bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in the balance between formal and informal care supply in England between 2001 and 2011: evidence from census data
Authors: Zigante Valentina , Fernandez Jose-Luis , Mazzotta Fernanda
Published: July 2020

Informal care plays a crucial role in the social care system in England and is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of future sustainability of the long-term care (LTC) system. This paper explores the variation in informal care provision over time, and in particular, whether the considerable reduction in publicly-funded formal LTC after 2008 had an impact on the provision of informal care. We used small area data from the 2001 and 2011 English censuses to measure the prevalence and intensity (i.e. the number of hours of informal care provided) of informal care in the population. We controlled for changes in age structure, health, deprivation, income, employment and education. The effects of the change in formal social care provision on informal care were analysed through instrumental variable models to account for the well-known endogeneity. We found that informal care provision had increased over the period, particularly among high-intensity carers (20+ hours per week). We also found that the reduction in publicly-funded formal care provision was associated with significant increases in high-intensity (20+ hours per week) informal care provision, suggesting a substitutive relationship between formal and informal care of that intensity in the English system.
A BRIDGE BETWEEN Q-WORLDS
Authors: DÖRING ANDREAS , EVA BENJAMIN , OZAWA MASANAO
Published: July 2020

Quantum set theory (QST) and topos quantum theory (TQT) are two long running projects in the mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics (QM) that share a great deal of conceptual and technical affinity. Most pertinently, both approaches attempt to resolve some of the conceptual difficulties surrounding QM by reformulating parts of the theory inside of nonclassical mathematical universes, albeit with very different internal logics. We call such mathematical universes, together with those mathematical and logical structures within them that are pertinent to the physical interpretation, ‘Q-worlds’. Here, we provide a unifying framework that allows us to (i) better understand the relationship between different Q-worlds, and (ii) define a general method for transferring concepts and results between TQT and QST, thereby significantly increasing the expressive power of both approaches. Along the way, we develop a novel connection to paraconsistent logic and introduce a new class of structures that have significant implications for recent work on paraconsistent set theory.
DEPENDENT CHOICE, PROPERNESS, AND GENERIC ABSOLUTENESS
Authors: ASPERÓ DAVID , KARAGILA ASAF
Published: July 2020

We show that Dependent Choice is a sufficient choice principle for developing the basic theory of proper forcing, and for deriving generic absoluteness for the Chang model in the presence of large cardinals, even with respect to
$\mathsf {DC}$
-preserving symmetric submodels of forcing extensions. Hence,
$\mathsf {ZF}+\mathsf {DC}$
not only provides the right framework for developing classical analysis, but is also the right base theory over which to safeguard truth in analysis from the independence phenomenon in the presence of large cardinals. We also investigate some basic consequences of the Proper Forcing Axiom in
$\mathsf {ZF}$
, and formulate a natural question about the generic absoluteness of the Proper Forcing Axiom in
$\mathsf {ZF}+\mathsf {DC}$
and
$\mathsf {ZFC}$
. Our results confirm
$\mathsf {ZF} + \mathsf {DC}$
as a natural foundation for a significant portion of “classical mathematics” and provide support to the idea of this theory being also a natural foundation for a large part of set theory.
Autismus-Spektrum-Symptome bei Kindern mit Geburtsblindheit
Authors: Pankert Kilian , Pankert Azarakhsh , Lotter Leon David , Herpertz-Dahlmann Beate , Konrad Kerstin
Published: July 2020

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Kinder mit Beeinträchtigungen des Sehens (BS) zeigten in einigen Untersuchungen autismusähnliche Verhaltensweisen. Die Anwendung vorhandener diagnostischer Screening-Instrumente für Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen (ASS) ist problematisch, da diese in der Regel ein intaktes Sehvermögen voraussetzen. Ziel dieser explorativen Studie war es, die prinzipielle Anwendbarkeit von drei ASS-Screening-Fragebögen bei Kindern mit Geburtsblindheit zu überprüfen. Methodik: 15 Kinder mit Geburtsblindheit, 15 Kinder mit ASS (ohne BS) und 20 Kontrollprobandinnen und –probanden wurden mittels des „Fragebogens zur Sozialen Kommunikation“ (FSK), der „Marburger Beurteilungsskala zum Asperger-Syndrom“ (MBAS) und der „Social Responsiveness Scale“ (SRS) untersucht. Ergebnisse: Items, die motorische oder mimisch-gestische Auffälligkeiten und geteilte Aufmerksamkeit erfassten, wurden bei Kindern mit Geburtsblindheit häufig als auffällig beschrieben. Insgesamt zeigten diese Kinder in den ASS-Screening-Instrumenten höhere Werte als Kontrollpersonen, aber meist niedrigere Werte als sehende Kinder mit ASS. Je nach Fragebogen erreichten zwischen 23 und 67 % der Stichprobe mit Geburtsblindheit den klinischen Cut-Off-Wert für ASS. In dieser Gruppe korrelierte der SRS-Gesamtwert negativ mit der kognitiven Empathie und der verbalen Intelligenz. Schlussfolgerungen: Mütter von Kindern mit BS beschreiben in ASS-Screening-Instrumenten vermehrt ASS-Symptome. Dies könnte auf einer ausgeprägten Symptomüberschneidung von ASS und Blindheit beruhen. ASS-Screeningverfahren sollten zukünftig an die spezifischen Besonderheiten von Personen mit beeinträchtigten visuellen Fähigkeiten angepasst und mit Gold-Standard-Methoden validiert werden.
Lay Theories of Heroism and Leadership
Authors: Hoyt Crystal L. , Allison Scott T. , Barnowski Agatha , Sultan Aliya
Published: July 2020

