bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of portosystemic shunts entering the caudal vena cava at the omental foramen in dogs
Authors: White R. N. , Warren‐Smith C. , Shales C. , Parry A. T.
Published: October 2020

STRUCTURED SUMMARY

Objective

To re‐evaluate the anatomy and classification of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts entering the caudal vena cava at the level of the omental foramen.

Material and Methods

A retrospective review of a consecutive series of dogs undergoing CT angiography as part of the diagnostic work‐up for a congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

Results

In total, 53 dogs met the inclusion criteria revealing four anatomically distinct omental foramen shunt types; one of which (32 of 53 dogs) showed no shunting blood flow through the right gastric vein and three of which (21 of 53 dogs) involved shunting flow through this vessel. The anatomy of these four distinct shunt types, as defined by CT angiography, was found to be highly consistent. In all cases, regardless of the tributary vessels, the left gastric vein was the final vessel that communicated with the caudal vena cava. Using these findings, a more accurate naming classification for congenital portosystemic shunts entering the caudal vena cava at the level of the omental foramen was proposed.

Clinical Significance

A precise pre‐treatment anatomical classification of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts entering the caudal vena cava at the level of the omental foramen is important for a more complete understanding of the severity of clinical signs and prognosis, and for the better communication between clinicians and researchers in this clinical field.
Isopentylamine is a novel defence compound induced by insect feeding in rice
Authors: Aboshi Takako , Iitsuka Chiaki , Galis Ivan , Teraishi Masayoshi , Kamo Marina , Nishimura Ayami , Ishihara Atsushi , Mori Naoki , Murayama Tetsuya
Published: October 2020

Plants produce a broad variety of defensive metabolites to protect themselves against herbivorous insects. Although polyamines have been implicated in various responses to abiotic and biotic stress, there have been no studies focused on amines in response to insect herbivory. By screening for bioactive amines, we identified isopentylamine as a novel type of herbivory‐induced compound in rice leaves, which was derived from the amino acid leucine in stable isotope labelling experiments. Accumulation of isopentylamine increased during herbivory by the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens, BPH) and the rice‐feeding armyworm (Mythimna loreyi), as well as in response to treatment with the plant hormone, jasmonic acid. Likewise, isopentylamine accumulation was compromised in rice jasmonate biosynthesis mutants, hebiba and Osjar1. In bio‐assays, BPH insects feeding on rice seedlings submerged in 50 mg/L isopentylamine solution had a higher mortality compared with BPH feeding on seedlings submerged in water. Notably, the rice leaves submerged in 50 mg/L solution showed the endogenous concentrations of isopentylamine similar to that induced by BPHs. These results suggest that isopentylamine functions as a new type of plant defence metabolite that is rapidly induced by herbivore attack and deters insect herbivores in rice.
Effects of 24‐epibrassinolide on plant growth, antioxidants defense system, and endogenous hormones in two wheat varieties under drought stress
Authors: Khan Imran , Awan Samrah Afzal , Ikram Rizwana , Rizwan Muhammad , Akhtar Nosheen , Yasmin Humaira , Sayyed Riyaz Z. , Ali Shafaqat , Ilyas Noshin
Published: October 2020

Drought stress is a major limitation in enhancing agricultural productivity to fulfill the food demand for the world's population. Fertigation of plants with a variety of biochemicals is being used to create drought resistance in wheat; however, the previous work has been limited in addressing these issues in plants at different growth stages. Therefore, a greenhouse study was conducted to ameliorate the drought stress in two wheat varieties (Chakwal‐50 and Faisalabad‐2008) by foliar application of 24‐epibrassinolide (EBL). It was evident that drought stress had a negative effect on the growth, photosynthesis, and yield of wheat plants. EBL significantly enhanced the plant growth both under optimal and drought conditions. EBL improved the plant height, spike length, and the dry weights of roots, shoots, and grains as compared to control. Furthermore, the foliar application of EBL positively enhanced the osmolyte accumulation, increased the amounts of photosynthetic pigments, and improved the gas exchange parameters. The EBL minimized the oxidative stress by reducing electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide contents whereas it enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase under drought stress. The EBL significantly improved the level of stress hormones, such as abscisic acid, indol acetic acid, and cytokinin under drought stress. The growth response of Chakwal‐50 was higher than that of Faisalabad‐2008 when exposed to EBL under drought stress. Overall, the EBL plays a major role in the enhancement of growth, biomass, yield, and decrease in oxidative damage in wheat under drought conditions, however; field investigations with different doses of EBL are needed before any further recommendation.
Stimulating post‐COVID‐19 green recovery by investing in ecological restoration
Authors: Mansuy Nicolas
Published: October 2020

