bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mill's On Liberty and Social Pressure
Authors: Wilkinson T. M.
Published: January 2020

Mill's On Liberty is centrally concerned with avoiding social tyranny. But Mill's Principle of Liberty defines interfering, in the context of social pressure, as intentionally punishing and it seems to allow speech and actions that critics have thought would conflict with liberty in self-regarding matters. To critics, Mill draws distinctions among social influences where no genuine difference is to be found and he permits more social pressure than can be accepted by someone who values liberty highly. In this article, I explain where and why Mill draws the line he does between permitted and forbidden influences and show the line is coherent and tracks a genuine difference. I also show that although the Principle leaves residual social pressure, Mill has resources besides the Principle that can prevent social influences that threaten individuality while retaining beneficial social influences.
The Caroline Divines and the Church of Rome: A Contribution to Current Ecumenical Dialogue – A Review Article
Authors: Hill Christopher
Published: January 2020

Readers of the Journal will recall the Ecclesiastical Law Society's long tradition of serious ecumenical engagement, embodied in the biennial Lyndwood Lecture with the Canon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland, and recall that a number of members of the Society are regularly engaged with the Colloquium of Anglican and Roman Catholic Canon Lawyers. Moreover, ecumenical agreement and disagreement have canonical consequences, as, for example, in the debate about Anglican orders. In moral theology, particularly Roman Catholic moral theology, the relation between moral teaching, the confessional and canon law is obvious to any practitioner. My own interest in the Ecclesiastical Law Society was a direct consequence of my involvement in Anglican–Roman Catholic dialogue as successively co-secretary, member and consultant of the various embodiments of the Anglican–Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) from 1974 onwards. An ecumenical conversation with Canon Graham Routledge, a founder member, led me to seek membership of the Society in its early days.
PhD Abstracts
Authors: HUTTON GRAHAM
Published: January 2020

Many students complete PhDs in functional programming each year. As a service to the community, twice per year the Journal of Functional Programming publishes the abstracts from PhD dissertations completed during the previous year.
Pocket-sized echocardiography for screening structural heart disease: diagnostic accuracy and cost-effectiveness for population-based studies
Authors: Tabib Avisa , Samiei Niloufar , Peighambari Mohammad M. , Rashidi Ghader Fariba , Moradian Maryam , Mohebbi Ahmad , Omrani Gholamreza , Ghavidel Alireza A. , Kazemborji Bahareh , Noohi Feridoun , Maleki Majid , Rezaei Yousef , Hosseini Saeid
Published: January 2020

Background:

The standard transthoracic echocardiography has some limitations in emergent and community-based situations. The emergence of pocket-sized ultrasound has led to influential advancements.

Methods:

In this prospective study, in the hospital-based phase, children with suspected structural heart diseases were enrolled. In the school-based phase, healthy children were randomly selected from six schools. All individuals were examined by experienced operators using both the standard and the pocket-sized echocardiography.

Results:

A total of 73 individuals with a mean age of 9.9 ± 3.2 years in the hospital-based cohort and 143 individuals with a mean age of 12.8 ± 2.9 years in the school-based cohort were examined. The agreements between the standard and the pocket-sized echocardiography were good or excellent for major CHDs in both cohorts (κ statistics > 0.61). Among valvular pathologies, agreements for tricuspid and pulmonary valves’ regurgitation were moderate among school-based cohorts (0.56 [95% confidence interval 0.12–1] and 0.6 [95% confidence interval 0.28–0.91], respectively). The agreements for tricuspid and pulmonary valves’ regurgitation were excellent (>0.9) among hospital-based population. Other values for valvular findings were good or excellent. The overall sensitivity and specificity were 87.5% (95% confidence interval 47.3–99.7) and 93.8% (95% confidence interval 85–98.3) among the hospital-based individuals, respectively, and those were 88% (95% confidence interval 77.8–94.7) and 68.4% (95% confidence interval 56.7–78.6) among the school-based individuals, respectively. The cost of examination was reduced by approximately 70% for an individual using the pocket-sized device.

Conclusions:

When interpreted by experienced operators, the pocket-sized echocardiography can be used as screening tool among school-aged population.
Unilateral pulmonary aplasia and congenital diaphragmatic hernia associated with tetralogy of Fallot: a rare trifecta
Authors: Pandey Niraj N. , Sinha Mumun , Kumar Sanjeev
Published: January 2020

We present a case of a 7-month-old boy with tetralogy of Fallot associated with unilateral pulmonary aplasia and herniation of the liver and small bowel loops in the right hemithorax.
Inhaled Epoprostenol to Facilitate Safe Transport in Legionnaires’ Disease
Authors: Foster Corrine , Frakes Michael A. , Puopolo Erica , McNulty Francis , Saia Mark S. , Hourihan Mike , Flynn Margaret , Wilcox Susan R.
Published: January 2020

