bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of curcumin and its derivatives in tumor multidrug resistance
Authors: Xu Ting , Guo Pu , He Yingmeng , Pi Chao , Wang Yuanyuan , Feng Xianhu , Hou Yi , Jiang Qingsheng , Zhao Ling , Wei Yumeng
Published: April 2020

Malignant tumor endangers seriously the health of all mankind. Multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the main causes of clinical tumor chemotherapy failure. Curcumin (CUR) has not only antitumor activity but also reversing tumor MDR effect. CUR reverses tumor MDR via regulating related signal pathways or corresponding expressed proteins or gene. When combined with chemotherapeutic agents, CUR can be a chemotherapeutic sensitive agent to enhance chemotherapy efficacy and weaken tumor MDR. On the other hand, to improve the MDR reversal effect of CUR, its derivatives have been extensively studied. Therefore, this article mainly focuses on reviewing the application of CUR and its derivatives in MDR and its mechanism of reversing MDR.
Pluriversal Literacies: Affect and Relationality in Vulnerable Times
Authors: Perry Mia
Published: April 2020

Through a consideration of literacies in theory and international policy, this article pushes at the edges of existing frameworks of functional and sociocultural literacies. In critique of existing policy directives, the author explores an approach to literacy that engages in the affective and posthuman relationality of human and environment and in the plurality of literacies globally that are overshadowed in prevailing models of literacy education. The author was motivated by a commitment to literacy education responsive to a world that is unsustainable in its current practices, to a world that faces increasing fragmentation and vulnerability (socially and ecologically) while certain types of expertise, technologies, and global infrastructures continue to proliferate. As a mainstay of education and a tool of social change, literacies are inseparable from policy and practices of sustainability, equity, and development. Pluriversality is a concept emerging from decolonial theory that provides a counternarrative to contemporary Northern assumptions of the universal. Building on a history of ideas around pluriversality gives sociopolitical and ecological momentum to affect and relationality in literacy studies. The author challenges normative constructions of literacy education as Eurocentric and neocolonial, effectively supporting a pedagogy that normalizes certain practices and people and, by extension, sustains inequity and environmental degradation. Through interwoven research projects, the author highlights the contentious aspects of functional and sociocultural approaches to literacy and the possibilities of moving beyond them. In doing so, the author describes and demonstrates the practical and political implications of affect theory and relationality in literacies education in a plural anthropocenic world.
Wehranlage Viereth: Vorteile einer durchgängigen Bearbeitung mit der BIM‐Methode im komplexen Stahlwasserbau
Authors: Wilde Elmar , Schäfers Matthias , Braun Norman
Published: April 2020

Die beweglichen Strukturen an Schleusen und Stauanlagen sind Bauteile, die sich an der Schnittlinie zwischen Maschinenbau und Bauwesen befinden. Diese Stahlwasserbauten haben besondere Anforderungen an die Abwicklung. Dies beginnt mit der technischen Bearbeitung – es sind unterschiedliche Lagerungszustände, unterschiedliche statische Systeme und Bewegungen zu berücksichtigen, Schwingungsanregungen stellen ebenfalls eine Herausforderung dar. Die Behandlung dieser Randbedingungen in einem Planungsprozess führt dazu, dass Stahlwasserbauten zu den aufwendigsten Tragstrukturen gehören. Hier wird von den allgemeinen Randbedingungen von Wehranlagen und im Besonderen dieses Projekts berichtet. Dabei werden die daraus resultierenden Strukturen vom Oberwasserrevisionsverschluss zur Baugrubenumschließung und dem eigentlichen Wehrkörper betrachtet. Die durchgängige Bearbeitung mit BIM bietet für diese Klasse von Bauwerken spezifische Chancen und Randbedingungen, deren Lösungsansätze hier gezeigt werden.
Some issues on coordinate transformations of T‐S fuzzy models
Authors: Han Hugang , Hamasaki Daisuke
Published: April 2020

As a mathematical model to represent the dynamics of a plant to be controlled, the T‐S fuzzy model is widely used in the control system design. In order to facilitate controller design, it sometimes needs suitable coordinate transformations of the T‐S fuzzy model. Subsequently, some questions arise: (1) can local systems in different fuzzy rules perform different coordinate transformations? if yes, then (2) is the transformed T‐S fuzzy model equivalent to its original one? In answering these questions, this paper at first gives a brief review on the T‐S fuzzy model to catch the real meaning of local systems in the context of the whole system expressed by the T‐S fuzzy model. Then, bearing controller design in mind it discusses the equivalence between pre‐ and transformed systems in various types of T‐S fuzzy models. Finally, in order to share the benefits from the results discussed in this paper, a controller design based on an affine T‐S fuzzy model is provided. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Interconnected Security: Conclusions and Recommendations
Authors: Hirsch Ballin Ernst , Dijstelbloem Huub , de Goede Peter
Published: April 2020

