bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First detection and genotyping of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in pet fancy rats (Rattus norvegicus) and guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) in China
Authors: Wang Jingsong , Lv Chaochao , Zhao Diandian , Zhu Runan , Li Chen , Qian Weifeng
Published: April 2020

Enterocytozoon bieneusi, an obligate intracellular microsporidian parasite, can infect humans and a wide variety of animals worldwide. However, information on the prevalence and molecular characterization of E. bieneusi in pet rats and guinea pigs is lacking. In this study, 325 fecal samples were collected from 152 pet fancy rats and 173 pet guinea pigs purchased from pet shops in Henan and Shandong provinces. The prevalence of E. bieneusi was 11.2% (17/152) in pet fancy rats and 20.2% (35/173) in pet guinea pigs. Genotypes D (n = 12), Peru11 (n = 3), S7 (n = 1) and SCC-2 (n = 1) were identified in pet fancy rats, and genotype S7 (n = 30) and a novel genotype PGP (n = 5) were identified in pet guinea pigs. The ITS sequence and its phylogenetic analysis showed that the novel genotype PGP was distinctly different; it exhibited less than 50% similarity to the reference sequences, and did not cluster with any of the known E. bieneusi genotype groups, forming a unique branch between groups 6 and 7. These data suggest that this is a new E. bieneusi genotype group. This is the first report of E. bieneusi infection in pet fancy rats and pet guinea pigs worldwide. The identification of zoonotic genotypes D, Peru11, and S7 suggests that pet fancy rats and guinea pigs can be potential sources of human microsporidiosis.
Performance Determinants in Short (68 km) and Long (121 km) Mountain Ultra-Marathon Races
Authors: Gatterer Hannes , Rauch Simon , Procter Emily , Strapazzon Giacomo , Schenk Kai
Published: April 2020

Background Standard performance parameters measured during a laboratory test have been shown to be related to mountain ultra-marathon performance up to a competition length of 75 km. It is not known if a similar relationship exists for longer races.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the association between laboratory-based performance parameters and performance times in a short (68 km) and a long (121 km) mountain ultra-marathon.

Materials and Methods Eleven male finishers of the short race and seven male finishers of the long race were investigated. Participants performed an incremental exercise test to exhaustion in the 2 weeks prior to the event. During the event, the heart rate was monitored and finishing times were registered.

Results The maximal oxygen consumption and the oxygen uptake at the ventilatory thresholds 1 and 2 were related to performance time during the short run (~12h; r = –0.764 up to r = –0.782; p < 0.05), but there was no correlation during the long race (~28h; r = –0.107 to 0.357; p > 0.05).

Conclusions This study shows that physical fitness parameters established in a laboratory setting determine competition completion times in ultra-mountain marathon events lasting for ~12 h. During longer races, i. e. ~28 h, other factors not established in the present investigation, such as experience, race strategy, coping with pain and fatigue resistance, may be important for performance.
Konfokale Line-Field-OCT: die eierlegende Wollmilchsau?
Authors: Ruini C. , Sattler E.
Published: April 2020

Nicht invasive diagnostische Techniken wie optische Kohärenztomografie (OCT) und konfokale Laserscanmikroskopie (KLSM) haben in den letzten Jahren ihren hohen Stellenwert in der dermatologischen Forschung und im Klinikalltag bestätigt. OCT und KLSM zeigen eine hohe Spezifizität und Sensitivität für die Diagnostik von nicht melanozytären Hauttumoren, während KLSM zusätzlich für die Differenzierung von Nävi und Melanomen erfolgreich angewendet werden kann. Beide Verfahren finden auch in einem breiten Spektrum von entzündlichen und infektiösen Hauterkrankungen Einsatz. Die konfokale Line-Field-OCT (LC-OCT) ist ein neues Verfahren, welches über eine zelluläre Auflösung und Eindringtiefe bis zur tiefen Dermis verfügt, sodass nicht nur die Morphologie, sondern auch die Invasionstiefe zahlreicher Tumoren dadurch bestimmt werden kann. Die aktuell laufende präliminäre Studie zeigt ein hohes Potenzial v. a. in der Charakterisierung von aktinischen Keratosen und Feldkanzerisierung, von Basalzellkarzinomen und von Milbenerkrankungen. Weitere Studien sind nötig, um eine standardisierte Erfassung der diagnostischen Kriterien sowie Einsatzgebiete zu ermöglichen.
Gestörtes Essverhalten und psychosoziale Versorgungssituation
junger Menschen mit Typ 1 Diabetes
Authors: Saßmann Heike , Dehn-Hindenberg Andrea , Jördening Mia , Huhn Friederike , Landgraf Rüdiger , Lange Karin
Published: April 2020

Einleitung Gestörtes Essverhalten oder klinisch relevante
Essstörungen in Verbindung mit Typ 1 Diabetes haben schwerwiegende
Folgen für die Qualität der Stoffwechseleinstellung und die
langfristige gesundheitliche Prognose Betroffener. Eine frühzeitige
Diagnose und qualifizierte therapeutische Interventionen können bereits
bei gestörtem Essverhalten dazu beitragen, vorzeitige
mikrovaskuläre Schädigungen zu vermeiden. In dieser Studie
wurden für eine Gruppe junger Menschen mit Typ 1 Diabetes, die an einem
4-tägigen Camp teilnahmen, die Prävalenz essgestörten
Verhaltens und die spezifische psychosoziale Versorgungssituation
untersucht.