Hypoxemic patients often desaturate further with movement and transport. While inhaled epoprostenol does not improve mortality, improving oxygenation allows for transport of severely hypoxemic patients to tertiary care centers with a related improvement in mortality rates. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use is increasing in frequency for patients with refractory hypoxemia, and with increasing regionalization of care, safe transport of hypoxemic patients only becomes more important. In this series, four cases are presented of young patients with severe hypoxemic respiratory failure from Legionnaires’ disease transported on inhaled epoprostenol to ECMO centers for consideration of cannulation. With continued climate changes, Legionella and other pathogens are likely to be a continued threat. As such, optimizing oxygenation to allow for transport should continue to be a priority for critical care transport (CCT) services.
Parents’ reactions to unhealthy food v. pro-health sponsorship options for children’s sport: an experimental study
Authors: Scully Maree , Wakefield Melanie , Pettigrew Simone , Kelly Bridget , Dixon Helen
Published: January 2020

Objective:

To explore parents’ responses to sponsorship of children’s sport by unhealthy food brands and two alternative pro-health sponsorship options.

Design:

Between-subjects online experiment with four sponsorship conditions: (i) non-food branding (control); (ii) unhealthy food branding; (iii) healthier food branding; (iv) public health nutrition campaign branding. Participants were shown a short video and a promotional flyer for a fictional junior sports programme, with sponsor content representing their assigned brand. Afterwards, participants were asked a series of questions assessing their brand awareness, brand attitudes and preference for food sponsor branded products.

Setting:

Australia.

Participants:

Australian parents (n 1331) of children aged 6–9 years.

Results:

Compared with the control condition, unhealthy food sponsorship promoted increased awareness, branded product preferences and favourable attitudes towards unhealthy food sponsor brands. Healthier food sponsorship promoted similar effects for healthier food sponsor brands, except there was no significant increase in positive attitudes towards these brands. Sponsorship by public health nutrition campaigns promoted more negative attitudes towards unhealthy food sponsor brands and increased preference for healthier food sponsor branded products. Overall, healthier food sponsors and public health campaign sponsors were perceived to have better programme–sponsor fit and to be more appropriate sponsors of children’s sport than unhealthy food sponsors.

Conclusions:

Restrictions on unhealthy food sponsorship of children’s sport are needed to prevent unhealthy food brands from exploiting junior sport sponsorship to enhance their appeal. Sponsorship of children’s sport by healthier food brands or public health nutrition campaigns could help promote healthier food choices among parents.
Exporting terrestrial life out of the Solar System with gravitational slingshots of Earthgrazing bodies
Authors: Siraj Amir , Loeb Abraham
Published: January 2020

Exporting terrestrial life out of the Solar System requires a process that both embeds microbes in boulders and ejects those boulders out of the Solar System. We explore the possibility that Earthgrazing long-period comets (LPCs) and interstellar objects (ISOs) could export life from Earth by collecting microbes from the atmosphere and receiving a gravitational slingshot effect from the Earth. We estimate the total number of exportation events over the lifetime of the Earth to be ~1–10 for LPCs and ~1–50 for ISOs. If life existed above an altitude of 100 km, then the number is dramatically increased up to ~105 exportation events over Earth's lifetime.
The English School and postcolonial state agency: social roles and order management in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific
Authors: Yates Robert
Published: January 2020

This paper contributes to recent revisions to the English School (ES) which have sought to redress its Eurocentrism. It argues that, despite providing necessary accounts of non-Western international societies and the agency of non-European polities in the expansion of global international society, there remains a gap in capturing the agency of postcolonial states in contributing to order negotiation and management in contemporary international order. It proposes a social role negotiation framework to address the gap, which it situates within a holistic conceptual framework that supplements an ES understanding of international order between states with a world-system perspective on how states are embedded within global capitalism, and a neo-Gramscian focus on social forces as the key agents contesting and shaping states' foreign policy orientation. It highlights two major types of postcolonial state agency within international order: contesting and limiting great powers' legitimate exercise of power; and establishing responsibilities towards building and managing order vis-a-vis great powers. The paper illustrates the utility of the social roles framework with the example of ASEAN in Southeast Asian and Asia-Pacific order.
Advancing the science of distress screening and management in cancer care
Authors: Donovan Kristine A. , Grassi Luigi , Deshields Teresa L. , Corbett Cheyenne , Riba Michelle B.
Published: January 2020

Given the high prevalence (30–35%) of psychosocial and psychiatric morbidity amongst cancer patients in any phase of the disease trajectory, screening for emotional problems and disorders has become mandatory in oncology. As a process, screening begins at the entry to the cancer care system and continues at clinically meaningful times, periodically during active cancer care, or when clinically indicated. The goal is to facilitate proper referral to psychosocial oncology specialists for more specific assessment and care, as well as treatment and evaluation of the response, according to the implementation of distress management guidelines. In this editorial, we will provide a non-exhaustive overview of relevant protocols, with particular reference to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Management in Oncology Guidelines, and review the challenges and the problems in implementing screening, and the assessment and management of psychosocial and psychiatric problems in cancer centres and community care.
A Possible Cause of Tropical Cyclone Eastward Genesis Location Bias Study Using CAM5 Model in Western North Pacific
Authors: Shen Yixuan , Sun Yuan , Zhong Zhong , Li Tim , Hu Yijia , Yi Lan
Published: January 2020

