bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduced pulmonary vascular reserve during stress echocardiography in confirmed pulmonary hypertension and patients at risk of overt pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Wierzbowska-Drabik Karina , Kasprzak Jarosław D. , D′Alto Michele , Ágoston Gergely , Varga Albert , Ferrara Francesco , Amor Miguel , Ciampi Quirino , Bossone Eduardo , Picano Eugenio
Published: May 2020

Noninvasive estimation of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) is recommended for pulmonary hemodynamics evaluation but remains flow-dependent. Our aim was to assess the feasibility of pulmonary vascular reserve index (PVRI) estimation during ESE combining SPAP with cardiac output (CO) or exercise-time and compare its value in three group of patients: with invasively confirmed pulmonary hypertension (PH), at risk of PH development (PH risk) mainly with systemic sclerosis and in controls (C) without clinical risk factors for PH, age-matched with PH risk patients. We performed semisupine ESE in 171 subjects: 31 PH, 61 PH at risk and 50 controls as well as in 29 young, healthy normals. Rest and stress assessment included: tricuspid regurgitant flow velocity (TRV), pulmonary acceleration time (ACT), CO (Doppler-estimated). SPAP was calculated from TRV or ACT when TRV was not available. We estimated PVRI based on CO (peak CO/SPAP*0.1) or exercise-time (ESE time/SPAP*0.1). During stress, TRV was measurable in 44% patients ACT in 77%, either one in 95%. PVRI was feasible in 65% subjects with CO and 95% with exercise-time (p < 0.0001). PVRI was lower in PH compared to controls both for CO-based PVRI (group 1 = 1.0 ± 0.95 vs group 3 = 4.28 ± 2.3, p < 0.0001) or time-based PVRI estimation (0.66 ± 0.39 vs 3.95 ± 2.26, p < 0.0001). The proposed criteria for PH detection were for CO-based PVRI ≤ 1.29 and ESE-time based PVRI ≤ 1.0 and for PH risk ≤ 1.9 and ≤ 1.7 respectively. Noninvasive estimation of PVRI can be obtained in near all patients during ESE, without contrast administration, integrating TRV with ACT for SPAP assessment and using exercise time as a proxy of CO. These indices allow for comparison of pulmonary vascular dynamics in patients with varied exercise tolerance and clinical status.
Framing the constructive alignment of design within technology subjects in general education
Authors: Buckley Jeffrey , Seery Niall , Gumaelius Lena , Canty Donal , Doyle Andrew , Pears Arnold
Published: May 2020

Design is core element of general technology education internationally. While there is a degree of contention with regards to its treatment, there is general consensus that the inclusion of design in some form is important, if not characteristic, of the subject area. Acknowledging that design is important, there are many questions which need to be considered in order to guide policy and practice, such as whether a singular general design ability can be explicitly defined empirically beyond an implicit verbal definition, and whether it can be taught and assessed. In order to address these questions in a systematic fashion, a framework is needed in order to guide relevant investigations. Having such a framework would allow for theory to be generated, hypotheses to be tested, and assumptions to be challenged. In response to this apparent need, this article presents a theoretical discussion pertaining to the constructive alignment of learning to design, wherein theories of knowledge, variation theory, knowledge transfer, and assessment validity and reliability are reflected upon.
Numerical estimation of lattice strain, bending and generation of misfit dislocations in CdHgTe heterostructures grown on GaAs substrate
Authors: Jóźwikowska Alina , Markowska Olga , Jóźwikowski Krzysztof
Published: May 2020

Using our own computer program, we determined the spatial distribution of lattice strains in the HgCdTe heterostructure grown on a GaAs substrate. Lattice stress resulting from lattice mismatch between the substrate and the epitaxial layer and bending of the heterostructure is almost completely relaxed by misfit dislocations forming matrixes in the interfaces’ areas. The average distances between dislocation lines in individual interfaces were calculated based on the minimum energy, i.e. elastic energy condition resulting from the interaction of stress fields and deformations caused by lattice misfit, bending and the presence of dislocation plus electrical energy of dislocations.
Changes in leaf stomatal traits of different aged temperate forest stands
Authors: Li Qian , Hou Jihua , He Nianpeng , Xu Li , Zhang Zihao
Published: May 2020

Stomata control carbon and water vapor exchange between the leaves and the atmosphere, thus influencing photosynthesis and transpiration. Combinations of forest patches with different stand ages are common in nature, however, information of which stomatal traits vary among these stands and how, remains limited. Here, seven different aged forest stands (6, 14, 25, 36, 45, 55, and 100 years) were selected in typical temperate, mixed broadleaf-conifer forests of northeast China. Stomatal density, size and relative area of 624 species, including the same species in stands of different ages were selected. Stomatal density, size and relative area were distributed log-normally, differing across all species and plant functional groups. Stomatal density ranged from 4.2 to 1276.7 stomata mm–2, stomatal size ranged from 66.6 to 8315.7 μm2, and stomatal relative area 0.1–93.3%. There was a significant negative relationship between density and size at the species and functional group levels, while the relative stomatal area was positively correlated with density and size. Stomatal traits of dominant species were relatively stable across different stand ages but were significantly different for herbs. The results suggest that stomatal traits remain relatively stable for dominant species in natural forests and therefore, spatial variation in stomatal traits across forest patches does not need to be incorporated in future ecological models.
Nunalleq, Stories from the Village of Our Ancestors: Co-designing a Multi-vocal Educational Resource Based on an Archaeological Excavation
Authors: Watterson Alice , Hillerdal Charlotta
Published: May 2020

