bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interaural Asymmetries Revealed by Dichotic Listening Tests in Normal and Dyslexic Children
Authors: Moncrieff Deborah W. , Musiek Frank E.
Published: August 2020

Normal and dyslexic right-handed children were assessed with three dichotic listening tests, the Dichotic Digits test, the Competing Words subtest of the SCAN, and the Dichotic Consonant-Vowel test. Performance was measured as both number and percentage of correct responses in the right and left ears. Laterality was defined as a simple difference in percentage between the two ears. Differences across the tests were revealed for all children, with the greatest differences occurring for left-ear responses. Only one dichotic listening test, Competing Words from the SCAN, produced a consistent right-ear advantage across all of the children tested. Between groups of children, differences in performance and in laterality were demonstrated. Using a criterion of poorer than 76 percent correct for the left ear, the Competing Words subtest of the SCAN identified 7 of the 10 dyslexic children as abnormal, with no false alarms in the control group.
Graphene assisting magnetic alignment of a high-performance semiconducting polymer for improved carrier transport
Authors: Su Songlin , Pan Guoxing , Xiao Xuhua , Wang Qi , Zhang Fapei
Published: August 2020

We report the fabrication of large-area highly aligned films of a naphthalene dicarboximide-based copolymer P(NDI2OD-T2) via solvent vapor annealing of as-spun films under a high magnetic field. Structural characterization reveals that the incorporation of a small amount of graphene nanosheets via solution mixing remarkably improves the degree of chain alignment and ordering of the semiconducting polymers. Field-effect transistors based on the magnetically aligned polymer/graphene composites exhibit a dramatic enhancement of electron mobility as well as extraordinarily high mobility anisotropy of 81, compared to pristine P(NDI2OD-T2)-based devices. We further proposed a mechanism to explain the enhancement of molecular orientation and charge transport, which is based on the assembling of polymer aggregates on the π-plane of graphene to facilitate magnetic alignment.
Investigation of gas separation technique based on selective rotational excitation of different species by a laser
Authors: Andric Nemanja , Jenny Patrick
Published: August 2020

In this work, a gas separation approach based on the selective rotational excitation of different species is investigated. The presented method is particularly suitable for separating gases of similar or equal masses, such as isotopes and isomers. The selective rotational excitation is achieved by a targeted application of multiple non-resonant ultrashort laser pulses. Upon collision with a solid surface, a part of the excited rotational energy gets transferred into translational energy. By creating a discernible difference in average thermal velocities between the species of similar masses, an increased diffusivity of the excited species can be utilized for its successful separation. In order to test the validity of the novel separation technique, a comprehensive computational framework was developed. The energy transfer in gas–surface collisions was analyzed in great detail using a state-of-the-art molecular dynamics code, and the obtained data offered invaluable insight into the nature of scattering dynamics. Furthermore, a novel data-driven approach to gas–surface interaction modeling based on the recently introduced distribution element tree method was proposed. Relevant numerical and experimental data on the selective rotational excitation were gathered, and they served as an input for the performed numerical simulations. Using the developed computational framework, the validity of the proposed separation scheme was tested on a mixture of two species with identical mass. The obtained data offer numerical evidence supporting the proposed separation concept.
Explosion-driven interfacial instabilities of granular media
Authors: Xue Kun , Shi Xiaoliang , Zeng Junsheng , Tian Baolin , Han Panpan , Li Jiarui , Liu Lan , Meng Baoqing , Guo Xiaohu , Bai Chunhua
Published: August 2020

This paper investigates the evolution of a Richtmyer–Meshkov (RM)-like instability on the internal surface of particle rings impinged by divergent blast waves. Despite the signature spike–bubble instability structure analogous to the hydrodynamic RM instability, the growth of the perturbation amplitude in granular media undergoes an exponential phase followed by a linear phase, markedly differing from the hydrodynamic RM instability and indicating a fundamentally different mechanism. The granular RM-like instability arises from the incipient transverse granular flows induced by hydrodynamic effects upon the shock interaction. Substantial perturbation growth is initiated by the ensuing rarefaction dilation when the hydrodynamic effects are small. It is found that the interplay between the localized transverse and radial granular flows sustains the persistent perturbation growth and drives the corresponding morphological changes in the instability pattern.
Phase behavior of continuous-space systems: A supervised machine learning approach
Authors: Jung Hyuntae , Yethiraj Arun
Published: August 2020

The phase behavior of complex fluids is a challenging problem for molecular simulations. Supervised machine learning (ML) methods have shown potential for identifying the phase boundaries of lattice models. In this work, we extend these ML methods to continuous-space systems. We propose a convolutional neural network model that utilizes grid-interpolated coordinates of molecules as input data of ML and optimizes the search for phase transitions with different filter sizes. We test the method for the phase diagram of two off-lattice models, namely, the Widom–Rowlinson model and a symmetric freely jointed polymer blend, for which results are available from standard molecular simulations techniques. The ML results show good agreement with results of previous simulation studies with the added advantage that there is no critical slowing down. We find that understanding intermediate structures near a phase transition and including them in the training set is important to obtain the phase boundary near the critical point. The method is quite general and easy to implement and could find wide application to study the phase behavior of complex fluids.
Electrical and structural properties of conductive nitride films grown by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition with significant ion bombardment effect
Authors: Krylov Igor , Korchnoy Valentina , Xu Xianbin , Weinfeld Kamira , Yalon Eilam , Ritter Dan , Eizenberg Moshe
Published: August 2020

