bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behind the curtain of the compartmentalization process: Exploring how xylem vessel diameter impacts vascular pathogen resistance
Authors: Pouzoulet Jérôme , Rolshausen Philippe E. , Charbois Rémi , Chen Jinliang , Guillaumie Sabine , Ollat Nathalie , Gambetta Gregory A. , Delmas Chloé E. L.
Published: July 2020

A key determinant of plant resistance to vascular infections lies in the ability of the host to successfully compartmentalize invaders at the xylem level. Growing evidence supports that the structural properties of the vascular system impact host vulnerability towards vascular pathogens. The aim of this study was to provide further insight into the impact of xylem vessel diameter on compartmentalization efficiency and thus vascular pathogen movement, using the interaction between Vitis and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora as a model system. We showed experimentally that an increased number of xylem vessels above 100 μm of diameter resulted in a higher mean infection level of host tissue. This benchmark was validated within and across Vitis genotypes. Although the ability of genotypes to restore vascular cambium integrity upon infection was highly variable, this trait did not correlate with their ability to impede pathogen movement at the xylem level. The distribution of infection severity of cuttings across the range of genotype's susceptibility suggests that a risk‐based mechanism is involved. We used this experimental data to calibrate a mechanistic stochastic model of the pathogen spread and we provide evidence that the efficiency of the compartmentalization process within a given xylem vessel is a function of its diameter.
Comparative Effect of Low‐intensity Laser Radiation in Green and Red Spectral Regions on Functional Characteristics of Sturgeon Sperm
Authors: Plavskii Vitaly , Mikulich Aliaksandr , Barulin Nikolai , Ananich Tatsiana , Plavskaya Ludmila , Tretyakova Antonina , Leusenka Ihar
Published: July 2020

A comparative study of the effect of low‐intensity laser radiation in green (λ = 532 nm) and red (λ = 632.8 nm) spectral regions at equal average irradiance (3 mW cm−2) on functional characteristics of Siberian sturgeon spermatozoa is carried out. Confirmation of the photobiomodulation effect of the radiation is obtained by analyzing spermatozoa motility, percentage of motile spermatozoa and fertilization rate. It is shown that, depending on the energy dose, the laser radiation in red and green spectral regions can have both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on spermatozoa motility. Contrary to popular belief that the short‐wavelength radiation has great prospects in reproductive biotechnologies (due to more efficient absorption of radiation by cellular chromophores and increased generation of ROS), convincing evidence of a more pronounced stimulatory effect of radiation in the red spectral region was obtained. For the first time, metal‐free porphyrins capable of acting as endogenous photosensitizers generating ROS were detected and identified in animal sperm. Using luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence, it is shown that the increased production of ROS capable of exerting an inhibitory effect on biological systems at high concentrations is among the possible reasons for reduction in the stimulatory effect of radiation when moving from red to green spectral region.
Identification of a HSP14‐3‐3 in Setaria cervi and its cross‐reactivity with W bancrofti‐infected human sera
Authors: Ahmad Faiyaz , Kumar Ranjeet , Gupta Sarika , Rathaur Sushma
Published: July 2020

Aim

Identification of a 29 kDa heat stress protein in filarial parasite Setaria cervi and evaluation of its diagnostic potential against lymphatic filariasis.

Methods and results

The Heat shock proteins (HSPs) were induced in filarial parasite S cervi by incubated at 42°C for 2 hours. The 10% SDS‐PAGE of cytosolic extract showed several over‐expressed bands. The MALDI‐LC/MS analysis of 29 kDa band showed 100% similarity with Bm14‐3‐3 like protein 2. Multiple sequence alignment of Bm14‐3‐3 like protein 2 sequence with W bancrofti, Caenorhabditis elegans; Loa loa and Homo sapiens showed 100%, 86%, 83% and 78%, sequence similarity respectively. The antigenic efficacy of Sc14‐3‐3 protein was evaluated with different filarial sera using ELISA which showed cross‐reactivity in order to Endemic Normal (EN) < Microfilaraemic (MF) < Chronic(CH) with IgG1 and EN < CH < MF in IgG4 ELISA. IgG1‐ and IgG4‐specific immunoblotting with CH and MF sera further explicated its specific antigenic cross‐reactivity.

Conclusion

A 29 kDa heat shock protein of S cervi was identified as 14‐3‐3 protein having 100% homology to human filarial parasite B malayi. It showed strong reactivity with IgG1 and IgG4 subclass antibodies of W bancrofti‐infected human sera suggesting that 14‐3‐3 protein could be used as a vaccine/ diagnostic marker.
Causal Inference, Social Networks and Chain Graphs
Authors: Ogburn Elizabeth L. , Shpitser Ilya , Lee Youjin
Published: July 2020