State‐of‐the‐art climate models are extremely useful tools, but they all have biases when simulating tropical cyclone (TC) genesis location. These biases contribute to discrepancies in simulating other characteristics of TC activities (e.g., track, intensity, and duration) and even the surrounding large‐scale circulation. The genesis potential index (GPI) is a useful tool to evaluate the performance of climate models in simulating TC genesis. Here, it is employed to investigate possible causes of simulation biases of TC genesis location in western North Pacific using the downscaled Community Atmosphere Model Version 5 (CAM5) climate model and observations. We find that GPI can reasonably describe the spatial pattern of TC genesis location in either observation or simulation. By having one of GPI‐related variables (i.e., low‐level absolute vorticity, middle‐level relative humidity, vertical wind shear, and potential intensity) change with the others set to stable while testing single variable, the contributions of environmental fields associated with GPI are examined and a possible cause of TC genesis biases is revealed. Due to the overestimated humidity in the east region of western North Pacific, the simulated GPI high value region is to the east of the observed one, and more TCs in the downscaled CAM5 model generate farther east than in observation. These results imply that the biases in simulated humidity and thus TC genesis location may be reduced by correcting the evaporation rate in the deep convection scheme, since the evaporation rate is closely related to environment humidity change as suggested by previous studies.
Biological Control of Chromium Redox and Stable Isotope Composition in the Surface Ocean
Authors: Janssen David J. , Rickli Jörg , Quay Paul D. , White Angelicque E. , Nasemann Philipp , Jaccard Samuel L.
Published: January 2020

While chromium stable isotopes (δ53Cr) have received significant attention for their utility as a tracer of oxygen availability in the distant geological past, a mechanistic understanding of modern oceanic controls on Cr and δ53Cr is still lacking. Here we present total dissolved δ53Cr, concentrations of Cr (III) and total dissolved Cr, and net community productivity (NCP) from the North Pacific. Chromium concentrations show surface depletions in waters with elevated NCP, but not in lower productivity waters. Observed Cr deficits correspond well with calculated Cr export derived from NCP and Cr:C ratios of natural phytoplankton and marine particulates. Chromium (III) concentrations are stable over the diel cycle yet correlate with NCP, with maxima found in highly productive surface waters but not in lower productivity waters, indicating biological control on Cr (III). The relationship between Cr (III) and δ53Cr suggests that δ53Cr distributions may be controlled by the removal of isotopically light Cr (III) at an isotopic enrichment factor (∆53Cr) of −1.08‰ ± 0.25 relative to total dissolved δ53Cr, in agreement with the global δ53Cr‐Cr fractionation factor (−0.82‰ ± 0.05). No perturbation to δ53Cr, Cr, or Cr (III) is observed in oxygen‐depleted waters (~10 μmol/kg), suggesting no strong control by O2 availability, in agreement with other recent studies. Therefore, we propose that biological productivity is the primary control on Cr and δ53Cr in the modern ocean. Consequently, δ53Cr records in marine sediments may not faithfully record oxygen availability in the Late Quaternary. Instead, our data demonstrate that δ53Cr records may be a useful tracer for biological productivity.
Turbulence‐Driven Magnetic Reconnection in the Magnetosheath Downstream of a Quasi‐Parallel Shock: A Three‐Dimensional Global Hybrid Simulation
Authors: Lu Quanming , Wang Huanyu , Wang Xueyi , Lu San , Wang Rongsheng , Gao Xinliang , Wang Shui
Published: January 2020

Satellite observations with high‐resolution measurements have demonstrated the existence of intermittent current sheets and occurrence of magnetic reconnection in a quasi‐parallel magnetosheath behind the terrestrial bow shock. In this letter, by performing a three‐dimensional global hybrid simulation, we investigated the characteristics of the quasi‐parallel magnetosheath of the bow shock, which is formed due to the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetosphere. Current sheets with widths of several ion inertial lengths are found to be produced in the magnetosheath after the upstream large‐amplitude electromagnetic waves penetrate through the shock and are then compressed in the downstream. Magnetic reconnection consequently occurs in these current sheets, where high‐speed ion flow jets are identified in the outflow region. Simultaneously, flux ropes with the extension (along the y direction) of about several Earth's radii are also observed. Our simulation shed new insight on the mechanism for the occurrence of magnetic reconnection in the quasi‐parallel shocked magnetosheath.
Association Between EMIC Wave Occurrence and Enhanced Convection Periods During Ion Injections
Authors: Remya B. , Sibeck D. G. , Ruohoniemi J. M. , Kunduri B. , Halford A. J. , Reeves G. D. , Reddy R. V.
Published: January 2020

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves tend to occur during geomagnetic storms and solar wind pressure pulses. However, they have also been regularly observed even in the absence of these two drivers. These non‐storm time and non‐pressure pulse EMIC events are very well associated with individual nightside injections (Remya et al., 2018, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JA025354). Nevertheless, not all substorm injections elicit wave activity. We examine the EMIC events excited during two substorm injections on 4 September 2015 and 1 October 2015. We find that injections that are associated with EMIC waves are also associated with enhanced ionospheric convection. The convective signatures occur at local times similar to those of the observed wave activity.
Long‐Term Thermohaline Variations in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre From a Repeat Hydrographic Section Along 165°E
Authors: Kawakami Yuma , Kitamura Yoshiteru , Nakano Toshiya , Sugimoto Shusaku
Published: January 2020