Conductive metal nitrides are widely used in the microelectronics industry as interconnects, thin film resistors, electrodes, and diffusion barriers. These films are commonly prepared by sputtering and chemical vapor deposition, which are suitable for planar geometries. However, conformal deposition onto 3D and complex structures requires the use of atomic layer deposition (ALD). In this work, we compare the electrical and structural properties of various metallic nitrides (namely, TiNx, ZrNx, HfNx, and TaNx) prepared by ALD from metalorganic precursor and H2/Ar plasma. Despite similar bulk resistivity values of these films, we find significant differences in their measured resistivity for the thin film (by ALD). TiNx and ZrNx show metallic behavior with a positive temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), whereas HfNx and TaNx show semiconducting behavior with negative TCR values. Microstructure and film chemistry of deposited films are investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and the correlation between the electrical and structural parameters of the deposited films is discussed. It is shown that a high concentration of carbon contamination is related to smaller grain size and higher electrical resistivity. TiNx exhibits the lowest carbon contamination, largest degree of crystallinity and lowest resistivity (∼60 μΩ cm) highlighting its potential as ALD-grown metal. Other nitrides and their combinations can be used to tailor specific resistivity and TCR values for thin film resistor applications in 3D and complex geometries such as deep trenches. Overall, this study provides useful guidelines toward the development of ALD nitrides for use in the microelectronics industry.
Precise measurements in digital holographic microscopy by modeling the optical train
Authors: Alexander Ronald , Leahy Brian , Manoharan Vinothan N.
Published: August 2020

In the past few years, the venerable field of holographic microscopy has been revitalized by computational data analysis. It is now possible to fit a generative (forward) model of scattering directly to experimentally obtained holograms of complex microscopic objects. This approach enables precision measurements: it allows the motion of colloidal particles and biological organisms to be tracked with nanometer-scale precision and their optical properties to be inferred particle by particle. In this Perspective, we discuss how the model-based inference approach to holographic microscopy has opened up new applications. We also discuss how it must evolve to meet the needs of emerging applications that demand lower systematic uncertainties and higher precision. In this context, we present some new results on how modeling the optical train of the microscope can enable better measurements of the positions of spherical and nonspherical colloidal particles. Finally, we discuss how machine learning might play a role in future advances. Though we do not exhaustively catalog all the developments in this field, we show a few examples and some new results that spotlight open questions and opportunities.
Further developments on observations of the Taylor instability in a dusty plasma
Authors: Pacha K. A. , Merlino R. L.
Published: August 2020

We previously reported the observation of a hydrodynamic-type interchange instability occurring sporadically at the curved interface between two dust clouds of different densities, in a three-dimensional dusty plasma [Pacha et al., Phys. Plasmas 19, 014501 (2012)]. The mechanism for the instability was not conclusively identified. Further analysis of the video images has been performed, showing that the instability is associated with the appearance of large amplitude dust acoustic waves or shocks. Evidence of a dust acoustic shock at the boundary, which could drive a Richtmyer–Meshkov-type instability, will be presented. We also discuss the possibility, suggested by Avinash and Sen [Phys. Plasmas 22, 083707 (2015)], that the observed instability is due to a Rayleigh–Taylor instability driven by a component of the gravitational acceleration, which is perpendicular to the curved boundary.
Method of growing elastically relaxed crack-free AlGaN on GaN as substrates for ultra-wide bandgap devices using porous GaN
Authors: Pasayat Shubhra S. , Hatui Nirupam , Li Weiyi , Gupta Chirag , Nakamura Shuji , Denbaars Steven P. , Keller Stacia , Mishra Umesh K.
Published: August 2020

Crack-free 1.3 μm thick elastically relaxed AlxGa1−xN layers were demonstrated on compliant high fill-factor 10 × 10 μm2 tile patterned GaN-on-porous-GaN pseudo-substrates (PSs). Porous GaN was utilized as a semi-flexible underlayer. The AlxGa1−xN layer was grown in steps of 200, 300, 400, and 400 nm. While the AlxGa1−xN layer regrown on a co-loaded GaN-on-sapphire template cracked after deposition of only 200 nm AlGaN, on the GaN-on-porous GaN patterned substrates, no cracks were observed, and smooth films were achieved. In addition, an enhanced aluminum uptake was observed as the AlGaN growth progressed on the GaN-on-porous-GaN PS, owing to the composition pulling effect, until the point when the tiles started to coalesce. Upon further regrowth on these coalesced tiles, the aluminum uptake saturated, while the surface remained crack-free and smooth.
The optical properties of few-layer InSe
Authors: Song Chaoyu , Huang Shenyang , Wang Chong , Luo Jiaming , Yan Hugen
Published: August 2020