Traditionally, statistical inference and causal inference on human subjects rely on the assumption that individuals are independently affected by treatments or exposures. However, recently there has been increasing interest in settings, such as social networks, where individuals may interact with one another such that treatments may spill over from the treated individual to their social contacts and outcomes may be contagious. Existing models proposed for causal inference using observational data from networks of interacting individuals have two major shortcomings. First, they often require a level of granularity in the data that is infeasible in practice to collect in most settings and, second, the models are high dimensional and often too big to fit to the available data. We illustrate and justify a parsimonious parameterization for network data with interference and contagion. Our parameterization corresponds to a particular family of graphical models known as chain graphs. We argue that, in some settings, chain graph models approximate the marginal distribution of a snapshot of a longitudinal data-generating process on interacting units. We illustrate the use of chain graphs for causal inference about collective decision making in social networks by using data from US Supreme Court decisions between 1994 and 2004 and in simulations.
False Discovery and its Control in Low Rank Estimation
Authors: Taeb Armeen , Shah Parikshit , Chandrasekaran Venkat
Published: July 2020

Models specified by low rank matrices are ubiquitous in contemporary applications. In many of these problem domains, the row–column space structure of a low rank matrix carries information about some underlying phenomenon, and it is of interest in inferential settings to evaluate the extent to which the row–column spaces of an estimated low rank matrix signify discoveries about the phenomenon. However, in contrast with variable selection, we lack a formal framework to assess true or false discoveries in low rank estimation; in particular, the key source of difficulty is that the standard notion of a discovery is a discrete notion that is ill suited to the smooth structure underlying low rank matrices. We address this challenge via a geometric reformulation of the concept of a discovery, which then enables a natural definition in the low rank case. We describe and analyse a generalization of the stability selection method of Meinshausen and Bühlmann to control for false discoveries in low rank estimation, and we demonstrate its utility compared with previous approaches via numerical experiments.
Asymptotic solutions of inhomogeneous differential equations having a turning point
Authors: Dunster T. M.
Published: July 2020

Asymptotic solutions are derived for inhomogeneous differential equations having a large real or complex parameter and a simple turning point. They involve Scorer functions and three slowly varying analytic coefficient functions. The asymptotic approximations are uniformly valid for unbounded complex values of the argument, and are applied to inhomogeneous Airy equations having polynomial and exponential forcing terms. Error bounds are available for all approximations, including new simple ones for the well‐known asymptotic expansions of Scorer functions of large complex argument.
Medication‐related fibrovascular hyperplasia lesion in tongue: Case report
Authors: Ballardin Bárbara Soldatelli , Mobile Rafael Zancan , Torres‐Pereira Cassius Carvalho , Schussel Juliana Lucena
Published: July 2020

Objective

The objective of this study is to report the case of a patient who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment and developed multiple tongue lesions during recovery.

Methods and results

This is the case report of a patient who developed ulcerated lesions with areas of depapillation on the border and dorsum of the tongue. The ulcer evolved to a reddish fibrous hyperplastic nodule, similar to adjacent mucosa. The patient was using a series of medications, such as antifungals, antibiotics, antivirals, corticosteroids, and analgesics in addition to immunosuppression with cyclosporine. Considering the medical history of the patient, a biopsy was performed. Histopathological analyses describe hyperplasia, granulation tissue, vascular proliferation, and intense inflammatory infiltrate, and the diagnosis was of medication‐related fibrovascular hyperplasia (MRFH).

Conclusion

Patients in use of cyclosporine are at risk to develop oral lesions, such as MRFH. The correct diagnosis is important, so the adequate treatment and follow‐up are instituted even considering the immunosuppression protocol.
Caffeine increases strength and power performance in resistance‐trained females during early follicular phase
Authors: Norum Martin , Risvang Linn Christin , Bjørnsen Thomas , Dimitriou Lygeri , Rønning Per Ola , Bjørgen Morten , Raastad Truls
Published: July 2020

The effects of 4 mg·kg−1caffeine ingestion on strength and power were investigated for the first time, in resistance‐trained females during the early follicular phase utilizing a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover design. Fifteen females (29.8 ± 4.0 years, 63.8 ± 5.5 kg [mean ± SD]) ingested caffeine or placebo 60 minutes before completing a test battery separated by 72 hours. One‐repetition maximum (1RM), repetitions to failure (RTF) at 60% of 1RM, was assessed in the squat and bench press. Maximal voluntary contraction torque (MVC) and rate of force development (RFD) were measured during isometric knee extensions, while utilizing interpolated twitch technique to measure voluntary muscle activation. Maximal power and jump height were assessed during countermovement jumps (CMJ). Caffeine metabolites were measured in plasma. Adverse effects were registered after each trial. Caffeine significantly improved squat (4.5 ± 1.9%, effect size [ES]: 0.25) and bench press 1RM (3.3 ± 1.4%, ES: 0.20), and squat (15.9 ± 17.9%, ES: 0.31) and bench press RTF (9.8 ± 13.6%, ES: 0.31), compared to placebo. MVC torque (4.6 ± 7.3%, ES: 0.26), CMJ height (7.6 ± 4.0%, ES: 0.50), and power (3.8 ± 2.2%, ES: 0.24) were also significantly increased with caffeine. There were no differences in RFD or muscle activation. Plasma [caffeine] was significantly increased throughout the protocol, and mild side effects of caffeine were experienced by only 3 participants. This study demonstrated that 4 mg·kg−1 caffeine ingestion enhanced maximal strength, power, and muscular endurance in resistance‐trained and caffeine‐habituated females during the early follicular phase, with few adverse effects. Female strength and power athletes may consider using this dose pre‐competition and ‐training as an effective ergogenic aid.
Restructuring Civilian Payouts for Police Misconduct
Authors: Ray Rashawn
Published: July 2020