In the face of the global COVID‐19 recession, countries are looking at stimulus packages to kick‐start their stalled economies. The recovery from the COVID‐19 crisis also coincides with a critical opportunity to fight against ecosystem degradation and climate change. In this opinion article, I put in perspective that by investing in ecological restoration, governments do not have to choose between economic priorities and environmental concerns. First, I describe the restoration economy and give real‐world examples of how investing in restoration activities can simultaneously ease pressure on the environment and create immediate jobs and revenues. Then I suggest that to obtain political attraction, a successful restoration strategy will require a triple‐bottom‐line approach to ensure that in addition to environmental objectives, stakeholders integrate socioeconomic outcomes in decision‐making. Finally, I conclude that a new economic approach that prioritizes investment in our ecological capital will necessitate transdisciplinary policies to build bridges across the different silos of the economy and the environment.
Outplanting optimized: developing a more efficient coral attachment technique using Portland cement
Authors: Unsworth Joseph D. , Hesley Dalton , D'Alessandro Martine , Lirman Diego
Published: October 2020

Coral reefs are among the most valuable and vulnerable ecosystems on Earth. Their decline has spurred global interest in efforts to augment native coral populations through coral gardening. As these efforts expand, practitioners are constantly looking for new techniques to reduce costs and increase their restoration footprint. However, commonly employed coral attachment methods limit the numbers of corals that can be outplanted per day, representing a substantial bottleneck in the coral restoration process. Cement has potential as a more cost‐ and time‐efficient coral attachment technique, but research is needed to understand its effects on coral survivorship and develop best practices for its use. Here, we use lab and field tests in a three‐stage elimination format to determine the most effective cement mixture for outplanting Acropora cervicornis. We then compare this new method to two commonly used coral attachment techniques: the nail and cable tie method and two‐part epoxy putty. Our tests identified the optimal cement mix to be a combination of 10 parts type I/II Portland cement to one part silica fume. This mix yielded equivalent survivorship to the other two methods, is quick and easy to use making it ideal for citizen scientists, and has roughly one‐tenth of the material cost of other methods. These results support the wider use of cement for coral outplanting in order to minimize costs, maximize efficiency, and increase the effectiveness of coral restoration efforts around the world.
Postdeposition annealing effect on the reliability of atomic-layer-deposited Al2O3 films on GaN
Authors: Horikawa Kiyotaka , Okubo Satoshi , Kawarada Hiroshi , Hiraiwa Atsushi
Published: October 2020

Atomic-layer-deposited (ALD) Al2O3 is a promising gate insulation material for wide-bandgap semiconductor devices of increasing importance for high-speed and high-power switching operation. This study comprehensively reports on postdeposition annealing (PDA) effects on the reliability of ALD-Al2O3/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor capacitors. High-temperature (450 °C) ALD for the Al2O3 growth was effective for reducing the bias instability (BI) of the capacitors and for suppressing the blisters caused by PDA in the Al2O3 films. The BI of the high-temperature Al2O3 capacitors was reduced more remarkably by PDA at high temperatures. The conduction current in the capacitors was also reduced by PDA at 800 °C and higher by 2 orders of magnitude. The high-temperature PDA, however, caused a positive flat-band voltage shift and increased the distribution of times to breakdown of the capacitors and the interface-state density from 1 × 1011 to 3 × 1012 cm−2 eV−1, causing the large frequency dispersion of C–V characteristics. This increase in the interface-state density was found to be the major cause of the aforementioned flat-band voltage shift by PDA, whereas the stress-induced flat-band voltage shift was mostly due to the negative Al2O3 charging. In agreement with the literature, transmission electron microscope observations demonstrated the crystallization of Al2O3 films by annealing at 800 °C and higher, ascribing the increased distribution of times to breakdown to some crystalline defects in the Al2O3 films. Hence, the best PDA effect was achieved at 700 °C, reducing BI by half in 200 °C operation. For this PDA, the breakdown lifetimes of capacitors were confirmed to be the same, if not longer, as those of unannealed samples even at an elevated temperature of 200 °C, achieving 300 years at the rating of 3 MV/cm, well over the reliability target of 20 years. To put the ALD-Al2O3/GaN capacitors into practical use, PDA possibly needs to be performed before contact formation and their BI should preferably be further improved, simultaneously carrying out its long-term projections.
Spatial inequalities leave micropolitan areas and Indigenous populations underserved by informal STEM learning institutions
Authors: Short Rachel A. , Struminger Rhonda , Zarestky Jill , Pippin James , Wong Minna , Vilen Lauren , Lawing A. Michelle
Published: October 2020

Investments in informal STEM should target underserved counties to reach populations underrepresented in STEM careers.
Cenozoic evolution of the steppe-desert biome in Central Asia
Authors: Barbolini N. , Woutersen A. , Dupont-Nivet G. , Silvestro D. , Tardif D. , Coster P. M. C. , Meijer N. , Chang C. , Zhang H.-X. , Licht A. , Rydin C. , Koutsodendris A. , Han F. , Rohrmann A. , Liu X.-J. , Zhang Y. , Donnadieu Y. , Fluteau F. , Ladant J.-B. , Le Hir G. , Hoorn C.
Published: October 2020

