bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient-reported burden of intensified surveillance and surgery in high-risk individuals under pancreatic cancer surveillance
Authors:   the Dutch Familial Pancreatic Cancer Surveillance Study Group, Overbeek Kasper A. , Cahen Djuna L. , Kamps Anne , Konings Ingrid C. A. W. , Harinck Femme , Kuenen Marianne A. , Koerkamp Bas Groot , Besselink Marc G. , van Eijck Casper H. , Wagner Anja , Ausems Margreet G. E. , van der Vlugt Manon , Fockens Paul , Vleggaar Frank P. , Poley Jan-Werner , van Hooft Jeanin E. , Bleiker Eveline M. A. , Bruno Marco J.
Published: March 2020

In high-risk individuals participating in a pancreatic cancer surveillance program, worrisome features warrant for intensified surveillance or, occasionally, surgery. Our objectives were to determine the patient-reported burden of intensified surveillance and/or surgery, and to assess post-operative quality of life and opinion of surgery. Participants in our pancreatic cancer surveillance program completed questionnaires including the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). For individuals who underwent intensified surveillance, questionnaires before, during, and ≥ 3 weeks after were analyzed. In addition, subjects who underwent intensified surveillance in the past 3 years or underwent surgery at any time, were invited for an interview, that included the Short-Form 12 (SF-12). A total of 31 high-risk individuals were studied. During the intensified surveillance period, median CWS scores were higher (14, IQR 7), as compared to before (12, IQR 9,P = 0.007) and after (11, IQR 7,P = 0.014), but eventually returned back to baseline (P = 0.823). Median HADS scores were low: 5 (IQR 6) for anxiety and 3 (IQR 5) for depression, and they were unaffected by the intensified surveillance period. Of the 10 operated patients, 1 (10%) developed diabetes and 7 (70%) pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. The interviews yielded median quality-of-life scores comparable to the general population. Also, after surgery, patients’ attitudes towards surveillance were unchanged (5/10, 50%) or became more positive (4/10, 40%). Although patients were aware of the (sometimes benign) pathological outcome, when asked if surgery had been justified, only 20% (2/10) disagreed, and all would again have chosen to undergo surgery. In conclusion, in individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer, intensified surveillance temporarily increased cancer worries, without affecting general anxiety or depression. Although pancreatic surgery led to substantial co-morbidity, quality of life was similar to the general population, and surgery did not negatively affect the attitude towards surveillance.
Pulsed flow-through cultivation of Margaritifera margaritifera: Effects of water source and food quantity on the survival and growth of juveniles
Authors: Hyvärinen Heini S. H. , Chowdhury M. Motiur R. , Taskinen Jouni
Published: March 2020

Conservation of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel (FPM) includes artificially rearing juveniles, but the pulsed flow-through (PFT) method, enabling the continuous renewal of water and food in culture containers, has not been applied to FPM. This study tested the PFT method in culture of FPM juveniles, and the effect of water source (tap vs well water) and food concentration (mixture of commercial phytoplankton products) on the survival and growth of juveniles. Beaker-specific survival rates varied from 0 to 100% (mean: 34%) and from 0 to 58% (mean: 16%) in the 1st (2-week) and 2nd (10-week) experiment, respectively. In the 1st experiment, juveniles attained statistically significantly bigger sizes and more than two times higher survival in well water than they did in tap water. In both experiments, the food concentration of 0.250 µl/l resulted in the highest survival (compared to other concentrations ranging from 0.125 to 0.500 µl/l). However, food concentration did not have a significant effect on size of juvenile FPM in either of the experiments. Results indicate that the PFT system is suitable for FPM rearing experiments, but its applicability to mass culture of FPM juveniles requires further investigation.
On the Hydration of the Rare Earth Ions in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Rudolph Wolfram W. , Irmer Gert
Published: March 2020

The totally symmetric stretching mode $$\nu_{1}$$ν1 Ln–(OH2) of the first hydration shells of all the rare earth (RE) ions across the series from lanthanum to lutetium has been measured on dilute aqueous perchlorate solutions at room temperature. An S-shaped relationship has been found between the $$\nu_{1}$$ν1 Ln–(OH2) peak positions and the Ln–(OH2) bond distances of the lanthanide(III) aqua ions. While the light rare earth ions form nona-hydrates, the heavy ones form octa-hydrates and the rare earth ions in the middle of the series show non integer hydration numbers between 9 and 8. A relationship between wavenumber positions $$\nu_{1}$$ν1 Ln–(OH2) and the Ln–(OH2) bond distances of the RE hydrates has been given. Recent quantum mechanical calculations support the given interpretation.
Spectral Analysis of Fractional Hyperbolic Diffusion Equations with Random Data
Authors: Leonenko Nikolai , Vaz Jayme
Published: March 2020

The paper studies the fundamental solutions to fractional in time hyperbolic diffusion equation or telegraph equations and their properties. Then it derives the exact solutions of the fractional hyperbolic diffusion equation with random data in terms of series expansions of isotropic in space spherical random fields on the unit sphere. Numerical illustration are presented to illustrate the theoretical results.
Revising Probabilities and Full Beliefs
Authors: Hansson Sven Ove
Published: March 2020

