bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two Propagation Scenarios of Isolated Breakdown Lightning Processes in Failed Negative Cloud‐to‐Ground Flashes
Authors: Kolmašová Ivana , Santolík Ondřej , Defer Eric , Kašpar Petr , Kolínská Andrea , Pedeboy Stéphane , Coquillat Sylvain
Published: November 2020

Isolated breakdown process (also known as attempted leader or inverted intra‐cloud discharge) is a lightning phenomenon characterized by radio wave pulses similar to signatures of preliminary breakdown before negative cloud‐to‐ground flashes, but in this case no cloud‐to‐ground return strokes occur. We identified 128 isolated breakdown pulse trains in measurements collected in the Mediterranean by a broadband receiver (0.005–37 MHz) in 2015 and 2018. By combining these records with concurrent Lightning Mapping Array measurements of very high frequency radiation (60–66 MHz) emitted by in‐cloud discharges we investigate the development of each discharge. We identify two scenarios: Either the discharges continue to propagate almost horizontally for more than 150 ms (73%), or they quickly fade out (27%). The geo‐localized sources of the observed isolated breakdown pulse trains, together with their waveform characteristics (duration, inter‐pulse intervals, regularity, and bipolar shapes) show that both scenarios are similar to initiation processes preceding negative cloud‐to‐ground flashes.
Partitioned Fault Movement and Aftershock Triggering: Evidence for Fault Interactions During the 2017 Mw 5.4 Pohang Earthquake, South Korea
Authors: Son M. , Cho C. S. , Lee H. K. , Han M. , Shin J. S. , Kim K. , Kim S.
Published: November 2020

The 2017 Pohang earthquake (Mw 5.4) is the largest earthquake associated with fluid injection activities. We report new characteristics of the earthquake and propose a dislocation‐type model explaining previously reported observations. We identify fault geometry by relocating the hypocenters of 1,132 events that occurred during the first 3 months and then resolve their source regions as the northern, central, and southern patches, based on event groups with similar waveforms. The spatial features of these similar waveform groups, in addition to our obtained source mechanisms, indicate that oblique contraction is prevalent in the source region: Reverse faulting dominates the southern fault and the deeper part of the central fault; near‐parallel strike‐slip sense controls the northern fault and the shallower part of the central fault. Furthermore, we identify a migrating aftershock pattern that matches the fluid diffusion process along both sides of the northern and central faults. This observation suggests the interconnection of the two faults, allowing fluid transport, and implies mainshock coseismic movement along the fault intersection. The coseismic slip of the fault intersection can induce a fault‐valve process, which explains the aftershock migration pattern along the two intersecting faults. The proposed fault interaction accounts for the previously reported uplift between the two intersecting faults and successfully reproduces the non‐double‐couple mechanism of the mainshock. Our results raise the question of fluid‐faulting interactions in the aftershock seismicity of the Pohang earthquake, and the complex fault movement provides insight into the rupture process that allowed the Pohang earthquake runaway.
Earthquake Sequence Dynamics at the Interface Between an Elastic Layer and Underlying Half‐Space in Antiplane Shear
Authors: Abrahams Lauren S. , Allison Kali L. , Dunham Eric M.
Published: November 2020

We quantify sliding stability and rupture styles for a horizontal interface between an elastic layer and stiffer elastic half‐space with a free surface on top and rate‐and‐state friction on the interface. This geometry includes shallowly dipping subduction zones, landslides, and ice streams. Specific motivation comes from quasiperiodic slow slip events on the Whillans Ice Plain in West Antarctica. We quantify the influence of layer thickness on sliding stability, specifically whether a steadily loaded system produces steady sliding or stick‐slip sequences. We do this using both linear stability analysis and nonlinear earthquake sequence simulations. We restrict our attention to the 2‐D antiplane shear problem but anticipate that our findings generalize to more complex 2‐D in‐plane and 3‐D problems. Steady sliding with velocity‐weakening rate‐and‐state friction is linearly unstable to Fourier mode perturbations having wavelengths greater than a critical wavelength (λc). We quantify the dependence of λc on the rate‐and‐state friction parameters, elastic properties, loading, and the layer thickness (H). Confirming previous studies, we find that λc ∝ H1/2 for small H and is independent of H for large H. The linear stability analysis provides insight into nonlinear earthquake sequence dynamics of a nominally velocity‐strengthening interface containing a velocity‐weakening region of width W. Sequence simulations reveal a transition from steady sliding at small W to stick‐slip events when W exceeds a critical width (Wcr), with Wcr ∝ H1/2 for small H. Overall, this study demonstrates that the reduced stiffness of thin layers promotes instability, with implications for sliding dynamics in thin layer geometries.
Accelerating Radiation Computations for Dynamical Models With Targeted Machine Learning and Code Optimization
Authors: Ukkonen Peter , Pincus Robert , Hogan Robin J. , Pagh Nielsen Kristian , Kaas Eigil
Published: November 2020

