need to be rethought in light of contemporary theoretical perspectives. After providing a brief overview of these perspectives in content area education and language education, the authors highlight three instructional strategies: (a) preteaching vocabulary, (b) providing sentence frames and starters, and (c) using visual aids. They describe how each strategy has traditionally been used and tensions that may arise in using the strategy in light of contemporary perspectives. Drawing on examples from their curriculum development work in linguistically diverse elementary science classrooms, the authors propose ways that teachers can adapt when and how they use each of these strategies to deliver more theoretically sound instruction. Implications of the adapted strategies for teachers working with ELs in content classrooms are discussed.
Active immunotherapy and alternative therapeutic modalities for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Weninger Stacie , Sperling Bjorn , Alexander Robert , Ivarsson Magnus , Menzies Fiona M. , Powchik Peter , Weber Christopher J. , Altar C. Anthony , Crystal Ronald G. , Haggarty Stephen J. , Loring Jeanne , Bain Lisa J. , Carrillo Maria C.
Published: October 2020

As knowledge of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression improves, the field has recognized the need to diversify the pipeline, broaden strategies and approaches to therapies, as well as delivery mechanisms. A better understanding of the earliest biological processes of AD/dementia would help inform drug target selection. Currently there are a number of programs exploring these alternate avenues. This meeting will allow experts in the field (academia, industry, government) to provide perspectives and experiences that can help elucidate what the pipeline looks like today and what avenues hold promise in developing new therapies across the stages of AD. The focus here is on Active Immunotherapies and Alternative Therapeutic Modalities. This topic includes active vaccines, antisense oligomers, and cell‐based therapy among others, and highlights new clinical developments that utilize these modalities.
Keep accessibility central in planning for COVID‐19 mitigation
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: October 2020

If students, faculty, and staff members are back on campus this fall, your institution has no doubt taken steps to reduce the risk of COVID‐19 transmission. Check to make sure measures taken in your office and elsewhere on campus don't restrict access for individuals with disabilities.
Understanding and Enhancing Consumer Privacy Perceptions in the Cloud
Authors: Fox Grace
Published: October 2020

The recent increase in highly publicised cloud breaches, coupled with issues surrounding transparency and control in the cloud, highlights the importance of understanding and addressing privacy in this context. The extant cloud privacy literature has a tendency to focus on technical solutions to address security and privacy together, but a small emerging body of literature acknowledges the importance of consumers’ privacy perceptions in the context of cloud computing. Given the breadth of cloud applications and the situational nature of privacy, it is imperative to unpack the role of privacy in this complex domain. This chapter leverages the broader privacy literature in the Information Systems field to identify potential measures to enhance consumer privacy in the cloud context and highlights a number of paths for research to further our knowledge of consumer privacy perceptions in the various cloud contexts.
Relaxing unimodularity for Yang-Baxter deformed strings
Authors: Hronek Stanislav , Wulff Linus
Published: October 2020

Abstract

We consider so-called Yang-Baxter deformations of bosonic string sigma- models, based on an R-matrix solving the (modified) classical Yang-Baxter equation. It is known that a unimodularity condition on R is sufficient for Weyl invariance at least to two loops (first order in α′). Here we ask what the necessary condition is. We find that in cases where the matrix (G + B)mn, constructed from the metric and B-field of the undeformed background, is degenerate the unimodularity condition arising at one loop can be replaced by weaker conditions. We further show that for non-unimodular deformations satisfying the one-loop conditions the Weyl invariance extends at least to two loops (first order in α′). The calculations are simplified by working in an O(D, D)-covariant doubled formulation.
Effects of horizons on entanglement harvesting
Authors: Cong Wan , Qian Chen , Good Michael R.R. , Mann Robert B.
Published: October 2020

