bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of amplification via the acousto-electric effect of Rayleigh and Leaky-SAW modes in a monolithic surface InP:InGaAs/lithium niobate heterostructure
Authors: Siddiqui Aleem M. , Hackett Lisa P. , Dominguez Daniel , Tauke-Pedretti Anna , Friedmann Tom , Peake Gregory , Miller Michael R. , Douglas James K. , Eichenfield Matt
Published: April 2020

This paper demonstrates a monolithic surface acoustic wave amplifier fabricated by state-of-the-art heterogenous integration of a III-V InGaAs-based epitaxial material stack and LiNbO3. We compare amplification of Raleigh-SAW and leaky-SAW modes on a on Y-cut, X-propagating
delay line amplifier. Due to the superior properties of the materials employed, we observe a net terminal gain of 3dB for an LSAW overtone mode This platform enables further advances in active and non-reciprocal piezoelectric acoustic devices.
Superfluid-Mott-Insulator Transition in an Optical Lattice with Adjustable Ensemble-Averaged Filling Factors*
Authors: Yang Shifeng , Zhou Tianwei , Li Chen , Yang Kaixiang , Zhai Yueyang , Yue Xuguang , Chen Xuzong
Published: April 2020

We study the quantum phase transition from a superfluid to a Mott insulator of ultracold atoms in a three-dimensional optical lattice with adjustable filling factors. Based on the density-adjustable Bose–Einstein condensate we prepared, the excitation spectrum in the superfluid and the Mott insulator regime is measured with different ensemble-averaged filling factors. We show that for the superfluid phase, the center of the excitation spectrum is positively correlated with the ensemble-averaged filling factor, indicating a higher sound speed of the system. For the Mott insulator phase, the discrete feature of the excitation spectrum becomes less pronounced as the ensemble-averaged filling factor increases, implying that it is harder for the system to enter the Mott insulator regime with higher filling factors. The ability to manipulate the filling factor affords further potential in performing quantum simulation with cold atoms trapped in optical lattices.
Scanning-Position Error-Correction algorithm in Dual-Wavelength Ptychographic Microscopy*
Authors: Ma Rui , Zhang Shu-Yuan , Ruan Tian-Hao , Tao Ye , Wang Hua-Ying , Shi Yi-Shi
Published: April 2020

We propose a new algorithm for the error correction of scanning positions in ptychographic microscopy. Since the scanning positions are varied mechanically by moving the illuminating probes laterally, the scanning errors will accumulate at multiple positions, greatly reducing the reconstruction quality of a sample. To correct the scanning errors, we use the correlation analysis for the diffractive data combining with the additional constraint of dual wavelengths. This significantly improves the quality of ptychographic microscopy. Optical experiments verify the proposed algorithm for two samples including a resolution target and a fibroblast.
Optical Properties of Atomic Defects in Hexagonal Boron Nitride Flakes under High Pressure*
Authors: Zhao Xiao-Yu , Huang Jun-Hui , Zhuo Zhi-Yao , Xue Yong-Zhou , Ding Kun , Dou Xiu-Ming , Liu Jian , Sun Bao-Quan
Published: April 2020

We investigate the pressure spectral characteristics and the effective tuning of defect emissions in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) at low temperatures using a diamond anvil cell (DAC). It is found that the redshift rate of emission energy is up to 10 meV/GPa, demonstrating a controllable tuning of single photon emitters through pressure. Based on the distribution character of pressure coefficients as a function of wavelength, different kinds of atomic defect states should be responsible for the observed defect emissions.
Giant Broadband One Way Transmission Based on Directional Mie Scattering and Asymmetric Grating Diffraction Effects
*
Authors: Wu Xuannan , Yuan Guanwen , Zhu Rui , Wang Jicheng , Gao Fuhua , Chen Feiliang , Hou Yidong
Published: April 2020

High performance optical diode-like devices are highly desired in future practical nano-photonic devices with strong directional selectivity. We demonstrate a kind of giant broadband reciprocity optical diode-like devices by simultaneously using the directional Mie scattering effect and the asymmetric grating diffraction effect. The maximum asymmetric subtraction and the asymmetric transmission ratio can reach nearly 100% and 40 dB at specified wavelength, respectively. In a wide waveband from 500 nm to 800 nm, the asymmetric subtraction and the ratio keep larger than 80% and 3.5 dB, respectively, even under oblique incidence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the best one-way-transmission effect observed in the reciprocity optical diode-like devices. In addition, we further demonstrate that this one-way-transmission effect can bring an effective absorption enhancement on gold films. The giant, broadband and angle-insensitive one-way-transmission effect demonstrated here is far beyond the well-known anti-reflection effect in the light-trapping devices and will bring new design philosophy for nano-photonic devices.
Mode Control of Quasi-PT Symmetry in Laterally Multi-Mode Double Ridge Semiconductor Laser
*
Authors: Fu Ting , Wang Yu-Fei , Wang Xue-You , Zhou Xu-Yan , Zheng Wan-Hua
Published: April 2020