Atmospheric radiation is the main driver of weather and climate, yet due to a complicated absorption spectrum, the precise treatment of radiative transfer in numerical weather and climate models is computationally unfeasible. Radiation parameterizations need to maximize computational efficiency as well as accuracy, and for predicting the future climate many greenhouse gases need to be included. In this work, neural networks (NNs) were developed to replace the gas optics computations in a modern radiation scheme (RTE+RRTMGP) by using carefully constructed models and training data. The NNs, implemented in Fortran and utilizing BLAS for batched inference, are faster by a factor of 1–6, depending on the software and hardware platforms. We combined the accelerated gas optics with a refactored radiative transfer solver, resulting in clear‐sky longwave (shortwave) fluxes being 3.5 (1.8) faster to compute on an Intel platform. The accuracy, evaluated with benchmark line‐by‐line computations across a large range of atmospheric conditions, is very similar to the original scheme with errors in heating rates and top‐of‐atmosphere radiative forcings typically below 0.1 K day−1 and 0.5 W m−2, respectively. These results show that targeted machine learning, code restructuring techniques, and the use of numerical libraries can yield material gains in efficiency while retaining accuracy.
Short‐Term Environmental Flow Assessment of a Functional Estuarine Tidal Flat Ecosystem: A Nonlinear Ecological Response to Flow Alteration
Authors: Zhang H. , Sun T. , Yang W.
Published: November 2020

Although the long‐term geomorphic evolution of an estuarine tidal flat consequent to flow alteration and erosion has been widely documented, the short‐term ecological responses of such ecosystems to multiple stressors remain poorly understood. We combined a mechanism‐based ecomorphodynamic model with a hydrodynamic and sediment numerical model to examine the ecological response of an estuarine tidal flat ecosystem to different magnitudes of flow discharge and erosion conditions in the Yellow River Estuary (YRE) of China. The ecological benefits of flow discharge and erosion are reported in terms of the state of the tidal flat system: (1) a patterned state with high primary production and strong sediment stabilization; and (2) a homogeneous state with low primary production and severe erosion. We focused on the nonlinear flow‐ecology relationship and identified the minimum threshold of flow discharge at which a patterned state occurs. Both flow discharge and erosion rates were shown to be important determinants of the state of the estuarine tidal flat ecosystem. We showed that a change in flow discharge altered the sediment deposition rate Sin and induced a state transition of the tidal flat ecosystem. Erosion increased the minimum threshold value of flow discharge at which a patterned state occurred. Our model framework provides an insightful method with a strong mechanistic basis to determine thresholds of flow discharge at which ecological benefits change dramatically, thereby providing a tool to make decisions regarding flow allocation in estuarine tidal flat ecosystems that are suffering from degradation caused by restricted flow and sediment load.
Potential of Hydraulic Tomography in Identifying Boundary Conditions of Groundwater Basins
Authors: Liu Fei , Yeh Tian‐Chyi Jim , Wang Yu‐Li , Song Xianfang , Lei Xiaohui , Wen Jet‐Chau , Wang Wenke , Hao Yonghong
Published: November 2020

This study investigates the potential of hydraulic tomography (HT) in identifying the boundary conditions of groundwater basins using numerical experiments. The experiment mimics the scenario of groundwater exploitation reduction in a pilot area of groundwater overexploitation control in the North China Plain. In this study, we propose an approach that integrates the HT concept and readily available groundwater monitoring data to identify the constant head and impermeable boundaries by mapping anomalously high‐ and low‐permeability zones from HT surveys in a large‐scale domain that encompasses the true groundwater basin. The resulting boundaries and conditions were then used in inversion of steady‐state and transient‐state simultaneous pumping tests and HT surveys of heterogeneity within the groundwater basin. The inversion results demonstrated significant advantages of HT surveys over multiple simultaneous pumping tests to identify boundary conditions and heterogeneity in the groundwater basin. Moreover, steady HT inversion outperforms transient HT inversion in capturing the true boundary conditions, leading to the better T estimates from steady HT inversion than those from transient HT inversion. Additionally, the study shows that accurate geological zonation information can significantly improve HT parameter estimations.
A randomised phase 2b study comparing the efficacy and safety of belotecan vs. topotecan as monotherapy for sensitive-relapsed small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Kang Jin-Hyoung , Lee Ki-Hyeong , Kim Dong-Wan , Kim Sang-We , Kim Hye Ryun , Kim Joo-Hang , Choi Jin-Hyuk , An Ho Jung , Kim Jin-Soo , Jang Joung-Soon , Kim Bong-Seog , Kim Heung Tae
Published: November 2020

Background

This study compared the efficacy/safety of the camptothecin analogues belotecan and topotecan for sensitive-relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Methods

One-hundred-and-sixty-four patients were randomised (1:1) to receive five consecutive daily intravenous infusions of topotecan (1.5 mg/m2) or belotecan (0.5 mg/m2), every 3 weeks, for six cycles. Main outcomes were objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), tolerability and toxicity. The study statistical plan was non-inferiority design with ORR as the endpoint.

Results

In the belotecan vs. topotecan groups, ORR (primary endpoint) was 33% vs. 21% (p = 0.09) and DCR was 85% vs. 70% (p = 0.030). PFS was not different between groups. Median OS was significantly longer with belotecan than with topotecan (13.2 vs. 8.2 months, HR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.48–0.99), particularly in patients aged <65 years, with more advanced disease (i.e., extensive-stage disease, time to relapse: 3–6 months), or Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 1 or 2. More belotecan recipients completed all treatment cycles (53% vs. 35%; p = 0.022).

