bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of superior spring durum wheat genotypes under irrigated and rain-fed conditions
Authors: Bányai J. , Kiss T. , Gizaw S. A. , Mayer M. , Spitkó T. , Tóth V. , Kuti C. , Mészáros K. , Láng L. , Karsai I. , Vida G.
Published: April 2020

An important objective of wheat improvement programmes is to breed varieties for high yield in optimum conditions and for minimum yield reduction under stress-prone conditions such as heat and drought. Analyses of yield and its components in multiple years allow a comprehensive and comparative understanding of genetic yield potential and stress-tolerance mechanisms in the study germplasm. The present study was carried out to evaluate performance of elite varieties and landraces of spring durum wheat under different water regimes, determine the repeatability of the examined traits, and identify superior genotypes for their potential use in breeding for drought tolerance. A total of 97 accessions of spring durum wheat (T. durum Desf.) were evaluated under rain-fed and well-watered conditions in the nursery of the Centre for Agricultural Research at Martonvásár, Hungary (2011–2013). The experiments were laid out in an unbalanced, incomplete alpha lattice block design. The trait with the lowest broad-sense repeatability was seed length (0.075), while high h2 values were observed for heading date (0.89), thousand-grain weight (0.85) and the protein content (0.85). Grain yield showed moderate level of repeatability (0.53) across the three years. The principal component analysis revealed that grain yield (t/ha) is positively associated with the fertile tiller number, chlorophyll content values at early waxy ripeness stages and plant height. Based on biplot analysis, ‘DP-133′, ‘DP-017′ and ‘DP-061′ proved to be the best durum cultivars in terms of yield whereas genotypes ‘DP-011′, ‘DP-185′, 'DP-126′ and 'DP-136′ preceded them with their good yield stability.
Development and psychometric properties of a new brief scale for subjective personal agency (SPA-5) in people with schizophrenia
Authors: Yamaguchi Sosei , Shiozawa Takuma , Matsunaga Asami , Bernick Peter , Sawada Utako , Taneda Ayano , Osumi Takahiro , Fujii Chiyo
Published: April 2020

Aims

Personal agency is a variable which potentially facilitates personal recovery in people with serious mental illness. This study aimed to develop a new brief measure for subjective personal agency that can be completed by people with serious mental illness.

Methods

Two focus group interviews were first conducted with 11 people with schizophrenia to understand the fundamental components of subjective personal agency for people with serious mental illness living in the community. One group comprised six people with schizophrenia living in the community, while the other consisted of five people with schizophrenia working as peer-support workers. We then developed scale items through collaboration with people with schizophrenia and qualitative analysis (stage 1). A cross-sectional survey was then conducted to test the psychometric properties of the new scale among service users with schizophrenia in 18 assertive community treatment teams (stage 2). Factor validity was tested via exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). We evaluated convergent validity with the Boston University Empowerment Scale (BUES), divergent validity with the global assessment of functioning (GAF), internal consistency, and test–retest reliability.

Results

Seven items were included in the scale at stage 1. In stage 2, 195 participants completed this scale. EFA revealed a one-factor model with five items. CFA indicated good model fit (χ2 statistics [CMIN] = 8.445, df = 5 (CMIN/df = 1.689), p = 0.133, comparative fit index = 0.974, Tucker–Lewis fit index = 0.949, root mean square error of approximation = 0.077 and standardised root mean squared residual = 0.042). The new scale was significantly correlated with total BUES score (r = 0.526, p < 0.001), but not with GAF score. Cronbach's α for internal consistency was 0.79, and intra-class correlation coefficient for test–retest reliability was 0.70.

Conclusion

We developed a new, five-item Subjective Personal Agency scale (SPA-5) that can be completed by people with serious mental illness. Further studies are needed to confirm the results outside Japan.
What’s in a Seminar?
Authors: Keisling Benjamin , Bryant Raquel , Fernandez Nadia , Arredondo Mariela , Golden Nigel
Published: April 2020

Graduate students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst redesigned their departmental seminar series to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion, and other institutions could do the same.
First Issue of AGU Advances Highlights Influential Science
Authors: Trumbore Susan
Published: April 2020

Convergent, high-impact research that contributes to society is the hallmark of AGU’s new flagship journal.
The Photoelectron‐Driven Upper Hybrid Instability as the Cause of 150‐km Echoes
Authors: Longley William J. , Oppenheim Meers M. , Pedatella Nick M. , Dimant Yakov S.
Published: April 2020

150 kilometer echoes are strong, coherent echoes observed by equatorial radars looking close to perpendicular to Earth's magnetic field. Observations over a day show a distinct necklace pattern with echoes descending from 170 km at sunrise to 130 km at noon, before rising again and disappearing overnight. This paper shows that the upper hybrid instability will convert photoelectron energy into plasma wave energy through inverse Landau damping. Using parameters from a WACCM‐X simulation, the upper hybrid wave growth rates over a day show a nearly identical necklace pattern, with bands of positive growth rate following contours of the plasma frequency. Small gaps in altitude with no echoes are explained by thermal electrons Landau damping the instability where the upper hybrid frequency is a multiple of the gyrofrequency. This theory provides a mechanism that likely plays a crucial role in solving a long‐standing mystery on the origin of 150‐km echoes.
Comparison of commercially available whole-genome sequencing kits for variant detection in circulating cell-free DNA
Authors: Mauger Florence , Horgues Caroline , Pierre-Jean Morgane , Oussada Nouara , Mesrob Lilia , Deleuze Jean-François
Published: April 2020

Circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) has great potential for non-invasive diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring treatment of disease. However, a sensitive and specific whole-genome sequencing (WGS) method is required to identify novel genetic variations (i.e., SNVs, CNVs and INDELS) on ccfDNA that can be used as clinical biomarkers. In this article, five WGS methods were compared: ThruPLEX Plasma-seq, QIAseq cfDNA All-in-One, NEXTFLEX Cell Free DNA-seq, Accel-NGS 2 S PCR FREE DNA and Accel-NGS 2 S PLUS DNA. The Accel PCR-free kit did not produce enough material for sequencing. The other kits had significant common number of SNVs, INDELs and CNVs and showed similar results for SNVs and CNVs. The detection of variants and genomic signatures depends more upon the type of plasma sample rather than the WGS method used. Accel detected several variants not observed by the other kits. ThruPLEX seemed to identify more low-abundant SNVs and SNV signatures were similar to signatures observed with the QIAseq kit. Accel and NEXTFLEX had similar CNV and SNV signatures. These results demonstrate the importance of establishing a standardized workflow for identifying non-invasive candidate biomarkers. Moreover, the combination of variants discovered in ccfDNA using WGS has the potential to identify enrichment pathways, while the analysis of signatures could identify new subgroups of patients.
Genome-wide analysis of CsWOX transcription factor gene family in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Authors: Gu Ran , Song Xiaofei , Liu Xiaofeng , Yan Liying , Zhou Zhaoyang , Zhang Xiaolan
Published: April 2020

WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) transcription factors are plant-specific members that characterized by the presence of a homeodomain. It has been shown that WOX members regulate several aspects of plant development, but the biological functions of this CsWOX gene family remain largely unknown in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). In this study, we identified and characterized 11 putative CsWOX genes in cucumber, which are also divided into three major clades (e.g., the Ancient clade, the Intermediate clade and the WUS clade). Expression pattern analysis revealed tissue-specific expression patterns of CsWOX genes, including that CsWOX9 is mainly expressed in developing fruit and also has lower expression in tip and axillary bud, which was further confirmed by in situ hybridization assay. Moreover, overexpression of CsWOX9 in Arabidopsis led to increased branches and rosette leaves, and shorter siliques. Together, these results indicated that CsWOX members may regulate cucumber growth and development.
Intermittent exposure to whole cigarette smoke alters the differentiation of primary small airway epithelial cells in the air-liquid interface culture
Authors: Gindele Julia A. , Kiechle Tobias , Benediktus Kerstin , Birk Gerald , Brendel Michael , Heinemann Fabian , Wohnhaas Christian T. , LeBlanc Michelle , Zhang Haijun , Strulovici-Barel Yael , Crystal Ronald G. , Thomas Matthew J. , Stierstorfer Birgit , Quast Karsten , Schymeinsky Jürgen
Published: April 2020

Cigarette smoke (CS) is the leading risk factor to develop COPD. Therefore, the pathologic effects of whole CS on the differentiation of primary small airway epithelial cells (SAEC) were investigated, using cells from three healthy donors and three COPD patients, cultured under ALI (air-liquid interface) conditions. The analysis of the epithelial physiology demonstrated that CS impaired barrier formation and reduced cilia beat activity. Although, COPD-derived ALI cultures preserved some features known from COPD patients, CS-induced effects were similarly pronounced in ALI cultures from patients compared to healthy controls. RNA sequencing analyses revealed the deregulation of marker genes for basal and secretory cells upon CS exposure. The comparison between gene signatures obtained from the in vitro model (CS vs. air) with a published data set from human epithelial brushes (smoker vs. non-smoker) revealed a high degree of similarity between deregulated genes and pathways induced by CS. Taken together, whole cigarette smoke alters the differentiation of small airway basal cells in vitro. The established model showed a good translatability to the situation in vivo. Thus, the model can help to identify and test novel therapeutic approaches to restore the impaired epithelial repair mechanisms in COPD, which is still a high medical need.
Effects of neural estrogen receptor beta deletion on social and mood-related behaviors and underlying mechanisms in male mice
Authors: Dombret Carlos , Naulé Lydie , Trouillet Anne-Charlotte , Parmentier Caroline , Hardin-Pouzet Hélène , Mhaouty-Kodja Sakina
Published: April 2020