Strategic analysis, security policy, defence policy, the armed forces: that was the sequence followed in this book. The same sequence should be followed for the purpose of policy analysis. On the basis of a strategic analysis of the altered security environment, this book has considered what defence policy is required now and in the near future and where the armed forces need to be strengthened. The emphasis was on where the focus needs to be tightened and how additional investment should be used. The precise choices and priorities that should be formulated in that process must be determined in the political debate. It is of the utmost importance to conduct that debate. Security policy and defence policy depend on it. This final chapter makes a number of recommendations on how to make the necessary improvements and to create a more strategic foundation for the thinking of politicians and policymakers on security and defence. The book concludes with a discussion of the following points:
Current strength, temperature, and bodyscape modulate cleaning services for giant manta rays
Authors: Murie Calum , Spencer Matthew , Oliver Simon P.
Published: April 2020

The cleaner–client system among reef teleosts has received considerable attention in both wild and captive environments, but the spatially and taxonomically diverse associations between cleaner fish and elasmobranchs are less understood. Using remote video, we investigated interactions between giant manta rays (Mobula birostris) and cleaner wrasse at a seamount in the Philippines. Cleaning events occurred between 11:00 and 16:00 h on a seasonal basis and were constrained by current strengths and ambient water temperatures. The frequency with which giant manta rays interacted with cleaner fish varied on an individual basis. Blue streaked cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) and moon wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) selectively foraged on manta rays’ gills and pelvis, with L. dimidiatus also demonstrating slight preferences for the pectoral fins. Cleaners’ foraging preferences may indicate ectoparasitic infections in specific areas of a manta ray’s body. The exclusivity with which giant manta rays visited a particular cleaning station on the seamount may be a response to the quality of services that cleaners provide there. Giant mantas’ fidelity to this site may also be attributed to localised concentrations of food that are available nearby. The seamount provides habitat that appears to be important to the life history strategies of the region’s giant manta rays.
Incidence of Multiple Metachronous Gastric Cancers After Pyloric‐Preserving Gastrectomy
Authors: Aizawa Masaki , Yabusaki Hiroshi , Matsuki Atsushi , Bamba Takeo , Nakagawa Satoru
Published: April 2020

Aim

Pylorus‐preserving gastrectomy (PPG) is widely used for early gastric cancer located in the middle third of the stomach. The minimization of the extent of gastrectomy may increase the risk of metachronous multiple gastric cancer (MGC). We report the findings of a study that was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of MGC after PPG.

Methods

The clinical data of 533 patients who underwent PPG for gastric cancer between 1993 and 2018 were reviewed. The clinicopathological characteristics at the time of the primary treatment that were predictive of the development of MGC were explored. The median (range) observation period was 112.4 (8.1–290.7) months.

Results

Metachronous MGC was diagnosed in 33 of the 533 patients. The cumulative 5‐year and 10‐year event rates were 3.3% and 6.2%, respectively. The patient gender, presence/absence of synchronous MGC and the macroscopic type of the primary gastric cancer were significantly associated with the risk of development of metachronous MGC. Multivariate analysis identified the presence of synchronous MGC (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.828, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.611–12.30, p = 0.004) and Type 0‐IIa primary gastric cancer (HR 2.810, 95% CI; 1.113–7.090, p = 0.029) as independent factors associated with the risk of development of MGC. All the patients could be treated by surgical or endoscopic resection for the metachronous MGC. Recurrence was observed in one patient.

Conclusions

There was quite a few incidence of development of metachronous MGC after PPG. Nevertheless, PPG remains reasonable treatment option, if adequate postoperative surveillance can be ensured.
Autopsy in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD)
Authors:   On behalf of Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology (AECVP), Angelini Annalisa , di Gioia Cira , Doran Helen , Fedrigo Marny , Henriques de Gouveia Rosa , Ho Siew Yen , Leone Ornella , Sheppard Mary N , Thiene Gaetano , Dimopoulos Konstantinos , Mulder Barbara , Padalino Massimo , van der Wal Allard C
Published: April 2020

The adult congenital heart diseases (ACHD) population is exceeding the pediatric congenital heart diseases (CHD) population and is progressively expanding each year, representing more than 90% of patients with CHD. Of these, about 75% have undergone surgical and/or percutaneous intervention for palliation or correction. Autopsy can be a very challenging procedure in ACHD patients. The approach and protocol to be used may vary depending on whether the pathologists are facing native disease without surgical or percutaneous interventions, but with various degrees of cardiac remodeling, or previously palliated or corrected CHD. Moreover, interventions for the same condition have evolved over the last decades, as has perioperative myocardial preservations and postoperative care, with different long-term sequelae depending on the era in which patients were operated on. Careful clinicopathological correlation is, thus, required to assist the pathologist in performing the autopsy and reaching a diagnosis regarding the cause of death. Due to the heterogeneity of the structural abnormalities, and the wide variety of surgical and interventional procedures, there are no standard methods for dissecting the heart at autopsy. In this paper, we describe the most common types of CHDs that a pathologist could encounter at autopsy, including the various types of surgical and percutaneous procedures and major pathological manifestations. We also propose a practical systematic approach to the autopsy of ACHD patients.
N2H2 binding to the nitrogenase FeMo cluster studied by QM/MM methods
Authors: Cao Lili , Ryde Ulf
Published: April 2020

