bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal trends and maternal characteristics as predictors of maternal undernutrition and low birthweight in Eastern Maharashtra, India
Authors: Locks Lindsey M. , Patel Archana , Katz Elizabeth , Simmons Elizabeth , Hibberd Patricia
Published: October 2020

Few studies have assessed whether women and infants in rural and peri‐urban communities in South Asia experience seasonal fluctuations in nutritional status; however, a handful of studies have documented seasonal variability in risk factors for undernutrition including food availability, physical activity and infections. We used data from the Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) registry, a population‐based pregnancy and birth registry in Eastern Maharashtra, India, to analyse seasonal trends in birthweight and maternal nutritional status—body mass index (BMI) and haemoglobin—in the first trimester of pregnancy. We plotted monthly and seasonal trends in birthweight, and maternal BMI and haemoglobin, and used multivariable regression models to identify seasonal and maternal characteristics that predicted each outcome. Between October 2014 and January 2018, MNH included 29,253 livebirths with recorded birthweight. BMI was assessed in 15,252 women less than 12 weeks of gestation and haemoglobin in 18,278 women less than 13 weeks of gestation. Maternal characteristics (age, education, parity and height) were significantly associated with nutritional status; however, there were minimal seasonal fluctuations in birthweight or maternal nutrition. There were significant secular trends in maternal haemoglobin; between 2014 and 2018, the prevalence of maternal anaemia decreased from 91% to 79% and moderate or severe anaemia from 53% to 37%. The prevalence of maternal underweight (45.3%) and overweight (9.8%) and low birthweight (19.1%) remained relatively constant over the study period. Our findings highlight that in some rural and peri‐urban areas in South Asia, tackling systemic drivers of malnutrition may be more effective than targeted interventions based on season.
Academic‐practice collaboration in clinical education: A qualitative study of academic educator and clinical preceptor views
Authors: Dev Manisha D. B. , Rusli Khairul D. B. , McKenna Lisa , Lau Siew Tiang , Liaw Sok Ying
Published: October 2020

Academic‐practice collaborations between academic educators and preceptors are important to ensure the success of clinical education. This study explored the perceptions of academic educators and preceptors on their collaborations in a transition‐to‐practice program for nursing students. A qualitative exploratory study was undertaken with a purposive sample of 12 preceptors and 13 academic educators across three hospitals and one university in Singapore. Individual interviews were conducted. Four main themes emerged from the thematic data analysis: “hierarchical communication” that prevents academic educators and preceptors from communicating directly with each other, “uncertainty about learning objectives” among preceptors, “discrepancies in clinical assessments” due to a lack of support for preceptors in the assessment process, and “not knowing each other's practice,” which could result in theory‐practice gaps. The findings reflect the need to strengthen collaborations between academic educators and preceptors through joint teaching and assessments in clinical or simulated settings. This will provide opportunities to learn from each other's practice as well as build rapport, which are critical elements in reducing theory‐practice divides and decreasing hierarchical levels between academic educators and preceptors.
Apple SUMO E3 ligase MdSIZ1 facilitates SUMOylation of MdARF8 to regulate lateral root formation
Authors: Zhang Chun‐Ling , Wang Gui‐Luan , Zhang Ya‐Li , Hu Xing , Zhou Li‐Jie , You Chun‐Xiang , Li Yuan‐Yuan , Hao Yu‐Jin
Published: October 2020

Post‐translational modification of proteins mediated by SIZ1, a small ubiquitin‐like modifier (SUMO) E3 ligase, regulates multiple biological processes in plants. However, its role in the regulation of lateral root formation remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the apple SUMO E3 ligase MdSIZ1 promotes lateral root formation.

Using a yeast‐two‐hybrid (Y2H) system, the auxin response factor MdARF8 was screened out as a protein–protein interaction partner of the SUMO‐conjugating E2 enzyme MdSCE1, indicating that MdARF8 may be a substrate for MdSIZ1. The interaction between MdARF8 and MdSCE1 was confirmed by pull‐down, Y2H and Co‐immunoprecipitation assays.

MdSIZ1 enhanced the conjugating enzyme activity of MdSCE1 to form a MdSCE1–MdSIZ1–MdARF8 complex, thereby facilitating SUMO modification. We identified two arginine substitution mutations at K342 and K380 in MdARF8 that blocked MdSIZ1‐mediated SUMOylation, indicating that K342 and K380 are the principal SUMOylation sites of the MdARF8 protein. Moreover, MdARF8 promoted lateral root formation in transgenic apple plants, and the phenotype of reduced lateral roots in the Arabidopsis siz1‐2 mutant was restored in siz1‐2/MdARF8 complementary plants.

Our findings reveal an important role for sumoylation in the regulation of lateral root formation in plants.
Seed inoculations with entomopathogenic fungi affect aphid populations coinciding with modulation of plant secondary metabolite profiles across plant families
Authors: Rasool Shumaila , Vidkjær Nanna H. , Hooshmand Kourosh , Jensen Birgit , Fomsgaard Inge S. , Meyling Nicolai V.
Published: October 2020

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) can display a plant‐associated lifestyle as endophytes. Seed application of EPF can affect insect herbivory above ground, but the mechanisms behind this are not documented.

