bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and sizing of an aeroelastic composite model for a flying wing configuration with maneuver, gust, and landing loads
Authors: Bramsiepe Kjell , Voß Arne , Klimmek Thomas
Published: April 2020

The paper addresses the application of a parametric design process for a flying wing configuration. The multi-disciplinary configuration (MULDICON) is a generic unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) developed for research purposes, a further development of the DLR-F19 configuration, which was used for research activities in the scope of the DLR project Mephisto and its predecessors FaUSST and UCAV2010. For the MULDICON, the DLR parametric design process MONA is applied. Special emphasis is placed on the structural modeling with composite material where each layer is modeled and analyzed. Various failure criteria are compared to define suitable constraints for the optimization of the load carrying structure. In contrast to optimize the thickness of composites with global allowable strains, such strategy allows for a detailed analysis of every layer. The number of constraints due to the set-up of every ply is substantially increased compared to the strain allowables but the structural optimization is still applicable. The detailed structural and mass models represent the global stiffness and structural dynamic characteristics of the aircraft. For the loads analysis part of the design process, 9 different mass configurations with a total of 306 maneuvering load cases as well as 336 1-cos gust load cases are taken into account. Furthermore, a new simplified landing impact simulation is introduced to consider 12 landing load cases. All load cases are defined according to regulations like CS-25. Such number of load cases is necessary to cover a sufficient number of flight conditions. For the selection of the design loads for the structural optimization, the essential loads are analyzed for a subset of locations. Together with a parametrized optimization model, the structural optimization is conducted. The result is a weight-optimized structural model for the MULDICON. This entire model allows for the investigation of physics-based effects already at an early stage of the design process.
Adolescent coping with academic challenges: The role of parental socialization of coping
Authors: Tu Kelly M. , Cai Tianying , Li Xiaomei
Published: April 2020

Introduction

How youth cope with academic challenges has important implications for their academic outcomes. The contributions of parental involvement have been relatively well‐established; however, few, if any studies have investigated the role of parental socialization of academic coping (i.e., coping suggestions) in shaping youth coping with academic challenges.

Methods

Using a community sample from the United States, we utilized a multi‐informant, longitudinal design to investigate the prospective association between parental socialization of academic coping and adolescent coping with academic challenges. Adolescent gender was also examined as a moderator of associations. Participants included 86 two‐parent families (54% boys; 38–52% ethnic minorities). At Time 1, mothers and fathers reported on their problem‐solving, help‐seeking, and disengaged coping suggestions in response to three hypothetical academic challenge scenarios (i.e., forgetting about or performing poorly on an assignment, difficulties managing academic demands). At Times 1 and 2, adolescents reported on their coping strategies (e.g., strategizing, help‐seeking, escape) in response to academic challenges.

Results

Father‐reported problem‐focused suggestions were associated with youths' more adaptive coping (e.g., strategizing, help‐seeking) over time. Interestingly, father‐reported disengaged suggestions were associated with less maladaptive coping over time. Further, adolescent gender moderated associations linking mothers' and fathers' problem‐focused suggestions and fathers’ help‐seeking and disengaged suggestions with adolescent coping over time.

Conclusions

Overall, fathers' coping suggestions were associated with more adaptive coping for girls as compared with boys. Findings highlight the role of parental socialization of coping, particularly fathers’ role, in the academic domain.
Air Pollution Can Worsen the Death Rate from COVID-19
Authors: Hornyak Tim
Published: April 2020

Scientists find that highly polluted counties in the United States will have a COVID-19 death rate 4.5 times higher than those with low pollution if they’re otherwise similar.
Light olefin production on the Co–Ni catalyst: calcination conditions, and modeling and optimization of the process conditions by a statistical method
Authors: Arsalanfar Maryam , Akbari Maryam , Mirzaei Nima , Abdouss Majid
Published: April 2020

The effect of the calcination parameters on the catalytic performance and structure of the Co–Ni/Al2O3 catalyst and also the influence of the process variables using RSM were investigated.
Pre-university students’ perceptions about the life cycle of bioplastics and fossil-based plastics
Authors: de Waard Esther F. , Prins Gjalt T. , van Joolingen Wouter R.
Published: April 2020

Sustainability has become a prominent theme in society and can be considered as an integral part of scientific citizenship. This study investigates to what extent the production, use and re-use of (bio)plastics initiates students’ reasoning and to identify the kind of content knowledge students put forward. The structure of students’ arguments was mapped according to Toulmin's model of argumentation,i.e., claim, data, warrant & backing and qualifier & rebuttals. Students (N= 27, grade 10 & 11) participated in groups of three. The students were introduced to the topic of the production, use and re-use of plastics by watching a video, answering questions, reading articles and having interviews and group discussions. Students were prompted to argue on the sustainability of bioplastics and fossil-based plastics. The results show that students frequently used arguments related to preventing pollution, designing to recycle and designing to degrade. However, themes such as avoiding waste, origin of energy and materials, energy efficiency and costs were rarely used or even absent in students’ reasoning. Overall, the students’ reasoning contained all of Toulmin's categories, and especially the increase in the number of qualifier & rebuttals is interpreted as an indication of awareness of the complexity of the issue at hand. This study underlines that students are able to bring in relevant scientific knowledge when confronted with a suitable sustainability issue, but also more societally oriented arguments enriched their perspective. Implications for the design of interventions aiming to engage students in life cycle analysis (on plastics) are discussed.
Enzyme-activated anchoring of peptide probes onto plasma membranes for selectively lighting up target cells
Authors: Xia Julan , Sun Sujuan , Wu Xianhua , Huang Yan , Lei Chunyang , Nie Zhou
Published: April 2020

