bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weak neutral current axial form factor using $$ \left(\overline{\nu}\right)\nu $$-nucleon scattering and lattice QCD inputs
Authors: Sufian Raza Sabbir , Liu Keh-Fei , Richards David G.
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We present a determination of the neutral current weak axial charge

$$ {G}_A^Z(0)=-0.654{(3)}_{\mathrm{stat}}{(5)}_{\mathrm{sys}} $$

G
A
Z

0

=
−
0.654

3

stat

5

sys

using the strange quark axial charge

$$ {G}_A^s(0) $$

G
A
s

0

calculated with lattice QCD. We then perform a phenomenological analysis, where we combine the strange quark electromagnetic form factor from lattice QCD with (anti)neutrino-nucleon scattering differential cross section from MiniBooNE experiments in a momentum transfer region 0.24 ≲ Q
2 ≲ 0.71 GeV2 to determine the neutral current weak axial form factor

$$ {G}_A^Z\left({Q}^2\right) $$

G
A
Z

Q
2

in the range of 0 ≲ Q
2 ≤ 1 GeV2. This yields a phenomenological value of

$$ {G}_A^Z(0) $$

G
A
Z

0

= −0.687(89)stat(40)sys. The value of

$$ {G}_A^Z(0) $$

G
A
Z

0

constrained by the lattice QCD calculation of

$$ {G}_A^s(0) $$

G
A
s

0

, when compared to its phenomenological determination, provides a significant improvement in precision and accuracy and can be used to provide a constraint on the fit to

$$ {G}_A^Z\left({Q}^2\right) $$

G
A
Z

Q
2

for Q
2
> 0. This constrained fit leads to an unambiguous determination of (anti)neutrino-nucleon neutral current elastic scattering differential cross section near Q
2 = 0 and can play an important role in numerically isolating nuclear effects in this region. We show a consistent description of

$$ {G}_A^Z\left({Q}^2\right) $$

G
A
Z

Q
2

obtained from the (anti)neutrino-nucleon scattering cross section data requires a nonzero contribution of the strange quark electromagnetic form factor. We demonstrate the robustness of our analysis by providing a post-diction of the BNL E734 experimental data.
Lorentzian CFT 3-point functions in momentum space
Authors: Bautista Teresa , Godazgar Hadi
Published: January 2020

Abstract

In a conformal field theory, two and three-point functions of scalar operators and conserved currents are completely determined, up to constants, by conformal invariance. The expressions for these correlators in Euclidean signature are long known in position space, and were fully worked out in recent years in momentum space. In Lorentzian signature, the position-space correlators simply follow from the Euclidean ones by means of the iϵ prescription. In this paper, we compute the Lorentzian correlators in momentum space and in arbitrary dimensions for three scalar operators by means of a formal Wick rotation. We explain how tensorial three-point correlators can be obtained and, in particular, compute the correlator with two identical scalars and one energy-momentum tensor. As an application, we show that expectation values of the ANEC operator simplify in this approach.
Addendum to: Classifying 5d SCFTs via 6d SCFTs: rank one
Authors: Bhardwaj Lakshya , Jefferson Patrick
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this addendum is to include important references to original work that had already appeared in the literature at the time of publication.
One‐Step Multichannel Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopic Lithotripsy Applied in Bilateral Hepatolithiasis
Authors: Tao Haisu , Wang Ping , Sun Beiwang , Li Kun , Zhu Canhua
Published: January 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of one‐step multichannel percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy (PTCSL) with traditional PTCSL in the treatment of bilateral hepatolithiasis.

Methods

From February 2011 to June 2015, 156 patients with bilateral hepatolithiasis received surgical treatment in our department. Among these patients, 81 received one‐step multichannel PTCSL (group A), and the remaining 75 received traditional PTCSL (group B).

Results

Compared with group B, group A was characterized by a significantly shorter operation time (83.7 ± 28.5 min vs 118.1 ± 41.5 min; P = 0.000), hospital stay (11.1 ± 3.4 d vs 17.8 ± 5.6 d; P = 0.034), and postoperative hospital stay (6.9 ± 3.1 d vs 9.6 ± 4.5 d; P = 0.026). In addition, the immediate clearance (62.9% vs 45.3%, P = 0.027) and final clearance (90.1% vs 78.7%, P = 0.048) rates were higher in group A than in group B. During the follow‐up period, stone recurrence was significantly less common in group A than in group B (13.6% vs 26.7%, P = 0.041). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that the PTCSL method (HR = 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09–4.90, P = 0.028), bilateral biliary stricture (HR = 4.17, 95% CI = 1.73–10.03, P = 0.001), and stones located in segments I (HR = 7.75, 95% CI = 3.67–16.38, P = 0.000) were independent predictors of recurrence.

