bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suspended superconducting weak links from aerosol-synthesized single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Kaikkonen Jukka-Pekka , Sebastian Abhilash Thanniyil , Laiho Patrik , Wei Nan , Will Marco , Liao Yongping , Kauppinen Esko I. , Hakonen Pertti J.
Published: September 2020

We report a new scheme for fabrication of clean, suspended superconducting weak links from pristine single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). The SWCNTs were grown using the floating-catalyst chemical vapour deposition (FC-CVD) and directly deposited on top of prefabricated superconducting molybdenum-rhenium (MoRe) electrodes by thermophoresis at nearly ambient conditions. Transparent contacts to SWCNTs were obtained by vacuum-annealing the devices at 900 °C, which enabled proximity-induced supercurrents up to 53 nA. SWCNT weak links fabricated on MoRe/palladium bilayer sustained supercurrents up to 0.4 nA after annealing at relatively low temperature of 220 °C. The fabrication process does neither expose SWCNTs to lithographic chemicals, nor the contact electrodes to the harsh conditions of in situ CVD growth. Our scheme facilitates new experimental possibilities for hybrid superconducting devices.
Integrating water use systems and soil and water conservation measures into a hydrological model of an Iranian Wadi system
Authors: Mahmoodi Nariman , Kiesel Jens , Wagner Paul D. , Fohrer Nicola
Published: September 2020

Water resources are precious in arid and semi-arid areas such as the Wadis of Iran. To sustainably manage these limited water resources, the residents of the Iranian Wadis have been traditionally using several water use systems (WUSs) which affect natural hydrological processes. In this study, WUSs and soil and water conservation measures (SWCMs) were integrated in a hydrological model of the Halilrood Basin in Iran. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was used to simulate the hydrological processes between 1993 and 2009 at daily time scale. To assess the importance of WUSs and SWCMs, we compared a model setup without WUSs and SWCMs (Default model) with a model setup with WUSs and SWCMs (WUS-SWCM model). When compared to the observed daily stream flow, the number of acceptable calibration runs as defined by the performance thresholds (Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE)≥0.68, −25%≤percent bias (PBIAS)≤25% and ratio of standard deviation (RSR)≤0.56) is 177 for the Default model and 1945 for the WUS-SWCM model. Also, the average Kling-Gupta efficiency (KGE) of acceptable calibration runs for the WUS-SWCM model is higher in both calibration and validation periods. When WUSs and SWCMs are implemented, surface runoff (between 30% and 99%) and water yield (between 0 and 18%) decreased in all sub-basins. Moreover, SWCMs lead to a higher contribution of groundwater flow to the channel and compensate for the extracted water by WUSs from the shallow aquifer. In summary, implementing WUSs and SWCMs in the SWAT model enhances model plausibility significantly.
Investigation of thermochemical process of coal particle packed bed reactions for the development of UCG
Authors: Sutardi Tata , Wang Linwei , Karimi Nader , Paul Manosh C.
Published: September 2020

In this study, a packed bed reactor was developed to investigate the gasification process of coal particles. The effects of coal particle size and heater temperature of reactor were examined to identify the thermochemical processes through the packed bed. Three different coal samples with varying size, named as A, B, and C, are used, and the experimental results show that the packed bed with smaller coal size has higher temperature, reaching 624 °C, 582 °C, and 569 °C for coal A, B, and C, respectively. In the case of CO formation, the smaller particle size has greater products in the unit of mole fraction over the area of generation. However, the variation in the porosity of the packed bed due to different coal particle sizes affects the reactions through the oxygen access. Consequently, the CO formation is least from the coal packed bed formed by the smallest particle size A. A second test with the temperature variations shows that the higher heater temperature promotes the chemical reactions, resulting in the increased gas products. The findings indicate the important role of coal seam porosity in underground coal gasification application, as well as temperature to promote the syngas productions.
Interkulturelle Kompetenz – Training ohne prozessbegleitendes Coaching?
Authors: Genkova Petia , Whiting Amsy
Published: September 2020

Durch die Globalisierung wächst der Bedarf an interkultureller Kompetenz. Diese Studie untersucht den Nutzen interkultureller Trainings, wenn diese nicht von einem Coaching ergänzt werden. In einem Querschnittsdesign wurde untersucht, inwiefern sich die interkulturelle Kompetenz von Personen mit interkulturellem Training von jenen ohne interkulturelles Training unterscheidet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass interkulturelle Trainings positive Auswirkungen auf verschiedene Aspekte der interkulturellen Kompetenz haben, wobei jüngere Personen stärker von Trainings profitierten. Nachhaltige interkulturelle Handlungskompetenz kann durch ein Training allein jedoch nicht erreicht werden. Trainings sind vor allem als Vorbereitung und Ausgangspunkt geeignet.
Thiadiazole derivatives as anticancer agents
Authors: Szeliga Monika
Published: September 2020

In spite of substantial progress made toward understanding cancer pathogenesis, this disease remains one of the leading causes of mortality. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop novel, more effective anticancer therapeutics. Thiadiazole ring is a versatile scaffold widely studied in medicinal chemistry. Mesoionic character of this ring allows thiadiazole-containing compounds to cross cellular membrane and interact strongly with biological targets. Consequently, these compounds exert a broad spectrum of biological activities. This review presents the current state of knowledge on thiadiazole derivatives that demonstrate in vitro and/or in vivo efficacy across the cancer models with an emphasis on targets of action. The influence of the substituent on the compounds’ activity is depicted. Furthermore, the results from clinical trials assessing thiadiazole-containing drugs in cancer patients are summarized.
Preference and popularity as distinct forms of status: A meta‐analytic review of 20 years of research
Authors: van den Berg Yvonne H.M. , Lansu Tessa A.M. , Cillessen Antonius H.N.
Published: September 2020

Introduction

A systematic meta‐analysis was conducted of the association between preference and popularity across childhood and adolescence. The role of development, sex, and region of the world were examined.