Here we applied three EPF isolates, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium brunneum and M. robertsii, as seed inoculation of wheat and bean, and evaluated the effects on population growth of aphids, Rhopalosiphum padi and Aphis fabae, respectively. In wheat and bean leaves, we quantified benzoxazinoids and flavonoids, respectively, in response to EPF inoculation and aphid infestation to elucidate the role of specific plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) in plant–fungus–herbivore interactions.

Inoculations of wheat and bean with M. robertsii and B. bassiana reduced aphid populations compared with control treatments, whereas M. brunneum unexpectedly increased the populations of both aphids. Concentrations of the majority of PSMs were differentially altered in EPF‐treated plants infested with aphids. Changes in aphid numbers were associated with PSMs regulation rather than EPF endophytic colonisation capacity.

This study links the effects of EPF seed inoculations against aphids with unique PSM accumulation patterns in planta. The understanding of PSM regulation in tri‐trophic interactions is important for the future development of EPF for pest management.
Nutritional intervention strategies for the management of overweight and obesity in primary health care: A systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Canuto Raquel , Garcez Anderson , de Souza Renata Vieira , Kac Gilberto , Olinto Maria Teresa Anselmo
Published: October 2020

A systematic review with meta‐analysis (MA) was conducted to synthesize the effectiveness of nutrition intervention strategies for managing overweight and obesity in the adult population attending primary health care. Relevant articles were searched in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane and LILACS databases from inception to January 2020. Seventy studies were identified: 45 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 25 uncontrolled before‐after studies (UBAs). The MA of nutritional intervention revealed a reduced average estimate of the effect on weight in RCTs (weighted mean differences [WMD] = −1.80 kg, 95% confidence interval [CI], −2.40 to −1.19), BMI (WMD = −0.80 kg/m2, 95% CI, −1.11 to −0.49), and WC (WMD = −2.28 cm, 95% CI, −3.06 to −1.49); and for UBAs showed reductions in weight (WMD = −4.17 kg; 95% CI, −5.18 to −1.70), BMI (WMD = −1.26 kg/m2; 95% CI, −1.81 to −0.72) and (WMD = −2.90 cm; 95%CI, −4.21 to −1.59). There was no association between treatment effect and follow‐up for both designs. Nutritional interventions alone yielded a higher but nonsignificant average reduction on weight when compared with combined components intervention. Interventions delivered through individual or group sessions showed a similar positive effect on weight decrease. The dietary prescription approach yielded a greater effect on weight loss than did the behavioural approaches but only in UBA studies.
The Implications of Recycling Technology Choice on Extended Producer Responsibility
Authors: Rahmani Morvarid , Gui Luyi , Atasu Atalay
Published: October 2020

We study recycling technology choice, a critical factor that has received little attention in the context of extended producer responsibility, and its interaction with product design‐for‐recycling in driving the environmental benefits of recycling systems. Collective recycling systems have long been criticized for restricting the environmental benefits of extended producer responsibility because of free riding issues among producers, which can undermine incentives for product design‐for‐recycling. We revisit and refine this assertion by analyzing the interaction between recycling technology and product design‐for‐recycling choices. We develop game‐theoretic models where producers and processors decide on product design‐for‐recycling and recycling technology choices, respectively. We then compare the equilibrium benefits of recycling in collective and individual systems. The key result in this study is that when recycling technology choice is taken into account, collective recycling systems can lead to higher environmental and economic benefits than individual recycling systems. This is because collective recycling systems provide stronger incentives for recycling technology improvements. In turn, these improvements can help overcome the drawbacks associated with inferior product design‐for‐recycling outcomes caused by free riding concerns among producers in collective recycling systems. In light of these results, we posit that an exclusive focus on product design‐for‐recycling to assess the environmental benefits of extended producer responsibility‐based recycling systems may need scrutiny. Producers and policy makers may need to evaluate recycling systems with respect to the incentives they provide for both product design‐for‐recycling and recycling technology improvements.
Leveraging Slack Capacity in IaaS Contract Cloud Services
Authors: Nunez Manuel A. , Bai Xue , Du Linna
Published: October 2020

We study capacity planning in the context of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) cloud services. Concretely, we propose models for optimal pricing and virtual machine allocation to maximize revenue while maintaining service reliability. Our models are based on current pricing schemes used by predominant cloud services providers in the market. These providers frequently face slack capacity and low utilization in resources, so that they require better planning in the allocation of non‐revenue‐earning resources that could significantly affect profitability. In particular, we propose two novel hybrid service models, each combining two basic types of cloud services: reserved‐instance (contract) and on‐demand, and provide conditions under which they become dominant. We compare analytical properties of different service models, derive closed‐form solutions and structural results to assess the strategic impact of the different models, and conduct numerical analysis to test how optimal solutions change with respect to critical system parameters such as service rate, market size, and service reliability.
Mass‐in‐mass lattices with small internal resonators
Authors: Hadadifard Fazel , Wright J. Douglas
Published: October 2020

We consider the mass‐in‐mass (MiM) lattice when the internal resonators are very small. When there are no internal resonators the lattice reduces to a standard Fermi‐Pasta‐Ulam‐Tsingou (FPUT) system. We show that the solution of the MiM system, with suitable initial data, shadows the FPUT system for long periods of time. Using some classical oscillatory integral estimates we can conclude that the error of the approximation is (in some settings) higher than one may expect.
Identification of a single nucleotide deletion in the novel HLA‐DQB1*06:379N allele, detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction‐Sequence Based Typing but not by Next Generation Sequencing
Authors: Ingrassia Francesco , Pecoraro Alice , Blando Maria , Bruno Floriana , Lo Brutto Angela , Mistretta Serena , Bavetta Rosalba , Cappuzzo Valentina
Published: October 2020

