bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Pneumococcal Capsule Type, 10D, is the 100th Serotype and Has a Large
cps
Fragment from an Oral Streptococcus
Authors: Ganaie Feroze , Saad Jamil S. , McGee Lesley , van Tonder Andries J. , Bentley Stephen D. , Lo Stephanie W. , Gladstone Rebecca A. , Turner Paul , Keenan Jeremy D. , Breiman Robert F. , Nahm Moon H.
Published: May 2020

The polysaccharide capsule is essential for the pathogenicity of pneumococcus, which is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide each year. Currently available pneumococcal vaccines are designed to elicit antibodies to the capsule polysaccharides of the pneumococcal isolates commonly causing diseases, and the antibodies provide protection only against the pneumococcus expressing the vaccine-targeted capsules. Since pneumococci can produce different capsule polysaccharides and therefore reduce vaccine effectiveness, it is important to track the appearance of novel pneumococcal capsule types and how these new capsules are created. Herein, we describe a new and the 100th pneumococcal capsule type with unique chemical and serological properties. The capsule type was named 10D for its serologic similarity to 10A. Genetic studies provide strong evidence that pneumococcus created 10D capsule polysaccharide by capturing a large genetic fragment from an oral streptococcus. Such interspecies genetic exchanges could greatly increase diversity of pneumococcal capsules and complicate serotype shifts.
The NtrYX Two-Component System Regulates the Bacterial Cell Envelope
Authors: Lemmer Kimberly C. , Alberge François , Myers Kevin S. , Dohnalkova Alice C. , Schaub Ryan E. , Lenz Jonathan D. , Imam Saheed , Dillard Joseph P. , Noguera Daniel R. , Donohue Timothy J.
Published: May 2020

The bacterial cell envelope provides many important functions. It protects cells from harsh environments, serves as a selective permeability barrier, houses bioenergetic functions, defines sensitivity to antibacterial agents, and plays a crucial role in biofilm formation, symbiosis, and virulence. Despite the important roles of this cellular compartment, we lack a detailed understanding of the biosynthesis and remodeling of the cell envelope. Here, we report that the
R. sphaeroides
two-component signaling system NtrYX is a previously undescribed regulator of cell envelope processes, providing evidence that it is directly involved in controlling transcription of genes involved in cell envelope assembly, structure, and function in this and possibly other bacteria. Thus, our data report on a newly discovered process used by bacteria to assemble and remodel the cell envelope.
Late Ordovician mass extinction caused by volcanism, warming, and anoxia, not cooling and glaciation
Authors: Bond David P.G. , Grasby Stephen E.
Published: May 2020

The Ordovician saw major diversification in marine life abruptly terminated by the Late Ordovician mass extinction (LOME). Around 85% of species were eliminated in two pulses 1 m.y. apart. The first pulse, in the basal Hirnantian, has been linked to cooling and Gondwanan glaciation. The second pulse, later in the Hirnantian, is attributed to warming and anoxia. Previously reported mercury (Hg) spikes in Nevada (USA), South China, and Poland implicate an unknown large igneous province (LIP) in the crisis, but the timing of Hg loading has led to different interpretations of the LIP-extinction scenario in which volcanism causes cooling, warming, or both. We report close correspondence between Hg, Mo, and U anomalies, declines in enrichment factors of productivity proxies, and the two LOME pulses at the Ordovician-Silurian boundary stratotype (Dob’s Linn, Scotland). These support an extinction scenario in which volcanogenic greenhouse gases caused warming around the Katian-Hirnantian boundary that led to expansion of a preexisting deepwater oxygen minimum zone, productivity collapse, and the first LOME pulse. Renewed volcanism in the Hirnantian stimulated further warming and anoxia and the second LOME pulse. Rather than being the odd-one-out of the “Big Five” extinctions with origins in cooling, the LOME is similar to the others in being caused by volcanism, warming, and anoxia.
Supplemental Material: Changes in productivity associated with algal-microbial shifts during the Early Triassic recovery of marine ecosystems
Authors: Du Yong , Song Huyue
Published: May 2020

Table S1: data from four stratigraphic sections in the Chaohu area; Table S2: data from the Spiti section; and Figure S1: chromatogram.
Proinsulin to insulin ratio is associated with incident type 2 diabetes but not with vascular complications in the KORA F4/FF4 study
Authors: Then Cornelia , Gar Christina , Thorand Barbara , Huth Cornelia , Then Holger , Meisinger Christa , Heier Margit , Peters Annette , Koenig Wolfgang , Rathmann Wolfgang , Lechner Andreas , Seissler Jochen
Published: May 2020

Introduction

We investigated the association of the proinsulin to insulin ratio (PIR) with prevalent and incident type 2 diabetes (T2D), components of the metabolic syndrome, and renal and cardiovascular outcomes in the population-based Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) F4 study (2006–2008)/FF4 study (2013–2014).

Research design and methods

The analyses included 1514 participants of the KORA F4 study at baseline and 1132 participants of the KORA FF4 study after a median follow-up time of 6.6 years. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality as well as cardiovascular events were analyzed after a median time of 9.1 and 8.6 years, respectively. The association of PIR with T2D, renal and cardiovascular characteristics and mortality were assessed using logistic regression models. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the association of PIR with components of the metabolic syndrome.