Material und Methoden Während eines bundesweit ausgeschriebenen
Diabetescamps für junge Menschen (16–29 Jahre) beantworteten die
Teilnehmenden Fragen zu ihrer aktuellen Diabetesbehandlung, zu
diabetesspezifischen Belastungen (PAID-5) sowie zur psychosozialen Versorgung im
Rahmen der ambulanten Langzeittherapie. Symptome gestörten Essverhaltens
wurden mit einem diabetesspezifischen Screeningfragebogen, dem Diabetes Eating
Problem Survey-Revised (DEPS-R), erhoben. Eine lineare multiple Regression wurde
berechnet, um Prädiktoren gestörten Essverhaltens zu
identifizieren.

Ergebnisse An der Umfrage beteiligten sich 308 junge Menschen mit Typ 1
Diabetes (Alter 21,4±3,4 Jahre; 73% weiblich; Diabetesdauer
10,2±5,9 Jahre; 74% in internistischer Behandlung). Bei
28,2% der Befragten ergaben sich Hinweise auf ein gestörtes
Essverhalten (17% der Männer, 32% der Frauen).
Teilnehmende mit einem auffälligen Summenwert im DEPS-R wurden nur zu
7% entsprechend psychologisch betreut. Das HbA1c, der BMI, die
diabetesspezifischen Belastungen, das Alter, die Diabetesdauer sowie das
Geschlecht erwiesen sich als signifikante Prädiktoren für das
Ausmaß gestörten Essverhaltens.

Diskussion Unter den Teilnehmenden eines Diabetescamps für junge
Menschen zeigten sich bei über einem Viertel Hinweise auf ein
gestörtes Essverhalten. Insgesamt waren davon junge Frauen
häufiger betroffen, weitere relevante Risikofaktoren waren ein
erhöhter BMI, ein höheres HbA1c und stärkere
diabetesspezifische Belastungen. Nur ein sehr geringer Anteil der jungen
Menschen mit Typ 1 Diabetes und gestörtem Essverhalten erhielt
psychologische Unterstützung.

Schlussfolgerung In der ambulanten diabetologischen Versorgung sollten
diabetesspezifische Screeninginstrumente und/oder gezielte
Screeningfragen insbesondere bei jungen Frauen regelmäßig
eingesetzt und die Ergebnisse mit den Betroffenen im Hinblick auf eine
weiterführende Behandlung besprochen werden.
Die Sensitivität und Spezifität des Mini-Audio-Tests (MAT) für unterschiedliche Hörverlustschwellen
Authors: Löhler Jan , Lehmann Martin , Segler Veronika , Volkenstein Stefan , Battmer Rolf-Dieter , Ernst Arneborg , Gräbner Frederike , Schlattmann Peter , Schönweiler Rainer , Wollenberg Barbara , Dazert Stefan
Published: April 2020

ZusaMmenfassung

Hintergrund Eine nichtbehandelte Schwerhörigkeit hat einen erheblichen Einfluss auf die Morbidität. Zur Früherkennung wurde der Mini-Audio-Test (MAT) entwickelt. Im Rahmen einer Nachuntersuchung soll untersucht werden, welche Werte sich für die Sensitivität, Spezifität und prädiktiven Werte für einen minimal zu detektierenden Hörverlust von 25, 30, 35 und 40 dB sowohl in mindestens 1 der 4 Oktavfrequenzen zwischen 0,5 und 4 kHz als auch in den über diesen Frequenzen gemittelten Hörverlust ergeben.

Methode Nachuntersucht wurden Daten, die 2016 und 2017 erhoben wurden. Bestimmt wurden die Sensitivität, Spezifität und die negativ und positiv prädiktiven Werte mittels einer logistischen Regression.

Ergebnisse Die Sensitivität des MAT stieg in beiden Altersgruppen mit zunehmendem zu detektierendem Hörverlust an, die Spezifität sank analog. Die positiv prädiktiven Werte waren für die Älteren höher als für die Jüngeren und sanken mit steigendem, minimal zu detektierendem Hörverlust. Dabei lagen die Werte für die gemittelten Frequenzen deutlich unter denen, die den Hörverlust nur in 1 Frequenz berücksichtigen. Die negativ prädiktiven Werte verhielten sich genau entgegengesetzt.

Schlussfolgerung Die Werte sind für Ältere ab dem 60. Lebensjahr deutlich schlechter als für Jüngere ab dem 50. Lebensjahr. Dies lässt es umso wichtiger erscheinen, dass bereits ein erstes Hörscreening ab dem 50. Lebensjahr durchgeführt wird, um einen individuellen Hörverlust realistisch einschätzen zu können. Nur durch eine rechtzeitige Hörrehabilitation können negative Folgen einer unbehandelten Schwerhörigkeit positiv beeinflusst werden.
Activation Strategies for Earth-Abundant Metal Catalysis
Authors: Thomas Stephen P. , Peng Jingying
Published: April 2020

The use of earth-abundant metal-catalysed organic transformations has increased significantly in recent years. Where low-oxidation-state catalysts are required, the in situ activation of metal(II/III) salts offers an operationally simple method to access these catalysts. Here we present the development of activation strategies from the use of reducing organometallic reagents to endogenous activation. Applications in alkene and alkyne hydrofunctionalisation reactions will be used to highlight the synthetic applications of the activation methods discussed.