The steppe-desert is much older than previously thought, but has evolved substantially from the Paleogene to the present.
Are small farms more performant than larger ones in developing countries?
Authors: Garzón Delvaux P. A. , Riesgo L. , Gomez y Paloma S.
Published: October 2020

Small farms tend to be less profitable and efficient than larger ones, questioning development strategies in the long run.
Multichannel parallel processing of neural signals in memristor arrays
Authors: Liu Zhengwu , Tang Jianshi , Gao Bin , Li Xinyi , Yao Peng , Lin Yudeng , Liu Dingkun , Hong Bo , Qian He , Wu Huaqiang
Published: October 2020

Memristor array provides a scalable and power-efficient platform for parallel processing of multichannel neural signals.
REGN-COV2 antibodies prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2 infection in rhesus macaques and hamsters
Authors: Baum Alina , Ajithdoss Dharani , Copin Richard , Zhou Anbo , Lanza Kathryn , Negron Nicole , Ni Min , Wei Yi , Mohammadi Kusha , Musser Bret , Atwal Gurinder S. , Oyejide Adelekan , Goez-Gazi Yenny , Dutton John , Clemmons Elizabeth , Staples Hilary M. , Bartley Carmen , Klaffke Benjamin , Alfson Kendra , Gazi Michal , Gonzalez Olga , Dick Edward , Carrion Ricardo , Pessaint Laurent , Porto Maciel , Cook Anthony , Brown Renita , Ali Vaneesha , Greenhouse Jack , Taylor Tammy , Andersen Hanne , Lewis Mark G. , Stahl Neil , Murphy Andrew J. , Yancopoulos George D. , Kyratsous Christos A.
Published: October 2020

A beneficial cocktail

Since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, considerable effort has gone into generating and characterizing neutralizing antibodies that could be used as therapeutics. Studies in humanized mice and convalescent humans led to the development of a cocktail of two potent antibodies that simultaneously bind to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein and prevent the virus from entering host cells. Baum
et al.
evaluated the efficacy of this cocktail, REGN-COV2, in rhesus macaques, which may model mild disease, and in golden hamsters, which present more severe symptoms. The antibody cocktail provided benefits in both models when administered either prophylactically or therapeutically and is currently in clinical trials.

Science
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The Dihydroquinolizinone Compound RG7834 Inhibits the Polyadenylase Function of PAPD5 and PAPD7 and Accelerates the Degradation of Matured Hepatitis B Virus Surface Protein mRNA
Authors: Sun Liren , Zhang Fang , Guo Fang , Liu Fei , Kulsuptrakul Jessie , Puschnik Andreas , Gao Min , Rijnbrand Rene , Sofia Michael , Block Timothy , Zhou Tianlun
Published: October 2020

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) mRNA metabolism is dependent upon host proteins PAPD5 and PAPD7 (PAPD5/7). PAPD5/7 are cellular, noncanonical, poly(A) polymerases (PAPs) whose main function is to oligoadenylate the 3′ end of noncoding RNA (ncRNA) for exosome degradation. HBV seems to exploit these two ncRNA quality-control factors for viral mRNA stabilization, rather than degradation. RG7834 is a small-molecule compound that binds PAPD5/7 and inhibits HBV gene production in both tissue culture and animal study.
Late Mesozoic Paleo-Pacific Plate “scissors-like” subduction: Insight from the magmatism in the Gan-Hang Belt, Southeast China
Authors: Boran Liu , Xilin Zhao , Shengyao Yu , Yang Jiang , Jianren Mao , Mincheng Xu , Zilong Li
Published: October 2020

Though it is widely accepted that the Paleo-Pacific Plate has a subducted beneath the eastern Asian continent, controversy still exists regarding the initial timing and geodynamic model of the subduction. In this contribution, we report new geochronology and geochemical data of granitic plutons within the Gan-Hang Belt in Southeast China. The Damaoshan pluton yields zircon U-Pb ages of 139.60 ± 0.69 Ma and 133.90 ± 1.70 Ma, and the Qianshan and Fenglonggu plutons are dated at 135.70 ± 1.30 Ma and 135.33 ± 0.93 Ma, respectively. The Hecun and Huangtuling plutons yield ages of 157.85 ± 0.77 Ma and 167.10 ± 7.50 Ma, respectively. The Damaoshan pluton has an obvious A-type geochemical signature in terms of major and trace element compositions, such as high K2O + Na2O contents (average 8.46 wt%) and FeOT/MgO ratios (average 10.29). The low CaO/Na2O ratios but high Al2O3/TiO2 (average is 110.05), Rb/Ba (average is 9.14), and Rb/Sr (average is 22.53) ratios indicate a derivation from pelite-derived melt. Meanwhile, we also studied the Mesozoic adakites related to magmatic ore formed during a compressive tectonic setting as well as the later bimodal dikes and A-type granitic plutons formed during the extensional tectonic setting in the Gan-Hang Belt. The multiphase qualitative plutons with geochemical characteristics of the adakitic and island arc types (175–150 Ma) related to the northwestward subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate, several bimodal dikes, and A-type granitic plutons (135–123 Ma) related to the subducted slab roll-back are found within the Gan-Hang Belt. All of these plutons show a decreasing trend of isotopic ages from the inland area to the coast, from SW to NE. We propose that the distribution pattern of these plutons in Southeast China was controlled by a scissors-like subduction and slab roll-back of the Paleo-Pacific Plate, which occurred roughly from SW to NE along the continental margin approximately during the Middle Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous.
Supplemental Material: Dating lacustrine carbonate strata with detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology
Authors: Finzel Emily , Rosenblume Justin
Published: October 2020