Results

After adjustment for sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity, PIR was associated with prevalent (OR: 2.24; 95% CI 1.81 to 2.77; p<0.001) and incident T2D (OR: 1.66; 95% CI 1.26 to 2.17; p<0.001). PIR was associated with fasting glucose (β per SD: 0.11±0.02; p<0.001) and HbA1c (β: 0.21±0.02; p<0.001). However, PIR was not positively associated with other components of the metabolic syndrome and was even inversely associated with waist circumference (β: −0.22±0.03; p<0.001), BMI (β: −0.11±0.03; p<0.001) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (β: −0.22±0.02; p<0.001). PIR was not significantly associated with the intima-media thickness (IMT), decline of kidney function, incident albuminuria, myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular or all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

In the KORA F4/FF4 cohort, PIR was positively associated with prevalent and incident T2D, but inversely associated with waist circumference, BMI and insulin resistance, suggesting that PIR might serve as a biomarker for T2D risk independently of the metabolic syndrome, but not for microvascular or macrovascular complications.
Patient-reported outcomes in paediatric cancer survivorship: a qualitative study to elicit the content from cancer survivors and caregivers
Authors: Pierzynski Jeanne A , Clegg Jennifer L , Sim Jin-ah , Forrest Christopher B , Robison Leslie L , Hudson Melissa M , Baker Justin N , Huang I-Chan
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Content elucidation for patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in paediatric cancer survivorship is understudied. We aimed to compare differences in the contents of five PRO domains that are important to paediatric cancer survivorship through semistructured interviews with paediatric cancer survivors and caregivers, and identified new concepts that were not covered in the item banks of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS).

Design

Semistructured interviews to collect qualitative PRO data from survivors and caregivers.

Setting

A survivorship care clinic of a comprehensive cancer centre in the USA.

Participants

The study included 51 survivors (<18 years old) and 35 caregivers who completed interviews between August and December 2016. Content experts coded the transcribed interviews into ‘meaningful concepts’ per PROMIS item concepts and identified new concepts per a consensus. Frequencies of meaningful concepts used by survivors and caregivers were compared by Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

Results

For pain and meaning and purpose, ‘Hurt a lot’ and ‘Purpose in life’ were top concepts for survivors and caregivers, respectively. For fatigue and psychological stress, ‘Needed to sleep during the day’/‘Trouble doing schoolwork’ and ‘Felt worried’ were top concepts for survivors, and ‘Felt tired’ and ‘Felt distress’/‘Felt stressed’ for caregivers. Survivors reported more physically relevant contents (eg, ‘Hard to do sport/exercise’; 0.78 vs 0.23, p=0.007) for pain, fatigue and stress, whereas caregivers used more emotionally relevant concepts (eg, ‘Too tired to enjoy things I like to do’; 0.31 vs 0.05, p=0.025). Both groups reported positive thoughts for meaning and purpose (eg, ‘Have goals for myself’). One (psychological stress, meaning and purpose) to eleven (fatigue) new concepts were generated.

Conclusions

Important PRO contents in the form of meaningful concepts raised by survivors and caregivers were different and new concepts emerged. PRO measures are warranted to include survivorship-specific items by accounting for the child’s and the caregiver’s viewpoints.
Psychometric properties of self-reported financial toxicity measures in cancer survivors: a systematic review protocol using COSMIN methodology
Authors: Zhu Zheng , Xing Weijie , Lizarondo Lucylynn , Peng Jian , Hu Yan , So Winnie KW
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Due to the higher costs associated with advancements in cancer treatment and longer duration of cancer survivorship, increasing financial toxicity has become a great threat to survivors, caregivers and public healthcare systems. Since accurate and reproducible measures are prerequisites for robust results, choosing an acceptable measure with strong psychometric properties to assess financial toxicity is essential. However, a description of the psychometric properties of existing measures is still lacking. The aim of this study is to apply COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology to systematically review the content and structural validity of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of financial toxicity for cancer survivors.

Methods and analysis

PubMed/Medline, Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and Cochrane Library (Wiley) will be comprehensively searched from database inception to 15 November 2019. Studies that report the measurement properties of PROMs assessing financial toxicity for cancer survivors will be included. The evaluation of measurement properties, data extraction and data synthesis will be conducted according to the COSMIN methodology.

Ethics and dissemination

No individual data are involved in this systematic review. The results will be disseminated to a clinical audience and policy-makers though peer-reviewed journals and conferences and will support researchers in choosing the best measure to evaluate the financial toxicity of cancer survivors.
Internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy for prevention of depression during pregnancy and in the post partum (iPDP): a protocol for a large-scale randomised controlled trial
Authors: Nishi Daisuke , Imamura Kotaro , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Obikane Erika , Sasaki Natsu , Yasuma Naonori , Sekiya Yuki , Matsuyama Yutaka , Kawakami Norito
Published: May 2020

Introduction

The objective of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) is to examine the effects of smartphone-based cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) in preventing the onset of major depressive episodes (MDE) among pregnant women.