Enzyme-activated membrane insertion peptide probes were developed for selectively lighting up target cells.
A lightweight and low-cost electrode for lithium-ion batteries derived from paper towel supported MOF arrays
Authors: Zhu Longzhen , Yao Zhifan , Liu Tianqing , Xu Chao , Cai Daoping , Sa Baisheng , Chen Qidi , Zhan Hongbing
Published: April 2020

Cu-Doped Co/CoO/NC hybrid nanoplate arrays grown on a paper towel derived carbon paper substrate are synthesized and exhibit excellent performance as a low-cost and lightweight binder-free electrode for lithium-ion batteries.
Investigation on the interconversion from DMF-solvated to unsolvated copper(ii) pyrazolate coordination polymers
Authors: Di Nicola Corrado , Tombesi Alessia , Moroni Marco , Vismara Rebecca , Marchetti Fabio , Pettinari Riccardo , Nardo Luca , Vesco Guglielmo , Galli Simona , Casassa Silvia , Pandolfo Luciano , Pettinari Claudio
Published: April 2020

Enlarging the family of CPs with the {Cu(μ-pz)2} building unit: synthesis, thermal behaviour, crystal structure and spectroscopic properties of [Cu(μ-4-Xpz)2(μ-DMF)]n (4-Xpz = 4-Xpyrazolate, X = H, Cl, Br, I) and the non-solvated counterparts.
Two Co-based MOFs assembled from an amine-functionalized pyridinecarboxylate ligand: inorganic acid-directed structural variety and gas adsorption properties
Authors: Jiang Zhenzhen , Zhou Ping , Xu Tingting , Fan Lihui , Hu Simin , Chen Jingxian , He Yabing
Published: April 2020

A pair of Co-based MOFs exhibited inorganic acid-driven structural diversities, and one of them displayed the C2H2 separation and purification potential.
A designer 32-electron superatomic CBe8H12 cluster: core–shell geometry, octacoordinate carbon, and cubic aromaticity
Authors: Guo Jin-Chang , Feng Lin-Yan , Dong Chuan , Zhai Hua-Jin
Published: April 2020

A 32-electron CBe8H12 cluster is designed with cubic octacoordinate carbon. It features core–shell geometry, two-fold superatomic bonding, and cubic aromaticity.
A High‐linearity Input‐Buffer with high output common‐mode stability for 10bit 3.2GSs ADC
Authors: Sun Ting , Li Jing , Ning Ning , Wu Kejun , Yu Qi
Published: April 2020

A high‐linearity input‐buffer with high output common‐mode stability for 10‐bit 3.2 GS/s ADC is proposed in this Letter. The buffer is mainly composed of a source follower for strong driving ability. To enhance its linearity, a feed forward signal path from input to output is proposed. A replica buffer‐based common‐mode feedback is designed to achieve high output common‐mode stabilisation of input‐buffer. The prototype is implemented in 40 nm CMOS process. The output common‐mode variation is reduced from 200 to 1 mV. Input‐buffer consumes 96 mW in 3.2 GHz sampling rate and achieves 69.3 dB spur‐free dynamic range at 1581 MHz input frequency.
Novel voltage equalisation circuit of the lithium battery pack based on bidirectional flyback converter
Authors: Xiong Hui , Song Dawei , Shi Fengdong , Wei Yiying , Jinzhen Liu
Published: April 2020

Lithium batteries have become the main power source for new energy vehicles due to their high energy density and low self‐discharge rate. In actual use of series battery packs, due to battery internal resistance, self‐discharge rate and other factors, inconsistencies between the individual cells inevitably exist. Such inconsistencies will reduce the energy utilisation rate and service life of the battery pack, and even endanger its battery system safety. To improve the inconsistency of series battery packs, this study innovatively proposes an equalisation method based on a flyback converter. The residual power of a single cell is used as an index of inconsistency. A simple and reliable flyback converter is used to achieve balanced energy in the entire group, which make the energy is transferred between any batteries. Compared with the traditional equalisation topology, the equalisation topology proposed in this study reduces the number of components and reduces the volume of the equalisation system. Moreover, the primary side of the energy transfer only needs a set of control signals, which reduces the control difficulty. A series of equalisation experiments were performed using 12 series of battery cells. The results show the effectiveness of the proposed new equalisation method.
JNK-dependent intestinal barrier failure disrupts host–microbe homeostasis during tumorigenesis
Authors: Zhou Jun , Boutros Michael
Published: April 2020