In this report we describe the characterization of a novel null HLA‐DQB1 allele, detected by polymerase chain reaction‐sequence‐based typing but not by next‐generation sequencing (NGS). The new allele, HLA‐DQB1*06:379N, was discovered in an Italian patient with acute myeloid leukemia and also in one of her healthy siblings. The new allele is largely homologous to DQB1*06:02:01:01 with a T deletion in exon 2, in codon 11, which causes a frameshift and the formation of an unusual and premature TGA STOP in codon 27. This case report underlines the importance of not removing Sanger method sequencing from routine use for high‐resolution HLA typing, but to maintain it together with NGS technology.
Disentangling the factors that vary the impact of trees on flooding (a review)
Authors: Marapara Tapuwa R. , Jackson Bethanna M. , Hartley Stephen , Maxwell Deborah
Published: October 2020

There is growing interest in the role of trees and forests in reducing the risk of flooding. The establishment of forests and planting of trees changes surface and subsurface hydrology, often delaying peak discharge and reducing overland flow and flood risk. However, it is increasingly recognised that a blanket recommendation to ‘plant trees’ is rarely an efficient approach to flood‐risk management. This is because the role of trees varies spatially and temporally as a function of climate, topography, rainfall properties, soil type and condition, catchment scale and geology, among others. This paper presents a review of the complex relationship between tree cover and flooding. It discusses how the interaction is affected by species, position in the landscape, catchment scale, soils, magnitude of rainfall event and changing geologic and climatic conditions. Finally, it highlights how, when and where trees and forests can be effectively used to assist in managing the risk of flooding. Knowledge gaps that require future research are also identified.
CoFe2O4/Fe2O3 on carbon cloth as binder free electrodes for desalination using capacitive deionization method
Authors: Inbaraj Davis Jacob , Mangalaraj Chitra
Published: October 2020

Desalination of saline water was carried out by capacitive deionization (capDI) method. Pseudocapacitive materials (CoFe2O4/Fe2O3) were coated on the carbon cloth as capDI electrode for three different reaction time (6, 9 and 12 h). Synthesized capDI electrodes were characterized using SEM, XRD, Raman and XPS. The desalination was tested by batch method to study the desalination performance of the synthesized electrode. The results showed that 89% and 30 % of desalination efficiency at 200 and 500 mg/L (1500 μS/cm initial conductivity), respectively for 6 h reaction time sample. The adsorption of inorganic ions from the saline water on 6 h sample was found to be about 30 mg/g at an initial concentration of 500 mg/L. The kinetic analysis indicated that the electrosorption of NaCl on capDI electrodes followed pseudo‐first order kinetics model. Overall, the developed pseudocapacitive capDI electrode was able to desalinate NaCl by capacitive deionization method under experimental condition.
Effectiveness of multipass and multirow writing methods for massively parallel e-beam systems
Authors: Hasan Md Nabid , Lee Soo-Young , Ahn Byung-Sup , Choi Jin , Park Joon-Soo
Published: October 2020

Massively parallel electron-beam systems are equipped with a large number of beams to improve the writing throughput. It is unavoidable that some of the beams are abnormal, e.g., always on or off, spatial and temporal fluctuations of beam current, beam-positioning error, etc. A practical approach to improve the writing quality is to spread the negative effects of abnormal beams spatially. The multirow writing (MRW) was introduced, which uses each beam to expose pixels over multiple rows in each writing path minimizing the localization of pixels affected by an abnormal beam. In another method, the single-row writing (SRW), each beam exposes pixels in one row in each writing path localizing the affected pixels in a row. To spread the negative effects, especially for the single-row writing, each row of pixels may be exposed through multiple passes, i.e., multipass writing. In this study, the multirow and multipass writing methods in various combinations with the MRW and SRW are compared in terms of their effectiveness in reducing the negative effects of abnormal beams. The results from an extensive simulation study are analyzed in detail.
Granzyme B nanoreporter for early monitoring of tumor response to immunotherapy
Authors: Nguyen Anh , Ramesh Anujan , Kumar Sahana , Nandi Dipika , Brouillard Anthony , Wells Alexandria , Pobezinsky Leonid , Osborne Barbara , Kulkarni Ashish A.
Published: October 2020

Granzyme B nanoreporter can distinguish between highly responsive and poorly responsive tumors.
Novel self-replicating α-synuclein polymorphs that escape ThT monitoring can spontaneously emerge and acutely spread in neurons
Authors: De Giorgi Francesca , Laferrière Florent , Zinghirino Federica , Faggiani Emilie , Lends Alons , Bertoni Mathilde , Yu Xuan , Grélard Axelle , Morvan Estelle , Habenstein Birgit , Dutheil Nathalie , Doudnikoff Evelyne , Daniel Jonathan , Claverol Stéphane , Qin Chuan , Loquet Antoine , Bezard Erwan , Ichas François
Published: October 2020

