bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-pharmacological interventions for adult ADHD: a systematic review
Authors: Nimmo-Smith Victoria , Merwood Andrew , Hank Dietmar , Brandling Janet , Greenwood Rosemary , Skinner Lara , Law Sarah , Patel Viran , Rai Dheeraj
Published: February 2020

Background

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common developmental disorder, often persisting into adulthood. Whilst medication is first-line treatment for ADHD, there is a need for evidence-based non-pharmacological treatment options for adults with ADHD who are either still experiencing significant symptoms or for those who have made the informed choice not to start medication.

Methods

We systematically searched PsycINFO, MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE, CINAHL and CENTRAL for randomised controlled trials of non-pharmacological treatments for ADHD in adults. After screening of titles and abstracts, full text articles were reviewed, data extracted and bias assessed using a study proforma.

Results

There were 32 eligible studies with the largest number of studies assessing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT consisted of either group, internet or individual therapy.

Conclusions

The majority found an improvement in ADHD symptoms with CBT treatment. Additionally, mindfulness and cognitive remediation have evidence as effective interventions for the core symptoms of ADHD and there is evidence for the use of group dialectical behavioural therapy and hypnotherapy. However, evidence for these is weaker due to small numbers of participants and limitations due to the lack of suitable control conditions, and a high risk of bias.
The role of sociocognitive salience in the acquisition of structured variation and linguistic diffusion: Evidence from quotativebe like
Authors: Davydova Julia
Published: February 2020

Quotativebe likeis a much discussed variable linguistic feature recruited in this investigation in order to revisit the hypothesis of linguistic diffusion (Labov 2007) predicting re-ordering of original patterns by L2 populations. As a sociocognitively salient variant spreading above the level of conscious awareness,be likehas been appropriated by adult speakers from two distinctive L2 English ecologies with a high degree of precision, a finding previously not reported in studies exploring the acquisition of structured variation. In this article, I explain how, supported by frequency and constraint complexity, sociocognitive salience may have contributed to the generally accurate replication of the variable grammar forbe likeand, by this token, how it can inform existing models of language change. (Sociocognitive salience, linguistic diffusion, L2 acquisition of structured variation, variationist sociolinguistics, World Englishes,be like)
SELF-OWNERSHIP AS PERSONAL SOVEREIGNTY
Authors: Thrasher John
Published: February 2020

Self-ownership has fallen out of favor as a core moral and political concept. I argue that this is because the most popular conception of self-ownership, what I call the property conception, is typically linked to a libertarian (of the left or right) political program. Seeing self-ownership and libertarianism as being necessarily linked leads those who are not inclined toward libertarianism to reject the idea of self-ownership altogether. This, I argue, is a mistake. Self-ownership is a crucial moral and political concept that can earn its keep if we understand it not as type of property right in the self, but rather as a set of territorial rights one has over one’s body. This territorial conception of self-ownership, which I call the sovereignty conception of self-ownership, avoids the traditional arguments raised against the property conception of self-ownership and has other benefits besides. Accepting this conception of self-ownership, I argue, has considerable moral and political benefits without taking on the costs associated with other forms of self-ownership.
WHEN SUBSISTENCE RIGHTS ARE JUST CLAIMS AND THIS IS UNJUST
Authors: Mancilla Alejandra
Published: February 2020

Most of the liberal moral and political debate concerning global poverty has focused on the duties of justice or assistance that the well-off have toward the needy. In this essay, I show how rights-based theories in particular have unanimously understood subsistence rights just (and only) as claims, where all it means to have a claim—following Hohfeld—is that others have a duty toward us. This narrow interpretation of subsistence rights has led to a glaring omission; namely, there has been no careful examination of what the rights-holders themselves may do to realize the object of their rights. Furthermore, in the few cases where this question gets posed, rights are again understood just (and only) as claims, but this time of an Austinian kind: rights-holders are limited to the performance of speech-acts like demanding, pleading, and entreating to make noncompliers fulfill their duties. I suggest that this approach betrays the original spirit of subsistence rights as individual moral powers delineating a sovereign sphere of action. More seriously, it is unjust to the rights-holders themselves, to the extent that many of the actions they undertake to realize the objects of their rights fall off the radar of moral analysis.
New approaches to controlling an outbreak of chickenpox in a large immigration detention setting in England: the role of serological testing and mathematical modelling
Authors: Zhang Xu-Sheng , Smith Alexandra , Patel Bharat , Anderson Charlotte , Pomeroy Laura , Higgins Gillian , O'Moore Éamonn , Chow Yimmy , Atchison Christina
Published: February 2020

Chickenpox is caused by varicella-zoster-virus (VZV) and is highly contagious. Immigration detention settings are a high-risk environment for primary VZV transmission, with large, rapidly-changing populations in close quarters, and higher susceptibility among non-UK-born individuals. During outbreaks, operational challenges occur in detention settings because of high-turnover and the potential need to implement population movement restriction for prolonged periods. Between December 2017 and February 2018, four cases of chickenpox were notified amongst 799 detainees in an immigration removal centre (IRC). Microbiological investigations included case confirmation by vesicular fluid polymerase chain reaction, and VZV serology for susceptibility testing. Control measures involved movement restrictions, isolation of cases, quarantining and cohorting of non-immune contacts and extending VZV immunity testing to the wider detainee population to support outbreak management. Immunity was tested for 301/532 (57%) detainees, of whom 24 (8%) were non-immune. The level of non-immunity was lower than expected based on the existing literature on VZV seroprevalence in detained populations in England. Serology results identified non-immune contacts who could be cohorted and, due to the lack of isolation capacity, allowed the placement of cases with immune detainees. The widespread immunity testing of all detainees was proving challenging to sustain because it required significant resources and was having a severe impact on operational capacity and the ability to maintain core business activities at the IRC. Therefore, mathematical modelling was used to assess the impact of scaling back mass immunity testing. Modelling demonstrated that interrupting testing posed a risk of one additional case compared to continuing with testing. As such, the decision was made to stop testing, and the outbreak was successfully controlled without excessive strain on resources. Operational challenges generated learning for future outbreaks, with implications for a local and national policy on IRC staff occupational health requirements, and proposed reception screening of detainees for VZV immunity.
Kant’s Aesthetics and the Problem of Happiness
Authors: Dobe Jennifer K.
Published: February 2020