Abstract

We study the effects of horizons on the entanglement harvested between two Unruh-DeWitt detectors via the use of moving mirrors with and without strict horizons. The entanglement reveals the sensitivity of the entanglement harvested to the global dynamics of the trajectories disclosing aspects of the effect that global information loss (where incoming massless scalar field modes from past null infinity cannot reach right future null infinity) has on local particle detectors. We also show that entanglement harvesting is insensitive to the sign of emitted radiation flux.
The Hamilton-Jacobi equation and holographic renormalization group flows on sphere
Authors: Kim Nakwoo , Kim Se-Jin
Published: October 2020

Abstract

We study the Hamilton-Jacobi formulation of effective mechanical actions associated with holographic renormalization group flows when the field theory is put on the sphere and mass terms are turned on. Although the system is supersymmetric and it is described by a superpotential, Hamilton’s characteristic function is not readily given by the superpotential when the boundary of AdS is curved. We propose a method to construct the solution as a series expansion in scalar field degrees of freedom. The coefficients are functions of the warp factor to be determined by a differential equation one obtains when the ansatz is substituted into the Hamilton-Jacobi equation. We also show how the solution can be derived from the BPS equations without having to solve differential equations. The characteristic function readily provides information on holographic counterterms which cancel divergences of the on-shell action near the boundary of AdS.
A counterexample to the Nelson-Seiberg theorem
Authors: Sun Zheng , Tan Zipeng , Yang Lu
Published: October 2020

Abstract

We present a counterexample to the Nelson-Seiberg theorem and its extensions. The model has 4 chiral fields, including one R-charge 2 field and no R-charge 0 filed. Giving generic values of coefficients in the renormalizable superpotential, there is a supersymmetric vacuum with one complex dimensional degeneracy. The superpotential equals zero and the R-symmetry is broken everywhere on the degenerated vacuum. The existence of such a vacuum disagrees with both the original Nelson-Seiberg theorem and its extensions, and can be viewed as the consequence of a non-generic R-charge assignment. Such counterexamples may introduce error to the field counting method for surveying the string landscape, and are worth further investigations.
Euclidean black saddles and AdS4 black holes
Authors: Bobev Nikolay , Charles Anthony M. , Min Vincent S.
Published: October 2020

Abstract

We find new asymptotically locally AdS4Euclidean supersymmetric solutions of the STU model in four-dimensional gauged supergravity. These “black saddles” have anS1×$$ {\Sigma}_{\mathfrak{g}} $$Σgboundary at asymptotic infinity and cap off smoothly in the interior. The solutions can be uplifted to eleven dimensions and are holographically dual to the topologically twisted ABJM theory onS1×$$ {\Sigma}_{\mathfrak{g}} $$Σg. We show explicitly that the on-shell action of the black saddle solutions agrees exactly with the topologically twisted index of the ABJM theory in the planar limit for general values of the magnetic fluxes, flavor fugacities, and real masses. This agreement relies on a careful holographic renormalization analysis combined with a novel UV/IR holographic relation between supergravity parameters and field theory sources. The Euclidean black saddle solution space contains special points that can be Wick-rotated to regular Lorentzian supergravity backgrounds that correspond to the well-known supersymmetric dyonic AdS4black holes in the STU model.
Selection Properties and Set-Valued Young Integrals of Set-Valued Functions
Authors: Michta Mariusz , Motyl Jerzy
Published: October 2020

The paper deals with some selection properties of set-valued functions and different types of set-valued integrals of a Young type. Such integrals are considered for classes of Hölder continuous or with bounded Young p-variation set-valued functions. Two different cases are considered, namely set-valued functions with convex values and without convexity assumptions. The integrals contain as a particular case set-valued stochastic integrals with respect to a fractional Brownian motion, and therefore, their properties are crucial for the investigation of solutions to stochastic differential inclusions driven by a fractional Brownian motion.
An evidence combination approach based on fuzzy discounting
Authors: Xue Dawei , Wang Yong , Yang Chunlan
Published: October 2020