Few-layer InSe draws tremendous research interests owing to the superior electronic and optical properties. It exhibits a high carrier mobility up to more than 1000 cm2/Vs at room temperature. The strongly layer-tunable bandgap spans a large spectral range from near-infrared to the visible. In this perspective, we systematically review the optical properties of few-layer InSe. First, the intrinsic optical and electronic properties are introduced. Compared to other two-dimensional materials, the light–matter interaction of few-layer InSe is unusual. The bandgap transition is inactive or extremely weak for in-plane polarized light, and the emission light is mainly polarized along the out-of-plane direction. Second, we will present several schemes to tune the optical properties of few-layer InSe such as external strain, surface chemical doping, and van der Waals interfacing. Third, we survey the applications of few-layer InSe in photodetection and heterostructures. Overall, few-layer InSe exhibits great potentials not only in fundamental research but also in electronic and optoelectronic applications.
Dutch thetic and sentence-focus constructions on the semantics-pragmatics interface
Authors: Belligh Thomas
Published: August 2020

This article studies the various uses of a Dutch thetic and sentence-focus construction, viz. the Syntactic
Inversion with Filler Insertion Construction (henceforth: SIFIC), e.g. Er loopt een man over straat (‘There is a
man walking across the street’). The article investigates whether theticity and sentence-focus are semantically encoded meanings
of the SIFIC or pragmatically inferred senses. SIFIC tokens (N = 750) were extracted from the Dutch SoNaR Corpus
and annotated for five factors. The analysis shows that the SIFIC can have information-structural uses that are diametrically
opposed to theticity and sentence-focus, i.e. topic-comment structure, predicate-focus articulation and categorical judgment. It
is argued that theticity and sentence-focus can therefore not be regarded as the encoded semantics of the SIFIC, but should rather
be analyzed as default senses of the construction. Based on similar cross-linguistic findings the article takes issue with the
assumption that most languages have dedicated thetic and sentence-focus constructions.
Carrot genetics and breeding.
Authors: Simon Philipp W. , Grzebelus Dariusz
Published: August 2020

This chapter focuses on the importance of carrot seed production, breeding and cultivar development for global climates. Information on the various traits and genes that can be exploited and various molecular genetic techniques that are used for the genetic improvement of carrots are also presented.
Carrot root quality.
Authors: Geoffriau Emmanuel
Published: August 2020

Carrot is considered a healthy vegetable as it is rich in fibre and antioxidant-related compounds and with a low level of kilocalories. Some compounds are involved in both the nutritional and sensory quality. In most cases, carrot quality is highly dependent on the variety. However, environment conditions and growing practices influence carrot composition significantly. Whether for breeding for product quality or for producing carrots with high and stable quality, such influence needs to be better understood and taken into account. This chapter discusses the determinants of carrot quality, focusing on the influence of growing environment (such as area and year of production, sowing date and crop cycle, temperature and soil nature), growing practices (e.g. soil preparation, application of nitrogen, water supply, cover crops and growth stimulators), and cropping systems (conventional and organic). The effects of various stresses, such as water, temperature, salinity, cold, hail and Alternaria dauci infection, on carrot root composition and sensory perception are also discussed.
Carrot organoleptic quality and consumer expectations.
Authors: Cottet Valentine , Navez Brigitte
Published: August 2020

This chapter provides information on some organoleptic quality of carrots, such as appearance, texture, taste and flavour, and the factors affecting sensory quality. Consumer preference and behaviour for sensory characteristics of carrots are also discussed.
Angelica.
Authors: Gallotte Philippe , Walton Alan , Bouverat-Bernier Jean-Pierre , Gallois Philippe
Published: August 2020

This chapter provides information on the biology, uses, crop management strategies, plant diseases and pests, and harvest of angelica (Angelica archangelica).
Caraway and cumin.
Authors: Reduron Jean-Pierre
Published: August 2020

Caraway (Carum carvi) and cumin (Cuminum cyminum) are considered together because these two plants were confused for their similar smell and flavour profiles and subsequent uses. This chapter provides information on the importance, growing areas, plant development, cropping system and product valorization of caraway and cumin.
An environmental psychology perspective on the confinement caused by COVID-19 (Un enfoque psicoambiental del confinamiento a causa del COVID-19)
Authors: Aragonés Juan-Ignacio , Sevillano Verónica
Published: August 2020

This text presents some reflections from an environmental psychology perspective on how prolonged confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the general population and what the consequences might be for future research in the field.
Normalising the ‘alter-Europe’ or going beyond this Europe? Italian environmental movements’ perspectives on Europe, democracy and the ecological crisis
Authors: Bertuzzi Niccolò
Published: August 2020

Based on 19 interviews with key activists, the paper discusses different visions of Europe and democracy within the Italian environmental archipelago. A clear dichotomy has emerged. On the one hand, institutional ENGOs conduct lobbying activities, adapting to different multilevel political opportunities: their attempt is to reform the current structure of the EU, which also contributes to institutionalise the innovative perspectives of ‘another Europe’ advanced by the Global Justice Movement in the early 2000s. On the other hand, grassroots groups suggest going ‘beyond this Europe’, as they are critical of its current geographical borders and political institutions. They normally do so by adopting contentious actions in a domestic dimension. Furthermore, two divergent democratic paradigms can be identified. I propose to call them ecological democracy and green democracy. The latter stands for a conception of the environmental issues as subordinated to, or at least unthinkable outside, the (Western) representative democracy and the gospel of economic growth. Ecological democracy involves a conception of democracy as effective only if based on ecological perspectives, within a vision which stigmatises capitalist economy and the institutions supporting it. These paradigms resonate with the interpretation of the current (ecological) critical juncture as the Anthropocene or as the Capitalocene.
Lagrangian density and local symmetries of inhomogeneous hyperconical universes
Authors: Monjo Robert , Campoamor-Stursberg Rutwig
Published: August 2020