Stealth α-synuclein amyloids proliferate in preparations of preformed fibrils and form aggressive self-replicating strains.
Regulatory T cell control of systemic immunity and immunotherapy response in liver metastasis
Authors: Lee James C. , Mehdizadeh Sadaf , Smith Jennifer , Young Arabella , Mufazalov Ilgiz A. , Mowery Cody T. , Daud Adil , Bluestone Jeffrey A.
Published: October 2020

Liver metastasis suppresses systemic tumor-specific immunity and contributes to the resistance to checkpoint immunotherapy.
Spectral Methods of Control of Impurities, Their Flows and Localization in an Equilibrium Low-Temperature Plasma of Low Pressure
Authors: Bernatskiy A. V. , Kochetov I. V. , Ochkin V. N.
Published: October 2020

The state-of-art of studies of processes involving small fractions of particles formed as a result of chemical transformations of the source gas or appearing from the outside as an impurity is discussed. Various high-sensitivity methods for measuring the low concentrations of particles are considered. The main focus is on spectral methods, both classical and laser ones. The main modern fields of the application of non-equilibrium plasma, features, and achievements of the diagnostic tools used in them are highlighted. The emphasis is on spectroscopic studies of plasma purity in the low-temperature near-wall layers of thermonuclear reactors. In this case, the issue of the penetration of water molecules into the plasma chamber from the cooling circuits is of particular importance. In view of the limited accessibility to the reactors, new remote versions of spectral emission methods are being developed that are focused on the diagnostics of the ITER near-wall plasma. A new method of multispectral optical actinometry is discussed, in which intermediate chemically unstable particles can play the role of actinometers. This broadens the range of possibilities for quantitative measurements of concentrations of particles of different kinds, and increases the sensitivity. Effective actinometric pairs were found for the objects under consideration, e.g., hydrogen and deuterium atoms. The schemes are worked out on laboratory facilities, and kinetic models of plasma-chemical processes are developed. Scaling of the results of model experiments makes it possible to predict the measurement of the impurity flows at the level (10–9–10–13) Pa m3 s–1 with the localization of sources determined by the spatial resolution of the optical system.
Assessing the cyclic status of the brood mare
Authors: Newcombe John
Published: October 2020

Background

Years ago, most brood mares, thoroughbred or otherwise, visited large stud farms with multiple stallions. Brood mare practice was then the province of a limited number of relatively specialised stud veterinarians. Today, many young practitioners are involved in servicing small farms with single stallions, insemination centres or mares residing on the owners' premises. Consequently, the vet's practical knowledge of brood mare examination is gained only slowly by experience from small numbers, yet the questions asked by clients, and the accuracy of the information they are expected to provide possibly needs more expertise than ever before. Absence of a teaser stallion, lack of owner knowledge, inadequate examination facilities and inexperienced handlers all make the task harder for the vet, especially with the increasingly common practice of ‘walking in’ mares.

Aim of the article

This article provides insight into what to look for when investigating the reproductive status of a brood mare before covering or insemination, and advice on how to predict ovulation.
Influence of ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation on pancreatic digestive enzyme activity in finishing steers
Authors: Trotta Ronald J. , Maddock-Carlin Kasey R. , Swanson Kendall C.
Published: October 2020

Sixty-nine finishing steers were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: supplementation to provide 0 or 267 mg·d−1 of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) for 42 d. Twelve steers were slaughtered for tissue and blood collection. Final body weight (BW) tended to be greater with RAC supplementation. Ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation decreased liver mass as a percentage of BW. Pancreatic protein concentration, digestive enzyme activities, serum glucose, and insulin concentrations were not influenced by RAC supplementation. Ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation decreased the pancreatic:α-amylase:trypsin and serum urea nitrogen concentrations. These data suggest that RAC may influence pancreatic exocrine function in cattle.
Soliton solutions to the nonlocal Davey–Stewartson III equation
Authors: Fu Heming , Ruan Chenzhen , Hu Weiying
Published: October 2020

The soliton solutions on both constant and periodic backgrounds of the nonlocal Davey–Stewartson III equation are derived by using the bilinear method and the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (KP) hierarchy reduction method. These solutions are presented as [Formula: see text] Gram-type determinants, with [Formula: see text] a positive integer. Typical dynamics of these soliton solutions are investigated in analytical and graphical aspects. Two types of soliton solutions are generated with different [Formula: see text]. When [Formula: see text] is even, solitons on the constant background can be constructed, whereas solitons appear on the periodic background for odd [Formula: see text]. Under suitable parameter restrictions, we show the regularity of solutions and display all patterns of two- and four-soliton solutions.
Strongly dispersive internal solitary waves transformation over slope-shelf topography
Authors: Zhi Changhong , Chen Ke , You Yun-Xiang
Published: October 2020

The evolution of strongly dispersive internal solitary waves (ISWs) over slope-shelf topography is studied in a two-layer system of finite depth. We consider the high-order vmeKdV model extending the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation with coupling terms of [Formula: see text] order to treat the strong dispersion in the problem which has variable coefficients to adapt the varying bottom topography. The strongly dispersive initial ISW is characterized by the meKdV equation according to the comparison with experiments and can be propagated by the vmeKdV equation according to the comparison between vmeKdV and vKdV theories. The vmeKdV equation is numerically implemented adopting the finite difference scheme. Three dimensionless ISW amplitudes [Formula: see text], 1.136, 1.41 and two slope inclinations [Formula: see text], 1/10 are considered. The deformation of the ISW is observed when a wave propagates past over the slope. The balancing of shoaling effect and energy dispersion determine the amplitude variation. In the cases of mild or steeper slopes, the terminal wave has a stable profile and amplitude, commonly consistent to the meKdV profile with smaller amplitude. In a particular case of mild slope with very small initial amplitude, the terminal wave amplitude grows larger than the original value.
FRACTAL REP TILES OF ℝ2 AND ℝ3 USING INTEGER MATRICES
Authors: HUSAIN AKHLAQ , GOMADA KARTHIK , MEGHAM MANOGNA , ASISH SEEMAKURTHI
Published: October 2020