Significance

The intestinal epithelium forms a tight barrier to the environment and is constantly regenerated. Precise control of barrier function and tissue renewal is important to maintain homeostasis. Using an inducible tumor model in the
Drosophila
intestine, this study shows that tumor progression disrupts the intestinal barrier and leads to commensal dysbiosis, thereby further fueling tumor growth. This reenforcing feedback loop can be interrupted by treatments with JNK inhibitor or antibiotics.
The
E. coli
transcription factor GrlA is regulated by subcellular compartmentalization and activated in response to mechanical stimuli
Authors: Sirisaengtaksin Natalie , Odem Max A. , Bosserman Rachel E. , Flores Erika M. , Krachler Anne Marie
Published: April 2020

Significance

EHEC bacteria have been implicated in numerous outbreaks of serious foodborne illnesses. EHEC activates virulence factors that promote gut colonization upon host ingestion by relying upon the sensation of mechanical stimuli created when bacteria adhere to intestinal tissue and when fluid flows past the bacterial membrane following adhesion. We found that the EHEC regulator GrlA activates virulence genes in response to mechanosensation. In planktonic bacteria, GrlA is membrane bound and physically separated from its DNA targets. When EHEC is mechanically stimulated, GrlA is released from the membrane into the cytoplasm, where it can bind and activate virulence gene promoters. This regulatory mechanism allows EHEC to rapidly adapt to the highly dynamic mechanics of the host intestine and successfully colonize.
Reactivity oscillation in the heavy–light–heavy Cl + CH
4
reaction
Authors: Chen Zhen , Chen Jun , Chen Rongjun , Xie Ting , Wang Xingan , Liu Shu , Wu Guorong , Dai Dongxu , Yang Xueming , Zhang Dong H.
Published: April 2020

Significance

The hydrogen atom transfer reactions are ubiquitous in chemical and biological processes; therefore, heavy–light–heavy (HLH) reactions are of great practical importance and chemically interesting. This joint experimental and theoretical study not only shows the existence of HLH reactivity oscillation in a bimolecular reaction, but also rationalizes why such an HLH oscillation can be observed in polyatomic reactions, but not in triatomic reactions. In addition, our study represents an important progress in the dynamics study of chemical reaction with quantum differential cross-sections calculated accurately and good agreement with experiment obtained for a chemical reaction involving more than four atoms.
ZNF263 is a transcriptional regulator of heparin and heparan sulfate biosynthesis
Authors: Weiss Ryan J. , Spahn Philipp N. , Toledo Alejandro Gómez , Chiang Austin W. T. , Kellman Benjamin P. , Li Jing , Benner Christopher , Glass Christopher K. , Gordts Philip L. S. M. , Lewis Nathan E. , Esko Jeffrey D.
Published: April 2020

Significance

Heparin is the most widely prescribed biopharmaceutical worldwide due to its potent anticoagulant activity. Therapeutic heparin is sourced primarily from porcine entrails and bovine lung. Mast cells appear to be the primary cell type that produces heparin, but all cells make a related polysaccharide, heparan sulfate. Understanding the factors that regulate the production of anticoagulant heparin would provide tools for bioengineering heparin. Here we provide evidence that key sulfotransferases in heparin/heparan sulfate production are under repression by the zinc finger protein ZNF263.
Seasonal changes in NRF2 antioxidant pathway regulates winter depression-like behavior
Authors: Nakayama Tomoya , Okimura Kousuke , Shen Jiachen , Guh Ying-Jey , Tamai T. Katherine , Shimada Akiko , Minou Souta , Okushi Yuki , Shimmura Tsuyoshi , Furukawa Yuko , Kadofusa Naoya , Sato Ayato , Nishimura Toshiya , Tanaka Minoru , Nakayama Kei , Shiina Nobuyuki , Yamamoto Naoyuki , Loudon Andrew S. , Nishiwaki-Ohkawa Taeko , Shinomiya Ai , Nabeshima Toshitaka , Nakane Yusuke , Yoshimura Takashi
Published: April 2020

Seasonal changes in the environment lead to depression-like behaviors in humans and animals. The underlying mechanisms, however, are unknown. We observed decreased sociability and increased anxiety-like behavior in medaka fish exposed to winter-like conditions. Whole brain metabolomic analysis revealed seasonal changes in 68 metabolites, including neurotransmitters and antioxidants associated with depression. Transcriptome analysis identified 3,306 differentially expressed transcripts, including inflammatory markers, melanopsins, and circadian clock genes. Further analyses revealed seasonal changes in multiple signaling pathways implicated in depression, including the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (NRF2) antioxidant pathway. A broad-spectrum chemical screen revealed that celastrol (a traditional Chinese medicine) uniquely reversed winter behavior. NRF2 is a celastrol target expressed in the habenula (HB), known to play a critical role in the pathophysiology of depression. Another NRF2 chemical activator phenocopied these effects, and anNRF2mutant showed decreased sociability. Our study provides important insights into winter depression and offers potential therapeutic targets involving NRF2.
Are theticity and sentence-focus encoded grammatical categories of Dutch?
Authors: Belligh Thomas
Published: April 2020