A new formal model of belief dynamics is proposed, in which the epistemic agent has both probabilistic beliefs and full beliefs. The agent has full belief in a proposition if and only if she considers the probability that it is false to be so close to zero that she chooses to disregard that probability. She treats such a proposition as having the probability 1, but, importantly, she is still willing and able to revise that probability assignment if she receives information that gives her sufficient reasons to do so. Such a proposition is (presently) undoubted, but not undoubtable (incorrigible). In the formal model it is assigned a probability 1 −δ, whereδis an infinitesimal number. The proposed model employs probabilistic belief states that contain several underlying probability functions representing alternative probabilistic states of the world. Furthermore, a distinction is made between update and revision, in the same way as in the literature on (dichotomous) belief change. The formal properties of the model are investigated, including properties relevant for learning from experience. The set of propositions whose probabilities are infinitesimally close to 1 forms a (logically closed) belief set. Operations that change the probabilistic belief state give rise to changes in this belief set, which have much in common with traditional operations of belief change.
Cophonologies by Ph(r)ase
Authors: Sande Hannah , Jenks Peter , Inkelas Sharon
Published: March 2020

Phonological alternations are often specific to morphosyntactic context. For example, stress shift in English occurs in the presence of some suffixes,-al, but not others,-ing: "Equation missing", "Equation missing", "Equation missing". In some cases a phonological process applies only in words of certain lexical categories. Previous theories have stipulated that such morphosyntactically conditioned phonology is word-bounded. In this paper we present a number of long-distance morphologically conditioned phonological effects, cases where phonological processes within one word are conditioned by another word or the presence of a morpheme in another word. We provide a model, Cophonologies by Phase, which extends Cophonology Theory, intended to capture word-internal and lexically specified phonological alternations, to cyclically generated syntactic constituents. We show that Cophonologies by Phase makes better predictions about the long-distance morphologically conditioned phonological effects we find across languages than previous frameworks. Furthermore, Cophonologies by Phase derives such effects without requiring the phonological component to directly reference syntactic features or structure.
Disaggregating the dependent variable in policy feedback research: an analysis of the EU Emissions Trading System
Authors: Moore Brendan , Jordan Andrew
Published: March 2020

The literature on policy dynamics has long argued for a better conceptualization and measurement of the dependent variable (“policy”), but this fundamental point has often been neglected in the policy feedback literature. In this paper, we explore how far disaggregating policy into different elements (policy instruments, objectives, and settings) addresses this gap. We do so by examining the world’s largest market-based climate policy instrument—emissions trading in the European Union—and reveal a number of valuable new insights. First, even if positive policy feedback locks in a policy instrument, actor contestation does not disappear, but narrows down to the more detailed level of policy settings. Second, feedback may operate differently at each policy level: the policy instrument and its settings may strengthen at the same time as support for broader objectives weakens. Finally, positive feedback may simultaneously strengthen opposing actors’ support for multiple policy elements, leading to a form of “policy stability by stalemate.” These findings highlight the need for a new, interdisciplinary phase of policy feedback research that more fully disaggregates the dependent variable across a wider range of policy areas and policy instrument types. Policy scientists are well equipped to contribute to and benefit from such a debate.
The WHOQOL-BREF: a modern psychometric evaluation of its internal construct validity in people with multiple sclerosis
Authors:   TONiC Study Group, Pomeroy I. M. , Tennant A. , Mills R. J. , Young C. A.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) differentially impact upon quality of life (QoL) and a comprehensive measure is required for use in observational and interventional studies. This study examines the abbreviated World Health Organisation Quality of Life tool (WHOQOL-BREF) which was designed to be used as a broad measure of QoL across different cultures and diseases.

Methods

Data were collected from 3186 subjects as part of the TONiC study in MS and was examined with a systematic, iterative approach using Rasch analysis to investigate the internal construct validity of the WHOQOL-BREF.

Results

Mean age was 49.8 years (SD 11.8), disease duration was 11.2 years (SD 9.6) and 73.2% were female. Subjects represented all stages of MS with EDSS scores of 0–4, 4.5–6.5, 7–7.5 and ≥ 8 seen in 49.8%, 38.5%, 6.8% and 4.9% of patients, respectively. Using a super-item approach, it was possible to demonstrate fit to the assumptions of the Rasch model for 3 of the 4 domains of the WHOQOL-BREF (physical, psychological and environment) as well as a broad 24-item total score. In addition, item subsets derived from the stem of each question were shown to function as novel scales measuring impact and life satisfaction. We have provided transformation tables from ordinal raw scores to interval scales where data are complete.