Methods and analysis

The target study population will be pregnant women of 16–20 weeks gestation who are currently users of ‘Luna Luna Baby’, the most widely used app for pregnant women in Japan. Those who meet the eligibility criteria will be randomly allocated to the 6-module internet CBT programme that was newly developed for pregnant women (n=2500), or to a treatment-as-usual control group (n=2500). Participants in the intervention groups will be required to complete the programme by 32 weeks gestation. The primary outcomes are the number of new onsets of MDE, measured by using WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0 at 32 weeks gestation and 3 months post partum. Survival analysis will be conducted to test for the effectiveness of the intervention on the time to the onset of MDE.

Ethics and dissemination

The study plan has been approved by the Research Ethics Review Board of the Graduate School of Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, the University of Tokyo (2019150NI). If the intervention programmes are found to produce a significant positive effect in this RCT, these programmes can be made available for all users of the app in the future.

Trial registration number

UMIN000038190; Pre-results.
Guidance on the introduction and use of video consultations during COVID-19: important lessons from qualitative research
Authors: Wherton Joseph , Shaw Sara , Papoutsi Chrysanthi , Seuren Lucas , Greenhalgh Trisha
Published: May 2020

Background

Following several years of qualitative research, we have developed evidence-based guidance on setting up and conducting remote video consultations. Drawing on emerging evidence, we have also adapted the guidance to ensure accessibility and relevance for those using video calling during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

This article describes the research underpinning this guidance material, with a focus on three key areas: (1) IT infrastructure, (2) organisational routines and workflows, and (3) interactional work of a video consultation. Our research highlights that such change is not merely about installing and using new technology. It involves introducing and sustaining major changes to a complex system with multiple interacting components.

Conclusion

If remote video consultations are to be adopted at scale, implementation will need to follow a socio-technical approach, continually adjusting the technology and work processes to become better aligned.
Increased contrast enhancement of the parent vessel of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 7T MR imaging
Authors: Samaniego Edgar A , Roa Jorge A , Zhang Honghai , Koscik Timothy R , Ortega-Gutierrez Santiago , Bathla Girish , Sonka Milan , Derdeyn Colin , Magnotta Vincent A , Hasan David
Published: May 2020

Background

Inflammation of the arterial wall may lead to aneurysm formation. The presence of aneurysm enhancement on high-resolution vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI) is a marker of wall inflammation and instability. We aim to determine if there is any association between increased contrast enhancement in the aneurysmal wall and its parent artery.

Methods

Patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) prospectively underwent 7T HR-VWI. Regions of interest were selected manually and with a semi-automated protocol based on gradient algorithms of intensity patterns. Mean signal intensities in pre- and post-contrast T1-weighted sequences were adjusted to the enhancement of the pituitary stalk and then subtracted to objectively determine: circumferential aneurysmal wall enhancement (CAWE); parent vessel enhancement (PVE); and reference vessel enhancement (RVE). PVE was assessed over regions located 3- and 5 mm from the aneurysm’s neck. RVE was assessed in arteries located in a different vascular territory.

Results

Twenty-five UIAs were analyzed. There was a significant moderate correlation between CAWE and 5 mm PVE (Pearson R=0.52, P=0.008), whereas no correlation was found between CAWE and RVE (Pearson R=0.20, P=0.33). A stronger correlation was found between CAWE and 3 mm PVE (Pearson R=0.78, P<0.001). Intra-class correlation analysis demonstrated good reliability between measurements obtained using semi-automated and manual segmentation (ICC coefficient=0.790, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.90).

Conclusion

Parent arteries exhibit higher contrast enhancement in regions closer to the aneurysm’s neck, especially in aneurysms≥7 mm. A localized inflammatory/vasculopathic process in the wall of the parent artery may lead to aneurysm formation and growth.
Storm, typhoon, cyclone or hurricane in patients with COVID-19? Beware of the same storm that has a different origin
Authors: Alunno Alessia , Carubbi Francesco , Rodríguez-Carrio Javier
Published: May 2020

Some of the articles being published during the severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 pandemic highlight a link between severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the so-called cytokine storm, also with increased ferritin levels. However, this scenario is more complex than initially thought due to the heterogeneity of hyperinflammation. Some patients with coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) develop a fully blown secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH), whereas others, despite a consistent release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, do not fulfil sHLH criteria but still show some features resembling the phenotype of the hyperferritinemic syndrome. Despite the final event (the cytokine storm) is shared by various conditions leading to sHLH, the aetiology, either infectious, autoimmune or neoplastic, accounts for the differences in the various phases of this process. Moreover, the evidence of a hyperinflammatory microenvironment provided the rationale to employ immunomodulating agents for therapeutic purposes in severe COVID-19. This viewpoint aims at discussing the pitfalls and issues to be considered with regard to the use of immunomodulating agents in COVID-19, such as timing of treatment based on the viral load and the extent of cytokine/ferritin overexpression. Furthermore, it encompasses recent findings in the paediatric field about a novel multisystem inflammatory disease resembling toxic shock syndrome and atypical Kawasaki disease observed in children with proven SARS-CoV2 infection. Finally, it includes arguments in favour of adding COVID-19 to the spectrum of the recently defined ‘hyperferritinemic syndrome’, which already includes adult-onset Still’s disease, macrophage activation syndrome, septic shock and catastrophic anti-phospholipid syndrome.
Utilization of lipid-extracted biomass (LEB) to improve the economic feasibility of biodiesel production from green microalgae
Authors: Desjardins Sabrina Marie , Laamanen Corey Alfred , Basiliko Nathan , Scott John Ashley
Published: May 2020