In traditional semiconductor lasers, it is usual to obtain single lateral mode operation by narrowing the ridge of waveguide, which is sensitive to fabrication inaccuracies. To overcome this shortcoming, a quasi-PT (parity-time) symmetric double ridge semiconductor laser is proposed to reach single lateral mode operation for an intrinsic multi-mode stripe laser. The coupled mode theory is used to analyze the non-Hermitian modulation of the gain (or loss) of the PT symmetric double ridge laser to obtain the coupling coefficient between the two ridge waveguides. Finally, the mode field distributions of the quasi-PT symmetric double ridge laser are simulated before and after the spontaneous PT symmetry breaking, which keep the laser operating in single lateral mode.
Energy-Selective X-Ray Ghost Imaging
*
Authors: He Yu-Hang , Zhang Ai-Xin , Yu Wen-Kai , Chen Li-Ming , Wu Ling-An
Published: April 2020

X-ray ghost imaging (XGI) has opened up a new avenue for damage-free medical imaging. Here energy-selective spectroscopic XGI under poor illumination is demonstrated with a single-pixel detector for the first time. The key device was a specially fabricated Au mask incorporating a new modulation pattern design, by which means images of a real object were obtained with a spatial resolution of 10 μm and a spectral energy resolution of about 1.5 keV. Compressed sensing was also introduced to improve the image quality. Our proof-of-principle experiment extends the methodology of XGI to make possible the retrieval of spectral images with only a single-pixel detector, and paves the way for potential applications in many fields such as biology, material science and environmental sensing.
CH4 Gas Extraction by CO2: Substitution in Clathrate Hydrate through Bimolecular Iteration*
Authors: Yu Xiao-Hui , Liu Yuan , Du San-Ya , Zheng Xu , Zhu Jin-Long , Xu Hong-Wu , Zhang Jian-Zhong , Du Shi-Yu , Zeng Xiao-Cheng , Francisco J. S. , Jin Chang-Qing , Zhao Yu-Sheng , Li Hui
Published: April 2020

Methane clathrate hydrate (MCH) is a promising energy resource, but controllable extraction of CH
4
from MCH remains a challenge. Gradually replacing CH
4
in MCH with CO
2
is an attractive scheme, as it is cost efficient and mitigates the environmentally harmful effects of CO
2
by sequestration. However, the practicable implementation of this method has not yet been achieved. In this study, using in situ neutron diffraction, we confirm that CH
4
in the 5
1262
cages of bulk structure-I (sI) MCH can be substituted by gaseous CO
2
under high pressure and low temperature with a high substitution ratio (∼44%) while conserving the structure of the hydrate framework. First-principles calculations indicate that CO
2
binds more strongly to the 5
1262
cages than methane does, and that the diffusion barrier for CH
4
is significantly lowered by an intermediate state in which one hydrate cage is doubly occupied by CH
4
and CO
2. Therefore, exchange of CO
2
for CH
4
in MCH is not only energetically favorable but also kinetically feasible. Experimental and theoretical studies of CH
4/CO
2
substitution elucidate a method to harness energy from these combustible ice resources.
Gravitational anomalies in nAdS2/nCFT1
Authors: Castro Alejandra , Mühlmann Beatrix
Published: April 2020

We revisit the holographic description of the near horizon geometry of the BTZ black hole in AdS3 gravity, with a gravitational Chern–Simons term included. After a dimensional reduction of the three dimensional theory, we use the framework of nAdS2/nCFT1 to describe the near horizon physics. This setup allows us to contrast the role of the gravitational and conformal anomaly inherited from AdS3/CFT2 in the symmetry breaking mechanism of nAdS2/nCFT1. Our results display how boundary conditions in the 3D spacetime, combined with the gravitational anomaly, affect the holographic description of the near horizon of the black hole relative to the physics near the AdS3 boundary.
Numerical model for small-signal modulation response in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers
Authors: Wasiak Michał , Śpiewak Patrycja , Haghighi Nasibeh , Gȩbski Marcin , Pruszyńska-Karbownik Emilia , Komar Paulina , Lott James A , Sarzała Robert P
Published: April 2020

We present a numerical model allowing for simulations of small-signal modulation (SSM) response of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). The model of SSM response utilizes only the data provided by a static model of continuous-wave operation for a given bias voltage. Thus the fitting of dynamic measurement parameters is not needed nor used. The validity of this model has been verified by comparing experimental SSM characteristics of a VCSEL with the results of simulations. A good agreement between experiment and simulations has been observed. Based on the results obtained in the simulations of the existing laser, the impact of the number of quantum wells in the active region on the modulation properties has been calculated and analyzed.
Functional binning: improving convergence of Eulerian statistics from Lagrangian particle tracking
Authors: Godbersen Philipp , Schröder Andreas
Published: April 2020

In the analysis of Lagrangian particle tracking data, ensemble averaging with spatial bins is used to generate Eulerian flow statistics. Due to the scattered nature of the particles over independent snapshots, the possible spatial resolution is directly dependent on the measured particle position accuracy and the amount of available data. This requires a balance between convergence of the underlying statistic and the bin resolution. Current binning approaches use the velocity information of the particle positions at single time steps directly and do not exploit the additional information available from the temporal filtering of the tracking process. We present a novel functional approach to the binning procedure that extracts all available information from the particle tracks and improves convergence speed. For a given experiment this allows for higher resolution of flow statistics than classical approaches or alternatively to reduce the necessary amount of data required for a given resolution. Furthermore, uncertainty measures from the particles position, velocity and acceleration can be propagated directly by weighting coefficients.
Experimental study of the size-dependent photoluminescence emission of CBD-grown PbSe nanocrystals on glass
Authors: Hemati Tahere , Weng Binbin
Published: April 2020