This article examines whether theticity and sentence-focus can be considered to be encoded
grammatical categories of Dutch. After providing some background about theticity and sentence-focus, the concept
‘encoded grammatical category’ is operationalized along the lines of Integral Linguistics or Coserian Structural
Functionalism. In order for a functional category to qualify as an encoded grammatical category of a language, the
language should have at least one construction that encodes the category as a non-defeasible semantic property. The
article provides a qualitative investigation of both corpus-based and constructed examples of five Dutch constructions
that have hitherto been recognized in the literature as thetic or sentence-focus constructions. It is shown that none
of the previously identified Dutch thetic and sentence-focus constructions grammatically encode theticity and
sentence-focus as their non-defeasible semantics. All Dutch constructions have uses that are categorically opposed to
the categories theticity and sentence-focus. Theticity and sentence-focus are therefore no independently encoded
grammatical categories of Dutch, but rather categories of discourse and (normal) language use.
Presentational and related constructions in Norwegian with reference to German
Authors: Hellan Lars , Beermann Dorothee
Published: April 2020

This paper investigates constructions in Norwegian and German with an expletive pronoun in subject
position, and for Norwegian also in object position. The discussion covers presentational, impersonal and
extrapositional constructions in both languages, and in Norwegian also the ‘light reflexive’ seg in
its interaction with presentationals. We relate the discussion to a parameter of theticity, whereby
sentences with an expletive subject will count as thetic while sentences with a content-full NP subject will count as
categorical. Also sentences with expletive object are argued to have a thetic value. Categorical sentences on their
side are ranked according to a parameter of transitivity, accounting for constraints on
presentational constructions in Norwegian, and seen as constituting an opposite dimension of constructional values to
that of theticity.
Infinitive constructions and theticity in German
Authors: Isaka Yukari
Published: April 2020

In this research, I examine the correlation of coherent/incoherent constructions with
thetic/categorical judgments in modern German, based on ideas put forward by Isaka
(2020). Coherence/incoherence is a syntactic distinction first studied extensively by Bech (1983), while theticity/categoricality is a semantic distinction discussed by Marty (1918). An analysis of authentic data of the verb wagen
‘dare’ with subject keiner ‘no one’ and er ‘he’ reveals that incoherent
constructions are less preferred for the purpose of expressing thetic judgments with keiner ‘no one’.
In this avoidance of incoherence for theticity, there is a correspondence of form with content. To express a thetic
judgment, which is also called simple judgment because of its indivisibility, incoherent constructions, consisting of
two clauses, seem to be less suitable.
Strong and weak nominal reference in thetic and categorical sentences
Authors: Lee Meng-Chen
Published: April 2020

In this paper, it will be discussed how, in both German and Chinese, strong and weak reference in
thetic and categorical sentences are expressed if held against Carlson’s
(1977) semantic event types of stage-level/SL- and individual-level/IL-predicates. This article will put
emphasis on correspondents of indefinite and bare nouns in German on personal pronouns, the construction
zhè/nà (this/that) (+Num)+CL(assifier)+N or the repetition of DP, which can only express the strong
reference of the subject. The problems arise from the fact that Chinese, in contrast to German, signals reference
strength not by articles as there are no articles in Chinese. In order to come to a comparison, we will use the
Carlsonian reference option as a criterion.

The article is structured as follows: Section 1 introduces
the definition of the strong and weak nominal reference. The second section will discuss thetic and categoric
constructions in German and Chinese. The third section deals with the interplay of SL- and IL-predicates,
thetic/categorical sentences, and the nominal reference of subjects, whereby the SL- and the IL-predicate are each
described in a separate section. Section 4 concludes this paper with a summary
of the results obtained in the previous sections.
Unaccusativity and theticity
Authors: Irwin Patricia
Published: April 2020

This chapter examines theticity in intransitive sentences. Starting with the assumption that the
function of a thetic sentence is to introduce a referent into a discourse (without predicating anything of it), two
requirements are proposed to characterize thetic intransitives: (A) the sole argument of the sentence must be
vP-internal; and (B) the sole argument must be interpreted as a property. Both requirements have precedents in
previous work: (A) incorporates Guéron’s (1980) observations on what she
called the Presentation LF; and (B) builds on McNally’s (1998a) work on the
semantics and discourse function of existential sentences. These requirements show that theticity cannot be explained
by lexical verb or verb class; what matters for theticity is syntactic structure and semantic interpretation. It is
then shown that the thetic/categorical distinction cuts across a commonly-accepted distinction in intransitive
sentences, the unergative-unaccusative distinction. Specifically, only a subtype of unaccusative sentence, those with
the “existential unaccusative” structure (Irwin 2018a), satisfies (A) and
(B). By contrast, change-of-state unaccusatives pattern with unergative sentences in not being thetic.
B-grade subjects and theticity
Authors: Tanaka Shin
Published: April 2020

This study investigates the linguistic subject in categorical and thetic sentences. In the
“subjectless” thetic sentence, as Kuroda (1972) pointed out, we have a
nonprototypical subject, a B-grade subject, which is preferably combined in Japanese with the nominative marker
ga. By contrasting B-grade subjects in Japanese with their corresponding expressions in German (and
other languages), we discover two types of subjects, internal and external. In Japanese, B-grade subjects are
realizations of internal subjects, which are verbalized differently in other languages as a subject, as a dummy
subject, or an object. Comparing different realization forms of weather expressions crosslinguistically, we suggest
that the language-specific realizations of B-grade subjects correspond to three types of thetic judgments:
entity-central, event-central, and mixed type of both.
Improving skeletal structure in meat-type chickens given fast weight gain and large breast yield through genetic selection.
Authors: Peixoto Jane de O. , Ibelli Adriana M. G. , Fernandes Lana Teixeira , Ledur Mônica C.
Published: April 2020