Kant’s anthropological lectures introduce scepticism about our psychological capacity to experience happiness conceived as gratification or contentment. Aesthetic experience is in a position to inform an alternative conception of happiness that not only is more adequate to the idea of happiness than either gratification or contentment but also may more easily conform to the moral law’s constraints than gratification. As an ‘ideal feeling’, pleasure in beauty serves as a model for how best to enjoy even sensual pleasures and otherwise ‘private’ sensations. In the end, the thirdCritiquesuggests that this alternative conception is more ‘appropriate’ to humankind (§60, 5: 355).
High-efficiency antenna-to-antenna polarization converters for customized polarization angle deflection
Authors: Deng Manlan
Published: February 2020

In this paper, an antenna-to-antenna method to design high-efficiency polarization converters was proposed. Two in-linked split ring resonators (SRRs) were used as the fundamental unit cell, which can effectively make the original linear polarization angle deflected into a customized one (include but not limited to 90°). The same as the process of energy reception and transmitting of microstrip symmetric dipole antennas, the top SRR plays the role of a receiving antenna and the bottom one acts as a transmitting antenna. Under normal illumination, the strong coupling between electric resonance and magnetic resonance can result in high transmission and broad bandwidth. Since the two SRRs act as two independently polarization selective components, the polarization angle of transmitted waves can be easily controlled by rotating the transmitting SRRs around the center. The proposed concept and the design method are validated using numerical simulations, as well as experimental results of three examples for 45, 60 and 90° polarization angle rotation, the polarization conversion ratio of which is about 92.2, 88.9 and 91.9% from 7.5 to 10 GHz.
Design of a hybrid A-sandwich radome using a strongly coupled frequency selective surface element
Authors: Varikuntla Krushna Kanth , Singaravelu Raghavan
Published: February 2020

The airborne radomes have to cater superior electromagnetic (EM) performance with bandpass characteristics of stealth application. In this regard, a hybrid A-sandwich radome is proposed in this paper. The proposed radome consists of a novel strongly coupled frequency selective surface (FSS) core sandwiched between two dielectric layers (acts as skin) to form an A-sandwich structure. The dielectric layers are cascaded in such a way that the middle layer has less dielectric parameters than the skin dielectric. The core layer comprises a modified FSS array using strongly coupled FSS layers through a series of metallic vias. This strongly-coupled FSS element will have the advantage of eliminating inter-element interference and improves the EM performance characteristics of the structure. The structure exhibits very good band-pass characteristics (>90%) at a normal impinging angle with sharp roll-off characteristics. To show the efficacy of the proposed structure, the transmission loss has been compared with that of conventional A-sandwich radomes at 0°, 50° incidence angle for both TE and TM polarization. Conformal analysis of the unit cell has been carried out, and sector-wise thickness optimization was performed to analyze the structure for the conformal shaped radome application. Finally, a physical prototype has been fabricated and measured its scattering parameters, radiation characteristics in a fully shielded anechoic chamber. The results are encouraging and prove its suitability for radome application.
Towards FAIR Paleomagnetic Data Management Through Paleomagnetism.org 2.0
Authors: Koymans M. R. , van Hinsbergen D. J. J. , Pastor‐Galán D. , Vaes B. , Langereis C. G.
Published: February 2020

Scientific communities are placing an increasing emphasis on the implementation of data management protocols concerning data archiving and distribution. For instance, every proposal submitted to the European Horizon 2020 program, as well as to the National Science Foundation in the USA, requires a dedicated section that outlines project data management and accessibility. The widely adopted FAIR data guidelines identify core principles concerning modern data management conventions. The wide variety of data formats, the low data volume, and the general lack of a culture of data sharing makes that the paleomagnetic community rarely follows any of the FAIR principles. Most institutions define their own data formats and use in‐house software to analyze their demagnetization data, which are critical to Paleomagnetic research. Efforts to overcome these problems exist in the form of the MagIC database for data archiving, and the online paleomagnetic data analysis and interpretation platform Paleomagnetism.org. In this contribution, we describe the second iteration of Paleomagnetism.org: an online multiplatform open‐source environment for paleomagnetic data analysis. This update comprises a full overhaul of the application to satisfy the increasingly demanding data management requirements. The application now facilitates a workflow that aligns with FAIR guidelines by documenting data provenance. All data analyzed through the application are easily submitted to a public data library that distributes data and results through an HTTPS web service that lives up to modern data management standards.
Dynamically Unstable Strong Wind Shears Observed in the Polar Mesosphere Summer Echo Layer Associated With Geomagnetic Disturbances
Authors: Lee Young‐Sook , Kwak Young‐Sil , Kim Kyung‐Chan , Kim Yong Ha
Published: February 2020