We have made a systematic combined quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical (QM/MM) investigation of possible structures of the N2 bound state of nitrogenase. We assume that N2 is immediately protonated to a N2H2 state, thereby avoiding the problem of determining the position of the protons in the cluster. We have systematically studied both end-on and side-on structures, as well as both HNNH and NNH2 states. Our results indicate that the binding of N2H2 is determined more by interactions and steric clashes with the surrounding protein than by the intrinsic preferences of the ligand and the cluster. The best binding mode with both the TPSS and B3LYP density-functional theory methods has trans-HNNH terminally bound to Fe2. It is stabilised by stacking of the substrate with His-195 and Ser-278. However, several other structures come rather close in energy (within 3–35 kJ/mol) at least in some calculations: The corresponding cis-HNNH structure terminally bound to Fe2 is second best with B3LYP. A structure with HNNH2 terminally bound to Fe6 is second most stable with TPSS (where the third proton is transferred to the substrate from the homocitrate ligand). Structures with trans-HNNH, bound to Fe4 or Fe6, or cis-HNNH bound to Fe6 are also rather stable. Finally, with the TPSS functional, a structure with cis-HNNH side-on binding to the Fe3–Fe4–Fe5–Fe7 face of the cluster is also rather low in energy, but all side-on structures are strongly disfavoured by the B3LYP method.
Accessibility, usability, and security evaluation of Hungarian government websites
Authors: Csontos Balázs , Heckl István
Published: April 2020

Public sector bodies are increasingly relying on the Internet. On this channel, indispensable information is transmitted to the public and a wide range of services is already available. Therefore, the usability, accessibility, and the security of these websites are very important. Accessibility is particularly crucial for persons with disabilities. The accessibility of public service websites is regulated by a number of laws; among others, the directive “on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies” adopted by the European Parliament in 2016. This obliges all European Union member states to make all public sector websites and mobile applications accessible by 23 September 2021. In practice, this means that websites must fulfil the level AA recommendations in WCAG 2.1. In our study, a website assessment method is developed by comparing different analytical tools. With this method, we analysed how Hungarian websites of public sector bodies fulfil the requirements of the directive. We have also investigated how well they comply with usability and security guidelines. The results showed that none of the 25 websites of the examined Hungarian public sector bodies could completely fulfil the recommendations of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and that half of the websites had only the lowest level of compliance in usability tests. From the security point of view, almost half of the websites use outdated server versions and programming language, which is very critical. We have proposed several suggestions to address the major problems, so website developers and administrators can improve the accessibility, usability, and security aspects of these websites.
The prevalence of stroke and related risk factors among residents aged ≥ 40 years in Chongqing, Southwest China
Authors: Yang Yin , Yang Yalan , Jin Ge , Yang Yongtao , Chen Liang , Jiang Zhongbi , Xie Li , Liu Li , Zeng Dewei , Zhan Qunling , Zhong Zhaohui
Published: April 2020

Background

China bears the largest global stroke burden, yet little is known about its rates in Chongqing, southwest China. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and related risk factors for stroke in Chongqing, and to provide evidence for improved formulation of targeted primary preventive measures for stroke.

Methods

In 2015, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Nan’an district, Chongqing. Participants responded to a questionnaire surveying general information and common risk factors for stroke, and related physical examinations were conducted.

Results

Of 25,000 people aged ≥ 40 years who were investigated, 24,859 participants completed the questionnaire and underwent the physical examination. The crude prevalence rate for stroke was 1.71%, and was higher in men than in women (1.9% versus 1.6%). Prevalence rates increased with age (p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that too little exercise, hypertension, family history of stroke, and history of transient ischemic attack were stroke risk factors among three groups (men, women, and total participants; all p-values < 0.05). Smoking was a risk factor for men (odds ratio 2.77; 95% Cl 1.46–5.28) and having only attained a primary school or lower education level was a risk factor for women (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that controlling stroke risk factors for stroke prevention is still crucial. Moreover, this study provides comprehensive resource data for further stroke research in southwest China.
Loneliness in mid-life and older adults from ethnic minority communities in England and Wales: measure validation and prevalence estimates
Authors: Victor Christina R. , Dobbs Christine , Gilhooly Kenneth , Burholt Vanessa
Published: April 2020

We investigated the prevalence of loneliness among 1206 adults aged 40 + from six minority communities in England and Wales: Black Caribbean, Black African, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Chinese. Replicating the approach from the previous studies, we demonstrate robust acceptability, reliability and validity for both the six-item De Jong Gierveld (DJG) and single-item loneliness scales in our six ethnic groups. The prevalence of loneliness using a single-item question (loneliness reported as often/always) ranges from 5% (Indian) to 14% (Chinese) compared with approximately 5% for the general population aged 40 + in Britain. Levels of loneliness are very much higher using the DJG scale. Using a loneliness threshold score of 5 +, the percentage ranged from 13% (Indian) to 36% (Chinese). We explored the importance of six established loneliness vulnerability factors for our sample using regression modelling. Three factors were not associated with loneliness—number of children, gender and health rating, and three factors were protective: younger age, being married and low financial strain. The addition of ethnicity did not change these relationships or enhance statistical power of our models. Being a member of the African Caribbean group was protective against loneliness but not for the other groups included in our study. We suggest that exposure to loneliness vulnerability factors rather than ethnicity per se or measurement artefact underpins differences in loneliness across ethnic groups.
A Pilot Randomised Control Trial of Digitally-Mediated Social Stories for Children on the Autism Spectrum
Authors: Hanrahan R. , Smith E. , Johnson H. , Constantin A. , Brosnan M.
Published: April 2020