Abstract. Whereas leadership is generally perceived as a masculine enterprise, heroism research suggests that people view heroes as similarly masculine, but having more feminine traits. We predicted that heroes will be evaluated higher than leaders in communion but not differ in agency. In Study 1, heroes were perceived to have higher communion and similarly high agency as leaders. In Studies 2 and 3, we replicated these trait ratings focusing on perceptions of typical heroes/leaders (S2) and personal heroes/leaders (S3). In Study 4, we showed that the greater level of communion associated with heroes is independent of their gender. In Study 5, using an implicit association test, we showed there is a stronger implicit association of communion with heroes than leaders.
Increased Fractured Rock Permeability After Percolation Despite Limited Crack Growth
Authors: Renshaw Carl E. , Schulson Erland M. , Iliescu Daniel , Murdza Andrii
Published: July 2020

Fractured rock permeability can increase by crack extension that creates additional flow pathways or by increases in crack openings that increase crack transmissivity. Understanding the partitioning between these two mechanisms during rock deformation is critical for conceptual models of fluid flow and transport in crystalline rocks and sedimentary layers with low matrix permeability and for the hydromechanics of crustal rocks. Using ice as a model for rock, new systematic experiments reveal that when subject to uniaxial loading at a constant strain rate, crack density remains nearly constant after the onset of percolation even while permeability increases, indicating that after the onset of percolation the increase in permeability is primarily due to the opening of existing cracks rather than the extension of cracks. These observations have implications for conceptual models of fractured rock permeability that often focus on the evolution of permeability with changing fracture density rather than changing fracture transmissivity and for attempts to link fractured rock permeability to seismic properties that often dominantly consider changes in crack density rather than crack apertures.
Geomagnetic Storm‐Induced Plasma Density Enhancements in the Southern Polar Ionospheric Region: A Comparative Study Using St. Patrick's Day Storms of 2013 and 2015
Authors: Shreedevi P. R. , Choudhary R. K. , Thampi Smitha V. , Yadav Sneha , Pant T. K. , Yu Yiqun , McGranaghan Ryan , Thomas Evan G. , Bhardwaj Anil , Sinha A. K.
Published: July 2020

The occurrence of St. Patrick's Day (17 March) geomagnetic storms during two different years (2013 and 2015) with similar solar flux levels but varying storm intensity provided an opportunity to compare and contrast the responses of the ionosphere‐thermosphere (IT) system to different levels of geomagnetic activity. The evolution of positive ionospheric storms at the southern polar stations Bharati (76.6°S MLAT) and Davis (76.2°S MLAT) and its causative connection to the solar wind driving mechanisms during these storms has been investigated in this paper. During the main phase of both the storms, significant enhancements in TEC and phase scintillation were observed in the magnetic noon/ midnight period at Bharati and Davis. The TEC in the midnight sector on 17 March 2015 was significantly higher compared to that on 17 March 2013, in line with the storm intensity. The TEC enhancements during both the storm events are associated with the formation of the storm‐enhanced densities (SEDs)/tongue of ionization (TOI). The strong and sustained magnetopause erosion led to the prevalence of stronger storm time electric fields (prompt penetration electric field (PPEF)/subauroral polarization streams (SAPS)) for long duration on 17 March 2015. This combined with the action of neutral winds at midlatitudes favored the formation of higher plasma densities in the regions of SED formation on this day. The same was weaker during the 17 March 2013 storm due to the fast fluctuating nature of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz. This study shows that the duration and extent of magnetopause erosion play an important role in the spatiotemporal evolution of the plasma density distribution in the high‐midlatitude ionosphere.
Changes in Antarctic Bottom Water Formation During Interglacial Periods
Authors: Glasscock S. K. , Hayes C. T. , Redmond N. , Rohde E.
Published: July 2020

In the modern Southern Ocean and during the last interglacial period, Marine Isotope Stage 5e, there are observations that point to reduced Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) formation. These reductions are believed to be driven by an increase in the strength of the Southern Ocean density stratification due to Antarctic ice melt‐induced surface water freshening. Any reduction in AABW formation has important implications for global climate as AABW plays a vital role in the cycling of carbon in the world's ocean. The primary question this study seeks to answer is do these AABW reductions occur during any of the other interglacials of the past 470,000 years? To study AABW changes in the paleoceanographic record, we look at changes in the redox record. Newly formed AABW is oxygen‐rich, so any reduction should lead to a decrease in oxygen concentrations in the deep Southern Ocean. The trace element uranium is useful for studying these redox changes as it is enriched in marine sediments under low‐oxygen conditions. When accounting for other factors, such as paleoproductivity, that can also decrease the oxygen concentrations in sedimentary porewater, it is possible to identify changes in AABW using authigenic uranium. The survey conducted by this study found a possible AABW reduction during late Marine Isotope Stage 11 (~397 ka). The cause of this event is less clear than others studied, and we explore the possibilities of ice melt‐induced freshening or a change in the position or strength of the Southern Hemisphere westerly winds.
Paleomagnetism of the Late Cretaceous Red Beds From the Far Western Lhasa Terrane: Inclination Discrepancy and Tectonic Implications
Authors: Bian Weiwei , Yang Tianshui , Jiang Zelei , Jin Jingjie , Gao Feng , Wang Suo , Peng Wenxiao , Zhang Shihong , Wu Huaichun , Li Haiyan , Cao Liwan , Deng Chenglong
Published: July 2020