Conclusions

Compared with traditional PTCSL, one‐step multichannel PTCSL was more efficient and effective in the treatment of bilateral hepatolithiasis.
Future changes in atmospheric rivers and extreme precipitation in Norway
Authors: Whan Kirien , Sillmann Jana , Schaller Nathalie , Haarsma Rein
Published: January 2020

Flooding events associated with extreme precipitation have had large impacts in Norway. It is well known that these heavy precipitation events affecting Norway (and other parts of Europe) are strongly associated with atmospheric rivers (ARs). We assess trends in Norwegian AR characteristics, and the influence of AR variability on extreme precipitation in Norway. We first evaluate the ability of a high-resolution global climate model (EC-Earth) to simulate ARs, compared to ERA-Interim. We evaluate the EC-Earth simulated relationship between ARs and extreme precipitation in western Norway, compared to the observed relationship. We find that EC-Earth is able to simulate well the statistics of AR events and the related precipitation. The intensity and frequency of ARs making landfall in Norway both increase by the end of the century and we find a shift in seasonality of AR events in the future period. In two regions on the west coast, the majority of winter precipitation maxima are associated with AR events (> 80% of cases). Next we assess the influence of AR variability on extreme precipitation. A non-stationary extreme value analysis indicates that the magnitude of extreme precipitation events in these regions is associated with AR intensity. Indeed, the 1-in-20 year extreme event is 17% larger when the AR-intensity is high, compared to when it is low. There is little influence of specific humidity on the variability of extreme precipitation after all variables are de-trended. Finally, we find that the region mean temperature during winter AR events increases in the future. In the future, when the climate is generally warmer, AR days will tend to make landfall when the temperature is above the freezing point. The partitioning of more precipitation as rain, rather than as snow, can have severe impacts on flooding and water resource management.
Correction to: Do pain, anxiety and depression influence quality of life for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease? A national study reconciling previous conflicting literature
Authors:   the TONiC study group, Edge Rhiannon , Mills Roger , Tennant Alan , Diggle Peter J. , Young Carolyn A.
Published: January 2020

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. Oliver Hanemann name was incorrect in the in the acknowledgements section of this paper.
A stationary heat conduction problem in low dimensional sets in $${\mathbb {R}}^N$$
Authors: Rybka Piotr , Zatorska-Goldstein Anna
Published: January 2020

We study a basic linear elliptic equation on a lower dimensional rectifiable set S in $${\mathbb {R}}^N$$RN with the Neumann boundary data. Set S is a support of a finite Borel measure $$\mu $$μ. We will use the measure theoretic tools to interpret the equation and the Neumann boundary condition. For this purpose we recall the Sobolev-type space dependent on the measure $$\mu $$μ. We establish existence and uniqueness of weak solutions provided that an appropriate source term is given.
Time integration of symmetric and anti-symmetric low-rank matrices and Tucker tensors
Authors: Ceruti Gianluca , Lubich Christian
Published: January 2020

A numerical integrator is presented that computes a symmetric or skew-symmetric low-rank approximation to large symmetric or skew-symmetric time-dependent matrices that are either given explicitly or are the unknown solution to a matrix differential equation. A related algorithm is given for the approximation of symmetric or anti-symmetric time-dependent tensors by symmetric or anti-symmetric Tucker tensors of low multilinear rank. The proposed symmetric or anti-symmetric low-rank integrator is different from recently proposed projector-splitting integrators for dynamical low-rank approximation, which do not preserve symmetry or anti-symmetry. However, it is shown that the (anti-)symmetric low-rank integrators retain favourable properties of the projector-splitting integrators: given low-rank time-dependent matrices and tensors are reproduced exactly, and the error behaviour is robust to the presence of small singular values, in contrast to standard integration methods applied to the differential equations of dynamical low-rank approximation. Numerical experiments illustrate the behaviour of the proposed integrators.
Spatial and temporal variability of metal(loid)s concentration as well as simultaneous determination of five arsenic and antimony species using HPLC-ICP-MS technique in the study of water and bottom sediments of the shallow, lowland, dam reservoir in Poland
Authors: Jabłońska-Czapla Magdalena , Grygoyć Katarzyna
Published: January 2020

The optimization of new methodology for simultaneous determination of arsenic [As(III), As(V)] and antimony [Sb(III), Sb(V), SbMe3] species using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in water and bottom sediment samples collected from the dam Kozłowa Góra Reservoir (Poland) was studied. Samples were collected monthly from May to September 2018 in four-point (water) and fifth-point (sediment) transects. The contents of Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cr, Rb, Sr, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb, and Sb were studied in water and bottom sediments using ICP-MS techniques. Additionally, arsenic and antimony fractions were determined in sediments with the BCR method. Pollution Load Index (PLI), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), LAWA classification, and Sb/As ratio indicated the presence of extreme sediment pollution for Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cr from anthropogenic sources. Research has shown that the easy-leached bottom sediment fraction contained in most cases more As(V) and Sb(V). But often Sb(V) concentration was equal as Sb(III), which can be released into the pelagic zone under favorable conditions. Even though As(V) and Sb(V) prevail in the reservoir bottom sediments, they can be transformed into As(III) and Sb(III) as a result of drastic changes in pH or redox potential. The Kozłowa Góra sediments are heavily polluted with Pb, Zn, Cd, and As, Cu, and Ni. The highest concentrations of the heavy metals were recorded in the middle of the tank and there was a small spatial variability. The migration of metals along the reservoir transect was closely related to its morphometry.
Understanding token-based ecosystems – a taxonomy of blockchain-based business models of start-ups
Authors: Tönnissen Stefan , Beinke Jan Heinrich , Teuteberg Frank
Published: January 2020