In 2017, the Nunalleq Project initiated the co-design of a digital educational resource for schoolchildren in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region that curates the story of the archaeological excavations in a way which engages with Yup’ik ways of knowing and traditional oral storytelling. Here, we present an account of an archaeological outreach project which creatively unites science and history with traditional knowledge and contemporary engagements. Co-creation of the Nunalleq educational resource revealed the diverse ways in which people connect to the past, sometimes expected, sometimes surprising. In particular, the project made space for a younger generation of Yup’ik who are forging new relationships with their heritage inspired by the archaeology from Nunalleq through traditional dance, art and shared experience. Ultimately, this article explores co-design as a means to illuminate the processes of interpretation from varied perspectives and worldviews with the aim of better understanding how the methods we use frame the knowledge we create.
Contusion Progression Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Review of Clinical and Radiological Predictors, and Influence on Outcome
Authors: Adatia Krishma , Newcombe Virginia F. J. , Menon David K.
Published: May 2020

Secondary injuries remain an important cause of the morbidity and mortality associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Progression of cerebral contusions occurs in up to 75% of patients with TBI, and this contributes to subsequent clinical deterioration and requirement for surgical intervention. Despite this, the role of early clinical and radiological factors in predicting contusion progression remains relatively poorly defined due to studies investigating progression of all types of hemorrhagic injuries as a combined cohort. In this review, we summarize data from recent studies on factors which predict contusion progression, and the effect of contusion progression on clinical outcomes.
Flexibilität im Umgang mit mathematischen Situationsstrukturen – Eine Vorstudie für die Entwicklung eines Förderkonzepts zum Lösen additiver Textaufgaben
Authors: Gabler Laura , Ufer Stefan
Published: May 2020

Sprachliche Kompetenzen haben einen deutlichen Einfluss auf den mathematischen Kompetenzerwerb. Als Wirkmechanismus wird unter anderem auch die kognitive Nutzung von Sprache für die mathematische Wissenskonstruktion diskutiert. Vor allem bei Textaufgaben wird als wesentliches Schwierigkeitsmerkmal die sprachliche Umsetzung mathematischer Strukturen im Aufgabentext genannt. Frühere Studien zeigen, dass additive Textaufgaben, denen eine Vergleichssituation zugrunde liegt, eine besondere Herausforderung für Lernende darstellen. Um den Einfluss der sprachlichen Komplexität bei der Bearbeitung von Vergleichsaufgaben zu verringern, wurde in der Literatur bereits die Umdeutung in leichter zugängliche Situationsstrukturen als eine mögliche Bearbeitungsstrategie vorgeschlagen. Dies könnte Basis für ein Förderkonzept sein, welches Lernenden Strategien zur Umdeutung schwierigerer Textaufgaben in leichtere (z. B. Veränderungs- oder Ausgleichsaufgaben) vermittelt. In einer Vorstudie für die Entwicklung eines solchen Förderkonzepts wurde untersucht, ob Lernende Textaufgaben-Paare mit gleicher mathematischer Struktur, jedoch unterschiedlichen Situationsstrukturen identifizieren und dies zur Lösung von Vergleichsaufgaben nutzen. Umgesetzt wurde dies in einer Querschnittsstudie mit Paper-Pencil-Tests in acht Klassen der Jahrgangsstufe 2 (N = 139). Ein Ziel der Studie war es, bereits vorliegende Ergebnisse zur Schwierigkeit von Textaufgaben zu replizieren und zu systematisieren. Weiterhin war von Interesse, ob das vorherige Lösen einer Veränderungs- bzw. Ausgleichsaufgabe das darauffolgende Lösen einer als Vergleichssituation formulierten Aufgabe mit derselben mathematischen Struktur erleichtert. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass Lernende ohne explizite Instruktion unterschiedliche Beschreibungen derselben mathematischen Struktur nicht zum Lösen von Textaufgaben nutzen und werfen damit die Frage auf, inwiefern explizites Training in der Umdeutung von additiven Situationen die Lernenden bei der Bearbeitung derartiger Textaufgaben unterstützt.
The characteristic of the synonymous codon usage and phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis B virus
Authors: Qi Xiaoming , Wei Chaojun , Li Yonghong , Wu Yu , Xu Hui , Guo Rui , Jia Yanjuan , Li Zhenhao , Wei Zhenhong , Wang Wanxia , Jia Jing , Li Yuanting , Wang Anqi , Gao Xiaoling
Published: May 2020

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a crucial medical issue worldwide. The dependence of HBV replication on host cell machineries and their co-evolutionary interactions prompt the codon usage pattern of viral genes to translation selection and mutation pressure.

Objective

The evolutionary characteristics of HBV and the natural selection effects of the human genome on the codon usage characteristics were analyzed to provide a basis for medication development for HBV infection.

Methods

The codon usage pattern of sequences from different HBV genotypes of our isolates and reference HBV genome sequences downloaded from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database were analyzed by computing the relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU), nucleotide content, codon adaptation index (CAI) and the effective number of codons (ENC).

Results

The highest ENC values were observed in the C genotypes, followed by the B genotypes. The ENC values indicated a weak codon usage bias (CUB) in HBV genome. The number of codons differentially used between the three genotypes was markedly higher than that of similarly used codons. High CAI values indicated a good adaptability of HBV to its host. The ENC plot indicated the occurrence of mutational pressure in the three genotypes. The mean Ka/Ks ratios in the three genotypes were lower than 1, which indicated a negative selection pressure. The CAI and GC3% plot indicated the existence of CUB in the HBV genome.