In this work, we study the size-dependent properties of Photoluminescence (PL) emissions of PbSe Nanocrystals (NCs) grown by Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) method. In previous studies, PL emissions have been tuned by CBD-grown PbSe, and the growth mechanism was dependent on crystalized substrates such as GaAs. In this research, however, PL emissions are controlled over the midinfrared (MIR) range, through PbSe NCs, which are deposited on glass as an amorphous material. This study proposes an alternative approach to control PL emissions, which provides us with more freedom to fabricate low-cost MIR light sources as crucial components in remote sensing and gas analysis. Moreover, in this study, the advantage of the post-thermal method to control the NCs size, compared to the growth temperature, is shown.
Pharmacist-led transitions-of-care program reduces 30-day readmission rates for Medicare patients in a large health system
Authors: Miller Daryl , Ramsey Melissa , L’Hommedieu Timothy R , Verbosky Lauren
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This report describes the growth and development of the Pharmacy Transitions of Care (PTOC) program at a Florida health system and examines its impact on 30-day readmission rates for Medicare core-measure patients.

BayCare Health System is a large not-for-profit community health system with 15 hospitals in central Florida. In 2015, the PTOC program was developed to integrate 2 pharmacists into the transitions-of-care space to reduce readmissions, enhance patient care, and improve medication safety. The PTOC program focuses on traditional Medicare beneficiaries 65 years of age or older with the goal of preventing 30-day readmissions. The service model includes integration of a pharmacist into the discharge medication reconciliation process, as well as postacute care telephonic follow-up. Data and outcomes have been carefully tracked since program inception and consistently demonstrate a reduction in 30-day readmissions, with a 63% relative risk reduction during the beginning phases of the program and a ratio of observed to expected readmissions of 0.77. As a result, in less than 3 years the PTOC program has grown from 2 to 23 pharmacists and is a key component of BayCare Health System’s patient care strategy.

Conclusion

Medication reconciliation, clinical interventions, and patient education by pharmacists after hospital discharge reduced 30-day readmission rates for Medicare core-measure patients across a large health system. The adaptability of this program to other health systems and hospitals of varying size to achieve similar outcomes is valuable to share with the profession.
Time-resolved laboratory micro-X-ray fluorescence reveals silicon distribution in relation to manganese toxicity in soybean and sunflower
Authors: van der Ent Antony , Casey Lachlan W , Blamey F Pax C , Kopittke Peter M
Published: April 2020

Background and Aims

Synchrotron- and laboratory-based micro-X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF) is a powerful technique to quantify the distribution of elements in physically large intact samples, including live plants, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. However, analysis of light elements with atomic number (Z) less than that of phosphorus is challenging due to the need for a vacuum, which of course is not compatible with live plant material, or the availability of a helium environment.

Method

A new laboratory µ-XRF instrument was used to examine the effects of silicon (Si) on the manganese (Mn) status of soybean (Glycine max) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) grown at elevated Mn in solution. The use of a helium environment allowed for highly sensitive detection of both Si and Mn to determine their distribution.

Key Results

The µ-XRF analysis revealed that when Si was added to the nutrient solution, the Si also accumulated in the base of the trichomes, being co-located with the Mn and reducing the darkening of the trichomes. The addition of Si did not reduce the concentrations of Mn in accumulations despite seeming to reduce its adverse effects.

Conclusions

The ability to gain information on the dynamics of the metallome or ionome within living plants or excised hydrated tissues can offer valuable insights into their ecophysiology, and laboratory µ-XRF is likely to become available to more plant scientists for use in their research.
Volatile fatty acid and aldehyde abundances evolve with behavior and habitat temperature inSceloporuslizards
Authors: Campos Stephanie M , Pruett Jake A , Soini Helena A , Zúñiga-Vega J Jaime , Goldberg Jay K , Vital-García Cuauhcihuatl , Hews Diana K , Novotny Milos V , Martins Emília P
Published: April 2020

Animal signals evolve by striking a balance between the need to convey information through particular habitats and the limitations of what types of signals can most easily be produced and perceived. Here, we present new results from field measures of undisturbed behavior and biochemical analyses of scent marks from 12 species of Sceloporus lizards to explore whether evolutionary changes in chemical composition are better predicted by measures of species behavior, particularly those associated with visual displays, chemoreception, and locomotion, or by measures of habitat climate (precipitation and temperature). We found that more active lizard species used fewer compounds in their volatile scent marks, perhaps conveying less specific information about individual and species identity. Scent marks from more active lizard species also had higher proportions of saturated fatty acids, and the evolution of these compounds has been tracking the phylogeny closely as we would expect for a metabolic byproduct. In contrast, the proportions of unsaturated fatty acids were better explained by evolutionary shifts in habitat temperature (and not precipitation), with species in warmer climates using almost no volatile unsaturated fatty acids. The proportion of aldehydes was explained by both behavior and environment, decreasing with behavioral activity and increasing with habitat temperature. Our results highlight the evolutionary flexibility of complex chemical signals, with different chemical compounds responding to different elements of the selective landscape over evolutionary time.
Pots in performance: Emma Hamilton’s Attitudes
Authors: Slaney Helen
Published: April 2020