1 Introduction

2 In situ Activation Using Organometallic Reagents

3 In situ Activation Using Nonorganometallic Reagents

4 ‘Activator-Free’ Systems

5 Conclusions
Juvenile Dermatomyositis and the Inflammatory Myopathies
Authors: Swafford Collin , Roach E. Steve
Published: April 2020

The inflammatory myopathies comprise disorders of immune-mediated muscle injury. The histopathology and clinical features help distinguish them. Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is the most common form of myositis in children and adolescents. Children with JDM present with proximal muscle weakness and characteristic rashes. The presentation is similar in children and adults, but JDM is a primary disorder and the adult form often is concerning for a paraneoplastic syndrome. Proximal muscle weakness occurs with dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, but the latter two conditions have no dermatologic findings or distinct tissue changes which set them apart from dermatomyositis. Inclusion body myositis, also included in the inflammatory myopathies, presents with more distal involvement, and microscopically exhibits identifiable rimmed vacuoles. We review key features of these disorders, focusing in more detail on JDM because it is more often encountered by the child neurologist.
Combined Use of CytoSorb and ECMO in Patients with Severe Pneumogenic Sepsis
Authors: Akil Ali , Ziegeler Stephan , Reichelt Jan , Rehers Stephanie , Abdalla Omer , Semik Michael , Fischer Stefan
Published: April 2020

Background High morbidity and mortality are frequently reported in intensive care patients suffering from severe sepsis with systemic inflammation. With the development of severe respiratory failure, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is often required. In this study, cytokine adsorption therapy in combination with ECMO is applied in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to severe pneumogenic sepsis. The efficacy of this therapy is evaluated compared with a historical cohort without hemoadsorption therapy.

Methods Between January and May 2018, combined high-flow venovenous ECMO and CytoSorb therapy (CytoSorb filter connected to ECMO circuit) was applied in patients (n = 13) with pneumogenic sepsis and ARDS. These patients were prospectively included (CytoSorb group). Data from patients (n = 7) with pneumogenic sepsis and ECMO therapy were retrospectively analyzed (control group).

Results All patients survived in the CytoSorb group, where the 30-day mortality rate reached 57% in the control group. After CytoSorb therapy, we instantly observed a significant reduction in procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels compared with the control group. Within 48 hours, the initial high doses of catecholamine could be weaned off only in the CytoSorb group.

Conclusions Our results indicate that CytoSorb in combination with ECMO is an effective therapy to prevent escalation of sepsis with rapid weaning off high-dose catecholamine infusions and quick reduction in PCT and CRP levels. Optimal timing of immunomodulatory therapy and impact on ECMO-related inflammation still need to be furtherly investigated.
High efficiency hexagonal boron nitride neutron detectors with 1 cm2 detection areas
Authors: Maity A. , Grenadier S. J. , Li J. , Lin J. Y. , Jiang H. X.
Published: April 2020

We report the realization of 1 cm2 hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) thermal neutron detectors with an unprecedented detection efficiency of 59%. This was achieved through improvements in material quality, as reflected in a sixfold enhancement in the electron mobility and lifetime product and a threefold reduction in the surface recombination field, which resulted in a higher detection efficiency at a lower applied electric field over that of a previous state-of-the-art lateral detector with a detection area of 30 mm2. The attainment of 1 cm2 h-BN neutron detectors capable of retaining a high detection efficiency represents a significant milestone toward the practical applications of h-BN detectors.
Experimental dynamics of Newtonian and non-Newtonian droplets impacting liquid surface with different rheology
Authors: Mohammad Karim Alireza
Published: April 2020

A high-speed visualization is used to study the droplet impact dynamics exhibiting diverse rheological characteristics covering Newtonian, shear thinning, and viscoelastic characteristics on a liquid pool. The series of experiments covers a series of physical non-dimensional parameters such as 10 < Re < 12 000, 298 < We < 768, 0.034 < Ca < 39.7, and 1.8 × 10−3 < Oh < 3.4. The Reynolds number and the Weber number are the most important non-dimensional parameters to describe the dynamics of the generated crown structure. The Ohnesorge number and the Weber number play important roles in the stability of the Worthington jet. The normalized time of the Worthington jet breakup follows power law dependency to the Ohnesorge number (tbreakuptvisc≈Oh−1) and to the Weber number (tbreakuptR≈We2). Coalescence has strong effects on the dynamics of droplet impact. Impact dynamics depends on rheological characteristics of the droplet and liquid pool (i.e., impact dynamics of the water droplet on the shear thinning pool is different from the shear thinning droplet onto the water pool). Rate-dependent shear viscosity and extensional viscosity have strong effects on the droplet impact dynamics by avoiding instability along the rim of the crown. Viscoelastic droplet impact dynamics, presented by Ec ≈ 212 (larger elastic vs viscous forces) and De ≈ 2.2 (larger elastic vs inertia forces), reveals a strong stabilizing effect of elastic stress on the Worthington jet structure by avoiding the jet breakup and, instead, forming a thin filament connecting the jet and the satellite droplets. The stabilizing effect of elastic stress is higher than that of viscous stress.
The de Haas-van Alphen quantum oscillations in a three-dimensional Dirac semimetal TiSb2
Authors: Xia Wei , Shi Xianbiao , Wang Yushu , Ge Wenna , Su Hao , Wang Qin , Wang Xia , Yu Na , Zou Zhiqiang , Hao Yufeng , Zhao Weiwei , Guo Yanfeng
Published: April 2020