Conclusions

The efficacy/safety of belotecan warrants further evaluation in Phase 3 trials. Belotecan potentially offers an alternative to topotecan for sensitive-relapsed SCLC, particularly in patients aged <65 years, with more advanced disease, or poor performance.
Enhancer hijacking determines extrachromosomal circular MYCN amplicon architecture in neuroblastoma
Authors: Helmsauer Konstantin , Valieva Maria E. , Ali Salaheddine , Chamorro González Rocío , Schöpflin Robert , Röefzaad Claudia , Bei Yi , Dorado Garcia Heathcliff , Rodriguez-Fos Elias , Puiggròs Montserrat , Kasack Katharina , Haase Kerstin , Keskeny Csilla , Chen Celine Y. , Kuschel Luis P. , Euskirchen Philipp , Heinrich Verena , Robson Michael I. , Rosswog Carolina , Toedling Joern , Szymansky Annabell , Hertwig Falk , Fischer Matthias , Torrents David , Eggert Angelika , Schulte Johannes H. , Mundlos Stefan , Henssen Anton G. , Koche Richard P.
Published: November 2020

MYCN amplification drives one in six cases of neuroblastoma. The supernumerary gene copies are commonly found on highly rearranged, extrachromosomal circular DNA (ecDNA). The exact amplicon structure has not been described thus far and the functional relevance of its rearrangements is unknown. Here, we analyze the MYCN amplicon structure using short-read and Nanopore sequencing and its chromatin landscape using ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq and Hi-C. This reveals two distinct classes of amplicons which explain the regulatory requirements for MYCN overexpression. The first class always co-amplifies a proximal enhancer driven by the noradrenergic core regulatory circuit (CRC). The second class of MYCN amplicons is characterized by high structural complexity, lacks key local enhancers, and instead contains distal chromosomal fragments harboring CRC-driven enhancers. Thus, ectopic enhancer hijacking can compensate for the loss of local gene regulatory elements and explains a large component of the structural diversity observed in MYCN amplification.
Awakening a latent carbon fixation cycle in Escherichia coli
Authors: Satanowski Ari , Dronsella Beau , Noor Elad , Vögeli Bastian , He Hai , Wichmann Philipp , Erb Tobias J. , Lindner Steffen N. , Bar-Even Arren
Published: November 2020

Carbon fixation is one of the most important biochemical processes. Most natural carbon fixation pathways are thought to have emerged from enzymes that originally performed other metabolic tasks. Can we recreate the emergence of a carbon fixation pathway in a heterotrophic host by recruiting only endogenous enzymes? In this study, we address this question by systematically analyzing possible carbon fixation pathways composed only of Escherichia coli native enzymes. We identify the GED (Gnd–Entner–Doudoroff) cycle as the simplest pathway that can operate with high thermodynamic driving force. This autocatalytic route is based on reductive carboxylation of ribulose 5-phosphate (Ru5P) by 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (Gnd), followed by reactions of the Entner–Doudoroff pathway, gluconeogenesis, and the pentose phosphate pathway. We demonstrate the in vivo feasibility of this new-to-nature pathway by constructing E. coli gene deletion strains whose growth on pentose sugars depends on the GED shunt, a linear variant of the GED cycle which does not require the regeneration of Ru5P. Several metabolic adaptations, most importantly the increased production of NADPH, assist in establishing sufficiently high flux to sustain this growth. Our study exemplifies a trajectory for the emergence of carbon fixation in a heterotrophic organism and demonstrates a synthetic pathway of biotechnological interest.
Silicon and oxygen synergistic effects for the discovery of new high-performance nonfullerene acceptors
Authors: Qin Ying , Chen Hui , Yao Jia , Zhou Yue , Cho Yongjoon , Zhu Yulin , Qiu Beibei , Ju Cheng-Wei , Zhang Zhi-Guo , He Feng , Yang Changduk , Li Yongfang , Zhao Dongbing
Published: November 2020

In organic electronics, an aromatic fused ring is a basic unit that provides π-electrons to construct semiconductors and governs the device performance. The main challenge in developing new π-skeletons for tuning the material properties is the limitation of the available chemical approach. Herein, we successfully synthesize two pentacyclic siloxy-bridged π-conjugated isomers to investigate the synergistic effects of Si and O atoms on the geometric and electronic influence of π-units in organic electronics. Notably, the synthesis routes for both isomers possess several advantages over the previous approaches for delivering conventional aromatic fused-rings, such as environmentally benign tin-free synthesis and few synthetic steps. To explore their potential application as photovoltaic materials, two isomeric acceptor–donor–acceptor type acceptors based on these two isomers were developed, showing a decent device efficiency of 10%, which indicates the great potential of this SiO-bridged ladder-type unit for the development of new high-performance semiconductor materials.
Plant hairy roots enable high throughput identification of antimicrobials against Candidatus Liberibacter spp.
Authors: Irigoyen Sonia , Ramasamy Manikandan , Pant Shankar , Niraula Prakash , Bedre Renesh , Gurung Meena , Rossi Denise , Laughlin Corinne , Gorman Zachary , Achor Diann , Levy Amit , Kolomiets Michael V. , Sétamou Mamoudou , Badillo-Vargas Ismael E. , Avila Carlos A. , Irey Michael S. , Mandadi Kranthi K.
Published: November 2020