In evidence theory, Dempster’s rule of combination is the most commonly applied method to aggregate bodies of evidence obtained from different sources to make a decision. However, when multiple independent bodies of evidence with conflict are aggregated by Dempster’s rule of combination, the counterintuitive results can be generated. Evidence discounting is proved to be an efficient way to eliminate the counterintuitive combination results. Following the discounting ideas, a new combination approach based on fuzzy discounting is put forward. Both the conflict between bodies of evidence and the uncertainty of a body of evidence itself are taken into account to determine the discounting factors. Jousselme’s evidence distance is used to represent conflict between bodies of evidence, and discriminability measure is defined to represent uncertainty of a body of evidence itself. Consider that both the evidence distance and the discriminability measure are semantically fuzzy. Thus, fuzzy membership functions are defined to describe both of them, and a fuzzy reasoning rule base is constructed to derive the discounting factors. Numerical examples indicate that this new combination approach proposed can achieve fast convergence speed and is robust to disturbing evidences, i.e., it is an effective method to process conflicting evidences combination.
Effect of systemic antibiotics on the outcomes of regenerative periodontal surgery in intrabony defects: a randomized, controlled, clinical study
Authors: Pietruska Małgorzata , Dolińska Ewa , Milewski Robert , Sculean Anton
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To assess the potential influence of systemic antibiotic administration on the healing of periodontal intrabony defects treated with deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) and collagen membrane.

Materials and methods

Forty-one intrabony defects were treated by means of DBBM and collagen membrane (GTR). Postoperatively, the patients received either systemic antibiotics (i.e., 1 g of amoxicillin, twice daily for 7 days) (test) or no antibiotics (control). Clinical attachment level (CAL), probing depth (PD), and gingival recession (GR) were measured at baseline and at 1 year following regenerative surgery. The depth of the intrabony component (INTRA DD) and its width (INTRA DW) were measured during surgery and after 1 year at reentry. The depth (RxD) and width (RxW) of the intrabony defects were evaluated radiographically at baseline and at 1 year.

Results

No adverse events were observed in any of the two groups throughout the entire study period. In the test group, mean CAL changed from 8.7 ± 1.4 mm at baseline to 5.0 ± 1.7 mm at 1 year (p < 0.0001), while PD decreased from 7.8 ± 1.5 mm at baseline to 4.0 ± 0.9 mm at 1 year (p < 0.0001). In the control group, mean CAL changed from 8.6 ± 1.9 mm to 5.9 ± 1.6 mm (p < 0.001) and mean PD improved from 7.4 ± 1.3 mm to 4.1 ± 1.3 mm (p < 0.001). Mean CAL gain measured 3.6 ± 1.6 mm in the test and 2.7 ± 1.6 mm in the control group, respectively. Defect fill (i.e., INTRA DD gain) at re-entry measured 3.7 ± 1.8 mm in the test and 2.7 ± 2.1 mm in the control group. A CAL gain of ≥ 3 mm was measured in 76% of the defects in the test group and in 40% of the defects in the control group, respectively. In both groups, all evaluated clinical and radiographic parameters improved statistically significantly compared with baseline, but no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups.

Conclusions

Within their limits, the present study has failed to show any substantial added clinical benefits following the postoperative administration of amoxicillin in conjunction with regenerative periodontal surgery using DBBM and GTR.

Clinical relevance

The post-surgically administration of systemic antibiotics does not seem to be necessary following regenerative periodontal surgery.
Elektroschockdistanzwaffen Taser® X2 und T7
Authors: Kunz S. N. , Krys L. F.
Published: October 2020

Die medizinische Beurteilung von Verletzungen und potenzieller todesursächlicher Relevanz einer Stromexposition durch eine Elektroschockdistanzwaffe beschränkt sich nicht allein auf die situativen Gegebenheiten und die morphologische Befunderhebung, sondern beinhaltet auch eine intensive Analyse polizeilicher Ermittlungen und die Auswertung von Zeugenaussagen sowie vorangegangener medizinischer Maßnahmen. Insbesondere bei zeitlich relevanter Nähe zwischen Exposition und Todeseintritt muss die Wirkung der übertragenen Stromimpulse in Zusammenhang mit der meist komplexen Einsatzsituation und der medizinischen Vorgeschichte des Geschädigten beurteilt werden. Ein detailliertes Wissen über die konkrete und auch abstrakte Wirkungsweise, Wirksamkeit und Risiken von Elektroschockdistanzwaffen ist hierfür unabdingbar.
A Constructive Approach to Freyd Categories
Authors: Posur Sebastian
Published: October 2020