Characterization of the Fermi surface of high-quality crystalline TiSb2 by de Haas-van Alphen measurement reveals nontrivial topological properties. Moreover, our analysis of the quantum oscillation frequencies associated with nonzero Berry phase when the magnetic field is parallel to both the ab-plane and c-axis of TiSb2 finds that the Fermi surface topology has a three-dimensional feature. The results are supported by first-principle calculations which reveal a symmetry-protected Dirac point along the Γ-Z high symmetry line near the Fermi level. On the (001) surface, the bulk Dirac points are found to project onto the Γ¯ point with nontrivial surface states. Our finding will substantially enrich the family of 3D Dirac semimetals which are useful for topological applications.
Experimental determination of the (0/−) level for Mg acceptors in
β
-Ga2O3 crystals
Authors: Lenyk C. A. , Gustafson T. D. , Basun S. A. , Halliburton L. E. , Giles N. C.
Published: April 2020

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is used to experimentally determine the (0/−) level of the Mg acceptor in an Mg-doped β-Ga2O3 crystal. Our results place this level 0.65 eV (±0.05 eV) above the valence band, a position closer to the valence band than the predictions of several recent computational studies. The crystal used in this investigation was grown by the Czochralski method and contains large concentrations of Mg acceptors and Ir donors, as well as a small concentration of Fe ions and an even smaller concentration of Cr ions. Below room temperature, illumination with 325 nm laser light produces the characteristic EPR spectrum from neutral Mg acceptors (MgGa0). A portion of the singly ionized Ir4+ donors are converted to their neutral Ir3+ state at the same time. For temperatures near 250 K, the photoinduced EPR spectrum from the neutral MgGa0 acceptors begins to decay immediately after the laser light is removed, as electrons are thermally excited from the valence band to the Mg acceptor. Holes left in the valence band recombine with electrons at the deeper Ir3+ ions and restore the Ir4+ ions. An activation energy for the thermal decay of the MgGa0 acceptors, and thus a value for the (0/−) level, is obtained by using a general-order kinetics model to analyze a set of five isothermal decay curves taken at temperatures between 240 and 260 K.
Chaos and control of a three-dimensional fractional order discrete-time system with no equilibrium and its synchronization
Authors: Ouannas Adel , Khennaoui Amina Aicha , Momani Shaher , Grassi Giuseppe , Pham Viet-Thanh
Published: April 2020

Chaotic systems with no equilibrium are a very important topic in nonlinear dynamics. In this paper, a new fractional order discrete-time system with no equilibrium is proposed, and the complex dynamical behaviors of such a system are discussed numerically by means of a bifurcation diagram, the largest Lyapunov exponents, a phase portrait, and a 0–1 test. In addition, a one-dimensional controller is proposed. The asymptotic convergence of the proposed controller is established by means of the stability theory of linear fractional order discrete-time systems. Next, a synchronization control scheme for two different fractional order discrete-time systems with hidden attractors is reported, where the master system is a two-dimensional system that has been reported in the literature. Numerical results are presented to confirm the results.
Mono- and binuclear complexes of group 5 metals with diimine ligands: synthesis, reactivity and prospects for application
Authors: Fomenko Iakov S. , Gushchin Artem L.
Published: April 2020

Published data on the coordination compounds of group 5 metals with diimine type ligands are surveyed. Methods of synthesis, structural types, reactivity and properties of these compounds are summarized and systematized. Particular attention is paid to the redox, magnetic and catalytic properties and to biological activities of these complexes, which is important for understanding the areas of their potential application.

The bibliography includes 177 references.
Practices of indexing discrepant assumptions with Germanich dachte(‘I thought’) in talk-in-interaction
Authors: Deppermann Arnulf , Reineke Silke
Published: April 2020

This paper studies practices of indexing discrepant assumptions accomplished by turn-constructional units withich dachte(‘I thought’) in German talk-in-interaction. Building on the analysis of 141 instances from the corpus FOLK, we identify three sequential environments in whichich dachteis used to index that an assumption which a speaker (has) held contrasts with some other, contextually salient assumption. We show that practices which have been studied for EnglishI thoughtare also routinely used in German:ich dachteis a means to manage epistemic incongruencies and to contrast an incorrect with a correct assumption in narratives. In addition,ich dachteis also used to account for the speaker’s own prior actions which may have looked problematic because they built on misunderstandings which the speaker only discovered later. Moreover,ich dachte-practices may also be used to create comic effects by reporting an earlier, absurd assumption. The practices are discussed with regard to their role in regaining common ground, in managing relationships, in maintaining the identity of a rational actor, and in terms of their exploitation for other conversational interests. Special attention is paid to how co-occurring linguistic features, and sequential and pragmatic factors, account for local interpretations ofich dachte.
The role of echoing in meaning construction and interpretation
Authors: Galera Masegosa Alicia
Published: April 2020