Method

The analysis was conducted on 135 samples including 136,014 participants. The samples were divided by age (upper grades primary school, k = 41; lower grades secondary school, k = 72; upper grades secondary school, k = 22) and region (North America, k = 54; Europe, k = 66; China, k = 10).

Results

Across all samples, a moderate positive association between preference and popularity was found (r = 0.45). The association was significantly weaker in the upper grades of secondary school (r = 0.37) than in the lower grades of secondary school (r = 0.47) or the upper grades of primary school (r = 0.47). The association was weaker for girls (r = 0.26) than for boys (r = 0.38) in the upper grades of secondary school. The association was weaker in European samples (r = 0.41) than in those from North America (r = 0.50) and China (r = 0.57).

Conclusions

The results confirmed that preference and popularity are related but distinct dimensions of adolescent peer status. The association differed significantly by age, sex, and region of the world. Further research should examine additional factors that explain the variability in the association between preference and popularity.
Review of evidences for management of rapid sequence spinal anesthesia for category one cesarean section, in resource limiting setting
Authors: Agegnehu Abatneh Feleke , Gebregzi Amare Hailekiros , Endalew Nigussie Simeneh
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACT

Background:

Globally obstetric anesthesia is being done under spinal and epidural than general anesthesia (GA) for most caesarean sections (CSs). This is because GA is associated with failed endotracheal intubation and aspiration of gastric contents. Eventhough general anesthesia is the fastest method for anesthetizing a category 1 cesarean section, it is associated with increased maternal mortality and morbidity. Spinal anesthesia is the preferred regional technique for cesarean section but failure sometimes occurs. To minimize the time factor of spinal anesthesia as well as to avoid the side effects of general anesthesia ‘rapid sequence spinal’ (RSS) has developed as a novel approach in cases of category one cesarean sections.

Methods:

The study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. Search engines like PubMed through HINARI, Cochrane database and Google Scholars were used to find high-level evidences that help to draw appropriate conclusions.

Discussion:

Neuraxial anesthetic techniques have several advantages which include low risk of aspiration and failed intubation, avoidance of central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory depressant drugs, the ability to maintain a wakeful state of mother enjoying the experience of delivery of baby and also lower incidence of blood loss. ‘Rapid sequence spinal’ described to minimize anesthetic time. This consists of a no-touch spinal technique, consideration of omission of the spinal opioid, limiting spinal attempts, allowing the start of surgery before full establishment of the spinal block, and being prepared for conversion to general anesthesia if there are delays or problems. To do rapid sequence spinal anesthesia safely and timely, cooperative work is mandatory with good team relation for those simultaneous and necessary tasks.

Conclusion:

The choice of anesthetic in Cesarean section has long been recognized as one of prime importance, because there are two lives to safeguard instead of one. A balance must be struck between the anesthetic dictated by the general condition of the mother and that suited to the needs of the fetal respiratory system.

Highlights:
Management ofCandida aurisoutbreak in a tertiary-care setting in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alshamrani Majid M. , El-Saed Aiman , Mohammed Azzam , Alghoribi Majed F. , Al Johani Sameera M. , Cabanalan Harold , Balkhy Hanan H.
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To describe local experience in managing an outbreak ofCandida aurisin a tertiary-care setting.

Methods:

In response to emergingCandida auris, an outbreak investigation was conducted at our hospital between March 2018 and June 2019. Once a patient was confirmed to haveCandida auris, screening of exposed patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) was conducted. Postexposure screening included those who had had direct contact with or shared the same unit or ward with a laboratory-confirmed case. In response to the increasing number of cases, new infection control measures were implemented.

Results:

In total, 23 primary patients were detected over 15 months. Postexposure screening identified 11 more cases, and all were patients. Furthermore, ~28.6% of patients probably caught infection in another hospital or in the community. Infection control measures were strictly implemented including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, patient hygiene, environmental cleaning, cohorting of patients and HCWs, and avoiding the sharing of equipment. The wave reached a peak in April 2019, followed by a sharp decrease in May 2019 and complete clearance in June 2019. The case patients were equally distributed between intensive care units (51.4%) and wards (48.6%). More infections (62.9%) occurred than colonizations (37.1%). Urinary tract infection (42.9%) and candidemia (17.1%) were the main infections. In total, 7 patients (20.0%) died during hospitalization; among them, 6 (17.1%) died within 30 days of diagnosis.