Estradiol derived from neural aromatization of testosterone plays a key role in the organization and activation of neural structures underlying male behaviors. This study evaluated the contribution of the estrogen receptor (ER) β in estradiol-induced modulation of social and mood-related behaviors by using mice lacking the ERβ gene in the nervous system. Mutant males exhibited reduced social interaction with same-sex congeners and impaired aggressive behavior. They also displayed increased locomotor activity, and reduced or unaffected anxiety-state level in three paradigms. However, when mice were exposed to unescapable stress in the forced swim and tail suspension tests, they spent more time immobile and a reduced time in swimming and climbing. These behavioral alterations were associated with unaffected circadian and restraint stress-induced corticosterone levels, and unchanged number of tryptophan hydroxylase 2-immunoreactive neurons in the dorsal raphe. By contrast, reduced mRNA levels of oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin were observed in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis, whereas no changes were detected in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. The neural ERβ is thus involved to different extent levels in social and mood-related behaviors, with a particular action on oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin signaling pathways of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis, yet the involvement of other brain areas cannot be excluded.
Synthesis of europium(iii)-doped copper nanoclusters for electrochemiluminescence bioanalysis
Authors: Zhuang Xuming , Gao Xueqing , Tian Chunyuan , Cui Deliang , Luan Feng , Wang Zhenguang , Xiong Yuan , Chen Lingxin
Published: April 2020

We reported an electrochemiluminescence biosensing platform based on europium(iii)-doped copper nanoclusters that exhibited excellent analytical performances of high stability and enhanced intensity.
Exclusive triplet electron transfer leading to long-lived radical ion-pair formation in an electron rich platinum porphyrin covalently linked to fullerene dyad
Authors: Subedi Dili R. , Gobeze Habtom B. , Kandrashkin Yuri E. , Poddutoori Prashanth K. , van der Est Art , D'Souza Francis
Published: April 2020

Radical ion-pair energy as high as 1.48 eV with lifetime as much as ∼1 μs, exclusively from the triplet excited state of a photosensitizer, is established in a novel donor–acceptor conjugate.
The favourable thermodynamic properties of Fe-doped CaMnO3 for thermochemical heat storage
Authors: Mastronardo Emanuela , Qian Xin , Coronado Juan M. , Haile Sossina M.
Published: April 2020

The CaFe0.1Mn0.9O3−δ0 oxide can reversibly release oxygen over a relatively wide range of temperatures and oxygen partial pressures and its favourable thermodynamic properties make it a promising candidate for thermochemical heat storage.
Detection of potential diseases from wild rats (Maxomys bartelsii [Jentink, 1910]) using morphological evaluation of peripheral blood smears
Authors: Sushadi Pangda Sopha , Rizal Syaiful , Jayanti Endah Dwi
Published: April 2020

Recent studies show 60.3% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonoses and 71.8% of these number are obtained from wild animals in in-situ habitat. Therefore, high animal diversity in Indonesia is also followed by animal-borne diseases, both zoonoses or not. One of the in-situ habitats of wildlife that needs attention is the biosphere reserves. Here we conducted a research to analyze the health status of Maxomys bartelsii (Jentink, 1910) rats from biosphere reserve in Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park. Rats were chosen because they are very potential for zoonoses transmission to human, such as leptospirosis, bubonic plague, and hantavirus. Peripheral blood samples were taken from 5 adult rats that were captured using live traps. Morphological evaluation of blood cells was carried out under a microscope at 1000x magnification. Our results show several erythrocyte abnormalities (hypochromasia, anisocytosis, and acanthocyte) and leukocyte abnormalities (neutrophilia, eosinophilia, and leukocytopenia) are observed in all individuals. These results indicate that most of rats suffered several pathological conditions that need to be explored.
First record of Hippa admirabilis Thallwitz, 1891 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Hippidae) from Tomini Bay, Province Gorontalo, Indonesia confirmed by DNA barcoding
Authors: Putri Vinna Windy , Fahri Fahri , Wardiatno Yusli , Farajallah Achmad
Published: April 2020

Hippoid crab is a crustacean group which inhabits sandy beach in tropical and subtropical areas. There are seven species of hippoid crab has been reported from Indonesia so far, i.e. six from family Hippidae and one from family Albuneidae. One of them is Hippa admirabilis Thalwittz, 1891. This species is first record from Tomini Bay, province in our study. The Specimens were collected from Tomini Bay in 2016. To confirm the species, we used CO1 gene as DNA barcoding. The DNA was extracted from the muscle tissues. The upper part of CO1 gene was amplified using Primer AF215-216. The CO1 gene that we retrieved was 634 bp. The samples from our study have about 99.8% similarity with the sequence of Hippa admirabilis in Genebank with the accession number is KR047031.1. Based on morphological and molecular data, our samples are confirmed as H. admirabilis.
Role of culture in the emotional response towards komodo dragon in Komodo and Rinca Islands of Komodo National Park
Authors: Sunkar Arzyana , Kusrini Mirza Dikari , Ramadhani Fitria Suci
Published: April 2020