Echoic mention was initially proposed as part of the relevance-theoretic approach to irony (Sperber & Wilson, 1986). The aim of this article is to present an account of echoing as a cognitive operation that goes beyond (and yet includes) the interpretation of ironic remarks. For this purpose, we explore the cognitive mechanisms that underlie the production and interpretation of echoic uses of both ironic and non-ironic language. In the light of the examples under scrutiny, we claim that echoic mentions afford metonymic access to the echoed scenario, which is then contrasted with the observable scenario. The relationship between the two scenarios, which ranges from identity to contrast, passing through type-token similarity and metaphorical resemblance, determines the communicative purpose of the speaker, which may convey different kind of attitudes.
Exploring the cultural conceptualization of emotions across national language varieties
Authors: Soares da Silva Augusto
Published: April 2020

Supporting the hypothesis that emotions are culturally constructed, this article compares the cultural
conceptualization of pride in European and Brazilian Portuguese (EP/BP). Individualistic/collectivistic as well as other
cultural influences that determine the conceptual variation of pride in pluricentric Portuguese are examined. Adopting a
sociocognitive view of language and applying a multifactorial usage-feature and profile-based methodology, this study combines a
feature-based qualitative analysis of 500 occurrences of orgulho ‘pride’ and vaidade ‘vanity’
from a corpus of blogs with their subsequent multivariate statistic modeling. The multiple correspondence analysis reveals two
clusters of features, namely, self-centered pride and other-directed pride. Logistic regression confirmed that EP appears to be
more associated with other-directed pride, which is in line with the more collectivist and restrained Portuguese culture, whereas
BP is more connected with self-centered pride. Accordingly, morally good pride is salient in EP. Brazil’s high power distance can
also explain the prominence of negative and bad pride in BP.
“Hi, Mr. President!”
Authors: Fonseca Paula , Pascual Esther , Oakley Todd
Published: April 2020

What makes The Daily Show with Jon Stewart so successful as social and political satire? Rhetorical theorists and critics have identified several mechanisms for satisfying the show’s satiric and parodic aim, which include parodic polyglossia, contextual clash, and satirical specificity (Waisanen, 2009). We present a unified account of meaning construction that encompasses these three mechanisms within the framework of blended fictive interaction (Pascual, 2002, 2008a
b). Satire results from emergent effects of different conceptual configurations that have to be in place to integrate a pastiche of speech whose provenance originates in different and diverse contexts and genres. The integration of contradictory, conceptually disjointed pieces of discourse under the governing structure of the conversation frame accounts for the show’s most conspicuous satirical moments. These imagined interactions highlight facets of the real world for critical commentary. The thick description of an influential Daily Show segment deepens our understanding of contemporary political satire.
What a Difference a Drink Makes: Determining Associations Between Alcohol-Use Patterns and Condom Utilization Among Adolescents
Authors: Scroggins Stephen , Shacham Enbal
Published: April 2020

This study aimed to identify differences in condom use among adolescents by alcohol consumption patterns using the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Results suggest significant increased risk of condomless sex among binge drinking youth. Surprisingly, no significant difference in condom utilization was identified between non-drinkers and only moderate drinkers. Findings highlight the need to tailor STI preventative measures accordingly.
A Subgroup of Patients With Hospital-acquired Pneumonia Do Not Require Broad-spectrum Gram-negative Antimicrobial Coverage
Authors: Russell Clark D , Whittaker Ed , Dee Dominic P , Farquhar Eilidh , Saenz de Villaverde Alba , Evans Morgan H , Laurenson Ian F , Mackintosh Claire L , Cevik Muge
Published: April 2020

Among 200 patients developing hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) outside the intensive care unit, 61% were treated empirically without broad-spectrum Gram-negative coverage, with clinical cure in 69.7%. Lower disease severity markers (systemic inflammatory response syndrome, hypoxia, tachypnoea, neutrophilia) and the absence of diabetes mellitus and prior doxycycline treatment (but not the time to HAP onset) identified patients not requiring broad-spectrum Gram-negative coverage.
Array analysis of magnetic and electric field observatories in China: estimation of magnetotelluric impedances at very long periods
Authors: Wang Hui , Egbert Gary , Yao Yusong , Cheng Jiulong
Published: April 2020