Hyperconical universes can be represented by means of an inhomogeneous metric with positive curvature and linear expansion, that is isomorphic to flat universes with acceleration thanks to an appropriate transformation. Various symmetry properties of this metric are analysed, primarily at the local scale. In particular, the Lagrangian formalism and the Arnowitt–Deser–Misner (ADM) equations are applied. To this extent, a modified gravity Lagrangian density is derived, from which the comoving paths as solutions of the Euler–Lagrange equations leading to a stationary linear expansion are deduced. It is shown that the evolution of this alternate metric is compatible with the ADM formalism when applied to the modified Lagrangian density, thanks to a redefinition of the energy density baseline (according to the global curvature). Finally, results on symmetry properties imply that only the angular momenta are global symmetries. The radial inhomogeneity of the metric is interpreted as an apparent radial acceleration, which breaks all the non-rotational local symmetries at large distances.
Stability for small data: the drift model of the conformal method
Authors: Vâlcu Caterina
Published: August 2020

The conformal method in general relativity aims at successfully parametrising the set of all initial data associated with globally hyperbolic spacetimes. One such mapping was suggested by Maxwell D (2014 Initial data in general relativity described by expansion, conformal deformation and drift (arXiv:1407.1467)). For closed manifolds, I verify that the solutions of the corresponding conformal system are stable, in the sense that they present a priori bounds under perturbations of the system’s coefficients. This result holds in dimensions 3 ⩽ n ⩽ 5, when the metric is conformally flat, the drift is small. A scalar field with suitably high potential is considered in this case.
Analysis on influence of the magnetorheological fluid microstructure on the mechanical properties of magnetorheological dampers
Authors: Yang Yang , Xu Zhao-Dong , Xu Yan-Wei , Guo Ying-Qing
Published: August 2020

Magnetorheological (MR) damper is a semi-active control device designed by utilizing the instantaneous fluid-solid conversion characteristics of MR fluid, thus the microstructure of MR fluid fundamentally determines the mechanical properties of MR dampers. In order to study the influence of MR fluid microstructure on the macroscopic mechanical properties of MR dampers, a micro-macro mathematical model for MR dampers was proposed to describe the dynamic properties of MR dampers affected by the microstructure of MR fluid. Firstly, the micromodel of MR fluid was brought into classic quasi-static model and the double-Sigmoid model to propose a mathematical model, which considers the MR fluid microstructure by expressing the yield force parameter in the traditional double-Sigmoid model with the microstructure parameters of MR fluid. By analyzing the data of the performance test of a single-coil MR damper, the parameters of the proposed mathematical model were fitted. The proposed micro-macro model for MR dampers was verified by comparing the results calculated by this model with the performance test data. Based on the proposed micro-macro mathematical model, the nonlinear hysteretic curves with different MR fluid microstructure parameters can be numerically analyzed and compared. Finally, the influences of the volume fraction, size, and coating thickness of ferromagnetic particles on the mechanical properties of MR dampers were revealed and discussed. The research can provide guidance for the preparation and formulation optimization of high-performance MR fluid.
A piezoelectric self-powered active interface for AC/DC power conversion improvement of electromagnetic energy harvesting
Authors: Lombardi G , Lallart M , Kiziroglou M , Yeatman E M
Published: August 2020

In the framework of hybrid energy harvesting for scavenging ambient motion, this paper proposes a cooperative piezoelectricelectromagnetic energy harvesting system to harvest rotational energy. In particular, while the actual process of harvesting energy is accomplished by the electromagnetic device, the piezoelectric element is used for improving the AC/DC conversion efficiency of the former. To do so, a half wave voltage doubler using MOSFETs driven by the piezoelement is employed. The low voltage output (order of magnitude of mV) of the electromagnetic system and the low conversion abilities of the piezoelectric transducer in the proposed mechanical structure justifies the motivation behind this work. Simulations followed by experimental validations are exposed and discussed, highlighting the improvement of energy conversion efficiency of an electromagnetic transducer, giving a power gain of 27 with respect to the DC power obtained with standard silicon diodes.
Electric and thermal spin transfer torques across ferromagnetic/normal/ferromagnetic graphene junctions
Authors: Niu Zhi Ping , Wu Meng Meng
Published: August 2020