Human emotions towards wildlife were seldom considered in wildlife conservation. This study seeks to identify, explore and understand the local communities perceptions and interactions with Komodo dragons. Data were collected from February to April 2018 in Komodo Village and Rinca Village of Komodo National Park, using close and semi-open questionnaires, three-scale Likert statements and interviews with 60 respondents. Although 98.5% considered Komodo as a dangerous species, in total, 60.6% of Komodo villagers had positive perceptions of their interactions with Komodo, while 47.6% of Rinca’s had moderate perceptions. Komodo attacks were less reported in Komodo Village despite the more frequent direct encounters. Komodo villagers have learnt how to adjust to the dangers, with 13% showed no actions during an encounter with the dragon, 77% pelt the dragon with rocks and 10% pulled it by the tail. On the contrary, 50% of Rinca Villagers, although showed no actions, but reported the sightings, 20% pelt it with rocks, 27% herd it with sticks and 3% hit it with wood. The different responses correlated with the different cultural beliefs and values towards Komodo. All Rinca villagers were migrants with no cultural attachments to the reptile, while for Komodo villagers, the dragons were perceived to be cousins, hence should not be harmed. Such perceptions have resulted in the approximately 83% of Komodo villagers believed they could co-exist with the dragons, and showed higher supports for its conservation (81.5%) than Rinca villagers (65.3%). This study confirms the importance of integrating local cultural values in building supports for conservation.
Labidocera species (Copepoda: Pontellidae) in Indonesian waters with notes on their species-groups
Authors: Mulyadi Mulyadi
Published: April 2020

Thirteen species of the genus Labidocera Lubbock, 1853 were identified. Plankton samples collected from nine sites around coastal areas of Indonesia from 2003 to 2015. Among these species, there were three recently described species, Labidocera javaensis Mulyadi, 1997, L. muranoi Mulyadi, 1997, and L. kaimanaensis Mulyadi, 2014, three new records, L. bengalensis Krishnaswamy, 1952, L. pavo Giesbrecht, 1889 and L. sinilobata Shen & Lee, 1963, and seven previously recorded species from Indonesian waters. These species divided into five species-groups, detruncata-, kroyeri-, minuta-, pectinata- and an unassigned group, based on its morphological characters. The Labidocera detruncata-group includes the following species: L. bataviae A. Scott, 1909, L. detruncata (Dana, 1849), L. kaimanaensis Mulyadi, 2014, L. madurae A. Scott, 1909, L. pavo Giesbrecht, 1889, and L. sinilobata Shen & Lee, 1963. The Labidocera kroyeri-group includes L. kroyeri (Brady, 1883) and L. muranoi Mulyadi, 1997. The Labidocera minuta-group includes L. bengalensis Krishnaswamy, 1952 and L. minuta Giesbrecht, 1889. The Labidocera pectinata-group includes L. javaensis Mulyadi, 1997, L. papuensis Fleminger et al. 1982, and L. rotunda Mori, 1929. The unassigned group includes L. acuta (Dana, 1849) and L. laevidentata (Brady, 1883). Since the descriptions of these species groups and also species as yet unassigned to groups were often not given in sufficient detail, we provide re-descriptions of their species groups and their zoogeography in Indonesian waters, adjacent waters, and the world oceans
The past, present and future of dragonfly research in Indonesia
Authors: Lupiyaningdyah Pungki
Published: April 2020

Up to present, Indonesia has 900 described species of dragonflies with around 70% are endemic; among them, the most diverse is in Papua. This data is collected based on 356 publications from scientific journals, bulletins, magazines, books, theses, and proceedings from 1773 to 2019. There is still a lack of information about what is the most and least popular topics and where is the most explored regions in Indonesia for Odonata research. I categorized the topics into biodiversity, taxonomy and systematics, biogeography, conservation, ecology, education, ethnozoology, history, and molecular. The result shows that the most popular topic is biodiversity by 139 publications and the least are history and molecular by only one publication. Most popular group to be observed is dragonflies in general (both suborders) by 200 publications and the least observed is Anisoptera by only 71 publications. Java is the most explored island for about 160 publications in 250 years.
Linear automata with translucent letters and linear context-free trace languages
Authors: Nagy Benedek , Otto Friedrich
Published: April 2020

Linear automata with translucent letters are studied. These are finite-state acceptors that have two heads that read the input from opposite sides and for which a set of translucent letters is associated with each state. Thus, head 1, which proceeds from left to right, does not necessarily read the first letter of the current tape content, but it skips a prefix that consists of translucent letters only and reads the first letter after that prefix. Analogously, head 2, which proceeds from right to left, does not necessarily read the last letter, but it skips a suffix that consists of translucent letters only and reads the last letter before that. After such a read operation, the head always returns to its corresponding end of the tape. These linear automata with translucent letters are a generalization of the finite-state acceptors with translucent letters that were studied by the authors in B. Nagy and F. Otto [Finite-state acceptors with translucent letters. In BILC 2011, Proc., edited by G. Bel-Enguix, V. Dahl, and A.O. De La Pente, SciTePress, Portugal (2011) 3-13.] It is shown that these linear automata are strictly more expressive than the model with a single head, but that they still only accept languages that have a semi-linear Parikh image. On the other hand, we obtain a characterization for the class of linear context-free trace languages in terms of a specific class of linear automata with translucent letters.
Verändert sich die foveale avaskuläre Zone beim Glaukom?
Authors: Lommatzsch Claudia , Heinz Carsten , Koch Joerg Michael , Heimes-Bussmann Britta , Hahn Ursula , Grisanti Swaantje
Published: April 2020

Hintergrund Vergleichende Beurteilung der fovealen avaskulären Zone (FAZ) mit ihrem Umfang und dem Azirkularitätsindex (AI) sowie der umgebenden Vessel Density bei Glaukomaugen im Vergleich zu gesunden Augen mit zusätzlicher Unterteilung nach Gesichtsfelddefekten an verschiedenen Stellen (zentral oder peripher).