Ten years (2008–2017) of continuous measurements from 40 electric and 36 magnetic sites collected in China for earthquake prediction research represent a unique EM array data set, which can be used to explore the challenging problem of very long-period MT data acquisition, to study source characteristics, and ultimately to learn about electric conductivity of Earth's mantle beneath East Asia. In this study, we focus on basic noise and signal characteristics in this data set, and on estimation of the MT impedances. We report a novel method to fix the numerous timing errors in the electric data caused by limitations in instrumentation and data acquisition. Then, we use multivariate array analysis to study signal and noise characteristics for periods from 250 s to 3.5 × 105 s (4 d). Signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) are above 30 dB in magnetic fields for the first two dominant modes, which correspond roughly to N–S and E–W quasi-uniform sources. SNRs for electric fields are lower, especially at very long periods, and especially for N–S electric components. There are clear peaks in signal strength at the daily variation (DV) periods, but source structure becomes more complex, and significant biases in MT impedance tensors are more often seen at these periods. The MT quasi-impedance, computed using the closest magnetic site for each electric site, is estimated by robust remote reference techniques (RR) and by using linear combinations of PCA (principal component analysis) modes that best approximate a uniform or plane-wave source (PW). For almost all sites, smooth impedances are obtained for periods up to 104 s using either approach. This result, and a more detailed analysis of impedances estimates obtained with shorter-wavelength (gradient) sources extracted from the array, suggests that source effects in MT impedances are minimal for periods below 104 s, at least at the latitude of China. At many sites curves can be extended a decade further, to 105 s, but here results are improved by carefully omitting DV bands and (at a few sites) with the PW approach. For longer periods (>105 s) SNR is very low in electric field channels at most sites, making estimation challenging. However, at a few sites, even some near big cities (e.g. including a site within 40 km of Beijing) smooth impedance components related to N–S magnetic sources (Zxx and Zyx) are obtained to periods to 3.5 × 105 s (4 d). This result suggests that cultural noise may not be the main impediment to collecting very long-period MT data.
Distinguishing between spiritual health and religious involvement as determinants of adolescent health in Canada and the Czech Republic
Authors: Jirásek Ivo , Badura Petr , King Nathan , Pickett William , Michaelson Valerie
Published: April 2020

Spiritual health is a topic of emergent interest; however, lack of a clear distinction between spiritual health and religious involvement makes it difficult to understand the potential role of spiritual health as a determinant of health. Analyses of such relationships that cross countries and cultures are rare. We therefore assessed whether differences exist between spiritual health and religious involvement and their respective associations with general indicators adolescent health. The study was based on the 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study conducted in Canada (n = 10 761) and the Czech Republic (n = 4411). In both countries, we failed to identify strong or statistically significant associations between self-reported religiosity and adolescent health. In contrast, adolescents with higher spiritual health scores consistently reported enhanced levels of general health status. Study findings point to the importance of a strong sense of spiritual health as a protective determinant of adolescent health, and raise questions about religious involvement as protective to adolescent health outcomes.
Mechanical characterization of porcine liver properties for computational simulation of indentation on cancerous tissue
Authors: Yang Yingqiao , Li Kewei , Sommer Gerhard , Yung Kai-Leung , Holzapfel Gerhard A
Published: April 2020

An accurate characterization of soft biological tissue properties is essential for a realistic simulation of surgical procedures. Unconfined uniaxial compression tests with specimens affixed to the fixtures are often performed to characterize the stress-stretch curves of soft biological tissues, with which the material parameters can be obtained. However, the constrained boundary condition causes non-uniform deformation during the uniaxial test, posing challenges for accurate measurement of tissue deformation. In this study, we measured the deformation locally at the middle of liver specimens and obtained the corresponding stress-stretch curves. Since the effect of the constrained boundary condition on the local deformation of specimen is minimized, the stress-stretch curves are thus more realistic. Subsequently, we fitted the experimental stress-stretch curves with several constitutive models and found that the first-order Ogden hyperelastic material model was most suitable for characterizing the mechanical properties of porcine liver tissues. To further verify the characterized material properties, we carried out indentation tests on porcine liver specimens and compared the experimental data with computational results by using finite element simulations. A good agreement was achieved. Finally, we constructed computational models of liver tissue with a tumor and investigated the effect of the tumor on the mechanical response of the tissue under indentation. The computational results revealed that the liver specimen with tumor shows a stiffer response if the distance between the tumor and the indenter is small.
Determination of Lycopene Concentration in Fresh Tomatoes by Spectrophotometry: A Collaborative Study
Authors: Kakubari Sachiko , Sakaida Kenichi , Asano Masahiro , Aramaki Yoshinori , Ito Hidekazu , Yasui Akemi
Published: April 2020

Background

Lycopene has been the object of considerable research attention recently, and the effects of the intake of lycopene, or of tomato products, have been studied in various ways. In Japan, interest in the health-promoting function of food components has increased.

Objective

Developing a method to determine lycopene contents in tomato that meets the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS).

Method

In the proposed JAS method, the test sample consists of fresh tomatoes; a hexane–acetone mixture is utilized as the extraction solvent. A collaborative study was conducted to evaluate the interlaboratory performance of the method.

Results

Ten laboratories participated and analyzed six test materials characterized by a lycopene content between 39 and 170 mg/kg as blind duplicates. After removing statistical outliers, RSDr ranged from 1.2 to 3.0% and RSDR ranged from 2.4 to 4.2%. The HorRat values were calculated and found to be in the 0.26–0.49 range.

Conclusions

The method for determining the lycopene content in tomato was evaluated by means of a collaborative study, and the reproducibility of this method was found to be acceptable.