We investigate the spin transfer torque (STT) driven by electric bias voltages across and temperature gradients through ferromagnetic/normal/ferromagnetic graphene junctions. Due to the unique band structure of the ferromagnetic graphene, there exists two transport regimes: the electron to electron (I) and hole to electron (II) transport. The electric STTs originated from the two regimes have opposite sign and can be reduced by the competition between the two transport processes. On the contrary, the thermal STTs originated from the transport regimes I and II have the same sign and are enhanced when the two regimes coexist. Remarkably, the thermal STT is comparable with the electric STT. Furthermore, the electric and thermal counterpart can be manipulated by the Fermi level. The controllable STT reported here makes the ferromagnetic graphene junction ideal for future spintronics applications.
Tunable adsorption activity of candle soot nanoparticles depending on the flame height*
Authors: Singh Vishvendra Pratap , Vaish Rahul
Published: August 2020

The candle soot particles were collected from the inner and outer regions of the candle flame and their dye adsorption capacities were compared. The surface area of inner flame particles (IFP) and outer flame particles (OFP) was recorded as 48 and 88 m2 g−1, respectively. The coatings of OFP and IFP were found hydrophobic and hydrophilic, respectively. The adsorptive removal of Methylene blue (MB) (conc. 50 mg l−1) was ∼40% higher with OFP than that of IFP. Similarly, significantly higher adsorption was recorded during the adsorption of ciprofloxacin and detergent for OFP than that of IFP. The pseudo-second-order model is found most suitable to explain the kinetic data of adsorption.
Stepwise nanosphere lithography: an alternate way of fabricating nanostructures
Authors: Myint Ba , Yap Dawn Shu Fen , Ng Vivian
Published: August 2020

This work demonstrates a new nanosphere lithography technique, termed stepwise nanosphere lithography, to create matrices of novel two- and three-dimensional nanostructures. Different sets of nanostructures are placed at desired locations through step-by-step deposition during thermal evaporation onto a substrate surface. Three deposition parameters: (1) number of deposition steps; (2) angle of deposition; and (3) nanosphere mask orientation angle were investigated. By changing these parameters, the ordering, shape, and size of nanostructures were modified accordingly. Two- and three-dimensional nanostructure matrices with different arrangements and symmetries were successfully simulated and fabricated experimentally through a combination of multiple stationary deposition stages with different parameters.
Setting aside arbitral awards in Singapore: due process and good faith obligations
Authors: Campbell Mark
Published: August 2020

The Singapore Court of Appeal in CMNC v Jaguar Energy has offered clarification on what it identified as an ‘important area of arbitration law’: ie the correct approach to alleged violations of due process by tribunals in their management of the arbitral procedure. The case involved setting aside proceedings in the context of a complex dispute further complicated by the parties’ prior agreement for an expedited procedure. The Court of Appeal judgment takes a robust approach towards alleged due process violations. It emphasizes that the matter must be assessed according to a test of reasonableness and fairness with careful reference to the circumstances, and that courts should be cautious about interfering with a tribunal’s decision-making where there is a rational basis for those decisions. But CMNC v Jaguar Energy is notable for another reason: the presumption by the judge at first instance that there was implied into the arbitration agreement an obligation to arbitrate in good faith. That point may be of particular interest to those from common law jurisdictions where a more general debate over the role of good faith obligations in commercial contracts persists.
Isolating structural errors in reaction networks in systems biology
Authors: Shin Woosub , Hellerstein Joseph L
Published: August 2020

Motivation

The growing complexity of reaction-based models necessitates early detection and resolution of model errors. Considerable work has been done on the detection of mass balance errors, especially atomic mass analysis (AMA) (which compares the counts of atoms in the reactants and products) and Linear Programming analysis (which detects stoichiometric inconsistencies). This article extends model error checking to include: (i) certain structural errors in reaction networks and (ii) error isolation. First, we consider the balance of chemical structures (moieties) between reactants and products. This balance is expected in many biochemical reactions, but the imbalance of chemical structures cannot be detected if the analysis is done in units of atomic masses. Second, we improve on error isolation for stoichiometric inconsistencies by identifying a small number of reactions and/or species that cause the error. Doing so simplifies error remediation.

Results

We propose two algorithms that address isolating structural errors in reaction networks. Moiety analysis finds imbalances of moieties using the same algorithm as AMA, but moiety analysis works in units of moieties instead of atomic masses. We argue for the value of checking moiety balance, and discuss two approaches to decomposing chemical species into moieties. Graphical Analysis of Mass Equivalence Sets (GAMES) provides isolation for stoichiometric inconsistencies by constructing explanations that relate errors in the structure of the reaction network to elements of the reaction network. We study the effectiveness of moiety analysis and GAMES on curated models in the BioModels repository. We have created open source codes for moiety analysis and GAMES.