The precollisional locations and geometries of the Lhasa terrane (LT) are critical to constrain the India‐Asia collision. However, the inclinations of the Cretaceous paleomagnetic data obtained from the northern limb of folds are obviously lower than those obtained from the southern limb, which cause large discrepant paleolatitudes of the LT prior to India‐Asia collision. Here, we carried out a new paleomagnetic investigation on the Late Cretaceous Jingzhushan Formation red beds in the far western LT. The tilt‐corrected site mean direction yielded a palaeopole at 74.4°N, 226.0°E with A95 = 3.8° (N = 54). This paleomagnetic data set passes fold tests and indicates that the studied area was located at 19.6° ± 3.8°N during the Late Cretaceous. However, the mean inclination calculated from the northern limb of folds (Is = 19.0°) is significantly lower than that of the southern limb of folds (Is = 51.8°). This inclination discrepancy of the Jingzhushan Formation red beds may be attributed to the syntectonic sedimentation. Nevertheless, the site mean direction obtained from both limbs of folds is generally consistent with the site mean direction after syntectonic‐sedimentation correction. Our new paleomagnetic results, combined with the reliable Cretaceous paleomagnetic results from the LT showed that the southern margin of Asia had a present‐day relatively east‐west alignment prior to India‐Asia collision.
Pathomechanisms in schwannoma development and progression
Authors: Helbing Dario-Lucas , Schulz Alexander , Morrison Helen
Published: July 2020

Schwannomas are tumors of the peripheral nervous system, consisting of different cell types. These include tumorigenic Schwann cells, axons, macrophages, T cells, fibroblasts, blood vessels, and an extracellular matrix. All cell types involved constitute an intricate “tumor microenvironment” and play relevant roles in the development and progression of schwannomas. Although Nf2 tumor suppressor gene-deficient Schwann cells are the primary tumorigenic element and principle focus of current research efforts, evidence is accumulating regarding the contributory roles of other cell types in schwannoma pathology. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of intra- and intercellular mechanisms contributing to schwannoma formation.

“Genes load the gun, environment pulls the trigger.”

-George A. Bray
Histoepigenetic analysis of the mesothelin network within pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells reveals regulation of retinoic acid receptor gamma and AKT by mesothelin
Authors: Lurie Eugene , Liu Dongliang , LaPlante Emily L. , Thistlethwaite Lillian R. , Yao Qizhi , Milosavljevic Aleksandar
Published: July 2020

To enable computational analysis of regulatory networks within the cancer cell in its natural tumor microenvironment, we develop a two-stage histoepigenetic analysis method. The first stage involves iterative computational deconvolution to estimate sample-specific cancer-cell intrinsic expression of a gene of interest. The second stage places the gene within a network module. We validate the method in simulation experiments, show improved performance relative to differential expression analysis from bulk samples, and apply it to illuminate the role of the mesothelin (MSLN) network in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The network analysis and subsequent experimental validation in a panel of PDAC cell lines suggests AKT activation by MSLN through two known activators, retinoic acid receptor gamma (RARG) and tyrosine kinase non receptor 2 (TNK2). Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential of histoepigenetic analysis to reveal cancer-cell specific molecular interactions directly from patient tumor profiles.
Fewer tumour-specific PD-1+CD8+ TILs in high-risk “Infiltrating” HPV− HNSCC
Authors: Xu Ke , Fu You , Han Yong , Xia Ronghui , Xu Shengming , Duan Shengzhong , Zhang Zhiyuan , Li Jiang
Published: July 2020

Background

The prognosis of HPV-HNSCC was worse than that of HPV+HNSCC. Analysis of tumours and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) may provide insight into the progression of HPV−HNSCC.

Methods

The tumour and TIL phenotypic characteristics of 134 HNSCC specimens (HPV−tumours were classified into “Infiltrating” and “Pushing” subtypes based on their different tumour nest configuration and prognosis) were retrospectively analysed. HNSCC data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (n = 263) were analysed for CD8α, HPV and overall survival (OS). A murine HNSCC model was used to verify the antitumour role of PD-1+CD8+TILs.

Results

The “Infiltrating” HPV−subtype showed shorter OS than the “Pushing” subtype. Moreover, there is a tendency from “Pushing” to “Infiltrating” subtype from the primary to the recurrent lesion. Different from total CD8+TILs, tumour-specific PD-1+CD8+TILs were fewer in invasive margin (IM) of “Infiltrating” HPV−tumours. PD-1+CD8+TILs recognised autologous HNSCC cells and showed stronger inhibition of tumour growth in a murine HNSCC model resistant to PD-1 blockade.