A major bottleneck in identifying therapies to control citrus greening and other devastating plant diseases caused by fastidious pathogens is our inability to culture the pathogens in defined media or axenic cultures. As such, conventional approaches for antimicrobial evaluation (genetic or chemical) rely on time-consuming, low-throughput and inherently variable whole-plant assays. Here, we report that plant hairy roots support the growth of fastidious pathogens likeCandidatusLiberibacter spp., the presumptive causal agents of citrus greening, potato zebra chip and tomato vein greening diseases. Importantly, we leverage the microbial hairy roots for rapid, reproducible efficacy screening of multiple therapies. We identify six antimicrobial peptides, two plant immune regulators and eight chemicals which inhibitCandidatusLiberibacter spp. in plant tissues. The antimicrobials, either singly or in combination, can be used as near- and long-term therapies to control citrus greening, potato zebra chip and tomato vein greening diseases.
Farming fish in the sea will not nourish the world
Authors: Belton Ben , Little David C. , Zhang Wenbo , Edwards Peter , Skladany Michael , Thilsted Shakuntala H.
Published: November 2020

Recent literature on marine fish farming brands it as potentially compatible with sustainable resource use, conservation, and human nutrition goals, and aligns with the emerging policy discourse of ‘blue growth’. We advance a two-pronged critique. First, contemporary narratives tend to overstate marine finfish aquaculture’s potential to deliver food security and environmental sustainability. Second, they often align with efforts to enclose maritime space that could facilitate its allocation to extractive industries and conservation interests and exclude fishers. Policies and investments that seek to increase the availability and accessibility of affordable and sustainable farmed aquatic foods should focus on freshwater aquaculture.
Genome of Solanum pimpinellifolium provides insights into structural variants during tomato breeding
Authors: Wang Xin , Gao Lei , Jiao Chen , Stravoravdis Stefanos , Hosmani Prashant S. , Saha Surya , Zhang Jing , Mainiero Samantha , Strickler Susan R. , Catala Carmen , Martin Gregory B. , Mueller Lukas A. , Vrebalov Julia , Giovannoni James J. , Wu Shan , Fei Zhangjun
Published: November 2020

Solanum pimpinellifolium (SP) is the wild progenitor of cultivated tomato. Because of its remarkable stress tolerance and intense flavor, SP has been used as an important germplasm donor in modern tomato breeding. Here, we present a high-quality chromosome-scale genome sequence of SP LA2093. Genome comparison identifies more than 92,000 structural variants (SVs) between LA2093 and the modern cultivar, Heinz 1706. Genotyping these SVs in ~600 representative tomato accessions identifies alleles under selection during tomato domestication, improvement and modern breeding, and discovers numerous SVs overlapping genes known to regulate important breeding traits such as fruit weight and lycopene content. Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis detects hotspots harboring master regulators controlling important fruit quality traits, including cuticular wax accumulation and flavonoid biosynthesis, and SVs contributing to these complex regulatory networks. The LA2093 genome sequence and the identified SVs provide rich resources for future research and biodiversity-based breeding.
In-situ observation of ancient co-fusion steelmaking process based on HT-CLSM
Authors: Qiao Shangxiao , Qian Wei
Published: November 2020

Observing and analyzing the microstructure of zone samples had been an essential concept in the study of co-fusion steelmaking. High-temperature confocal laser scanning microscope (HT-CLSM) provided a new method in the in-situ observation and real-time analysis of the co-fusion steelmaking process. In this research, a series of experiments had been designed based on Shen Kuo’s The Dream Pool Essays (a famous ancient Chinese literature) and carried out by HT-CLSM. The results showed that a new interface was formed with the phase transition during the heating process, which had an essential influence on promoting the carbon diffusion rate in co-fusion steelmaking. The cast iron zone occurred in mushy solidification because of decarbonization. There were collision, aggregation, and other behaviors of inclusions in the cast iron zone and they moved towards the boundary, which led to the purity of the matrix and the aggregation of a large number of inclusions at the boundary.
Super resolution DOA estimation based on deep neural network
Authors: Liu Wanli
Published: November 2020

Recently, deep neural network (DNN) studies on direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimations have attracted more and more attention. This new method gives an alternative way to deal with DOA problem and has successfully shown its potential application. However, these works are often restricted to previously known signal number, same signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or large intersignal angular distance, which will hinder their generalization in real application. In this paper, we present a novel DNN framework that realizes higher resolution and better generalization to random signal number and SNR. Simulation results outperform that of previous works and reach the state of the art.
Grazing pressure-induced shift in planktonic bacterial communities with the dominance of acIII-A1 actinobacterial lineage in soda pans
Authors: Szabó Attila , Korponai Kristóf , Somogyi Boglárka , Vajna Balázs , Vörös Lajos , Horváth Zsófia , Boros Emil , Szabó-Tugyi Nóra , Márialigeti Károly , Felföldi Tamás
Published: November 2020