Chicken is nowadays the most widely consumed meat in the world and one of the main sources of animal protein for humans. This outstanding position in meat production was achieved due to improvements in nutrition, animal health, management, and mainly animal breeding. Nevertheless, the genetic progress in economically important traits was correlated with some undesirable effects, such as the increase in skeletal disorders. Bone-related problems are an important issue to the poultry industry, and due to their high incidence, the genetic companies have made efforts to reduce the occurrence of these conditions. Furthermore, research institutes and universities have been helping to develop new genomic and phenomic tools to understand the etiology of bone disorders as well as provide new accurate and fast diagnosis. In the last decade, the use of global genomic methodologies, such as genomic selection, RNA sequencing, and metagenomics have enabled new insights regarding the metabolic problems in livestock species, including chickens. Therefore, this review aimed to provide an overview of bone problems in modern broilers focusing on possible ways to improve their skeletal structure by genetic selection, without compromising the gains already obtained in important production traits.
Medical Conditions Linked to Atherosclerosis Are Associated With Magnified Cortical Thinning in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorders
Authors: Durazzo Timothy C , Nguyen Linh-Chi , Meyerhoff Dieter J
Published: April 2020

Aims

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies report widespread cortical thinning in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD), but did not consider potential effects of pro-atherogenic conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C seropositivity and hyperlipidemia on cortical thickness. The conditions are associated with regional cortical thinning in those without AUD. We predicted that individuals with concurrent AUD and pro-atherogenic conditions demonstrate the greatest regional cortical thinning in areas most vulnerable to decreased perfusion.

Methods

Treatment-seeking individuals with AUD (n = 126) and healthy controls (CON; n = 49) completed a 1.5 T MRI study. Regional cortical thickness was quantitated via FreeSurfer. Individuals with AUD and pro-atherogenic conditions (Atherogenic+), AUD without pro-atherogenic conditions (Atherogenic−) and CON were compared on regional cortical thickness.

Results

Individuals with AUD showed significant bilateral cortical thinning compared to CON, but Atherogenic+ demonstrated the most widespread and greatest magnitude of regional thinning, while Atherogenic− had reduced thickness primarily in anterior frontal and posterior parietal lobes. Atherogenic+ also showed a thinner cortex than Atherogenic− in lateral orbitofrontal and dorso/dorsolateral frontal cortex, mesial and lateral temporal and inferior parietal regions.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate significant bilateral cortical thinning in individuals with AUD relative to CON, but the distribution and magnitude were influenced by comorbid pro-atherogenic conditions. The magnitude of cortical thinning in Atherogenic+ strongly corresponded to cortical watershed areas susceptible to decreased perfusion, which may result in morphometric abnormalities. The findings indicate that pro-atherogenic conditions may contribute to cortical thinning in those seeking treatment for AUD.
Plant species richness and community assembly along gradients of elevation and soil nitrogen availability
Authors: Ohdo Taro , Takahashi Koichi
Published: April 2020

Environmental filters affect community assembly through the functional traits of species. However, the process of community assembly remains unclear because of the complex interactions among the many biotic and abiotic factors. This study aimed to examine the community assembly process of vascular plants along gradients of elevation (45‒2500 m a.s.l.) and soil nitrogen availability. This study examined the trait distribution patterns of four functional traits (plant height, leaf area, specific leaf area and leaf nitrogen concentration) of vascular plants (trees, herbs and ferns) in central Japan, using null model testing. The number of species decreased and increased at high elevations for tree species and herb and fern species, respectively. The numbers of both tree species and herb and fern species were positively correlated with soil nitrogen availability. Community-weighted means (CWMs) of the four traits decreased with elevation. CWMs and ranges of the three leaf traits were positively correlated with soil nitrogen availability. The community-weighted variance of plant height was higher at higher elevations, indicating that niche differentiation of vertical stratum in habitats with a low canopy was important for community assembly. This study suggests that severe climatic conditions reduce the number of tree species and the canopy height at high elevations, leading to increases in the number of herb and fern species due to increased light intensity at the forest floor. The elevational change of leaf traits also indicates the change of adaptive leaf traits. It further suggests that lower nitrogen availability decreases the number of tree, herb and fern species by excluding those species with leaf traits unsuited to lower nitrogen availability. Therefore, community structure is most likely regulated by both elevation and soil nitrogen availability.
Endothelial Dysfunction in South African Youth Living With Perinatally Acquired Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Mahtab Sana , Zar Heather J , Ntusi Ntobeko A B , Joubert Susan , Asafu-Agyei Nana Akua A , Luff Norme J , Jele Nomawethu , Zuhlke Liesl , Myer Landon , Jao Jennifer
Published: April 2020

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) confer cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in adults with HIV. Few studies have assessed endothelial dysfunction (ED), an early marker of subclinical CVD risk, in youth living with perinatally acquired HIV (YLPHIV).