A person is killed by police every 20 hours in the United States. Office‐involved killings have increased about 25% in the past 20 years despite violent crime decreasing. Even more troubling, Blacks are 3.5 times more likely than Whites to be killed by police even when they are not attacking or when they do not have a weapon. Civilian payouts for police misconduct cost local jurisdictions millions of dollars when taxpayer money could be spent in ways that help to close the achievement gap and create jobs. Policy solutions to close this racial gap and improve police‐civilian relations have centered mostly on the implementation of body‐worn cameras and implicit bias trainings. Although beneficial, I argue these policy solutions fall short because they do not address the lack of accountability that police departments have to the communities they serve. In this article, I recommend a restructuring of civilian payouts for police misconduct from taxpayer money to police department insurances. This restructuring will improve police‐civilian relations as well as reduce justifiable homicides and officer‐involved shootings by increasing the accountability that police departments have to the communities they serve.
Class politics in the sandbox? An analysis of the socio‐economic determinants of preferences towards public spending and parental fees for childcare
Authors: Neimanns Erik , Busemeyer Marius R.
Published: July 2020

This article analyses the socio‐economic determinants of public preferences towards public spending and parental fees for childcare and how they are conditioned by institutional contexts. Previous studies of childcare policy preferences have focused on attitudes regarding the provision of care. However, when it comes to questions of financing, we know astonishingly little about how supportive individuals actually are of expanding pre‐school early childhood education and care, and how support varies across different socio‐economic groups in society. This is an important research gap because childcare provision and how it is financed have redistributive implications, which vary depending on the institutional design of childcare policy. Using novel and unique survey data on childcare preferences from eight European countries, we argue and show that preferences towards expanding childcare are more contested than it is often assumed. The institutional structure of childcare shapes how income matters for preferences towards how much should be spent and how provision should be financed. Where access to childcare is socially stratified, the poor and the rich develop different preferences towards either increasing public spending or reducing parental fees in order to improve their access to childcare. The findings in this article suggest that expanding childcare in systems characterised by unequal access can be politically contested due to diverging policy priorities of individuals from different social backgrounds.
Selected Issues in Didactics of Technical Subjects: Didactic Approaches to Defining and Structuring Technical Subjects As a Scientific and Academic Discipline
Authors: Pecina Pavel , Svoboda Ivo
Published: July 2020

The present survey study aims to present the results of the authors’ work and own research in the area of ​​defining and structuring didactic of technical courses with a focus on secondary technical education. The overall objective is to contribute to the issue of didactics of technical courses in the area. After defining the problem we will deal with the current state of the problem, the wider context of the issue and the concept of didactics of technical courses while implying of our own conclusions and opinions. The result can serve to specialized didacticians of technical and science subjects in this area as inspiration for their work. However, it can also serve to specialized didacticians of other subjects as well as to students of teacher training for vocational and practical subjects in secondary vocational schools. A critical analysis of resources and studies in this area has brought us to our own conclusions in the area of defining this specialized didactics, and we present them in the study.
Value Preferences of Czech and Slovak Students of Older School Age
Authors: Pasternáková Lenka
Published: July 2020

The need to examine the value orientations resulted from current requirements in practice. At present, the paradigm of education is changing. Contradictions of today's civilization are naturally reflected in the education and training systems worldwide. The crisis of our civilization and the current systems of education are based on a crisis of value systems, a crisis of value orientations. Value systems represent an important regulator of social behaviour as value orientations influence the expression of a personality in its actions and behaviour, in identifying and achieving life goals. This is another reason why it is important to address this issue. In this paper we deal with an analysis of research findings related to preference of values ​​in older school age students from Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Professionalization and Professional Development of Senior Education Lecturers
Authors: Smékalová Lucie , Špatenková Naděžda
Published: July 2020

Senior education is in many ways very specific. The issue of professionalization and professional development of senior education lecturers still remains neglected. Can really everyone educate the target group of seniors? The aim of this paper is to reflect on the issue of professionalization of senior education lecturers, to describe the basic specifics of senior education and to introduce competency model as a tool for professionalization of the senior education lecturers.
Flexure and Twist Test Reliability Assurance of Flexible Electronics
Authors: Lall Pradeep , Narangaparambil Jinesh , Leever Ben , Miller Scott
Published: July 2020

Additively printed flexible electronics in wearable application may be subjected to twisting or flexing depending on the form factor and the intended use. There is a dearth of standards for testing and reliability assurance of flexible electronics and reliability data for various use conditions. In this paper, a test protocol has been developed for twisting and flexing on aerosol-jet additively printed flexible circuits. Test patterns with commonly used traces geometries have been developed, aerosol-jet printed, and thermally sintered at various conditions. Effect of sintering temperature on fatigue robustness in cyclic-flexing and cyclic-twisting has been studied for straight, horse-shoe, and zig-zag trace geometries. Reliability data have been acquired under both twist and flex using continuous resistance monitoring until 100,000 cycles. Failure mechanisms have been studied for both cyclic-flexure and cyclic-twist using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical imaging.
Intelligent Maintenance Systems and Predictive Manufacturing
Authors: Lee Jay , Ni Jun , Singh Jaskaran , Jiang Baoyang , Azamfar Moslem , Feng Jianshe
Published: July 2020