Astatic soda pans of the Pannonian Steppe are unique environments with respect to their multiple extreme physical and chemical characteristics (high daily water temperature fluctuation, high turbidity, alkaline pH, salinity, polyhumic organic carbon concentration, hypertrophic state and special ionic composition). However, little is known about the seasonal dynamics of the bacterial communities inhabiting these lakes and the role of environmental factors that have the main impact on their structure. Therefore, two soda pans were sampled monthly between April 2013 and July 2014 to reveal changes in the planktonic community. By late spring in both years, a sudden shift in the community structure was observed, the previous algae-associated bacterial communities had collapsed, resulting the highest ratio of Actinobacteria within the bacterioplankton (89%, with the dominance of acIII-A1 lineage) ever reported in the literature. Before these peaks, an extremely high abundance (> 10,000 individuum l−1) of microcrustaceans (Moina brachiata and Arctodiaptomus spinosus) was observed. OTU-based statistical approaches showed that in addition to algal blooms and water-level fluctuations, zooplankton densities had the strongest effect on the composition of bacterial communities. In these extreme environments, this implies a surprisingly strong, community-shaping top-down role of microcrustacean grazers.
Estimating the spawning and growth of striped snakehead Channa striata Bloch, 1793 in Lake Rawa Pening Indonesia
Authors: Djumanto  , Setyobudi Eko , Simanjuntak Charles P. H. , Rahardjo M. Fadjar
Published: November 2020

The striped snakehead (Channa striata Bloch, 1793) is a commercially important fish in Lake Rawa Pening, central Java, Indonesia. This study aims were to investigate their age, growth, and recruitment pattern, through a sampling that was performed monthly, from November 2017 to August 2018. The individual fish was measured for length and weight, and sex was determined. The otoliths were collected, cleaned, and placed on molds to pour epoxy resin. The otoliths were cut to obtain slices and observed under a microscope at 100 × magnification. Subsequently, the age was determined by counting the number of daily rings. It was established that the snakehead spawned every month, with a comparably higher frequency in the new moon than in other phases, and mostly were 3–10 months old, characterized by bigger and older sizes during the rainy season. Furthermore, the average growth rate was observed to be faster during the rainy season in contrast with the dry season. Hence, the parameters of von Bertalanffy growth functions were estimated by back-calculated length, and the pattern in female was Lt = 56.09 (1 − e− 0.81 (t + 0.07)), while male Lt = 59.36 (1 − e− 0.71 (t + 0.09)), and total Lt = 60.32 (1 − e− 0.71 (t + 0.14)), respectively.
Data driven theory for knowledge discovery in the exact sciences with applications to thermonuclear fusion
Authors: Murari A. , Peluso E. , Lungaroni M. , Gaudio P. , Vega J. , Gelfusa M.
Published: November 2020

In recent years, the techniques of the exact sciences have been applied to the analysis of increasingly complex and non-linear systems. The related uncertainties and the large amounts of data available have progressively shown the limits of the traditional hypothesis driven methods, based on first principle theories. Therefore, a new approach of data driven theory formulation has been developed. It is based on the manipulation of symbols with genetic computing and it is meant to complement traditional procedures, by exploring large datasets to find the most suitable mathematical models to interpret them. The paper reports on the vast amounts of numerical tests that have shown the potential of the new techniques to provide very useful insights in various studies, ranging from the formulation of scaling laws to the original identification of the most appropriate dimensionless variables to investigate a given system. The application to some of the most complex experiments in physics, in particular thermonuclear plasmas, has proved the capability of the methodology to address real problems, even highly nonlinear and practically important ones such as catastrophic instabilities. The proposed tools are therefore being increasingly used in various fields of science and they constitute a very good set of techniques to bridge the gap between experiments, traditional data analysis and theory formulation.
Craniofacial morphology in down syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Vicente Ascensión , Bravo-González Luis-Alberto , López-Romero Ana , Muñoz Clara Serna , Sánchez-Meca Julio
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the craniofacial cephalometric characteristics of individuals with Down syndrome (DS), comparing them with healthy subjects. An electronic search was made in Pubmed, Embase, Lilacs, Scopus, Medline and Web of Science without imposing limitations on publication date or language. Studies were selecting following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. The PECO acronym was applied as follows: P (population), individuals with DS; E, (exposition) diagnosis of DS; C (comparison), individuals without DS; O (outcomes) craniofacial characteristics based on cephalometric measurements. Independent reviewers performed data extraction and assessed the methodological quality of the articles using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality-Assessment-scale. Seven case–control studies were included in meta-analysis. Given the variability of the cephalometric measurements used, only those that had been reported in at least three or more works could be included. Anterior cranial base length (SN), posterior cranial base length (SBa), total cranial base length (BaN), effective length of the maxilla (CoA), sagittal relationship between subspinale and supramentale (ANB), anterior facial height (NMe), and posterior facial height (SGo) values were significantly lower in the DS population than among control subjects. No significant differences were found in sagittal position of subspinale relative to cranial base (SNA) and sagittal position of supramentale relative to cranial base (SNB). Summarizing, individuals with DS present a shorter and flatter cranial base than the general population, an upper jaw of reduced sagittal dimension, as well as a tendency toward prognatic profile, with the medium third of the face flattened and a reduced anterior and posterior facial heights.
Intravenous administration of sodium propionate induces antidepressant or prodepressant effect in a dose dependent manner
Authors: Hao Chunyan , Gao Zefeng , Liu XianJun , Rong Zhijiang , Jia Jingjing , Kang Kaiqi , Guo Weiwei , Li Jianguo
Published: November 2020