Long‐term thermohaline variability in the North Pacific subtropical gyre for 1996–2018 was investigated by repeat hydrography along 165°E conducted by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Potential temperature (θ) and salinity (S) in North Pacific Tropical Water (NPTW), characterized by the salinity maximum, exhibit an interannual or longer‐timescale variation with significant warming and salinification. The θ–S of NPTW originates from mixed layer temperature (MLT) and salinity (MLS) in the isopycnal outcrop region. In the NPTW formation region, the MLS determines surface density and controls the meridional position of the outcrop region. High (low) MLS and the associated southward (northward) migration of the outcrop region increase (decrease) θ–S anomalies in NPTW. The θ–S in the main thermocline/halocline associated with subtropical mode water (STMW) shows a decadal‐scale variation, with a significant cooling and freshening. These properties also derive from MLT and MLS in the isopycnal outcrop region. In the central North Pacific, including the eastern part of the STMW formation region, the MLT controls meridional migration of the outcrop region; during high (low) MLT, the outcrop region migrates northward (southward), and cold and fresh (warm and salty) STMW is formed. The signals are passed into the main thermocline/halocline through subduction of STMW. Consideration of the mechanism that generates θ–S anomalies via migration of the outcrop regions leads us to suggest surface warming and salinification in the subtropical gyre associated with global warming cause a cooling and freshening in the main thermocline/halocline and warming and salinification in NPTW, respectively.
Can We Resolve the Basin‐Scale Sea Level Trend Budget From GRACE Ocean Mass?
Authors: Royston Sam , Dutt Vishwakarma Bramha , Westaway Richard , Rougier Jonathan , Sha Zhe , Bamber Jonathan
Published: January 2020

Understanding sea level changes at a regional scale is important for improving local sea level projections and coastal management planning. Sea level budget (SLB) estimates derived from the sum of observation of each component close for the global mean. The sum of steric and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) ocean mass contributions to sea level calculated from measurements does not match the spatial patterns of sea surface height trends from satellite altimetry at 1° grid resolution over the period 2005–2015. We investigate potential drivers of this mismatch aggregating to subbasin regions and find that the steric plus GRACE ocean mass observations do not represent the small‐scale features seen in the satellite altimetry. In addition, there are discrepancies with large variance apparent at the global and hemispheric scale. Thus, the SLB closure on the global scale to some extent represents a cancelation of errors. The SLB is also sensitive to the glacial isostatic adjustment correction for GRACE and to altimery orbital altitude. Discrepancies in the SLB are largest for the Indian‐South Pacific Ocean region. Taking the spread of plausible sea level trends, the SLB closes at the ocean‐basin scale (
) but with large spread of magnitude, one third or more of the trend signal. Using the most up‐to‐date observation products, our ocean‐region SLB does not close everywhere, and consideration of systematic uncertainties diminishes what information can be gained from the SLB about sea level processes, quantifying contributions, and validating Earth observation systems.
The Effects of Fault Geometry and Kinematic Parameters on 3D Fold Morphology: Insights From 3D Geometric Models and Comparison With the Dushanzi Anticline, China
Authors: Li Zhigang , Chen Wei , Jia Dong , Sun Chuang , Zheng Wenjun , Zhang Peizhen , Wang Weitao , Li Tao , Xiong Jianguo
Published: January 2020

Precise knowledge of the geometry of faults and folds at depth is important for tectonics, economic geology, and seismic hazards. However, the geometry and kinematics of faults and the aspects controlling the coevolution of folds are difficult to constrain without 3D seismic data. We perform a series of 3D forward geometric simulations using a pseudo‐3D trishear fault‐propagation folding algorithm to investigate the effects of six fault geometry and kinematic parameters on the 3D fold morphology. We conclude that the ramp angle and the shortening/fault length ratio are the primary controlling factors of the whole 3D‐fold morphology, and the displacement gradient angle only affects the along‐strike deformation. We then present a quantitative interpretation of the Dushanzi anticline and propose that the anticline formed by trishear fault‐propagation folding with 5.5 km of total shortening. A consistency between the 3D structural and geometric models demonstrates the validity of the structural interpretations, suggesting that the anticline is controlled by a 40‐km‐long fault and has increased in amplitude over time with a shortening rate of ~2 mm/year since the Quaternary. The consistency highlights the spatial relationship between the fault geometry, the along‐strike shortening distribution, and the 3D‐fold morphology. These novel insights from the Dushanzi anticline can be applied to the identification of a structural trap with a volume of 68.6 km3.
“The Chance to Look, to Examine, to Explore”: A Qualitative Study of Intercultural Contact and Cultural Identity Exploration for Muslim Immigrants
Authors: Balanovic Jovana , Stuart Jaimee , Ward Colleen
Published: January 2020