Social stories is a widely used intervention for children on the autism spectrum, particularly within an educational context. To date, systematic reviews and meta analyses of the research evaluating social stories has produced mixed results, often due to a lack of methodological rigour and variability in the development and delivery of the social stories. To address the gap in methodological rigour, a pilot Randomised Control Trial (RCT) was conducted, incorporating a social stories intervention group (n = 9 children on the autism spectrum) and an attentional control group who received a poem (n = 6 children on the autism spectrum) using a digital platform to address variability. Digitally-mediated social stories were found to be effective in producing beneficial changes in behaviour outcomes, which were sustained at a six-week follow up.
When “facts” are not facts: what does p value really mean, and how does it deceive us?
Authors: Liao Caiyun , Speirs Andrew L. , Goldsmith Sierra , Silber Sherman J.
Published: April 2020

The recent paper in JAMA alleging that frozen embryo transfer causes twice the risk of childhood cancer in the offspring is an excellent example of the erroneous use of statistical tests (and the misinterpretation of p value) that is common in much of the medical literature, even in very high impact journals. These myths backed by misleading statements of “statistical significance” can cause far-reaching harm to patients and doctors who might not understand the pitfalls of specious statistical testing.
An optimisation-based iterative approach for speckle tracking echocardiography
Authors: Azarmehr Neda , Ye Xujiong , Howes Joseph D. , Docking Benjamin , Howard James P. , Francis Darrel P. , Zolgharni Massoud
Published: April 2020

Speckle tracking is the most prominent technique used to estimate the regional movement of the heart based on echocardiograms. In this study, we propose an optimised-based block matching algorithm to perform speckle tracking iteratively. The proposed technique was evaluated using a publicly available synthetic echocardiographic dataset with known ground-truth from several major vendors and for healthy/ischaemic cases. The results were compared with the results from the classic (standard) two-dimensional block matching. The proposed method presented an average displacement error of 0.57 pixels, while classic block matching provided an average error of 1.15 pixels. When estimating the segmental/regional longitudinal strain in healthy cases, the proposed method, with an average of 0.32 ± 0.53, outperformed the classic counterpart, with an average of 3.43 ± 2.84. A similar superior performance was observed in ischaemic cases. This method does not require any additional ad hoc filtering process. Therefore, it can potentially help to reduce the variability in the strain measurements caused by various post-processing techniques applied by different implementations of the speckle tracking.
Evaluation of the Healing Potential of Myracrodruon urundeuva in Wounds Induced in Male Rats
Authors: Teixeira Monalisa C. , Lopes Maria Janice P. , de Sousa-Júnior Dárcio Luiz , Ribeiro Ana E. S. , Pereira Bruna S. , de Aquino Pedro Everson A. , de Aquino Nayara C. , Silveira Edilberto R. , Leal Luzia Kaline A. M. , de B. Viana Glauce Socorro
Published: April 2020

Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão, Anacardiaceae, is popularly known as “aroeira-do-sertão”. It is a common species in the state of Ceará and widely used for its anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, astringent, anti-allergic, and antidiarrheal activities and also in the treatment of skin wounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the healing effect of the cream prepared with the decoction from the stem bark of a 7-year-old cultivated M. urundeuva in rats submitted to excisional wounds. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: sham group, which did not received a treatment; 10% “aroeira” cream group, which received application of the plant cream; and control group, which received application of the base cream. The animals had their skin fragments (8 mm in diameter) removed, and each group was observed at 2, 7, and 12 days after surgery. The macroscopic analysis was performed with a digital paquimeter. The fragments of newly formed tissue were removed from the skin for slides processing and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and picrosirius red staining techniques, in order to verify the effect of the 10% “aroeira” cream in different stages of the healing process. Macroscopic analyses demonstrated a decrease in the area of the 10% “aroeira” cream treated wounds, compared with controls. In addition, the histological study evidenced an improvement in the inflammatory aspects (infiltrate, edema, hemorrhage), in this treated group, as well as the presence of a new epithelium and a greater intensity in collagen deposition. Thus, a favorable effect was observed regarding the use of 10% “aroeira” cream in the cicatricial process of cutaneous wounds in rats, modulating the inflammatory response of healing and accelerating tissue repair of experimental excisional skin wounds.
Characterizing healthcare delivery in the United States using Census Bureau’s County Business Patterns (2000–2016)
Authors: KC Astha , Schaefer Melissa K. , Stone Nimalie D. , Perz Joseph
Published: April 2020

Background:

The US Census Bureau’s County Business Patterns (CBP) series provides a unique opportunity to describe the healthcare sector using a single, national data source.

Methods:

We analyzed CBP data on business establishments in the healthcare industry for 2000–2016 for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Setting and facility types were defined using the North American Industry Classification System.