Start-ups in the blockchain context generate millions by means of initial coin offerings (ICOs). Many of these crowdfunding endeavours are very successful, others are not. However, despite the increasing investments in ICOs, there is still neither sufficient theoretical knowledge nor a comprehensive understanding of the different types of business models and the implications for these token-based ecosystems. Scientific research equally lacks a thorough understanding of the different business model forms and their influence on collaboration in token-based economies. We bridge this gap by presenting a taxonomy of real-world blockchain-based start-ups. For this taxonomy, we used 195 start-ups and performed a cluster-analysis in order to identify three different archetypes and thus gain a deeper understanding. Our taxonomy and the archetypes can equally be seen as strategic guidance for practitioners as well as a starting point for future research concerning the token-based business models.
„Im Mathematikunterricht muss man auch mit Sprache rechnen!“ – Sprachbezogene Fachleistung und Unterrichtswahrnehmung im Rahmen mathematischer Sprachförderung
Authors: Leiss Dominik , Plath Jennifer
Published: January 2020

In den letzten Jahren ist die Rolle von Sprache für den Erwerb fachlicher Kompetenzen sowie die Relevanz einer durchgängigen Sprachförderung in allen Unterrichtsfächern immer deutlicher geworden. Dies war der Ausgangspunkt dafür, dass im Rahmen des Entwicklungsprogrammes BiSS bundesweit an Schulen Sprachförderung in verschiedenen Unterrichtsfächern implementiert und durch Begleitforschung evaluiert werden sollte. Das Evaluationsprojekt EvaFa untersucht dabei die mathematikspezifische Sprachförderung von Schulen aus dem BiSS-Programm. Entsprechend beschäftigt sich dieser Beitrag mit der Frage, inwiefern Schülerinnen und Schüler, die an einem sprachfördernden Mathematikunterricht teilnehmen, von einem Jahr Sprachförderung profitieren und höhere Textverstehensleistungen bzw. einen größeren Fachwortschatz aufweisen. Hierfür wurden von den Schülerinnen und Schülern eines exemplarischen Sprachförderverbundes bestehend aus acht Klassen in einem Pre-Post-Design u. a. soziodemographische Hintergrundmerkmale, sprachliche Fähigkeiten, die Verfügbarkeit von Fachwörtern, die mathematische Kompetenz, das Textaufgabenverständnis sowie die Einschätzung unterrichtlicher Aspekte längsschnittlich erhoben. Für eine Stichprobe von 133 Schülerinnen und Schüler der 5. und 6. Jahrgangsstufe werden diese Daten näher analysiert, wobei sich zum einen zeigt, dass Schülerinnen und Schüler verschiedene unterrichtliche Aspekte sehr differenziert wahrnehmen und für Veränderungen sensibel sind. Zum anderen zeigen sich beim mathematischen Textaufgabenverständnis signifikante Zuwächse zwischen den beiden Messzeitpunkten im Förderzeitraum.
PEGASUS: the Design of an Intervention to Facilitate Shared Decision-making in Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Clarke A. , Paraskeva N. , White P. , Tollow P. , Hansen E. , Harcourt D.
Published: January 2020

Studies have found varying levels of satisfaction after breast reconstruction surgery with a substantial group of patients reporting some level of regret about their decision. The variable outcomes reported by women undergoing breast reconstruction surgery suggest a role for improved pre-operative communication and shared decision-making (SDM) between patient and health professional. Pragmatic approaches such as decision aids have been evaluated, but the aim of the Patient Expectations and Goals Assisting Shared Understanding of Surgery (PEGASUS) intervention is to facilitate closer interaction between the patient and clinical team. PEGASUS is a standardised two-stage process, in which patients’ goals are first elicited, ranked in importance and recorded before being used to frame discussion and decision-making with the surgeon managing care. Following the Medical Research Council (MRC) model, feasibility and acceptability studies have already been reported and a 4-year multicentre randomised controlled trial of 180 participants is underway, (completion 2020). This paper therefore focuses on the design of the intervention itself, in line with recent advice that interventions, in comparison with evaluations, commonly lack a theoretical base and are often under reported. We report a retrospective application of the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model to provide explicit detail of each step in the intervention design. This is intended to facilitate replication by other clinicians and to provide systematic guidance for others wishing to develop PEGASUS as a strategy for implementing SDM in other clinical populations. Trial Registration: ISRCTN 18000391 (DOI 10.1186/ISRCTN18000391) 27/01/2016.
Investigation on fatigue strength of cut edges produced by various cutting methods for high-strength steels
Authors: Diekhoff P. , Hensel J. , Nitschke-Pagel Th. , Dilger K.
Published: January 2020

Due to the interest in effective light steel constructions, high-strength steels have gained importance. Different thermal cutting processes are frequently used in the metal processing industry. Besides the weld seams, free cutting edges gain technical and economic relevance as locations for potential fatigue cracks. In this investigation, fatigue tests were carried out on 8-mm-thick samples of S355M and S690Q steels at a stress ratio of R = 0.1. The cutting methods used were oxygen, plasma, laser, and waterjet cutting. Quality improvement methods, like shot peening, grinding, and cutting speed reduction, were applied for some series. The surface roughness was measured to classify the specimens into quality groups according to ISO 9013. The cut edge condition was also characterized by hardness and residual stress measurements. The investigation shows that all tested series exceed the FAT100 class and can be classified in FAT125. Specimens ranged in quality group 2 of ISO 9013 according to the roughness achieve FAT140 regardless of cutting technology or material. According to the ISO 9013, most of the specimens are classified in the quality group 2 and group 3. Fatigue strength results are significantly different in one quality group. No prediction can be made. ISO 9013 has a weak connection to fatigue strength. Quality improvement methods have a significant influence on the fatigue strength and can increase it. Due to reduced cutting speeds, the roughness decreases also. It results in an increase of the fatigue strength in all tested series in this study. In order to make a prediction of the fatigue performance, the standard has to be specified and the cutting process as well as the steel strength should be considered.
Prenatal Embolisation of Giant Chorioangioma Using n-Butyl Cyanoacrylate: Technique, Clinical Course and Perinatal Outcome
Authors: Manikandan K. , Rajendran Jisha , Rangaraj Aarthi M. , Saravanan Kavitha , Serane Tiroumourougane
Published: January 2020