We report observations of dynamically unstable strong wind shear (Richardson number < 0.25) capable of inducing Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability in the polar mesospheric summer echoes (PMSE) layer (80–90 km) using very high frequency radar measurements in Kiruna (67.8°N, 20.4°E), Sweden, in 2006. The unstable strong wind shear can play an important role in producing PMSE by inducing turbulence and adiabatic cooling. We find that the strong shears take up 64% of the observed wind profiles and are frequently composed of systematically single‐shear/multishear (layer) structures, which gradually or abruptly vary in wind directions, so‐called wind shifts, through heights at intervals of 4–8 km. The strong shear rate normalized by PMSE counts has a good correlation (R = 0.7) in day‐to‐day variation with energetic electron (>30 keV) precipitations that were related to high‐speed solar wind streams. The observations of strong wind shear can be supported by satellite‐measured temperature modulations matching with the peaks of the first three high‐speed solar wind stream events. This study suggests that PMSE production is closely associated with the strong shear that is in turn linked to the effects of energetic electron precipitation.
Three‐dimensional Elastic and Anelastic Structure of the Lowermost Mantle Beneath the Western Pacific From Finite‐Frequency Tomography
Authors: Konishi Kensuke , Fuji Nobuaki , Deschamps Frédéric
Published: February 2020

We build a finite‐frequency tomography method that uses traveltime and amplitude data for obtaining 3‐D maps of shear velocity (
) and seismic attenuation (measured with the quality factor
). We then apply this method to recover the 3‐D
and
structures in the lowermost mantle beneath the western edge of the Pacific large low shear velocity province, using the
and
phases for 31 earthquakes that occurred underneath the vicinity of Tonga and Fiji regions. Our data set consists of the transverse components of 1,341 traces from the Japanese F‐net seismic station network. The waveform data are applied with a band‐pass filter in the period range of 12.5–200 s, corresponding to the frequency range of 0.005–0.08 Hz. Both
and
are lower than those in the Preliminary reference Earth model (PREM) in the bottom depth range, with the lowest part being situated at the center of the region we sample. This feature is robust across a variety of inversion configurations. We then estimate possible temperature anomalies in this region from the obtained
and
structures. Discrepancy between the temperature anomalies predicted by these two quantities suggests that explaining simultaneously
and
anomalies in this region requires both temperature and chemical anomalies. Assuming that
anomalies are a reliable proxy for temperature and that compositional anomalies primarily consist of an excess in iron oxide, we propose a possible thermal and compositional structure for this region.
A Statistical Study of Autoscaled Data at the Northern Equatorial Ionization Anomaly During the Year 2016
Authors: Jiang Chunhua , Wei Lehui , Lan Ting , Yang Guobin , Liu Jing , Zhao Zhengyu
Published: February 2020

A software tool, ionoScaler (Jiang et al., 2017, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2016.11.019), has been equipped with the ionosonde developed by Wuhan University. To further improve the performance of the ionoScaler, a statistical study of autoscaled data by the ionoScaler was carried out in this study. A large number of ionograms (about 13,000 ionograms), recorded at Puer station (PUR, 22.7°N, 101.05°E, Dip Latitude 12.9°N) in the Southwest of China from January 2016 to December 2016, were used to judge the performance of ionoScaler. The autoscaled critical frequency (foF2) and base virtual height (h'F2) of the F2 layer are used to test the performance of the ionoScaler in this study. Results show that the acceptable values in foF2 and h'F2, respectively, are 78.52% and 92.15%. If the truncated trace of the F2 layer was not considered (foF2 ≤ 5 MHz), the accuracy of the autoscaled foF2 can reach up to 95.69%. Moreover, monthly median values of foF2 and h'F2 in 2016 are also used to assess the performance of the ionoScaler. We found that autoscaled monthly median values (foF2 and h'F2) are more accurate than the immediate values. The acceptable values in monthly median of foF2 and h'F2, respectively, are 84.38% and 94.74%. Although there is a challenge work to improve the accuracy of autoscaling algorithms, if truncated traces of the F2 layer in high‐frequency parts are identified and removed, we think that autoscaled data by the ionoScaler are acceptable.
Microfluidic deformability-activated sorting of single particles
Authors: Choi Gihoon , Nouri Reza , Zarzar Lauren , Guan Weihua
Published: February 2020

Mechanical properties have emerged as a significant label-free marker for characterizing deformable particles such as cells. Here, we demonstrated the first single-particle-resolved, cytometry-like deformability-activated sorting in the continuous flow on a microfluidic chip. Compared with existing deformability-based sorting techniques, the microfluidic device presented in this work measures the deformability and immediately sorts the particles one-by-one in real time. It integrates the transit-time-based deformability measurement and active hydrodynamic sorting onto a single chip. We identified the critical factors that affect the sorting dynamics by modeling and experimental approaches. We found that the device throughput is determined by the summation of the sensing, buffering, and sorting time. A total time of ~100 ms is used for analyzing and sorting a single particle, leading to a throughput of 600 particles/min. We synthesized poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel beads as the deformability model for device validation and performance evaluation. A deformability-activated sorting purity of 88% and an average efficiency of 73% were achieved. We anticipate that the ability to actively measure and sort individual particles one-by-one in a continuous flow would find applications in cell-mechanotyping studies such as correlational studies of the cell mechanical phenotype and molecular mechanism.
The thermoacidophilic methanotroph Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV oxidizes subatmospheric H2 with a high-affinity, membrane-associated [NiFe] hydrogenase
Authors: Schmitz Rob A , Pol Arjan , Mohammadi Sepehr S , Hogendoorn Carmen , van Gelder Antonie H , Jetten Mike S M , Daumann Lena J , Op den Camp Huub J M
Published: February 2020