We discuss Peter Freyd’s universal way of equipping an additive category $$\mathbf {P}$$
P
with cokernels from a constructive point of view. The so-called Freyd category $$\mathcal {A}(\mathbf {P})$$

A
(
P
)

is abelian if and only if $$\mathbf {P}$$
P
has weak kernels. Moreover, $$\mathcal {A}(\mathbf {P})$$

A
(
P
)

has decidable equality for morphisms if and only if we have an algorithm for solving linear systems $$X \cdot \alpha = \beta $$

X
·
α
=
β

for morphisms $$\alpha $$
α
and $$\beta $$
β
in $$\mathbf {P}$$
P
. We give an example of an additive category with weak kernels and decidable equality for morphisms in which the question whether such a linear system admits a solution is computationally undecidable. Furthermore, we discuss an additional computational structure for $$\mathbf {P}$$
P
that helps solving linear systems in $$\mathbf {P}$$
P
and even in the iterated Freyd category construction $$\mathcal {A}( \mathcal {A}(\mathbf {P})^{\mathrm {op}} )$$

A
(
A

(
P
)

op

)

, which can be identified with the category of finitely presented covariant functors on $$\mathcal {A}(\mathbf {P})$$

A
(
P
)

. The upshot of this paper is a constructive approach to finitely presented functors that subsumes and enhances the standard approach to finitely presented modules in computer algebra.
Is there a Good Moral Argument against Moral Realism?
Authors: Golub Camil
Published: October 2020

It has been argued that there is something morally objectionable about moral realism: for instance, according to realism, we are justified in believing that genocide is wrong only if a certain moral fact obtains, but it is objectionable to hold our moral commitments hostage to metaphysics in this way. In this paper, I argue that no version of this moral argument against realism is likely to succeed. More precisely, minimal realism―the kind of realism on which realist theses are understood as internal to moral discourse―is immune to this challenge, contrary to what some proponents of the moral argument have suggested, while robust non-naturalist realists might have good answers to all versions of the argument as well, at least if they adopt a certain stance on how to form metaphysical beliefs in the moral domain.
Thermodynamic, Kinetic, and Microstructure Data for Modeling Solidification of Fe-Al-Mn-Si-C Alloys
Authors: Miettinen Jyrki , Koskenniska Sami , Visuri Ville-Valtteri , Somani Mahesh , Fabritius Timo , Kömi Jukka
Published: October 2020

In this study, a set of thermodynamic, kinetic, and microstructure data is presented to simulate the non-equilibrium solidification of Fe-Al-Mn-Si-C alloys. The data were further validated with the experimental measurements and then used in a thermodynamic–kinetic software, IDS, to establish the effect of the alloying and cooling rate on the solidification behavior of high-AlMnSi (Al ≥ 0.5 wt pct, Mn ≥ 2 wt pct, Si ≥ 1 wt pct) steels. The modeling results were additionally validated by conducting electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) measurements. The results reveal that (1) solidification in high-AlMnSi steels occurs at much lower temperatures than in carbon steels; (2) increasing the cooling rate marginally lowers the solidus; (3) the microsegregation of Mn in austenite is much stronger than that of Si and Al due to the tendency of Al and Si to deplete from the liquid phase; (4) the residual delta ferrite content may be influenced by a proper heat treatment but not to the extent that could be expected solely from thermodynamic calculations; (5) in high-AlMnSi steels containing less than 0.2 wt pct carbon, the cracking tendency related to the strengthening above the solidus and the shell growth below the solidus may be much lower than in carbon steels.
The Development of a Short Version of the SIMS Using Machine Learning to Detect Feigning in Forensic Assessment
Authors: Orrù Graziella , Mazza Cristina , Monaro Merylin , Ferracuti Stefano , Sartori Giuseppe , Roma Paolo
Published: October 2020