Giant Chorioangiomas, although rare, can be associated with serious fetal complications due to blood cell sequestration, shunt physiology or both. Prenatal treatment is aimed to counter the primary complication, usually an intrauterine transfusion to treat anemia or occlusion of the feeder artery to negate the shunt physiology. We describe a case of giant chorioangioma complicated by high output cardiac dysfunction with imminent hydrops that was treated with embolisation of the feeder artery using n-butyl cyanoacrylate and discuss how one modality may not fit all cases.
The Role of Islam, Ajami writings, and educational reform in Sulemaana Kantè’s N’ko
Authors: Donaldson Coleman
Published: January 2020

The written words of African Muslims have recently received renewed attention. This stems from a push to go beyond colonial archives as well as concerns with terrorism and Islamic radicalization. While Ajami—that is, African languages written in Arabic script—has been a part of this trend, Manding-language publications in the N’ko script have been overlooked. And yet, this literary industry is distinctly Islamic. Putting the writings of Sulemaana Kantè into conversation with historical authors and his contemporaries, Donaldson demonstrates that N’ko represents an iteration of Afro-Muslim vernacular thought, thereby illuminating Kantè and a body of N’ko and Ajami publications.
ON NONUNIQUENESS FOR THE ANISOTROPIC CALDERÓN PROBLEM WITH PARTIAL DATA
Authors: DAUDÉ THIERRY , KAMRAN NIKY , NICOLEAU FRANÇOIS
Published: January 2020

We show that there is nonuniqueness for the Calderón problem with partial data for Riemannian metrics with Hölder continuous coefficients in dimension greater than or equal to three. We provide simple counterexamples in the case of cylindrical Riemannian manifolds with boundary having two ends. The coefficients of these metrics are smooth in the interior of the manifold and are only Hölder continuous of order$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}<1$at the end where the measurements are made. More precisely, we construct a toroidal ring$(M,g)$and we show that there exist in the conformal class of$g$an infinite number of Riemannian metrics$\tilde{g}=c^{4}g$such that their corresponding partial Dirichlet-to-Neumann maps at one end coincide. The corresponding smooth conformal factors are harmonic with respect to the metric$g$and do not satisfy the unique continuation principle.
The Merovingian Kingdoms and the Monothelete Controversy
Authors: LIN SIHONG
Published: January 2020

The Monothelete controversy, a Christological dispute that seemingly consumed the Eastern Roman Empire in the seventh century, also left its mark in Latin texts composed in Merovingian Gaul. By integrating the western evidence and recent revisions to the controversy's history, this study presents a new overview of how Frankish observers viewed the eastern ‘heresy’ and papal efforts to condemn the doctrine in 649. Though negative on the surface, western attitudes towards this Christological debate in the 650s are much more mixed and new evidence can be adduced for the continuation of positive exchanges between the empire and the Franks.
Blockchain’s future: can the decentralized blockchain community succeed in creating standards?
Authors: Flood John , McCullagh Adrian
Published: January 2020

Nakamoto proposed a new solution to transact value via the internet. And since 2009, blockchain technology has expanded and diversified. It has, however, proven to be inefficient in the way it achieves its outcomes, especially through the proof of work protocol. Other developers are promoting alternative methods but, as yet, none has superseded proof of work. The competing protocols illuminate a key feature of the blockchain community, namely, its inability to create consensus in a decentralized community. Because of this lack of consensus, the formation of standards is particularly difficult to achieve. At best standards are contested sites, and we examine three such sites where some form of agreement over standards will be essential if blockchain is to evolve successfully. These three sites are blockchain governance, smart contracts, and interoperability of blockchains. We argue that because standards’ formation is a contested and contingent process, the blockchain community will persist in creating difficulties and barriers for itself until it is able to resolve internal conflicts.
Law and Public Policy: A Gap Between Theory and Teaching?
Authors: Kammerer Edward F. , Estrella-Luna Neenah
Published: January 2020

The realization that policy and law are tightly intertwined dates at least to de Tocqueville’s observation that, in the United States, political questions often become judicial questions. Scholars have shown consistently that courts, both federal and state, play a role in public policy decision making. This is observed in social policy (e.g., same-sex marriage and abortion), environmental policy (e.g., Environmental Protection Agency regulations), economic policy (e.g., New Deal Era decisions), and more. Too often, however, graduate programs in public policy fail to prepare students for the role of the courts in the policy process. This study examines the requirements and core competencies from Masters of Public Policy programs to determine to what extent, if any, judicial policy making is taught. We find that there is a significant gap between the theory about the role of courts in the public policy process and what public policy programs teach their students. We conclude with recommendations for possible changes to curricula to close this gap.
Global Sensitivity Analysis for Multiple Interpretive Models With Uncertain Parameters
Authors: Dell'Oca A. , Riva M. , Guadagnini A.
Published: January 2020