During the 1790s, Emma Hamilton, wife of collector and diplomat Sir William Hamilton, developed an innovative form of performance art, tableaux vivants known as the ‘(Grecian) Attitudes’. Notoriously transgressive both sexually and socially, Emma also transgressed materially, transposing the scenes depicted on Sir William’s vases into a kinaesthetic medium. That performance remains a subaltern or illegitimate mode of relating to ancient material culture (as opposed to visual display) is a cultural bias rooted in economic relations. Outside the context of the Attitudes, contemporaries were anxious to (re)place Emma in terms of class, describing her as promiscuous, ‘common’, and ‘vulgar’. Modern scholarship has proved similarly anxious to limit her agency through the repeated assertion of a ‘Pygmalion’ paradigm in which responsibility for developing the Attitudes is assigned to Sir William. I argue that, on the contrary, Emma should be credited with a mode of embodied reception alternative to that of the collector and connoisseur.
aPCoA: covariate adjusted principal coordinates analysis
Authors: Shi Yushu , Zhang Liangliang , Do Kim-Anh , Peterson Christine B , Jenq Robert R
Published: April 2020

In fields, such as ecology, microbiology and genomics, non-Euclidean distances are widely applied to describe pairwise dissimilarity between samples. Given these pairwise distances, principal coordinates analysis is commonly used to construct a visualization of the data. However, confounding covariates can make patterns related to the scientific question of interest difficult to observe. We provide adjusted principal coordinates analysis as an easy-to-use tool, available as both an R package and a Shiny app, to improve data visualization in this context, enabling enhanced presentation of the effects of interest.

Availability and implementation

The R package ‘aPCoA’ and Shiny app can be accessed at https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/aPCoA/index.html and https://biostatistics.mdanderson.org/shinyapps/aPCoA/.
Insights into the ancestral flowers of Ranunculales
Authors: Carrive Laetitia , Domenech Boris , Sauquet Hervé , Jabbour Florian , Damerval Catherine , Nadot Sophie
Published: April 2020

The question of the origin of petals has long been debated in the botanical literature. Ranunculales are characterized by a spectacular floral diversity, particularly at the perianth level. Recent progress in understanding the genetic bases of floral organ identity suggests a single origin for petals in Ranunculaceae, contrasting with the traditional morphological hypothesis of repeated evolution. However, perianth evolution at the ordinal level remains incompletely understood. Recent advances in the elucidation of phylogenetic relationships in the order now provide a new opportunity to study character evolution with model-based methods. We used ancestral state reconstruction methods that take into account various sources of uncertainty to reconstruct the evolution of floral traits at the scale of Ranunculales using a consensus phylogenetic framework of 144 terminal species representing all families in the order. Ancestrally, Ranunculales probably had three trimerous whorls of perianth organs differentiated into two categories of petaloid organs differing in their shape. Each whorl was further lost or duplicated. Moreover, our results support the hypothesis of a single origin of highly specialized (elaborate) nectariferous petals in Ranunculaceae.
Nonlinear Effects of Dopamine D1 Receptor Activation on Visuomotor Coordination Task Performance
Authors: Chen Po See , Jamil Asif , Liu Lin-Cho , Wei Shyh-Yuh , Tseng Huai-Hsuan , Nitsche Michael A , Kuo Min-Fang
Published: April 2020

Dopamine plays an important role in the modulation of neuroplasticity, which serves as the physiological basis of cognition. The physiological effects of dopamine depend on receptor subtypes, and the D1 receptor is critically involved in learning and memory formation. Evidence from both animal and human studies shows a dose-dependent impact of D1 activity on performance. However, the direct association between physiology and behavior in humans remains unclear. In this study, four groups of healthy participants were recruited, and each group received placebo or medication inducing a low, medium, or high amount of D1 activation via the combination of levodopa and a D2 antagonist. After medication, fMRI was conducted during a visuomotor learning task. The behavioral results revealed an inverted U-shaped effect of D1 activation on task performance, where medium-dose D1 activation led to superior learning effects, as compared to placebo as well as low- and high-dose groups. A respective dose-dependent D1 modulation was also observed for cortical activity revealed by fMRI. Further analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between task performance and cortical activation at the left primary motor cortex. Our results indicate a nonlinear curve of D1 modulation on motor learning in humans and the respective physiological correlates in corresponding brain areas.
Outbreaks of Adenovirus-associated Respiratory Illness on 5 College Campuses in the United States, 2018–2019
Authors: Kujawski Stephanie A , Lu Xiaoyan , Schneider Eileen , Blythe David , Boktor Sameh , Farrehi Janice , Haupt Thomas , McBride David , Stephens Emily , Sakthivel Senthilkumar K , Bachaus Brian , Waller Kirsten , Bauman Laura , Marconi Agustina , Lewis Rebecca , Dettinger Lisa , Ernst Robert , Kinsey William , Lindstrom Stephen , Gerber Susan I , Watson John T , Biggs Holly M
Published: April 2020

Background

Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are commonly associated with acute respiratory illness. HAdV outbreaks are well documented in congregate military training settings, but less is known about outbreaks on college campuses. During fall 2018 and spring 2019, 5 United States (US) colleges reported increases in HAdV-associated respiratory illness. Investigations were performed to better understand HAdV epidemiology in this setting.