Results:

In 2016, CBP enumerated 707,634 US healthcare establishments (a 34% increase from 2000); 86.5% were outpatient facilities and services followed by long-term care facilities (12.5%) and acute-care facilities (1.0%). Between 2000 and 2016, traditional facilities such as general medical surgical and surgical hospitals (−0.4%) and skilled nursing facilities (+0.1%) decreased or remained flat, while other long-term care and outpatient providers grew rapidly.

Conclusion:

This analysis highlights the steady growth and increased specialization of the US healthcare sector, particularly in long-term care and outpatient settings.
Dietary inclusion of Antarctic krill meal during the finishing feed period improves health and fillet quality of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.)
Authors: Mørkøre Turid , Moreno Helena M. , Borderías Javier , Larsson Thomas , Hellberg Hege , Hatlen Bjarne , Romarheim Odd Helge , Ruyter Bente , Lazado Carlo C. , Jiménez-Guerrero Raúl , Bjerke Målfrid T. , Benitez-Santana Tibiabin , Krasnov Aleksei
Published: April 2020

There is an urgent need to find alternative feed resources that can further substitute fishmeal in Atlantic salmon diets without compromising health and food quality, in particular during the finishing feeding period when the feed demand is highest and flesh quality effects are most significant. This study investigates efficacy of substituting a isoprotein (35 %) and isolipid (35 %) low fishmeal diet (FM, 15 %) with Antarctic krill meal (KM, 12 %) during 3 months with growing finishing 2·3 kg salmon (quadruplicate sea cages/diet). Final body weight (3·9 (se0·04) kg) was similar in the dietary groups, but the KM group had more voluminous body shape, leaner hearts and improved fillet integrity, firmness and colour. Ectopic epithelial cells and focal Ca deposits in intestine were only detected in the FM group. Transcriptome profiling by microarray of livers showed dietary effects on several immune genes, and a panel of structural genes were up-regulated in the KM group, including cadherin and connexin. Up-regulation of genes encoding myosin heavy chain proteins was the main finding in skeletal muscle. Morphology examination by scanning electron microscopy and secondary structure by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy revealed more ordered and stable collagen architecture of the KM group. NEFA composition of skeletal muscle indicated altered metabolism ofn-3,n-6 and SFA of the KM group. The results demonstrated that improved health and meat quality in Atlantic salmon fed krill meal were associated with up-regulation of immune genes, proteins defining muscle properties and genes involved in cell contacts and adhesion, altered fatty acid metabolism and fat deposition, and improved gut health and collagen structure.
Induction of resistance againstBrevicoryne brassicaebyPseudomonas putidaand salicylic acid in canola
Authors: Khoshfarman-Borji H. , Pahlavan Yali M. , Bozorg-Amirkalaee M.
Published: April 2020

The cabbage aphid,Brevicoryne brassicaeL. (Hem: Aphididae), is one of the most serious pests of canola worldwide. In this research, the effects ofPseudomonas putida, salicylic acid (SA), and integrated application of both inducers were studied on the resistance of canola toB. brassicae. In free-choice situation, the number ofB. brassicaeattracted on canola plants under treatments containingP. putidaand SA was significantly lower compared to control plants. In the life table study, pre-adult survival, longevity, reproductive period, and fecundity of this aphid were lowest on plants treated withP. putida+ SA. The net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of population increase (r), and finite rate of increase (λ) ofB. brassicaedecreased significantly in the following order: control (47.19 offspring, 0.293 and 1.340 day−1),P. putida(16.7 offspring, 0.238 and 1.269 day−1), SA (6.37 offspring, 0.163 and 1.178 day−1), andP. putida+ SA (3.24 offspring, 0.112 and 1.119 day−1). Moreover, the beneficial effect of the integrated application ofP. putidaand SA on plant growth parameters was significantly evident in our study. The highest values of glucosinolates, total phenol, and flavonoids were recorded inP. putida+ SA treatment. We concluded that canola plants treated withP. putida+ SA are more resistant to the cabbage aphid. These findings demonstrated that SA integrated withP. putidaon canola plants act effectively for reducing the population ofB. brassicaeand can be used in integrated management programs of this pest.
Public Policy and Constitutional Rights in Times of Crisis
Authors: Macfarlane Emmett
Published: April 2020

Federal and provincial policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic raise a host of constitutional issues that decision makers must pay heed to or risk serious violations of individual rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This research note will examine a number of policy challenges as they relate to mobility rights (s. 6), legal rights (ss. 7 through 14), and equality rights (s. 15) and will articulate the factors that policy makers should consider in design and implementation. Other important constitutional questions, such as those relating to the division of powers, emergency powers and the relationship between the executive and Parliament, have also emerged in Canada but are beyond the scope of this note.
Facebook or fail-book: Exploring “community” in a virtual community of practice
Authors: Peeters Ward , Pretorius Marilize
Published: April 2020