Photosynthetic green microalgae are eukaryotic microorganisms that can mitigate anthropogenic carbon dioxide and generate lipids as a feedstock for production of biodiesel. Biodiesel production may not, however, compete economically with fossil fuel sourced diesel, but obtaining additional value from the biomass left after lipid extraction has the potential to help make the overall process more cost-effective. This review focuses on these additional value-added options that obtain and utilize either whole lipid-extracted biomass (LEB), which typically constitutes 60%–70% of total cell mass, or specific non-biodiesel lipid components such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, and proteins.
Energy dependence of the inelasticity in $$pp/p{\overline{p}}$$ collisions from experimental information on charged particle multiplicity distributions
Authors: Beggio P. C. , Coriolano F. R.
Published: May 2020

The dependence of the inelasticity in terms of the center of mass energy is studied in the eikonal formalism, which provides connection between elastic and inelastic channels. Due to the absence of inelasticity experimental datasets, the present analysis is based on experimental information available on the full phase space multiplicity distribution covering a large range of energy, namely 30 < $$\sqrt{s}$$s$$\le $$≤ 1800 GeV. Our results indicate that the decrease of inelasticity is consequence of minijets production from semihard interactions arising from the scattering of gluons carrying only a very small fractions of the momenta from their parent protons. Alternative methods of estimating the inelasticity are discussed and predictions to the LHC energies are presented.
Pole analysis on the hadron spectroscopy of $$\Lambda _b\rightarrow J/\Psi p K^-$$
Authors: Kuang Shi-Qing , Dai Ling-Yun , Kang Xian-Wei , Yao De-Liang
Published: May 2020

In this paper we study the $$J/\Psi p$$J/Ψp spectroscopy in the process of $$\Lambda _b\rightarrow J/\Psi p K^-$$Λb→J/ΨpK-. The final state interactions of coupled channel $$J/\Psi p$$J/Ψp–$$\bar{D} \Sigma _c$$D¯Σc–$$\bar{D}^{*} \Sigma _c$$D¯∗Σc are constructed based on K-matrix with the Chew–Mandelstam function. We build the $$\Lambda _b\rightarrow J/\Psi p K^-$$Λb→J/ΨpK- amplitude according to the Au–Morgan–Pennington method. The event shape is fitted and the decay width of $$\Lambda _b\rightarrow J/\Psi p K^-$$Λb→J/ΨpK- is used to constrain the parameters, too. With the amplitudes we extract out the poles and their residues. Our amplitude and pole analysis suggest that the $$P_c(4312)$$Pc(4312) should be $$\bar{D}\Sigma _c$$D¯Σc molecule, the $$P_c(4440)$$Pc(4440) could be an S-wave compact pentaquark state, and the structure around $$P_c(4457)$$Pc(4457) is caused by the cusp effect. The future experimental measurement of the decays of $$\Lambda _b\rightarrow \bar{D}\Sigma _c K^-$$Λb→D¯ΣcK- and $$\Lambda _b\rightarrow \bar{D}^*\Sigma _c K^-$$Λb→D¯∗ΣcK- would further help to study the nature of these resonances.
Fluctuation–dissipation relation from anomalous stress tensor and Hawking effect
Authors: Banerjee Rabin , Majhi Bibhas Ranjan
Published: May 2020

We show a direct connection between Kubo’s fluctuation–dissipation relation and Hawking effect that is valid in any dimensions for any stationary or static black hole. The relevant correlators corresponding to the fluctuating part of the force, computed from the known expressions for the anomalous stress tensor related to gravitational anomalies, are shown to satisfy the Kubo relation, from which the temperature of a black hole as seen by an observer at an arbitrary distance is abstracted. This reproduces the Tolman temperature and hence the Hawking temperature as that measured by an observer at infinity.
Evaluation of the Adjuvant Efficacy of Natural Herbal Medicine on COVID-19: A Retrospective Matched Case-Control Study
Authors: Zhang Hai-Tao , Huang Ming-Xing , Liu Xi , Zheng Xin-Chun , Li Xing-Hua , Chen Gong-Qi , Xia Jin-Yu , Hong Zhong-Si
Published: May 2020