This paper is devoted to the study of self-similar fractal rep tiles of the Euclidean planes [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] using integer matrices. We construct many examples appearing in the literature, as well as new examples by integer matrices. Several exotic and radially symmetric self-similar rep tiles and their variations are obtained with change of bases extending the work by Bandt and others. We also present a few examples of polyhedral self-similar rep tiles including variations.
Routing in Large-scale Dynamic Networks
Authors: Gao Weichao , Nguyen James , Wu Yalong , Hatcher William G. , Yu Wei
Published: October 2020

The increasing volume of network-connected devices comprising Internet of Things and the variety of heterogeneous network architectures across these devices pose significant challenges to effective deployment and routing. In this article, we consider the adoption of probabilistic data structures to develop a novel Bloom Filter-based dual-layer inter-domain routing scheme. Our designed scheme implements internal and external routing layers in network gateways constructed upon the counting bloom filter and the original bloom filter. We first compare several representative structures in both theory and experimentation. We then propose our novel Bloom Filter-based dual-layer inter-domain routing scheme. In the design of the routing scheme, we consider issues related to the overall space cost and routing loop prevention, as well as present corresponding solutions. We also detail the principal structures and algorithms. Further, we conduct a theoretical analysis of the space efficiency of our proposed scheme compared to traditional routing with respect to the size of data packets and the size of routing tables, as well as in routing loop avoidance. Finally, via extensive performance evaluation, our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed scheme.
A Direct Ammonia Fuel Cell with a KOH-Free Anode Feed Generating 180 mW cm−2 at 120 °C
Authors: Achrai Ben , Zhao Yun , Wang Teng , Tamir Gal , Abbasi Reza , Setzler Brian P. , Page Miles , Yan Yushan , Gottesfeld Shimshon
Published: October 2020

The motivations to operate the direct ammonia fuel cell (DAFC) with no addition of aqueous base, include facilitated fuel management and prevention of corrosion and shunt currents in the DAFC stack. We describe here a polymer electrolyte DAFC, operating at a cell temperature (Tcell) of 120 °C on ammonia and water alone as anode feed, that demonstrated peak power of 180 mW cm−2—a record for this type of fuel cell. We offer a detailed analysis of polarization curves recorded for PE-DAFCs in the Tcell range of 60 °C–120 °C, allowing to estimate the effects of KOH-free operation on the ionic and faradaic resistances, R

i
and R

F
, that determine together the value of R

app, CL–an
, the apparent resistance of the anode catalyst layer. The latter resistance drops ten times between 60 °C and 120 °C as result mainly of the drop in R

F
. Consequently, DAFC performance at Tcell > 100 °C improves substantially, including the cell performance on a KOH-free anode feed. The demsontrated performance levels reported here for KOH-free DAFCs support further development of this type of ammonia/air fuel cells.
The Possible Therapeutic Effects of Some Medicinal Plants for Chronic Cough in Children
Authors: Mortazavi Moghaddam S. Gholamreza , Kianmehr Majid , Khazdair Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2020

The use of plants or their isolated bioactive components for the prevention and treatment of various disorders has been developed. Here, we aim to identify effective medicinal plants for relief of cough and respiratory symptoms in children. The data of this review article were obtained from published articles in scientific databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, until December 2019. The keywords, including “Zataria multiflora Boiss.” OR “Portulaca oleracea L.” OR “Ferula assa-foetida L.” OR “Nigella sativa L.” AND “respiratory symptoms” OR “airway inflammation” OR “smooth muscle relaxant effects,” were searched individually or combined. The mentioned medicinal plants decreased total white blood cell (WBC), neutrophils, and eosinophils counts of blood and lung lavage in animal model‐induced respiratory disorders. These plants also have protective effects on serum immunoglobulin, antibody titer, eosinophil count, and proinflammatory cytokines. Evidence from the studies indicated that the abovementioned medicinal plants have smooth muscle relaxant properties (bronchodilator effects) via stimulation of β‐adrenoceptor or inhibition of muscarinic receptors (in vitro) and also improved the pulmonary function test in clinical settings. These medicinal plants are safe and easy to use. Based on the anti‐inflammatory, anti‐antispasmodic, and immunomodulatory effects, the clinical benefit may be assumed, therefore considering a place for these medicinal plants in relieve of chronic cough and symptoms of children’s allergy, asthma, and common cold.
Trained Innate Immunity by Repeated Low-Dose Lipopolysaccharide Injections Displays Long-Term Neuroprotective Effects
Authors: Zhou Xiao-yan , Gao Rong , Hu Jian , Gao Da-peng , Liao Yan-ling , Yang Jian-jun
Published: October 2020