The trace amounts (0.53 ppmv) of atmospheric hydrogen gas (H2) can be utilized by microorganisms to persist during dormancy. This process is catalyzed by certain Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Chloroflexi, and is estimated to convert 75 × 1012 g H2 annually, which is half of the total atmospheric H2. This rapid atmospheric H2 turnover is hypothesized to be catalyzed by high-affinity [NiFe] hydrogenases. However, apparent high-affinity H2 oxidation has only been shown in whole cells, rather than for the purified enzyme. Here, we show that the membrane-associated hydrogenase from the thermoacidophilic methanotroph Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV possesses a high apparent affinity (Km(app) = 140 nM) for H2 and that methanotrophs can oxidize subatmospheric H2. Our findings add to the evidence that the group 1h [NiFe] hydrogenase is accountable for atmospheric H2 oxidation and that it therefore could be a strong controlling factor in the global H2 cycle. We show that the isolated enzyme possesses a lower affinity (Km = 300 nM) for H2 than the membrane-associated enzyme. Hence, the membrane association seems essential for a high affinity for H2. The enzyme is extremely thermostable and remains folded up to 95 °C. Strain SolV is the only known organism in which the group 1h [NiFe] hydrogenase is responsible for rapid growth on H2 as sole energy source as well as oxidation of subatmospheric H2. The ability to conserve energy from H2 could increase fitness of verrucomicrobial methanotrophs in geothermal ecosystems with varying CH4 fluxes. We propose that H2 oxidation can enhance growth of methanotrophs in aerated methane-driven ecosystems. Group 1h [NiFe] hydrogenases could therefore contribute to mitigation of global warming, since CH4 is an important and extremely potent greenhouse gas.
Neurology-related protein biomarkers are associated with cognitive ability and brain volume in older age
Authors: Harris Sarah E. , Cox Simon R. , Bell Steven , Marioni Riccardo E. , Prins Bram P. , Pattie Alison , Corley Janie , Muñoz Maniega Susana , Valdés Hernández Maria , Morris Zoe , John Sally , Bronson Paola G. , Tucker-Drob Elliot M. , Starr John M. , Bastin Mark E. , Wardlaw Joanna M. , Butterworth Adam S. , Deary Ian J.
Published: February 2020

Identifying biological correlates of late life cognitive function is important if we are to ascertain biomarkers for, and develop treatments to help reduce, age-related cognitive decline. Here, we investigated the associations between plasma levels of 90 neurology-related proteins (Olink® Proteomics) and general fluid cognitive ability in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (LBC1936, N = 798), Lothian Birth Cohort 1921 (LBC1921, N = 165), and the INTERVAL BioResource (N = 4451). In the LBC1936, 22 of the proteins were significantly associated with general fluid cognitive ability (β between −0.11 and −0.17). MRI-assessed total brain volume partially mediated the association between 10 of these proteins and general fluid cognitive ability. In an age-matched subsample of INTERVAL, effect sizes for the 22 proteins, although smaller, were all in the same direction as in LBC1936. Plasma levels of a number of neurology-related proteins are associated with general fluid cognitive ability in later life, mediated by brain volume in some cases.
Single-cell RNA-sequencing of differentiating iPS cells reveals dynamic genetic effects on gene expression
Authors: Cuomo Anna S. E. , Seaton Daniel D. , McCarthy Davis J. , Martinez Iker , Bonder Marc Jan , Garcia-Bernardo Jose , Amatya Shradha , Madrigal Pedro , Isaacson Abigail , Buettner Florian , Knights Andrew , Natarajan Kedar Nath ,   HipSci Consortium, Agu Chukwuma A. , Alderton Alex , Danecek Petr , Denton Rachel , Durbin Richard , Gaffney Daniel J. , Goncalves Angela , Halai Reena , Harper Sarah , Kirton Christopher M. , Kolb-Kokocinski Anja , Leha Andreas , McCarthy Shane A. , Memari Yasin , Patel Minal , Birney Ewan , Casale Francesco Paolo , Clarke Laura , Harrison Peter W. , Kilpinen Helena , Streeter Ian , Denovi Davide , Meleckyte Ruta , Moens Natalie , Watt Fiona M. , Ouwehand Willem H. , Lamond Angus I. , Bensaddek Dalila , Beales Philip , Vallier Ludovic , Marioni John C. , Chhatriwala Mariya , Stegle Oliver
Published: February 2020

Recent developments in stem cell biology have enabled the study of cell fate decisions in early human development that are impossible to study in vivo. However, understanding how development varies across individuals and, in particular, the influence of common genetic variants during this process has not been characterised. Here, we exploit human iPS cell lines from 125 donors, a pooled experimental design, and single-cell RNA-sequencing to study population variation of endoderm differentiation. We identify molecular markers that are predictive of differentiation efficiency of individual lines, and utilise heterogeneity in the genetic background across individuals to map hundreds of expression quantitative trait loci that influence expression dynamically during differentiation and across cellular contexts.
Temporal dynamics of protein complex formation and dissociation during human cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Hashimoto Yutaka , Sheng Xinlei , Murray-Nerger Laura A. , Cristea Ileana M.
Published: February 2020