In the present study, we applied machine learning techniques to evaluate whether the Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS) can be reduced in length yet maintain accurate discrimination between consistent participants (i.e., presumed truth tellers) and symptom producers. We applied machine learning item selection techniques on data from Mazza et al. (2019c) to identify the minimum number of original SIMS items that could accurately distinguish between consistent participants, symptom accentuators, and symptom producers in real personal injury cases. Subjects were personal injury claimants who had undergone forensic assessment, which is known to incentivize malingering and symptom accentuation. Item selection yielded short versions of the scale with as few as 8 items (to differentiate between consistent participants and symptom producers) and as many as 10 items (to differentiate between consistent and inconsistent participants). The scales had higher classification accuracy than the original SIMS and did not show the bias that was originally reported between false positives and false negatives.
Assessing the Temporal Variability and Drivers of Transparent Exopolymer Particle Concentrations and Production Rates in a Subtropical Estuary
Authors: Harvey Elizabeth L. , Anderson Sean R. , Diou-Cass Quintin , Duffy Patrick I.
Published: October 2020

Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) are the central mechanism by which carbon is shuttled from the surface to the deep ocean. Despite the importance of these particles, the magnitude and drivers of temporal variability in the concentration and production rate of TEP in the ocean are not well resolved, especially in highly dynamic and productive regions like estuaries. Here, TEP dynamics were evaluated across weekly, tidal, and diel time scales within the Skidaway River Estuary (GA, USA) and adjacent coastal waters in the South Atlantic Bight. No significant trends in TEP concentration or production rates were observed over weekly time scales, though over tidal cycles, TEP concentration varied between tide stage and TEP:chlorophyll ratios were always lower at low relative to high tides. Over sequential diel cycles, TEP concentrations were two times higher at night relative to midday. Different biological and environmental variables were correlated with TEP dynamics (Spearman ρ) depending on the time scale considered, reinforcing the importance of time-specific drivers of TEP. These results emphasize the importance in considering the temporal variability of field-based TEP measurements, with implications for accurate assessments of carbon cycling in coastal ecosystems and the incorporation of TEP into carbon export models.
Dynamic Variations in Brain Glycogen are Involved in Modulating Isoflurane Anesthesia in Mice
Authors: Fan Ze , Zhang Zhihao , Zhao Shiyi , Zhu Yuanyuan , Guo Dong , Yang Bo , Zhuo Lixia , Han Jiao , Wang Rui , Fang Zongping , Dong Hailong , Li Yan , Xiong Lize
Published: October 2020

Abstract

General anesthesia severely affects the metabolites in the brain. Glycogen, principally stored in astrocytes and providing the short-term delivery of substrates to neurons, has been implicated as an affected molecule. However, whether glycogen plays a pivotal role in modulating anesthesia–arousal remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that isoflurane-anesthetized mice exhibited dynamic changes in the glycogen levels in various brain regions. Glycogen synthase (GS) and glycogen phosphorylase (GP), key enzymes of glycogen metabolism, showed increased activity after isoflurane exposure. Upon blocking glycogenolysis with 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-arabinitol (DAB), a GP antagonist, we found a prolonged time of emergence from anesthesia and an enhanced δ frequency in the EEG (electroencephalogram). In addition, augmented expression of glycogenolysis genes in glycogen phosphorylase, brain (Pygb) knock-in (PygbH11/H11) mice resulted in delayed induction of anesthesia, a shortened emergence time, and a lower ratio of EEG-δ. Our findings revealed a role of brain glycogen in regulating anesthesia–arousal, providing a potential target for modulating anesthesia.