Disrupted immune response is an important feature of many neurodegenerative conditions, including sepsis-associated cognitive impairment. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that immune memory occurs in microglia, which has a significant impact on pathological hallmarks of neurological diseases. However, it remains unclear whether immune memory can cause subsequent alterations in the brain immune response and affect neurobehavioral outcomes in sepsis survivors. In the present study, mice received daily intraperitoneal injection of low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.1 mg/kg) for three consecutive days to induce immune memory (immune tolerance) and then were subjected to sham operation or cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) 9 months later, followed by a battery of neurobehavioral and biochemical studies. Here, we showed that repeated low-dose LPS injection-induced immune memory protected mice from sepsis-induced cognitive and affective impairments, which were accompanied by significantly decreased brain proinflammatory cytokines and immune response. In conclusion, our study suggests that modulation of brain immune responses by repeated LPS injections confers neuroprotective effects by preventing overactivated immune response in response to subsequent septic insult.
Ex vivo Comparison of Intraocular Pressure Fluctuation during Pars Plana Vitrectomy Performed Using 25- and 27-Gauge Systems
Authors: Shinkai Yoichiro , Yoneda Kazuhito , Sotozono Chie
Published: October 2020

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare intraoperative intraocular pressure fluctuation using different aspiration systems and 25- and 27-gauge vitreous surgery probes. Methods: Ex vivo, pars plana, 25- and 27-gauge vitreous surgery was performed on 4 porcine eyes, and IOP fluctuations were evaluated. We performed 3-port vitrectomy using the Constellation® Vision or the EVA® Phaco-Vitrectomy system. Each 20-s experiment was conducted 5 times for each set of conditions, each with the same substituted balanced salt solution. Real-time intraoperative intraocular pressure measurement was performed at the distal end of the infusion tube. Intraocular pressure was measured during core vitrectomy, core vitrectomy with fluid aspiration, peripheral vitreous shaving with scleral indentation, and fluid-gas exchange. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to evaluate statistical significance. Results: Mean ± standard deviation intraoperative intraocular pressure fluctuation during 25- and 27-gauge core vitrectomy was 15.9 ± 1.6 and 11.9 ± 1.4 mm Hg, respectively (p < 0.05), using the Constellation system; 23.2 ± 1.4 and 14.1 ± 0.7 mm Hg, respectively (p < 0.001), using the EVA vacuum mode; and 15.0 ± 0.5 and 11.5 ± 1.4 mm Hg, respectively (p < 0.05), using the EVA flow mode. The smallest intraoperative intraocular pressure fluctuations during core vitrectomy with fluid aspiration, peripheral vitreous shaving with scleral indentation, and fluid-gas exchange were all achieved using the 27-gauge EVA flow mode; these values were 14.2 ± 0.4, 35.7 ± 0.9, and 6.4 ± 0.2 mm Hg, respectively. Conclusion: Regardless of the aspiration system, intraoperative intraocular pressure fluctuation was lower during 27-gauge than during 25-gauge vitrectomy. The 27-gauge EVA flow mode produced optimal intraoperative intraocular pressure stability.
Unmasking Arrhythmogenic Hubs of Reentry Driving Persistent Atrial Fibrillation for Patient‐Specific Treatment
Authors: Hansen Brian J. , Zhao Jichao , Helfrich Katelynn M. , Li Ning , Iancau Alexander , Zolotarev Alexander M. , Zakharkin Stanislav O. , Kalyanasundaram Anuradha , Subr Megan , Dastagir Nawshin , Sharma Roshan , Artiga Esthela J. , Salgia Nicholas , Houmsse Mustafa M. , Kahaly Omar , Janssen Paul M. L. , Mohler Peter J. , Mokadam Nahush A. , Whitson Bryan A. , Afzal Muhammad R. , Simonetti Orlando P. , Hummel John D. , Fedorov Vadim V.
Published: October 2020

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) driver mechanisms are obscured to clinical multielectrode mapping approaches that provide partial, surface‐only visualization of unstable 3‐dimensional atrial conduction. We hypothesized that transient modulation of refractoriness by pharmacologic challenge during multielectrode mapping improves visualization of hidden paths of reentrant AF drivers for targeted ablation.

Methods and Results

Pharmacologic challenge with adenosine was tested in ex vivo human hearts with a history of AF and cardiac diseases by multielectrode and high‐resolution subsurface near‐infrared optical mapping, integrated with 3‐dimensional structural imaging and heart‐specific computational simulations. Adenosine challenge was also studied on acutely terminated AF drivers in 10 patients with persistent AF. Ex vivo, adenosine stabilized reentrant driver paths within arrhythmogenic fibrotic hubs and improved visualization of reentrant paths, previously seen as focal or unstable breakthrough activation pattern, for targeted AF ablation. Computational simulations suggested that shortening of atrial refractoriness by adenosine may (1) improve driver stability by annihilating spatially unstable functional blocks and tightening reentrant circuits around fibrotic substrates, thus unmasking the common reentrant path; and (2) destabilize already stable reentrant drivers along fibrotic substrates by accelerating competing fibrillatory wavelets or secondary drivers. In patients with persistent AF, adenosine challenge unmasked hidden common reentry paths (9/15 AF drivers, 41±26% to 68±25% visualization), but worsened visualization of previously visible reentry paths (6/15, 74±14% to 34±12%). AF driver ablation led to acute termination of AF.