Methods

A case was defined as a student at one of the 5 colleges, with acute respiratory illness and laboratory-confirmed HAdV infection during October 2018–December 2018 or March–May 2019. Available respiratory specimens were typed by HAdV type-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction assays, and for a subset, whole genome sequencing was performed. We reviewed available medical records and cases were invited to complete a questionnaire, which included questions on symptom presentation, social history, and absenteeism.

Results

We identified 168 HAdV cases. Median age was 19 (range, 17–22) years and 102 cases (61%) were male. Eleven cases were hospitalized, 10 with pneumonia; 2 cases died. Among questionnaire respondents, 80% (75/94) missed ≥ 1 day of class because of their illness. Among those with a type identified (79%), HAdV types 4 and 7 were equally detected, with frequency of each varying by site. Genome types 4a1 and 7d were identified, respectively, by whole genome sequence analysis.

Conclusions

HAdV respiratory illness was associated with substantial morbidity and missed class time among young, generally healthy adults on 5 US college campuses. HAdVs should be considered a cause of respiratory illness outbreaks in congregate settings such as college campuses.
Imprecision Medicine: Challenges in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Measuring Quality for Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Trautner Barbara W , Morgan Daniel J
Published: April 2020

We question the reliability of the vague symptoms that most commonly define catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) and encourage further examination of whether the current CAUTI definition reflects a true infection. While diagnosing CAUTI using the current surveillance definition, physicians may be missing a number of nonurinary etiologies for fever, prematurely diagnosing urinary tract infection, and prescribing unnecessary antibiotics. We believe it is time to reconsider the quality metric of CAUTI. By doing so, we can improve antibiotic use and quality of patient care.
Early Adopters of Event-driven Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in a Large Healthcare System in San Francisco
Authors: Hojilla J Carlo , Marcus Julia L , Silverberg Michael J , Hare C Bradley , Herbers Rachel , Hurley Leo , Satre Derek D , Volk Jonathan E
Published: April 2020

Among 279 patients within a large healthcare system in San Francisco, event-driven HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis using a 2–1–1 regimen was a desirable alternative to daily dosing. Problems with adherence, planning sex in advance, or side effects were infrequent (13.9%). We found no new HIV infections over 136 person-years of follow-up.
What Is the Primary Driver of Preoperative Vancomycin Use? It’s Not Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus—or Allergy
Authors: Strymish Judith M , O’ Brien William , Itani Kamal , Gupta Kalpana , Branch-Elliman Westyn
Published: April 2020

Factors driving vancomycin surgical prophylaxis are poorly understood. In a national Veterans Affairs cohort with manually validated data, surgical specialty (cardiac, orthopedics) and perception of high facility methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevalence—not MRSA colonization—were the primary drivers of prescribing. A β-lactam allergy was the second most common reason. These data may inform perioperative stewardship.
Ex vivo Ikkβ ablation rescues the immunopotency of mesenchymal stromal cells from diabetics with advanced atherosclerosis
Authors: Kizilay Mancini Ozge , Huynh David N , Menard Liliane , Shum-Tim Dominique , Ong Huy , Marleau Sylvie , Colmegna Ines , Servant Marc J
Published: April 2020

Aims

Diabetes is a conventional risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction (MI) is the most common cause of death among these patients. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and atherosclerosis have impaired ability to suppress activated T-cells (i.e. reduced immunopotency). This is mediated by an inflammatory shift in MSC-secreted soluble factors (i.e. pro-inflammatory secretome) and can contribute to the reduced therapeutic effects of autologous T2DM and atherosclerosis-MSC post-MI. The signalling pathways driving the altered secretome of atherosclerosis- and T2DM-MSC are unknown. Specifically, the effect of IκB kinase β (IKKβ) modulation, a key regulator of inflammatory responses, on the immunopotency of MSCs from T2DM patients with advanced atherosclerosis has not been studied.