Conclusions

The validation of multiple conceptual frameworks validates the WHOQOL-BREF as a powerful and flexible end-point for use in clinical trials and in testing conceptual models of factors influencing QoL in MS.
Analytical Solutions for a 1D Scale Inhibitor Transport Model with Coupled Adsorption and Precipitation
Authors: Stamatiou A. , Sorbie K. S.
Published: March 2020

In a previous publication (Sorbie and Stamatiou in Transp Porous Media 123:271–287, 2018), we presented a one-dimensional analytical solution for scale inhibitor transport and retention in a porous medium through a kinetic precipitation mechanism. In this process, a chemical complex of the scale inhibitor precipitates within the porous matrix and it then re-dissolves through a kinetic solubilisation process. Considering the re-dissolution of this precipitate in a one-dimensional linear system such as a reservoir layer or indeed in a laboratory core/pack flood, the flowing aqueous phase gradually dissolves the precipitate which is then eluted from the system. The most novel aspect of this previous analytical solution arose from the fact that, at a certain point in time (or pore volume throughput), the precipitate in the system was locally fully re-dissolved, forming an internal moving boundary between where no precipitate remained (closer to the system inlet) and where a precipitate was present (further into the system up to the outlet). In the current paper, we extend this work by presenting analytical solutions for the case where precipitation/dissolution occurs simultaneously with an adsorption/desorption interaction between the scale inhibitor and the rock surface, described by the nonlinear Langmuir isotherm. When examining this more complex problem in the flow scenario where the local precipitate is completely dissolved, several interesting analytical solution structures are obtained as a result of the internal moving boundary. Which of these structures occurs is rigorously categorised according to the solubility, the initial levels of precipitate and adsorbate, as well as the shape of the Langmuir isotherm. After the mathematical development of the analytical solutions, they are applied to some example problems which are compared with numerical solutions. Finally, a number of different generic features in the scale inhibitor effluent concentration profile are predicted and discussed with regard to practical field applications.
Impulsivity and Impulsivity-Related Endophenotypes in Suicidal Patients with Substance Use Disorders: an Exploratory Study
Authors: Costanza Alessandra , Rothen Stéphane , Achab Sophia , Thorens Gabriel , Baertschi Marc , Weber Kerstin , Canuto Alessandra , Richard-Lepouriel Hélène , Perroud Nader , Zullino Daniele
Published: March 2020

Suicidal behavior (SB) is a major problem in patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). However, little is known about specific SB risk factors in this population, and pathogenetic hypotheses are difficult to disentangle. This study investigated some SB and SUD-related endophenotypes, such as impulsivity, aggression, trait anger, and risk-taking behaviors (RTBs), in forty-eight patients with SUDs in relation to lifetime history of suicide attempts (SAs). Disorders related to alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and hallucinogenic drugs were included. Lifetime SAs was significantly associated with both higher impulsivity and higher aggression, but not with trait anger. A higher number of RTBs were associated with lifetime SAs and higher impulsivity, but not with aggression and trait anger. Assessing these endophenotypes could refine clinical SB risk evaluation in SUDs patients by detecting higher-risk subgroups. An important limitation of this study is exiguity of its sample size. Its primary contribution is inclusion of all SUD types.
Blueprint for the Development and Sustainability of National Nanosafety Centers
Authors: Shandilya Neeraj , Marcoulaki Effie , Vercauteren Sven , Witters Hilda , Salazar-Sandoval Eric Johansson , Viitanen Anna-Kaisa , Bressot Christophe , Fransman Wouter
Published: March 2020

This work presents a blueprint or set of guidelines for the planning and development of sustainable national centers dealing with the safety of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies toward public health and environment. The blueprint was developed following a methodological approach of EU-wide online survey and workshop with several stakeholders. The purpose was to identify the key elements and challenges in the development and sustainability of a national nanosafety center. The responses were received from representatives of 16 national nanosafety centers across Europe and 44 people from 18 EU member states who represented the stakeholder groups of researchers, academics, industry, regulators, civil society, and consultants. By providing an overview of the organizational design of existing national nanosafety centers across EU and converging demands in the field of nanosafety, the blueprint principally benefits those EU member states who do not have a national nanosafety center, but intend to develop an entity to manage the human health, environmental, ethical, and social concerns/risks toward the growing nationwide activities on engineered nanomaterials, e.g., their production, use or disposal, at national level.
Unusual Iron Nitride Formation Upon Nitriding Fe-Si Alloy
Authors: Meka S. R. , Schubert A. , Bischoff E. , Mittemeijer E. J.
Published: March 2020

The influence of Si, substitutionally dissolved in ferritic Fe-2 at. pct Si and Fe-4.5 at. pct Si alloys, on the nucleation and growth of γ′ iron nitride upon controlled gaseous nitriding was investigated. The nitrided specimens were characterized by XRD, light microscopy, TEM, EELS, EPMA and EBSD. The combination of difficult and thus delayed precipitation of (1) silicon nitride, because of a large misfit with the ferrite matrix, and (2) γ′ iron nitride, because of the negligible solubility of Si, was shown to lead to a series of unusual, nonequilibrium phenomena: high nitrogen supersaturation, development of Si-containing metastable γ′ phase of peculiar morphology, precipitation of amorphous silicon nitride in γ′ and development of ε nitride at thermodynamic conditions unlikely to allow its formation.
Lipoadenoma of the Parathyroid Gland: Characterization of an Institutional Series Spanning 28 Years
Authors: Juhlin C. Christofer , Falhammar Henrik , Zedenius Jan , Nilsson Inga-Lena , Höög Anders
Published: March 2020