Conclusions

Our ex vivo to in vivo human translational study suggests that transiently altering atrial refractoriness can stabilize reentrant paths and unmask arrhythmogenic hubs to guide targeted AF driver ablation treatment.
Age-Related Differences in Auditory Cortex Activity During Spoken Word Recognition
Authors: Rogers Chad S. , Jones Michael S. , McConkey Sarah , Spehar Brent , Van Engen Kristin J. , Sommers Mitchell S. , Peelle Jonathan E.
Published: October 2020

Understanding spoken words requires the rapid matching of a complex acoustic stimulus with stored lexical representations. The degree to which brain networks supporting spoken word recognition are affected by adult aging remains poorly understood. In the current study we used fMRI to measure the brain responses to spoken words in two conditions: an attentive listening condition, in which no response was required, and a repetition task. Listeners were 29 young adults (aged 19–30 years) and 32 older adults (aged 65–81 years) without self-reported hearing difficulty. We found largely similar patterns of activity during word perception for both young and older adults, centered on the bilateral superior temporal gyrus. As expected, the repetition condition resulted in significantly more activity in areas related to motor planning and execution (including the premotor cortex and supplemental motor area) compared to the attentive listening condition. Importantly, however, older adults showed significantly less activity in probabilistically defined auditory cortex than young adults when listening to individual words in both the attentive listening and repetition tasks. Age differences in auditory cortex activity were seen selectively for words (no age differences were present for 1-channel vocoded speech, used as a control condition), and could not be easily explained by accuracy on the task, movement in the scanner, or hearing sensitivity (available on a subset of participants). These findings indicate largely similar patterns of brain activity for young and older adults when listening to words in quiet, but suggest less recruitment of auditory cortex by the older adults.
Modes of Atmospheric Circulation Variability in the Northern Extratropics: A Comparison of Five Reanalyses
Authors: Hynčica Martin , Huth Radan
Published: October 2020

Modes of low-frequency circulation variability in the Northern Hemisphere extratropics are compared between five reanalyses. Circulation modes are detected by rotated principal component analysis (PCA) of monthly mean 500-hPa geopotential heights between 1957 and 2002, separately for individual seasons. The quantification of differences between reanalyses is based on the percentage of grid points (approximately corresponding to the percentage of area) where the spatial representations of a mode (loadings) significantly differ between reanalyses. The differences between surface-input reanalyses (20CRv2c, ERA-20C) and full-input reanalyses (NCEP-1, ERA-40, JRA-55) are larger than differences within the reanalysis groups in all seasons except for autumn. The causes of the differences are of two kinds. First, the differences may be inherent to PCA: namely, the spatial structure of the modes may be sensitive to the number of components rotated. This concerns only a few modes. Second, the differences may reflect real correlation structures in reanalysis data. We demonstrate that the differences concentrate in three or fewer modes in each season. The reanalysis most different from the rest is 20CRv2c, with the differences concentrating over the southern half of Asia and in the subtropical belt over the Pacific and adjacent southwestern North America. The 20CRv2c reanalysis disagrees from other reanalyses there predominantly before the 1980s, which points to the impact of insufficient amount of assimilated observations. On the contrary, ERA-20C exhibits a higher agreement with full-input reanalyses, which is why we recommend it for studies of atmospheric circulation over the entire twentieth century.
Siberian Snow Forcing in a Dynamically Bias-Corrected Model
Authors: Tyrrell Nicholas L. , Karpechko Alexey Yu. , Rast Sebastian
Published: October 2020

We investigate the effect of systematic model biases on teleconnections influencing the Northern Hemisphere wintertime circulation. We perform a two-step nudging and bias-correcting scheme for the dynamic variables of the ECHAM6 atmospheric model to reduce errors in the model climatology relative to ERA-Interim. One result is a significant increase in the strength of the Northern Hemisphere wintertime stratospheric polar vortex, reducing errors in the December–February mean zonal stratospheric winds by up to 75%. The bias corrections are applied to the full atmosphere or the stratosphere only. We compare the response of the bias-corrected and control runs to an increase in Siberian snow cover in October—a surface forcing that, in our experiments, weakens the stratospheric polar vortex from October to December. We find that despite large differences in the vortex strength the magnitude of the stratospheric weakening is similar among the different climatologies, with some differences in the timing and length of the response. Differences are more pronounced in the stratosphere–troposphere coupling, and the subsequent surface response. The snow forcing with the stratosphere-only bias corrections results in a stratospheric response that is comparable to control, yet with an enhanced surface response that extends into early January. The full-atmosphere bias correction’s snow response also has a comparable stratospheric response but a somewhat suppressed surface response. Despite these differences, our results show an overall small sensitivity of the Eurasian snow teleconnection to the background climatology.
Extensive High-Resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Data Analysis of Tropical Cyclones: Comparisons with SFMR Flights and Best Track
Authors: Combot Clement , Mouche Alexis , Knaff John , Zhao Yili , Zhao Yuan , Vinour Leo , Quilfen Yves , Chapron Bertrand
Published: October 2020