Conclusions

Coevolution of HPV−HNSCC and TILs is characterised by an “Infiltrating” phenotype and less tumour-specific PD-1+CD8+TILs, which may provide a framework for further translational studies and patient stratification.
Quantum simulations of materials on near-term quantum computers
Authors: Ma He , Govoni Marco , Galli Giulia
Published: July 2020

Quantum computers hold promise to enable efficient simulations of the properties of molecules and materials; however, at present they only permit ab initio calculations of a few atoms, due to a limited number of qubits. In order to harness the power of near-term quantum computers for simulations of larger systems, it is desirable to develop hybrid quantum-classical methods where the quantum computation is restricted to a small portion of the system. This is of particular relevance for molecules and solids where an active region requires a higher level of theoretical accuracy than its environment. Here, we present a quantum embedding theory for the calculation of strongly-correlated electronic states of active regions, with the rest of the system described within density functional theory. We demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the approach by investigating several defect quantum bits in semiconductors that are of great interest for quantum information technologies. We perform calculations on quantum computers and show that they yield results in agreement with those obtained with exact diagonalization on classical architectures, paving the way to simulations of realistic materials on near-term quantum computers.
metPropagate: network-guided propagation of metabolomic information for prioritization of metabolic disease genes
Authors: Graham Linck Emma J. , Richmond Phillip A. , Tarailo-Graovac Maja , Engelke Udo , Kluijtmans Leo A. J. , Coene Karlien L. M. , Wevers Ron A. , Wasserman Wyeth , van Karnebeek Clara D. M. , Mostafavi Sara
Published: July 2020

Many inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are amenable to treatment, therefore early diagnosis is imperative. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) variant prioritization coupled with phenotype-guided clinical and bioinformatics expertise is typically used to identify disease-causing variants; however, it can be challenging to identify the causal candidate gene when a large number of rare and potentially pathogenic variants are detected. Here, we present a network-based approach, metPropagate, that uses untargeted metabolomics (UM) data from a single patient and a group of controls to prioritize candidate genes in patients with suspected IEMs. We validate metPropagate on 107 patients with IEMs diagnosed in Miller et al. (2015) and 11 patients with both CNS and metabolic abnormalities. The metPropagate method ranks candidate genes by label propagation, a graph-smoothing algorithm that considers each gene’s metabolic perturbation in addition to the network of interactions between neighbors. metPropagate was able to prioritize at least one causative gene in the top 20th percentile of candidate genes for 92% of patients with known IEMs. Applied to patients with suspected neurometabolic disease, metPropagate placed at least one causative gene in the top 20th percentile in 9/11 patients, and ranked the causative gene more highly than Exomiser’s phenotype-based ranking in 6/11 patients. Interestingly, ranking by a weighted combination of metPropagate and Exomiser scores resulted in improved prioritization. The results of this study indicate that network-based analysis of UM data can provide an additional mode of evidence to prioritize causal genes in patients with suspected IEMs.
A novel pathogenic missense ADAMTS17 variant that impairs secretion causes Weill-Marchesani Syndrome with variably dysmorphic hand features
Authors: Evans Daniel R. , Green Jane S. , Fahiminiya Somayyeh , Majewski Jacek , Fernandez Bridget A. , Deardorff Matthew A. , Johnson Gordon J. , Whelan James H. , Hubmacher Dirk , Apte Suneel S. ,   Care4Rare Canada Consortium, Boycott Kym , Bulman Dennis , Dyment David , McKenzie Alex , Brudno Michael , Woods Michael O.
Published: July 2020

Weill-Marchesani syndrome (WMS) is a rare disorder displaying short stature, brachydactyly and joint stiffness, and ocular features including microspherophakia and ectopia lentis. Brachydactyly and joint stiffness appear less commonly in patients with WMS4 caused by pathogenic ADAMTS17 variants. Here, we investigated a large family with WMS from Newfoundland, Canada. These patients displayed core WMS features, but with proportionate hands that were clinically equivocal for brachydactyly. Whole exome sequencing and autozygosity mapping unveiled a novel pathogenic missense ADAMTS17 variant (c.3068 G > A, p.C1023Y). Sanger sequencing demonstrated variant co-segregation with WMS, and absence in 150 population matched controls. Given ADAMTS17 involvement, we performed deep phenotyping of the patients’ hands. Anthropometrics applied to hand roentgenograms showed that metacarpophalangeal measurements of affected patients were smaller than expected for their age and sex, and when compared to their unaffected sibling. Furthermore, we found a possible sub-clinical phenotype involving markedly shortened metacarpophalangeal bones with intrafamilial variability. Transfection of the variant ADAMTS17 into HEK293T cells revealed significantly reduced secretion into the extracellular medium compared to wild-type. This work expands understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of ADAMTS17, clarifies the variable hand phenotype, and underscores a role for anthropometrics in characterizing sub-clinical brachydactyly in these patients.
PPARα activation directly upregulates thrombomodulin in the diabetic retina
Authors: Shiono Akira , Sasaki Hiroki , Sekine Reio , Abe Yohei , Matsumura Yoshihiro , Inagaki Takeshi , Tanaka Toshiya , Kodama Tatsuhiko , Aburatani Hiroyuki , Sakai Juro , Takagi Hitoshi
Published: July 2020