Parathyroid lipoadenomas (PLAs) are rare tumors, and case descriptions are limited, < 80 to date. As a consequence, scarce information regarding the etiology of these enigmatic lesions is available. We searched our departmental pathology database for PLAs diagnosed between 1992 and 2020, reexamined the histology of each case, and recorded clinical parameters from the patients’ medical charts. As the diagnostic criteria of this lesion vary over this time period, we defined PLA as an enlarged parathyroid gland with > 50% fat on histologic examination with preoperative evidence of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). A total of 8 bona fide PLA cases and 2 equivocal PLAs (close to 50% fat) were included. As approximately 4000 conventional parathyroid adenomas were diagnosed at our department during the same time interval, the prevalence of PLA was 0.20%. PLA patients were predominately female (63%) and presented with classical PHPT-related symptoms. Majority of cases were successfully located preoperatively and had an average tumor weight of 445 mg. Histologically, all PLAs consisted of > 50% mature adipose tissue, except a single case with brown fat. Of note, PLA patients exhibited a body mass index in line with PHPT patients in general, but a relatively high, near-significant prevalence of arterial hypertension was observed when compared to tumors with less fat (P = 0.0584). Future studies on this finding might be warranted. To summarize, we present one of the largest institutional PLA case series to date, and conclude that PLAs are rare, sporadic tumors mirroring many clinical aspects of conventional adenomas—with a potential coupling to hypertension worthy of follow-up studies.
Insights into the applications of waste materials in the oil and gas industry: state of the art review, availability, cost analysis, and classification
Authors: Al-Hameedi Abo Taleb T. , Alkinani Husam H. , Albazzaz Hussien W. , Dunn-Norman Shari , Alkhamis Mohammed M.
Published: March 2020

This study investigates different types of waste materials and their applicability in the oil and gas industry as well as analyzing various applications of these waste materials in the petroleum industry. This study also explores the availability of these waste materials by performing a statistical analysis in a good number of countries worldwide. The statistical study was performed starting with a study on which countries generate waste the most overall, followed by examining multiple countries and investigating their top three most available waste. The results showed that the USA is the leading country in terms of municipal solid waste generation of 258 million metric tons, followed by China that generates around 220.4 million metric tons and then India that generates 168.4 million metric tons of municipal solid waste. The regions that generate the most food waste are North America and Oceania, providing the availability of food waste in those regions. Most of the palm tree wastes are available in the Middle East and some parts of the USA, while green waste can be found in the USA, China, and the UK. Sawdust wastes are mostly available in Europe and North America, while hay waste is abundant in the USA. Waste materials were also examined for various petroleum industry applications. Food wastes were found to be effective in drilling and completion fluids. Various food waste products were utilized to alter the drilling fluid properties such as potato peels and mandarin peels. Food wastes were also effective in altering the pH of the drilling fluids. Some plant-based wastes such as date trees were effective treatments used to stop lost circulation. Based on biodegradability and toxicity basis, waste materials were also classified into four main categories, which are eco-friendly, biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and toxic using color category classification. In summary, waste materials have the potential to be used in the petroleum industry, and they might as well be a good alternative for the future. As an example, the drilling fluid average cost approximately one-tenth of the total cost of the drilling operation, which is considered a tangible cost. By using waste materials as drilling fluid additives, the cost of the drilling fluid can be minimized. Further investigation and research should be carried out to get a better understanding of the importance of waste materials, and how they can be exploited for future applications in the oil and gas industry.
Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of adult mouse pituitary reveals sexual dimorphism and physiologic demand-induced cellular plasticity
Authors: Ho Yugong , Hu Peng , Peel Michael T. , Chen Sixing , Camara Pablo G. , Epstein Douglas J. , Wu Hao , Liebhaber Stephen A.
Published: March 2020

The anterior pituitary gland drives highly conserved physiologic processes in mammalian species. These hormonally controlled processes are central to somatic growth, pubertal transformation, fertility, lactation, and metabolism. Current cellular models of mammalian anteiror pituitary, largely built on candidate gene based immuno-histochemical and mRNA analyses, suggest that each of the seven hormones synthesized by the pituitary is produced by a specific and exclusive cell lineage. However, emerging evidence suggests more complex relationship between hormone specificity and cell plasticity. Here we have applied massively parallel single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), in conjunction with complementary imaging-based single-cell analyses of mRNAs and proteins, to systematically map both cell-type diversity and functional state heterogeneity in adult male and female mouse pituitaries at single-cell resolution and in the context of major physiologic demands. These quantitative single-cell analyses reveal sex-specific cell-type composition under normal pituitary homeostasis, identify an array of cells associated with complex complements of hormone-enrichment, and undercover non-hormone producing interstitial and supporting cell-types. Interestingly, we also identified a Pou1f1-expressing cell population that is characterized by a unique multi-hormone gene expression profile. In response to two well-defined physiologic stresses, dynamic shifts in cellular diversity and transcriptome profiles were observed for major hormone producing and the putative multi-hormone cells. These studies reveal unanticipated cellular complexity and plasticity in adult pituitary, and provide a rich resource for further validating and expanding our molecular understanding of pituitary gene expression programs and hormone production.
Ranking and grouping social media requests for emergency services using serviceability model
Authors: Purohit Hemant , Castillo Carlos , Pandey Rahul
Published: March 2020