Detrital zircon U-Pb analytical data.
Supplemental Material: The “earliest tabulate corals” are not tabulates
Authors: Elias Robert , al. et
Published: October 2020

Table S1 (locations, stratigraphic positions, and ages of specimens, and references and annotations).
Maternal healthcare coverage for first pregnancies in adolescent girls: a systematic comparison with adult mothers in household surveys across 105 countries, 2000–2019
Authors: Li Zhihui , Patton George , Sabet Farnaz , Subramanian SV , Lu Chunling
Published: October 2020

Background

Effective maternal service delivery for adolescent mothers is essential in achieving the targets for maternal mortality under the Sustainable Development Goals. Yet little is known about levels of maternal service coverage in adolescents compared with adult mothers.

Method

We used data from 283 Demographic and Health Surveys or Multiple Cluster Indicator Surveys for 105 countries between 2000 and 2019 to estimate the levels and trends of inequality in coverage of five maternal health services between adolescent girls (aged 15–19) and adult mothers (aged 20–34), including receiving four or more antenatal care visits, delivering with skilled birth attendants and receiving a postnatal check-up within 24 hours of delivery.

Results

We analysed data from 0.9 million adolescent girls and 2.4 million adult mothers. Using the most recent data, we found adolescent girls had poorer coverage across all indicators, with receipt of four or more antenatal care visits 6.5 (95% CI 6.3 to 6.7) percentage points lower than adult mothers, delivery with skilled birth attendants 3.6 (95% CI 3.4 to 3.8) lower and having a postnatal check-up within 24 hours of delivery 3.2 (95% CI 2.8 to 3.6) lower. The coverage was 54.2% (95% CI 53.9 to 54.5) among adolescents for four or more antenatal care visits, 69.7% (95% CI 69.4 to 70.0) for delivery with skilled birth attendants and only 30.0% (95% CI 29.3 to 30.7) for receiving a postnatal check-up within 24 hours of delivery. Country-specific coverage of the maternal services increased over time in most countries, but age-related differences persisted and even worsened in some, particularly in the Western Pacific (eg, Vietnam, Lao, Cambodia and Philippines).

Conclusion

Even though their pregnancies are of higher risk, adolescent girls continue to lag behind adult mothers in maternal service coverage, suggesting a need for age-appropriate strategies to engage adolescents in maternal care.
Preparing children for climate-related disasters
Authors: Seddighi Hamed , Yousefzadeh Sepideh , López López Mónica , Sajjadi Homeira
Published: October 2020

Climate-related disasters affect different dimensions of children’s health and well-being both directly and indirectly. Reducing children’s vulnerability and exposure to climate-related disasters is crucial to protect them against risks. Children as climate-change agents and future leaders at local, national and international level can obviously contribute to reduce vulnerabilities in families and communities and transfer knowledge to them. Moreover, children can advocate for climate change mitigation. In the long term, participation of children in the climate change mitigation programmes may lead to fewer disasters and, consequently, less risk to their health.

As government policies have failed to fully address and respond to the drivers of climate-related disasters, disasters preparedness and education for children should be considered an essential activity to protect children from disaster’s risks.

Main factors in shaping children’s behaviour and response to disaster are increasing the risk perception and knowledge of the children. When a child perceived likelihood, susceptibility and severity of a disaster (such as earthquake), then they would be able and willing to learn how to prepare for that.

So far, disaster education programmes for children have mostly relied on offline school-based training. Different innovative approaches can be applied to continue education within online and digital formats including virtual reality, digital games and online platforms. However, an advocacy support by influential entities such as companies engaged in entertainment industry is required to raise the awareness of public and particularly the children about disaster preparedness.
Normal values and regional differences in oesophageal impedance-pH metrics: a consensus analysis of impedance-pH studies from around the world
Authors: Sifrim Daniel , Roman Sabine , Savarino Edoardo , Bor Serhat , Bredenoord Albert J , Castell Donald , Cicala Michele , de Bortoli Nicola , Frazzoni Marzio , Gonlachanvit Sutep , Iwakiri Katsuhiko , Kawamura Osamu , Krarup Anne , Lee Yeong Yeh , Soon Ngiu Chai , Ndebia Eugene , Patcharatraku Tanisa , Pauwels Ans , Pérez de la Serna Julio , Ramos Rosa , Remes-Troche Jose Maria , Ribolsi Mentore , Sammon Alastair , Simren Magnus , Tack Jan , Tutuian Radu , Valdovinos Miguel , Xiao Yinglian , Zerbib Frank , Gyawali C Prakash
Published: October 2020

Objective

Limitations of existing impedance-pH thresholds include small sample size of normative studies, inclusion of artefactual pH drops and incorrect identification of impedance reflux events. We aimed to obtain new impedance-pH thresholds from expert consensus analysis of tracings from a large number of healthy subjects.