Since the outbreak of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Hubei province, the epidemic scale has increased rapidly, and no effective antiviral drug therapy has been identified yet. This study aimed to evaluate the adjuvant efficacy of Natural Herbal Medicine (NHM) combined with Western medicine in the treatment of COVID-19. We performed a retrospective, 1:1 matched, case-control study of the first cohort of hospitalized COVID-19-confirmed cases (January 17, 2020 to January 28, 2020). A total of 22 of the 36 confirmed patients were included in this study, split into two groups of 11: the NHM group (NHM combined standard Western medicine treatment) and control group (standard Western medicine treatment alone). All patients received appropriate supportive care and regular clinical and laboratory monitoring. Main evaluation indicators included improvement of clinical symptoms such as fever, cough and diarrhea after hospitalization; pathogen nucleic acid test result of respiratory tract and fecal specimens of the patient after hospitalization, and change of chest CT examination after hospitalization. The duration of fever in the NHM group ([Formula: see text] days) was significantly shorter than that in the control group ([Formula: see text] days) ([Formula: see text]). During the whole hospitalization period, the number of cases with diarrhea in the NHM group (two cases) was less than that in the control group (eight cases) ([Formula: see text]). Compared with the control group ([Formula: see text]), the duration for improvement (DI) of chest CT in the NHM group ([Formula: see text]) was significantly shorter ([Formula: see text]). Our results suggest that NHM could improve the clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients and may be effective in treating COVID-19; thus, a larger, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial should be conducted to further evaluate the adjuvant efficacy of NHM in the treatment of COVID-19.
Predictive Modeling for Epidemic Outbreaks: A New Approach and COVID-19 Case Study
Authors: Chen Jian , Fu Michael C. , Zhang Wenhong , Zheng Junhua
Published: May 2020

Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China, numerous forecasting models have been proposed to project the trajectory of coronavirus infection cases. Most of these forecasts are based on epidemiology models that utilize deterministic differential equations and have resulted in widely varying predictions. We propose a new discrete-time Markov chain model that directly incorporates stochastic behavior and for which parameter estimation is straightforward from available data. Using such data from China’s Hubei province (for which Wuhan is the provincial capital city and which accounted for approximately 82% of the total reported COVID-19 cases in the entire country), the model is shown to be flexible, robust, and accurate. As a result, it has been adopted by the first Shanghai assistance medical team in Wuhan’s Jinyintan Hospital, which was the first designated hospital to take COVID-19 patients in the world. The forecast has been used for preparing medical staff, intensive care unit (ICU) beds, ventilators, and other critical care medical resources and for supporting real-time medical management decisions.
Generalized interaction term inspired dark energy model in fractal universe
Authors: Jawad Abdul , Qummer Saba , Rani Shamaila , Younas M.
Published: May 2020

By assuming generalized nonlinear and linear interaction term between dark matter and dark energy, we investigate the cosmic accelerated expansion of the universe. For this reason, we suppose a flat fractal universe platform as well as Tsallis holographic dark energy model. The Hubble horizon is being adopted as an infrared cutoff and extracted different cosmological parameters as well as plane. It is observed that equation-of-state parameter exhibits the quintom-like nature while ([Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]) lies in thawing and freezing regions for different parametric values for both the cases. Furthermore, the squared sound speed shows stable behavior for nonlinear interaction term but shows the partially stable behavior for linear term. For both cases, the deceleration parameter leads to the accelerated phase of the universe and the consequences are comparable with observational data. The results for [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] plane, leads to the quintessence and phantom region of the universe for nonlinear case while this plane represents the Chaplygin gas behavior for linear term. The [Formula: see text] diagnostic also shows the satisfying results.
Angular distribution and asymmetries in the decay of the polarized charmed baryon Λc+ → K−Δ++ → K−pπ+
Authors: Korchin A. Yu. , Kovalchuk V. A.
Published: May 2020

Angular distribution of the final particles in the decay [Formula: see text] of the polarized charmed baryon is discussed. Asymmetries are proposed that allow for determination of the components of the [Formula: see text] polarization vector. The precession angle of the polarization in the process of baryon channeling in a bent crystal is directly related to these asymmetries. The decay rate and asymmetry parameter for the [Formula: see text] decay are calculated in the pole model and compared with experiment.
Calculation of master integrals in terms of elliptic multiple polylogarithms
Authors: Bezuglov Maxim A.
Published: May 2020

In modern quantum field theory, one of the most important tasks is the calculation of loop integrals. Loop integrals appear when evaluating the Feynman diagrams with one or more loops by integrating over the internal momenta. Even though this problem has already been in place since the mid-twentieth century, we not only do not understand how to calculate all classes of these integrals beyond one loop, we do not even know in what class of functions the answer is expressed. To partially solve this problem, different variations of new functions usually called elliptic multiple polylogarithms have been introduced in the last decade. In this paper, we explore the possibilities and limitations of this class of functions. As a practical example, we chose the processes associated with the physics of heavy quarkonium at the two-loop level.
EXPLORING THE IMPACTS OF CARBON MARKET LINKAGE ON SECTORAL COMPETITIVENESS: A CASE STUDY OF BEIJING–TIANJIN–HEBEI REGION BASED ON THE CEECPA MODEL
Authors: WANG FENG , LIU BEIBEI , ZHANG BING
Published: May 2020