Social media has become an alternative communication mechanism for the public to reach out to emergency services during time-sensitive events. However, the information overload of social media experienced by these services, coupled with their limited human resources, challenges them to timely identify, prioritize, and organize critical requests for help. In this paper, we first present a formal model of serviceability calledSocial-EOC, which describes the elements of aserviceablemessage posted in social media expressing a request. Using the serviceability model, we then describe a system for the discovery and ranking of highly serviceable requests as well as for re-ranking requests by semantic grouping to reduce redundancy and facilitate the browsing of requests by responders. We validate the model for emergency services by experimenting with six crisis event datasets and ground truth provided by emergency professionals. Our experiments demonstrate that features based on both serviceability model and social connectedness improve the performance of discovering and ranking (nDCGgain up to 25%) service requests over different baselines. We also empirically validate the existence of redundancy and semantic coherence among the serviceable requests using our semantic grouping approach, which shows the significance and need for grouping similar requests to save the time of emergency services. Thus, an application of serviceability model could reduce cognitive load on emergency servicers in filtering, ranking, and organizing public requests on social media at scale.
Assessing Transparency, Accuracy, and Consistency of Relative Importance of Cow-Calf Profitability Drivers Using Neural Networks versus Regression
Authors: Tester Colson A. , Popp Michael P. , Dixon Bruce L. , Nalley Lanier L.
Published: March 2020

Using both multivariate regression and artificial neural networks, the relative impact of variables affecting cow-calf profitability was examined over two cattle cycles for spring- and fall-calving herds that varied in size by time period analyzed when using different fertility management affecting forage yields with and without weather uncertainty. Neural networks had greater predictive accuracy than regression but at the cost of lesser transparency and predictive consistency. Explaining profitability, price, and quantity of cattle sold were consistently and respectively ranked first and second using both approaches. Importance rankings for hay sold and fertilizer were low and less consistent across techniques employed.
Coordinated control of fuel flow rate and air flow rate of a supersonic heat-airflow simulated test system
Authors: Cai C. , Guo L. , Liu J.
Published: March 2020

The gas temperature of the supersonic heat airflow simulated test system is mainly determined by the fuel and air flow rates which enter the system combustor. In order to realise a high-quality control of gas temperature, in addition to maintaining the optimum ratio of fuel and air flow rates, the dynamic characteristics of them in the combustion process are also required to be synchronised. Aiming at the coordinated control problem of fuel and air flow rates, the mathematical models of fuel and air supply subsystems are established, and the characteristics of the systems are analysed. According to the characteristics of the systems and the requirements of coordinated control, a fuzzy-PI cross-coupling coordinated control strategy based on neural sliding mode predictive control is proposed. On this basis, the proposed control algorithm is simulated and experimentally studied. The results show that the proposed control algorithm has good control performance. It cannot only realise the accurate control of fuel flow rate and air flow rate, but also realise the coordinated control of the two.
Dietary starch promotes hepatic lipogenesis in barramundi (Lates calcarifer)
Authors: Wade N. M. , Trenkner L. H. , Viegas I. , Tavares L. C. , Palma M. , Skiba-Cassy S. , Dias K. , Vachot C. , Araújo B. C. , Bourne N. , Blyth D. , Irvin S. , Glencross B. D.
Published: March 2020

Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) are a highly valued aquaculture species, and, as obligate carnivores, they have a demonstrated preference for dietary protein over lipid or starch to fuel energetic growth demands. In order to investigate how carnivorous fish regulate nutritional cues, we examined the metabolic effects of feeding two isoenergetic diets that contained different proportions of digestible protein or starch energy. Fish fed a high proportion of dietary starch energy had a higher proportion of liver SFA, but showed no change in plasma glucose levels, and few changes in the expression of genes regulating key hepatic metabolic pathways. Decreased activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin growth signalling cascade was consistent with decreased growth performance values. The fractional synthetic rate (lipogenesis), measured by TAG 2H-enrichment using 2H NMR, was significantly higher in barramundi fed with the starch diet compared with the protein diet (0·6 (se 0·1) v. 0·4 (se 0·1) % per d, respectively). Hepatic TAG-bound glycerol synthetic rates were much higher than other closely related fish such as sea bass, but were not significantly different (starch, 2·8 (se 0·3) v. protein, 3·4 (se 0·3) % per d), highlighting the role of glycerol as a metabolic intermediary and high TAG-FA cycling in barramundi. Overall, dietary starch significantly increased hepatic TAG through increased lipogenesis. Compared with other fish, barramundi possess a unique mechanism to metabolise dietary carbohydrates and this knowledge may define ways to improve performance of advanced formulated feeds.
Morphological and genetic description ofMoniliformis necromysisp. n. (Archiacanthocephala) from the wild rodentNecromys lasiurus(Cricetidae: Sigmondontinae) in Brazil
Authors: Gomes A.P.N. , Costa N.A. , Gentile R. , Vilela R.V. , Maldonado A.
Published: March 2020