Methods and results

MSCs were isolated from adipose tissue obtained from patients with (i) atherosclerosis and T2DM (atherosclerosis+T2DM MSCs, n = 17) and (ii) atherosclerosis without T2DM (atherosclerosis MSCs, n = 17). MSCs from atherosclerosis+T2DM individuals displayed an inflammatory senescent phenotype and constitutively expressed active forms of effectors of the canonical IKKβ nuclear factor-κB transcription factors inflammatory pathway. Importantly, this constitutive pro-inflammatory IKKβ signature resulted in an altered secretome and impaired in vitro immunopotency and in vivo healing capacity in an acute MI model. Notably, treatment with a selective IKKβ inhibitor or IKKβ knockdown (KD) (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9-mediated IKKβ KD) in atherosclerosis+T2DM MSCs reduced the production of pro-inflammatory secretome, increased survival, and rescued their immunopotency both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

Constitutively active IKKβ reduces the immunopotency of atherosclerosis+T2DM MSC by changing their secretome composition. Modulation of IKKβ in atherosclerosis+T2DM MSCs enhances their myocardial repair ability.
A Diversified Dietary Pattern Is Associated With a Balanced Gut Microbial Composition of Faecalibacterium and Escherichia/Shigella in Patients With Crohn’s Disease in Remission
Authors: Zhang Zhengxiao , Taylor Lorian , Shommu Nusrat , Ghosh Subrata , Reimer Raylene , Panaccione Remo , Kaur Sandeep , Hyun Jae Eun , Cai Chenxi , Deehan Edward C , Hotte Naomi , Madsen Karen L , Raman Maitreyi
Published: April 2020

Background and Aims

Crohn’s disease [CD] is associated with alterations in gut microbial composition and function. The present controlled-intervention study investigated the relationship between patterns of dietary intake and baseline gut microbiota in CD patients in remission and examined the effects of a dietary intervention in patients consuming a non-diversified diet [NDD].

Methods

Forty outpatients with quiescent CD were recruited in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Based on 3-day food records, patients consuming a lower plant-based and higher red and processed meat-based diet were assigned to the NDD group [n = 15] and received a 12-week structured dietary intervention; all other patients were assigned to the diversified diet [DD] control group [n = 25] and received conventional management. Faecal microbiota composition, short chain fatty acids [SCFAs] and calprotectin were measured.

Results

At baseline the NDD and DD groups had a different faecal microbial beta-diversity [p = 0.003, permutational multivariate analysis of variance]. The NDD group had lower Faecalibacterium and higher Escherichia/Shigella relative abundances compared to the DD group [3.3 ± 5.4% vs. 8.5 ± 10.6%; 6.9 ± 12.2% vs. 1.6 ± 4.4%; p ≤ 0.03, analysis of covariance]. These two genera showed a strong negative correlation [rs = −0.60, q = 0.0002]. Faecal butyrate showed a positive correlation with Faecalibacterium [rs = 0.52, q = 0.002], and an inhibitory relationship with Escherichia/Shigella abundance [four-parameter sigmoidal model, R = −0.83; rs = −0.44, q = 0.01], respectively. After the 12 weeks of dietary intervention, no difference in microbial beta-diversity between the two groups was observed [p = 0.43]. The NDD group demonstrated an increase in Faecalibacterium [p < 0.05, generalized estimated equation model], and resembled the DD group at the end of the intervention [p = 0.84, t-test with permutation]. We did not find an association of diet with faecal SCFAs or calprotectin.

Conclusions

Dietary patterns are associated with specific gut microbial compositions in CD patients in remission. A diet intervention in patients consuming a NDD modifies gut microbial composition to resemble that seen in patients consuming a DD. These results show that diet is important in shaping the microbial dysbiosis signature in CD towards a balanced community.
An overview of stem cell therapy for paediatric heart failure
Authors: Ishigami Shuta , Sano Toshikazu , Krishnapura Sunaya , Ito Tatsuo , Sano Shunji
Published: April 2020

Significant achievements in paediatric cardiology, surgical treatment and intensive care of congenital heart disease have drastically changed clinical outcomes for paediatric patients. Nevertheless, late-onset heart failure in children after staged surgeries still remains a serious concern in the medical community. Heart transplantation is an option for treatment; however, the shortage of available organs is a persistent problem in many developed countries. In order to resolve these issues, advanced technologies, such as innovative mechanical circulatory support devices and regenerative therapies, are strongly desired. Accumulated evidence regarding cell-based cardiac regenerative therapies has suggested their safety and efficacy in treating adult heart failure. Given that young children seem to have a higher regenerative capacity than adults, stem cell-based therapies appear a promising treatment option for paediatric heart failure as well. Based on the findings from past trials and studies, we present the potential of various different types of stem cells, ranging from bone marrow mononuclear cells to cardiosphere-derived stem cells for use in paediatric cell-based therapies. Here, we assess both the current challenges associated with cell-based therapies and novel strategies that may be implemented in the future to advance stem cell therapy in the paediatric population.
Pharmacists in general practice: a qualitative process evaluation of the General Practice Pharmacist (GPP) study
Authors: James Oscar , Cardwell Karen , Moriarty Frank , Smith Susan M , Clyne Barbara
Published: April 2020

Background

There is some evidence to suggest that pharmacists integrated into primary care improves patient outcomes and prescribing quality. Despite this growing evidence, there is a lack of detail about the context of the role.

Objective

To explore the implementation of The General Practice Pharmacist (GPP) intervention (pharmacists integrating into general practice within a non-randomized pilot study in Ireland), the experiences of study participants and lessons for future implementation.

Design and setting

Process evaluation with a descriptive qualitative approach conducted in four purposively selected GP practices.

Methods

A process evaluation with a descriptive qualitative approach was conducted in four purposively selected GP practices. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic analysis.