Conclusions:

Active screening of exposed patients followed by strict infection control measures, including environmental cleaning, was successful in ending the outbreak. Preventing future outbreaks is challenging due to outside sources of infection and environmental resistance.
Evaluating the utility of a Smoking Cessation Clinical Pathway tool to promote nicotine prescribing and use among inpatients of a tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Australia
Authors: De Guzman Keshia R. , Snoswell Centaine L. , Puljevic Cheneal , Gupta Deepali
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Due to the burden of tobacco-related illnesses among hospital inpatients, an evidence-based smoking cessation brief intervention tool was developed for clinicians working in hospitals in Queensland, Australia. The tool, called the Smoking Cessation Clinical Pathway (SCCP), is used by clinicians to support inpatient smoking cessation and manage nicotine withdrawal in hospital.

Aims

To investigate the impact of completed SCCP on nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) prescribing and use, and to explore clinician involvement in smoking cessation interventions.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted to examine data regarding SCCP responses and NRT offering, prescribing and use. The statistical significance of the results was assessed using chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests.

Results

Patients with a completed SCCP were more likely to be offered NRT (P < 0.0001). NRT prescribing on admission and discharge was higher in patients with a completed SCCP (P = 0.001 and P = 0.027). Intention to quit had no effect on whether NRT was offered (P = 0.276) and NRT acceptance was higher for patients that intended to quit smoking (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The SCCP prompted clinicians to offer NRT to patients, leading to increased NRT prescribing and use. These findings demonstrate the utility of the SCCP to assist clinicians to promote smoking cessation among hospital inpatients.
Late Pleistocene lake level, glaciation and climate change in the Mongolian Altai deduced from sedimentological and palynological archives
Authors: Klinge Michael , Schlütz Frank , Zander Anja , Hülle Daniela , Batkhishig Ochirbat , Lehmkuhl Frank
Published: September 2020

Glacial and lacustrine sediments from the Mongolian Altai provide paleoclimatic information for the late Pleistocene in Mongolia, for which only a few sufficiently studied archives exist. Glacial stages referred to global cooling events are reported for the last glacial maximum (27–21 ka) and the late glacial period (18–16 ka). Sedimentary archives from the first part of the last glacial period are infrequent. We present proxy data for this period from two different archives (88–63 and 57–30 ka). Due to the limitation of effective moisture, an increase of precipitation is discussed as one trigger for glacier development in the cold-arid regions of central Asia. Our pollen analysis from periods of high paleolake levels in small catchments indicate that the vegetation was sparse and of dry desert type between 42–29 and 17–11 ka. This apparent contradiction between high lake levels and dry landscape conditions, the latter supported by intensified eolian processes, points to lower temperatures and cooler conditions causing reduced evaporation to be the main trigger for the high lake levels during glacier advances. Rising temperatures that cause melting of glacier and permafrost ice and geomorphological processes play a role in paleolake conditions. Interpreting lake-level changes as regional or global paleoclimate signals requires detailed investigation of geomorphological settings and mountain–basin relationships.
Minimal Secularism: Lessons for, and from, India
Authors: LABORDE CÉCILE
Published: September 2020

Does liberal democracy require a strict separation between state and religion? In Anglophone liberal political theory, the separationist model of the First Amendment of the US Constitution has provided the basic template for the rightful relationship between state and religion. Yet this model is ill-suited to the evaluation of the secular achievements of most states, including India. This article sets out a new framework, minimal secularism, as a transnational framework of normative comparison. Minimal secularism does not single out religion as special, and it appeals to abstract liberal democratic ideals such as equal inclusion and personal liberty. Actual debates about secularism in India are shown to revolve around these ideals. The study of recent Indian controversies—about the Uniform Civil Code, the status of Muslims, and the rise of BJP nationalism—also sheds light on some blind spots of Western secularism and the conception of sovereignty and religion it relies on.
Social Revolution and Authoritarian Durability
Authors: Lachapelle Jean , Levitsky Steven , Way Lucan A. , Casey Adam E.
Published: September 2020

This article explores the causes of authoritarian durability. Why do some authoritarian regimes survive for decades, often despite severe crises, while others collapse quickly, even absent significant challenges? Based on an analysis of all authoritarian regimes between 1900 and 2015, the authors argue that regimes founded in violent social revolution are especially durable. Revolutionary regimes, such as those in Russia, China, Cuba, and Vietnam, endured for more than half a century in the face of strong external pressure, poor economic performance, and large-scale policy failures. The authors develop and test a theory that accounts for such durability using a novel data set of revolutionary regimes since 1900. The authors contend that autocracies that emerge out of violent social revolution tend to confront extraordinary military threats, which lead to the development of cohesive ruling parties and powerful and loyal security apparatuses, as well as to the destruction of alternative power centers. These characteristics account for revolutionary regimes’ unusual longevity.
Modulating action through minimization: Syntax in the service of offering and requesting
Authors: Raymond Chase Wesley , Robinson Jeffrey D. , Fox Barbara A. , Thompson Sandra A. , Montiegel Kristella
Published: September 2020