We propose a set of new indices to assist global sensitivity analysis in the presence of data allowing for interpretations based on a collection of diverse models whose parameters could be affected by uncertainty. Our global sensitivity analysis metrics enable us to assess the sensitivity of various features (as rendered through statistical moments) of the probability density function of a quantity of interest with respect to imperfect knowledge of (i) the interpretive model employed to characterize the system behavior and (ii) the ensuing model parameters. We exemplify our methodology for the case of heavy metal sorption onto soil, for which we consider three broadly used (equilibrium isotherm) models. Our analyses consider (a) an unconstrained case, i.e., when no data are available to constrain parameter uncertainty and to evaluate the (relative) plausibility of each considered model, and (b) a constrained case, i.e., when the analysis is constrained against experimental observations. Our moment‐based indices are structured according to two key components: (a) a model‐choice contribution, associated with the possibility of analyzing the system of interest by taking advantage of multiple model conceptualizations (or mathematical renderings); and (b) a parameter‐choice contribution, related to the uncertainty in the parameters of a selected model. Our results indicate that a given parameter can be associated with diverse degrees of importance, depending on the considered statistical moment of the target model output. The influence on the latter of parameter and model uncertainty evolves as a function of the available level of information about the modeled system behavior.
Super-resolution fluorescence-assisted diffraction computational tomography reveals the three-dimensional landscape of the cellular organelle interactome
Authors: Dong Dashan , Huang Xiaoshuai , Li Liuju , Mao Heng , Mo Yanquan , Zhang Guangyi , Zhang Zhe , Shen Jiayu , Liu Wei , Wu Zeming , Liu Guanghui , Liu Yanmei , Yang Hong , Gong Qihuang , Shi Kebin , Chen Liangyi
Published: January 2020

The emergence of super-resolution (SR) fluorescence microscopy has rejuvenated the search for new cellular sub-structures. However, SR fluorescence microscopy achieves high contrast at the expense of a holistic view of the interacting partners and surrounding environment. Thus, we developed SR fluorescence-assisted diffraction computational tomography (SR-FACT), which combines label-free three-dimensional optical diffraction tomography (ODT) with two-dimensional fluorescence Hessian structured illumination microscopy. The ODT module is capable of resolving the mitochondria, lipid droplets, the nuclear membrane, chromosomes, the tubular endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomes. Using dual-mode correlated live-cell imaging for a prolonged period of time, we observed novel subcellular structures named dark-vacuole bodies, the majority of which originate from densely populated perinuclear regions, and intensively interact with organelles such as the mitochondria and the nuclear membrane before ultimately collapsing into the plasma membrane. This work demonstrates the unique capabilities of SR-FACT, which suggests its wide applicability in cell biology in general.
Hydrogen sulfide stimulates Mycobacterium tuberculosis respiration, growth and pathogenesis
Authors: Saini Vikram , Chinta Krishna C. , Reddy Vineel P. , Glasgow Joel N. , Stein Asaf , Lamprecht Dirk A. , Rahman Md. Aejazur , Mackenzie Jared S. , Truebody Barry E. , Adamson John H. , Kunota Tafara T. R. , Bailey Shannon M. , Moellering Douglas R. , Lancaster Jack R. , Steyn Adrie J. C.
Published: January 2020

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is involved in numerous pathophysiological processes and shares overlapping functions with CO and •NO. However, the importance of host-derived H2S in microbial pathogenesis is unknown. Here we show that Mtb-infected mice deficient in the H2S-producing enzyme cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) survive longer with reduced organ burden, and that pharmacological inhibition of CBS reduces Mtb bacillary load in mice. High-resolution respirometry, transcriptomics and mass spectrometry establish that H2S stimulates Mtb respiration and bioenergetics predominantly via cytochrome bd oxidase, and that H2S reverses •NO-mediated inhibition of Mtb respiration. Further, exposure of Mtb to H2S regulates genes involved in sulfur and copper metabolism and the Dos regulon. Our results indicate that Mtb exploits host-derived H2S to promote growth and disease, and suggest that host-directed therapies targeting H2S production may be potentially useful for the management of tuberculosis and other microbial infections.
Substrate induced nanoscale resistance variation in epitaxial graphene
Authors: Sinterhauf Anna , Traeger Georg A. , Momeni Pakdehi Davood , Schädlich Philip , Willke Philip , Speck Florian , Seyller Thomas , Tegenkamp Christoph , Pierz Klaus , Schumacher Hans Werner , Wenderoth Martin
Published: January 2020

Graphene, the first true two-dimensional material, still reveals the most remarkable transport properties among the growing class of two-dimensional materials. Although many studies have investigated fundamental scattering processes, the surprisingly large variation in the experimentally determined resistances is still an open issue. Here, we quantitatively investigate local transport properties of graphene prepared by polymer assisted sublimation growth using scanning tunneling potentiometry. These samples exhibit a spatially homogeneous current density, which allows to analyze variations in the local electrochemical potential with high precision. We utilize this possibility by examining the local sheet resistance finding a significant variation of up to 270% at low temperatures. We identify a correlation of the sheet resistance with the stacking sequence of the 6H silicon carbide substrate and with the distance between the graphene and the substrate. Our results experimentally quantify the impact of the graphene-substrate interaction on the local transport properties of graphene.
Modular detergents tailor the purification and structural analysis of membrane proteins including G-protein coupled receptors
Authors: Urner Leonhard H. , Liko Idlir , Yen Hsin-Yung , Hoi Kin-Kuan , Bolla Jani Reddy , Gault Joseph , Almeida Fernando Gonçalves , Schweder Marc-Philip , Shutin Denis , Ehrmann Svenja , Haag Rainer , Robinson Carol V. , Pagel Kevin
Published: January 2020