Conclusions

Nucleotide composition, mutation bias, negative selection and mutational pressure are key factors influencing the CUB and phylogenetic diversity in HBV genotypes. The data provided here could be useful for developing drugs for HBV infection.
A review of the day-ahead natural gas consumption in Denmark: starting point towards forecasting accuracy improvement
Authors: Karabiber Orhan Altuğ , Xydis George
Published: May 2020

Natural gas consumption forecasting is crucial for transmission system operators, distribution system operators, traders, and other players in the market. This work collects natural gas forecasting scientific works in accordance with the forecasting tool used by Energinet, the Danish transmission system operator. The work provides an analytical description on the long-term stability and security of the natural gas transmission system in Denmark. This work offers a detailed scientific directory on natural gas forecasting, presenting the so far vaguely described market in a more structured manner. The paper was focused on presenting the latest findings on identifying the selection each time of the appropriate prognostic model for each application based on: ① the option for supporting double seasonality, ② various exogenous variables, ③ suitability for day-ahead forecasting, and ④ ease of use and all these versus Energinet’s current model.
Predicting regime shifts in social systems modelled with agent-based methods
Authors: Füllsack Manfred , Plakolb Simon , Jäger Georg
Published: May 2020

We investigate the possibility to apply a method of calculus analytics developed for predicting critical transitions in complex systems to social systems modelled with agent-based methods (ABMs). We introduce this method on the example of an equation-based modelled system and subsequently test it—to our knowledge for the first time—on ABMs. Our experiments show that the method may have wide applicability in the analysis of social systems. The method can help to approximate abrupt and thus unpredictable regime shifts, even though it may be constrained by stochastics and require a bit more experimentation in selecting suitable variables for making it work in ABMs.
Editorial
Authors: Mansfield-Devine Steve
Published: May 2020

When it comes to technology, the UK Government repeatedly reveals itself to be almost wilfully ignorant of how it works. It makes up for this with magical thinking. And so it is with the UK's idiosyncratic implementation of a Covid-19 contact-tracing app.
Stress testing the skills gap
Authors: Jones Melanie
Published: May 2020

Cyber security expertise is still not sufficiently distributed, pushing up salaries and causing over-demand and stress among cyber security professionals. Yet cyber security is critical to every organisation.

Skills gaps aren't going away on their own. They must be attacked head-on with the appropriate training to bridge the skills gap from within. There's no time to wait and see how things play out before resolving the risks. People are behind the problem and they are also the biggest part of the solution, reckons Melanie Jones at Global Knowledge.

Do you feel like there aren't enough hours in the day? Or that quantum physics needs to hurry up and figure out a way for your staff to be in at least two places at once? You're not the only one. Network security has a manpower problem. The annual ‘IT Skills and Salary Report’, a study of 12,200 IT professionals from 159 countries, has found for the fifth year running that cyber security expertise is still not sufficiently distributed within the sector, pushing up salaries and causing over-demand and stress among cyber security professionals. 1
A multi-cloud world requires a multi-cloud security approach
Authors: Duncan Rory
Published: May 2020

More than a third of global organisations store data in shared or public cloud environments. And around the same proportion store data in a private cloud.

As organisations move to multi-cloud architectures, malicious actors are looking to capitalise on any new attack vectors that this opens up, such as data and application sprawl and possible misconfiguration of cloud infrastructure. A holistic cyber security strategy will help to mitigate the risks inherent in a multi-cloud environment, while enabling the organisation to reap the business and technology rewards associated with it, explains Rory Duncan of NTT UK.

We are increasingly living in a multi-cloud world. According to the ‘2019 Risk:Value Report’, over a third of respondents in global organisations say their company currently stores its data in a shared or public cloud environment, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure or Google. Around the same proportion stores data in a private cloud. These numbers are set to go up as more and more businesses transition their processes and applications to the cloud.
DMASK-BAN: Improving the security of body area networks
Authors: Dharshini S , Subashini M Monica
Published: May 2020

Body area networks (BANs) are formed to collect the healthcare data of a person for diagnosis and the provision of treatments. The prime motive of body area network devices is to collect and communicate legacy health-related data. These devices use simple authentication and key generation procedures to provide security with low power consumption and computational power. These procedures are vulnerable to many attacks, especially denial of service (DoS).
Strengthening of columnar-grained freshwater ice through cyclic flexural loading
Authors: Murdza Andrii , Schulson Erland M. , Renshaw Carl E.
Published: May 2020

Systematic experiments reveal that the flexural strength of freshwater S2 columnar-grained ice loaded normal to the columns increases upon cyclic loading. Specifically, over the range of stress amplitudes 0.1–2.6 MPa the flexural strength increases linearly with increasing stress amplitude. The experiments were conducted upon both reversed and non-reversed cyclic loading over ranges of frequencies from 0.03 to 2 Hz and temperatures from −25 to −3°C. Strengthening can also be imparted through bending-induced creep. The fundamental requirement for strengthening is that the surface that undergoes maximum tensile stress during failure must have been pre-stressed in tension. Flexural strength is governed by crack nucleation. We suggest that the process is resisted by an internal back-stress that opposes the applied stress and builds up through either crystal dislocations piling up or grain boundaries sliding.
On ex situOphiomorphaand other burrow fragments from the Rio Grande do Sul Coastal Plain, Brazil: paleobiological and taphonomic remarks
Authors: Pedrol de Freitas Giovana , Francischini Heitor , Tapajós de Souza Tâmega Frederico , Spotorno-Oliveira Paula , Dentzien-Dias Paula
Published: May 2020