The co-evolution and co-existence of viral pathogens with their hosts for millions of years is reflected in dynamic virus-host protein-protein interactions (PPIs) that are intrinsic to the spread of infections. Here, we investigate the system-wide dynamics of protein complexes throughout infection with the herpesvirus, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Integrating thermal shift assays and mass spectrometry quantification with virology and microscopy, we monitor the temporal formation and dissociation of hundreds of functional protein complexes and the dynamics of host-host, virus-host, and virus-virus PPIs. We establish pro-viral roles for cellular protein complexes and translocating proteins. We show the HCMV receptor integrin beta 1 dissociates from extracellular matrix proteins, becoming internalized with CD63, which is necessary for virus production. Moreover, this approach facilitates characterization of essential viral proteins, such as pUL52. This study of temporal protein complex dynamics provides insights into mechanisms of HCMV infection and a resource for biological and therapeutic studies.
H3K4 methylation at active genes mitigates transcription-replication conflicts during replication stress
Authors: Chong Shin Yen , Cutler Sam , Lin Jing-Jer , Tsai Cheng-Hung , Tsai Huai-Kuang , Biggins Sue , Tsukiyama Toshio , Lo Yi-Chen , Kao Cheng-Fu
Published: February 2020

Transcription-replication conflicts (TRCs) occur when intensive transcriptional activity compromises replication fork stability, potentially leading to gene mutations. Transcription-deposited H3K4 methylation (H3K4me) is associated with regions that are susceptible to TRCs; however, the interplay between H3K4me and TRCs is unknown. Here we show that H3K4me aggravates TRC-induced replication failure in checkpoint-defective cells, and the presence of methylated H3K4 slows down ongoing replication. Both S-phase checkpoint activity and H3K4me are crucial for faithful DNA synthesis under replication stress, especially in highly transcribed regions where the presence of H3K4me is highest and TRCs most often occur. H3K4me mitigates TRCs by decelerating ongoing replication, analogous to how speed bumps slow down cars. These findings establish the concept that H3K4me defines the transcriptional status of a genomic region and defends the genome from TRC-mediated replication stress and instability.
Author Correction: Hybrid de novo whole-genome assembly and annotation of the model tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta
Authors: Nowak Robert M. , Jastrzębski Jan P. , Kuśmirek Wiktor , Sałamatin Rusłan , Rydzanicz Małgorzata , Sobczyk-Kopcioł Agnieszka , Sulima-Celińska Anna , Paukszto Łukasz , Makowczenko Karol G. , Płoski Rafał , Tkach Vasyl V. , Basałaj Katarzyna , Młocicki Daniel
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
The Immobilization of Soil Cadmium by the Combined Amendment of Bacteria and Hydroxyapatite
Authors: Zeng Xiaoxi , Xu Hong , Lu Jijie , Chen Qimin , Li Wen , Wu Ling , Tang Jianxin , Ma Liang
Published: February 2020

The remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils has attracted increased attention worldwide. The immobilization of metals to prevent their uptake by plants is an efficient way to remediate contaminated soils. This work aimed to seek the immobilization of cadmium in contaminated soils via a combination method. Flask experiments were performed to investigate the effects of hydroxyapatite (HAP) and theCupriavidussp. strain ZSK on soil pH and DTPA-extractable cadmium. Pot experiments were carried out to study the effects of the combined amendment on three plant species. The results showed that HAP has no obvious influence on the growth of the strain. With increasing concentrations of HAP, the soil pH increased, and the DTPA-extractable Cd decreased. Via the combined amendment of the strain and HAP (SH), the DTPA-extractable Cd in the soil decreased by 58.2%. With the combined amendment of the SH, the cadmium accumulation in ramie, dandelion, and daisy decreased by 44.9%, 51.0%, and 38.7%, respectively. Moreover, the combined amendment somewhat benefitted the growth of the three plant species and significantly decreased the biosorption of cadmium. These results suggest that the immobilization by the SH combination is a potential method to decrease the available cadmium in the soil and the cadmium accumulation in plants.
Long-term dynamic topographic support during post-orogenic crustal thinning revealed by stable isotope (δ18O) paleo-altimetry in eastern Pyrenees
Authors: Huyghe Damien , Mouthereau Frédéric , Ségalen Loïc , Furió Marc
Published: February 2020

Understanding the geodynamic and Earth surface processes at the origin of post-collisional surface uplift in mountain ranges requires reconstruction of paleo-elevation. Here, we focus on the topographic evolution of the Cerdanya Basin in the eastern Pyrenees formed by post-orogenic extension during the Late Miocene. Stable isotope (δ18O) analyses of small rodent teeth and biogenic carbonates show the basin uplifted by 500 m since 6.5 Ma. These new paleoaltitudes constraints when combined with the regional geology and geophysical data reveal the anomalously high topography of the region is the result of density changes in the sublithospheric mantle associated with crustal thinning and then opening of Gulf of Lion during the Chattian-early Burdigalian.
Subclinical hypothyroidism and anxiety may contribute to metabolic syndrome in Sichuan of China: a hospital-based population study
Authors: Li Rui-cen , Zhang Lingyun , Luo Han , Lei Yali , Zeng Li , Zhu Jingqiang , Tang Huairong
Published: February 2020