Two large clinical studies showed that fenofibrate, a commonly used peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonist, has protective effects against diabetic retinopathy. However, the underlying mechanism has not been clarified. We performed genome-wide analyses of gene expression and PPARα binding sites in vascular endothelial cells treated with the selective PPARα modulator pemafibrate and identified 221 target genes of PPARα including THBD, which encodes thrombomodulin (TM). ChIP-qPCR and luciferase reporter analyses showed that PPARα directly regulated THBD expression via binding to the promoter. In the rat diabetic retina, treatment with pemafibrate inhibited the expression of inflammatory molecules such as VCAM-1 and MCP1, and these effects were attenuated by intravitreal injection of small interfering RNA targeted to THBD. Furthermore, pemafibrate treatment inhibited diabetes-induced vascular leukostasis and leakage through the upregulation of THBD. Our results indicate that PPARα activation inhibits inflammatory and vasopermeable responses in the diabetic retina through the upregulation of TM.
Accurately predicting electron beam deflections in fringing fields of a solenoid
Authors: Baumgärtel Christof , Smith Ray T. , Maher Simon
Published: July 2020

Computer modelling is widely used in the design of scientific instrumentation for manipulating charged particles, for instance: to evaluate the behaviour of proposed designs, to determine the effects of manufacturing imperfections and to optimise the performance of apparatus. For solenoids, to predict charged particle trajectories, accurate values for the magnetic field through which charged species traverse are required, particularly at the end regions where fringe fields are most prevalent. In this paper, we describe a model that accurately predicts the deflection of an electron beam trajectory in the vicinity of the fringing field of a solenoid. The approach produces accurate beam deflection predictions in the fringe field region as well as in the centre of the solenoid. The model is based on a direct-line-of-action force between charges and is compared against field-based approaches including a commercially available package, with experimental verification (for three distinct cases). The direct-action model is shown to be more accurate than the other models relative to the experimental results obtained.
General method for classification of fiber families in fiber-reinforced materials: application to in-vivo human skin images
Authors: Witte Maximilian , Jaspers Sören , Wenck Horst , Rübhausen Michael , Fischer Frank
Published: July 2020

Fiber structures play a major role for the function of fiber-reinforced materials such as biological tissue. An objective classification of the fiber orientations into fiber families is crucial to understand its mechanical properties. We introduce the Fiber Image Network Evaluation Algorithm (FINE algorithm) to classify and quantify the number of fiber families in scientific images. Each fiber family is characterized by an amplitude, a mean orientation, and a dispersion. A new alignment index giving the averaged fraction of aligned fibers is defined. The FINE algorithm is validated by realistic grayscale Monte-Carlo fiber images. We apply the algorithm to an in-vivo depth scan of second harmonic generation images of dermal collagen in human skin. The derived alignment index exhibits a crossover at a critical depth where two fiber families with a perpendicular orientation around the main tension line arise. This strongly suggests the presence of a transition from the papillary to the reticular dermis. Hence, the FINE algorithm provides a valuable tool for a reliable classification and a meaningful interpretation of in-vivo collagen fiber networks and general fiber reinforced materials.
Genomics and transcriptomics analysis reveals the mechanism of isobutanol tolerance of a laboratory evolved Lactococcus lactis strain
Authors: Gupta Jaya A. , Thapa Sagar , Verma Madhulika , Som Ritu , Mukherjee Krishna Jyoti
Published: July 2020

Isobutanol, in spite of its significant superiority over ethanol as a biofuel, remains commercially non-viable due to the non-availability of a suitable chassis which can handle the solvent toxicity associated with its production. To meet this challenge, we chose Lactococcus lactis which is known for its ability to handle environmental stress and carried out Adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) to evolve an isobutanol tolerant strain. The strain was grown for more than 60 days (> 250 generations) while gradually increasing the selection pressure, i.e. isobutanol concentration, in the feed. This led to the evolution of a strain that had an exceptionally high tolerance of up to 40 g/l of isobutanol even though a scanning electron microscope (SEM) study as well as analysis of membrane potential revealed only minor changes in cellular morphology. Whole genome sequencing which was done to confirm the strain integrity also showed comparatively few mutations in the evolved strain. However, the criticality of these mutations was reflected in major changes that occurred in the transcriptome, where gene expression levels from a wide range of categories that involved membrane transport, amino acid metabolism, sugar uptake and cell wall synthesis were significantly altered. Analysing the synergistic effect of these changes that lead to the complex phenotype of isobutanol tolerance can help in the construction of better host platforms for isobutanol production.
Extremely preterm children exhibit altered cortical thickness in language areas
Authors: Barnes-Davis Maria E. , Williamson Brady J. , Merhar Stephanie L. , Holland Scott K. , Kadis Darren S.
Published: July 2020

