bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anomalous fluorescence of white hair compared to other unpigmented keratin fibres
Authors: Millington K. R.
Published: March 2020

Objective

To demonstrate that the tryptophan (Trp) fluorescence of natural white hair is much weaker than other unpigmented keratin fibres such as wool, cashmere, rabbit hair and mink fur, and to explore possible reasons for this behaviour. The origin of the blue visible fluorescence (~450 nm) excited by UVA radiation in the range 360–380 nm, often associated with Trp degradation products, is also discussed and compared to other fibrous and globular proteins.

Methods

As the fluorescence spectrum of keratin fibres usually contains at least two major features, a visual comparison is more effectively demonstrated by creating a 3D contour plot of excitation versus emission wavelength, which is sometimes referred to as an excitation emission matrix (EEM).

Results

The Trp fluorescence from white hair is very much weaker than for wool, cashmere, rabbit hair and mink fur, but its visible fluorescence emission is stronger. Oxidation and reduction have little effect on the Trp intensity, which suggests quenching by cystine is not a major factor. Decuticulation of hair fibres had no effect on the Trp intensity showing that the increased number of cuticle scales surrounding the fibre cortex is not responsible. Trp fluorescence is very sensitive to exposure to UVB wavelengths, so possibly its low intensity in hair is due to greater levels of environmental exposure to sunlight than the other fibres examined.

Conclusion

Trp fluorescence from natural white hair is either extremely weak or completely absent, in contrast to the four other keratin fibres examined. It is possible that environmental exposure to UV wavelengths presents in sunlight contributes to a reduction in the Trp fluorescence intensity of white hair. However, another explanation is that Trp is quenched, by either an unknown substance introduced into hair during keratinization or as a result of regular exposure to personal care products, which may interact with Trp or tyrosine residues and disrupt the energy transfer process involved in keratin fluorescence. Further studies will be required to definitively determine the cause.
ADAMTS‐5: A difficult teenager turning 20
Authors: Santamaria Salvatore
Published: March 2020

A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin motif (ADAMTS)‐5 was identified in 1999 as one of the enzymes responsible for cleaving aggrecan, the major proteoglycan in articular cartilage. Studies in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo have validated ADAMTS‐5 as a target in osteoarthritis (OA), a disease characterized by extensive degradation of aggrecan. For this reason, it attracted the interest of many research groups aiming to develop a therapeutic treatment for OA patients. However, ADAMTS‐5 proteoglycanase activity is not only involved in the dysregulated aggrecan proteolysis, which occurs in OA, but also in the physiological turnover of other related proteoglycans. In particular, versican, a major ADAMTS‐5 substrate, plays an important structural role in heart and blood vessels and its proteolytic processing by ADAMTS‐5 must be tightly regulated. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the discovery of ADAMTS‐5, this review looks at the evidence for its detrimental role in OA, as well as its physiological turnover of cardiovascular proteoglycans. Moreover, the other potential functions of this enzyme are highlighted. Finally, challenges and emerging trends in ADAMTS‐5 research are discussed.
Catch them young: Impact of financial socialization, financial literacy and attitude towards money on financial well‐being of young adults
Authors: Utkarsh  , Pandey Asheesh , Ashta Arvind , Spiegelman Eli , Sutan Angela
Published: March 2020

A stream of research has examined the financial well‐being of individuals. However, less research has been conducted on the financial well‐being of young adults in developing economies. To further examine this domain, we developed a conceptual framework based on the existing literature of consumer research and financial well‐being and assessed how financial literacy, socialization and attitude towards money influence the financial well‐being of young adults. Two cross‐sectional surveys were conducted on 446 young adults (preliminary study n = 156; main study n = 290; mean age 22 years) in India. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that financial discussion with parents during childhood positively influences financial well‐being of young adults. In addition, we found that relationship between financial literacy and financial well‐being is not significant. Furthermore, the study reveals the role of attitude towards money as a strong predictor of financial well‐being. The results provide implications for educational and financial institutions and policymakers for improving the financial well‐being of young adults.
Genome‐wide detection of signatures of selection in three Valdostana cattle populations
Authors: Mastrangelo Salvatore , Ben Jemaa Slim , Ciani Elena , Sottile Gianluca , Moscarelli Angelo , Boussaha Mekki , Montedoro Marina , Pilla Fabio , Cassandro Martino
Published: March 2020

The Valdostana is a local dual purpose cattle breed developed in Italy. Three populations are recognized within this breed, based on coat colour, production level, morphology and temperament: Valdostana Red Pied (VPR), Valdostana Black Pied (VPN) and Valdostana Chestnut (VCA). Here, we investigated putative genomic regions under selection among these three populations using the Bovine 50K SNP array by combining three different statistical methods based either on allele frequencies (FST) or extended haplotype homozygosity (iHS and Rsb). In total, 8, 5 and 8 chromosomes harbouring 13, 13 and 16 genomic regions potentially under selection were identified by at least two approaches in VPR, VPN and VCA, respectively. Most of these candidate regions were population‐specific but we found one common genomic region spanning 2.38 Mb on BTA06 which either overlaps or is located close to runs of homozygosity islands detected in the three populations. This region included inter alia two well‐known genes: KDR, a well‐established coat colour gene, and CLOCK, which plays a central role in positive regulation of inflammatory response and in the regulation of the mammalian circadian rhythm. The other candidate regions identified harboured genes associated mainly with milk and meat traits as well as genes involved in immune response/inflammation or associated with behavioural traits. This last category of genes was mainly identified in VCA, which is selected for fighting ability. Overall, our results provide, for the first time, a glimpse into regions of the genome targeted by selection in Valdostana cattle. Finally, this study illustrates the relevance of using multiple complementary approaches to identify genomic regions putatively under selection in livestock.
Retracted: Intestinal fatty acid‐binding protein mediates atherosclerotic progress through increasing intestinal inflammation and permeability
Authors: Zhang Lulu , Wang Fan , Wang Jiajun , Wang Yongshun , Fang Yan
Published: March 2020