This study uses data from a shoe-repair shop, supplemented by data from medical and mundane contexts, to analyze three progressively minimal grammatical formats used to implement offers and requests in interaction (i.e.do you want…?,you want…?, andwant…?). We argue that this cline of minimality reflects a cline of the action-initiator's stance, from relatively weak to strong (respectively), regarding their expectation that the action will be accepted or complied with. In doing so, we illustrate that, as part of the design of requests and offers, participants rely on more granular distinctions than a simple binary between interrogative and declarative morphosyntax. We conclude with a discussion of the interactional logic that undergirds the normative use of these grammatical formats, and of our findings’ implications for action formation and preference organization. (Conversation analysis, interactional linguistics, offer, request, stance, grammar, morphosyntax)*
Real-world evidence to support Payer/HTA decisions about highly innovative technologies in the EU—actions for stakeholders
Authors: Facey Karen M. , Rannanheimo Piia , Batchelor Laura , Borchardt Marine , de Cock Jo
Published: September 2020

Objectives

There are divergent views on the potential of real-world data (RWD) to inform decisions made by regulators, health technology assessment (HTA) bodies, payers, clinicians, and patients. This RWE4Decisions initiative explored the particularly challenging setting of highly innovative technologies, which require Payers/HTAs to make decisions on a small evidence base with major uncertainties. The aim was to go beyond strategic intent to consider actions that each stakeholder could take to improve use of RWD in this setting.

Results

Case studies of recent Payer/HTA decisions about highly innovative technologies were considered in light of recent international initiatives about RWD. This showed a lack of clarity about the Payer/HTA questions that could be answered by RWD and how the quality of real-world evidence (RWE) could be assessed. All stakeholders worked together to create a vision whereby stakeholders agree what RWD can be collected for highly innovative technologies based on principles of collaboration and transparency. For each stakeholder group, recommended actions to support the generation, analysis, and interpretation of RWD to inform decision making were developed. For HTA bodies, this includes cross border HTA/regulatory collaboration to agree RWD requirements over the technology life cycle to inform initial recommendations and reassessment, data analytics methods development for HTA, and promotion of transparency in RWE studies.

Recommendations

Stakeholders need to collaborate on demonstration projects to consider how RWE can be developed to inform healthcare decisions and contribute to a learning network that can develop systems to support a learning health system and improve patient outcomes through best use of RWD.
Role of echocardiographic scoring systems in predicting successful biventricular versus univentricular palliation in neonates with critical aortic stenosis
Authors: Sachdeva Shagun , Kuhn Evelyn , Frommelt Peter C. , Handler Stephanie
Published: September 2020

Background:

There are several published echo-derived scores to help predict successful biventricular versus univentricular palliation in neonates with critical aortic stenosis. This study aims to determine whether any published scoring system accurately predicted outcomes in these neonates.

Methods:

Single centre, retrospective cohort study including neonates who underwent aortic valve intervention (surgical valvotomy or balloon valvuloplasty) with the intention of biventricular circulation. Primary outcome was survival with biventricular circulation at hospital discharge. Data from their initial neonatal echocardiogram were used to compute the following scores – Rhodes, CHSS 1, Discriminant, CHSS 2, and 2 V.

Results:

Between 01/1999 and 12/2017, 68 neonates underwent aortic valve intervention at a median age of 4 days (range 1–29 days); 35 surgical valvotomy and 33 balloon valvuloplasty. Survival with biventricular circulation was maintained in 60/68 patients at hospital discharge. Of the remaining eight patients, three were converted to univentricular palliation, four died, and one underwent heart transplant prior to discharge. None of the binary score predictions of biventricular versus univentricular (using that score’s proposed cut-offs) were significantly associated with the observed outcome in this cohort. A high percentage of those predicted to need univentricular palliation had successful biventricular repair: 89.4% by Rhodes, 79.3% by CHSS 1, 85.2% by Discriminant, and 66.7% by CHSS 2 score. The 2 V best predicted outcome and agreed with the local approach in most cases.

Conclusion:

This study highlights the limitations of and need for alternative scoring systems/cut-offs for consistently accurate echocardiographic prediction of early outcome in neonates with critical aortic stenosis.
The Forgotten Democratic Tradition of Revolutionary France
Authors: Sawyer Stephen W.
Published: September 2020

This article offers an interpretation of a key moment in the long history of democracy. Its hypothesis may be simply stated in the following terms: key political theorists and administrators in eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century France defined democracy as a means for solving public problems by the public itself. This conception of democracy focused on inventing effective practices of government, administrative intervention and regulatory police and differed fundamentally from our contemporary understandings that privilege the vote, popular sovereignty and parliamentary representation. Moreover, this conception of modern democracy overlapped and in some cases complemented, but—more importantly for this article—remained in significant ways distinct from, other early modern political traditions, in particular liberalism and classical republicanism. What follows therefore uncovers a largely forgotten, but widespread, conception of democracy in the crucial revolutionary age from the mid-eighteenth century to the mid-nineteenth by asking the question, was there a modern democratic tradition?
Skillful Decadal Prediction of Droughts Over Large‐Scale River Basins Across the Globe
Authors: Zhu Enda , Yuan Xing , Wu Peili
Published: September 2020