Children born extremely preterm (< 28 weeks gestation, EPT) are at increased risk for language and other neurocognitive deficits compared to term controls (TC). Prior studies have reported both increases and decreases in cortical thickness in EPT across the cerebrum. These studies have not formally normalized for intracranial volume (ICV), which is especially important as EPT children often have smaller stature, head size, and ICV. We previously reported increased interhemispheric functional and structural connectivity in a well-controlled group of school-aged EPT children with no known brain injury or neurological deficits. Functional and structural hyperconnectivity between left and right temporoparietal regions was positively related with language scores in EPT, which may be reflected in measures of cortical thickness. To characterize possible language network cortical thickness effects, 15 EPT children and 15 TC underwent standardized assessments of language and structural magnetic resonance imaging at 4 to 6 years of age. Images were subjected to volumetric and cortical thickness analyses using FreeSurfer. Whole-brain analyses of cortical thickness were conducted both with and without normalization by ICV. Non-normalized results showed thinner temporal cortex for EPT, while ICV-normalized results showed thicker cortical regions in the right temporal lobe (FDRq = 0.05). Only ICV-normalized results were significantly related to language scores, with right temporal cortical thickness being positively correlated with performance.
Unveiling antimicrobial and anticancerous behavior of AuNPs and AgNPs moderated by rhizome extracts of Curcuma longa from diverse altitudes of Himalaya
Authors: Sharma Mamta , Monika  , Thakur Pankaj , Saini Reena V. , Kumar Rajesh , Torino Enza
Published: July 2020

Conservative remedies have a gray history worldwide and these provide productive and pertinent tools to tackle ailments. Also, the high altitude areas of Indian Himalayas with their wealthy biodiversity anchorage around 2000 plant species. Ensuing study demonstrates the synthesis of Silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) and utilizes one of the medicaments Curcuma longa of Indian Himalayas collected from different altitudes. For the same, turmeric rhizome extracts have been prepared from the aforesaid medicament and its anticancer activity and antimicrobial potential have been evaluated. Formation of Ag and Au nanoparticles was realized via UV–Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope (TEM) confirmed size of the NPs. Antibacterial activity has been checked against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. The anticancer prospective has been observed against A549 and PC3 cell lines of both Au and Ag NPs and the cytotoxicity on PC3 and A549 cell lines was assessed using MTT assay. Results revealed higher amount of biochemicals, antibacterial and anticancer activity in Ag and Au NPs synthesized from rhizome extract collected from highest altitude. For the first time impact of altitudinal variations on phytochemicals and nanoparticles has been reported which have significant effect on its antimicrobial and anticancerous activity.
Kinetic study of removal heavy metal from aqueous solution using the synthetic aluminum silicate
Authors: Treto-Suárez Manuel Alejandro , Prieto-García Julio Omar , Mollineda-Trujillo Ángel , Lamazares Emilio , Hidalgo-Rosa Yoan , Mena-Ulecia Karel
Published: July 2020

One of the problems that most affect humanity today is the wastewater discharge into different water bodies. It was estimated that more than 7 million tons of wastewater are generated worldwide and are discharged into rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Among the most dangerous wastewaters are those from inorganic chemistry research laboratories, mainly due to heavy metals. These problems have become a highly relevant topic, and numerous researchers have tried to design wastewater treatment systems that will deal more efficiently with heavy metals elimination. In this work, the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of hydrated aluminium silicate were performed as alternative wastewater treatment from chemistry research and teaching laboratories. The compound obtained was $$Al_2O_33SiO_2H_2O$$Al2O33SiO2H2O, which was characterized by the determination of its physicochemical properties. These revealed a low density, very porous material, with low crystallinity, strong chemical resistance, a large surface area, and a high apparent ionic exchange capacity. Absorption kinetics studies of heavy metals in aqueous solutions, through more widespread models, have demonstrated that $$Al_2O_33SiO_2H_2O$$Al2O33SiO2H2O has excellent properties as absorbents of this material. The amorphous hydrated aluminium silicate achieves a decrease in the concentration of all the metal ions studied, reducing them to discharge levels permissible.
Potential for sub-mm long erbium-doped composite silicon waveguide DFB lasers
Authors: Tu Zhengrui , Zhang Jianhao , Rönn John , Alonso-Ramos Carlos , Leroux Xavier , Vivien Laurent , Sun Zhipei , Cassan Éric
Published: July 2020

Compact silicon integrated lasers are of significant interest for various applications. We present a detailed investigation for realizing sub-mm long on-chip laser structures operating at λ = 1.533 µm on the silicon-on-insulator photonic platform by combining a multi-segment silicon waveguide structure and a recently demonstrated erbium-doped thin film deposition technology. Quarter-wave shifted distributed feedback structures (QWS-DFB) are designed and a detailed calculation of the lasing threshold conditions is quantitatively estimated and discussed. The results indicate that the requirements for efficient lasing can be obtained in various combinations of the designed waveguide DFB structures. Overall, the study proposes a path to the realization of compact (< 500 µm) on-chip lasers operating in the C-band through the hybrid integration of erbium-doped aluminum oxide processed by atomic layer deposition in the silicon photonic platform and operating under optical pumping powers of few mW at 1,470 nm.
In vitro antioxidant activity of Ficus carica L. latex from 18 different cultivars
Authors: Shahinuzzaman M. , Yaakob Zahira , Anuar Farah Hannan , Akhtar Parul , Kadir N. H. A. , Hasan A. K. Mahmud , Sobayel K. , Nour Majid , Sindi Hatem , Amin Nowshad , Sopian K. , Akhtaruzzaman Md.
Published: July 2020