Atherosclerosis is one of leading phenotypes of cardiovascular diseases, featured with increased vascular intima‐media thickness (IMT) and unstable plaques. The interaction between gastrointestinal system and cardiovascular homeostasis is emerging as a hot topic. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the role of an intestinal protein, intestinal fatty acid‐binding protein (I‐FABP/FABP2) in the atherosclerotic progress. In western diet–fed ApoE−/− mice, FABP2 was highly expressed in intestine. Silence of intestinal Fabp2 attenuated western diet–induced atherosclerotic phenotypes, including decreasing toxic lipid accumulation, vascular fibrosis and inflammatory response. Mechanistically, intestinal Fabp2 knockdown improved intestinal permeability through increasing the expression of tight junction proteins. Meanwhile, intestinal Fabp2 knockdown mice exhibited down‐regulation of intestinal inflammation in western diet–fed ApoE−/− mice. In clinical patients, the circulating level of FABP2 was obviously increased in patients with cardiovascular disease and positively correlated with the value of carotid intima‐media thickness, total cholesterol and triglyceride. In conclusion, FABP2‐induced intestinal permeability could address a potential role of gastrointestinal system in the development of atherosclerosis, and targeting on intestinal FABP2 might provide a therapeutic approach to protect against atherosclerosis.
Quality and content analysis of clinical practice guidelines which include nonpharmacological interventions for knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Tittlemier Brenda J. , Wittmeier Kristy D. , Webber Sandra C.
Published: March 2020

Rationale, Aims, and Objectives

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for knee osteoarthritis (OA) guide the provision of high‐quality healthcare for people with knee OA, which may improve outcomes. Our aim was to evaluate the quality of and content within recently published CPGs for people with knee OA.

Methods

CPGs (2014‐2019) that described recommendations for nonpharmacological interventions for knee OA were included in the analysis. Two pairs of evaluators used the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation II instrument (AGREE II) to assess the quality of guideline development. CPG content was reviewed and summarized for comparison.

Results

Ten CPGs were identified for inclusion in the quality and content analysis (seven newly developed and three recently updated). Overall CPG scores ranged between 42% and 100%. Six CPGs were found to be high‐quality. Exercise was the only intervention recommended by all CPGs that we appraised. Weight‐management and education were the next most frequently recommended interventions. Inter‐rater reliability scores were high in domain 1: scope and purpose, (P‐value = .001, intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.62‐0.98), domain 3: rigor of development (P‐value = .000, ICC = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.80‐0.99) and domain 5: applicability (P‐value = .001, ICC = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.64‐0.98).

Conclusion

Several CPGs have been developed or recently updated since 2014. Over half of the ten CPGs we appraised were deemed to be high‐quality. Exercise, education, and weight‐management advice are interventions that were most commonly recommended by CPGs.
Indonesian fruits classification from image using MPEG‐7 descriptors and ensemble of simple classifiers
Authors: Siswantoro Joko , Arwoko Heru , Widiasri Monica
Published: March 2020

Fruits classification from image is a very challenging task, particularly for Indonesian indigenous fruits, due to some similarities occurred in several types of the fruits. This study proposes a method to classify Indonesian fruits from image using MPEG‐7 color and texture descriptors. The descriptors were directly extracted from the image without pre‐processing and segmentation steps. Principle component analysis was then applied to reduce the dimension of the descriptors. Four simple classifiers, decision tree, naïve Bayesian, linear discriminant analysis, and k‐nearest neighbor were used to classify the fruit image based on extracted descriptors. An ensemble of simple classifiers trained with some combination of MPEG‐7 descriptors has been constructed to increase the classification accuracy of single simple classifier. To validate the proposed method, an Indonesian fruit images data set consisted of 15 classes was developed in this study. The experiment result showed that the ensemble of simple classifiers achieved the best accuracy of 97.80% by employing linear discriminant analysis, and k‐nearest neighbor as base classifiers trained using CSD, SCD, and the combination of CLD and EHD. Therefore, the proposed method achieved a good classification accuracy and can be applied in vision‐based classification system in industry.

Practical Applications

This study proposes a method to classify Indonesian fruits from image using MPEG‐7 descriptors and the ensemble of simple classifiers. The proposed method can be applied in vision‐based fruit sorting system in fruit industry as well as vision‐based fruit pricing system in supermarket.
Feeling safe with patient‐controlled admissions: A grounded theory study of the mental health patients' experiences
Authors: Ellegaard Trine , Bliksted Vibeke , Mehlsen Mimi , Lomborg Kirsten
Published: March 2020

Aim

To develop a grounded theory of the patients' experiences with patient‐controlled admission.