Long‐term droughts, closely linked to oceanic climate variability, are a great threat to the global economy, as well as food and water security. Skillful predictions will provide enormous benefit to the human societies. By taking advantages of the newly available decadal hindcasts and target experiments from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6), this paper evaluates potential predictability and decadal prediction skill of droughts over major river basins across the globe. The results show that the CMIP6 drought prediction is skillful within 3–6 years, and the skill score is 11% higher than CMIP5 over 47% river basins. Prediction skill is enhanced by 15% (16%) over 47% (49%) basins, forced by the actual sea surface temperature over tropical eastern Pacific (North Atlantic). Our findings imply the possibility of drought adaptation based on skillful decadal prediction with sufficient lead time.
Machine Learning Thermo‐Barometry: Application to Clinopyroxene‐Bearing Magmas
Authors: Petrelli M. , Caricchi L. , Perugini D.
Published: September 2020

We introduce a new approach, based on machine learning, to estimate pre‐eruptive temperatures and storage depths using clinopyroxene‐melt pairs and clinopyroxene‐only chemistry. The model is calibrated for magmas of a wide compositional range, it complements existing models, and it can be applied independently of tectonic setting. Additionally, it allows the identification of the main chemical exchange mechanisms occurring in response to pressure and temperature variations on the base of experimental data without a priori assumptions. After the validation process, performances are assessed with test data never used during the training phase. We estimate the uncertainty using the root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) and the coefficient of determination (R2). The application of the best performing algorithm (trained in the range 0–40 kbar and 952–1882 K) to clinopyroxene‐melt pairs from primitive to extremely differentiated magmas of both subalkaline and alkaline systems returns a RMSE on the order of 2.6 kbar and 40 K for pressure and temperature, respectively. We additionally present a melt‐ and temperature‐independent clinopyroxene barometer in the range 0–40 kbar, characterized by a RMSE of the order of 3 kbar. Tested for tholeiitic compositions in the range 0–10 kbar, the melt‐ and temperature‐independent clinopyroxene barometer has a RMSE of 1.7 kbar. We finally apply the proposed approach to clinopyroxenes from Iceland, providing new, independent, insights about pre‐eruptive storage depths of Icelandic volcanoes. The general applicability of this model will promote the comparison between the architecture of plumbing systems across tectonic settings and facilitate the comparison between petrologic and geophysical studies.
The Origin of Observed Magnetic Variability for a Sol on Mars From InSight
Authors: Mittelholz A. , Johnson C. L. , Thorne S. N. , Joy S. , Barrett E. , Fillingim M. O. , Forget F. , Langlais B. , Russell C. T. , Spiga A. , Smrekar S. , Banerdt W. B.
Published: September 2020

Day‐night variations in the magnetic field at Mars have been previously observed at satellite altitudes. The InSight Fluxgate Magnetometer (IFG) has provided the first evidence for diurnal magnetic field variations at the martian surface. IFG data show diurnal variations with typical peak amplitudes of 20–40nT in the early morning to midmorning; the amplitude of the magnetic field varies over the first 389 sols of the mission and peaks between sols 50 and 100. Temperature variations, solar array currents, and lander activities all generate magnetic fields. Particularly, the first two of these also produce signals with clear diurnal variations. We first assess the IFG data calibration and conclude that temperature and solar array currents have only minimal effects on the variability we observe in the final calibrated magnetic field data. We use satellite magnetic field data and a Mars global circulation model to make predictions for the temporal evolution of wind‐driven fields in the ionosphere. Such fields vary due to seasonal changes in the ionization profile and the winds, and in the altitude range of the dynamo region, that is, the region in which electric currents can be produced. We find that the amplitude and seasonal variability of the surface magnetic fields are generally consistent with those predicted from wind‐driven currents. Moreover, a regional dust storm in the vicinity of the InSight landing site, which started around sol 45, might be responsible for the higher magnetic field amplitudes observed in the IFG data in the early part of the mission.
Evolution of diversity explains the impact of pre-adaptation of a focal species on the structure of a natural microbial community
Authors: Padfield Daniel , Vujakovic Alex , Paterson Steve , Griffiths Rob , Buckling Angus , Hesse Elze
Published: September 2020

Rapid within-species evolution can alter community structure, yet the mechanisms underpinning this effect remain unknown. Populations that rapidly evolve large amounts of phenotypic diversity are likely to interact with more species and have the largest impact on community structure. However, the evolution of phenotypic diversity is, in turn, influenced by the presence of other species. Here, we investigate how microbial community structure changes as a consequence of rapidly evolved within-species diversity using Pseudomonas fluorescens as a focal species. Evolved P. fluorescens populations showed substantial phenotypic diversification in resource-use (and correlated genomic change) irrespective of whether they were pre-adapted in isolation or in a community context. Manipulating diversity revealed that more diverse P. fluorescens populations had the greatest impact on community structure, by suppressing some bacterial taxa, but facilitating others. These findings suggest that conditions that promote the evolution of high within-population diversity should result in a larger impact on community structure.
Cdk5-mediated Drp1 phosphorylation drives mitochondrial defects and neuronal apoptosis in radiation-induced optic neuropathy
Authors: Rong Rong , Xia Xiaobo , Peng Haiqin , Li Haibo , You Mengling , Liang Zhuotao , Yao Fei , Yao Xueyan , Xiong Kun , Huang Jufang , Zhou Rongrong , Ji Dan
Published: September 2020