Material und Methoden Insgesamt wurden die Daten von 128 Augen ausgewertet. Dabei wurden zunächst Glaukomaugen (n = 74) mit gesunden Augen (n = 54) verglichen und im Weiteren Glaukomaugen mit einem zentralen Gesichtsfeldausfall (ZGD, n = 19) von Augen mit einem peripheren Gesichtsfelddefekt (PGD, n = 34) unterschieden. Die FAZ-Fläche, ihr Umfang und die Rundheit sowie die parafoveale Vessel Density (VD) wurden mittels der optischen Kohärenztomografie-Angiografie im oberflächlichen und tiefen Gefäßplexus berechnet.

Ergebnisse Glaukomaugen haben im Vergleich zu gesunden Augen keine signifikante Veränderung der FAZ, ihres Umfangs oder der Zirkularität der avaskulären Zone. Unterteilt man jedoch die Glaukomaugen anhand der Gesichtsfeldausfälle, zeigt sich zum einen, dass die Augen mit einem zentralen Ausfall eine signifikant größere FAZ haben als die mit peripheren Ausfällen und dass der Umfang ebenfalls signifikant größer ist. Zum anderen zeigt der AI keinen signifikanten Unterschied in Abhängigkeit von der Lokalisation der Gesichtsfelddefekte. Die makuläre/foveale Vessel Density wird signifikant geringer bei der ZDG-Gruppe.

Schlussfolgerungen Im Rahmen einer Glaukomerkrankung vergrößert sich die foveale avaskuläre Zone, wenn eine Zentralisierung des Gesichtsfelddefektes vorliegt und die Vessel Density nimmt im Bereich der Makula signifikant ab.
A Systematic Review of the Potential Effects of Nigella sativa on Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Khabbazi Alireza , Javadivala Zeinab , Seyedsadjadi Neda , Malek Mahdavi Aida
Published: April 2020

Considering the different untoward effects of the drugs prescribed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there has been an increasing interest in adjuvant therapies devoid of such unfavorable reactions. Although the beneficial effects of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) on RA have been established, it seems that its mechanisms of action have not still been reviewed. The present review is designed to evaluate the effects of N. sativa on RA systematically. We searched these electronic databases until April 2019: PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid, ProQuest, and Google scholar. No restriction was conducted based on language or publication date. We selected all of the related clinical, animal, and in vitro studies. Review papers, abstracts in conferences, book chapters, and papers regarding the effects of N. sativa combined with other herbs, as well as articles regarding the effects of N. sativa on other diseases, were excluded. Each article was assessed critically for the possible risk of bias. Nineteen articles were reviewed. Animal and in vitro investigations supported the favorable effects of N. sativa on clinical, inflammatory, oxidative, and immunologic parameters on RA, whereas results of limited clinical studies did not illustrate any change or improvement of inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers in RA. N. sativa could control RA via multiple ways such as decreasing inflammation, inhibiting oxidative stress, and modulating the immune system. This paper provides persuasive clues to defend the efficacy of N. sativa in RA and justifies the significance of subsequent clinical trials.
Comparing the Liquid Heparin Syringe with Dry Bound Heparin Syringe for Blood Gas Analysis
Authors: Sahu Manoj Kumar , Yagani Seshagiribabu , Singh Dharmraj , Singh Umed , Singh Sarvesh Pal , Choudhary Shiv Kumar
Published: April 2020

Background Blood gas (BG) analysis is routine today for patient management in intensive care units. Accurate analysis of different parameters in the BG is essential for managing critical patients. Errors in BG analysis can happen at many levels, with one of them being at sampling and heparinization. We compared self-prepared heparinized syringes rinsed with liquid heparin (LH) and the standard commercially available syringes with dry bound heparin (DBH) for arterial BG analysis of postoperative cardiac surgical patients.

Methods This prospective observational study was conducted in 100 consecutive adult cardiac surgical patients in the cardiac surgical intensive care unit. Paired samples were collected, analyzed immediately, and statistically compared for pH, partial pressure of arterial oxygen (pO2), partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (pCO2), oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO2), HCO, Na+, K+, Cl–, Ca2+, Mg2+, base excess (BE), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, glucose, and lactate. Paired parameters were compared and agreement was evaluated using Bland–Altman difference plots. The 95% limits of absolute agreement (LOA) were compared with total allowable error (TEa).

Results The BG parameters analyzed by two types of heparinized (LH and DBH) syringes were found to be comparable with a negligible mean difference and had an agreement outside the TEa of 8% for pO2, pCO2, and hematocrit, 7% for BE, 6% for Mg2+, 5% for K+, Ca2+, and lactate, 4% for HCOand Na+, 3% for pH, Cl–, Hb, and glucose, and zero for SaO2. The two types of syringes did not show clinically relevant discrepancies among many different parameters as per LOA and TEa limits.