Detergents enable the purification of membrane proteins and are indispensable reagents in structural biology. Even though a large variety of detergents have been developed in the last century, the challenge remains to identify guidelines that allow fine-tuning of detergents for individual applications in membrane protein research. Addressing this challenge, here we introduce the family of oligoglycerol detergents (OGDs). Native mass spectrometry (MS) reveals that the modular OGD architecture offers the ability to control protein purification and to preserve interactions with native membrane lipids during purification. In addition to a broad range of bacterial membrane proteins, OGDs also enable the purification and analysis of a functional G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). Moreover, given the modular design of these detergents, we anticipate fine-tuning of their properties for specific applications in structural biology. Seen from a broader perspective, this represents a significant advance for the investigation of membrane proteins and their interactions with lipids.
Synchronously wired infrared antennas for resonant single-quantum-well photodetection up to room temperature
Authors: Miyazaki Hideki T. , Mano Takaaki , Kasaya Takeshi , Osato Hirotaka , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Sugimoto Yoshimasa , Kawazu Takuya , Arai Yukinaga , Shigetou Akitsu , Ochiai Tetsuyuki , Jimba Yoji , Miyazaki Hiroshi
Published: January 2020

Optical patch antennas sandwiching dielectrics between metal layers have been used as deep subwavelength building blocks of metasurfaces for perfect absorbers and thermal emitters. However, for applications of these metasurfaces for optoelectronic devices, wiring to each electrically isolated antenna is indispensable for biasing and current flow. Here we show that geometrically engineered metallic wires interconnecting the antennas can function to synchronize the optical phases for promoting coherent resonance, not only as electrical conductors. Antennas connected with optimally folded wires are applied to intersubband infrared photodetectors with a single 4-nm-thick quantum well, and a polarization-independent external quantum efficiency as high as 61% (responsivity 3.3 A W−1, peak wavelength 6.7 μm) at 78 K, even extending to room temperature, is demonstrated. Applications of synchronously wired antennas are not limited to photodetectors, but are expected to serve as a fundamental architecture of arrayed subwavelength resonators for optoelectronic devices such as emitters and modulators.
The recalescence rate of cooling curve for undercooled solidification
Authors: Xu Junfeng , Yang Tian , Li Zhuo , Wang Xiao , Xiao Ying , Jian Zengyun
Published: January 2020

Recalescence rate (R) in cooling curve is well known that affected by undercooling in solidification, but the accurate relationship of them is not clear yet. In this paper, based on the undercooled solidification of Fe-B alloy, the factor affected on recalescence process was investigated. The relationship R = VΔT/D was first found, where V is the growth velocity, ΔT the recalescence degree (approximate the undercooling), D the focus region diameter dependent on the distance of the pyrometer. With this result the solidification interface growth velocity can be predicted from recalescence of cooling curve, vice versa. In addition, an approximate relation between growth velocity and the size of the critical nucleus was shown.
Mid Infrared Optical Gas Sensor Using Plasmonic Mach-Zehnder Interferometer
Authors: El Shamy Raghi S. , Khalil Diaa , Swillam Mohamed A.
Published: January 2020

In this work, we propose an optimized design for on-chip gas sensor using metal-insulator (MI) plasmonic waveguide in the mid infrared range and utilizing a Mach-Zehnder Inetrferometer (MZI). The MI waveguide utilizes a high index dielectric layer on top of the metal to enhance the sensitivity of the sensor. The thickness and the refractive index of this layer are optimized to achieve high sensitivity. Using this layer, a design that exhibits high performance for both wavelength and intensity interrogation schemes is achieved. In addition, another one that furtherly enhances the sensor performance for intensity interrogation is also proposed. This design also minimizes the sensor sensitivity to wavelength variations. Intensity interrogation scheme has the advantage of eliminating the size and cost needed by wide wavelength band measurements including either spectrometer or tunable laser in wavelength interrogation. The first design sensitivity has reached 10000 nm/RIU with wavelength interrogation figure of merit (FOMλ) of 133RIU−1 and intensity interrogation FOMI of 239RIU−1. While the second one exhibit FOMI of 363RIU−1, both with length of 250 µm around 4.6 µm wavelength. Finally, these structures are cheap, compact, and easy to fabricate.
Thermal damage of tungsten-armored plasma-facing components under high heat flux loads
Authors: Wang Shuming , Li Jiangshan , Wang Ye , Zhang Xiaofang , Wang Ruiping , Wang Yanru , Cao Jian
Published: January 2020