Background

Research indicates a potential for involving patients in mental health care, but there is a need to develop and investigate new approaches in health services. Patient‐controlled admission is an option for patients with severe mental disorders to refer themselves for a brief hospital admission when needed and thus avoid the usual admission procedure.

Design

Classic grounded theory with generation of a theory based on the constant comparative method for data collection and analysis.

Methods

Field observations and interviews with 26 mental health patients. The COREQ checklist was followed.

Results

We found that patient‐controlled admission induced safety by providing faster access to help and thus preventing further deterioration of symptoms. Being self‐determined, achieving calmness and receiving care with support and guidance from professionals during admission contributed to the sense of safety. The familiarity with the mental health professionals in their related units supported the patients in managing their situation. On the other hand, feelings of being overlooked by the professionals and experiencing uncertainty could undermine patients' feeling of safety.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that safety is a focal point for patients when receiving help and support in mental health care. Patient‐controlled admission can induce a feeling of safety both at the hospital and at home. Patients' self‐determination is strengthened, and brief admissions give them an opportunity to handle what they are currently struggling with. Professionals can support patients in this, but their actions can also reduce patients’ feeling of safety.

Relevance to clinical practice

Patient involvement can be introduced in psychiatry, and even severely ill patients seem to be able to assess their own condition. Feasibility may, however, be associated with the attitude and behaviour of the professionals in clinical practice.
How Does High School Extracurricular Participation Predict Bachelor’s Degree Attainment? It is Complicated
Authors: Gardner Margo , Hutt Stephen , Kamentz Donald , Duckworth Angela L. , D’Mello Sidney K.
Published: March 2020

This study answered novel questions about the connection between high school extracurricular dosage (number of activities and participation duration) and the attainment of a bachelor’s degree. Using data from the Common Application and the National Student Clearinghouse (N = 311,308), we found that greater extracurricular participation positively predicted bachelor’s degree attainment. However, among students who ultimately earned a bachelor’s degree, participating in more than a moderate number of high school activities (3 or 4) predicted decreasing odds of earning a bachelor’s degree on time (within 4 years). This effect intensified as participation duration increased, such that students who participated in the greatest number of high school activities for the most years were the most likely to delay college graduation.
Use of the esa resistance index to guide dosing for anaemia management
Authors: Ross Edward A. , Paugh‐Miller Jennifer L. , Wen Xuerong , Nappo Robert W.
Published: March 2020

Background

Identifying erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent (ESA) resistance is important for treating reversible causes, reaching target haemoglobin levels with minimal dosing, avoiding adverse effects and reducing costs. The resistance index (RI, dose/kg weight/g haemoglobin/dl) is reportedly superior to absolute or weight‐based dosing.

Objectives

With the growing number of ESA classes and medications, our goal was to develop methodology to establish RI ranges in otherwise healthy haemodialysis patients as a structured approach to identify remediable causes of anaemia.

Design

We retrospectively studied anaemia management with darbepoetin in 100 chronic haemodialysis patients and a subgroup of 48 without identifiable conditions that impair erythropoiesis. Data included inflammatory and bone marrow conditions, medications with hematologic effects, catheter use, iron, parathyroid and dialysis measures.

Results

The haematologically healthy group was aged 57.1 ± 1.9 SEM years, 33% diabetic, with haemoglobin 10.4 ± 0.2 g/dl. The darbepoetin RI (DRI) values were 0.05 ± 0.01, absolute dose 38.5 ± 3.5 mcg/week and weight‐based 0.50 ± 0.05 mcg/kg. Regression analyses included iron saturation, ferritin, parathyroid hormone and urea reduction ratio. DRI was superior to other dosing approaches based on the distribution of results (kurtosis) and discordance between the measures that occurred in 17% of patients at haemoglobin target.

Conclusions

We demonstrate the value of determining the RI for use with expanding ESA choices, using as an example how DRI values can be established for healthy haemodialysis patients so as to guide dosing. When elevated, the RI can trigger evaluation for remediable factors causing hyporesponsiveness even when haemoglobin goals have been reached.
A refractory inclusion with solar oxygen isotopes and the rarity of such objects in the meteorite record
Authors: Kööp Levke , Nagashima Kazuhide , Davis Andrew M. , Krot Alexander N.
Published: March 2020

NASA's Genesis mission revealed that the Sun is enriched in 16O compared to the Earth and Mars (the Sun's Δ17O, defined as δ17O–0.52×δ18O, is –28.4 ± 3.6‰; McKeegan et al. 2011). Materials as 16O‐rich as the Sun are extremely rare in the meteorite record. Here, we describe a Ca‐Al‐rich inclusion (CAI) from a CM chondrite that is as 16O‐enriched as the Sun (Δ17O = –29.1 ± 0.7‰). This CAI also has large nucleosynthetic anomalies in 48Ca and 50Ti (δ‐values are –8.1 ± 3.3 and –11.7 ± 2.4‰, respectively) and shows no clear evidence for incorporation of live 26Al; (26Al/27Al)0 = (0.03 ± 0.11) × 10–5. Due to their anomalous isotopic characteristics, the rare CAIs consistent with the Genesis value could be among the first materials that formed in the solar system. In contrast to the CAI studied here, the majority of CAIs formed in or interacted with a reservoir characterized by a Δ17O value near –23.5‰. Combined with 26Al‐26Mg systematics, the oxygen isotopic compositions of FUN (fractionation and unidentified nuclear effects), UN, and normal CAIs suggest that nebular conditions were favorable for solids to inherit this value for an extended period of time. Many later‐formed materials, such as chondrules, planetesimals, and terrestrial planets, formed in reservoirs with Δ17O near 0‰. The distribution could be easier to explain if the common CAI value of –23.5‰, which is consistent with the Genesis value within 3σ, represented the average composition of the protoplanetary disk.
Demystifying the mirror taboo: A neurocognitive model of viewing self in the mirror
Authors: Freysteinson Wyona M.
Published: March 2020