The current investigation sought to better understand the role individuals play in navigating their own cultural identity development during the process of acculturation. To this end, a qualitative methodology was used to examine how a specific group of individuals negotiate identity changes in the face of intercultural contact. In-depth interviews concerning processes of identity management and development were conducted with a sample of 11 Muslim women (8 Malay and 3 Saudi Arabian) permanently residing in New Zealand. Using applied thematic analysis, emergent themes were identified, and these were then analyzed using the concepts of “self-awareness” and “agency” to understand and structure how these individuals perceive and position themselves throughout their acculturation experiences. Findings showed that participants’ typical descriptions of intercultural encounters reflected active processes of both negotiating and managing cultural perspectives, with participants often citing acculturation as initiating questioning of identity positions. Furthermore, the findings showed an interplay between awareness of one’s cultural worldview and the degree of perceived agency felt in directing the relationship between culture and the construction of identity. This study highlights the importance of considering the active role individuals play in developing and defining their cultural identities during the process of acculturation.
Interferon mediated neuroinflammation in polyglutamine disease is not caused by RNA toxicity
Authors: Bhambri Aksheev , Pinto Akeeth , Pillai Beena
Published: January 2020

Polyglutamine diseases are neurodegenerative diseases that occur due to the expansion of CAG repeat regions in coding sequences of genes. Previously, we have shown the formation of large protein aggregates along with activation of the interferon pathway leading to apoptosis in a cellular model of SCA17. Here, we corroborate our previous results in a tetracycline-inducible model of SCA17. Interferon gamma and lambda were upregulated in 59Q-TBP expressing cells as compared to 16Q-TBP expressing cells. Besides interferon-stimulated genes, the SCA17 model and Huntington’s mice brain samples showed upregulation of RNA sensors. However, in this improved model interferon pathway activation and apoptosis preceded the formation of large polyglutamine aggregates, suggesting a role for CAG repeat RNA or soluble protein aggregates. A polyglutamine minus mutant of TBP, expressing polyCAG mRNA, was created by site directed mutagenesis of 10 potential start codons. Neither this long CAG embedded mRNA nor short polyCAG RNA could induce interferon pathway genes or cause apoptosis. polyQ-TBP induced the expression of canonical RNA sensors but the downstream transcription factor, IRF3, showed a muted response. We found that expanded CAG repeat RNA is not sufficient to account for the neuronal apoptosis. Neuronal cells sense expanded CAG repeats embedded in messenger RNAs of protein-coding genes. However, polyglutamine containing protein is responsible for the interferon-mediated neuroinflammation and cell death seen in polyglutamine disease. Thus, we delineate the inflammatory role of CAG repeats in the mRNA from the resulting polyglutamine tract in the protein. Embedded in messenger RNAs of protein-coding regions, the cell senses CAG repeat expansion and induces the expression of RNA sensors and interferon-stimulated genes.
Piperlongumine regulates epigenetic modulation and alleviates psoriasis-like skin inflammation via inhibition of hyperproliferation and inflammation
Authors: Thatikonda Sowjanya , Pooladanda Venkatesh , Sigalapalli Dilep Kumar , Godugu Chandraiah
Published: January 2020

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease, where chronic immune responses due to exaggerated cytokine signaling, abnormal differentiation, and evasion of keratinocytes apoptosis plays a crucial role in mediating abnormal keratinocytes hyperproliferation. From the therapeutic perspective, the molecules with strong anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties could have tremendous relevance. In this study, we demonstrated that piperlongumine (PPL) treatment effectively abrogated the hyperproliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes by inducing ROS-mediated late apoptosis with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Besides, the arrest of cell cycle was found at Sub-G1 phase as a result of DNA fragmentation. Molecularly, inhibition of STAT3 and Akt signaling was observed with a decrease in proliferative markers such as PCNA, ki67, and Cyclin D1 along with anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression. Keratin 17 is a critical regulator of keratinocyte differentiation, and it was found to be downregulated with PPL significantly. Furthermore, prominent anti-inflammatory effects were observed by inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/Imiquimod (IMQ)-induced p65 NF-κB signaling cascade and strongly inhibited the production of cytokine storm involved in psoriasis-like skin inflammation, thus led to the restoration of normal epidermal architecture with reduction of epidermal hyperplasia and splenomegaly. In addition, PPL epigenetically inhibited histone-modifying enzymes, which include histone deacetylases (HDACs) of class I (HDAC1–4) and class II (HDAC6) evaluated by immunoblotting and HDAC enzyme assay kit. In addition, our results show that PPL effectively inhibits the nuclear translocation of p65 and a histone modulator HDAC3, thus sequestered in the cytoplasm of macrophages. Furthermore, PPL effectively enhanced the protein–protein interactions of HDAC3 and p65 with IκBα, which was disrupted by LPS stimulation and were evaluated by Co-IP and molecular modeling. Collectively, our findings indicate that piperlongumine may serve as an anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory agent and could serve as a potential therapeutic option in treating psoriasis.
Flexural band gaps and response attenuation of periodic piping systems enhanced with localized and distributed resonators
Authors: Iqbal Mohd , Jaya Mahesh Murugan , Bursi Oreste Salvatore , Kumar Anil , Ceravolo Rosario
Published: January 2020