The Rio Grande do Sul Coastal Plain (southern Brazil) is composed of extensive marine and continental deposits related to at least four lagoon-barrier systems of Pleistocene−Holocene age. Part of these deposits is currently submerged and passing through erosion processes by waves. Vertebrate and invertebrate body and trace fossils are constantly exhumed from these deposits and redeposited on the modern beach face. Among them, a total of 253 fragments of crustacean burrows were collected for this study. Two ichnospecies ofOphiomorphaLundgren, 1891 were recognized (O. nodosaLundgren, 1891 andO. puerilisGibert et al., 2006), but most of the materials can only be assigned to the ‘SOT’ group (Spongeliomorphade Saporta, 1887,Ophiomorpha, andThalassinoidesEhrenberg, 1944), mainly because of the lack of a pelleted lining. The absence of pellets and, as a consequence, the ichnotaxonomy of these specimens, is related to taphonomical processes (exhumation, reworking, and transportation) that acted during formation of the ex situ assemblage. The paleoenvironmental dynamics and a taphonomical model are presented to demonstrate how these processes affected the trace fossils since their construction, through exhumation until deposition. Neoichnological observations led us to infer larger producers in comparison to the extant ghost shrimpSergio mirim(Rodrigues, 1971).
Comparative Ethnic Territorially Based Autonomy in Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, and Yakutia of Russia: An Analytical Framework
Authors: Tsakhirmaa Sansar
Published: May 2020

This article proposes an analytical framework to address why implemented autonomy outcomes may differ across ethnic republics in the Russian Federation. Composed of a long-range factor, inter-ethnic boundary making, and a short-term factor, titular elites’ representation in the ethno-regional state, the framework is applied to a synchronic comparison of three republics of Russia with differing autonomy outcomes for the 2010s, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, and Yakutia, reliant upon state-generated data and fieldwork. Titular elites’ representation in the ethnoregional state is used as a proxy for titular elites’ bargaining capacity with the central state. It is argued that an “integration–distinction balance,” or rather, higher inter-ethnic integration combined with robust consciousness of inter-ethnic distinction, can contribute to titular elites’ bargaining capacity with the center, which can lead to greater autonomy outcome for the ethnic republic.
Myanmar Traditional Medicine: The making of a national heritage
Authors: CODEREY CÉLINE
Published: May 2020

In the aftermath of independence, obtained in 1948, the Burmese government launched a project to valorize and promote traditional medicine which comprised the institutionalization and standardization of the teaching, practice, and production of medicines. The government justified this project by asserting the importance of protecting and improving—in terms of both quality and accessibility—this precious national heritage. Having contributed to the maintenance of people's health for centuries, it was nevertheless under threat of vanishing because of the dominance of biomedicine and because traditionally it had been passed down through a plurality of lineages using an esoteric language. Although recognizing the official motivation behind this project, this article suggests that it was also motivated by the need to unify and ‘Burmanize’ the country in the name of nation-building. Indeed, constructing a medicine that could compete with biomedicine, if not overtake it, would help in marking the country's distance and autonomy vis-a-vis the West. Spreading a standardized medicine, largely based on the Burman tradition, across the country would help eliminate inter-ethnic differences as well as the esoteric elements inherent in traditional medicine that were perceived as a potential threat to the state's authority. While claiming to protect a national heritage, the state was in fact crafting a new heritage that complied with a specific image of the nation—a unified modern Buddhist nation—in order to help it attain its political goals. The article also discusses to what extent this project has been successful by examining the limits of its implementations and the response of healers and manufacturers.
A Novel Classified Self-Organising Map Applied to Task Assignment
Authors: Qu Yun , Zhu Daqi
Published: May 2020

With the development of sensor technology, sensor nodes are increasingly being used in underwater environments. The strategy presented in this paper is designed to solve the problem of using a limited number of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to complete tasks such as data collection from sensor nodes when the number of AUVs is less than the number of target sensors. A novel classified self-organising map algorithm is proposed to solve the problem. First, according to the K-means algorithm, targets are classified into groups that are determined by the number of AUVs. Second, according to the self-organising map algorithm, AUVs are matched with groups. Third, each AUV is provided with the accessible order of the targets in the group. The novel classified self-organising map algorithm can be used not only to reduce the total energy consumption in a multi-AUV system, but also to give the most efficient accessible order of targets for AUVs. Results of simulations conducted to prove the applicability of the algorithm are given.
Bridge Resource Management: Training for the Minimisation of Human Error in the Military Naval Context
Authors: Campaniço Cavaleiro Sandra , Gomes Catarina , Lopes Miguel Pereira
Published: May 2020

Naval maritime operations entail a permanent concern for safety, ensuring that all crew members receive the necessary information on time. This implies the existence of specific training for improving non-technical skills (NTS). This paper proposes that bridge resource management (BRM) may be determinant for the success of naval maritime operations. Through a literature review on NTS, maritime team training and BRM, the paper presents insights about the way the level of NTS, inherent to BRM, may be determinant for naval officers to operate in safety. We propose that human error may be minimised and safety maximised in military teams operating in the maritime environment through the implementation of an NTS training programme. The paper offers an insight into the importance of safety during maritime operations, focusing on recent international orientations about training requirements, proposing that implementing BRM will be pivotal for the future of the military navy context.
Validation of maternal recall on exclusive breastfeeding 12 months after childbirth
Authors: Schneider BC , Cata-Preta BO , Gräf DD , Silva DLR , Santos FS , Dias MS , Lautenschläger P , Weber P , Reyes Matos U , Martins-Silva T , Barros AJD , Barros FC , Matijasevich A , Santos IS
Published: May 2020

Objective:

We aimed to assess the validity of maternal recall of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at 3 months obtained 12 months after childbirth.