Methods

Using peripheral arterial tonometry, we compared ED in YLPHIV and age-matched youth without HIV. A reactive hyperemic index ≤1.35 was defined as ED. Eligible participants included those aged 9–14 years and on ART ≥6 months at enrollment.

Results

Overall, 431 YLPHIV and 93 youth without HIV with a median age of 14.1 versus 13.9 years, respectively, were included. YLPHIV had a lower BMI z score (BMIZ; −0.2 vs 0.4; P < .01) but higher rates of hypercholesterolemia (10% vs 1%; P = .01) than youth without HIV. Among YLPHIV, mean log viral load (VL) was 4.83 copies/mL with 21.7% having a CD4 count <500 cell/mm3; median duration on ART was 9.8 years with 38% initiating at <2 years of age. YLPHIV had higher rates of ED than youth without HIV (50% vs 34%; P = .01); this relationship persisted after adjusting for age, sex, BMIZ, elevated BP, and hypercholesterolemia (RR, 1.43; P = .02). Among YLPHIV, CD4 count >500 cell/mm3 (RR, 1.04; P = .76), VL (RR, 1.01; P = .78), and current ART class (protease inhibitor based vs nonnucleoside inhibitor based: relative risk, 0.90; P = .186) were not associated with ED after adjustment.

Conclusions

Even after adjusting for physiologic differences, YLPHIV appear to be at increased risk of ED compared with age-matched youth without HIV. These findings have important implications for the life course of YLPHIV who may be at increased risk of premature CVD and complications.
The Belt and Road Initiative, China’s Cross-Border Insolvency Law, and the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency
Authors: Wee Meng Seng
Published: April 2020

By examining the special features of cross-border insolvency affecting the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), this article explains that it is crucial for China to ensure that its cross-border insolvency law is fit for the purposes of the BRI. The current law is unsatisfactory, as may be seen in Hanjin Shipping’s decision not to seek recognition of its Korean restructuring proceeding in China. China wants to cooperate more in cross-border insolvency, but it is concerned that recognizing foreign insolvency proceedings will prejudice China’s interests. This article explains that the logic and limits of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law’s Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency is enlightened self-interest, which leads to recognition being very limited and distinguished from relief and relief being based on domestic law. Thus, it argues that the adoption of the Model Law will not prejudice China’s interests.
The patterns of music subscription in English, Welsh and Irish cathedrals during the Georgian era
Authors: Fleming Simon D I
Published: April 2020

The quality of the music produced at Britain’s cathedrals during the 18th century has generally been accepted to have been poor, and there has been much written on the reluctance of deans and chapters to invest financially in the choirs. However, an analysis of the music purchased by such groups through subscription paints a very different picture, with some deans and chapters investing heavily in the acquisition of new music for their choir’s use. Ultimately, an analysis of the subscription lists attached to the collections of sacred music does not paint the full picture in regards to the state of sacred music at this time, but it nevertheless indicates that a more nuanced approach is necessary, with several cathedrals, particularly Durham, maintaining significant levels of investment for much of the 18th century.
Galician Noir: Diego Ameixeiras, from Parody to Social Critique
Authors: Rivero Grandoso Javier
Published: April 2020

It is generally agreed that Galician crime fiction began in 1984, when Carlos G. Reigosa’s Crime en Compostela was published. Since then, different authors have explored the genre with varying success. One of the best-known writers of Galician crime fiction is Diego Ameixeiras, who published eleven novels between 2004 (Baixo mínimos) and 2018 (A crueldade de abril). This paper will focus on Ameixeiras’s works, in particular Baixo mínimos and A noite enriba (2015). The distance between their dates of publication will allow us to highlight through their differences in structure and style the clear evolution in Ameixeiras’s narrative production from parody to social critique.
Characterization of Clostridioides difficile DSM 101085 with A−B−CDT+ Phenotype from a Late Recurrent Colonization
Authors: Riedel Thomas , Neumann-Schaal Meina , Wittmann Johannes , Schober Isabel , Hofmann Julia Danielle , Lu Chia-Wen , Dannheim Antonia , Zimmermann Ortrud , Lochner Matthias , Groß Uwe , Overmann Jörg
Published: April 2020

During the last decades, hypervirulent strains of Clostridioides difficile with frequent disease recurrence and increased mortality appeared. Clostridioides difficile DSM 101085 was isolated from a patient who suffered from several recurrent infections and colonizations, likely contributing to a fatal outcome. Analysis of the toxin repertoire revealed the presence of a complete binary toxin locus and an atypical pathogenicity locus consisting of only a tcdA pseudogene and a disrupted tcdC gene sequence. The pathogenicity locus shows upstream a transposon and has been subject to homologous recombination or lateral gene transfer events. Matching the results of the genome analysis, neither TcdA nor TcdB production but the expression of cdtA and cdtB was detected. This highlights a potential role of the binary toxin C. difficile toxin in this recurrent colonization and possibly further in a host-dependent virulence.