Emission trading could increase the production cost of sectors, and thus has significant impacts on sectoral competitiveness. This study takes the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region as an example to explore the impacts of different carbon market linkage scenarios on regional sectoral competitiveness by using the CEECPA model, a static multi-region and multi-sector Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model in China. Results show that carbon market linkage can mitigate the adverse impacts of emission trading on regional sectoral competitiveness across the BTH region. However, carbon market linkage may lead to the imbalances of regional sectoral competitiveness. In particular, energy production and energy-intensive sectors in Hebei would experience higher sectoral competitive losses under the restricted linkage scenario. Revenue recycling can effectively reduce sectoral competitive losses from carbon market linkage. Especially, using revenues to deduct indirect tax can make the sectoral competitive losses in Hebei significantly decrease. Policy implications are proposed to facilitate emission mitigation and balanced industrial development in China.
Healthy Development as a Human Right: Insights from Developmental Neuroscience for Youth Justice
Authors: Casey B.J. , Taylor-Thompson Kim , Rubien-Thomas Estée , Robbins Maria , Baskin-Sommers Arielle
Published: May 2020

Healthy development is a fundamental right of the individual, regardless of race, ethnicity, or social class. Youth require special protections of their rights, in part owing to vulnerabilities related to psychological and brain immaturity. These rights include not only protection against harm but opportunities for building the cognitive, emotional, and social skills necessary for becoming a contributing member of society. They apply to all youth, including those within the adult criminal justice system, which raises the legal question of when adult capacity and responsibility begin and special protections are no longer warranted. This article highlights ( a) empirical findings from developmental science on when psychological and neurobiological development reaches maturity; ( b) the extent to which this scientific knowledge guides current policies and practices in the treatment of youth in the United States; and ( c) emerging policies in the treatment of young people in the justice system based on developmental science.
Measuring and Modeling Visual Appearance
Authors: Maloney Laurence T. , Knoblauch Kenneth
Published: May 2020

In studying visual perception, we seek to develop models of processing that accurately predict perceptual judgments. Much of this work is focused on judgments of discrimination, and there is a large literature concerning models of visual discrimination. There are, however, non-threshold visual judgments, such as judgments of the magnitude of differences between visual stimuli, that provide a means to bridge the gap between threshold and appearance. We describe two such models of suprathreshold judgments, maximum likelihood difference scaling and maximum likelihood conjoint measurement, and review recent literature that has exploited them.
Facile Synthesis of Polymeric Schiff Base Metal Complex as Electrode for High-performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Ma Xuedong , Li Qian , Zhang Yaoyao , Wang Wei , Guo Yingmin , Zhang Cunshe
Published: May 2020

This research presents a simple method for preparing poly Schiff base ligand (L) and its metal complex (M–L, M = Al3+, Cr3+, Zn2+) as electrode materials for supercapacitors, which is derived from mixing terephthalaldehyde, m-phenylenediamine and metal nitrate in ethanol at room temperature. Compared with L, M–L combine the advantages of larger surface area, appropriate mesopore diameter, unique morphology and suitable conductivity. The electrochemical properties of the materials are assessed by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis in 6 M KOH electrolyte. The results show that the electrochemical performance of M–L significantly improve compared with L, especially when the current density is 0.5 A g−1, Al–L displays a superior specific capacitance of 608.6 F g−1. Moreover, the specific capacitance of Al–L still reaches 299.1 F g−1 after 1000 GCD cycles at 10 A g−1, which is higher than the initial capacitance of Cr–L and Zn–L. Moreover, the electrochemical resistance of Al–L is smaller than that of others. Therefore, Al–L will become an attractive material in supercapacitors, and opens the door for further research on various poly Schiff base metal complexes (poly[M(Schiff)]) as electrode materials for supercapacitors.
Perspective—On the Need for Reliability and Safety Studies of Grid-Scale Aqueous Batteries
Authors: Wittman Reed M. , Perry Mike L. , Lambert Timothy N. , Chalamala Babu R. , Preger Yuliya
Published: May 2020

Li-ion batteries currently dominate electrochemical energy storage for grid-scale applications, but there are promising aqueous battery technologies on the path to commercial adoption. Though aqueous batteries are considered lower risk, they can still undergo problematic degradation processes. This perspective details the degradation that aqueous batteries can experience during normal and abusive operation, and how these processes can even lead to cascading failure. We outline methods for studying these phenomena at the material and single-cell level. Considering reliability and safety studies early in technology development will facilitate translation of emerging aqueous batteries from the lab to the field.
CTRP12 ablation differentially affects energy expenditure, body weight, and insulin sensitivity in male and female mice
Authors: Tan Stefanie Y. , Lei Xia , Little Hannah C. , Rodriguez Susana , Sarver Dylan C. , Cao Xi , Wong G. William
Published: May 2020

Secreted hormones facilitate tissue cross talk to maintain energy balance. We previously described C1q/TNF-related protein 12 (CTRP12) as a novel metabolic hormone. Gain-of-function and partial-deficiency mouse models have highlighted important roles for this fat-derived adipokine in modulating systemic metabolism. Whether CTRP12 is essential and required for metabolic homeostasis is unknown. We show here that homozygous deletion of Ctrp12 gene results in sexually dimorphic phenotypes. Under basal conditions, complete loss of CTRP12 had little impact on male mice, whereas it decreased body weight (driven by reduced lean mass and liver weight) and improved insulin sensitivity in female mice. When challenged with a high-fat diet, Ctrp12 knockout (KO) male mice had decreased energy expenditure, increased weight gain and adiposity, elevated serum TNFα level, and reduced insulin sensitivity. In contrast, female KO mice had reduced weight gain and liver weight. The expression of lipid synthesis and catabolism genes, as well as profibrotic, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and oxidative stress genes were largely unaffected in the adipose tissue of Ctrp12 KO male mice. Despite greater adiposity and insulin resistance, Ctrp12 KO male mice fed an obesogenic diet had lower circulating triglyceride and free fatty acid levels. In contrast, lipid profiles of the leaner female KO mice were not different from those of WT controls. These data suggest that CTRP12 contributes to whole body energy metabolism in genotype-, diet-, and sex-dependent manners, underscoring complex gene-environment interactions influencing metabolic outcomes.
Cellular maps of gastrointestinal organs: getting the most from tissue clearing
Authors: Liu Cambrian Y. , Polk D. Brent
Published: May 2020