Creating collaborative working and learning experiences has long been at the forefront of computer-assisted language learning research. It is in this context that, in recent years, the integration of social networking sites and Web 2.0 in learning settings has surged, generating new opportunities to establish and explore virtual communities of practice (VCoPs). However, despite the number of studies on the concept, research remains inconclusive on how learners develop a sense of community in a VCoP, and what effect this may have on interaction and learning. This research project proposes to use social network analysis, part of graph theory, to explore the configuration of a set of VCoPs, and presents an empirical approach to determine how interaction in such communities takes shape. The present paper studies the concept of “community” in two VCoPs on Facebook. Participants (Group 1: N = 123, Group 2: N = 34) in both VCoPs are enrolled in English as a foreign language courses at two Belgian institutions of higher education. Social network analysis is used to show how both learner groups establish and develop a network of peers, and how different participants in those groups adopt different roles. Participation matrices reveal that interaction mainly revolves around a number of active key figures and that certain factors such as the incorporation of online and offline assignments and the inclusion of a teacher online result in varying levels of success when establishing collaborative dialogue within the VCoPs. Recommendations are formulated to inform and improve future practice.
China–Broiler Products (Article 21.5 – United States) – can the sum of the parts be less than the whole?
Authors: Alcover Maria , Crowley Meredith
Published: April 2020

This article explores economic and legal issues in the WTO dispute China–Broiler Products (Article 21.5–United States). In 2011, the US initiated a dispute against the conduct and results of China's 2009 trade remedy investigation into US broiler products (chickens). The Panel Report found that China had acted inconsistently with its WTO obligations. On the basis of a redetermination, China continued to impose duties and the United States initiated WTO compliance proceedings. The compliance Panel Report, circulated in 2018, concluded that China had failed to comply with its WTO obligations when allocating costs to construct US domestic prices for broiler products. However, China was found to have acted consistently with its WTO obligations with respect to two claims which raise some interesting legal questions. Ultimately, after almost a decade of litigation, China removed the antidumping and countervailing duties on US broiler products in 2018.
AGN feedback and the origin and fate of the hot gas in early-type galaxies
Authors: Pellegrini Silvia , Ciotti Luca , Negri Andrea , Ostriker Jeremiah P.
Published: April 2020

We present the results of two-dimensional, grid-type hydrodynamical simulations, with parsec-scale central resolution, for the evolution of the hot gas in isolated early-type galaxies (ETGs). The simulations include a physically self-consistent treatment of the mechanical (from winds) and radiative AGN feedback, and were run for a large set of realistic galaxy models. AGN feedback proves to be very important to maintain massive ETGs in a time-averaged quasi-steady state, keeping the star formation at a low level, and the central black hole mass on observed scaling relations. A comparison with recent determinations of the X-ray properties of ETGs in the local universe shows that, at later epochs, AGN feedback does not dramatically alter the gas content originating in stellar recycled material. Thus, the present-day X-ray luminosity is not a robust diagnostic of the impact of AGN activity, within a scenario where the hot gas mostly originates from the stellar population.
Intermediate-Mass Black Hole Feedback in Dwarf Galaxies: a View from Cosmological Simulations
Authors: Barai Paramita , de Gouveia Dal Pino Elisabete M.
Published: April 2020

Black holes are usually observed to be of stellar-mass or supermassive. By natural extension, there should be a population of Intermediate-Mass Black Holes (IMBHs: with mass between 100 to 106M⊙) in the Universe; which has started to been observed. An exciting claim has been made recently by Silk (2017): that early feedback by IMBHs in gas-rich dwarf galaxies at z = 5–8, can potentially solve multiple dwarf galaxy problems within the Λ-cold-dark-matter cosmology. We are performing Cosmological Hydrodynamical Simulations of (2Mpc)3 volumes, starting from z = 100, to test the case for IMBHs in Dwarf Galaxies. Black holes of mass 1000M⊙ are seeded inside halos when they reach a mass of 107M⊙. The black holes grow by accretion of gas from their surroundings and by merger with other black holes, and consequently eject feedback energy. We analyze the simulation output in post-processing to study the growth of the first IMBHs, and their impact on star-formation. Our conclusions, based on numerical simulation results, support the phenomenological ideas made by Silk (2017). IMBHs at the centers of dwarf galaxies can be a strong source of feedback to quench star-formation and generate outflows. At the same time, these IMBHs form the missing link between stellar-mass and supermassive BHs.
Life-cycles & Energetics of Radio-Loud AGN
Authors: Mahatma V. H. , Hardcastle M. J. ,   + LOFAR Surveys team
Published: April 2020

Radio jets are the large-scale and extragalactic footprints of accretion onto supermassive black holes, and are suggested to be the key ingredient controlling the galaxy stellar mass function. Of particular importance is their jet power - the time-averaged energetic feedback into their environment. Hence, the dynamics, energetics and life-cycles of radio-loud AGN (RLAGN) must be understood in order to build a qualitative and quantitative picture of their impact over cosmic time. Here, we present a study of the spectral age of two powerful, cluster-center radio galaxies, and compare with an analytic model to robustly determine their jet powers. We also present some recent LOFAR observations of the different phases of RLAGN activity, namely the remnant and subsequent restarting phases, which are key to understanding the dynamics of RLAGN over their total lifetime.
Chandra Early-Type Galaxy Atlas
Authors: Kim Dong-Woo , Anderson Craig , Burke Douglas , D’Abrusco Raffaele , Fabbiano Giuseppina , Fruscione Antonella , Lauer Jennifer , McCollough Michael , Morgan Douglas , Mossman Amy , O’Sullivan Ewan , Paggi Alessandro , Vrtilek Saeqa , Trinchieri Ginevra
Published: April 2020