Research has consistently demonstrated that viewing one's body in a mirror after an amputation or other perceived or visible body disfigurements can be a traumatic experience. Mirror viewing or mirroring is a taboo subject, which may be the reason this trauma has not been previously detected or acknowledged. Traumatic mirror viewing may lead to mirror discomfort, mirror avoidance, and a host of psychosocial concerns, including post‐traumatic stress. As mirroring is complex, four qualitative mirror viewing studies, embodiment concepts, polyvagal theory, and memory theories were used to develop a model. In this article, foundational knowledge that led to the development of the model is shared. A neurocognitive model of mirror viewing is offered together with implications for nursing research, practice, and education.
Data sharing in small and medium US cities: The role of community characteristics
Authors: Fusi Federica , Feeney Mary K.
Published: March 2020

This research investigates whether political, social and economic characteristics of local communities are related to data sharing between city departments and businesses and nonprofit organizations. Research about data sharing typically emphasizes managerial, organizational and technological factors in departments, largely neglecting community characteristics. The willingness to share data depends on the relationships between the government and external stakeholders, and these relationships are shaped by the political, social and economic characteristics of local communities. Using data from a 2016 survey of 2,500 department heads in 500 US cities with populations between 25,000 and 250,000, we find that data sharing increases in cities where communities are politically engaged, hold Democratic preferences, and there are higher rates of public sector employment and economic inequality. Data sharing is less likely to occur in communities with higher education and more nonprofit associations.
Immediate Effects of the Combination of Interferential Therapy Parameters on Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Almeida Nicole , Paladini Luis Henrique , Korelo RacieleIvandra Guarda , Liebano Richard E. , de Macedo Ana Carolina Brandt
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To compare the immediate analgesic effects of 2 kHz or 4 kHz interferential current (IFC) with different amplitude‐modulated frequencies (AMFs) (2 Hz or 100 Hz) on chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Design

Three‐arm double‐blinded randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Primary care.

Participants

175 patients (19 to 60 years of age, 105 female) with CLBP.

Interventions

One session of IFC: Interferential group (GI): GI2 kHz/100 Hz, GI2 kHz/2 Hz, GI4  kHz/100 Hz, GI4 kHz/2 Hz, or placebo.

Main Outcomes Measures

Pain intensity by numerical rating scale of pain (NRS), McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), and algometry.

Results

There was a significant difference in NRS scores (P < 0.05) in the GI2 kHz/2 Hz, GI4 kHz/2 Hz, and GI4 kHz/100 Hz groups compared with those of the placebo group (PG), and a significant difference in MPQ scores in the GI4 kHz/2 Hz and GI4 kHz/100 Hz groups compared with those of the PG. In algometry, only the GI4 kHz/100 Hz group showed a significant difference (by 2 points in the lumbar region) compared with the PG. Of the carrier frequencies, an IFC of 4 kHz showed more effective results, although no significant difference was noted between the AMFs.

Conclusion

An IFC with a carrier frequency of 4 kHz and an AMF of 100 Hz provide immediate analgesic effects in individuals with CLBP.

Clinical Trial Registration number: RBR‐59YGRB.
Oregano Essential Oil Interactions with Photogenerated Singlet Molecular Oxygen
Authors: Dimarco Palencia Frida C. D. , Muñoz Vanesa A. , Posadaz Ariana C. , Cifuente Diego A. , Miskoski Sandra , Ferrari Gabriela V. , García Norman A. , Montaña María P.
Published: March 2020

Essential oils are a mixture of volatile compounds, products of the secondary metabolism of plants. Once extracted, they can be deteriorated losing their organoleptic and therapeutic properties due to various environmental factors, being light exposure in aerobic conditions the main cause. In this work, the oregano essential oil extraction and characterization from Origanum vulgare plants grown in the experimental field of the FTU‐UNSL and its photodegradation in MeOH:H2O 60:40 v/v solvent were studied. Characterization by EIMS and NIST Mass Spectrometry indicates the main compounds of oregano essential oil, quantified in the extracted oil by GC‐MS, are carvacrol (7.14%) and thymol (47.37%). Degradation of essential oil and its two major components can be caused by reactive oxygen species photogenerated from endogenous sensitizers as riboflavin. Our results suggest degradation occurs involving singlet molecular oxygen. Interaction of carvacrol and thymol with singlet oxygen is mainly a physical process, while essential oil has an important reactive component, which indicates there might be other constituents which could contribute to reactive photoprotection. The effect of simultaneous presence of oregano essential oil and tryptophan amino acid—used as a photooxidizable model under riboflavin‐photosensitizing conditions—was studied in order to evaluate the possible photoprotection exerted by the essential oil.
Effects of plant age on performance of the tropical perennial fodder grass,Cenchrus ciliarisL. subjected to elevated ultraviolet‐B radiation
Authors: Hamid A. , Singh S. , Agrawal M. , Agrawal S. B.
Published: March 2020

Abiotic stress, notably high ultraviolet‐B (eUV‐B), limit growth and productivity of many crop plants, but information on response of forage grasses to eUV‐B radiation is rather limited.