To produce more precise descriptions of air–sea exchanges under tropical cyclones (TCs), spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instruments provide unique capabilities to probe the ocean surface conditions, at very high spatial resolution, and on synoptic scales. Using highly resolved (3 km) wind fields, an extensive database is constructed fromRadarSat-2and Sentinel-1 SAR acquisitions. Spanning 161 tropical cyclones, the database covers all TC intensity categories that have occurred in 5 different TC basins, and include 29 cases coincident with SFMR measurements. After locating the TC center, a specific methodology is applied to filter out areas contaminated by heavy precipitation to help extract, for each acquisition, the maximum wind speed (Vmax), its associated radius (Rmax), and corresponding outer wind radii (R34/50/64 kt). These parameters are then systematically compared with best track (BTK), and when available, SFMR airborne measurements. For collocated SFMR and SAR observations, comparisons yield root-mean-squares of 3.86 m s−1and 3 km for ocean surface wind speeds and TC Rmax, respectively. High correlations remain for category-5 cases, with Vmax exceeding 60 m s−1. The largest discrepancies are found between BTK and SAR Rmax estimates, with Rmax fluctuations poorly captured by BTK, especially for rapidly evolving category-3, -4, and -5 TCs. In heavy precipitation (>35 mm h−1), the SAR C-band measurements may be impacted, with local ambiguities associated with rain features, as revealed by external rain measurements. Still, this large dataset demonstrates that SAR measurements have unique high-resolution capabilities, capturing the inner- and outer-core radial structure of the TC vortex, and provide independent and complementary measurements than those used for BTK estimates.
Assimilation of Satellite-Derived Soil Moisture for Improved Forecasts of the Great Plains Low-Level Jet
Authors: Ferguson Craig R. , Agrawal Shubhi , Beauharnois Mark C. , Xia Geng , Burrows D. Alex , Bosart Lance F.
Published: October 2020

In the context of forecasting societally impactful Great Plains low-level jets (GPLLJs), the potential added value of satellite soil moisture (SM) data assimilation (DA) is high. GPLLJs are both sensitive to regional soil moisture gradients and frequent drivers of severe weather, including mesoscale convective systems. An untested hypothesis is that SM DA is more effective in forecasts of weakly synoptically forced, or uncoupled GPLLJs, than in forecasts of cyclone-induced coupled GPLLJs. Using the NASA Unified Weather Research and Forecasting (NU-WRF) Model, 75 GPLLJs are simulated at 9-km resolution both with and without NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive SM DA. Differences in modeled SM, surface sensible (SH) and latent heat (LH) fluxes, 2-m temperature (T2), 2-m humidity (Q2), PBL height (PBLH), and 850-hPa wind speed (W850) are quantified for individual jets and jet-type event subsets over the south-central Great Plains, as well as separately for each GPLLJ sector (entrance, core, and exit). At the GPLLJ core, DA-related changes of up to 5.4 kg m−2in SM can result in T2, Q2, LH, SH, PBLH, and W850 differences of 0.68°C, 0.71 g kg−2, 59.9 W m−2, 52.4 W m−2, 240 m, and 4 m s−1, respectively. W850 differences focus along the jet axis and tend to increase from south to north. Jet-type differences are most evident at the GPLLJ exit where DA increases and decreases W850 in uncoupled and coupled GPLLJs, respectively. Data assimilation marginally reduces negative wind speed bias for all jets, but the correction is greater for uncoupled GPLLJs, as hypothesized.
Using ZDR Columns in Forecaster Conceptual Models and Warning Decision-Making
Authors: Kuster Charles M. , Schuur Terry J. , Lindley T. Todd , Snyder Jeffrey C.
Published: October 2020

Research has shown that dual-polarization (dual-pol) data currently available to National Weather Service forecasters could provide important information about changes in a storm’s structure and intensity. Despite these new data being used gradually by forecasters more over time, they are still not used extensively to inform warning decisions because it is unclear how to apply dual-pol radar data to specific warning decisions. To address this knowledge gap, rapid-update (i.e., volumetric update time of 2.3 min or less) radar data of 45 storms in Oklahoma are used to examine one dual-pol signature, known as the differential reflectivity (ZDR) column, to relate this signature to warning decisions. Base data (i.e., ZDR, reflectivity, velocity) are used to relate ZDR columns to storm intensity, radar signatures such as upper-level reflectivity cores, and scientific conceptual models used by forecasters during the warning decision process. Analysis shows that 1) differences exist between the ZDR columns of severe and nonsevere storms, 2) ZDR columns develop and evolve prior to upper-level reflectivity cores, 3) rapid-update radar data provide a more complete picture of ZDR column evolution than traditional-update radar data (i.e., volumetric update time of about 5 min), and 4) ZDR columns provide a clearer and earlier indication of changes in updraft strength compared to reflectivity signatures. These findings suggest that ZDR columns can be used to inform warning decisions, increase warning confidence, and potentially increase warning lead time especially when they are integrated into existing conceptual models about a storm’s updraft and intensity.
Extended framework of Hamilton’s principle for single-degree-of-freedom nonlinear damping systems
Authors: Kim Jinkyu
Published: October 2020

The paper explores application of the variational formalism called extended framework of Hamilton’s principle to nonlinear damping systems. Single-degree-of-freedom systems with dominant source of nonlinearity from polynomial powers of the velocity are initially considered. Appropriate variational formulation is provided, and then the corresponding weak form is discretized to produce a novel computational method. The resulting low-order temporal finite element method utilizes non-iterative algorithm, and some examples are provided to verify its performance. The present temporal finite element method using small time step is equivalent to the adaptive Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method with default error tolerances in MATLAB, and additional simulation shows its good convergence characteristics.