Highlights

Intended for standardization in Japan, a method to determine lycopene content in tomato has been developed and shown to have acceptable precision in a collaborative study.
Blame It on the Self-Driving Car: How Autonomous Vehicles Can Alter Consumer Morality
Authors: Gill Tripat
Published: April 2020

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are expected to soon replace human drivers and promise substantial benefits to society. Yet, consumers remain skeptical about handing over control to an AV. Partly because there is uncertainty about the appropriate moral norms for such vehicles (e.g., should AVs protect the passenger or the pedestrian if harm is unavoidable?). Building on recent work on AV morality, the current research examined how people resolve the dilemma between protecting self versus a pedestrian, and what they expect an AV to do in a similar situation. Five studies revealed that participants considered harm to a pedestrian more permissible with an AV as compared to self as the decision agent in a regular car. This shift in moral judgments was driven by the attribution of responsibility to the AV and was observed for both severe and moderate harm, and when harm was real or imagined. However, the effect was attenuated when five pedestrians or a child could be harmed. These findings suggest that AVs can change prevailing moral norms and promote an increased self-interest among consumers. This has relevance for the design and policy issues related to AVs. It also highlights the moral implications of autonomous agents replacing human decision-makers.
The Power of (Non-)Linear Shrinking: A Review and Guide to Covariance Matrix Estimation
Authors: Ledoit Olivier , Wolf Michael
Published: April 2020

Many econometric and data-science applications require a reliable estimate of the covariance matrix, such as Markowitz’s portfolio selection. When the number of variables is of the same magnitude as the number of observations, this constitutes a difficult estimation problem; the sample covariance matrix certainly will not do. In this article, we review our work in this area, going back 15+ years. We have promoted various shrinkage estimators, which can be classified into linear and nonlinear. Linear shrinkage is simpler to understand, to derive, and to implement. But nonlinear shrinkage can deliver another level of performance improvement, especially if overlaid with stylized facts such as time-varying co-volatility or factor models.
Field sources near the southern-sky calibrator PKS B1934-638: effect on spectral line observations with SKA-MID and its precursors
Authors: Heywood I , Lenc E , Serra P , Hugo B , Bannister K W , Bell M E , Chippendale A , Harvey-Smith L , Marvil J , McConnell D , Voronkov M A
Published: April 2020

Accurate instrumental bandpass corrections are essential for the reliable interpretation of spectral lines from targeted and survey-mode observations with radio interferometers. Bandpass correction is typically performed by comparing measurements of a strong calibrator source to an assumed model, typically an isolated point source. The wide field-of-view and high sensitivity of modern interferometers means that additional sources are often detected in observations of calibrators. This can introduce errors into bandpass corrections and subsequently the target data if not properly accounted for. Focusing on the standard calibrator PKS B1934-638, we perform simulations to asses this effect by constructing a wide-field sky model. The cases of ASKAP (0.7–1.9 GHz), MeerKAT (UHF: 0.58–1.05 GHz; L-band: 0.87–1.67 GHz) and Band 2 (0.95–1.76 GHz) of SKA-MID are examined. The use of a central point source model during bandpass calibration is found to impart amplitude errors into spectra measured by the precursor instruments at the ∼0.2–0.5 per cent level dropping to ∼0.01 per cent in the case of SKA-MID. This manifests itself as ripples in the source spectrum, the behaviour of which is coupled to the distribution of the array baselines, the solution interval, the primary beam size, the hour-angle of the calibration scan, as well as the weights used when imaging the target. Calibration pipelines should routinely employ complete field models for standard calibrators to remove this potentially destructive contaminant from the data, a recommendation we validate by comparing our simulation results to a MeerKAT scan of PKS B1934-638, calibrated with and without our expanded sky model.
Broadband X-ray spectral study of ultraluminous X-ray source M81 X–6
Authors: Jithesh V , Anjana C , Misra Ranjeev
Published: April 2020

Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) are a class of extragalactic, point-like, off-nuclear X-ray sources with X-ray luminosity from ∼1039 to 1041 erg s−1. We investigated the temporal and broadband X-ray spectral properties of the ULX M81 X–6 using simultaneous Suzaku and NuSTAR observations. To understand the nature of the source, we searched for pulsating signals from the source using the NuSTAR observation. However, we failed to identify any strong pulsating signals from the source. Alternatively, the broadband spectral modelling with accreting magnetic neutron star continuum model provides a statistically acceptable fit, and the inferred spectral parameters, and X-ray colours are consistent with other pulsating ULXs. Thus, our analysis suggests that M81 X–6 is another candidate ULX pulsar.
Dependence of kinetic plasma waves on ion-to-electron mass ratio and light-to-Alfvén speed ratio
Authors: Verscharen Daniel , Parashar Tulasi N , Gary S Peter , Klein Kristopher G
Published: April 2020