Fusion energy is expected as a promising candidate for alternative next generation energy. For fusion reactor, the plasma facing components (PFCs) are the most critical components to achieve this goal. PFCs will suffer severe thermal shock due to repective cyclic high heat flux (HHF) loads. This paper investigates the effects of thermal shock and damage behavior of tungsten armored PFCs under steady, transient and combined thermal loads. The distribution of stress field is analyzed, and crack initiation is predicted using the extended finite element method (XFEM). The unique features of thermal-mechanical behavior of tungsten armored PFCs under simulated service condition are discussed. The dominant factor of the cracking of the tungsten armor is the brittleness of tungsten below ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT). Under the steady loads, the cracking position is apt to near the interface of tungsten armor and the interlayer, and the threshold of cracking is between 14 MW/m2 and 16 MW/m2. With 6 MW/m2 steady loads, applying 1 ms duration of transient load, the cracking threshold is between 0.2 GW/m2 to 0.4 GW/m2. The depth of cracking increases from 100 um to 500 um with the transient load increasing from 0.4 GW/m2 to 1.0 GW/m2. Researches are useful for the design and structural optimization of tungsten-armored PFCs, and the long-term stable operation of further reactor.
Impact of deviation from guideline recommended treatment on breast cancer survival in Asia
Authors: Ho Peh Joo , Ow Samuel Guan Wei , Sim Yirong , Liu Jenny , Lim Swee Ho , Tan Ern Yu , Tan Su-Ming , Lee Soo Chin , Tan Veronique Kiak-Mien , Yap Yoon-Sim , Chay Wen Yee , Tan Benita Kiat Tee , Wong Fuh Yong , Li Jingmei , Hartman Mikael
Published: January 2020

Breast cancer survival has improved with significant progress in treatment and disease management. However, compliance with treatment varies. Treatment guidelines for older patients are unclear. We aim to identify predictors of noncompliance with recommended therapy in a large breast cancer population and assess the impact of noncompliance on survival. Our study included 19,241 non-metastatic female breast cancer patients, of whom 3,158 (16%) died within 10 years post-diagnosis (median survival = 5.8 years). We studied the association between treatment noncompliance and factors with logistic regression, and the impact of treatment noncompliance on survival with a flexible parametric survival model framework. The highest proportion of noncompliance was observed for chemotherapy (18%). Predictors of noncompliance with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and endocrine therapy included age, tumor size, nodal involvement and subtype (except radiotherapy). Factors associated with not receiving surgery included age and subtype. Treatment noncompliance was associated with worse overall survival for surgery (HR: 2.26 [1.80–2.83]), chemotherapy (1.25 [1.11–1.41]), radiotherapy (2.28 [1.94–2.69]) and endocrine therapy (1.70 [1.41–2.04]). Worse survival was similarly observed in older patients for whom guidelines generally do not apply. Our results highlight the importance of following appropriate treatment as recommended by current guidelines. Older patients may benefit from similar recommendations.
Building de novo reference genome assemblies of complex eukaryotic microorganisms from single nuclei
Authors: Montoliu-Nerin Merce , Sánchez-García Marisol , Bergin Claudia , Grabherr Manfred , Ellis Barbara , Kutschera Verena Esther , Kierczak Marcin , Johannesson Hanna , Rosling Anna
Published: January 2020

The advent of novel sequencing techniques has unraveled a tremendous diversity on Earth. Genomic data allow us to understand ecology and function of organisms that we would not otherwise know existed. However, major methodological challenges remain, in particular for multicellular organisms with large genomes. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are important plant symbionts with cryptic and complex multicellular life cycles, thus representing a suitable model system for method development. Here, we report a novel method for large scale, unbiased nuclear sorting, sequencing, and de novo assembling of AM fungal genomes. After comparative analyses of three assembly workflows we discuss how sequence data from single nuclei can best be used for different downstream analyses such as phylogenomics and comparative genomics of single nuclei. Based on analysis of completeness, we conclude that comprehensive de novo genome assemblies can be produced from six to seven nuclei. The method is highly applicable for a broad range of taxa, and will greatly improve our ability to study multicellular eukaryotes with complex life cycles.
Analysis of uncoated LPGs written in B-Ge doped fiber under proton irradiation for sensing applications at CERN
Authors: Berruti Gaia Maria , Vaiano Patrizio , Quero Giuseppe , Pimentel Das Neves Tiago Filipe , Boniello Alessandra , Consales Marco , Petagna Paolo , Cusano Andrea
Published: January 2020

In this contribution, a complete dissertation concerning the behavior of a Long Period Grating (LPG) inscribed in a B-Ge co-doped optical fiber by means of an excimer laser and exposed to proton irradiation during a recent extensive campaign performed at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) with a fluence of 4.4·1015 p∙cm−2 is provided. The experimental results have been thus combined for the first time to the best of our knowledge with numerical simulations in order to estimate the variations of the major parameters affecting the grating response during the ultra-high dose proton exposure. From the correlation between experimental and numerical analysis, the irradiation exposure was found to induce a maximal variation of the core effective refractive index of ~1.61·10−4, responsible of a resonance wavelength red shift of ~44 nm in correspondence of the highest absorbed radiation dose of 1.16 MGy. At the same time, a relevant decrease close to ~0.93·10−4 in the refractive index modulation pertaining to the grating was estimated, leading to a reduction of the resonant dip visibility of ~12 dB. The effect of the proton beam on the spectral response of the LPG device and on the optical fiber parameters was assessed during the relaxation phases, showing a partial recovery only of the wavelength shift without any relevant change in the dip visibility revealing thus a partial recovery only in the refractive index of the core while the reduction of the refractive index modulation observed during the irradiation remained unchanged.
Advancing proton minibeam radiation therapy: magnetically focussed proton minibeams at a clinical centre
Authors: Schneider Tim , De Marzi Ludovic , Patriarca Annalisa , Prezado Yolanda
Published: January 2020