Design

Of 541 studies performed worldwide using two different systems (Diversatek, USA, and Laborie, Netherlands), 150 tracings with oesophageal diagnoses, behavioural disorders and study-related artefacts were excluded. The remainder studies were subject to two reviewer consensus analysis, in-person or through video conference, consisting of editing meals and pH drops, identification of impedance reflux and postreflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave (PSPW) using strict pre-established criteria and measurement of distal mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI).

Results

Consensus analysis was performed in 391 tracings (age 32.7 years, range 18–71, 54.2% female). Normative thresholds were significantly different between Diversatek and Laborie (total acid exposure time: 2.8% and 5%; reflux episodes: 55 and 78; MNBI at 3 cm: 1400 and 1500 ohms, at 5 cm: 1400 and 1800 ohms). Males had higher acid exposure, more reflux episodes and lower MNBI. Significant regional differences were identified, including higher PSPW scores in Western countries, and higher MNBI in Asia using Diversatek, and higher acid exposure in the Netherlands, higher MNBI in Asia and South Africa, and lower MNBI in Turkey using Laborie.

Conclusion

Normal impedance-pH monitoring thresholds have regional and system-related differences. Clinical interpretation needs to use normal thresholds valid for the system used and world region, following careful editing of the tracings.
Describing the density of high-level trauma centers in the 15 largest US cities
Authors: Stey Anne M , Byskosh Alexandria , Etkin Caryn , Mackersie Robert , Stein Deborah M , Bilimoria Karl Y , Crandall Marie L
Published: October 2020

Background

There has been a proliferation of urban high-level trauma centers. The aim of this study was to describe the density of high-level adult trauma centers in the 15 largest cities in the USA and determine whether density was correlated with urban social determinants of health and violence rates.

Methods

The largest 15 US cities by population were identified. The American College of Surgeons’ (ACS) and states’ department of health websites were cross-referenced for designated high-level (levels 1 and 2) trauma centers in each city. Trauma centers and associated 20 min drive radius were mapped. High-level trauma centers per square mile and per population were calculated. The distance between high-level trauma centers was calculated. Publicly reported social determinants of health and violence data were tested for correlation with trauma center density.

Results

Among the 15 largest cities, 14 cities had multiple high-level adult trauma centers. There was a median of one high-level trauma center per every 150 square kilometers with a range of one center per every 39 square kilometers in Philadelphia to one center per596 square kilometers in San Antonio. There was a median of one high-level trauma center per 285 034 people with a range of one center per 175 058 people in Columbus to one center per 870 044 people in San Francisco. The median minimum distance between high-level trauma centers in the 14 cities with multiple centers was 8 kilometers and ranged from 1 kilometer in Houston to 43 kilometers in San Antonio. Social determinants of health, specifically poverty rate and unemployment rate, were highly correlated with violence rates. However, there was no correlation between trauma center density and social determinants of health or violence rates.

Discussion

High-level trauma centers density is not correlated with social determinants of health or violence rates.

Level of evidence

VI.

Study type

Economic/decision.
Sensitivity measuring expected on the electromagnetic anomalous couplings in the tt̄γ vertex at the FCC-he
Authors: Köksal M. , Billur A. A. , Gutiérrez-Rodríguez A. , Hernández-Ruíz M. A.
Published: October 2020

Starting from an effective Lagrangian for the [Formula: see text] interaction of the top-quark, we consider the electroweak production cross-section via charged current and through the [Formula: see text] signal. Further, we derive the sensitivity expected for the magnetic dipole moment [Formula: see text] and the electric dipole moment [Formula: see text] of the top-quark at the Future Circular Collider-hadron electron (FCC-he). We present our study for [Formula: see text], 10 TeV, [Formula: see text], 100, 300, 500, 1000 fb[Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], 80%, [Formula: see text], respectively. We find that the sensitivity estimated on dipole moments of the top-quark is of the order of magnitude [Formula: see text] for both hadronic and leptonic decay modes of [Formula: see text]: [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at 95% C.L. in the hadronic channel with unpolarized electron beam [Formula: see text]. Our results regarding the polarized electron beam for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] at 95% C.L. in the hadronic channel. The corresponding results for the leptonic channel with [Formula: see text], 80% [Formula: see text] are [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], respectively. The results for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in the leptonic channel are weaker than those corresponding to the hadronic channel by a factor of 0.75. Given these prospective sensitivities, the FCC-he is an alternative to study the anomalous couplings of the quark-top that would complement the studies of the LHC with cleaner environments.
Debye screening in generalized quantum electrodynamics
Authors: Bonin C. A. , de Gracia G. B. , Nogueira A. A. , Pimentel B. M.
Published: October 2020