Novel metamaterial concepts can be used to economically reduce flexural vibrations in coupled pipe-rack systems. Here, we model pipe on flexible supports as periodic systems and formulate dispersion relations using Floquet-Bloch theory which is verified by a finite element model. Owing to the flexibility of the coupled system, a narrow pass band is created in low frequency regime, in contrast to the case of pipe without any rack. Two types of vibration reduction mechanisms are investigated for pipe with different supports, i.e. simple and elastic support. In order to tune the band gap behaviour, lateral localized resonators are attached at the centre of each unit cell; conversely, the lateral distributed resonators are realized with a secondary pipe existing in the system. The results reveal that both Bragg and resonance type band gaps coexist in piping systems due to the presence of spatial periodicity and local resonance. Although, the response attenuation of a coupled pipe-rack system with distributed resonators is found to be little lower than the case with the localized one, the relatively low stiffness and damping values lead to cheaper solutions. Therefore, the proposed concept of distributed resonators represents a promising application in piping, power and process industries.
Distinct structure-function relationships across cortical regions and connectivity scales in the rat brain
Authors: Straathof Milou , Sinke Michel R. T. , Roelofs Theresia J. M. , Blezer Erwin L. A. , Sarabdjitsingh R. Angela , van der Toorn Annette , Schmitt Oliver , Otte Willem M. , Dijkhuizen Rick M.
Published: January 2020

An improved understanding of the structure-function relationship in the brain is necessary to know to what degree structural connectivity underpins abnormal functional connectivity seen in disorders. We integrated high-field resting-state fMRI-based functional connectivity with high-resolution macro-scale diffusion-based and meso-scale neuronal tracer-based structural connectivity, to obtain an accurate depiction of the structure-function relationship in the rat brain. Our main goal was to identify to what extent structural and functional connectivity strengths are correlated, macro- and meso-scopically, across the cortex. Correlation analyses revealed a positive correspondence between functional and macro-scale diffusion-based structural connectivity, but no significant correlation between functional connectivity and meso-scale neuronal tracer-based structural connectivity. Zooming in on individual connections, we found strong functional connectivity in two well-known resting-state networks: the sensorimotor and default mode network. Strong functional connectivity within these networks coincided with strong short-range intrahemispheric structural connectivity, but with weak heterotopic interhemispheric and long-range intrahemispheric structural connectivity. Our study indicates the importance of combining measures of connectivity at distinct hierarchical levels to accurately determine connectivity across networks in the healthy and diseased brain. Although characteristics of the applied techniques may affect where structural and functional networks (dis)agree, distinct structure-function relationships across the brain could also have a biological basis.
Facile synthesis of hydrophilic magnetic graphene nanocomposites via dopamine self-polymerization and Michael addition for selective enrichment of N-linked glycopeptides
Authors: Bi Changfen , Yuan Ye , Tu Yuran , Wu Jiahui , Liang Yulu , Li Yiliang , He Xiwen , Chen Langxing , Zhang Yukui
Published: January 2020

The development of methods to effectively capture N-glycopeptides from the complex biological samples is crucial to N-glycoproteome profiling. Herein, the hydrophilic chitosan–functionalized magnetic graphene nanocomposites (denoted as Fe3O4-GO@PDA-Chitosan) were designed and synthesized via a simple two-step modification (dopamine self-polymerization and Michael addition). The Fe3O4-GO@PDA-Chitosan nanocomposites exhibited good performances with low detection limit (0.4 fmol·μL−1), good selectivity (mixture of bovine serum albumin and horseradish peroxidase tryptic digests at a molar ration of 10:1), good repeatability (4 times), high binding capacity (75 mg·g−1). Moreover, Fe3O4-GO@PDA-Chitosan nanocomposites were further utilized to selectively enrich glycopeptides from human renal mesangial cell (HRMC, 200 μg) tryptic digest, and 393 N-linked glycopeptides, representing 195 different glycoproteins and 458 glycosylation sites were identified. This study provides a feasible strategy for the surface functionalized novel materials for isolation and enrichment of N-glycopeptides.
T-type, but not L-type, voltage-gated calcium channels are dispensable for lymphatic pacemaking and spontaneous contractions
Authors: To Kim H. T. , Gui Peichun , Li Min , Zawieja Scott D. , Castorena-Gonzalez Jorge A. , Davis Michael J.
Published: January 2020