As synthetic antioxidants that are widely used in foods are known to cause detrimental health effects, studies on natural additives as potential antioxidants are becoming increasingly important. In this work, the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of Ficus carica Linn latex from 18 cultivars were investigated. The TPC of latex was calculated using the Folin–Ciocalteu assay. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were used for antioxidant activity assessment. The bioactive compounds from F. carica latex were extracted via maceration and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with 75% ethanol as solvent. Under the same extraction conditions, the latex of cultivar ‘White Genoa’ showed the highest antioxidant activity of 65.91% ± 1.73% and 61.07% ± 1.65% in DPPH, 98.96% ± 1.06% and 83.04% ± 2.16% in ABTS, and 27.08 ± 0.34 and 24.94 ± 0.84 mg TE/g latex in FRAP assay via maceration and UAE, respectively. The TPC of ‘White Genoa’ was 315.26 ± 6.14 and 298.52 ± 9.20 µg GAE/mL via the two extraction methods, respectively. The overall results of this work showed that F. carica latex is a potential natural source of antioxidants. This finding is useful for further advancements in the fields of food supplements, food additives and drug synthesis in the future.
Hysteresis in the underdamped three-layer model
Authors: Jia Li-Ping , Tekić Jasmina
Published: July 2020

The hysteretic phenomena were investigated in the three-layer model consisting of a chain of harmonically interacting atoms confined between two rigid periodical substrate potentials, where the top substrate was driven by a external force. The pinning to running and the running-to pinning transitions were examined as the driving force was varied and the influence of the equilibrium spacing and strength of the interaction of the particles in the middle layer on the static and kinetic friction force analyzed in detail. The parameter space in which the friction forces could reach their maxima or minima was determined. These results could be interesting for the selection of lubricant materials and minimization of energy loss in tribology.
Elongating maize root: zone-specific combinations of polysaccharides from type I and type II primary cell walls
Authors: Kozlova Liudmila V. , Nazipova Alsu R. , Gorshkov Oleg V. , Petrova Anna A. , Gorshkova Tatyana A.
Published: July 2020

The dynamics of cell wall polysaccharides may modulate the cell wall mechanics and thus control the expansion growth of plant cells. The unique composition of type II primary cell wall characteristic of grasses suggests that they employ specific mechanisms for cell enlargement. We characterized the transcriptomes in five zones along maize root, clustered the expression of genes for numerous glycosyltransferases and performed extensive immunohistochemical analysis to relate the changes in cell wall polysaccharides to critical stages of cell development in Poaceae. Specific patterns of cell wall formation differentiate the initiation, realization and cessation of elongation growth. Cell walls of meristem and early elongation zone represent a mixture of type I and type II specific polysaccharides. Xyloglucans and homogalacturonans are synthesized there actively together with mixed-linkage glucans and glucuronoarabinoxylans. Rhamnogalacturonans-I with the side-chains of branched 1,4-galactan and arabinan persisted in cell walls throughout the development. Thus, the machinery to generate the type I primary cell wall constituents is completely established and operates. The expression of glycosyltransferases responsible for mixed-linkage glucan and glucuronoarabinoxylan synthesis peaks at active or late elongation. These findings widen the number of jigsaw pieces which should be put together to solve the puzzle of grass cell growth.
Incremental substitution of Ni with Mn in NiFe2O4 to largely enhance its supercapacitance properties
Authors: Sharifi Samira , Yazdani Ahmad , Rahimi Kourosh
Published: July 2020

By using a facile hydrothermal method, we synthesized Ni1−xMnxFe2O4nanoparticles as supercapacitor electrode materials and studied how the incremental substitution of Ni with Mn would affect their structural, electronic, and electrochemical properties. X-ray diffractometry confirmed the single-phase spinel structure of the nanoparticles. Raman spectroscopy showed the conversion of the inverse structure of NiFe2O4to the almost normal structure of MnFe2O4. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy showed the spherical shape of the obtained nanoparticles with a size in the range of 20–30 nm. Optical bandgaps were found to decrease as the content of Mn increased. Electrochemical characterizations of the samples indicated the excellent performance and the desirable cycling stability of the prepared nanoparticles for supercapacitors. In particular, the specific capacitance of the prepared Ni1−xMnxFe2O4nanoparticles was found to increase as the content of Mn increased, reaching the highest specific capacitance of 1,221 F/g for MnFe2O4nanoparticles at the current density of 0.5 A/g with the corresponding power density of 473.96 W/kg and the energy density of 88.16 Wh/kg. We also demonstrated the real-world application of the prepared MnFe2O4nanoparticles. We performed also a DFT study to verify the changes in the geometrical and electronic properties that could affect the electrochemical performance.
Efficient NH3-based process to remove chlorine from electron beam deposited ruthenium produced from (η3-C3H5)Ru(CO)3Cl
Authors: Rohdenburg Markus , Boeckers Hannah , Brewer Christopher R. , McElwee-White Lisa , Swiderek Petra
Published: July 2020