The prevalence of Metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Sichuan of China has not yet been estimated. Meanwhile the association among anxiety, subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and MetS was less well-studied. The data was retrieved retrospectively from Health Promotion Center of West China Hospital database between 2014 and 2017. Internal validation by randomizing into training and testing panel by 9:1 and external validation with National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHNES) were conducted. 19006 subjects were included into analysis, and 3530 (18.6%) of them were diagnosed with MetS. In training panel, age, sex (male), SCH (presence), SAS score, alcohol (Sometimes & Usual) and smoking (Active) were identified as independent risk factors for MetS, which was confirmed in testing panel internally. NHNES data validated externally the association between free thyroxine (fT4) and MetS components. The C-indices of predicting MetS nomogram were 0.705 (95% CI: 0.696–0.714) and 0.728 (95% CI: 0.701–0.754) in training and testing panel respectively. In conclusion, MetS prevalence was 18.6% in Sichuan. SCH and anxiety may be associated with MetS independently. A risk scale-based nomogram with accurate and objective prediction ability was provided for check-up practice, but more cohort validation was needed.
Anthropometry, body shape in early-life and risk of premenopausal breast cancer among Latin American women: results from the PRECAMA study
Authors: His Mathilde , Biessy Carine , Torres-Mejía Gabriela , Ángeles-Llerenas Angélica , Alvarado-Cabrero Isabel , Sánchez Gloria Inés , Borrero Mauricio , Porras Carolina , Rodriguez Ana Cecilia , Garmendia Maria Luisa , Olivier Magali , Porter Peggy L. , Lin MingGang , Gunter Marc J. , Romieu Isabelle , Rinaldi Sabina ,   PRECAMA team, Tejeda Jenny , Navarro Edgar , Jaramillo Roberto , Rodas Cortes Yorlany , Angel Alberto , Ossa Carlos Andres , Arias William H. , Bedoya Gabriel , Cock-Rada Alicia Maria , Echeverri Carolina , Herazo Fernando , Díaz-Yunez Israel , Hernández Angel , Cortes Bernal , Gonzalez Paula , Ocampo Rebecca , Guillen Diego , Moyano Leonor , Soto Jose Luis , Donato Elizabeth , Guenthoer Jamie , Donn Thomas , Wirtala Kelly , Loucks Hailey
Published: February 2020

Cumulating evidence in Caucasian women suggests a positive association between height and premenopausal breast cancer risk and a negative association with overall adiposity; however data from Latin America are scarce. We investigated the associations between excess adiposity, body shape evolution across life, and risk of premenopausal breast cancer among 406 cases (women aged 20–45) and 406 matched population-based controls from Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Negative associations between adult adiposity and breast cancer risk were observed in adjusted models (body mass index (BMI): Odds ratio (OR) per 1 kg/m2 = 0.93; 95% confidence interval = 0.89–0.96; waist circumference (WC): OR per 10 cm = 0.81 (0.69–0.96); hip circumference (HC): OR per 10 cm = 0.80 (0.67–0.95)). Height and leg length were not associated with risk. In normal weight women (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25), women with central obesity (WC > 88 cm) had an increased risk compared to women with normal WC (OR = 3.60(1.47–8.79)). Residuals of WC over BMI showed positive associations when adjusted for BMI (OR per 10 cm = 1.38 (0.98–1.94)). Body shape at younger ages and body shape evolution were not associated with risk. No heterogeneity was observed by receptor status. In this population of Latin American premenopausal women, different fat distributions in adulthood were differentially associated with risk of breast cancer.
Direct light-induced propulsion of vessels filled with a suspension of graphene particles and methanol
Authors: Strek W. , Wiewiorski P. , Mista W. , Tomala R.
Published: February 2020

The direct propulsion of glassy capsule filled with solution of methanol and disperse graphene foam (GF) particles under irradiation with infrared LED is reported. The vertical propulsion occurred after irradiation of transparent glassy bottom. The velocity of propulsion was dependent of light irradiation power. It was observed that with irradiation the GF particles moved violently and vertically with direction of lighting. It was found that upon light irradiation there is generated efficiently hydrogen upon solution surface. The mechanism of propulsion effect was discussed in terms of the explosive hydrogen-oxygen reaction.
Spin Hydrodynamic Generation in the Charged Subatomic Swirl
Authors: Guo Xingyu , Liao Jinfeng , Wang Enke
Published: February 2020

Recently there have been significant interests in the spin hydrodynamic generation phenomenon from multiple disciplines of physics. Such phenomenon arises from global polarization effect of microscopic spin by macroscopic fluid rotation and is expected to occur in the hot quark-gluon fluid (the “subatomic swirl”) created in relativistic nuclear collisions. This was indeed discovered in experiments which however revealed an intriguing puzzle: a polarization difference between particles and anti-particles. We suggest a novel application of a general connection between rotation and magnetic field: a magnetic field naturally arises along the fluid vorticity in the charged subatomic swirl. We establish this mechanism as a new way for generating long-lived in-medium magnetic field in heavy ion collisions. Due to its novel feature, this new magnetic field provides a nontrivial explanation to the puzzling observation of a difference in spin hydrodynamic generation for particles and anti-particles in heavy ion collisions.
Genotype-independent association between vitamin D deficiency and polycystic ovarian syndrome in Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Lone Nasira M. , Riaz Saba , Eusaph Amna Z. , Mein Charles A. , Wozniak Eva L. , Xenakis Theodoros , Wu Zhenqiang , Younis Sidra , Jolliffe David A. , Junaid Kashaf , Martineau Adrian R.
Published: February 2020