Design:

A population-based birth cohort study. The gold standard is maternal report of EBF at the age of 3 months (yes or no) and age of introduction of other foods in the infant’s diet. EBF was considered when the mother reported that no liquid, semi-solid or solid food was introduced up to that moment. The variable to be validated was obtained at 12 months after childbirth when the mother was asked about the age of food introduction. The prevalence of EBF at 3 months, and sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), and accuracy of 12-month recall with 95 % CI were calculated.

Setting:

Pelotas, Brazil.

Participants:

3700 mothers of participants of the Pelotas 2004 Birth Cohort.

Results:

The prevalence of EBF at 3 months was 27·8 % (95 % CI 26·4, 29·3) and 49·0 % (95 % CI 47·4, 50·6) according to gold standard and maternal recall, respectively. The sensitivity of maternal recall at 12 months was 98·3 % (95 % CI 97·4, 99·0), specificity 70·0 % (95 % CI 68·2, 71·7), PPV 55·8 % (95 % CI 53·4, 58·1), NPV 99·1 % (95 % CI 98·6, 99·5) and accuracy 77·9 % (95 % CI 76·6, 79·2). When the analyses were stratified by maternal and infant characteristics, the sensitivity remained around 98 %, and the specificity ranged from 64·4 to 81·8 %.

Conclusions:

EBF recalled at the end of the first year of infant’s life is a valid measure to be used in epidemiological investigations.
Taking Other Religions Seriously: A Comparative Survey of Hindus in India
Authors: Verghese Ajay
Published: May 2020

While the study of religion in political science has reemerged as a growing field of inquiry in the last few decades, most research still focuses on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. What religion is and how it is measured has largely been conceptualized through the lens of these Abrahamic faiths. This article, by contrast, examines Hinduism, the world's oldest and third most populous religion. I randomly assigned closed-ended or open-ended surveys about Hindu religiosity across and within two demographically similar villages in the north Indian state of Bihar. A comparison of survey responses from a sample of 100 respondents suggests that many Hindus: (a) do not recognize basic analytical categories scholars use in the social scientific study of religion; (b) do not differentiate between ostensibly religious and secular categories; and (c) recognize features of everyday life, such as attire or obedience to rules about purity and auspiciousness, as religious in ways that may be different from most Western religious communities. This article productively challenges how political scientists think about what religion is and how to measure it, tasks that must precede explaining how it affects political behavior.
Oft nur Nebenschauplatz, manchmal aber wegweisend – eine ektope ACTH-Sekretion als Beispiel eines paraneoplastischen Syndroms
Authors: Herda Christoph , Steck Sina-Maria , Fehr Thomas , Camartin Cristian
Published: May 2020

Zusammenfassung. Eine paraneoplastische ACTH-Produktion tritt bei diversen Tumorentitäten auf, vor allem aber bei kleinzelligen Bronchialkarzinomen. Die Patienten präsentieren sich mit einem sekundären Cushing-Syndrom mit Hypokaliämie, arterieller Hypertonie, Hyperglykämie und Ödemen. Folgende drei Therapiesäulen bestehen: Eine Behandlung der Grunderkrankung, eine medikamentöse antihormonelle und eine symptomatische Therapie. Die Prognose eines ACTH-produzierenden Bronchialkarzinoms ist aufgrund der hohen Komplikationsrate insgesamt infaust. In unserem Fall lehnte die Patientin die Behandlung der Grunderkrankung ab, weshalb die palliative Behandlung mit symptomatischer Therapie in den Vordergrund rückte.
«Schönheit» – ein Thema für die Psychiatrie? Überlegungen zum Verhältnis von Psychopathologie und Körperlichkeit
Authors: Hoff Paul
Published: May 2020

Zusammenfassung. Das Erleben der eigenen Körperlichkeit ist ein zentraler Aspekt der Conditio humana. Bei psychischen Krisen und Erkrankungen kann es erheblich bis massiv beeinträchtigt werden. Der Beitrag erläutert dies an klinischen Beispielen und arbeitet Bedingungen für den Aufbau tragfähiger therapeutischer Beziehungen im Umgang mit dieser Patientengruppe heraus.
Seismic Noise Reveals Landslides in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Sever Megan
Published: May 2020

Scientists found dozens of submarine landslides in the Gulf of Mexico, possibly triggered by remote earthquakes.
Activation of adenosine A3 receptor protects retinal ganglion cells from degeneration induced by ocular hypertension
Authors: Boia Raquel , Salinas-Navarro Manuel , Gallego-Ortega Alejandro , Galindo-Romero Caridad , Aires Inês D. , Agudo-Barriuso Marta , Ambrósio António Francisco , Vidal-Sanz Manuel , Santiago Ana Raquel
Published: May 2020