A new species ofMoniliformisTravassos, 1915 (Acanthocephala: Moniliformidae) is described from the hairy-tailed bolo mouse,Necromys lasiurusLund, 1840 (Cricetidae: Sigmondontinae), captured in the Brazilian Cerrado, in Uberlândia, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The specimens were studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. Molecular phylogenies were inferred from partial nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences and partial mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit I gene. The new species is distinguished from other moniliformid species by the number of rows and number of hooks per row, size of the proboscis, size of the eggs, host species and geographical distribution. Molecular phylogenies and genetic distances analyses demonstrated thatMoniliformis necromysisp. n. forms a well-supported monophyletic group with sequences of other species ofMoniliformisand is distinguished from them, which agrees with the morphological characteristics, allocating the new species to this genus and to the family Moniliformidae Van Cleave, 1924. This is the first moniliformid acanthocephalan described from a wild rodent in Brazil.
Wulfstan the Forger: the ‘Laws of Edward and Guthrum’
Authors: Schwartz Nicholas P.
Published: March 2020

Despite the recent increase in attention given to Archbishop Wulfstan and his writings, the so-called ‘Laws of Edward and Guthrum’ – a lawcode forged by the archbishop in the opening years of the eleventh century – has received little analysis since Dorothy Whitelock’s 1941 study established the churchman as its true author. My article seeks to fill this gap firstly by expanding on Whitelock’s article. I show that many more of the text’s clauses function as antecedents to Wulfstan’s later legislation than those she identified in her important article. Second, I argue that §10 of the code, a clause not repeated in the archbishop’s later legislation, surely still held legal authority given Wulfstan’s prescriptions for non-lethal punishment in some cases. Finally, I posit that Wulfstan’s attribution of the code to Alfred, seen in its opening, reflects the archbishop’s value of him as a king worth emulating.
The determinants of maternal homocysteine in pregnancy: findings from the Ottawa and Kingston Birth Cohort
Authors: Chaudhry Shazia H , Taljaard Monica , MacFarlane Amanda J , Gaudet Laura M , Smith Graeme N , Rodger Marc , Rennicks White Ruth , Walker Mark C , Wen Shi Wu
Published: March 2020

Objective:

Observational studies have linked elevated homocysteine to vascular conditions. Folate intake has been associated with lower homocysteine concentration, although randomised controlled trials of folic acid supplementation to decrease the incidence of vascular conditions have been inconclusive. We investigated determinants of maternal homocysteine during pregnancy, particularly in a folic acid-fortified population.

Design:

Data were from the Ottawa and Kingston Birth Cohort of 8085 participants. We used multivariable regression analyses to identify factors associated with maternal homocysteine, adjusted for gestational age at bloodwork. Continuous factors were modelled using restricted cubic splines. A subgroup analysis examined the modifying effect of MTHFR 677C>T genotype on folate, in determining homocysteine concentration.

Setting:

Participants were recruited in Ottawa and Kingston, Canada, from 2002 to 2009.

Participants:

Women were recruited when presenting for prenatal care in the early second trimester.

Results:

In 7587 participants, factors significantly associated with higher homocysteine concentration were nulliparous, smoking and chronic hypertension, while factors significantly associated with lower homocysteine concentration were non-Caucasian race, history of a placenta-mediated complication and folic acid supplementation. Maternal age and BMI demonstrated U-shaped associations. Folic acid supplementation of >1 mg/d during pregnancy did not substantially increase folate concentration. In the subgroup analysis, MTHFR 677C>T modified the effect of folate status on homocysteine concentration.

Conclusions:

We identified determinants of maternal homocysteine relevant to the lowering of homocysteine in the post-folic acid fortification era, characterised by folate-replete populations. A focus on periconceptional folic acid supplementation and improving health status may form an effective approach to lower homocysteine.
Revitalizing cultivation and strengthening the seed systems of fonio and Bambara groundnut in Mali through a community biodiversity management approach
Authors: Sidibé Amadou , Meldrum Gennifer , Coulibaly Harouna , Padulosi Stefano , Traore Issa , Diawara Gaoussou , Sangaré Adja Rokiatou , Mbosso Charlie
Published: March 2020

Fonio (Digitaria exilis(Kippist) Stapf) and Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea(L.)Verdc.) are native crops grown at a small scale in Mali that have potential to support agricultural productivity under climate change. A community biodiversity management approach was explored in this study as a means to reinforce the cultivation of these crops by increasing farmers' access to intraspecific diversity and developing capacities of community institutions for their management. The research involved six communities in Ségou and Sikasso regions. Multiple varieties of fonio (10–12) and Bambara groundnut (8–12) were established in diversity fields in each site over 2 years where farmers engaged in experiential learning over the crop cycle. Significant adoption of fonio and Bambara groundnut was detected in several study sites. The precise drivers of adoption cannot be definitively determined but likely include increased seed access and awareness gained through the diversity field fora, seed fairs and community seed banks. No significant yield advantage was detected for any of the varieties in the diversity fields, which showed variable performance by site and year. The number of varieties registered and managed by community seed banks in each site increased from 1–5 varieties of each crop to 11–12 varieties following the interventions. The number of Bambara groundnut varieties cultivated in farmers' fields also increased, while there was evidence of a slight decline in fonio diversity in some communities. The results of this study can inform efforts to strengthen seed systems and cultivation of neglected and underutilized species in Africa.
Design and characterization of a dual-band miniaturized circular antenna for deep in body biomedical wireless applications
Authors: Ding Shuoliang , Koulouridis Stavros , Pichon Lionel
Published: March 2020