The spontaneous contractions of collecting lymphatic vessels provide an essential propulsive force to return lymph centrally. These contractions are driven by an intrinsic electrical pacemaker, working through an unknown underlying ionic mechanism that becomes compromised in some forms of lymphedema. In previous studies, T-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) were implicated in this pacemaking mechanism, based on the effects of the reputedly selective T-type VGCC inhibitors mibefradil and Ni2+. Our goal was to test this idea in a more definitive way using genetic knock out mice. First, we demonstrated through both PCR and immunostaining that mouse lymphatic muscle cells expressed Cav3.1 and Cav3.2 and produced functional T-type VGCC currents when patch clamped. We then employed genetic deletion strategies to selectively test the roles of each T-type VGCC isoform in the regulation of lymphatic pacemaking. Surprisingly, global deletion of either, or both, isoform(s) was without significant effect on either the frequency, amplitude, or fractional pump flow of lymphatic collectors from two different regions of the mouse, studied ex vivo. Further, both WT and Cav3.1−/−; 3.2−/− double knock-out lymphatic vessels responded similarly to mibefradil and Ni2+, which substantially reduced contraction amplitudes and slightly increased frequencies at almost all pressures in both strains: a pattern consistent with inhibition of L-type rather than T-type VGCCs. Neither T-type VGCC isoform was required for ACh-induced inhibition of contraction, a mechanism by which those channels in smooth muscle are thought to be targets of endothelium-derived nitric oxide. Sharp intracellular electrode measurements in lymphatic smooth muscle revealed only subtle, but not significant, differences in the resting membrane potential and action potential characteristics between vessels from wild-type and Cav3.1−/−; 3.2−/− double knock-out mice. In contrast, smooth-muscle specific deletion of the L-type VGCC, Cav1.2, completely abolished all lymphatic spontaneous contractions. Collectively our results suggest that, although T-type VGCCs are expressed in mouse lymphatic smooth muscle, they do not play a significant role in modulating the frequency of the ionic pacemaker or the amplitude of spontaneous contractions. We conclude that the effects of mibefradil and Ni2+ in other lymphatic preparations are largely or completely explained by off-target effects on L-type VGCCs, which are essential for controlling both the frequency and strength of spontaneous contractions.
Comparison of clinical outcomes between laparoscopic and open surgery for left-sided colon cancer: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Huang Yu-Min , Lee Yuan-Wen , Huang Yan-Jiun , Wei Po-Li
Published: January 2020

The role of laparoscopic surgery for left-sided colon cancer has been supported by the results of randomized controlled trials. However, its benefits and disadvantages in the real world setting should be further assessed with population-based studies.The hospitalization data of patients undergoing open or laparoscopic surgery for left-sided colon cancer were sourced from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Patient and hospital characteristics and perioperative outcomes including length of hospital stay, operation time, opioid use, blood transfusion, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and use of mechanical ventilation were compared. The overall survival was also assessed. Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery had shorter hospital stay (p < 0.0001) and less demand for opioid analgesia (p = 0.0005). Further logistic regression revealed that patients undergoing open surgery were 1.70, 2.89, and 3.00 times more likely to have blood transfusion, to be admitted to ICU, and to use mechanical ventilation than patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Operations performed in medical centers were also associated with less adverse events. The overall survival was comparable between the 2 groups.With adequate hospital quality and volume, laparoscopic surgery for left-sided colon cancer was associated with improved perioperative outcomes. The long-term survival was not compromised.
APOE ε4 Modifies Effect of Residential Greenness on Cognitive Function among Older Adults: A Longitudinal Analysis in China
Authors: Zhu Anna , Yan Lijing , Shu Chang , Zeng Yi , Ji John S.
Published: January 2020

We tested whether the protective effects of residential greenness on cognitive function differ by APOE ε4 status by using the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). We calculated Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) using 500 m radii around residential addresses to measure greenness, and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to assess cognitive function. We dichotomized the participants into APOE non-ε4 carriers, and APOE ε4 carriers. We applied the generalized estimating equations (GEE) to examine the association between baseline annual average NDVI, APOE ε4 carrier status, and cognitive impairment. Among 6,994 participants, 19.30% were APOE ε4 carriers. Compared to APOE ε4 non-carriers, the APOE ε4 carriers had a 15% higher odds of cognitive impairment (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.26). There was an age difference; the protective effect of residential greenness (the highest vs. lowest quartile) on cognitive impairment was observed among the non-ε4 carriers (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.72, 0.95), but not among the ε4 carriers (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.74, 1.34). However, the interaction term between annual average NDVI and APOE ε4 status was not significant (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.11). The protective effects of residential greenness on cognitive function differed by APOE ε4 status, which elucidated possible gene-environment interaction mechanisms in which residential greenness may benefit health.
A combined computational and experimental strategy identifies mutations conferring resistance to drugs targeting the BCR-ABL fusion protein
Authors: Liu Jinxin , Pei Jianfeng , Lai Luhua
Published: January 2020

Drug resistance is of increasing concern, especially during the treatments of infectious diseases and cancer. To accelerate the drug discovery process in combating issues of drug resistance, here we developed a computational and experimental strategy to predict drug resistance mutations. Using BCR-ABL as a case study, we successfully recaptured the clinically observed mutations that confer resistance imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib, bosutinib, and ponatinib. We then experimentally tested the predicted mutants in vitro. We found that although all mutants showed weakened binding strength as expected, the binding constants alone were not a good indicator of drug resistance. Instead, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was shown to be a good indicator of the incidence of the predicted mutations, together with change in catalytic efficacy. Our suggested strategy for predicting drug-resistance mutations includes the computational prediction and in vitro selection of mutants with increased IC50values beyond the drug safety window.
Hyperglycemia compromises Rat Cortical Bone by Increasing Osteocyte Lacunar Density and Decreasing Vascular Canal Volume
Authors: Ay Birol , Parolia Kushagra , Liddell Robert S. , Qiu Yusheng , Grasselli Giovanni , Cooper David M. L. , Davies John E.
Published: January 2020