Glaucoma is a progressive chronic retinal degenerative disease and a leading cause of global irreversible blindness. This disease is characterized by optic nerve damage and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. The current treatments available target the lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP), the main risk factor for disease onset and development. However, in some patients, vision loss progresses despite successful IOP control, indicating that new and effective treatments are needed, such as those targeting the neuroprotection of RGCs. Adenosine A3 receptor (A3R) activation confers protection to RGCs following an excitotoxic stimulus. In this work, we investigated whether the activation of A3R could also afford protection to RGCs in the laser-induced ocular hypertension (OHT) model, a well-characterized animal model of glaucoma. The intravitreal injection of 2-Cl-IB-MECA, a selective A3R agonist, abolished the alterations induced by OHT in the negative and positive components of scotopic threshold response (STR) without changing a- and b-wave amplitudes both in scotopic and photopic conditions. Moreover, the treatment of OHT eyes with the A3R agonist promoted the survival of RGCs, attenuated the impairment in retrograde axonal transport, and improved the structure of the optic nerve. Taking into consideration the beneficial effects afforded by 2-Cl-IB-MECA, we can envisage that A3R activation can be considered a good therapeutic strategy to protect RGCs from glaucomatous damage.
The DNA methylation landscape of giant viruses
Authors: Jeudy Sandra , Rigou Sofia , Alempic Jean-Marie , Claverie Jean-Michel , Abergel Chantal , Legendre Matthieu
Published: May 2020

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mark that contributes to various regulations in all domains of life. Giant viruses are widespread dsDNA viruses with gene contents overlapping the cellular world that also encode DNA methyltransferases. Yet, virtually nothing is known about the methylation of their DNA. Here, we use single-molecule real-time sequencing to study the complete methylome of a large spectrum of giant viruses. We show that DNA methylation is widespread, affecting 2/3 of the tested families, although unevenly distributed. We also identify the corresponding viral methyltransferases and show that they are subject to intricate gene transfers between bacteria, viruses and their eukaryotic host. Most methyltransferases are conserved, functional and under purifying selection, suggesting that they increase the viruses’ fitness. Some virally encoded methyltransferases are also paired with restriction endonucleases forming Restriction-Modification systems. Our data suggest that giant viruses’ methyltransferases are involved in diverse forms of virus-pathogens interactions during coinfections.
Permissive microbiome characterizes human subjects with a neurovascular disease cavernous angioma
Authors: Polster Sean P. , Sharma Anukriti , Tanes Ceylan , Tang Alan T. , Mericko Patricia , Cao Ying , Carrión-Penagos Julián , Girard Romuald , Koskimäki Janne , Zhang Dongdong , Stadnik Agnieszka , Romanos Sharbel G. , Lyne Seán B. , Shenkar Robert , Yan Kimberly , Lee Cornelia , Akers Amy , Morrison Leslie , Robinson Myranda , Zafar Atif , Bittinger Kyle , Kim Helen , Gilbert Jack A. , Kahn Mark L. , Shen Le , Awad Issam A.
Published: May 2020

Cavernous angiomas (CA) are common vascular anomalies causing brain hemorrhage. Based on mouse studies, roles of gram-negative bacteria and altered intestinal homeostasis have been implicated in CA pathogenesis, and pilot study had suggested potential microbiome differences between non-CA and CA individuals based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We here assess microbiome differences in a larger cohort of human subjects with and without CA, and among subjects with different clinical features, and conduct more definitive microbial analyses using metagenomic shotgun sequencing. Relative abundance of distinct bacterial species in CA patients is shown, consistent with postulated permissive microbiome driving CA lesion genesis via lipopolysaccharide signaling, in humans as in mice. Other microbiome differences are related to CA clinical behavior. Weighted combinations of microbiome signatures and plasma inflammatory biomarkers enhance associations with disease severity and hemorrhage. This is the first demonstration of a sensitive and specific diagnostic microbiome in a human neurovascular disease.
Chemical switching of low-loss phonon polaritons in α-MoO3 by hydrogen intercalation
Authors: Wu Yingjie , Ou Qingdong , Yin Yuefeng , Li Yun , Ma Weiliang , Yu Wenzhi , Liu Guanyu , Cui Xiaoqiang , Bao Xiaozhi , Duan Jiahua , Álvarez-Pérez Gonzalo , Dai Zhigao , Shabbir Babar , Medhekar Nikhil , Li Xiangping , Li Chang-Ming , Alonso-González Pablo , Bao Qiaoliang
Published: May 2020

Phonon polaritons (PhPs) have attracted significant interest in the nano-optics communities because of their nanoscale confinement and long lifetimes. Although PhP modification by changing the local dielectric environment has been reported, controlled manipulation of PhPs by direct modification of the polaritonic material itself has remained elusive. Here, chemical switching of PhPs in α-MoO3 is achieved by engineering the α-MoO3 crystal through hydrogen intercalation. The intercalation process is non-volatile and recoverable, allowing reversible switching of PhPs while maintaining the long lifetimes. Precise control of the intercalation parameters enables analysis of the intermediate states, in which the needle-like hydrogenated nanostructures functioning as in-plane antennas effectively reflect and launch PhPs and form well-aligned cavities. We further achieve spatially controlled switching of PhPs in selective regions, leading to in-plane heterostructures with various geometries. The intercalation strategy introduced here opens a relatively non-destructive avenue connecting infrared nanophotonics, reconfigurable flat metasurfaces and van der Waals crystals.
The stability of mutualism
Authors: Stone Lewi
Published: May 2020