Proton minibeam radiation therapy (pMBRT) is a novel therapeutic strategy that has proven to significantly increase dose tolerances and sparing of normal tissue. It uses very narrow proton beams (diameter ≤1 mm), roughly one order of magnitude smaller than state-of-the-art pencil beams. The current implementation of pMBRT with mechanical collimators is suboptimal as it is inflexible, decreases efficiency and produces additional secondary neutrons. As a potential solution, we explore in this article minibeam generation through magnetic focussing and investigate possibilities for the integration of such a technique at existing clinical centres. For this, a model of the pencil beam scanning (PBS) nozzle and beam at the Orsay Proton Therapy Centre was established and Monte Carlo simulations were performed to determine its focussing capabilities. Moreover, various modifications of the nozzle geometry were considered. It was found that the PBS nozzle in its current state is not suitable for magnetic minibeam generation. Instead, a new, optimised nozzle design has been proposed and conditions necessary for minibeam generation were benchmarked. In addition, dose simulations in a water phantom were performed which showed improved dose distributions compared to those obtained with mechanical collimators.
Human Genetic Susceptibility of Leprosy Recurrence
Authors: Uaska Sartori Priscila Verchai , Penna Gerson O. , Bührer-Sékula Samira , Pontes Maria A. A. , Gonçalves Heitor S. , Cruz Rossilene , Virmond Marcos C. L. , Dias-Baptista Ida M. F. , Rosa Patricia S. , Penna Maria L. F. , Medeiros Fava Vinicius , Stefani Mariane M. A. , Távora Mira Marcelo
Published: January 2020

Host genetic susceptibility to leprosy has been intensively investigated over the last decades; however, there are no studies on the role of genetic variants in disease recurrence. A previous initiative identified three recurrent cases of leprosy for which none of the M. leprae strains, as obtained in the first and the second diagnosis, had any known genomic variants associated to resistance to Multidrug therapy; in addition, whole genome sequencing indicated that the same M. leprae was causing two out of the three recurrences. Thus, these individuals were suspected of being particularly susceptible to M. leprae infection, either as relapse or reinfection. To verify this hypothesis, 19 genetic markers distributed across 11 loci (14 genes) classically associated with leprosy were genotyped in the recurrent and in three matching non-recurrent leprosy cases. An enrichment of risk alleles was observed in the recurrent cases, suggesting the existence of a particularly high susceptibility genetic profile among leprosy patients predisposing to disease recurrence.
Perception and decision mechanisms involved in average estimation of spatiotemporal ensembles
Authors: Yashiro Ryuto , Sato Hiromi , Oide Takumi , Motoyoshi Isamu
Published: January 2020

A number of studies on texture and ensemble perception have shown that humans can immediately estimate the average of spatially distributed visual information. The present study characterized mechanisms involved in estimating averages for information distributed over both space and time. Observers viewed a rapid sequence of texture patterns in which elements’ orientation were determined by dynamic Gaussian noise with variable spatial and temporal standard deviations (SDs). We found that discrimination thresholds increased beyond a certain spatial SD if temporal SD was small, but if temporal SD was large, thresholds remained nearly constant regardless of spatial SD. These data are at odds with predictions that threshold is uniquely determined by spatiotemporal SD. Moreover, a reverse correlation analysis revealed that observers judged the spatiotemporal average orientation largely depending on the spatial average orientation over the last few frames of the texture sequence – a recency effect widely observed in studies of perceptual decision making. Results are consistent with the notion that the visual system rapidly computes spatial ensembles and adaptively accumulates information over time to make a decision on spatiotemporal average. A simple computational model based on this notion successfully replicated observed data.
Metabolic profile and behavior of clethodim and spirotetramat in herbs during plant growth and processing under controlled conditions
Authors: Jankowska Magdalena , Kaczyński Piotr , Łozowicka Bożena
Published: January 2020

Herbs may contain pesticide residues which are an important discriminator of food security and food quality. The challenge of the research was to assess the fate of the herbicide clethodim (CLE) and the insecticide spirotetramat (SPI) applied in herbs (BBCH 11-21) during herb growth and processing under controlled greenhouse trial conditions. The metabolic profile of CLE and SPI and their degradation products in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) and sage (Salvia officinalis L.) was also presented. The half-lives of CLE and SPI in herbs were 1.10–1.56 days and 0.51–0.83 days, respectively. The terminal residues of SPI (SPI-enol, SPI-ketohydroxy, SPI-monohydroxy and SPI-enol-glucoside) and CLE (CLE-sulfone and CLE-sulfoxide) in herbal matrices were measured below EU maximum residue limits. In this paper, we aimed to assess the impact of washing and dehydratation pretreatment and calculated processing factors (PFs) which can be applied to more accurate food safety assessments. The PF values of CLE and SPI after drying prior washing was below 1 indicating reduction of initial residues. Drying process without washing demonstrated increases of SPI concentrations (PF up to 1.50). The lowest PFs were obtained when raw herbal plants were washed before drying showing almost complete degradation of parent compound (93–99%).