The present study was therefore conducted to increase our understanding of differential age‐related responses on growth, metabolism and fodder quality ofCenchrus ciliaris‐3108 (Buffel grass) to elevated UV‐B (eUV‐B: 7.2 kJ·m−2·day−1).

Plant growth at both growth stages was notably reduced in response to eUV‐B, except for the number of nodes and tillers at vegetative and reproductive stages. At anthesis, tillering increased due to the perennial habit of this plant, but leaf senescence reduced the number of leaves per tiller. Unlike ambient UV‐B, eUV‐B at the vegetative stage resulted in diversion of photosynthate for the formation of secondary metabolites (tannins and phenolics), providing dual protection from photooxidative damage and from herbivory.

The forage biomass as well as quality showed a marked decline under eUV‐B and relative nutritive value was reduced at both growth stages.
Higher doses of Melatonin affect ovarian and middle uterine arteries vascular blood flow and induce oestrus earlier in acyclic ewes
Authors: Abdelnaby Elshymaa A.
Published: March 2020

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a single intramuscular injection of melatonin on response of oestrus, rate of conception, ovarian and uterine blood supply during the non‐breeding season. Melatonin powder was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and olive oil and injected in two dose of 25 mg (MEL‐1; n = 10) and 50 mg (MEL‐2; n = 10) in May. Ten ewes were served as the control (CON). Results showed that oestrous response was higher in the MEL‐2 group than in other groups (p < .01). The time to onset of oestrus in both the MEL‐1 and MEL‐2 groups was significantly shorter, compared with the CON group (p < .01). Pregnancy rates reached 80% and 90% at 45 days of gestation. Doppler indices of the right and left ovarian artery were lower in the melatonin groups than in normal groups (p < .01). Both Doppler indices in uterine arteries were not different among two treatment groups (p > .05), but there was a significant difference when compared with the CON group (p < .01), no difference found between two treatment group in the Doppler velocities of middle uterine arteries (p > .05). In conclusion, the definite changes in the studied parameters showed two novel findings; (a) the increase in melatonin dose results in increasing the blood flow expressed by increased Doppler velocities in fatty tailed ewes, (b) as well as, melatonin can initiate the breeding season regardless of the season earlier by 1–2 months in ewes.
Activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and B cells with two structurally different Toll‐like receptor 7 agonists
Authors: Berggren Olof , Pucholt Pascal , Amcoff Cane , Rönnblom Lars , Eloranta Maija‐Leena
Published: March 2020

Synthetic Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 7 agonists have been suggested as immune modulators in a range of conditions. In contrast, self‐derived TLR7 activators, such as RNA‐containing immune complexes (RNA‐IC), can contribute to autoimmune diseases due to endogenous immune activation. The exact difference in immune cell response between synthetic and endogenous TLR7 triggers is only partly known. An understanding of these differences could aid in the development of new therapeutic agents and provide insights into autoimmune disease mechanisms. We therefore compared the stimulatory capacity of two TLR7 agonists, RNA‐IC and a synthetic small molecule DSR‐6434, on blood leucocytes, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and B cells from healthy individuals. IFN‐α, IL‐6, IL‐8 and TNF levels were measured by immunoassays, and gene expression in pDCs was analysed by an expression array. DSR‐6434 triggered 20‐fold lower levels of IFN‐α by pDCs, but higher production of IL‐6, IL‐8 and TNF, compared to RNA‐IC. Furthermore, IFN‐α and TNF production were increased with exogenous IFN‐α2b priming, whereas IL‐8 synthesis by B cells was reduced for both stimuli. Cocultivation of pDCs and B cells increased the RNA‐IC‐stimulated IFN‐α and TNF levels, while only IL‐6 production was enhanced in the DSR‐6434‐stimulated cocultures. When comparing pDCs stimulated with RNA‐IC and DSR‐6434, twelve genes were differentially expressed (log2 fold change >2, adjusted P‐value <.05). In conclusion, RNA‐IC, which mimics an endogenous TLR7 stimulator, and the synthetic TLR7 agonist DSR‐6434 trigger distinct inflammatory profiles in immune cells. This demonstrates the importance of using relevant stimuli when targeting the TLR7 pathway for therapeutic purposes.
Onscreen‐guided resection of extra‐axial and intra‐axial forebrain masses through registration of a variable‐suction tissue resection device with a neuronavigation system
Authors: Packer Rebecca A. , McGrath Stephanie
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To describe a novel surgical technique in which neuronavigation is used to guide a tissue resection device during excision of forebrain masses in locations difficult to visualize optically.

Study design

Short case series.

Animals

Six dogs and one cat with forebrain masses (five neoplastic, two nonneoplastic) undergoing excision with a novel tissue resection device and veterinary neuronavigation system.

Methods

The animals and resection instrument were coregistered to the neuronavigation system. Surgery was guided by real‐time onscreen visualization of the resection instrument position relative to the preoperative MR images. Surgical outcome was evaluated by calculating residual tumor volume according to postoperative MRI.