The hot ISM in early-type galaxies (ETGs) plays a crucial role in understanding their formation and evolution. The structural features of the hot gas identified by Chandra observations point to key evolutionary mechanisms, (e.g., kim12). In our Chandra Galaxy Atlas (CGA) project, taking full advantage of the Chandra capabilities, we systematically analyzed the archival Chandra data of 72 ETGs and produced uniform data products of the hot gas properties. The main data products include spatially resolved 2D spectral maps of the hot gas from individual galaxies. We emphasize that new features can be identified in the spectral maps which are not easily visible in the surface brightness maps. The high-level images can be viewed at the dedicated CGA website, and the CGA data products can be downloaded to compare with other wavelength data and to perform user-specific analyses. Utilizing our data products, we will further address focused science topics.
Evolution of the M•-σ relation
Authors: Bhattacharyya D. , Mangalam A.
Published: April 2020

Black holes at the centers of the galaxies grow mainly by the processes of accretion, mergers, and consumption of stars. In the case of gas accretion with cooling sources, the flow is momentum driven, after which the black hole reaches a saturated mass, and subsequently, it grows only by consumption of stars. In addition, we include the effect of mergers on the growth of black hole spin and mass and study its evolution as a function of redshift in a ΛCDM cosmology using an initial seed mass and spin distribution functions that we have derived. For the stellar ingestion, we have assumed a power-law density profile for the galaxy in our framework of a new relativistic loss cone theory that includes the effect of the black hole spin. We predict the impact of the evolution on the M•−σ relation and compare it with available observations.
Exploring the radio and GeV-TeV γ-ray connection in the different blazar sub-classes
Authors: Lico R. , Giroletti M. , Orienti M. , Costamante L. , Pavlidou V. , D’Ammando F. , Tavecchio F.
Published: April 2020

As revealed by the Fermi-LAT, blazars represent the dominant population of γ-ray emitters. An essential step for understanding blazar physics and the emission mechanisms is the investigation of a possible connection between the observed low- and high-energy emission. A number of works report on the existence of a significant correlation between radio emission and 0.1-100 GeV γ rays. How does this correlation evolve when very high energy (VHE, E > 0.1 TeV) γ rays are considered? The possible radio-VHE emission connection is still elusive mainly because of the lack of a homogeneous VHE sky coverage. In this work we explore the connection between the parsec-scale radio emission and GeV-TeV γ rays by using two unbiased blazar samples extracted from the 1FHL ( E > 10 GeV) and 2FHL (E > 50 GeV) Fermi catalogs. For comparison, we perform the same analysis by using the 3FGL 0.1-300 GeV γ-ray energy flux. Overall, we find out that there is no significant connection between radio and γ-ray emission above 10 GeV for all the blazar sub-classes with the exception of high synchrotron peaked objects. Conversely, when 0.1-300 GeV γ-ray energies are considered, a strong and significant correlation is found for all of the blazar sub-classes. We interpret these results within the context of the blazar spectral energy distribution properties.
Bending of the pc scale jet in 3C84
Authors: Hirano A. , Fujisawa K. , Niinuma K. ,   GENJI Collaboration
Published: April 2020

We have conducted VLBI monitoring observations for a radio galaxy 3C 84 to investigate how the pc scale jet structure changes over a long period. VERA, a VLBI observation network in Japan, was used for the observation. The C3 component of the jet has continuously moved toward the south from the core. The motion was, however, not straight, but it showed a bending of about 0.3 mas (0.1 pc) with a time scale of 500-1000 days. Two models explaining the bending, local brightness distribution change or real change of the jet traveling direction, are discussed.
Extra-striatal D2/3 receptor availability in youth at risk for addiction
Authors: Jaworska Natalia , Cox Sylvia M. L. , Tippler Maria , Castellanos-Ryan Natalie , Benkelfat Chawki , Parent Sophie , Dagher Alain , Vitaro Frank , Boivin Michel , Pihl Robert O. , Côté Sylvana M. , Tremblay Richard E. , Séguin Jean R. , Leyton Marco
Published: April 2020