Radiation-induced optic neuropathy (RION) is a devastating complication following external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) that leads to acute vision loss. To date, no efficient, available treatment for this complication, due partly to the lack of understanding regarding the developmental processes behind RION. Here, we report radiation caused changes in mitochondrial dynamics by regulating the mitochondrial fission proteins dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and fission-1 (Fis1). Concurrent with an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), both neuronal injury and visual dysfunction resulted. Further, our findings delineate an important mechanism by which cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5)-mediated phosphorylation of Drp1 (Ser616) regulates defects in mitochondrial dynamics associated with neuronal injury in the development of RION. Both the pharmacological inhibition of Cdk5 by roscovitine and the inhibition of Drp1 by mdivi-1 inhibited mitochondrial fission and the production of ROS associated with radiation-induced neuronal loss. Taken together, these findings may have clinical significance in preventing the development of RION.
ASC modulates HIF-1α stability and induces cell mobility in OSCC
Authors: Wu Chi-Sheng , Chang Ian Yi-Feng , Hung Jui-lung , Liao Wei-Chao , Lai Yi-Ru , Chang Kai-Ping , Li Hsin-Pai , Chang Yu-Sun
Published: September 2020

High-level expression of ASC (Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD) leads to lymph node metastasis in OSCC, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we show that HIF-1α participates in ASC-induced metastasis. We identified 195 cell-motion-associated genes that were highly activated in ASC-overexpressed SAS_ASC cells; of them, 14 representative genes were found to be overexpressed in OSCC tissues in our previously reported RNA-seq dataset, OSCC-Taiwan. Nine of the 14 genes were also upregulated in OSCC-TCGA samples. Among the nine genes, RRAS2, PDGFA, and VEGFA, were correlated with poor overall survival of patients in OSCC-TCGA dataset. We further demonstrated that the promoters of these 14 ASC-induced genes contained binding motifs for the transcription-regulating factor, HIF-1α. We observed that ASC interacted with and stabilized HIF-1α in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus under normoxia. Molecules involved in the HIF-1α pathway, such as VHL and PHD2, showed no difference in their gene and protein levels in the presence or absence of ASC, but the expression of HIF-1α-OH, and the ubiquitination of HIF-1α were both decreased in SAS_ASC cells versus SAS_con cells. The migration and invasion activities of SAS_ASC cells were reduced when cells were treated with the HIF-1α synthesis inhibitor, digoxin. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the novel ASC-HIF-1α regulatory pathway contributes to lymph node metastasis in OSCC, potentially suggesting a new treatment strategy for OSCC.
In vitro generation of functional murine heart organoids via FGF4 and extracellular matrix
Authors: Lee Jiyoung , Sutani Akito , Kaneko Rin , Takeuchi Jun , Sasano Tetsuo , Kohda Takashi , Ihara Kensuke , Takahashi Kentaro , Yamazoe Masahiro , Morio Tomohiro , Furukawa Tetsushi , Ishino Fumitoshi
Published: September 2020

Our understanding of the spatiotemporal regulation of cardiogenesis is hindered by the difficulties in modeling this complex organ currently by in vitro models. Here we develop a method to generate heart organoids from mouse embryonic stem cell-derived embryoid bodies. Consecutive morphological changes proceed in a self-organizing manner in the presence of the laminin-entactin (LN/ET) complex and fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4), and the resulting in vitro heart organoid possesses atrium- and ventricle-like parts containing cardiac muscle, conducting tissues, smooth muscle and endothelial cells that exhibited myocardial contraction and action potentials. The heart organoids exhibit ultrastructural, histochemical and gene expression characteristics of considerable similarity to those of developmental hearts in vivo. Our results demonstrate that this method not only provides a biomimetic model of the developing heart-like structure with simplified differentiation protocol, but also represents a promising research tool with a broad range of applications, including drug testing.
Author Correction: A transition to sustainable ocean governance
Authors: Rudolph Tanya Brodie , Ruckelshaus Mary , Swilling Mark , Allison Edward H. , Österblom Henrik , Gelcich Stefan , Mbatha Philile
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Structural Luneburg lens for broadband cloaking and wave guiding
Authors: Zhao Liuxian , Yu Miao
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we explore the concept of structural Luneburg lens (SLL) as a design framework for performing dynamic structural tailoring to obtain a structural wave cloak and a structural waveguide. The SLL is a graded refractive index lens, which is realized by using a variable thickness structure defined in a thin plate. Due to the thickness variation of the plate, the refractive index decreases radially from the centre to the outer surface of the lens. By taking advantage of the unique capabilities of SLL for flexural wave focusing and collimation, we develop a structural wave cloak and waveguide based on SLLs. The SLL design enables the integration of functional devices into thin-walled structures while preserving the structural characteristics. Analytical, numerical, and experimental studies are carried out to characterize the performance of the SLL cloak and the SLL waveguide. The results demonstrate that these SLL devices exhibit excellent performance for structural wave cloaking and waveguiding over a broadband operating frequency range.
Dietary intake and nutritional status of patients with phenylketonuria in Taiwan
Authors: Weng Hui-Ling , Yang Feng-Jung , Chen Pey-Rong , Hwu Wuh-Liang , Lee Ni-Chung , Chien Yin-Hsiu
Published: September 2020

Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency leads to phenylalanine accumulation and results in phenylketonuria (PKU). Phenylketonuria can contribute to severe inability such as mental impairment. Early diagnosis and dietary intervention can have beneficial effects on maintaining normal neural and cognitive function in patients with PKU. However, a long-term low phenylalanine diet may put children at risk of malnutrition. A food supplement was therefore used for children with PKU under dietician supervision according to dietary reference intakes (DRIs). In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled patients with PKU and age-matched controls to compare their anthropometry data [weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)], and correlated it with their dietary intake based on 24-h dietary recall. For continuous parameters, the data were expressed as median ± standard deviation (SD), and the Mann–Whitney U test was used to test the difference among the groups. Correlation by natural proteins, body fat, and fat-free mass were evaluated using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Twenty-two participants diagnosed with PKU (ages 8–27 years; mean 15.23 ± 5.23) and a control group of 22 non-PKU participants (ages 8–39 years; mean 19.73 ± 10.6) were recruited for this study. Between the two groups of participants, no significant difference was found in height, weight, BMI, muscle mass, or fat mass. The percentage of natural protein has no effect on body composition. We found a significant positive correlation between the total protein intake percentage of DRIs and muscle mass (r = 0.491, p = 0.020) and a significant negative correlation in the total protein intake percentage of DRIs and fat mass (r = -0.475, p = 0.025) in participants with PKU. There were no significant differences in body composition and nutrition intake between patients with PKU (under metabolic control) and healthy subjects. Thus, giving proper nutrition treatment may have beneficial effects on body growth and nutrition status in patients with PKU in Taiwan.
Lidar observations of large-amplitude mountain waves in the stratosphere above Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Authors: Kaifler N. , Kaifler B. , Dörnbrack A. , Rapp M. , Hormaechea J. L. , de la Torre A.
Published: September 2020

Large-amplitude internal gravity waves were observed using Rayleigh lidar temperature soundings above Rio Grande, Argentina ($$54^\circ \; \hbox {S}$$

54
∘

S

, $$68^\circ \; \hbox {W}$$

68
∘

W

), in the period 16–23 June 2018. Temperature perturbations in the upper stratosphere amounted to 80 K peak-to-peak and potential energy densities exceeded 400 J/kg. The measured amplitudes and phase alignments agree well with operational analyses and short-term forecasts of the Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), implying that these quasi-steady gravity waves resulted from the airflow across the Andes. We estimate gravity wave momentum fluxes larger than 100 mPa applying independent methods to both lidar data and IFS model data. These mountain waves deposited momentum at the inner edge of the polar night jet and led to a long-lasting deceleration of the stratospheric flow. The accumulated mountain wave drag affected the stratospheric circulation several thousand kilometers downstream. In the 2018 austral winter, mountain wave events of this magnitude contributed more than 30% of the total potential energy density, signifying their importance by perturbing the stratospheric polar vortex.
Mapping QTL for summer dormancy related traits in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)
Authors: Talukder Shyamal K. , Bhamidimarri Suresh , Chekhovskiy Konstantin , Saha Malay C.
Published: September 2020

Summer dormancy is an important stress avoidance mechanism of cool season perennial grasses to persist well under harsh summer conditions. QTL associated with summer-dormancy related traits in tall fescue has significant breeding implications. An F1 pseudo testcross population was developed by crossing a Mediterranean (103-2) to a Continental parent (R43-64). The population was genotyped using 2,000 SSR and DArT markers. Phenotyping was done in growth chambers and in two Oklahoma, USA locations. Total length of R43-64 and 103-2 maps were 1,956 cM and 1,535 cM, respectively. Seventy-seven QTL were identified in the male and 46 in the female parent maps. The phenotypic variability explained by the QTL ranged between 9.91 and 32.67%. Among all the QTL, five summer dormancy related putative QTL were identified in R43-64 linkage groups (LGs) 4, 5, 12, 20 and 22 and two in 103-2 LGs 5 and 17. All the putative summer dormant QTL regions in male map showed pleiotropic responses and epistatic interactions with other summer dormant and stress responsive QTL regions for plant height, new leaf and dry biomass weight. The flanking markers related to the QTL reported in this study will be useful to improve tall fescue persistence in dry areas through marker-assisted breeding.
Comparison of paraspinal muscle degeneration and decompression effect between conventional open and minimal invasive approaches for posterior lumbar spine surgery
Authors: Fu Chen-Ju , Chen Wen-Chien , Lu Meng-Ling , Cheng Chih-Hsiu , Niu Chi-Chien
Published: September 2020