Both vitamin D deficiency and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding the vitamin D receptor (VDR) have been widely reported to associate with susceptibility to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). A case-control study was conducted to study the influence of vitamin D status and genotpye for 24 SNPs in four genes in the vitamin D pathway (VDR, DBP, CYP27B1, CYP24A1) on PCOS. Statistical analyses were conducted to identify phenotypic and genotypic factors associated with risk of PCOS and to test for interactions between genotype and vitamin D status. PCOS was independently associated with lower age, higher body mass index, lower waist-hip ratio, vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration <10 ng/mL), lack of outdoor exercise, increased fasting glucose and a family history of PCOS in at least one first degree relative. No statistically significant association was observed between the genotype of any SNP investigated and risk of PCOS, either as a main effect or in interaction with vitamin D status. We report a strong and independent association between vitamin D deficiency and risk of PCOS in Pakistan, that was not modified by genetic variation in the vitamin D pathway.
Regulation of bone metabolism by megakaryocytes in a paracrine manner
Authors: Lee Young-Sun , Kwak Mi Kyung , Moon Sung-Ah , Choi Young Jin , Baek Ji Eun , Park Suk Young , Kim Beom-Jun , Lee Seung Hun , Koh Jung-Min
Published: February 2020

Megakaryocytes (MKs) play key roles in regulating bone metabolism. To test the roles of MK-secreted factors, we investigated whether MK and promegakaryocyte (pro-MK) conditioned media (CM) may affect bone formation and resorption. K562 cell lines were differentiated into mature MKs. Mouse bone marrow macrophages were differentiated into mature osteoclasts, and MC3T3-E1 cells were used for osteoblastic experiments. Bone formation was determined by a calvaria bone formation assayin vivo. Micro-CT analyses were performed in the femurs of ovariectomized female C57B/L6 and Balb/c nude mice after intravenous injections of MK or pro-MK CM. MK CM significantly reducedin vitrobone resorption, largely due to suppressed osteoclastic resorption activity. Compared with pro-MK CM, MK CM suppressed osteoblastic differentiation, but stimulated its proliferation, resulting in stimulation of calvaria bone formation. In ovariectomized mice, treatment with MK CM for 4 weeks significantly increased trabecular bone mass parameters, such as bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness, in nude mice, but not in C57B/L6 mice. In conclusion, MKs may secrete anti-resorptive and anabolic factors that affect bone tissue, providing a novel insight linking MKs and bone cells in a paracrine manner. New therapeutic agents against metabolic bone diseases may be developed from MK-secreted factors.
Coherent Mid-IR Supercontinuum Generation using Tapered Chalcogenide Step-Index Optical Fiber: Experiment and modelling
Authors: Saini Than Singh , Tuan Tong Hoang , Suzuki Takenobu , Ohishi Yasutake
Published: February 2020

Mid-infrared region of electromagnetic spectrum has increased a lot of scientific and technical interest because of its utility to figure out the molecular fingerprints. Current mid-infrared light sources including quantum cascade lasers, thermal-emitters, and synchrotron radiation are not suitable for various potential applications where we require coherent, portable and broadband light sources. During the current decade, several efforts have been put forwarded to extend the spectral range of the supercontinuum. However, the coherent mid-infrared supercontinuum spectrum in the mid-infrared region has been demonstrated rarely. Here, we demonstrate a coherent mid-infrared supercontinuum using a tapered chalcogenide fiber pumped at various wavelength ranging from 2 µm to 2.6 µm. Experimental observations show that the supercontinuum spectrum extending from ~1.6 µm to 3.7 µm can be achieved using a 3 cm long tapered chalcogenide step-index optical fiber pumped with femtosecond laser pulses at 2.6 µm. To the best of our knowledge, using short pump wavelengths at 2 µm to 2.6 µm in an all-normal dispersion engineered chalcogenide glass fiber, the coherent supercontinuum spectrum has been reported first time. Such coherent broadband light source has its key prominence for the various prospective applications in the fields of bio-medical, sensing, and multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microspectroscopy.
Three-layer heterogeneous mammographic phantoms for Monte Carlo simulation of normalized glandular dose coefficients in mammography
Authors: Chang Tien-Yu , Lai Kuan-Jen , Tu Chun-Yuan , Wu Jay
Published: February 2020

Normalized glandular dose (DgN) coefficients obtained using homogeneous breast phantoms are commonly used in breast dosimetry for mammography. However, glandular tissue is heterogeneously distributed in the breast. This study aimed to construct three-layer heterogeneous mammographic phantoms (THEPs) to examine the effect of glandular distribution on DgN coefficient. Each layer of THEPs was set to 25%, 50%, or 75% glandular fraction to emulate heterogeneous glandular distribution. Monte Carlo simulation was performed to attain mean glandular dose (MGD) and air kerma at 22–36 kVp and W/Al, W/Rh, and W/Ag target–filter combinations. The heterogeneous DgN coefficient was calculated as functions of the mean glandular fraction (MGF), breast thickness, tube voltage, and half-value layer. At 50% MGF, the heterogeneous DgN coefficients for W/Al, W/Rh, and W/Ag differed by 40.3%, 36.7%, and 31.2%. At 9-cm breast thickness, the DgN values of superior and inferior glandular distributions were 25.4% higher and 29.2% lower than those of uniform distribution. The proposed THEPs can be integrated with conventional breast dosimetry to consider the heterogeneous glandular distribution in clinical practice.
Development of a bacterial DNA extraction modular chip using a magnetic particle and portable vibration motor
Authors: Lim Sun Young , Lee Tae Jae , Shin Seol Yi , Bae Nam Ho , Lee Seok Jae , Park Yoo Min
Published: February 2020