The magnetization |Ωe|/ωe is an important parameter in plasma astrophysics, where Ωe and ωe are the electron gyro-frequency and electron plasma frequency, respectively. It depends only on the mass ratio mi/me and the light-to-Alfvén speed ratio c/vAi, where mi (me) is the ion (electron) mass, c is the speed of light, and vAi is the ion Alfvén speed. Non-linear numerical plasma models such as particle-in-cell simulations must often assume unrealistic values for mi/me and for c/vAi. Because linear theory yields exact results for parametric scalings of wave properties at small amplitudes, we use linear theory to investigate the dispersion relations of Alfvén/ion-cyclotron and fast-magnetosonic/whistler waves as prime examples for collective plasma behaviour depending on mi/me and c/vAi. We analyse their dependence on mi/me and c/vAi in quasi-parallel and quasi-perpendicular directions of propagation with respect to the background magnetic field for a plasma with βj ∼ 1, where βj is the ratio of the thermal to magnetic pressure for species j. Although their dispersion relations are largely independent of c/vAi for c/vAi ≳ 10, the mass ratio mi/me has a strong effect at scales smaller than the ion inertial length. Moreover, we study the impact of relativistic electron effects on the dispersion relations. Based on our results, we recommend aiming for a more realistic value of mi/me than for a more realistic value of c/vAi in non-relativistic plasma simulations if such a choice is necessary, although relativistic and sub-Debye-length effects may require an additional adjustment of c/vAi.
Implementing the REAL ID Act: Intergovernmental Conflict and Cooperation in Homeland Security Policy
Authors: Krajewska Magdalena
Published: April 2020

This article examines implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005, a post-9/11 measure intended to make driver’s licenses more secure. I take the opportunity, fifteen years after the Act’s passage and approaching a key October 2020 deadline, to analyze and explain how federal officials overcame obstacles to REAL ID implementation, especially resistance from elected state officials. I conclude that the role of administrative officials within the Department of Homeland Security and their ability to work with administrative officials in state Department of Motor Vehicle offices was critical to overcoming state resistance and leading states to come into alignment with REAL ID requirements. A key lesson is that overcoming state–federal conflict in policy implementation is possible when administrative officials at the state and federal level are key actors and can collaborate and perceive common interests. This analysis demonstrates the importance of direct interaction between federal and state administrative officials in program implementation.
Environmental signals control transmission stage formation in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Brancucci Nicholas
Published: April 2020

Sexual commitment initiates production of the transmission‐competent gametocyte stage in malaria parasites. Chromatin remodeling events at the ap2‐g locus and activation of the encoded transcription factor are the earliest steps known in this differentiation process. Interestingly, the rate of gametocyte formation is not fixed and variation is thought to depend on environmental cues.

Using an assay to probe gametocyte formation in vitro, we found that parasites induce sexual commitment in response to depletion of human serum components. Fractionation experiments identified lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) – a major phospholipid component of serum – as the active host factor. Low micromolar concentrations of lysoPC are sufficient to prevent sexual differentiation in P. falciparum cultured under otherwise commitment‐inducing conditions. Metabolic labeling experiments revealed that parasites readily use lysoPC as a substrate for the synthesis of other lipids, including phosphatidylcholine (PC). In the absence of lysoPC, parasites induce a switch in lipid metabolism that is accompanied by the transcriptional up‐regulation of enzymes used for de novo synthesis of PC (Kennedy pathway). RNA‐Seq data revealed that lysoPC‐depletion further induces the expression of both known (i.e. ap2‐g, gdv1) and new markers that define the transcriptional signature of commitment. Altogether, our results provide unprecedented insights on how malaria parasites integrate external stimuli into the decision‐making process of sexual differentiation. We are currently applying this knowledge in translational research, including drug screens that aim at identifying compounds with malaria transmission‐blocking activity.

Support or Funding Information

Supported by a Postdoc. Mobility fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation (P300PA_160975)

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Spatiotemporal Role of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 in Developing and Mature Mouse Hindbrain Serotonergic Neurons
Authors: Roussa Eleni , Chleilat Enaam , Mallmann Robert , Spanagel Rainer , Klugbauer Norbert
Published: April 2020

Transforming growth factor betas are integral molecular components of the signaling cascades defining development and survival of several neuronal groups. Among TGF‐β ligands, TGF‐β2 has been considered as relatively more important during development. We have generated a conditional knockout mouse of the Tgf‐β2 gene with knock‐in of an EGFP reporter and subsequently a mouse line with cell‐type specific deletion of TGF‐β2 ligand from Krox20 expressing cells (i.e. in cells from rhombomeres r3 and r5). We performed a phenotypic analysis of the hindbrain serotonergic system during development and in adulthood, determined the neurochemical profile in hindbrain and forebrain, and assessed behavioural performance of wild type and mutant mice. Mutant mice revealed significantly decreased number of caudal 5‐HT neurons at embryonic day (E) 14, and impaired development of caudal dorsal raphe, median raphe, raphe magnus, and raphe obscurus neurons at E18, a phenotype that was restored and/or overshot in adult mice. Serotonin levels were decreased in hindbrain but significantly increased in cortex of adult mutant mice, though without any behavioural consequences. These results highlight differential and temporal dependency of developing and adult neurons on TGF‐β2 and highlight the isoform‐specific effects during development of the serotonergic system. The results also indicate TGF‐β2 being directly or indirectly potent to modulate neurotransmitter synthesis and metabolism. The novel floxed TGF‐β2 mouse model is a suitable tool for analyzing the in vivo functions of TGF‐β2 during development and in adulthood in many organs.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.