Availability and implementation

Our project is hosted at https://github.com/ModelEngineering/SBMLLint, which contains examples, documentation, source code files and build scripts used to create SBMLLint. Our source code is licensed under the MIT open source license.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Re-Imagining the Resettlement of Refugees by Engaging with an Ethic of Thriving
Authors: Vincent Kate , Baltra-Ulloa Ann Joselynn , Williams Grace
Published: August 2020

Learning to thrive in the context of refugee resettlement can be a difficult task to consider and sustain when so much focus is given to promoting survival, recovery from trauma and self-sufficiency. It is argued that this resettlement paradigm is rooted in notions of refugee passivity, primarily motivated by a minimalistic approach to social assimilation. We argue this resettlement paradigm suffocates thriving by imposing the government’s aim of achieving independence instead of privileging the newly arrived person, their lived experiences, dreams and aspirations. This article shares how an ethic of thriving in resettlement, with its focus on relationality, could transform the way we think about ‘integration’ and what ‘successful resettlement’ means within the Australian context. To anchor what the ethic of thriving offers the resettlement sector we share lessons learned from applying a thriving paradigm to YoungMILE—a mentorship project dedicated to launching young refugee arrived leaders in the community. This unique programme embraced relational, experimental and exploratory approaches characterised by flexibility, mutual learning, curiosity, listening to bigger goals and acknowledging the skill sets of people’s past experiences. Importantly, the project also prioritised connecting people of refugee background and the host community to promote meaningful integration.
Comparative scoping study report for the extraction of microalgae oils from two subspecies of Chlorella vulgaris
Authors: Kreft Jasmine , Moe Eric , Garcia Nicholas , Ross Andrew , Seames Wayne
Published: August 2020

The production of microalgae as a fatty acid oil resource for use in biofuels production is a widespread research topic at the lab scale. Microalgae contain a higher lipid content on a dry-weight basis compared to oilseeds such as soybeans. Additionally, the growth and cultivation cycle of microalgae is 15 days, in comparison to soybeans, for which the cycle occurs once or twice annually. However, to date, it has been uneconomical to produce microalgae oils in a world-scale facility due to limitations in cultivating microalgae at commercial scales. Recent developments suggest that the use of heterotrophic microalgae may be economically feasible for large-scale oil production. To assess this feasibility, a comparative scoping study was performed analysing the feasibility of an industrial-scale process plant for the growth and extraction of oil from microalgae. Processes were developed at the preliminary design level using heterotrophic subspecies and autotrophic subspecies of Chlorella vulgaris. AACE Class 4 cost estimates and economic analyses were performed. This study concludes that processes based on heterotrophic microalgae are more likely to reach economic feasibility than processes using autotrophic microalgae. However, a few barriers still remain to achieving free-market economic viability.
Household Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 in the United States
Authors: Lewis Nathaniel M , Chu Victoria T , Ye Dongni , Conners Erin E , Gharpure Radhika , Laws Rebecca L , Reses Hannah E , Freeman Brandi D , Fajans Mark , Rabold Elizabeth M , Dawson Patrick , Buono Sean , Yin Sherry , Owusu Daniel , Wadhwa Ashutosh , Pomeroy Mary , Yousaf Anna , Pevzner Eric , Njuguna Henry , Battey Katherine A , Tran Cuc H , Fields Victoria L , Salvatore Phillip , O’Hegarty Michelle , Vuong Jeni , Chancey Rebecca , Gregory Christopher , Banks Michelle , Rispens Jared R , Dietrich Elizabeth , Marcenac Perrine , Matanock Almea M , Duca Lindsey , Binder Allison , Fox Garrett , Lester Sandra , Mills Lisa , Gerber Susan I , Watson John , Schumacher Amy , Pawloski Lucia , Thornburg Natalie J , Hall Aron J , Kiphibane Tair , Willardson Sarah , Christensen Kim , Page Lindsey , Bhattacharyya Sanjib , Dasu Trivikram , Christiansen Ann , Pray Ian W , Westergaard Ryan P , Dunn Angela C , Tate Jacqueline E , Nabity Scott A , Kirking Hannah L
Published: August 2020

Background

The evidence base for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is nascent. We sought to characterize SARS-CoV-2 transmission within US households and estimate the household secondary infection rate (SIR) to inform strategies to reduce transmission.

Methods

We recruited patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and their household contacts in Utah and Wisconsin during 22 March 2020–25 April 2020. We interviewed patients and all household contacts to obtain demographics and medical histories. At the initial household visit, 14 days later, and when a household contact became newly symptomatic, we collected respiratory swabs from patients and household contacts for testing by SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) and sera for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We estimated SIR and odds ratios (ORs) to assess risk factors for secondary infection, defined by a positive rRT-PCR or ELISA test.

Results

Thirty-two (55%) of 58 households secondary infection among household contacts. The SIR was 29% (n = 55/188; 95% confidence interval [CI], 23%–36%) overall, 42% among children (aged <18 years) of the COVID-19 patient and 33% among spouses/partners. Household contacts to COVID-19 patients with immunocompromised conditions and household contacts who themselves had diabetes mellitus had increased odds of infection with ORs 15.9 (95% CI, 2.4–106.9) and 7.1 (95% CI: 1.2–42.5), respectively.

Conclusions

We found substantial evidence of secondary infections among household contacts. People with COVID-19, particularly those with immunocompromising conditions or those with household contacts with diabetes, should take care to promptly self-isolate to prevent household transmission.
Clostridioides difficileInfection in Cancer and Immunocompromised Patients: Relevance of a Two-step Diagnostic Algorithm and Infecting Ribotypes on Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Yepez Guevara Eduardo A , Aitken Samuel L , Olvera Adilene V , Carlin Lily , Fernandes Kerri E , Bhatti Micah M , Garey Kevin W , Adachi Javier , Okhuysen Pablo C
Published: August 2020

Background

Patients with cancer are particularly vulnerable to Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Guidelines recommend a two-step diagnostic algorithm to differentiate carriers from CDI; however, there are limited data for this approach while including other confounding risk factors for diarrhea such as radiation, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and adoptive cell based therapies.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, non-interventional, single center, cohort study of cancer patients with acute diarrhea and C. difficile, identified in stools by nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) and culture. Fecal toxin A/B was detected by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and isolates were ribotyped using 16s rRNA fluorescent sequencing. Patients were followed for 90 days to compare outcomes according to malignancy type, infecting ribotype, and EIA status.