The fabrication of Ru nanostructures by focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID) requires suitable precursor molecules and processes to obtain the pure metal. So far this is problematic because established organometallic Ru precursors contain large organic ligands, such as cyclopentadienyl anions, that tend to become embedded in the deposit during the FEBID process. Recently, (η3-C3H5)Ru(CO)3X (X = Cl, Br) has been proposed as an alternative precursor because CO can easily desorb under electron exposure. However, allyl and Cl ligands remain behind after electron irradiation and the removal of the halide requires extensive electron exposures. Auger electron spectroscopy is applied to demonstrate a postdeposition purification process in which NH3 is used as a reactant that enhances the removal of Cl from deposits formed by electron irradiation of thin condensed layers of (η3-C3H5)Ru(CO)3Cl. The loss of CO from the precursor during electron-induced decomposition enables a reaction between NH3 and the Cl ligands that produces HCl. The combined use of electron-stimulated desorption experiments and thermal desorption spectrometry further reveals that thermal reactions contribute to the loss of CO in the FEBID process but remove only minor amounts of the allyl and Cl ligands.
Dual frequency sound absorption with an array of shunt loudspeakers
Authors: Zhang Pengju , Cong Chaonan , Tao Jiancheng , Qiu Xiaojun
Published: July 2020

Transformer noise is dominated by low frequency components, which are hard to be controlled with traditional noise control approaches. The shunt loudspeaker consisting of a closed-box loudspeaker and a shunt circuit has been proposed as an effective sound absorber by storing and dissipating the electrical energy converted from the incident sound. In this paper, an array of shunt loudspeakers is proposed to control the 100 Hz and 200 Hz components of transformer noise. The prototype under tests has a thickness of 11.8 cm, which is only 1/28 of the wavelength of 100 Hz. The sound absorption performance of the array under random incidence is analyzed with the parallel impedance method, and the arrangement of array elements is optimized. The test results in a reverberation room show that the proposed array has sound absorption coefficients of 1.04 and 0.93 at 100 Hz and 200 Hz, respectively, which provides potential of applying this type of thin absorbers for low-frequency sound control.
Radiobiological shot noise explains Three Mile Island biodosimetry indicating nearly 1,000 mSv exposures
Authors: Datesman Aaron M.
Published: July 2020

The 1979 accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power station in Pennsylvania released about 22 million Curies of xenon-133 into the environment. Because physical dosimetry indicated exposures to the nearby population of less than about 2 mSv, discernible impacts to the health of the exposed population are not generally believed to have resulted. However, there is contrary evidence, including especially the results of biodosimetry via cytogenetic analysis using the FISH method. This report examines the discrepancy between the results of physical dosimetry and biodosimetry, which among the small number of persons examined indicated exposures between 600 and 900 mSv. The paradox reveals a fundamental error in the health physics body of knowledge: the definition of the energy imparted to tissue, ε, fails to properly account for the temporal distribution of ionization products resulting from dilute contamination with an internally incorporated beta-emitting radionuclide. Application of a century-old result describing “shot noise” in an electronic system repairs the deficiency. The Xe-133 concentration in the tissue of those individuals exposed to the most intense portion of the radioactive plume released from the TMI facility is shown to have been on the order of 0.1 μCi/l, persisting for multiple hours. Shot noise reference doses in the range from 820 to 1,700 mSv follow, a result which is consistent with biodosimetric analysis. The finding should motivate a comprehensive re-evaluation of the conventional understanding of the 1979 accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power station, especially regarding its impact upon the population of the surrounding area.
The apical root canal system microbial communities determined by next-generation sequencing
Authors: de Brito Luciana Carla Neves , Doolittle-Hall Janet , Lee Chun-Teh , Moss Kevin , Bambirra Júnior Wilson , Tavares Warley Luciano Fonseca , Ribeiro Sobrinho Antônio Paulino , Teles Flávia Rocha Fonseca
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study was to explore the microbial communities of endodontic infections at their apical portion by 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing and delineate the core microbiome of root canal infections and that of their associated clinical symptomatology. Samples were collected from fifteen subjects presenting one tooth with a root canal infection, and their associated symptoms were recorded. Samples were collected from the apical third of roots using a #10 K file and then amplified using multiple displacement amplification and PCR-amplified with universal primers. Amplicons were sequenced (V3–V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene) using MiSeq (Illumina, CA). The microbial composition of the samples was determined using QIIME and HOMINGS. Data were analyzed using t tests and ANOVA. A total of 1,038,656 good quality sequences were obtained, and OTUs were assigned to 10 bacterial phyla, led by Bacteroidetes (51.2%) and Firmicutes (27.1%), and 94 genera were represented primarily by Prevotella (17.9%) and Bacteroidaceae G-1 (14.3%). Symptomatic teeth were associated with higher levels of Porphyromonas (p < 0.05) and Prevotella. P. endodontalis and P. oris were present in both cores. The present study demonstrated the complexity of the root canal microbiome and the “common denominators” of root canal infections and identified taxa whose virulence properties should be further explored. The polymicrobial etiology of endodontic infections has long been established. However, few studies have focused on expanding the breadth and depth of coverage of microbiome-infected root canals at their apical portion.