Conclusion In this study, we found that the BG parameters—respiratory, metabolic, and electrolytes—were comparable between the two types of syringes used for sampling. Unlike some previous studies, we did not find statistically significant differences among these analytes, which might have been due to appropriate self-preparation of heparin syringes.
Mixed states in one spatial dimension: Decompositions and correspondence with nonnegative matrices
Authors: de las Cuevas Gemma , Netzer Tim
Published: April 2020

We study six natural decompositions of mixed states in one spatial dimension: the matrix product density operator form, the local purification form, the separable decomposition (for separable states), and their three translational invariant analogs. For bipartite states diagonal in the computational basis, we show that these decompositions correspond to well-studied factorizations of an associated nonnegative matrix. Specifically, the first three decompositions correspond to the minimal factorization, the nonnegative factorization, and the positive semidefinite factorization. We also show that a symmetric version of these decompositions corresponds to the symmetric factorization, the completely positive factorization, and the completely positive semidefinite transposed factorization. We leverage this correspondence to characterize the six decompositions of mixed states.
Structure and properties of CoCrFeNiX multi-principal element alloys from ab initio calculations
Authors: Koval Natalia E. , Juaristi Joseba Iñaki , Díez Muiño Ricardo , Alducin Maite
Published: April 2020

Using density functional theory combined with an evolutionary algorithm for crystal structure prediction, we study the elastic and electronic properties of various multi-principal element alloys that are based on CoCrFeNi. In total, nine quinary and one senary CoCrFeNiX (X=Ti, V, Mn, MnV, Cu, Zr, Nb, Mo, Al, Al2) alloys are studied along with the base CoCrFeNi alloy. The aim of the current study is twofold. First, we test and confirm the ability of the presented methodology to predict the crystal structure of the multi-principal element alloys based on Co, Cr, Fe, and Ni elements. Second, we calculate and compare the elastic properties of the CoCrFeNiX alloys, as well as their electronic properties, in an attempt to establish possible correlations between them. Taking CoCrFeNi as the reference alloy, our first-principles calculations of various elastic moduli (bulk, Young, and shear moduli) show that only the bulk moduli of the alloys with Cu, Mo, or Nb (in this order) are expected to be larger. Furthermore, our comparative analysis of the CoCrFeNiX alloys containing partially filled 3d and 4d elements shows that the filling of the d-shell causes a general increase in all the elastic moduli. The only exception is the decreasing behavior of the bulk modulus in the case of alloys with partially filled 3d elements.
Computational simulations of the couple Boiti–Leon–Pempinelli (BLP) system and the (3+1)-dimensional Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (KP) equation
Authors: Yue Chen , Khater Mostafa M. A. , Attia Raghda A. M. , Lu Dianchen
Published: April 2020

This research paper employs two different computational schemes to the couple Boiti–Leon–Pempinelli system and the (3+1)-dimensional Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation to find novel explicit wave solutions for these models. Both models depict a generalized form of the dispersive long wave equation. The complex, exponential, hyperbolic, and trigonometric function solutions are some of the obtained solutions by using the modified Khater method and the Jacobi elliptical function method. Moreover, their stability properties are also analyzed, and for more interpretation of the physical features of the obtained solutions, some sketches are plotted. Additionally, the novelty of our paper is explained by displaying the similarity and difference between the obtained solutions and those obtained in a different research paper. The performance of both methods is tested to show their ability to be applied to several nonlinear evolution equations.
Direct measurement of the density and energy level of compensating acceptors and their impact on the conductivity of n-type Ga2O3 films
Authors: Islam Md Minhazul , Adhikari Naresh , Hernandez Armando , Janover Adam , Novak Steven , Agarwal Sahil , Codding Charles L. , Snure Michael , Huang Mengbing , Selim Farida A.
Published: April 2020

Intrinsic and extrinsic point defects often act as electron traps in oxide-based semiconductors and significantly impact their electrical and optical properties. Here, we show how to measure the density, energy level, and trapping cross section of the compensating acceptors that act as electron traps in Ga2O3 films, and we introduce the sheet trap number or the sheet compensating acceptor number as an essential parameter to fully describe the electrical transport properties of semiconductors. Si-doped β-Ga2O3 thin films were fabricated homoepitaxially by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition and studied by thermally stimulated luminescence spectroscopy, temperature dependent Hall-effect measurements, and secondary ion mass spectroscopy to investigate the compensating acceptor defects responsible for suppressing conductivity in the films. A deep level defect of energy in the range of 0.50–0.65 eV was identified as a compensating acceptor. The correlation between the electrical properties and its concentration and characteristics was established. This work shows how to quantify the density of compensating acceptors in semiconductors and directly relate it to the electrical transport properties, which should significantly advance the development of semiconductors and devices.
Solitary wave slamming on an Oscillating Wave Surge Converter over varying topography in the presence of collinear currents
Authors: Cheng Yong , Li Gen , Ji Chunyan , Zhai Gangjun
Published: April 2020