Results

The technique was technically simple and led to the collection of diagnostic tissue samples in all cases. Postoperative MRI was available in six cases, two with gross‐total resection, three with near‐total resection, and one with subtotal resection.

Conclusion

Neuronavigation‐guided resection of intra‐axial and extra‐axial brain masses with the resection device resulted in gross‐total or near‐total resection in five of six animals with tumors otherwise difficult to visualize. Risk of brain shift limited absolute reliance on navigation images.

Clinical significance

Real‐time neuronavigation assistance is a feasible method for guidance and successful resection of brain masses that are poorly visualized because of intra‐axial or deep location, tumor appearance, or hemorrhage.
High-Particle-Density YAG:Ce Phosphor Coating for High Power Laser Lighting
Authors: Yang Yi , Long Tao , Zhuang Songlin , Wang Lai , Luo Yi
Published: March 2020

Inorganic Ce doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG:Ce) fluorescent plates based on various manufacturing methods have been studied in recent years for laser lighting systems. A laser lighting optical system is designed to generate high central intensity beam, and light spreading effect for both YAG single crystal and YAG/Al2O3 composite is investigated. YAG single crystal and YAG/Al2O3 composite lose 50.8% and 25.9% of their light power from central pumping area, respectively, resulting in proportional decrease in central intensity. To solve this problem, a low-cost YAG:Ce high-particle-density phosphor coating (HPD-PC) was prepared for Etendue-limited applications. With only 8.5% of light spreading, under 47.7 W/mm2 pumping power density, YAG HPD-PC emits 1880 lm with the conversion efficiency of 157 lm/W. YAG HPD-PC also could work well under power density more than 100 W/mm2.
Learning Flatness-Based Controller Using Neural Networks
Authors: Ren Hailin , Qi Jingyuan , Ben-Tzvi Pinhas
Published: March 2020

This paper presents a method to imitate flatness-based controllers for mobile robots using neural networks. Sample case studies for a unicycle mobile robot and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) quadcopter are presented. The goals of this paper are to (1) train a neural network to approximate a previously designed flatness-based controller, which takes in the desired trajectories previously planned in the flatness space and robot states in a general state space, and (2) present a dynamic training approach to learn models with high-dimensional inputs. It is shown that a simple feedforward neural network could adequately compute the highly nonlinear state variables transformation from general state space to flatness space and replace the complicated designed heuristic to avoid singularities in the control law. This paper also presents a new dynamic training method for models with high-dimensional independent inputs, serving as a reference for learning models with a multitude of inputs. Training procedures and simulations are presented to show both the effectiveness of this novel training approach and the performance of the well-trained neural network.
Feasibility Study of Force Measurement for Multi-digit Unconstrained Grasping via Fingernail Imaging and Visual Servoing
Authors: Fallahinia Navid , Mascaro Stephen A.
Published: March 2020

A fingernail imaging has been shown to be effective in estimating the finger pad forces along all three directions simultaneously in previous works. However, this method has never been used for the purpose of force measurement during a grasping task with multiple fingers. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the grasp force-sensing capabilities of the fingernail imaging method integrated with a visual servoing robotic system. In this study, the fingernail imaging method has been used in both constrained and unconstrained multi-digit grasping studies. Visual servoing has been employed to solve the issue of keeping fingernail images in the field of view of the camera during grasping motions. Two grasping experiments have been designed and conducted to show the performance and accuracy of the fingernail imaging method to be used in grasping studies. The maximum value of root-mean-square (RMS) errors for estimated normal and shear forces during constrained grasping has been found to be 0.58 N (5.7%) and 0.49 N (9.2%), respectively. Moreover, a visual servoing system implemented on a 6-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) robot has been devised to ensure that all of the fingers remain in the camera frame at all times. Comparing unconstrained and constrained forces has shown that force collaboration among fingers could change based on the grasping condition.
Prevalence of Total and Domain-Specific Physical Activity and Associated Factors Among Nepalese Adults: A Quantile Regression Analysis
Authors: Paudel Susan , Owen Alice J. , Heritier Stephane , Smith Ben J.
Published: March 2020

Aim: To analyze the data from the World Health Organization Nepal STEPS survey 2013 to determine the prevalence of total and domain-specific physical activity (PA) and associated factors among Nepalese adults.Methods: A multistage cluster sampling technique was used to proportionately select participants from the 3 ecological zones (Mountain, Hill, and Terai) in Nepal. The Global PA Questionnaire was used to assess PA. The data were analyzed using quantile and ordinary least square regression.Results: Only 4% of the adults did not meet the World Health Organization PA guidelines. Age had a negative monotonic association with total PA and occupational PA, with the highest difference at the upper tails of the PA distribution. Lower total PA and occupational PA were associated with secondary or higher education, being retired or in unpaid employment, living in Terai or urban areas, and nonsmoking. Age, higher education, unpaid employment, and Terai or urban residence were negatively associated, while being currently married was positively associated with transport-related PA.Conclusion: Increasing age, higher education, unpaid employment, unemployment or retirement, and urban residence were associated with lower PA, with the stronger association at the upper tails of the distribution. The correlates had dissimilar associations across the quantiles of PA distribution.
Atomic-scale insights into the interfacial instability of superlubricity in hydrogenated amorphous carbon films
Authors: Chen Xinchun , Yin Xuan , Qi Wei , Zhang Chenhui , Choi Junho , Wu Sudong , Wang Rong , Luo Jianbin
Published: March 2020