Uncontrolled diabetes is associated with increased risk of bony fractures. However, the mechanisms have yet to be understood. Using high-resolution synchrotron micro-CT, we calculated the changes in the microstructure of femoral cortices of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic (STZ) Wistar Albino rats and tested the mechanical properties of the mineralized matrix by nanoindentation. Total lacunar volume of femoral cortices increased in STZ group due to a 9% increase in lacunar density. However, total vascular canal volume decreased in STZ group due to a remarkable decrease in vascular canal diameter (7 ± 0.3 vs. 8.5 ± 0.4 µm). Osteocytic territorial matrix volume was less in the STZ group (14,908 ± 689 µm3) compared with healthy controls (16,367 ± 391 µm3). In conclusion, hyperglycemia increased cellularity and lacunar density, decreased osteocyte territorial matrix, and reduced vascular girth, in addition to decreasing matrix mechanical properties in the STZ group when compared with euglycemic controls.
Simple man model in the Heisenberg picture
Authors: Ivanov I. A. , Kim Kyung Taec
Published: January 2020

Describing the ionization of an atom exposed to a strong laser field entails computationally expensive quantum simulations based on the numerical solutions of the time-dependent Shrödinger equation. The well-known Simple Man Model provides a qualitatively accurate description of the ionization process. Here, we propose a quantum generalization of the physical picture given by the Simple Man Model. We describe an approximate solution to the Heisenberg operator equations of motion for an atom in a laser field. We provide justification of this generalization and test its validity by applying it to calculate the coordinate and velocity autocorrelation functions. Both our model and results of the ab initio numerical calculations show distinct types of correlations due to different types of electron’s motion providing insight into the strong field ionization dynamics.
Realizing high-efficiency power generation in low-cost PbS-based thermoelectric materials
Authors: Jiang Binbin , Liu Xixi , Wang Qi , Cui Juan , Jia Baohai , Zhu Yuke , Feng Jianghe , Qiu Yang , Gu Meng , Ge Zhenhua , He Jiaqing
Published: January 2020

A high conversion efficiency of 11.2% was realized in a low-cost PbS-based segmented thermoelectric module.
Isolation methods for particle protein corona complexes from protein-rich matrices
Authors: Böhmert Linda , Voß Linn , Stock Valerie , Braeuning Albert , Lampen Alfonso , Sieg Holger
Published: January 2020

This review compares and critically discusses the most widely used analysis techniques for protein corona investigations: centrifugation, magnetism and chromatography.
Phomeroids A and B: two novel cytotoxic meroterpenoids from the deep-sea-derived fungus Phomopsis tersa FS441
Authors: Chen Shanchong , Liu Zhaoming , Tan Haibo , Chen Yuchan , Li Saini , Li Haohua , Zhu Shuang , Liu Hongxin , Zhang Weimin
Published: January 2020

Phomeroids A (1) and B (2), two novel meroterpenoids representing two types of skeletons, together with one known homologous analogue (3) were isolated from the deep-sea-derived fungus Phomopsis tersa FS441.
Modulation of the doping level of PEDOT:PSS film by treatment with hydrazine to improve the Seebeck coefficient
Authors: Yemata Temesgen Atnafu , Zheng Yun , Kyaw Aung Ko Ko , Wang Xizu , Song Jing , Chin Wee Shong , Xu Jianwei
Published: January 2020

This paper reported the modulation of the doping level of PEDOT:PSS with hydrazine to remarkably improve its Seebeck coefficient.
SGLT inhibitors as antidiabetic agents: a comprehensive review
Authors: Kshirsagar Rahul P. , Kulkarni Abhishek A. , Chouthe Rashmi S. , Pathan Shahebaaz K. , Une Hemant D. , Reddy G. Bhanuprakash , Diwan Prakash V. , Ansari Siddique Akber , Sangshetti Jaiprakash N.
Published: January 2020

Diabetes is one of the most common disorders that substantially contributes to an increase in global health burden.
Correction: Visible-light photocatalytic performance, recovery and degradation mechanism of ternary magnetic Fe3O4/BiOBr/BiOI composite
Authors: Li Jianhui , Yang Fan , Zhou Quan , Wu Lijie , Li Wenying , Ren Ruipeng , Lv Yongkang
Published: January 2020

Correction for ‘Visible-light photocatalytic performance, recovery and degradation mechanism of ternary magnetic Fe3O4/BiOBr/BiOI composite’ by Jianhui Li et al., RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 23545–23553.
Enhanced power performance of an in situ sediment microbial fuel cell with steel-slag as the redox catalyst: I. electricity generation
Authors: Kim Kyeongmin , Nakashita Shinya , Hibino Tadashi
Published: January 2020

Steel-slag was added as a catalyst to sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) in an in situ sediment biodegradation experiment to determine the benefits to long-term power production of the cells and to elucidate the external factors affecting power production.