Propionate has been reported to exert antidepressant effects, but high-dose propionate may induce autism-like symptoms in experimental animals through induction of dysbiosis of neurotransmitters. The bi-directional effects of propionate seem to be dose-dependent. However, due to the pathological discrepancies between depression and autism, conclusions drawn from autism may not be simply transferable to depression. The effect and underlying action mechanisms of high-dose propionate on depression remains undetermined. To investigate the effects of propionate on depression, propionate dose gradients were intravenously administrated to rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 1 week. Results of these behavioral tests demonstrate that low-dose propionate (2 mg/kg body weight/day) induces antidepressant effect through bodyweight recovery, elevated reward-seeking behaviors, and reduced depression-like behaviors, while high-dose propionate (200 mg/kg body weight/day) induces prodepressant effects opposite of those of low-dose propionate. A comprehensive profiling of neurotransmitters in the hippocampus demonstrated that CUMS induces reduction of NE (Norepinephrine), DA (Dopamine). GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) was recovered by low-dose propionate, while high-dose propionate exerted more complicated effects on neurotransmitters, including reduction of NE, DA, 5-Hydroxytryptamine and Tryptophan, and increase of GABA, Kynurenine, Homovanillic acid, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and 3-methoxytyramine. The neurotransmitters disturbed by high-dose propionate suggest metabolic disorders in the hippocampus, which were confirmed by the clear group separation in PCA of metabolomic profiling. The results of this study demonstrate the double-edged dose-dependent effects of propionate on depression and suggest potential cumulative toxicity of propionate as a food additive to mood disorders.
A flow-injection system exploiting focused beam reflectance applied to the determination of high concentrations of sulfate
Authors: Wu Su , Li Yong-Sheng , Wang Xin-Long
Published: November 2020

To evaluate the grain size and particle number formed in a non-equilibrium flow mixing state, flow-injection analysis (FIA) was combined with focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM).
The direct and reversible hydrogenation of activated aluminium supported by piperidine
Authors: Sandig-Predzymirska Lesia , Ortmeyer Jochen , Wagler Jörg , Brendler Erica , Habermann Franziska , Anders Martin , Felderhoff Michael , Mertens Florian
Published: November 2020

The perspective approach for a reversible hydrogenation in aminoalane systems employing a suspension of TM-activated aluminium and piperidine in THF has been demonstrated.
The geometric and electronic structures of a Ag13Cu10(SAdm)12X3 nanocluster
Authors: Bao Yizheng , Wu Xiaohang , Gao Hongjie , Zhou Manman , Chen Shuang , Jin Shan , Yu Haizhu , Zhu Manzhou
Published: November 2020

A Cu-rich alloy nanocluster [Ag13Cu10(SAdm)12]X3 is reported, and its geometric and electronic structures are further determined via theoretical calculations.
Grinding enhances the magnetic hardness of heterometallic diruthenium(ii,iii) carbonates with a kagome lattice structure
Authors: Feng Li-Na , Tian Yu-Chen , Li Jing-Yu , Yang Jian-Hui , Liu Bin
Published: November 2020

A manual grinding strategy promotes the magnetic hardness of Cs3Cd(H2O)6[{Cd(H2O)3}2{Ru2(CO3)4}3]·10H2O with a kagome lattice structure.
Investigation of human adipose stem cell-derived nanoparticles as a biomimetic carrier for intracellular drug delivery
Authors: Chakravarti Aparna R. , Pacelli Settimio , Paul Arghya
Published: November 2020

Potential of human stem cell-derived nanoparticles (CDNs) as customizable biomimetic nanocarriers for enhancing the intracellular bioavailability of drugs.
Aptamer protective groups tolerate different reagents and reactions for regioselective modification of neomycin B
Authors: Bastian Andreas A. , Gruszka Agnieszka , Jung Philippe , Herrmann Andreas
Published: November 2020

The aptameric protective group strategy is compatible with diverse reagents and reaction conditions for the synthesis of new neomycin B derivatives.
A photo-sensitizable phage for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii therapy and biofilm ablation
Authors: Ran Bei , Yuan Yuyu , Xia Wenxi , Li Mingle , Yao Qichao , Wang Zuokai , Wang Lili , Li Xiaoyu , Xu Yongping , Peng Xiaojun
Published: November 2020

APNB for multidrug-resistant A. Baumannii therapy and biofilms ablation.
Can molecular flexibility control crystallization? The case ofparasubstituted benzoic acids
Authors: Tang Sin Kim , Davey Roger J. , Sacchi Pietro , Cruz-Cabeza Aurora J.
Published: November 2020

Little is known about the relationship between the kinetic process of nucleation and the molecular and crystal structures of a crystallizing solute. Here we compare the behaviour of a series of benzoic acids with a focus on conformational effects.
Mapping the cooperativity pathways in spin crossover complexes
Authors: Reeves Matthew G. , Tailleur Elodie , Wood Peter A. , Marchivie Mathieu , Chastanet Guillaume , Guionneau Philippe , Parsons Simon
Published: November 2020