Positive interactions are observed at high frequencies in nearly all living systems, ranging from human and animal societies down to the scale of microbial organisms. However, historically, detailed ecological studies of mutualism have been relatively unrepresented. Moreover, while ecologists have long portrayed competition as a stabilizing process, mutualism is often deemed destabilizing. Recently, several key modelling studies have applied random matrix methods, and have further corroborated the instability of mutualism. Here, I reassess these findings by factoring in species densities into the “community matrix,” a practice which has almost always been ignored in random matrix analyses. With this modification, mutualistic interactions are found to boost equilibrium population densities and stabilize communities by increasing their resilience. By taking into account transient dynamics after a strong population perturbation, it is found that mutualists have the ability to pull up communities by their bootstraps when species are dangerously depressed in numbers.
Hippocampal seed connectome-based modeling predicts the feeling of stress
Authors: Goldfarb Elizabeth V. , Rosenberg Monica D. , Seo Dongju , Constable R. Todd , Sinha Rajita
Published: May 2020

Although the feeling of stress is ubiquitous, the neural mechanisms underlying this affective experience remain unclear. Here, we investigate functional hippocampal connectivity throughout the brain during an acute stressor and use machine learning to demonstrate that these networks can specifically predict the subjective feeling of stress. During a stressor, hippocampal connectivity with a network including the hypothalamus (known to regulate physiological stress) predicts feeling more stressed, whereas connectivity with regions such as dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (associated with emotion regulation) predicts less stress. These networks do not predict a subjective state unrelated to stress, and a nonhippocampal network does not predict subjective stress. Hippocampal networks are consistent, specific to the construct of subjective stress, and broadly informative across measures of subjective stress. This approach provides opportunities for relating hypothesis-driven functional connectivity networks to clinically meaningful subjective states. Together, these results identify hippocampal networks that modulate the feeling of stress.
Continuous crystalline graphene papers with gigapascal strength by intercalation modulated plasticization
Authors: Li Peng , Yang Mincheng , Liu Yingjun , Qin Huasong , Liu Jingran , Xu Zhen , Liu Yilun , Meng Fanxu , Lin Jiahao , Wang Fang , Gao Chao
Published: May 2020

Graphene has an extremely high in-plane strength yet considerable out-of-plane softness. High crystalline order of graphene assemblies is desired to utilize their in-plane properties, however, challenged by the easy formation of chaotic wrinkles for the intrinsic softness. Here, we find an intercalation modulated plasticization phenomenon, present a continuous plasticization stretching method to regulate spontaneous wrinkles of graphene sheets into crystalline orders, and fabricate continuous graphene papers with a high Hermans’ order of 0.93. The crystalline graphene paper exhibits superior mechanical (tensile strength of 1.1 GPa, stiffness of 62.8 GPa) and conductive properties (electrical conductivity of 1.1 × 105 S m−1, thermal conductivity of 109.11 W m−1K−1). We extend the ultrastrong graphene papers to the realistic laminated composites and achieve high strength combining with attractive conductive and electromagnetic shielding performance. The intercalation modulated plasticity is revealed as a vital state of graphene assemblies, contributing to their industrial processing as metals and plastics.
Quassinoid analogs with enhanced efficacy for treatment of hematologic malignancies target the PI3Kγ isoform
Authors: Pei Yonggang , Hwang Nicky , Lang Fengchao , Zhou Lanlan , Wong Josiah Hiu-yuen , Singh Rajnish Kumar , Jha Hem Chandra , El-Deiry Wafik S. , Du Yanming , Robertson Erle S.
Published: May 2020

Development of novel PI3K inhibitors is an important strategy to overcome their resistance and poor tolerability in clinical trials. The quassinoid family member Brusatol shows specific inhibitory activity against hematologic malignancies. However, the mechanism of its anti-cancer activity is unknown. We investigated the anti-cancer activity of Brusatol on multiple hematologic malignancies derived cell lines. The results demonstrated that the PI3Kγ isoform was identified as a direct target of Brusatol, and inhibition was dramatically reduced on cells with lower PI3Kγ levels. Novel synthetic analogs were also developed and tested in vitro and in vivo. They shared comparable or superior potency in their ability to inhibit malignant hematologic cell lines, and in a xenograft transplant mouse model. One unique analog had minimal toxicity to normal human cells and in a mouse model. These new analogs have enhanced potential for development as a new class of PI3K inhibitors for treatment of hematologic malignancies.
Toward enhanced photocatalytic activity of graphite carbon nitride through rational design of noble metal-free dual cocatalysts
Authors: Qin Ling-Zhi , Lin Ye-Zhan , Dou Yi-Chuan , Yang Yi-Jin , Li Kui , Li Tao , Liu Fu-Tian
Published: May 2020

The g-C3N4-MoS2-M(OH)x ternary heterostructures were designed and fabricated for the first time.
Aggregation in viscoelastic emulsion droplet gels with capillarity-driven rearrangements
Authors: Thiel Abigail , Atherton Timothy J. , Spicer Patrick T. , Hartel Richard W.
Published: May 2020

Experiments and simulations show that arrested coalescence and capillarity-induced restructuring control the shapes of two-dimensional droplet aggregates.
Neighborhood watch: tools for defining locale-dependent subproteomes and their contextual signaling activities
Authors: Long Marcus J. C. , Zhao Yi , Aye Yimon
Published: May 2020

We discuss chemical-genetic means to mine locale-specific proteins of functional relevance and whose behaviors are pharmacologically malleable.
Correction: The optimization of cancer photodynamic therapy by utilization of a pi-extended porphyrin-type photosensitizer in combination with MITO-Porter
Authors: Satrialdi  , Munechika Reina , Biju Vasudevanpillai , Takano Yuta , Harashima Hideyoshi , Yamada Yuma
Published: May 2020