The neurobiological traits that confer risk for addictions remain poorly understood. However, dopaminergic function throughout the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, and upper brainstem has been implicated in behavioral features that influence addiction vulnerability, including poor impulse control, and altered sensitivity to rewards and punishments (i.e., externalizing features). To test these associations in humans, we measured type-2/3 dopamine receptor (DA2/3R) availability in youth at high vs. low risk for substance use disorders (SUDs). In this study,N = 58 youth (18.5 ± 0.6 years) were recruited from cohorts that have been followed since birth. Participants with either high (high EXT;N = 27; 16 F/11 M) or low pre-existing externalizing traits (low EXT;N = 31; 20 F/11 M) underwent a 90-min positron emission tomography [18F]fallypride scan, and completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), Substance Use Risk Profile scale (SURPS), and Sensitivity to Punishment (SP) and Sensitivity to Reward (SR) questionnaire. We found that high vs. low EXT trait participants reported elevated substance use, BIS-11, SR, and SURPS impulsivity scores, had a greater prevalence of psychiatric disorders, and exhibited higher [18F]fallypride binding potential (BPND) values in prefrontal, limbic and paralimbic regions, even when controlling for substance use. Group differences were not evident in midbrain dopamine cell body regions, but, across all participants, low midbrain BPNDvalues were associated with low SP scores. Together, the results suggest that altered DA2/3R availability in terminal extra-striatal and dopamine cell body regions might constitute biological vulnerability traits, generating an EXT trajectory for addictions with and without co-occurring alterations in punishment sensitivity (i.e., an internalizing feature).
Selective degradation of IKKα by autophagy is essential for arsenite-induced cancer cell apoptosis
Authors: Tan Qixing , Zou Shuxian , Jin Rui , Hu Yongliang , Xu Huan , Wang Hongli , Ding Mengnan , Hu Meiru , Wei Changyuan , Song Lun
Published: April 2020

Two catalytic subunits of the IKK complex, IKKα and IKKβ, trigger NF-κB activation as well as NF-κB-independent signaling events under both physiological and pathological conditions. Here we identified the NF-κB-unrelated cytoprotective function of IKKα in promoting autophagy by triggering p53 transactivation and upregulation of its downstream autophagic mediator, DRAM1, in the arsenite-treated hepatoma cells, which responses depended on IKKα kinase activity. Furthermore, IKKα triggered p53/DRAM1-dependent autophagy by inducing CHK1 activation and CHK1/p53 interaction. Interestingly, after provoking autophagy, IKKα could be specifically recognized by the autophagic machinery via directly binding with LC3B, resulting in selective degradation of IKKα by autophagy. Unexpectedly, the selectivity of autophagic sequestration towards IKKα was mediated by novel mechanism independent of the classical LC3-interacting regions (LIRs) within IKKα, while C-terminal arm of LIR was involved in mediating IKKα/LC3B interaction. Taken together, we conclude that IKKα attenuates arsenite-induced apoptosis by inducing p53-dependent autophagy, and then selective feedback degradation of IKKα by autophagy contributes to the cytotoxic response induced by arsenite.
A year in the life of a North Atlantic seabird: behavioural and energetic adjustments during the annual cycle
Authors: Dunn Ruth E. , Wanless Sarah , Daunt Francis , Harris Michael P. , Green Jonathan A.
Published: April 2020

During their annual cycles, animals face a series of energetic challenges as they prioritise different life history events by engaging in temporally and potentially spatially segregated reproductive and non-breeding periods. Investigating behaviour and energy use across these periods is fundamental to understanding how animals survive the changing conditions associated with annual cycles. We estimated year-round activity budgets, energy expenditure, location, colony attendance and foraging behaviour for surviving individuals from a population of common guillemotsUria aalge. Despite the potential constraints of reduced day lengths and sea surface temperatures in winter, guillemots managed their energy expenditure throughout the year. Values were high prior to and during the breeding season, driven by a combination of high thermoregulatory costs, diving activity, colony attendance and associated flight. Guillemots also exhibited partial colony attendance outside the breeding season, likely supported by local resources. Additionally, there was a mismatch in the timing of peaks in dive effort and a peak in nocturnal foraging activity, indicating that guillemots adapted their foraging behaviour to the availability of prey rather than daylight. Our study identifies adaptations in foraging behaviour and flexibility in activity budgets as mechanisms that enable guillemots to manage their energy expenditure and survive the annual cycle.
A Novel Mechanism for Nitrosative Stress Tolerance Dependent on GTP Cyclohydrolase II Activity Involved in Riboflavin Synthesis of Yeast
Authors: Anam Khairul , Nasuno Ryo , Takagi Hiroshi
Published: April 2020

The biological functions of nitric oxide (NO) depend on its concentration, and excessive levels of NO induce various harmful situations known as nitrosative stress. Therefore, organisms possess many kinds of strategies to regulate the intracellular NO concentration and/or to detoxify excess NO. Here, we used genetic screening to identify a novel nitrosative stress tolerance gene, RIB1, encoding GTP cyclohydrolase II (GTPCH2), which catalyzes the first step in riboflavin biosynthesis. Our further analyses demonstrated that the GTPCH2 enzymatic activity of Rib1 is essential for RIB1-dependent nitrosative stress tolerance, but that riboflavin itself is not required for this tolerance. Furthermore, the reaction mixture of a recombinant purified Rib1 was shown to quench NO or its derivatives, even though formate or pyrophosphate, which are byproducts of the Rib1 reaction, did not, suggesting that the reaction product of Rib1, 2,5-diamino-6-(5-phospo-d-ribosylamino)-pyrimidin-4(3 H)-one (DARP), scavenges NO or its derivatives. Finally, it was revealed that 2,4,5-triamino-1H-pyrimidin-6-one, which is identical to a pyrimidine moiety of DARP, scavenged NO or its derivatives, suggesting that DARP reacts with N2O3 generated via its pyrimidine moiety.