Results

We followed 227 patients with a positive NAAT. Of these, 87% were hospitalized and 83% had an active malignancy. EIA was confirmed positive in 80/227 (35%) of patients. Those with EIA+ were older (60 ± 18 years vs 54 ± 19 years., P = .01), more likely to fail therapy [24/80 (30%) vs 26/147 (18%), P = .04] and experience recurrence [20/80 (25%) vs 21/147(14%), P < .05]. We found a low prevalence (22%) of ribotypes historically associated with poor outcomes (002, 018, 027, 56, F078-126, 244) but their presence were associated with treatment failure [17/50 (34%) vs 33/177 (19%), P = .02].

Conclusions

When compared to cancer patients with fecal NAAT+/EIA−, patients with NAAT+/EIA+ CDI are less likely to respond to therapy and more likely to experience recurrence, particularly when due to ribotypes associated with poor outcomes.
Anemia following acute kidney injury after noncardiac surgery and long-term outcomes: the NARA-AKI cohort study
Authors: Nishimoto Masatoshi , Murashima Miho , Kokubu Maiko , Matsui Masaru , Eriguchi Masahiro , Samejima Ken-Ichi , Akai Yasuhiro , Tsuruya Kazuhiko
Published: August 2020

Background

This study was conducted to investigate whether acute kidney injury (AKI) is an independent predictor of anemia and whether anemia following AKI is a mediator of mortality after AKI.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study. Adults with noncardiac surgery from 2007 to 2011 were included. Obstetric or urological surgery, missing data or preoperative dialysis were excluded. Subjects were followed until the end of 2015 or lost to follow-up. Exposures of interest were postoperative AKI. Outcome variables were hematocrit values at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively and mortality. Associations between AKI and hematocrit or association between AKI and mortality were examined by multivariable linear regression or Cox regression, respectively.

Results

Among 6692 subjects, 445 (6.6%) developed AKI. Among those with postoperative data, AKI was independently associated with lower hematocrit at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, with coefficients of −0.79 [95% confidence interval (CI) −1.47 to −0.11; n = 1750], −1.35 (−2.11 to −0.60; n = 1558) and −0.91 (−1.59 to −0.22; n = 2463), respectively. Higher stages or longer duration of AKI were associated with more severe anemia. AKI was associated with higher mortality after 3 months postoperatively with a hazard ratio of 1.54 (95% CI 1.12–2.12). Further adjustment with hematocrit at 3 months attenuated the association. The mediation effect was significant (P = 0.02) by mediation analysis.

Conclusions

AKI was an independent predictor of anemia following AKI. Higher mortality associated with AKI was at least partially mediated by anemia following AKI. Whether correction of anemia following AKI improves mortality requires further research.
O-linked mucin-type glycosylation regulates the transcriptional programme downstream of EGFR
Authors: Tajadura-Ortega Virginia , Gambardella Gennaro , Skinner Alexandra , Halim Adnan , Van Coillie Julie , Schjoldager Katrine Ter-Borch Gram , Beatson Richard , Graham Rosalind , Achkova Daniela , Taylor-Papadimitriou Joyce , Ciccarelli Francesca D , Burchell Joy M
Published: August 2020

Aberrant mucin-type O-linked glycosylation is a common occurrence in cancer where the upregulation of sialyltransferases is often seen leading to the early termination of O-glycan chains. Mucin-type O-linked glycosylation is not limited to mucins and occurs on many cell surface glycoproteins including EGFR, where the number of sites can be limited. Upon EGF ligation, EGFR induces a signaling cascade and may also translocate to the nucleus where it directly regulates gene transcription, a process modulated by Galectin-3 and MUC1 in some cancers. Here, we show that upon EGF binding, breast cancer cells carrying different O-glycans respond by transcribing different gene expression signatures. MMP10, the principal gene upregulated when cells carrying sialylated core 1 glycans were stimulated with EGF, is also upregulated in ER-positive breast carcinoma reported to express high levels of ST3Gal1 and hence mainly core 1 sialylated O-glycans. In contrast, isogenic cells engineered to carry core 2 glycans upregulate CX3CL1 and FGFBP1 and these genes are upregulated in ER-negative breast carcinomas, also known to express longer core 2 O-glycans. Changes in O-glycosylation did not significantly alter signal transduction downstream of EGFR in core 1 or core 2 O-glycan expressing cells. However, striking changes were observed in the formation of an EGFR/galectin-3/MUC1/β-catenin complex at the cell surface that is present in cells carrying short core 1-based O-glycans but absent in core 2 carrying cells.
Shape–function insights into bifunctional O-GlcNActransferase of Listeria monocytogenes EGD-e
Authors: Choudhary Pravinkumar , Badmalia Maulik D ,   Ashish, Rao Alka
Published: August 2020