With continued global market growth and an increasingly competitive environment, manufacturing industry is facing challenges and desires to seek continuous improvement. This effect is forcing manufacturers to squeeze every asset for maximum value and thereby calls for high-equipment effectiveness, and at the same time flexible and resilient manufacturing systems. Maintenance operations are essential to modern manufacturing systems in terms of minimizing unplanned down time, assuring product quality, reducing customer dissatisfaction, and maintaining advantages and competitiveness edge in the market. It has a long history that manufacturers struggle to find balanced maintenance strategies without significantly compromising system reliability or productivity. Intelligent maintenance systems (IMS) are designed to provide decision support tools to optimize maintenance operations. Intelligent prognostic and health management tools are imperative to identify effective, reliable, and cost-saving maintenance strategies to ensure consistent production with minimized unplanned downtime. This article aims to present a comprehensive review of the recent efforts and advances in prominent methods for maintenance in manufacturing industries over the last decades, identifying the existing research challenges, and outlining directions for future research.
Response of an Annular Tuned Liquid Damper Equipped With Damping Screens
Authors: McNamara K. P. , Love J. S. , Tait M. J. , Haskett T. C.
Published: July 2020

Annular tuned liquid dampers (TLDs) may be installed in slender structures with limited floor space, in which people and utilities must pass through the core, such as a wind turbine or observation tower. This study investigates an annular-shaped TLD equipped with damping screens. A linearized equivalent mechanical model capable of capturing the fundamental sloshing mode response of an annular TLD is presented. An experimental shake table testing program is completed to assess the performance of the model. Thirty-six frequency sweep tests consisting of various TLD configurations, excitation amplitudes, and excitation directions are completed. Good agreement is observed between the linearized equivalent mechanical model and experimental wave heights, sloshing forces, and energy dissipated per cycle that have been filtered to include only the fundamental sloshing mode response. The model is also observed to be in good agreement with experimental data for different excitation directions. The model is coupled to a generalized structure to investigate the response of a structure equipped with an annular TLD. The annular TLD is found to reduce the response of a generalized offshore wind turbine structure undergoing harmonic force excitation. The annular TLD provides performance comparable to an optimal linear tuned mass damper (TMD) with the same properties for a range of force excitation amplitudes.
On the Cutting of Metals: A Mechanics Viewpoint
Authors: Sagapuram Dinakar , Udupa Anirudh , Viswanathan Koushik , Mann James B. , M’Saoubi Rachid , Sugihara Tatsuya , Chandrasekar Srinivasan
Published: July 2020

The mechanics of large-strain deformation in cutting of metals is discussed, primarily from viewpoint of recent developments in in situ analysis of plastic flow and microstructure characterization. It is shown that a broad range of deformation parameters can be accessed in chip formation—strains of 1–10, strain rates of 10–105/s, and temperatures up to 0.7Tm—and controlled. This range is far wider than achievable by any other single-stage, severe plastic deformation (SPD) process. The resulting extreme deformation conditions produce a rich variety of microstructures in the chip. Four principal types of chip formation—continuous, shear-localized, segmented, and mushroom-type—as elucidated first by Nakayama (1974, “The Formation of ‘Saw-Toothed Chip’ in Metal Cutting,” Proceedings of International Conference on Production Engineering, Tokyo, pp. 572–577) are utilized to emphasize the diverse plastic flow phenomena, especially unsteady deformation modes that prevail in cutting. These chip types are intimately connected with the underlying flow, each arising from a distinct mode and triggered by an instability phenomenon. The role of plastic flow instabilities such as shear banding, buckling, and fracture in mediating unsteady flow modes is expounded, along with consequences of the flow modes and chip types for the cutting. Sinuous flow is shown to be the reason why gummy (highly strain-hardening) metals, although relatively soft, are so difficult to cut. Synthesizing the various observations, a hypothesis is put forth that it is the stability of flow modes that determines the mechanics of cutting. This leads to a flow-stability phase diagram that could provide a framework for predicting chip types and process attributes.
Terrella for advanced undergraduate laboratory
Authors: Reardon J. C. , Almagri A. F. , Christensen N. , Endrizzi D. A. , Forest C. B. , Gallogly S. , Lambert A. , Malewicz S. , Milhone J. , Nonn P. D. , Nornberg M. D. , Oliva S. P. , Purcell C.
Published: July 2020

A terrella developed for the undergraduate Advanced Laboratory course in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Physics Department is described. Our terrella consists of a permanent magnet, mounted on a pedestal in a vacuum chamber, surrounded by electrodes that may be biased in various ways. The system can confine a plasma, which may, in some ways, be considered as a toy model of the plasma confined in the Earth's magnetosphere. Our axisymmetric plasma forms in a region where the magnitude of the magnetic field B is 14 G ≤B≤ 550 G; for typical operation, the neutral gas pressure is p∼10−4 Torr. The plasma is created by thermionic emission from a hot filament. Available diagnostics are a swept Langmuir probe, a spectroscopic fiber and visible-wavelength spectrometer, and visible imaging. In two four-hour laboratory sessions, students are guided through vacuum pumpdown, connection of electrical circuits, establishment of plasma, acquisition of data, analysis of data, and critique of data. In this paper, we present student measurements of radial profiles of electron temperature Te and density ne as well as imaging of mirror trapping and ∇B drift and curvature drift. We conclude by outlining some opportunities for additional terrella-based student experiments.
Dirac's classical-quantum analogy for the harmonic oscillator: Classical aspects in thermal radiation including zero-point radiation
Authors: Boyer Timothy H.
Published: July 2020