A fully nonlinear model based on a higher-order boundary element method is established to investigate the slamming on an oscillating wave surge converter in the nearshore environment. In this proposed model, the extreme wave is generated using internal sources with solitary wave theory and travels with collinear currents over an uneven bottom. The time-domain solution including current velocity and wave perturbation potential is acquired and updated through the mixed Euler–Lagrangian method. Both the truncation method and the domain decomposition method together with the non-breaking criterion ensure that the numerical procedure will not end up with a singular matrix caused by an irregular splash jet until the wanted results have been attained. The auxiliary functions are defined to decouple the flap motion and waves in the existence of currents. It has been found that the opposing currents enlarge and delay the solitary wave slamming on the flap. When there is a convex obstacle at the flume bottom, a distinct diffusion of two solitons has been observed due to the twin variations in water depth, and thus, the flap is subjected to two slamming pressure peaks with different magnitudes in one procedure of rotating seawards.
The role of iron in magnetic damping of Mg(Al,Fe)2O4 spinel ferrite thin films
Authors: Wisser Jacob J. , Riddiford Lauren J. , Altman Aaron , Li Peng , Emori Satoru , Shafer Padraic , Klewe Christoph , N'Diaye Alpha T. , Arenholz Elke , Suzuki Yuri
Published: April 2020

We have investigated magnesium aluminum ferrite thin films with a range of iron concentrations and identified the optimal iron content to obtain high crystalline quality thin films with the low magnetic damping required for spin current-based applications. Epitaxial MgAl2−x FexO4 films with 0.8 < x < 2.0 were grown by pulsed laser deposition on single crystal MgAl2O4 substrates and were characterized structurally and magnetically. We find that the x = 1.5 composition minimizes the room-temperature magnetic damping with a typical Gilbert damping parameter of αeff=1.8×10−3. This minimized damping is governed by a competition between the more robust magnetic ordering with increased iron content, x, and the more defective structure due to larger film-substrate lattice mismatch with increased iron content. The temperature-dependent magnetization curves indicate that Tc is suppressed below room temperature for iron content x≤1.2 and eventually suppressed entirely for x = 0.8. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism results indicate that for all x the magnetic moment is dominated by Fe3+ cations distributed in a 60:40 ratio on the octahedral and tetrahedral sites, with minimal contribution from Fe2+ cations. Films with x=1.4−1.6 exhibit very strong ferromagnetic resonance and low Gilbert damping with αeff=(1.8−6)×10−3, making them ideal candidates for microwave and spintronic applications.
A retinal circuit for the suppressed-by-contrast receptive field of a polyaxonal amacrine cell
Authors: Jia Yu , Lee Seunghoon , Zhuo Yehong , Zhou Z. Jimmy
Published: April 2020

Significance

Interactions among amacrine cell types are critical for complex visual computation in the retina, but the underlying circuitry and functions are largely unknown. Here we report a specific pathway from small-field, dual-transmitter amacrine (vGluT3) to wide-field polyaxonal amacrine (PAS4/5) cells. This pathway mediates a characteristic form of glycinergic inhibition that is essential in shaping a suppressed-by-contrast (sbc) receptive field in PAS4/5 cells, thus representing one of the first few functionally identified interamacrine circuits. The existence of the sbc trigger feature upstream of ganglion cells suggests diverse functional roles of this fundamental form of circuit computation in multiple downstream circuits. The synaptic interactions between vGluT3 and PAS4/5 cells also illustrate a specific mechanism for feature-specific local control of global retina activity.
The role of breadth and depth of vocabulary knowledge in second language listening comprehension
Authors: Vafaee Payman
Published: April 2020

The purpose of the current study was to examine the extent by which second language breadth
and depth of vocabulary knowledge (BVK and DVK, respectively) were predictors of successful listening
comprehension. To this end, along with a standardized test of listening comprehension ability, aural measures of both BVK and
DVK were administered to 262 English learners within a wide range of proficiency level. The data were subjected to structural
equation modeling, and the results showed that BVK and DVK were not measured in a psychometrically distinct way in the current
study. This did not allow any conclusions about the relative contribution of BVK and DVK to listening ability at the construct
level. However, at the measured-variable level, the findings showed that the DVK test scores were better predictors of success in
listening comprehension than the ones from the BVK test.
Governing the transboundary risks of offshore methane hydrate exploration in the seabed and ocean floor—an analysis on international provisions and Chinese law†
Authors: Yan Dong , Farah Paolo Davide , Ötvös Tivadar , Gaskova Ivana
Published: April 2020