O-GlcNAcylation is an important post-translational modification of proteins. O-GlcNAcylated proteins have crucial roles in several cellular contexts both in eukaryotes and bacteria. O-GlcNActransferase (OGT) is the enzyme instrumental in O-GlcNAcylation of proteins. OGT is conserved across eukaryotes. The first bacterial OGT discovered is GmaR in Listeria monocytogenes. GmaR is a GT-2 family bifunctional protein that catalyzes glycosylation of the flagellin protein FlaA and controls transcription of flagellar motility genes in a temperature-dependent manner. Here, we provide methods for heterologous expression and purification of recombinant GmaR and FlaA, in vivo/in vitro glycosylation assays, analysis of the molecular form of recombinant GmaR and detailed enzyme kinetics. We study the structure and functional dynamics of GmaR. Using solution small-angle X-ray scattering and molecular modeling, we show that GmaR adopts an extended shape with two distinctly spaced structural units in the presence of cofactor Mg2+ and with donor UDP-GlcNAc and cofactor combined. Comparisons of restored structures revealed that in-solution binding of Mg2+ ions brings about shape rearrangements and induces structural-rigidity in hyper-variable regions at the N-terminus of GmaR protein. Taking function and shape data together, we describe that Mg2+ binding enables GmaR to adopt a shape that can bind the substrate. The manuscript provides the first 3D solution structure of a bacterial OGT of GT-2 family and detailed biochemical characterization of GmaR to facilitate its future applications.
The Strategy of Predator Evasion in Response to a Visual Looming Stimulus in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: McKee A , McHenry M J
Published: August 2020

Synopsis

A diversity of animals survive encounters with predators by escaping from a looming visual stimulus. Despite the importance of this behavior, it is generally unclear how visual cues facilitate a prey’s survival from predation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand how the visual angle subtended on the eye of the prey by the predator affects the distance of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) from predators. We performed experiments to measure the threshold visual angle and mathematically modeled the kinematics of predator and prey. We analyzed the responses to the artificial stimulus with a novel approach that calculated relationships between hypothetical values for a threshold-stimulus angle and the latency between stimulus and response. These relationships were verified against the kinematic responses of zebrafish to a live fish predator (Herichthys cyanoguttatus). The predictions of our model suggest that the measured threshold visual angle facilitates escape when the predator’s approach is slower than approximately twice the prey’s escape speed. These results demonstrate the capacity and limits to how the visual angle provides a prey with the means to escape a predator.
A Note on Semmelweis’s Animal Experiments and Their Historical Significance
Authors: Kadar Nicholas
Published: August 2020

This article seeks to establish what animal experiments Semmelweis conducted, and when and why he conducted them, because the Semmelweis literature contains conflicting claims about these topics or has ignored them altogether. Semmelweis first conducted animal experiments between 22 March and 20 August 1849 with Rokitansky’s assistant, Georg Maria Lautner, because his chief, Johann Klein, did not accept that by merely reducing the mortality rate from childbed fever with chlorine hand-disinfection, Semmelweis had proved his theory of the cause of childbed fever. However, Skoda concluded that the Lautner experiments did not resolve the doubts about Semmelweis’s theory they were intended to resolve, and, therefore, asked the Academy of Sciences to award Semmelweis a grant to conduct further and more varied experiments with the physiologist, Ernst Ritter von Brücke. These additional experiments were conducted in the spring and summer of 1850, but yielded only ambiguous results, and led Brücke to conclude that questions about Semmelweis’s theory could only be resolved by clinical observations, not animal experiments. This article discusses the reasoning behind these animal experiments, and Skoda’s and Brücke’s responses to them, and argues that their responses to the experiments caused Semmelweis to delay publishing his research until he had collected sufficient clinical evidence to prove his theory.
A Hinduism of their Own: Emerging Guyanese Hindu Reading Practices in New York City
Authors: Pillai Rupa
Published: August 2020

Immigrating to New York City presents new issues for Indo--Guyanese, especially as many find themselves in lower class positions while navigating a racial structure distinct from Guyana. A subset of these Indo--Guyanese Americans, particularly middle class women as well as the 1.5-- and second generation, believes Guyanese Hinduism, the forms of Hinduism adapted to the Guyanese context, must adapt again to continue to be relevant to the community in their new home. Central to their call is questioning the religious authority of pandits. As I will discuss, pandits occupy a powerful position in Guyanese Hindu community that extends beyond the religious sphere. The key to their authority lies in their ability and skill to read and interpret Hindu scripture. However, I argue the realities of migration have resulted in a questioning of religious authority and how pandits read these texts. With some Guyanese Hindus uncertain of the reliability of their pandit’s reading of scriptural text, there is a desire to engage in a Hinduism untainted by the biases of pandits. The presumed truth held within Hindu scripture has inspired some devotees to return to the text or rather to engage the text on their own for the first time. As a result, new reading practices are appearing within the community, which encourages Guyanese Hindus to craft a Hinduism that will serve them.