Correction for ‘The optimization of cancer photodynamic therapy by utilization of a pi-extended porphyrin-type photosensitizer in combination with MITO-Porter’ by Satrialdi et al., Chem. Commun., 2020, 56, 1145–1148, DOI: 10.1039/C9CC08563G.
Correction: Synthesis of functionalized tetrahydropyrans via cascade cycloaddition involving silyloxyallyl cation intermediates
Authors: Badmus Fatimat O. , Malone Joshua A. , Fronczek Frank R. , Kartika Rendy
Published: May 2020

Correction for ‘Synthesis of functionalized tetrahydropyrans via cascade cycloaddition involving silyloxyallyl cation intermediates’ by Fatimat O. Badmus et al., Chem. Commun., 2020, 56, 5034–5037, DOI: 10.1039/D0CC01796E.
Control of the oxygen deficiency and work function of SrFeO3−δ thin films by excimer laser-assisted metal organic decomposition
Authors: Matsubayashi Yasuhito , Nomoto Junichi , Yamaguchi Iwao , Tsuchiya Tetsuo
Published: May 2020

Excimer laser-assisted metal organic decomposition can provide SrFeO3−δ films with oxygen deficiency varied by using an appropriate atmosphere and tuning the laser fluence.
A multifunctional Ni-doped iron pyrite/reduced graphene oxide composite as an efficient counter electrode for DSSCs and as a non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide electrochemical sensor
Authors: Kumar Sanath , Tsai Chih-Hung , Fu Yen-Pei
Published: May 2020

Facilely synthesized a dual-functional hybrid of nickel-doped FeS2/rGO for solar energy conversion as an efficient counter electrode and a non-enzymatic H2O2 sensor applications.
Loading and release of doxorubicin hydrochloride from iron(iii) trimesate MOF and zinc oxide nanoparticle composites
Authors: Bhattacharjee Abhik , Purkait Mihir Kumar , Gumma Sasidhar
Published: May 2020

The porosity of iron(iii) trimesate and the presence of nanoparticles significantly affect the loading and release of doxorubicin.
Dendrite-free Zn electrodeposition triggered by interatomic orbital hybridization of Zn and single vacancy carbon defects for aqueous Zn-based flow batteries
Authors: Lee Ju-Hyuk , Kim Riyul , Kim Soohyun , Heo Jiyun , Kwon Hyeokjin , Yang Jung Hoon , Kim Hee-Tak
Published: May 2020

Highly reversible aqueous zinc anodes are demonstrated via suppressing surface diffusion of Zn adatoms from strong orbital hybridization of the Zn adatoms and single vacancy defects.
Correction: Emerging investigator series: phosphorus recovery from municipal wastewater by adsorption on steelmaking slag preceding forward osmosis: an integrated process
Authors: Kumar Pramanik Biplob , Islam Md. Aminul , Asif Muhammad Bilal , Roychand Rajeev , Kumar Pramanik Sagor , Shah Kalpit , Bhuiyan Muhammed , Hai Faisal
Published: May 2020

Correction for ‘Emerging investigator series: phosphorus recovery from municipal wastewater by adsorption on steelmaking slag preceding forward osmosis: an integrated process’ by Biplob Kumar Pramanik et al., Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2020, DOI: 10.1039/d0ew00187b.
Sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) based sulfonated molybdenum sulfide composite membranes: proton transport properties and direct methanol fuel cell performance
Authors: Yadav Vikrant , Niluroutu Nagaraju , Bhat Santoshkumar D. , Kulshrestha Vaibhav
Published: May 2020

Composite membranes of sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) (sPES) are prepared in combination with sulfonated molybdenum sulfide (s-MoS2) as an alternative polymer electrolyte for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC).
Effect of molten sodium nitrate on the decomposition pathways of hydrated magnesium hydroxycarbonate to magnesium oxide probed byin situtotal scattering
Authors: Rekhtina Margarita , Dal Pozzo Alessandro , Stoian Dragos , Armutlulu Andac , Donat Felix , Blanco Maria V. , Wang Zhu-Jun , Willinger Marc-Georg , Fedorov Alexey , Abdala Paula M. , Müller Christoph R.
Published: May 2020

We use pair distribution function analysis ofin situtotal scattering data and complementary techniques to reveal how molten NaNO3modifies the decomposition pathways of a hydrated magnesium carbonate to the formation of MgO.
A highly interweaved HA-SS-nHAp/collagen hybrid fibering hydrogel enhances osteoinductivity and mineralization
Authors: Li Xing , Chen Manyu , Wang Peilei , Yao Ya , Han Xiaowen , Liang Jie , Jiang Qing , Sun Yong , Fan Yujiang , Zhang Xingdong
Published: May 2020

The novel highly interweaved HA-ss-nHAp/collagen hybrid fibering hydrogel achieved maximum efficiency in facilitating BMSCs adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in vitro as well as osteoinductivity and mineralization in vivo.
Disturbed mitochondrial quality control involved in hepatocytotoxicity induced by silica nanoparticles
Authors: Qi Yi , Ma Ru , Li Xueyan , Lv Songqing , Liu Xiaoying , Abulikemu Alimire , Zhao Xinying , Li Yanbo , Guo Caixia , Sun Zhiwei
Published: May 2020

SiNPs triggered hepatocytotoxicity through interfering mitochondrial quality control process, including imbalanced mitochondrial dynamics, disturbed mitophagy and suppressed biogenesis, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and ensuing cell damage.