The abruptness of spin crossover (SCO) is related to intermolecular energy changes occurring over the course of an SCO transition. Crossover is abrupt when SCO-induced strain is accommodated synergistically in a few key interactions.
Network pharmacology evaluation of the active ingredients and potential targets of XiaoLuoWan for application to uterine fibroids
Authors: Yu Yonghui , Yang Fang , Liu Hong
Published: November 2020

XiaoLuoWan (XLW) is a classical formula in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has satisfactory therapeutic effects for uterine fibroids (UFs). However, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To elucidate the pharmacological actions of XLW in treating UFs, an ingredient–target–disease framework was proposed based on network pharmacology strategies. The active ingredients in XLW and their putative targets were obtained from the TCM systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular mechANism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM) platforms. The known therapeutic targets of UFs were acquired from the DigSee and DrugBank databases. Then, the links between putative XLW targets and therapeutic UF targets were identified to establish interaction networks by Cytoscape. Finally, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses of overlapping gene targets were performed in the STRING database and visualized in R software. In total, 9 active compounds were obtained from 74 ingredients, with 71 curative targets predicted in XLW. Moreover, 321 known therapeutic targets were closely related to UFs, with 29 targets overlapping with XLW and considered interacting genes. Pathway enrichment revealed that the calcium signaling pathway was significantly enriched and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, cancer and vascular smooth muscle contraction pathways, cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway were closely associated with XLW intervention for UFs. In conclusion, the network pharmacology detection identified 9 available chemicals as the active ingredients in XLW that may relieve UFs by regulating 29 target genes involved in the calcium signaling pathway, MAPK pathway and cAMP pathway. Network pharmacology analyses may provide more convincing evidence for the investigation of classical TCM prescriptions, such as XLW.
Audiological Evaluation of Patients With Somatosensory Tinnitus Attributed to Temporomandibular Disorders
Authors: Hilgenberg-Sydney Priscila Brenner , Saldanha Aline Dantas Diógenes , Lopes Andréa Cintra , Conti Paulo César Rodrigues
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Tinnitus and temporomandibular disorders have already been associated in the literature, but despite many studies, it is still an intriguing discussion point. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of hearing loss among somatosensory tinnitus patients with temporomandibular disorders and to assess the influence of tinnitus on patients' quality of life.

Method

An otolaryngologist examined 585 patients in order to detect and evaluate the presence of tinnitus. Subjects were evaluated using the Portuguese version of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. An analysis of the somatic component of tinnitus was performed. Tinnitus was rated according to its onset (at least 6 months) and intensity with a visual analog scale. The sample was composed of 100 patients with somatosensory tinnitus divided into two groups: Group 1 (with temporomandibular disorder,
n
= 85) and Group 2 (without temporomandibular disorder,
n
= 15). The audiological evaluation was composed of pure-tone audiometry, high-frequency audiometry, tympanometry, and transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions. The impact of tinnitus on quality of life was assessed by the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory adapted and validated to Portuguese language.

Results

Pure-tone audiometry did not differ with statistical significance between groups (
p
= .29), neither did the high-frequency audiometry results (
p
= .74). Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores also did not show any differences between Groups 1 and 2 (
p
= .67).

Conclusions

Subjects with somatosensory tinnitus, who also have temporomandibular disorders, do not seem to have hearing impairment. Also, they do not have a higher quality of life handicap when compared to those without tinnitus and temporomandibular disorder.
Speech Impairments Explain Unique Variance in Adaptive Behavior Skills in Young People With Down Syndrome
Authors: Stephan Catherine , Clasen Liv , Adeyemi Elizabeth , Lee Nancy Raitano
Published: November 2020

Background

Down syndrome (DS) is a disorder characterized by impairments in global cognitive abilities and adaptive function. In addition, individuals with DS demonstrate pronounced speech and language deficits. However, little is known about the linguistic correlates of impaired adaptive functioning in DS.

Method

Using the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System–Second Edition and the Children's Communication Checklist–Second Edition (CCC-2), this study investigated the unique variance in adaptive skills accounted for by speech and language impairments in individuals with DS (N= 29,Mage= 13.46).

Results

Pearson correlations revealed that a composite of CCC-2 structural language scales, but not pragmatic language scales, was significantly correlated with the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System–Second Edition Global Adaptive Composite, Conceptual, and Practical domains. Further investigation utilizing hierarchical regression analyses identified only the Speech scale on the CCC-2 as contributing unique variance to the prediction of adaptive behavior scores in the Global Adaptive Composite, Conceptual, and Practical domains.

Conclusion

Speech impairments may serve as flags to identify children with DS who are at risk for adaptive behavior deficits and reinforce the need for speech-language therapies that focus on speech for these individuals.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13231985
Perception of Correctly and Incorrectly Produced Words in Children With and Without Phonological Speech Sound Disorders
Authors: Brosseau-Lapré Françoise , Schumaker Jennifer
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the perception of correctly and incorrectly produced words in children with and without phonological speech sound disorder (SSD) with similar vocabulary and language skills.