Compared with the C. difficile metabolic model strains DSM 28645 (630Δerm) and DSM 27147 (R20291), strain DSM 101085 showed a specific metabolic profile, featuring changes in the threonine degradation pathways and alterations in the central carbon metabolism. Moreover, products originating from Stickland pathways processing leucine, aromatic amino acids, and methionine were more abundant in strain DSM 101085, indicating a more efficient use of these substrates. The particular characteristics of strain C. difficile DSM 101085 may represent an adaptation to a low-protein diet in a patient with recurrent infections.
A peer navigation intervention to prevent HIV among mixed immigrant status Latinx GBMSM and transgender women in the United States: outcomes, perspectives and implications for PrEP uptake
Authors: Rhodes Scott D , Alonzo Jorge , Mann-Jackson Lilli , Song Eunyoung Y , Tanner Amanda E , Garcia Manuel , Smart Benjamin D , Baker Logan S , Eng Eugenia , Reboussin Beth A
Published: April 2020

The Latinx population in the United States is disproportionately affected by HIV. Our community-based participatory research partnership developed, implemented and evaluated a Spanish-language peer navigation intervention designed to increase HIV testing and condom use among social networks of immigrant Spanish-speaking Latinx gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender women (TW). We randomized 21 social networks of Latinx GBMSM and TW, ages 18–55 years, to the intervention, known as HOLA, or a waitlist control group. Social network participants (n = 166) completed structured assessments at baseline and 12-month follow-up (24 months after baseline). Follow-up retention was 95%. Individual in-depth interviews with a sample of participants documented their intervention-related experiences, needs, and priorities to inform future research. At follow-up, HOLA participants reported increased HIV testing (adjusted odds ratio = 8.3; 95% CI = 3.0–23.0; P < 0.0001). All study participants reported increased condom use; there was no significant difference between HOLA and waitlist control participants. In-depth interviews identified critical intervention elements and impacts and community needs and priorities. The HOLA intervention is effective for increasing HIV testing among Latinx GBMSM and TW, an initial step within the HIV prevention and care continua, and may be adaptable to promote pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake.
Sexual Quality of Life in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multicenter, National-Level Study
Authors: Roseira Joana , Magro Fernando , Fernandes Samuel , Simões Carolina , Portela Francisco , Vieira Ana Isabel , Patita Marta , Leal Carina , Lago Paula , Caldeira Paulo , Gago Tânia , Currais Pedro , Dias Cláudia Camila , Santiago Mafalda , Dias Sandra , Tavares de Sousa Helena
Published: April 2020

Background

The impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on sexual health is a leading concern among patients. Most studies focus on sexual dysfunction rather than patient-perceived sexual quality of life (SQoL). We aimed to assess SQoL in IBD patients compared with healthy controls.

Methods

This is a multicenter, cross-sectional study of IBD patients (n = 575 with Crohn’s disease and n = 294 with ulcerative colitis), compared with healthy controls (n = 398), that used an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. This multimodal questionnaire included sociodemographic data and 4 validated instruments: Short IBD Questionnaire, Social Desirability Scale, Sexual QoL Questionnaire–Male/Female, Nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire.

Results

Inflammatory bowel disease patients reported lower SQoL (men: 77.29 vs 83.83; P < 0.001; women: 70.40 vs 81.63; P < 0.001) compared with controls. Among IBD patients, SQoL was positively correlated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and negatively correlated with depression symptoms. Perianal disease was associated with lower HRQoL and higher incidence of depression, but only impacted SQoL in men. In linear regression analysis for men, SQoL was associated with age, marital status, and depression (β, –2.101; 95% confidence interval [CI], –2.505 to –1.696; P < 0.001). In women, SQoL was associated with depression (β, –1.973; 95% CI, –2.313 to –1.632; P < 0.001) only.

Conclusions

Patients with IBD had impaired SQoL compared with healthy controls. Age, widow status, and depression were independent predictors of SQoL in men with IBD, whereas in women depression was the only independent predictor. Emotional and self-esteem issues were the main concerns reported by IBD patients regarding sexual health.
Management Considerations for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor–Induced Enterocolitis Based on Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Abu-Sbeih Hamzah , Wang Yinghong
Published: April 2020

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has significantly improved the outcomes of various advanced malignancies that were deemed unruly prior to its invention. Immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis are among the most frequently encountered adverse events of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Given the increasing use of these therapies in the treatment of an ever-growing number of malignancies, providing appropriate treatment for such adverse effects has become crucial.

Methods

In this review, we summarize the current body of evidence concerning the management of immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis. Additionally, management of immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis is likened to that of inflammatory bowel disease, given the resemblance between both entities in pathogenesis and clinical features. Reviewing the literature raised several points regarding this devastating toxicity that still need further investigation by future efforts.

Results

Endoscopic and histologic evaluation is pivotal in the assessment of immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis and provides vital information regarding the severity of the disease to guide treatment. Corticosteroids are the main therapy for immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis, with infliximab and vedolizumab as second-line agents. Recently, fecal microbiota transplantation has emerged as a treatment option for immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis that is refractory to corticosteroids. Restarting immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy after resolution of immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis carries a risk of recurrence that is mostly controllable with current immune-suppressive treatment.