Atomic-scale characterization reveals the origins of oxygen- and moisture-induced structural instability of superlubricity.
Demonstration of a third-order hierarchy of topological states in a three-dimensional acoustic metamaterial
Authors: Weiner Matthew , Ni Xiang , Li Mengyao , Alù Andrea , Khanikaev Alexander B.
Published: March 2020

A 3D acoustic higher-order topological metamaterial supports a hierarchy of topological boundary states.
Ultra-large electric field–induced strain in potassium sodium niobate crystals
Authors: Hu Chengpeng , Meng Xiangda , Zhang Mao-Hua , Tian Hao , Daniels John E. , Tan Peng , Huang Fei , Li Li , Wang Ke , Li Jing-Feng , Lu Qieni , Cao Wenwu , Zhou Zhongxiang
Published: March 2020

An ultrahigh electric field–induced strain of 0.9% (under 1 kV mm
−1
) is achieved in lead-free ferroelectric crystals.
Nonreciprocal transport in gate-induced polar superconductor SrTiO
3
Authors: Itahashi Yuki M. , Ideue Toshiya , Saito Yu , Shimizu Sunao , Ouchi Takumi , Nojima Tsutomu , Iwasa Yoshihiro
Published: March 2020

Characteristics of gate-induced 2D superconductor SrTiO
3
, a possible Rashba superconductor, are studied via nonlinear transport.
Extreme cavity expansion in soft solids: Damage without fracture
Authors: Kim Jin Young , Liu Zezhou , Weon Byung Mook , Cohen Tal , Hui Chung-Yuen , Dufresne Eric R. , Style Robert W.
Published: March 2020

Cavities in soft materials grow like voids in ductile metals.
A novel physical mechanism of liquid flow slippage on a solid surface
Authors: Kurotani Yuji , Tanaka Hajime
Published: March 2020

We show how shear flow enhances the density fluctuation of a liquid near the wall and leads to flow slippage.
Identification of a nerve-associated, lung-resident interstitial macrophage subset with distinct localization and immunoregulatory properties
Authors: Ural Basak B. , Yeung Stephen T. , Damani-Yokota Payal , Devlin Joseph C. , de Vries Maren , Vera-Licona Paola , Samji Tasleem , Sawai Catherine M. , Jang Geunhyo , Perez Oriana A. , Pham Quynh , Maher Leigh , Loke P'ng , Dittmann Meike , Reizis Boris , Khanna Kamal M.
Published: March 2020

The lungs contain a CD169
+
interstitial macrophage subset localized to the bronchovascular tree that regulates lung inflammation.
Half a million years of magmatic history recorded in a K-feldspar megacryst of the Tuolumne Intrusive Complex, California, USA
Authors: Chambers Melissa , Memeti Valbone , Eddy Michael P. , Schoene Blair
Published: March 2020

K-feldspars reach megacrystic size (>3 cm) relative to their groundmass in many granitoid plutons and some volcanic rocks. However, the nature of the growth environment and the time scales for megacrystic growth remain poorly constrained. Chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry with trace-element analysis (CA-ID-TIMS-TEA) U-Pb geochronology was carried out on zircon inclusions from the core and rim of one K-feldspar megacryst sampled from the interior of the Tuolumne Intrusive Complex (TIC), California, USA. Combined with new zircon ages from the groundmass, these data can test if K-feldspar megacrysts are igneous and capable of recycling and transport in the magmatic system or whether they formed by textural coarsening in low-melt-fraction or subsolidus conditions. The zircon ages reveal that the megacryst core is 0.5 m.y. older than the rim, which itself is older than the groundmass. Core ages match zircon dates from the TIC’s porphyritic Half Dome unit, and rim and groundmass ages overlap with the younger Cathedral Peak unit. Trace elements of the zircons from the megacryst core and rim are similar and less evolved than the groundmass zircons. The core-to-rim age progression of zircon inclusions is inconsistent with subsolidus K-feldspar coarsening, but instead indicates that megacrysts in the TIC grew in an igneous environment over at least 0.5 m.y., and that growth likely occurred spanning two or more intrusive episodes. This supports models of an increasingly maturing magmatic system, where crystal recycling from older into younger magma batches is common.
Water loss during dynamic recrystallization of Moine thrust quartzites, northwest Scotland
Authors: Kronenberg Andreas K. , Ashley Kyle T. , Francsis Matthew K. , Holyoke III Caleb W. , Jezek Lynna , Kronenberg Johannes A. , Law Richard D. , Thomas Jay B.
Published: March 2020