In this paper, a novel miniaturized implantable circular antenna is presented. It supports both wireless information communication and wireless energy transmission at the Medical Device Radiocommunication band (MedRadio 402–405 MHz) and the industrial, scientific, and medical bands (ISM 902.8–928 MHz). The antenna is circular to avoid sharp edges while miniaturization is achieved by adding two circular slots to the patch. The main scenario includes embedding into the muscle layer of a cylindrical three-layer model of a human arm for which several parameters are analyzed (resonance, radiation pattern, and specific absorption rate). Power transmission efficiency and interaction distance limits to ensure connections are also evaluated. Finally, the design is validated by an experimental measurement in an anechoic chamber, and some new improvements are proposed.
Administration of ursolic acid to new-born pups prevents dietary fructose-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Mukonowenzou Nyasha C. , Dangarembizi Rachael , Chivandi Eliton , Nkomozepi Pilani , Erlwanger Kennedy H.
Published: March 2020

Overconsumption of fructose time dependently induces the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We investigated whether ursolic acid (UA) intake by new-born rats would protect against fructose-induced NAFLD. One hundred and seven male and female Sprague Dawley rat pups were randomly grouped and gavaged (10 ml/kg body weight) with either 0.5% dimethylsulphoxide (vehicle control), 0.05% UA, 50% fructose mixed with UA (0.05%) or 50% fructose alone, from postnatal day 6 (P6) to P20. Post-weaning (P21–P69), the rats received normal rat chow (NRC) and water to drink. On P70, the rats in each group were continued on water or 20% fructose to drink, as a secondary high fructose diet during adulthood. After 8 weeks, body mass, food and fluid intake, circulating metabolites, visceral adiposity, surrogate markers of liver function and indices of NAFLD were determined. Food intake was reduced as a result of fructose feeding in both male and female rats (p < 0.0001). Fructose consumption in adulthood significantly increased fluid intake and visceral adiposity in female rats (p < 0.05) and had no apparent effects in male rats (p > 0.05). In both sexes of rats, fructose had no significant (p > 0.05) effects on body mass, circulating metabolites, total calorie intake and surrogate markers of hepatic function. Fructose consumption in both early life and adulthood in female rats promoted hepatic lipid accumulation (p < 0.001), hypertrophy, microvesicular and macrovesicular steatosis (p < 0.05). Early-life UA intake significantly (p < 0.001) reduced fructose-induced hepatic lipid accumulation in both male and female rats. Administration of UA during periods of developmental plasticity shows prophylactic potential against dietary fructose-induced NAFLD.
A Time‐Varying 3‐D Displacement Model of the ~5.9‐Year Westward Motion and its Applications for the Global Navigation Satellite System Positions and Velocities
Authors: Ding Hao , Xu XinYu , Pan YuanJin , Jiang WeiPing , Van Dam Tonie
Published: March 2020

To advance geodynamics and geophysical research, high precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations of velocity and position are needed. In this study, we construct a 3‐D model of a ~5.9‐year periodic signal for the Earth surface displacements. This model is mainly based on the determined time sequences and the Y22 spatial pattern of this ~5.9‐year periodic signal from the global Global Positioning System (GPS) observations. Based on the constructed model, we calculate synthetic temporal 3‐D displacements on the Earth surface and the velocity changes, and we compare them to observed GPS displacements. Our results reveal that the ~5.9‐year signal contributes to surface displacements and velocity fields. Maximum displacements for the N, E, and U components can reach up to 0.28, 0.55, and 1.69 mm, respectively; maximum velocity effects can up to 1.69 mm/year for the U component (depending on record length). For those studies which need millimeter or even submillimeter accuracy (e.g., tectonic deformations, glacial isostatic adjustment, and deformations caused by core motions), these effects cannot be simply ignored. Our results also confirm that the model we present here can heavily reduce the ~5.9‐year signal in the original GPS time series. We suggest that our model should be used to pretreatment the GPS data at the observation level, which could improve signals used for geophysical or geodynamic interpretations.
Three‐Dimensional S Wave Velocity Structure of Central Japan Estimated by Surface‐Wave Tomography Using Ambient Noise
Authors: Nimiya H. , Ikeda T. , Tsuji T.
Published: March 2020