Laminotomy and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is usually used to treat unstable spinal stenosis. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) can cause less muscle injury than conventional open surgery (COS). The purpose of this study was to compare the degree of postoperative fatty degeneration in the paraspinal muscles and the spinal decompression between COS and MIS based on MRI. Forty-six patients received laminotomy and TLIF (21 COS, 25 MIS) from February 2016 to January 2017 were included in this study. Lumbar MRI was performed within 3 months before surgery and 1 year after surgery to compare muscle-fat-index (MFI) change of the paraspinal muscles and the dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCAS) change. The average MFI change at L2–S1 erector spinae muscle was significantly greater in the COS group (27.37 ± 21.37% vs. 14.13 ± 19.19%, P = 0.044). A significant MFI change difference between the COS and MIS group was also found in the erector spinae muscle at the caudal adjacent level (54.47 ± 37.95% vs. 23.60 ± 31.59%, P = 0.016). DSCSA improvement was significantly greater in the COS group (128.15 ± 39.83 mm2 vs. 78.15 ± 38.5 mm2, P = 0.0005). COS is associated with more prominent fatty degeneration of the paraspinal muscles. Statically significant post-operative MFI change was only noted in erector spinae muscle at caudal adjacent level and L2–S1 mean global level. COS produces a greater area of decompression on follow up MRI than MIS with no statistical significance on clinical grounds.
MR imaging of venous malformations: sciatic nerve infiltration patterns and involved muscle groups
Authors: Goldann Constantin , Helm Maximilian , Uller Wibke , Fellner Claudia , Hammer Simone , Deistung Andreas , Gussew Alexander , Rosendahl Jonas , Wildgruber Moritz , Wohlgemuth Walther A. , Brill Richard
Published: September 2020

The aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to provide an MRI-based examination framework of venous malformations (VMs) infiltrating the sciatic nerve and determine the frequency of nerve infiltration patterns and muscle involvement in correlation to the patients’ quality of life. Pelvic and lower limb MR images of 378 patients with vascular malformations were examined retrospectively. Pain levels and restriction of motion were evaluated with a questionnaire. Cross-sectional areas of affected nerves were compared at standardized anatomical landmarks. Intraneural infiltration patterns and involvement of muscles surrounding the sciatic nerve were documented. Sciatic nerve infiltration occurred in 23/299 patients (7.7%) with VM. In all cases (23/23; 100%), gluteal or hamstring muscles surrounding the nerve were affected by the VM. Infiltrated nerves were enlarged and showed signal alterations (T2-hyperintensity) compared to the unaffected side. Enlarged nerve cross-sectional areas were associated with elevated pain levels. Three nerve infiltration patterns were observed: subepineurial (12/23; 52.2%), subparaneurial (6/23; 26.1%) and combined (5/23; 21.7%) infiltration. This study provides a clinically relevant assessment for sciatic nerve infiltration patterns and muscle involvement of VMs, while suggesting that VMs in gluteal and hamstring muscles require closer investigation of the sciatic nerve by the radiologist.
Nanoparticle facilitated delivery of peroxides for effective cancer treatments
Authors: He Chuanchuan , Zhang Xiaojuan , Xiang Guangya
Published: September 2020

Peroxide nanoparticles increase the intratumoral H2O2concentration for the catalytic production of ˙OH and O2, which further enhance O2/ROS-dependent anticancer therapies.
Oxovanadium(v)-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of enolates using O2 as a terminal oxidant
Authors: Osafune Yuma , Jin Yuqing , Hirao Toshikazu , Tobisu Mamoru , Amaya Toru
Published: September 2020

The oxovanadium(v)-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of enolates using O2 as a terminal oxidant is reported, where a boron enolate and a silyl enol ether were employed as enolates.
Straightforward chemoselective access to unsymmetrical dithioacetals through a thiosulfonate homologation-nucleophilic substitution sequence
Authors: Ielo Laura , Pillari Veronica , Gajic Natalie , Holzer Wolfgang , Pace Vittorio
Published: September 2020

A two-step electrophilic sulfur homologation strategy for building up unsymmetrical dithioacetals.
Influence of ion structure on thermal runaway behaviour of aprotic and protic ionic liquids
Authors: Vijayaraghavan R. , Kar Mega , Sivanesh N. E. , Samuel V. J. , Surianarayanan M. , Olsen Seth , MacFarlane D. R.
Published: September 2020

Accelerated rate calorimetry has been employed to study the exothermic and thermal runaway behaviour of some aprotic and protic ionic liquids. The aprotic [FSI]− salts are found to be more vulnerable to exothermic decomposition.
Merging an organic TADF photosensitizer and a simple terpyridine–Fe(iii) complex for photocatalytic CO2 reduction
Authors: Wang Yanan , Gao Xue-Wang , Li Junli , Chao Duobin
Published: September 2020

An efficient earth-abundant photocatalytic system composed of an organic TADF photosensitizer and a simple terpyridine–Fe(iii) complex was developed for CO2 reduction.
Optimization and comparison of statistical tools for the prediction of multicomponent forms of a molecule: the antiretroviral nevirapine as a case study
Authors: Nunes Costa Rogeria , Choquesillo-Lazarte Duane , Cuffini Silvia Lucía , Pidcock Elna , Infantes Lourdes
Published: September 2020

A methodology is proposed to assess the propensity to obtain multicomponent forms of an API based on the combination of modified statistical analytical tools to order the possible co-formers in a ranking index.
Synthesis of Ni3S2 catalysts using various sulphur sources and their HER and OER performances
Authors: Lv Xiaowei , Kannan Palanisamy , Ji Shan , Wang Xuyun , Wang Hui
Published: September 2020

The performance of nickel sulfur catalyst for HER and OER was affected by its structure resulted from the different sulfur sources.