In this work we study the Higgs mechanism and the Debye shielding for the Bopp–Podolsky theory of electrodynamics. We find that not only the massless sector of the Podolsky theory acquires a mass in both these phenomena, but also that its massive sector has its mass changed. Besides exploring the behavior of the screened potentials, we find a peculiar temperature [Formula: see text] associated with the Podolsky length.
Influence of different ratios of Fe and N on the structural, mechanical, electronic properties of FexNy compounds: First-principles study
Authors: Xu Xia , Zeng Wei , Jiang Cheng-Lu , Liu Fu-Sheng , Tang Bin , Liu Qi-Jun
Published: October 2020

The influences of different ratios of Fe and N on the structure, mechanical and electronic properties of Fe[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] compounds were studied by using the first-principles study. Our obtained lattice parameters are in excellent agreement with the experimental data. The calculated density of the Fe[Formula: see text]N1compounds increases with the Fe content, which is almost consistent with the trend of the experimental results. The elastic constants indicate that the Fe[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] compounds are mechanically stable. The values of [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] and Poisson’s ratio indicate that the Fe[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] compounds exhibit ductile manner. As Fe content increases, [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] and Poisson’s ratios decrease monotonically. In particular, Fe4N1has the highest hardness among all the considered Fe[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] compounds. The obtained density of states shows that Fe[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] is metallic in nature. The peak of the state density becomes sharper with the increase of N content, indicating that the localization of these alloys is enhanced. Among the Fe[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] compounds, Fe1N1has been found to be the most stable with respect to the band filling theory calculation.
Improvement of two-dimensional material-based photodetector through surface plasmon
Authors: Bai Minyu , Liu Huan , Xie Fei , Liu Weiguo , Wen Shuai
Published: October 2020

Two-dimensional material-based photodetectors (PDs) show great potential owing to unique optoelectronic characteristics and attract much attention in research. However, poor absorption of two-dimensional material remains a vital restriction. Responsivity improvement by applying Au nanoparticles (NPs) through surface plasmon (SP) is studied both in theory and simulation. The effect of size and NPs distribution density is analyzed concerning absorption promotion and fabrication feasibility. Both absorption spectrum and inner electric field are studied. A novel face-to-face PD is proposed that performs better in visible range. The results can be helpful in two-dimensional material PD design and fabrication where high responsivity is required.
Study on the surface grain state, residual stress and their influence on the deformation of thin-walled parts under ultra-precision cutting
Authors: Chen Yi , Ma Shaoxing , Kong Jinxing , Huang Wen
Published: October 2020

Thin-wall parts have the advantages of light weight and high structural strength and are widely used in industrial fields. As the increasing requirements for the form accuracy and surface quality, ultra-precision cutting has been increasingly used to manufacture thin-walled parts. However, due to the small effect range (less than 10 [Formula: see text]m) of residual stress caused by ultra-precision cutting, it cannot be accurately measured by the conventional methods. Therefore, the research on the residual stress and deformation of thin-walled parts under ultra-precision cutting are currently restricted. In this paper, we first introduced the GIXRD method to solve the technology absence for measuring the ultra-precision cutting conducted residual stress. Based on GIXRD, TEM and dynamic interferometer measurement, the relationship between grain state, residual stress and deformation of thin-walled parts was established. The research works had shown that reducing the cutting depth within a certain range was beneficial to reduce residual stress and deformation. However, there was an extreme point of the cutting parameter. If this extreme point was exceeded, the cutting action would gradually transform from shearing to pressing and pushing, resulting in an increase in residual stress. Therefore, there was an extremely small cutting parameter that minimized residual stress and deformation of the thin-walled member. The results were helpful to understand the mechanism of deformation of thin-walled parts from the perspective of grain size and residual stress, and accordingly established a deformation control method.
Colloidal dispersion gels for in-depth permeability modification
Authors: Suleimanov B. A. , Veliyev E. F. , Naghiyeva N. V.
Published: October 2020