The bacterial DNA was simply purified by magnetic particles with a portable vibration motor. To effectively extract DNA in the field, the 3D-printed device was employed with low electric power system.
Pebax® 1041 supported membranes with carbon nanotubes prepared via phase inversion for CO2/N2 separation
Authors: Sánchez-Laínez Javier , Ballester-Catalán Marcos , Javierre-Ortín Enrique , Téllez Carlos , Coronas Joaquín
Published: February 2020

Pebax® 1041 membranes developed by phase inversion and drop-casting are applied for post-combustion CO2 capture.
Differential kinetics of nitrogen oxides reduction leads to elevated nitrous oxide production by a nitrite fed granular denitrifying EBPR bioreactor
Authors: Gao Han , Zhao Xiaotian , Zhou Lei , Sabba Fabrizio , Wells George F.
Published: February 2020

Batch kinetic assays of DPAO-enriched biomass reveal elevated kinetics when nitrite is supplied for P uptake, but extremely slow kinetics for reduction of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide.
A standardised semi-dynamic in vitro digestion method suitable for food – an international consensus
Authors: Mulet-Cabero Ana-Isabel , Egger Lotti , Portmann Reto , Ménard Olivia , Marze Sébastien , Minekus Mans , Le Feunteun Steven , Sarkar Anwesha , Grundy Myriam M.-L. , Carrière Frédéric , Golding Matt , Dupont Didier , Recio Isidra , Brodkorb André , Mackie Alan
Published: February 2020

Standardised recommendations for a physiologically relevant, semi-dynamic in vitro simulation of upper GI tract digestion.
Rice bran attenuated obesity via alleviating dyslipidemia, browning of white adipocytes and modulating gut microbiota in high-fat diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Zou Yucheng , Ju Xingrong , Chen Wenye , Yuan Juan , Wang Zhigao , Aluko Rotimi E. , He Rong
Published: February 2020

Rice bran supplementation played a significant role in reducing dyslipidemia and inflammation, enhancing browning of white adipocytes and modulating gut microbiota for the prevention and control of obesity.
Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) concentrations in human milk consumed by infants born at different gestational ages and the variations in concentration during lactation stages
Authors: Dai Xinyue , Yuan Tinglan , Zhang Xinghe , Zhou Qin , Bi Huiya , Yu Renqiang , Wei Wei , Wang Xingguo
Published: February 2020

Short-chain fatty acids and medium-chain fatty acids (4:0, 6:0 and 8:0) are naturally occurring in human milk triacylglycerol and are present in highest amounts in mature full-term infant milk (1.47 ± 0.66 mg g−1 fat).
Formation, structural characterization, stability and in vitro bioaccessibility of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone loaded zein-/sophorolipid composite nanoparticles: effect of sophorolipid under two blending sequences
Authors: Chen Yufeng , Xia Guobin , Zhao Zhenlei , Xue Fan , Chen Chun , Zhang Ying
Published: February 2020

Comparison of DHF-Z-S and DHF-Z/S nanoparticles with respect to their formation, structural characterization, storage stability and in vitro bioaccessibility.
Synergistic neuroprotective effect of schisandrin and nootkatone on regulating inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy via the PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Qi Yu , Cheng Xinhui , Gong Guowei , Yan Tingxu , Du Yiyang , Wu Bo , Bi Kaishun , Jia Ying
Published: February 2020

Synergistic neuroprotective effect of schisandrin and nootkatone.
Dynamically wavelength-tunable random lasers based on metal–organic framework particles
Authors: Xu Baoyuan , Gao Zhenhua , Wei Yanhui , Liu Yang , Sun Xun , Zhang Weiguang , Wang Xue , Wang Zifei , Meng Xiangeng
Published: February 2020

Wavelength-tunable random lasers are achieved by thermally manipulating the intramolecular charge transfer process of gain molecules in metal–organic framework particles.
Modulating the H-bond strength by varying the temperature for the high pressure synthesis of nitrogen rich carbon nanothreads
Authors: Fanetti Samuele , Santoro Mario , Alabarse Frederico , Enrico Berretti , Bini Roberto
Published: February 2020

Synthesis of carbon nanothreads from pyridine under variable high-pressure and high-temperature conditions discloses the role of H-bonding in the kinetic control of the reaction.
Niobium disulfide as a new saturable absorber for an ultrafast fiber laser
Authors: Li Lu , Pang Lihui , Zhao Qiyi , Wang Yonggang , Liu Wenjun
Published: February 2020

Group VB transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are emerging two-dimensional materials and have attracted significant interests in the fields of physics, chemistry, and material sciences.
Guest effects on crystal structure and phosphorescence of a Cu6L3 prismatic cage
Authors: Shi Zhi-Chun , Chen Wei , Zhan Shun-Ze , Li Mian , Xie Mo , Li Yan Yan , Ng Seik Weng , Huang Yong-Liang , Zhang Zhiyin , Ning Guo-Hong , Li Dan
Published: February 2020

The crystal packing and photoluminescent properties of coordination cage can be fine-tuned via the encapsulation of aromatic guests with different substituents.
Ligands as a universal molecular toolkit in synthesis and assembly of semiconductor nanocrystals
Authors: Lee Hyeonjun , Yoon Da-Eun , Koh Sungjun , Kang Moon Sung , Lim Jaehoon , Lee Doh C.
Published: February 2020

The multiple ligands with different functionalities enable atomic-precision control of NCs morphology and subtle inter-NC interactions, which paves the way for novel optoelectronic applications.