Dirac's Poisson-bracket-to-commutator analogy for the transition from classical to quantum mechanics assures that for many systems, the classical and quantum systems share the same algebraic structure. The quantum side of the analogy (involving operators on Hilbert space with commutators scaled by Planck's constant ℏ) not only gives the algebraic structure but also dictates the average values of physical quantities in the quantum ground state. On the other hand, the Poisson brackets of nonrelativistic mechanics, which give only the classical canonical transformations, do not give any values for physical quantities. Rather, one must go outside nonrelativistic classical mechanics in order to obtain a fundamental phase space distribution for classical physics. We assume that the values of physical quantities in classical theory at any temperature depend on the phase space probability distribution that arises from thermal radiation equilibrium including classical zero-point radiation with the scale set by Planck's constant ℏ. All mechanical systems in thermal radiation will inherit the constant ℏ from thermal radiation. Here, we note the connections between classical and quantum theories (agreement and contrasts) at all temperatures for the harmonic oscillator in one and three spatial dimensions.
Estimation and uncertainty analysis of fluid-acoustic parameters of porous materials using microstructural properties
Authors: Lee Hyeong Rae , Yang Sung Soo , Lee Jung Wook , Kang Yeon June
Published: July 2020

This study quantified the microstructure of polyurethane foams and elucidated its relationship to fluid-acoustic parameters. The complex morphology derived from the three-dimensional images obtained by micro-computed tomography was analyzed using digital image processing and represented by a pore network model (PNM) and a distance map model. The PNM describes the fluid phase of a porous medium with equivalent spherical pores and circular throats, whereas the distance map model describes the solid phase with the average frame thickness. The porous materials were then modeled by six representative microstructural parameters that describe the geometry and topology of the fluid and solid phases. These parameters were pore radius, throat radius, distance between adjacent pores, coordination number, pore inclination angle, and frame thickness. Semi-phenomenological and empirical approaches were proposed to relate the microstructural properties to the fluid-acoustic parameters. These models effectively described the acoustic parameters and sound absorption performance of six different polyurethane foams. Since the representative microstructural parameters were obtained from small sample volumes of a heterogeneous material, notable variations were observed across different regions of the sample. Hence, this study quantified the effect of the uncertainty in each microstructural parameter on the resulting acoustic parameters using global sensitivity analysis.
No dynamic visual capture for self-translation minimum audible angle
Authors: Rummukainen Olli S. , Schlecht Sebastian J. , Habets Emanuël A. P.
Published: July 2020

Auditory localization is affected by visual cues. The study at hand focuses on a scenario where dynamic sound localization cues are induced by lateral listener self-translation in relation to a stationary sound source with matching or mismatching dynamic visual cues. The audio-only self-translation minimum audible angle (ST-MAA) is previously shown to be 3.3° in the horizontal plane in front of the listener. The present study found that the addition of visual cues has no significant effect on the ST-MAA.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Interferon Gamma-Induced Protein 10 mRNA Release Assay for Tuberculosis
Authors: Blauenfeldt Thomas , Villar-Hernández Raquel , García-García Esther , Latorre Irene , Holm Line Lindebo , Muriel-Moreno Beatriz , De Souza-Galvão Maria Luiza , Millet Joan Pau , Sabriá Fina , Sánchez-Montalva Adrián , Ruiz-Manzano Juan , Pilarte Jose , Jiménez María A. , Centeno Carmen , Torres Carmen , Molina-Pinargote Israel , González-Díaz Yoel D. , Santiago Javier , Cantos Adela , Prat Cristina , Andersen Peter , Domínguez Jose , Ruhwald Morten
Published: July 2020

Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release assays (IGRAs) are increasingly used to test for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection. Although highly specific, IGRAs have a relatively high false-negative rate in active TB patients. A more sensitive assay is needed. IFN-γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10) is an alternative biomarker with a 100-fold-higher expression level than IFN-γ, allowing for different analysis platforms, including molecular detection. The PCR technique is already an integrated tool in most TB laboratories and, thus, an obvious platform to turn to.
A Thermosensitive, Phase-Variable Epigenetic Switch:
pap
Revisited
Authors: Zamora Mario , Ziegler Christine A. , Freddolino Lydia , Wolfe Alan J.
Published: July 2020