Considering the fact that its existence is abundant while maintaining the ability to generate freshwater while burning, methane hydrates have been classified as sources of sustainable energy. China currently maintains an international role in developing technology meant to explore offshore methane hydrates buried under the mud of the seabed, their primary laboratory being the South China Sea. However, such a process does not come without its hazards and fatal consequences, ranging from the destruction of the flora and fauna, the general environment, and—the greatest hazard of all—the cost of human life. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (hereinafter ‘UNCLOS’), being an important international legal regime and instrument, has assigned damage control during the exploration of methane hydrates, as being the responsibilities and liability of individual sovereign states and corporations. China adopted the Deep Seabed Mining Law (hereinafter the DSM Law) on 26 February 2016, which came into force on the 1 of May 2016; a regulation providing the legal framework also for the Chinese government’s role in methane hydrate exploratory activities. This article examines the role of the DSM Law and its provisions, as well as several international documents intended to prevent transboundary environmental harm from arising, as a result of offshore methane hydrate extraction. Despite the obvious risk of harm to the environment, the DSM Law has made great strides in regulating exploratory activities so as to meet the criteria of the UNCLOS. However, this article argues that neither the UNCLOS nor the DSM Law are adequately prepared to address transboundary harm triggered by the exploitation of offshore methane hydrates. In particular, the technology of such extraction is still at an experimental stage, and potential risks remain uncertain—and even untraceable—for cross-jurisdictional claims. The article intends to seek available legal instruments or models, to overhaul the incapacity within the current governing framework, and offers suggestions supporting national and international legislative efforts towards protecting the environment during methane hydrate extraction.
Optimizing exoplanet atmosphere retrieval using unsupervised machine-learning classification
Authors: Hayes J J C , Kerins E , Awiphan S , McDonald I , Morgan J S , Chuanraksasat P , Komonjinda S , Sanguansak N , Kittara P ,   (SPEARNET)
Published: April 2020

One of the principal bottlenecks to atmosphere characterization in the era of all-sky surveys is the availability of fast, autonomous, and robust atmospheric retrieval methods. We present a new approach using unsupervised machine learning to generate informed priors for retrieval of exoplanetary atmosphere parameters from transmission spectra. We use principal component analysis (PCA) to efficiently compress the information content of a library of transmission spectra forward models generated using the platon package. We then apply a k-means clustering algorithm in PCA space to segregate the library into discrete classes. We show that our classifier is almost always able to instantaneously place a previously unseen spectrum into the correct class, for low-to-moderate spectral resolutions, R, in the range R = 30−300 and noise levels up to 10 per cent of the peak-to-trough spectrum amplitude. The distribution of physical parameters for all members of the class therefore provides an informed prior for standard retrieval methods such as nested sampling. We benchmark our informed-prior approach against a standard uniform-prior nested sampler, finding that our approach is up to a factor of 2 faster, with negligible reduction in accuracy. We demonstrate the application of this method to existing and near-future observatories, and show that it is suitable for real-world application. Our general approach is not specific to transmission spectroscopy and should be more widely applicable to cases that involve the repetitive fitting of trusted high-dimensional models to large data catalogues, including beyond exoplanetary science.
MEGA: Merger graphs of structure formation
Authors: Roper William J , Thomas Peter A , Srisawat Chaichalit
Published: April 2020

When following the growth of structure in the Universe, we propose replacing merger trees with merger graphs, in which haloes can both merge and split into separate pieces. We show that this leads to smoother mass growth and eliminates catastrophic failures in which massive haloes have no progenitors or descendants. For those who prefer to stick with merger trees, we find that trees derived from our merger graphs have similar mass growth properties to previous methods, but again without catastrophic failures. For future galaxy formation modelling, two different density thresholds can be used to distinguish host haloes (extended galactic haloes, groups, and clusters) from higher density subhaloes: sites of galaxy formation.
Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcal Infective Endocarditis: Characteristics and Outcomes From a Large, Multinational Cohort
Authors: Fernández Hidalgo Núria , Gharamti Amal A , Aznar María Luisa , Almirante Benito , Yasmin Mohamad , Fortes Claudio Querido , Plesiat Patrick , Doco-Lecompte Thanh , Rizk Hussein , Wray Dannah , Lamas Cristiane , Durante-Mangoni Emanuele , Tattevin Pierre , Snygg-Martin Ulrika , Hannan Margaret M , Chu Vivian H , Kanafani Zeina A
Published: April 2020

Background

Beta-hemolytic streptococci (BHS) are an uncommon cause of infective endocarditis (IE). The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features and outcomes of patients with BHS IE in a large multinational cohort and compare them with patients with viridans streptococcal IE.

Methods

The International Collaboration on Endocarditis Prospective Cohort Study (ICE-PCS) is a large multinational database that recruited patients with IE prospectively using a standardized data set. Sixty-four sites in 28 countries reported patients prospectively using a standard case report form developed by ICE collaborators.

Results

Among 1336 definite cases of streptococcal IE, 823 were caused by VGS and 147 by BHS. Patients with BHS IE had a lower prevalence of native valve (P < .005) and congenital heart disease predisposition (P = .002), but higher prevalence of implantable cardiac device predisposition (P < .005). Clinically, they were more likely to present acutely (P < .005) and with fever (P = .024). BHS IE was more likely to be complicated by stroke and other systemic emboli (P < .005). The overall in-hospital mortality of BHS IE was significantly higher than that of VGS IE (P = .001). In univariate analysis, variables associated with in-hospital mortality for BHS IE were age (odds ratio [OR], 1.044; P = .004), prosthetic valve IE (OR, 3.029; P = .022), congestive heart failure (OR, 2.513; P = .034), and stroke (OR, 3.198; P = .009).

Conclusions

BHS IE is characterized by an acute presentation and higher rate of stroke, systemic emboli, and in-hospital mortality than VGS IE. Implantable cardiac devices as a predisposing factor were more often found in BHS IE compared with VGS IE.