Results

Twenty-three participants (three pharmacists, four GPs, four patients, four practice nurses, four practice managers and four practice administrators) were interviewed. Themes reported include day-to-day practicalities (incorporating location and space, systems and procedures and pharmacists’ tasks), relationships and communication (incorporating GP/pharmacist mode of communication, mutual trust and respect, relationship with other practice staff and with patients) and role perception (incorporating shared goals, professional rewards, scope of practice and logistics).

Conclusions

Pharmacists working within the general practice team have potential to improve prescribing quality. This process evaluation found that a pharmacist joining the general practice team was well accepted by the GP and practice staff and effective interprofessional relationships were described. Patients were less clear of the overall benefits. Important barriers (such as funding, infrastructure and workload) and facilitators (such as teamwork and integration) to the intervention were identified which will be incorporated into a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial.
Challenges in the Care of IBD Patients During the CoViD-19 Pandemic: Report From a “Red Zone” Area in Northern Italy
Authors: Occhipinti Vincenzo , Pastorelli Luca
Published: April 2020

Since February 20, 2020, in Italy, we have been confronting the dramatic challenge of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, which has completely overthrown our medical practice. We report our experience as an IBD center in Lombardia, the most affected region in Italy.
Meromorphic Modular Forms with Rational Cycle Integrals
Authors: Löbrich Steffen , Schwagenscheidt Markus
Published: April 2020

We study rationality properties of geodesic cycle integrals of meromorphic modular forms associated to positive definite binary quadratic forms. In particular, we obtain finite rational formulas for the cycle integrals of suitable linear combinations of these meromorphic modular forms.
Insights Into Pneumococcal Pneumonia Using Lung Aspirates and Nasopharyngeal Swabs Collected From Pneumonia Patients in The Gambia
Authors: Dunne Eileen M , Hua Yinglei , Salaudeen Rasheed , Hossain Ilias , Ndiaye Malick , Ortika Belinda D , Mulholland E Kim , Hinds Jason , Manna Sam , Mackenzie Grant A , Satzke Catherine
Published: April 2020

Background

We investigated the pathogenesis of pneumococcal pneumonia using clinical specimens collected for pneumonia surveillance in The Gambia.

Methods

Lung aspirates and nasopharyngeal swabs from 31 patients were examined by culture, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), whole genome sequencing, serotyping, and reverse-transcription qPCR.

Results

Five lung aspirates cultured pneumococci, with a matching strain identified in the nasopharynx. Three virulence genes including ply (pneumolysin) were upregulated >20-fold in the lung compared with the nasopharynx. Nasopharyngeal pneumococcal density was higher in pediatric pneumonia patients compared with controls (P < .0001).

Conclusions

Findings suggest that changes in pneumococcal gene expression occurring in the lung environment may be important in pathogenesis.
Exploring Lutzomyia longipalpis Sand Fly Vector Competence for Leishmania major Parasites
Authors: Cecílio Pedro , Pires Ana Clara A M , Valenzuela Jesus G , Pimenta Paulo F P , Cordeiro-da-Silva Anabela , Secundino Nagila F C , Oliveira Fabiano
Published: April 2020

Lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies are the major natural vector of Leishmania infantum parasites, responsible for transmission of visceral leishmaniasis in the New World. Several experimental studies have demonstrated the ability of Lu. longipalpis to sustain development of different Leishmania species. However, no study had explored in depth the potential vector competence of Lu. longipalpis for Leishmania species other than L. infantum. Here, we show that Lu. longipalpis is a competent vector of L. major parasites, being able to acquire parasites from active cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions, sustain mature infections, and transmit them to naive hosts, causing disease.
Transmission Potential of Asymptomatic and Paucisymptomatic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infections: A 3-Family Cluster Study in China
Authors: Jiang Xiao-Lin , Zhang Xiao-Li , Zhao Xiang-Na , Li Cun-Bao , Lei Jie , Kou Zeng-Qiang , Sun Wen-Kui , Hang Yang , Gao Feng , Ji Sheng-Xiang , Lin Can-Fang , Pang Bo , Yao Ming-Xiao , Anderson Benjamin D , Wang Guo-Lin , Yao Lin , Duan Li-Jun , Kang Dian-Min , Ma Mai-Juan
Published: April 2020

Data concerning the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in asymptomatic and paucisymptomatic patients are lacking. We report a 3-family cluster of infections involving asymptomatic and paucisymptomatic transmission. Eight of 15 (53%) members from 3 families were confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of 8 patients, 3 were asymptomatic and 1 was paucisymptomatic. An asymptomatic mother transmitted the virus to her son, and a paucisymptomatic father transmitted the virus to his 3-month-old daughter. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the environment of 1 household. The complete genomes of SARS-CoV-2 from the patients were > 99.9% identical and were clustered with other SARS-CoV-2 sequences reported from China and other countries.
Commitment and (in) Efficiency: A Bargaining Experiment
Authors: Agranov Marina , Elliott Matt
Published: April 2020