Infrared absorption measurements of molecular water in sheared Cambrian quartzites in the footwall to the Moine thrust reveal a decrease in water content from 4080 to 1570 ppm with increasing recrystallization traced toward the overlying thrust at the Stack of Glencoul in northwest Scotland. These results are contrary to the expected correlation between shear strain and water content for quartz deformed by dislocation creep and water-weakening processes. The observed inverse correlation indicates that fluid inclusions and hydrous defects within grains were lost by mobile grain boundary sweeping and grain boundary diffusion. Although reduced water contents might lead to hardening as chemical weakening is diminished, quartz mylonites in the immediate footwall (5 mm) to the thrust are characterized by intense strain localization and contain the least water, and there is little evidence of shear zone widening. Water weakening appears to have been important throughout the quartz mylonites, controlled by the presence of water, not by water concentration. Fluids present within relict inclusions and at grain boundaries may have governed the high water fugacities critical for water weakening.
Archean, highly unradiogenic lead in shallow cratonic mantle
Authors: Zhang Jun-Bo , Liu Yong-Sheng , Ducea Mihai N. , Xu Rong
Published: March 2020

Here, we present coupled geochemical and Sr-Nd-Pb-S isotopic data of Early Cretaceous primitive gabbros from the North China craton. Strikingly, these rocks have highly unradiogenic lead compositions (206Pb/204Pb = 16.58 ± 0.24) and anchor one extreme end member (low 206Pb/204Pb and 143Nd/144Nd) in the global array of oceanic-island volcanics. Our study shows that they originated from an Archean fluid-metasomatized refractory peridotite source, in which highly unradiogenic lead was preferentially released with subducted Archean seawater and sequestered into recrystallized sulfides at shallow mantle depths. Sulfide/silicate partition coefficients for lead show a negative pressure dependence: Lead is more enriched in sulfide with decreasing pressure. Sulfide-bearing and iron-poor harzburgite as well as dunite residues at shallow mantle are expected to develop low U/Pb (and thereby low time-integrated 206Pb/204Pb) relative to a deeper upper-mantle source. Our preferred interpretation is that an Archean, highly unradiogenic lead reservoir may be stored in the spinel-facies refractory cratonic mantle.
Stress variations in space and time within the mantle section of an oceanic transform zone: Evidence for the seismic cycle
Authors: Chatzaras Vasileios , Tikoff Basil , Kruckenberg Seth C. , Titus Sarah J. , Teyssier Christian , Drury Martyn R.
Published: March 2020

The Bogota Peninsula shear zone in New Caledonia (southwest Pacific Ocean) is the exhumed mantle section of an oceanic transform zone. Ductile fabrics in this zone formed at temperatures >820 °C, and differential stresses estimated from microstructures vary spatially and temporally. Along a transform-perpendicular transect, stresses increase toward the high-strain areas. We attribute this stress gradient to an increase in strain rate caused by imposed rather than intrinsic strain localization. Temporal stress variations are indicated by the formation of fine-grained microdeformation zones (MDZs) that truncate and offset coarser grains. We interpret the MDZs to result from zones of brittle deformation caused by earthquake fracture propagation downward in the upper mantle, which are in turn overprinted by ductile deformation at stresses 2–6 times higher (22–81 MPa) than their surrounding steady-state fabrics. We interpret the spatial and temporal variations in microstructures and stresses as reflecting different stages of the seismic cycle in oceanic lithosphere.
Is the upward release of intermediate ocean heat content a possible engine for low-latitude processes?
Authors: Yang Yiping , Xiang Rong , Zhang Lanlan , Zhong Fuchang , Zhang Miming
Published: March 2020

Ocean heat content (OHC) plays an important role in controlling changes in Earth’s climate. However, relatively little research has been conducted into changes in OHC over a millennial scale, or into the mechanisms that control OHC migration in the ocean’s interior. This paucity of research is largely due to the lack of subsurface proxy records. Here, we analyzed planktonic Mg/Ca and δ18O records from species with different calcification depths to reconstruct the thermal structure of the water column and upper OHC changes since 21 kyr B.P. in the South China Sea. The results revealed that temperatures at intermediate and lower thermocline depths were warm during the last the deglaciation and became cool during the Holocene. The water cooling at ∼700 m began at 14.3 kyr B.P., but was delayed until 12.9 kyr B.P. at ∼325 m, and until 9.2 kyr B.P. at ∼250 m. In addition, upper thermocline temperatures at ∼100 m also started to decline at ca. 7.3 kyr B.P. Simultaneously, intermediate and thermocline OHC values were high during the last deglaciation, but surface OHC was low. We infer, therefore, that more heat was stored at intermediate depths during the last deglaciation, and that the upward release of the intermediate OHC resulted in the sequential delays in the cooling of intermediate to upper thermocline water. By combining these results with tropical Pacific records, we also hypothesize that the release of deeper OHC was perhaps the heat source for low-latitude processes during the Holocene.
Mineralogical constraints on Neoproterozoic pCO2 and marine carbonate chemistry
Authors: Strauss Justin V. , Tosca Nicholas J.
Published: March 2020

Numerous investigators have sought to identify the perturbations to the global carbon cycle that fueled Earth system change during the Neoproterozoic Era. Nevertheless, a lack of constraints on ocean-atmosphere carbon chemistry has precluded efforts to link biology, climate, and the lithosphere. We combined field and petrographic observations with experimental and theoretical geochemistry to show that early Neoproterozoic seawater featured elevated alkalinity in the presence of high atmospheric pCO2, which sustained remarkable marine CaCO3 supersaturation (Ωcalcite). Without pelagic calcification, Neoproterozoic marine Ωcalcite and pCO2 would have been mediated principally by CaCO3 precipitation kinetics; thus, secular changes in kinetic inhibitors to CaCO3 nucleation may have destabilized the global carbon cycle.