Method

Thirty-six monolingual English-speaking children aged 4 and 5 years, half with SSD and half with typical speech and language skills, participated in this study. Participants completed standardized speech and language tests as well as a mispronunciation detection task targeting omissions and substitutions of the phonemes /k, s, ɹ/ in five word positions/shapes.

Results

The children with SSD obtained significantly lower perceptual accuracy than the children with typical development. There was no statistically significant effect for phoneme. Omissions were more likely to be detected by both groups of participants compared with substitutions, and children with SSD had greater difficulty identifying substitutions as incorrectly produced words.

Conclusions

Speech perception difficulties may be a distinguishing feature of children with phonological SSD and without concomitant language difficulties. Further research is needed to investigate specific speech contexts in which perception predicts accurate production in children with SSD.
Spectroscopic long-term monitoring of RZ Cas
Authors: Lehmann H. , Dervişoğlu A. , Mkrtichian D. E. , Pertermann F. , Tkachenko A. , Tsymbal V.
Published: November 2020

Context. RZ Cas is a short-period Algol-type system showing episodes of mass transfer and δ Sct-like oscillations of its mass-gaining primary component. This system exhibits temporal changes in orbital period, v sin i, and the oscillation pattern of the primary component.

Aims. We analyse high-resolution spectra of RZ Cas that we obtained during a spectroscopic long-term monitoring lasting from 2001 to 2017. In this first part we investigate the atmospheric parameters of the stellar components and the time variation of orbital period, v sin i, and radial velocities (RVs), searching for seasonal changes that could be related to episodes of mass exchange and to a possible activity cycle of the system triggered by the magnetic cycle of the cool companion.

Methods. We used spectrum synthesis to analyse the spectra of both components of RZ Cas. The study of variations of the orbital period is based on published times of primary minima. We used the least-squares deconvolved (LSD) binary program to derive separated RVs and LSD profiles of the components. From the LSD profiles of the primary we determined its v sin i. Using Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations with the PHOEBE program, we modelled the RV variations of both components.

Results. Spectrum analysis resulted in precise atmospheric parameters of both components, in particular in surface abundances below solar values. We find that the variation of orbital period is semi-regular and derive different characteristic timescales for different epochs of observation. We show that the RV variations with orbital phase can be modelled when including two cool spots on the surface of the secondary component. The modelling leads to very precise masses and separation of the components. The seasonal variation of several parameters, such as v sin i, rotation-orbit synchronisation factor, strength of the spots on the cool companion, and orbital period, can be characterised by a common timescale of the order of nine years.

Conclusions. We interpret the timescale of nine years as the magnetic activity cycle of the cool companion. In particular the behaviour of the dark spots on the cool companion leads us to the interpretation that this timescale is based on an 18-yr magnetic dynamo cycle. We conclude that the mass-transfer rate is controlled by the variable depth of the Wilson depression in the magnetic spot around the Lagrangian point L1. In the result, based on available data, we observe a damped activity cycle of the star, starting with a high mass-transfer episode around 2001 with a calculated mass-transfer rate of 1.510−6 M⊙ yr−1, followed by quiet periods in 2006 and 2009, slightly higher activity around 2013 and 2014, and again followed by quiet periods in 2015 and 2016. However, owing to missing data for years 2010 and 2011, we cannot exclude that a second high mass-transfer episode occurred within this time span.
Status and Future of the CMS Tracker DCS
Authors: Karimeh Wassef , Chammoun Maroun , Shvetsov Ivan , Tsirou Andromachi , Verdini Piero Giorgio
Published: November 2020

Detector Control Systems (DCS) for modern High-Energy Physics (HEP) experiments are based on complex distributed (and often redundant) hardware and software implementing real-time operational procedures meant to ensure that the detector is always in a safe state, thus maximizing the lifetime of the detector. Display, archival and often analysis of the environmental data are also part of the tasks assigned to DCS systems. The CMS Tracker Control System (TCS) is a resilient system that has been designed to safely operate the silicon tracking detector in the CMS experiment. It has been built on top of an industrial Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software product WinCC OA extended with a framework developed at CERN, JCOP, along with CMS and Tracker specific components. The TCS is at present undergoing major architecture redesign which is critical to ensure efficient control of the detector and its future upgrades for the next fifteen years period. In this paper, we will present an overview of the Tracker DCS and the architecture of the software components as well as the associated deliverables.
Compass SPMD: a SPMD vectorized tracking algorithm
Authors: Fernandez Declara Placido , Garcia J. Daniel
Published: November 2020

Compass is a SPMD (Single Program Multiple Data) tracking algorithm for the upcoming LHCb upgrade in 2021. 40 Tb/s need to be processed in real-time to select events. Alternative frameworks, algorithms and architectures are being tested to cope with the deluge of data. Allen is a research and development project aiming to run the full HLT1 (High Level Trigger) on GPUs (Graphics Processing Units). Allen’s architecture focuses on data-oriented layout and algorithms to better exploit parallel architectures. GPUs already proved to exploit the framework efficiently with the algorithms developed for Allen, implemented and optimized for GPU architectures. We explore opportunities for the SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) paradigm in CPUs through the Compass algorithm. We use the Intel SPMD Program Compiler (ISPC) to achieve good readability, maintainability and performance writing “GPU-like” source code, preserving the main design of the algorithm.