It has been more than a decade since the last comprehensive review of the phase-variable uropathogen-associated pyelonephritis-associated pilus (
pap
) genetic switch. Since then, important data have come to light, including additional factors that regulate
pap
expression, better characterization of H-NS regulation, the structure of the Lrp octamer in complex with
pap
regulatory DNA, the temperature-insensitive phenotype of a mutant lacking the acetyltransferase RimJ, evidence that key components of the regulatory machinery are acetylated, and new insights into the role of DNA binding by key regulators in shaping both the physical structure and regulatory state of the
papI
and
papBA
promoters.
Early onset and late acceleration of rapid exhumation in the Namche Barwa syntaxis, eastern Himalaya
Authors: Govin Gwladys , van der Beek Peter , Najman Yani , Millar Ian , Gemignani Lorenzo , Huyghe Pascale , Dupont-Nivet Guillaume , Bernet Matthias , Mark Chris , Wijbrans Jan
Published: July 2020

The Himalayan syntaxes, characterized by extreme rates of rock exhumation co-located with major trans-orogenic rivers, figure prominently in the debate on tectonic versus erosional forcing of exhumation. Both the mechanism and timing of rapid exhumation of the Namche Barwa massif in the eastern syntaxis remain controversial. It has been argued that coupling between crustal rock advection and surface erosion initiated in the late Miocene (8–10 Ma). Recent studies, in contrast, suggest a Quaternary onset of rapid exhumation linked to a purely tectonic mechanism. We report new multisystem detrital thermochronology data from the most proximal Neogene clastic sediments downstream of Namche Barwa and use a thermo-kinematic model constrained by new and published data to explore its exhumation history. Modeling results show that exhumation accelerated to ∼4 km/m.y. at ca. 8 Ma and to ∼9 km/m.y. after ca. 2 Ma. This three-stage history reconciles apparently contradictory evidence for early and late onset of rapid exhumation and suggests efficient coupling between tectonics and erosion since the late Miocene. Quaternary acceleration of exhumation is consistent with river-profile evolution and may be linked to a Quaternary river-capture event.
The geochemical and geochronological implications of nanoscale trace-element clusters in rutile
Authors: Verberne R. , Reddy S.M. , Saxey D.W. , Fougerouse D. , Rickard W.D.A. , Plavsa D. , Agangi A. , Kylander-Clark A.R.C.
Published: July 2020

The geochemical analysis of trace elements in rutile (e.g., Pb, U, and Zr) is routinely used to extract information on the nature and timing of geological events. However, the mobility of trace elements can affect age and temperature determinations, with the controlling mechanisms for mobility still debated. To further this debate, we use laser-ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry and atom probe tomography to characterize the micro- to nanoscale distribution of trace elements in rutile sourced from the Capricorn orogen, Western Australia. At the >20 µm scale, there is no significant trace-element variation in single grains, and a concordant U-Pb crystallization age of 1872 ± 6 Ma (2σ) shows no evidence of isotopic disturbance. At the nanoscale, clusters as much as 20 nm in size and enriched in trace elements (Al, Cr, Pb, and V) are observed. The 207Pb/206Pb ratio of 0.176 ± 0.040 (2σ) obtained from clusters indicates that they formed after crystallization, potentially during regional metamorphism. We interpret the clusters to have formed by the entrapment of mobile trace elements in transient sites of radiation damage during upper amphibolite facies metamorphism. The entrapment would affect the activation energy for volume diffusion of elements present in the cluster. The low number and density of clusters provides constraints on the time over which clusters formed, indicating that peak metamorphic temperatures are short-lived, <10 m.y. events. Our results indicate that the use of trace elements to estimate volume diffusion in rutile is more complex than assuming a homogeneous medium.
Non-surgical management of an extraoral cutaneous sinus tract of odontogenic origin
Authors: Varghese Lynn Lilly , Bhattacharya Auric , Sharma Praveena , Apratim Abhishek
Published: July 2020

Chronic apical periodontitis associated with dental pulp necrosis is the main cause of odontogenic extraoral cutaneous sinus openings. These tracts are often initially misdiagnosed unless the treating clinician considers a dental aetiology. This case report of a 19-year-old woman describes the diagnosis and treatment of an extraoral cutaneous sinus tract of odontogenic origin. Non-surgical conservative endodontic therapy was opted as the involved teeth were restorable. One month after the completion of obturation, there was closure of the sinus tract. One year follow-up showed complete resolution of the sinus tract with minimal scar formation.
Low basal metabolic rate as a risk factor for development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Maciak Sebastian , Sawicka Diana , Sadowska Anna , Prokopiuk Sławomir , Buczyńska Sylwia , Bartoszewicz Marek , Niklińska Gabriela , Konarzewski Marek , Car Halina
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Identification of physiological factors influencing susceptibility to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains an important challenge for biology and medicine. Numerous studies reported energy expenditures as one of those components directly linked to T2D, with noticeable increase of basal metabolic rate (BMR) associated with the progression of insulin resistance. Conversely, the putative link between genetic, rather than phenotypic, determination of BMR and predisposition to development of T2D remains little studied. In particular, low BMR may constitute a considerable risk factor predisposing to development of T2D.

Research design and methods

We analyzed the development of insulin resistance and T2D in 20-week-old male laboratory mice originating from three independent genetic line types. Two of those lines were subjected to divergent, non-replicated selection towards high or low body mass-corrected BMR. The third line type was non-selected and consisted of randomly bred animals serving as an outgroup (reference) to the selected line types. To induce insulin resistance, mice were fed for 8 weeks with a high fat diet; the T2D was induced by injection with a single dose of streptozotocin and further promotion with high fat diet. As markers for insulin resistance and T2D advancement, we followed the changes in body mass, fasting blood glucose, insulin level, lipid profile andmTORexpression.