In this study, we describe the synthesis, characterization and evaluation of colloidal dispersion gels (CDGs) to be used as in-situ fluid diversion. The chemical stability of CDGs was improved by modifying the polymer mixture. The CDGs were synthesized by free radical crosslinking polymerization using 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS), Acrylic acid (AAc), partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) and chromium triacetate crosslinker. The effect of crosslinker/polymer concentration, salinity, gelation time, rheological behavior, particle size distribution of CDGs, also their thermo-chemical stabilities and resistance/residual resistance factor (RRF) were investigated.
Lumps, breathers, and interaction solutions of a (3+1)-dimensional generalized Kadovtsev–Petviashvili equation
Authors: Ma Xi , Xia Tie-Cheng , Guo Handong
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we use the Hirota bilinear method to find the [Formula: see text]-soliton solution of a [Formula: see text]-dimensional generalized Kadovtsev–Petviashvili (KP) equation. Then, we obtain the [Formula: see text]-order breathers of the equation, and combine the long-wave limit method to give the [Formula: see text]-order lumps. Resorting to the extended homoclinic test technique, we obtain the breather-kink solutions for the equation. Last, the interaction solution composed of the [Formula: see text]-soliton solution, [Formula: see text]-breathers, and [Formula: see text]-lumps for the [Formula: see text]-dimensional generalized KP equation is constructed.
CHARACTERISING ABSORPTIVE CAPACITY SUPPORTING SMEs’ LEARNINGS WITHIN COLLABORATIVE INNOVATION NETWORKS: INSIGHTS FROM MULTI-LEVEL CASE STUDIES
Authors: BENHAYOUN LAMIAE , LE-DAIN MARIE-ANNE , DOMINGUEZ-PÉRY CARINE
Published: October 2020

Through collaborative innovation networks (CINs), SMEs access valuable knowledge which requires the deployment of their absorptive capacity (ACAP) to be efficiently used. A small and medium enterprise (SME) absorbs this knowledge to fulfil reciprocal learning for achieving the network innovation goal, but also one-way learning to individually improve its performance. Nevertheless, no study explains how these opposing learnings unfold for SMEs in CINs to guide their ACAP deployment. Based on three cases of CINs including SMEs and two focus groups, we propose a characterisation of ACAP supporting SMEs’ learnings within CINs. As a result, an SME deploys acquisition, assimilation and application actions and attitudes to contribute to the CIN’s setting-up and operational stages, while fulfilling one-way learning. These practices have different focuses and intensity according to the network stage and the SME’s contextual setting. Hence, this study highlights the peculiarities of ACAP that enable SMEs in CINs manage the interplay between reciprocal and one-way learnings.
The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters: How and When Biased Input Shapes Mathematics Learning
Authors: Siegler Robert S. , Im Soo-hyun , Schiller Lauren K. , Tian Jing , Braithwaite David W.
Published: October 2020

Children's failure to reason often leads to their mathematical performance being shaped by spurious associations from problem input and overgeneralization of inapplicable procedures rather than by whether answers and procedures make sense. In particular, imbalanced distributions of problems, particularly in textbooks, lead children to create spurious associations between arithmetic operations and the numbers they combine; when conceptual knowledge is absent, these spurious associations contribute to the implausible answers, flawed strategies, and violations of principles characteristic of children's mathematics in many areas. To illustrate mechanisms that create flawed strategies in some areas but not others, we contrast computer simulations of fraction and whole number arithmetic. Most of their mechanisms are similar, but the model of fraction arithmetic lacks conceptual knowledge that precludes strategies that violate basic mathematical principles. Presentingbalanced problem distributions and inculcating conceptual knowledge for distinguishing flawed from legitimate strategies are promising means for improving children's learning.
Understanding and Responding to Health Literacy as a Social Determinant of Health
Authors: Nutbeam Don , Lloyd Jane E.
Published: October 2020

Evidence of a social gradient in health literacy has been found in all reported national population surveys. Health literacy is a midstream determinant of health but not a panacea for addressing health inequities created by the maldistribution of opportunity and resources. It is possible to optimize the contribution health literacy makes in mediating the causes and effects of established social determinants of health. Existing interventions demonstrate the feasibility of improving health literacy among higher-risk populations, but research remains underdeveloped and effects on health inequity are largely untested. Future health literacy intervention research should focus on ( a) improving the quality of health communication that reaches a diversity of populations, especially by improving frontline professional skills and support; ( b) enabling people to develop transferable skills in accessing, understanding, analyzing, and applying health information; and ( c) ensuring that priority is proportionate to need by reaching and engaging the population groups who are disproportionately affected by low health literacy.
Modeling Player and Team Performance in Basketball
Authors: Terner Zachary , Franks Alexander
Published: October 2020

In recent years, analytics has started to revolutionize the game of basketball: Quantitative analyses of the game inform team strategy; management of player health and fitness; and how teams draft, sign, and trade players. In this review, we focus on methods for quantifying and characterizing basketball gameplay. At the team level, we discuss methods for characterizing team strategy and performance, while at the player level, we take a deep look into a myriad of tools for player evaluation. This includes metrics for overall player value, defensive ability, and shot modeling, and methods for understanding performance over multiple seasons via player production curves. We conclude with a discussion on the future of basketball analytics and, in particular, highlight the need for causal inference in sports.
Iterative Scheme for Split Variational Inclusion and a Fixed-Point Problem of a Finite Collection of Nonexpansive Mappings
Authors: Dilshad M. , Aljohani A. F. , Akram M.
Published: October 2020