Conclusions

Lastly, we propose a management algorithm for immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis. Prospective research, preferably as collaborative efforts from oncology and gastroenterology specialists, is needed to refine the management of immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis.
Phylogenomic Species Delimitation, Taxonomy, and ‘Bird Guide’ Identification for the Neotropical Ant Genus Rasopone (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Longino John T , Branstetter Michael G
Published: April 2020

Rasopone Schmidt and Shattuck is a poorly known lineage of ants that live in Neotropical forests. Informed by phylogenetic results from thousands of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and mitochondrial DNA barcodes, we revise the genus, providing a new morphological diagnosis and a species-level treatment. Analysis of UCE data from many Rasopone samples and select outgroups revealed non-monophyly of the genus. Monophyly of Rasopone was restored by transferring several species to the unrelated genus Mayaponera Schmidt and Shattuck. Within Rasopone, species are morphologically very similar, and we provide a ‘bird guide’ approach to identification rather than the traditional dichotomous key. Species are arranged by size in a table, along with geographic range and standard images. Additional diagnostic information is then provided in individual species accounts. We recognize a total of 15 named species, of which the following are described as new species: R. costaricensis, R. cryptergates, R. cubitalis, R. guatemalensis, R. mesoamericana, R. pluviselva, R. politognatha, R. subcubitalis, and R. titanis. An additional 12 morphospecies are described but not formally named due to insufficient material. Rasopone panamensis (Forel, 1899) is removed from synonymy and elevated to species. The following species are removed from Rasopone and made new combinations in Mayaponera: M. arhuaca (Forel, 1901), M. becculata (Mackay and Mackay, 2010), M. cernua (Mackay and Mackay, 2010), M. conicula (Mackay and Mackay, 2010), M. longidentata (Mackay and Mackay, 2010), and M. pergandei (Forel, 1909).
Association of leptin genotype with growth performance, adipocyte cellularity, meat quality, and fatty acid profile in beef steers fed flaxseed or high-oleate sunflower seed diets with or without triticale dried distiller’s grains
Authors: He Maolong L , Stanford Kim , Dugan Michael E R , Marquess Leigh , McAllister Tim A
Published: April 2020

Leptin genotypes can be identified as homozygous normal (CC), homozygous mutant (TT), and heterozygous (CT) based on a single-nucleotide polymorphism in exon 2 of the leptin gene, which has been associated with feed intake and fat deposition in cattle. The experiment was designed as 2 × 2 × 2 factorial with three main factors: (1) genotype (CT or TT) and diets fed 2) with or without triticale dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDG), and 3) with either flaxseed (FS) or high-oleate sunflower seed (SS). Evaluations included growth performance, subcutaneous fat deposition, adipocyte cellularity, meat quality, and fatty acid (FA) profile of various depots. Beef steers (n = 40, 459 ± 31 kg) of either CT or TT genotypes were housed in individual pens with ad libitum access to one of the four diets: 75% steam-rolled barley + 10% barley silage with 10% FS or SS (non-DDG diets, NDG) and 46.5% barley + 10% barley silage + 30% DDG, with 8.5% FS or SS, all on a dry matter basis. Growth performance, ultrasound subcutaneous fat thickness, rib eye area (REA), and plasma FA were measured prior to and during the finishing period. At slaughter, samples of subcutaneous fat, perirenal fat, and Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle were collected for FA analysis and carcass and meat quality were measured. Compared with CT cattle, TT tended to have less (P = 0.06) C18:2-c9,t11 (rumenic acid) in plasma and subcutaneous fat and a greater proportion (P < 0.05) of C18:0 in subcutaneous, perirenal, and LT fat. Cattle with TT genotype also tended (P < 0.1) to have more total saturated and less unsaturated (USFA) and monounsaturated fats (MUFA) and had less (P = 0.04) linoleic acid in LT. Ultrasound fat thickness, REA, and average diameter of adipocytes in subcutaneous fat at 12 wk were not affected (P > 0.39) by genotype. Generally, carcass and meat quality were similar (P > 0.1) among diets, although adding FS tended to increase (P = 0.06) total USFA of subcutaneous fat including omega-3 FA (P < 0.001). For the high-fat diets evaluated, CT cattle would have more potential to produce beef with enhanced health benefits than would TT cattle.
A method to improve workers’ well-being toward human-centered connected factories
Authors: Papetti Alessandra , Gregori Fabio , Pandolfi Monica , Peruzzini Margherita , Germani Michele
Published: April 2020

One of the most actual and consistent drivers for the industry is sustainability, which includes three main pillars: environment, economics, and society. While numerous methods for environmental and economic sustainability assessment have been proposed, social sustainability assessment is still lacking in structured methods and tools, although human has always played a key role. Moreover, technological development is pushing the industrial world toward a new paradigm, the “Industry 4.0,” which embeds topics such as data digitalization, cyber-physical systems, and machine learning. It entails significant changes in human resources management, without reducing their importance. Humans were part of the manufacturing system from the first industrial revolution, and no automation or digitalization can be possible without humans. The industry can no longer underestimate the reasonable application of human factors and ergonomics principles to the workplace. For this purpose, the paper provides a novel transdisciplinary engineering method to measure and promote social sustainability on production sites. It exploits Internet of Things technology to support the (re)design of manufacturing processes and plants toward human-centered connected factories. To improve the workers’ well-being has positive effects on their health, satisfaction, and performance. The method has been implemented in a real industrial case study within the footwear industry. The sole finishing process has been analyzed from different perspectives to solve ergonomics-related problems and implement effective improvement strategies.