Many significant geological features in central Japan reflect the history of tectonic events such as volcanic eruptions, fault ruptures, and the collision of the Izu‐Bonin arc. Because most previous studies focused on deep, large‐scale structures at relatively low resolution or on local structures using high‐resolution data (e.g., active source seismic data), tectonic structures over a wide area throughout central Japan have not been characterized in detail. In this study, we estimated 3D S wave velocity structures with high spatial resolution by extracting surface waves from 1‐year‐long ambient seismic data recorded by the Hi‐net high‐sensitivity seismograph network. We computed cross spectra of ambient noise data between station pairs and then extracted phase velocity dispersion curves using a frequency domain method. We developed an algorithm to calculate phase velocity and obtained numerous dispersion data. We then estimated the 3D S wave velocity structure by applying a direct surface‐wave inversion method. Our results clearly mapped heterogeneous features such as tectonic lines, sedimentary plains, and volcanic systems. We observed some low‐velocity anomalies below volcanoes. Active fault zones identified as low‐velocity zones were consistent with features on seismic reflection profiles. Several geological blocks that are related to the Izu collision were observed around the Izu Peninsula. We observed previously unreported geological features of the island of Honshu. Our high‐resolution S wave velocity model can be used for not only interpretation of geological structures but also hazard assessment of earthquake.
Influences of Solar Forcing at Ultraviolet and Longer Wavelengths on Climate
Authors: Shindell Drew T. , Faluvegi Greg , Schmidt Gavin A.
Published: March 2020

Solar forcing has contributed minimally to modern global warming, but its role in decadal and regional climate change and the mechanisms underlying those impacts remain incompletely understood. Analyses of modern observations show inconsistent surface climate responses to the solar cycle, though a clear signal is found aloft. A “top‐down” mechanism connecting high altitudes to the surface has been documented, as has a “bottom‐up” mechanism mediated by the ocean, but their relative importance remains unclear. To investigate these issues, we performed simulations using the GISS E2‐R climate model exploring both cyclic and constant solar forcing. Simulations were driven by irradiance variations across the spectrum, and at only short (<310 nm) wavelengths, which trigger the “top‐down” mechanism, and long (≥310 nm) wavelengths, which initiate the “bottom‐up” mechanism. We find weak surface temperature response to cyclic solar forcing across all wavelengths despite a clear stratospheric response. In contrast, persistent solar forcing induces clear impacts in both the stratosphere and troposphere, including at the surface. For persistent forcing, tropical areas warm, which is almost entirely attributable to long wavelength forcing, whereas boreal winter extratropical responses include areas of warming and cooling with comparable magnitude impacts for short and long wavelength forcings. Both appear to excite similar annular mode responses, so that there is not a clear separation between the “top‐down” and “bottom‐up” mechanisms. It seems clear, however, that longwave forcing and the “bottom‐up” mechanism dominate the tropical response to solar forcing, whereas both wavelengths/mechanisms can be important at middle to high latitudes, especially during the boreal winter.
Characterization of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of 2019 novel coronavirus: implication for development of RBD protein as a viral attachment inhibitor and vaccine
Authors: Tai Wanbo , He Lei , Zhang Xiujuan , Pu Jing , Voronin Denis , Jiang Shibo , Zhou Yusen , Du Lanying
Published: March 2020

The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a serious threat to global public health, calling for the development of safe and effective prophylactics and therapeutics against infection of its causative agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), also known as 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The CoV spike (S) protein plays the most important roles in viral attachment, fusion and entry, and serves as a target for development of antibodies, entry inhibitors and vaccines. Here, we identified the receptor-binding domain (RBD) in SARS-CoV-2 S protein and found that the RBD protein bound strongly to human and bat angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. SARS-CoV-2 RBD exhibited significantly higher binding affinity to ACE2 receptor than SARS-CoV RBD and could block the binding and, hence, attachment of SARS-CoV-2 RBD and SARS-CoV RBD to ACE2-expressing cells, thus inhibiting their infection to host cells. SARS-CoV RBD-specific antibodies could cross-react with SARS-CoV-2 RBD protein, and SARS-CoV RBD-induced antisera could cross-neutralize SARS-CoV-2, suggesting the potential to develop SARS-CoV RBD-based vaccines for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV infection.
Vibronic mixing enables ultrafast energy flow in light-harvesting complex II
Authors: Arsenault Eric A. , Yoneda Yusuke , Iwai Masakazu , Niyogi Krishna K. , Fleming Graham R.
Published: March 2020

Since the discovery of quantum beats in the two-dimensional electronic spectra of photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes over a decade ago, the origin and mechanistic function of these beats in photosynthetic light-harvesting has been extensively debated. The current consensus is that these long-lived oscillatory features likely result from electronic-vibrational mixing, however, it remains uncertain if such mixing significantly influences energy transport. Here, we examine the interplay between the electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom (DoF) during the excitation energy transfer (EET) dynamics of light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) with two-dimensional electronic-vibrational spectroscopy. Particularly, we show the involvement of the nuclear DoF during EET through the participation of higher-lying vibronic chlorophyll states and assign observed oscillatory features to specific EET pathways, demonstrating a significant step in mapping evolution from energy to physical space. These frequencies correspond to known vibrational modes of chlorophyll, suggesting that electronic-vibrational mixing facilitates rapid EET over moderately size energy gaps.