The development of modern methods to induce optical transparency (“clearing”) in biological tissues has enabled the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of intact organs at cellular resolution. New capabilities in visualization of rare cellular events, long-range interactions, and irregular structures will facilitate novel studies in the alimentary tract and gastrointestinal systems. The tubular geometry of the alimentary tract facilitates large-scale cellular reconstruction of cleared tissue without specialized microscopy setups. However, with the rapid pace of development of clearing agents and current relative paucity of research groups in the gastrointestinal field using these techniques, it can be daunting to incorporate tissue clearing into experimental workflows. Here, we give some advice and describe our own experience bringing tissue clearing and whole mount reconstruction into our laboratory’s investigations. We present a brief overview of the chemical concepts that underpin tissue clearing, what sorts of questions whole mount imaging can answer, how to choose a clearing agent, an example of how to clear and image alimentary tissue, and what to do after obtaining the image. This short review will encourage other gastrointestinal researchers to consider how utilizing tissue clearing and creating 3D “maps” of tissue might deepen the impact of their studies.
Sex differences in endothelial function in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Kruse Nicholas T. , You Zhiying , Moreau Kerrie , Kendrick Jessica , Jalal Diana
Published: May 2020

Vascular dysfunction plays an important role in the etiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with cardiovascular diseases. Sex differences in vascular function are common in clinical and nonclinical populations. However, no data exist in individuals with CKD. The present study tested the hypothesis that sex and/or aging differences exist in vascular function in patients with CKD. Endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD; measured via brachial artery flow-mediated dilation) and endothelium-independent dilation (EID; measured via nitroglycerin-mediated dilation) were assessed. Analyses were adjusted for several variables that could influence vascular function (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and blood pressure). Women, in general, had higher EDD values than men (6.5 ± 4.9% vs. 4.4 ± 3.4%); however, EID did not differ among these groups. In younger men and women (<55 yr old), EDD and EID were higher ( P < 0.05) than their older (≥55 yr old) counterparts (EDD: 7.0 ± 4.1% vs. 4.4 ± 3.8% and EID: 24.0 ± 9.6% vs. 18.3 ± 9.2%). Additionally, younger women exhibited higher ( P < 0.05) EDD and EID compared with younger men (EDD: 9.5 ± 6.4% vs. 5.1 ± 3.8%, P = 0.01, and EID: 24.0 ± 9.6% vs. 18.3 ± 9.2%). No differences in EDD and EID were present between older men and women with CKD. Diabetes independently predicted lower EID but not EDD in men and women. Blood pressure and cardiovascular disease did not predict EDD or EID. This is the first study to show significant sex differences in vascular function. Moreover, these differences are evident between younger men and women with CKD but are abolished with age. Additional studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms that may underlie sex differences in vascular dysfunction with CKD.
MicroRNA regulation postbleomycin due to the R213G extracellular superoxide dismutase variant is predicted to suppress inflammatory and immune pathways
Authors: Ohlstrom Denis , Hernandez-Lagunas Laura , Garcia Anastacia M. , Allawzi Ayed , Karimpour-Fard Anis , Sucharov Carmen C. , Nozik-Grayck Eva
Published: May 2020

Oxidative stress is a key contributor to the development of dysregulated inflammation in acute lung injury (ALI). A naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphism in the key extracellular antioxidant enzyme, extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD), results in an arginine to glycine substitution (R213G) that promotes resolution of inflammation and protection against bleomycin-induced ALI. Previously we found that mice harboring the R213G mutation in EC-SOD exhibit a transcriptomic profile consistent with a striking suppression of inflammatory and immune pathways 7 days postbleomycin. However, the alterations in noncoding regulatory RNAs in wild-type (WT) and R213G EC-SOD lungs have not been examined. Therefore, we used next-generation microRNA (miR) Sequencing of lung tissue to identify dysregulated miRs 7 days after bleomycin in WT and R213G mice. Differential expression analysis identified 92 WT and 235 R213G miRs uniquely dysregulated in their respective genotypes. Subsequent pathway analysis identified that these miRs were predicted to regulate approximately half of the differentially expressed genes previously identified. The gene targets of these altered miRs indicate suppression of immune and inflammatory pathways in the R213G mice versus activation of these pathways in WT mice. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM1) signaling was identified as the inflammatory pathway with the most striking difference between WT and R213G lungs. miR-486b-3p was identified as the most dysregulated miR predicted to regulate the TREM1 pathway. We validated the increase in TREM1 signaling using miR-486b-3p antagomir transfection. These findings indicate that differential miR regulation is predicted to regulate the inflammatory gene profile, contributing to the protection against ALI in R213G mice.
Interpretable Learning Approaches in Resting-State Functional Connectivity Analysis: The Case of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Hu Jinlong , Cao Lijie , Li Tenghui , Liao Bin , Dong Shoubin , Li Ping
Published: May 2020