Results

We found BMR-associated differentiation in standard diabetic indexes between studied metabolic lines. In particular, mice with low BMR were characterized by faster body mass gain, blood glucose gain and deterioration in lipid profile. In contrast, high BMR mice were characterized by markedly higher expression of themTOR, which may be associated with much slower development of T2D.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that genetically determined low BMR makeup involves metabolism-specific pathways increasing the risk of development of insulin resistance and T2D.
Preparedness cycle to address transitions in diabetes care during the COVID-19 pandemic and future outbreaks
Authors: Gujral Unjali P , Johnson Leslie , Nielsen Jannie , Vellanki Priyathama , Haw J Sonya , Davis Georgia M , Weber Mary Beth , Pasquel Francisco J
Published: July 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is considered a mass casualty incident of the most severe nature leading to unearthed uncertainties around management, prevention, and care. As of July 2020, more than twelve million people have tested positive for COVID-19 globally and more than 500 000 people have died. Patients with diabetes are among the most severely affected during this pandemic. Healthcare systems have made emergent changes to adapt to this public health crisis, including changes in diabetes care. Adaptations in diabetes care in the hospital (ie, changes in treatment protocols according to clinical status, diabetes technology implementation) and outpatient setting (telemedicine, mail delivery, patient education, risk stratification, monitoring) have been improvised to address this challenge. We describe how to respond to the current public health crisis focused on diabetes care in the USA. We present strategies to address and evaluate transitions in diabetes care occurring in the immediate short-term (ie, response and mitigation), as well as phases to adapt and enhance diabetes care during the months and years to come while also preparing for future pandemics (ie, recovery, surveillance, and preparedness). Implementing multidimensional frameworks may help identify gaps in care, alleviate initial demands, mitigate potential harms, and improve implementation strategies and outcomes in the future.
A novel method to interpret early phase trials shows how the narrowing of the coronary sinus concordantly improves symptoms, functional status and quality of life in refractory angina
Authors: Jolicoeur E Marc , Verheye Stefan , Henry Timothy D , Joseph Lawrence , Doucet Serge , White Christopher J , Edelman Elazer , Banai Shmuel
Published: July 2020

Background

Reduction of the coronary sinus was shown to improve angina in patients unsuitable for revascularisation. We assessed whether a percutaneous device that reduces the diameter of the coronary sinus improved outcomes across multiple endpoints in a phase II trial.

Methods

We conducted a novel analysis performed as a post hoc efficacy analysis of the COSIRA (CoronarySinusReducer for Treatment of RefractoryAngina) trial, which enrolled patients with Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) class 3–4 refractory angina. We used four domains: symptoms (CCS Angina Scale), functionality (total exercise duration), ischaemia (imaging) and health-related quality of life. For all domains, we specified a meaningful threshold for change. The primary endpoint was defined as a probability of ≥80% that the reducer exceeded the meaningful threshold on two or more domains (group-level analysis) or that the average efficacy score in the reducer group exceeded the sham control group by at least two points (patient-level analysis).

Results

We randomised 104 participants to either a device that narrows to coronary sinus (n=52) or a sham implantation (n=52). The reducer group met the prespecified criteria for concordance at the group level and demonstrated improvement in symptoms (0.59 CCS grade, 95% credible interval (CrI)=0.22 to 0.95), total exercise duration (+27.9%, 95% CrI=2.8% to 59.8%) and quality of life (stability +11.2 points, 95% CrI=3.3 to 19.1; perception +11.0, 95% CrI=3.3 to 18.7).

Conclusions

The reducer concordantly improved symptoms, functionality and quality of life compared with a sham intervention in patients with angina unsuitable for coronary revascularisation. Concordant analysis such as this one can help interpret early phase trials and guide the decision to pursue a clinical programme into a larger confirmatory trial.

Trail registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT01205893.
Peptide vaccination directed against IDO1-expressing immune cells elicits CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity and enhanced anti-PD1 responses
Authors: Dey Souvik , Sutanto-Ward Erika , Kopp Katharina L , DuHadaway James , Mondal Arpita , Ghaban Dema , Lecoq Inés , Zocca Mai-Britt , Merlo Lauren M F , Mandik-Nayak Laura , Andersen Mads Hald , Pedersen Ayako Wakatsuki , Muller Alexander J
Published: July 2020

Background

The tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), which subverts T-cell immunity at multiple levels, is itself subject to inherent T-cell reactivity. This intriguing deviation from central tolerance has been interpreted as counterbalancing IDO1-mediated immunosuppression. Based on this hypothesis, clinical studies employing an IDO1 peptide-based vaccine approach for cancer treatment have been initiated, but there remains a pressing need to further investigate the immunological ramifications of stimulating the anti-IDO1 T-cell response in this manner.