In many matching markets, bargaining determines who matches with whom and on what terms. We experimentally investigate allocative efficiency and how subjects’ payoffs depend on their matching opportunities in such markets. We consider three simple markets. There are no information asymmetries, subjects are patient, and a perfectly equitable outcome is both feasible and efficient. Efficient perfect equilibria of the corresponding bargaining game exist, but are increasingly complicated to sustain across the three markets. Consistent with the predictions of simple (Markov perfect) equilibria, we find considerable mismatch in two of the markets. Mismatch is reduced but remains substantial when we change the nature of bargaining by moving from a structured experimental protocol to permitting free-form negotiations, and when we allow players to renege on their agreements. Our results suggest that mismatch is driven by players correctly anticipating that they might lose their strong bargaining positions, and by players in weak bargaining positions demanding equitable payoffs.
Chilaiditi syndrome: an unusual presentation in elderly man
Authors: Al Omran Aqdas A , Ibrahim Arwa H , Balhareth Ameera S
Published: April 2020

Chilaiditi syndrome is a radiological manifestation of a large bowel interposition between the liver and right hemidiaphragm that associated with gastrointestinal symptoms. We report a case of 78-year-old Saudi male with multiple comorbidities, presented to the emergency department with two episodes of passaging a large amount of fresh, bright blood per rectum. Later, the patient was diagnosed with Chilaiditi syndrome and managed with conservative measures. The presence of Chilaiditi signs can be caused by an abnormality of either liver, colon or right hemidiaphragm that leads to sub-diaphragmatic space enlargement or intestinal hypermobility. Computed tomography imaging is the best diagnostic modality. Conservative treatment is the first line in management.
Application of Probability-Based Link-Tracing and Nonprobability Approaches to Sampling Out-of-School Youth in Developing Countries
Authors: Krenzke Tom , Mohadjer Leyla
Published: April 2020

Motivated by the United Nations’ Education Sustainable Development Goal of all young people achieving at least basic literacy and numeracy skills, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has undertaken a pilot study of the Programme for the International Student Assessment (PISA) for developing countries. In this study, PISA is administered in five developing countries to 14- to 16-year olds who are either out of school or in school below grade 7. The target population is about 1–3 percent of the overall population for the participating countries. Several options to achieve adequate representation were presented to countries. To simplify operations, reduce costs, reduce bias, and achieve sample size goals, a probability-based link-tracing approach was designed and attempted in countries as one of the several approaches administered. In this article, we provide an evaluation of the approach and describe its application toward providing proficiency estimates with adequate representation of the target population.
Ca2+-dependent nuclease is involved in DNA degradation during the formation of the secretory cavity by programmed cell death in fruit of Citrus grandis ‘Tomentosa’
Authors: Bai Mei , Liang Minjian , Huai Bin , Gao Han , Tong Panpan , Shen Rongxin , He Hanjun , Wu Hong
Published: April 2020

The secretory cavity is a typical structure in Citrus fruit and is formed by schizolysigeny. Previous reports have indicated that programmed cell death (PCD) is involved in the degradation of secretory cavity cells in the fruit, and that the spatio-temporal location of calcium is closely related to nuclear DNA degradation in this process; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this Ca2+ regulation remain largely unknown. Here, we identified CgCaN that encodes a Ca2+-dependent DNase in the fruit of Citrus grandis ‘Tomentosa’, the function of which was studied using calcium ion localization, DNase activity assays, in situ hybridization, and protein immunolocalization. The results suggested that the full-length cDNA of CgCaN contains an ORF of 1011 bp that encodes a protein 336 amino acids in length with a SNase-like functional domain. CgCaN digests dsDNA at neutral pH in a Ca2+-dependent manner. In situ hybridization signals of CgCaN were particularly distributed in the secretory cavity cells. Ca2+ and Ca2+-dependent DNases were mainly observed in the condensed chromatin and in the nucleolus. In addition, spatio-temporal expression patterns of CgCaN and its protein coincided with the time-points that corresponded to chromatin degradation and nuclear rupture during the PCD in the development of the fruit secretory cavity. Taken together, our results suggest that Ca2+-dependent DNases play direct roles in nuclear DNA degradation during the PCD of secretory cavity cells during Citrus fruit development. Given the consistency of the expression patterns of genes regulated by calmodulin (CaM) and calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPK) and the dynamics of calcium accumulation, we speculate that CaM and CDPK proteins might be involved in Ca2+ transport from the extracellular walls through the cytoplasm and into the nucleus to activate CgCaN for DNA degradation.
Autophagy in Hematological Malignancies: Molecular Aspects in Leukemia and Lymphoma
Authors: Boustani Hassan , Khodadi Elahe , Shahidi Minoo
Published: April 2020

The organization of the hematopoietic system is dependent on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that are capable of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation to produce different blood cell lines. Autophagy has a central role in energy production and metabolism of the cells during starvation, cellular stress adaption, and removing mechanisms for aged or damaged organelles.

The role and importance of autophagy pathways are becoming increasingly recognized in the literature because these pathways can be useful in organizing intracellular circulation, molecular complexes, and organelles to meet the needs of various hematopoietic cells. There is supporting evidence in the literature that autophagy plays an emerging role in the regulation of normal cells and that it also has important features in malignant hematopoiesis. Understanding the molecular details of the autophagy pathway can provide novel methods for more effective treatment of patients with leukemia. Overall, our review will emphasize the role of autophagy and its different aspects in hematological malignant neoplasms.