Deep neural networks have recently been applied to the study of brain disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with great success. However, the internal logics of these networks are difficult to interpret, especially with regard to how specific network architecture decisions are made. In this paper, we study an interpretable neural network model as a method to identify ASD participants from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data and interpret results of the model in a precise and consistent manner. First, we propose an interpretable fully connected neural network (FCNN) to classify two groups, ASD versus healthy controls (HC), based on input data from resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) between regions of interests (ROIs). The proposed FCNN model is a piecewise linear neural network (PLNN) which uses piecewise linear function LeakyReLU as its activation function. We experimentally compared the FCNN model against widely used classification models including support vector machine (SVM), random forest, and two new classes of deep neural network models in a large dataset containing 871 subjects from ABIDE I database. The results show the proposed FCNN model achieves the highest classification accuracy. Second, we further propose an interpreting method which could explain the trained model precisely with a precise linear formula for each input sample and decision features which contributed most to the classification of ASD versus HC participants in the model. We also discuss the implications of our proposed approach for fMRI data classification and interpretation.
Management of Complex Facial Injuries: Cutting Traumas by Angle Grinders
Authors: Sudhoff Holger , Schulte am Esch Jan , Ay Nazli , Todt Ingo
Published: May 2020

The use of angle grinders can lead to complex facial injuries. The most frequent sites affected are within the head and face region. Anatomical boundaries or structures are not respected by the high-speed disc of angle grinders, and thus, injuries can be mutilating, permanently disabling, or even lethal. Functional and aesthetical satisfying results can be reached through debridement, excision of wound edges, and meticulous layered functional closure after appropriate reconstruction of additional facial bony defects. The management and short-term outcome of a complex facial cutting trauma by an angle grinder are presented and discussed.
Protective Effects and Mechanisms of Rosuvastatin on Acute Kidney Injury Induced by Contrast Media in Rats
Authors: Jiang Zehui , Zhang Jun , Lu Yuanan
Published: May 2020

Objective. To explore the protective effect and mechanism of rosuvastatin on acute renal injury induced by a nonionic hypotonic contrast medium in rats. Methods. Forty-eight healthy adult SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (NC); contrast medium control group (CM); and rosuvastatin intervention group (RI). The RI group was intragastrically administered with a 10 mg/kg of rosuvastatin 12 h prior to the contrast exposure. All rats in CM and RI groups were inoculated with 10 mL/kg of chemical (IV) while the same volume of saline for the NC group. At 24 h and 72 h posttreatments, pathomorphological changes of renal tubules were documented, respectively, and several biochemical indicators were tested to assess renal injury of experimental rats. Results. Compared with the CM group, rats in the RI group showed significantly reduced injury of kidneys and decreased levels of biochemical indicators such as blood Scr, blood Cys-C, urine NAG, urine α1-MG, and urine mALB. The serum Hs-CRP in the CM group increased significantly from 24 h to 72 h (

p
<
0.05

), but this was not observed in the rats of the RI group. In addition, SOD activity in the RI group was significantly increased (

p
<
0.01

) while SOD activity in renal tissue decreased significantly with time in the CM group (

p
<
0.05

). Conclusion. Short-term intervention with rosuvastatin can lead to reduced kidney damage associated with the contrast agent by reducing the levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress. Thus, rosuvastatin intervention has a protective effect on rats from contrast-induced nephropathy.
Almost Sure Limit Theorems for Multivariate General Standard Normal Sequences and Applications
Authors: Chen Zhicheng , Liu Xinsheng
Published: May 2020

Under suitable conditions, the almost sure central limit theorems for the maximum of general standard normal sequences of random vectors are proved. The simulation of the almost sure convergence for the maximum is firstly performed, which helps to visually understand the theorems by applying to two new examples.
Experimental Study and Theoretical Verification of Explosion-Proof Performance of Insulated Glass
Authors: Zhang Jinju , Wang Xinjian , Wang Liqiong , Su Pengchong
Published: May 2020

Building glass fragment in a blast-related environment is the main cause of casualties. In order to analyze the explosion-proof performance of insulated glass quantitatively in conventional buildings, the explosion experiment under different shock wave loads was carried out on the insulated glass, the pressure sensor was used to collect the overpressure value of the explosion shock wave, and the high-speed camera was used to record the breaking process of glass. The broken state of the insulated glass and the critical overpressure value of the broken state under different working conditions were obtained. And the theoretical calculation method based on the equivalent static load was used to verify the critical overpressure value of the insulated glass. The research showed that the fragments scattered toward the center of the explosion source when the layer of the insulated glass face to the explosion wave front was broken, and the fragments mainly scattered in the direction of the shock wave propagation when it was completely broken. The theoretical calculation method based on the equivalent static load could be used to evaluate the explosion-proof performance of the insulated glass.