Methods

CT26 colon carcinoma tumors were evaluated for expression of IDO1 protein by western blot analysis, immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Mouse IDO1-derived peptides, predicted to bind either major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or II of the H2d BALB/c strain, were emulsified in 50% Montanide for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine treatment of CT26 tumor-bearing mice initiated either 7 days prior to or following tumor cell injection, respectively. In some therapeutic treatment experiments, administration of programmed cell death protein 1-binding antibody (anti-PD1 antibody) or epacadostat was concurrently initiated. Tumor size was determined by caliper measurements and comparative tumor growth suppression was assessed by longitudinal analyses of tumor growth data. For adoptive transfer, T cells from complete responder animals were isolated using paramagnetic beads and fluorescence-activated cell sorting.

Results

This study identifies mouse MHC class I-directed and II-directed, IDO1-derived peptides capable of eliciting antitumor responses, despite finding IDO1 expressed exclusively in tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Treatment of established tumors with anti-PD1 antibody and class I-directed but not class II-directed IDO1 peptide vaccines produced an enhanced antitumor response. Likewise, class I-directed and II-directed IDO1 peptides elicited an enhanced combinatorial response, suggesting distinct mechanisms of action. Consistent with this interpretation, adoptive transfer of isolated CD8+ T cells from class I and CD4+ T cells from class II peptide-vaccinated responder mice delayed tumor growth. The class II-directed response was completely IDO1-dependent while the class I-directed response included an IDO1-independent component consistent with antigen spread.

Conclusions

The in vivo antitumor effects demonstrated with IDO1-based vaccines via targeting of the tumor microenvironment highlight the utility of mouse models for further exploration and refinement of this novel vaccine-based approach to IDO1-directed cancer therapy and its potential to improve patient response rates to anti-PD1 therapy.
Application of zinc, boron, and molybdenum in soil increases lentil productivity, nutrient uptake, and apparent balance
Authors: Hossain Ashraf , Quddus Abdul , Alam Khairul , Naser Habib Mohammad , Anwar Babul , Khatun Firoza , Rashid Harunur , Khatun Fatima , Siddiky Alamgir
Published: July 2020

In severely deficit soil, lentil (Lens culinaris Medic) crop requires micronutrients for increased production. Micronutrient management is, therefore, very important for lentil productivity but mostly ignored. This study was carried out from 2014–2015 to 2016–2017 to understand the effects of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and molybdenum (Mo) on lentil productivity, nodulation, and nutrient uptake and how these elements improve soil micronutrient fertility. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design, and the treatments were replicated thrice. Different combinations of Zn, Mo, and B were contrasted with no application of micronutrients. The treatments were Zn alone (Zn), B alone (B), Mo alone (Mo), Zn combined with B (ZnB), Zn with Mo (ZnMo), B with Mo (BMo), and Zn combined with B and Mo (ZnBMo). Doses of Zn, B, and Mo were 3, 2, and 1 kg ha−1, respectively. In this trial, the highest average seed yield (1807 kg ha−1) and yield increment (44%) was obtained in ZnBMo combined application with macronutrients. Single, dual, and combined application of Zn, B, and Mo had significant effects on yield parameters and yield of lentil (P < 0.05). The highest nutrient uptake, maximum nodulation (63.5 plant−1), and the highest protein content (26.6%) in seed were recorded from the treatment receiving all three micronutrients. The increased lentil yield might be associated with increased nodulation and nutrient uptake by the crop under micronutrient-applied treatments. The results suggest that combination of Zn, B, and Mo could be applied for increased lentil production in micronutrient deficit soils.
Dissecting the $$\Delta I=1/2$$ rule at large $$N_c$$
Authors: Donini Andrea , Hernández Pilar , Pena Carlos , Romero-López Fernando
Published: July 2020

We study the scaling of kaon decay amplitudes with the number of colours,$$N_c$$Nc, in a theory with four degenerate flavours,$$N_f=4$$Nf=4. In this scenario, two current-current operators,$$Q^\pm $$Q±, mediate$$\Delta S=1$$ΔS=1transitions, such as the two isospin amplitudes of non-leptonic kaon decays for$$K\rightarrow (\pi \pi )_{I=0,2}$$K→(ππ)I=0,2,$$A_0$$A0and$$A_2$$A2. In particular, we concentrate on the simpler$$K\rightarrow \pi $$K→πamplitudes,$$A^\pm $$A±, mediated by these two operators. A diagrammatic analysis of the large-$$N_c$$Ncscaling of these observables is presented, which demonstrates the anticorrelation of the leading$${{\mathcal {O}}}(1/N_c)$$O(1/Nc)and$${{\mathcal {O}}}(N_f/N_c^2)$$O(Nf/Nc2)corrections in both amplitudes. Using our new$$N_f=4$$Nf=4and previous quenched data, we confirm this expectation and show that these corrections arenaturallylarge and may be at the origin of the$$\Delta I=1/2$$ΔI=1/2rule. The evidence for the latter is indirect, based on the matching of the amplitudes to their prediction in Chiral Perturbation Theory, from which the LO low-energy couplings of the chiral weak Hamiltonian,$$g^\pm $$g±, can be determined. A NLO estimate of the$$K \rightarrow (\pi \pi )_{I=0,2}$$K→(ππ)I=0,2isospin amplitudes can then be derived, which is in good agreement with the experimental value.