This article is aimed at introducing an iterative scheme to approximate the common solution of split variational inclusion and a fixed-point problem of a finite collection of nonexpansive mappings. It is proven that under some suitable assumptions, the sequences achieved by the proposed iterative scheme converge strongly to a common element of the solution sets of these problems. Some consequences of the main theorem are also given. Finally, the convergence analysis of the sequences achieved from the iterative scheme is illustrated with the help of a numerical example.
An Improved Whale Algorithm for Setting Standard Scheduled Block Time Based on the Airline Fairness
Authors: Wang Qian , Tian Yong , Lin Lili , Vanga Ratnaji , Ma Lina
Published: October 2020

Standard scheduled flight block time (SBT) setting is of great concern for Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and airlines in China. However, the standard scheduled flight block times are set in the form of on-site meetings in practice and current literature has not provided any efficient mathematical models to calculate the flight block times fairly among the airlines. The objective of this paper is to develop and solve a mathematical model for standard SBT setting with consideration of both fairness and reliability. We use whale optimization algorithm (WOA) and an improved version of the whale optimization algorithm (IWOA) to solve the SBT setting problem. A novel nonlinear update equation of convergence factor for random iterations is used in place of the original linear one in the proposed IWOA algorithm. Experimental results show that the suggested approach is effective, and IWOA performs better than WOA in the concerned problem, whose solutions are better compared to the flight block times released by CAAC. In particular, it is interesting to find that MSE, RMSE, MAE, MAPE and Theil of the reliability in 60%–70% range are always the smallest and the average fairness of airlines is better than that of 60%–75% range. The model and solving approach presented in this article have great potential to be applied by CAAC to determine the standard SBTs strategically.
Detection of Electrophysiological Activity of Amygdala during Anesthesia Using Stereo‐EEG: A Preliminary Research in Anesthetized Epileptic Patients
Authors: Liang Tao , Wu Fan , Sun Yongxing , Wang Baoguo
Published: October 2020

Recent studies of anesthesia mechanisms have focused on neuronal network and functional connectivity. The stereo‐electroencephalography (SEEG) recordings provide appropriate temporal and spatial resolution to study whole‐brain dynamics; however, the feasibility to detect subcortical signals during anesthesia still needs to be studied with clinical evidence. Here, we focus on the amygdala to investigate if SEEG can be used to detect cortical and subcortical electrophysiological activity in anesthetized epileptic patients. Therefore, we present direct evidence in humans that SEEG indeed can be used to record cortical and subcortical electrophysiological activity during anesthesia. The study was carried out in propofol‐anesthetized five epileptic patients. The electrophysiology activity of the amygdala and other cortical areas from anesthesia to the recovery of consciousness was investigated using stereo‐EEG (SEEG). Results indicated that with the decrease of propofol concentration, power spectral density (PSD) in the delta band of the amygdala significantly decreased. When it was close to recovery, the correlation between the amygdala and ipsilateral temporal lobe significantly decreased followed by a considerable increase when awake. The findings of the current study suggest SEEG as an effective tool for providing direct evidence of the anesthesia mechanism.
Chinese Medicine Huzhen Tongfeng Formula Effectively Attenuates Gouty Arthritis by Inhibiting Arachidonic Acid Metabolism and Inflammatory Mediators
Authors: Deng Jianping , Wu Zicong , Chen Chen , Zhao Zhenling , Li Yifei , Su Zhengquan , Lin Yiguang , Wang Yifei , Wang Zhiping
Published: October 2020

The Chinese herbal medicine, Huzhen Tongfeng Formula (HZTF), derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practice, has recognized therapeutic benefits for gouty arthritis (GA). HZTF is currently in the late stage of approval process as a new anti-GA drug application. However, the underlying mechanism of HZTF as an antigout medication is unclear. In this study, we combined network pharmacology and experimental validation approaches to elucidate the mechanism of action of HZTF. First, the relative drug-disease target networks were constructed and analyzed for pathway enrichment. Potential pathways were then validated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. We found that 34 compounds from HZTF matched 181 potential drug targets. Topology analysis revealed 77 core targets of HZTF, which were highly related to gout, following screening of KEGG pathway enrichment. Further analysis demonstrated that the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway was the most relevant pathway involved in the mechanism of HZTF. Validation experiments showed that HZTF significantly inhibited the inflammatory cell infiltration into gouty joints, improved the swelling of affected joints, and increased the pain threshold. HZTF significantly reduced the transcription and production of various cytokines and inflammatory mediators in vitro. In particular, cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2, and 5-lipoxygenase were simultaneously downregulated. In conclusion, our study suggests that the antigout mechanism of HZTF is associated with the inhibition of the arachidonic acid pathway, resulting in the suppression of inflammatory cytokines and mediators. These findings extend our understanding of the pharmacological action of HZTF, rationalizing the application HZTF as an effective herbal therapy for GA.
Relationship between Obesity and Dental Caries in Saudi Male Adolescents
Authors: Al-Ansari Asim , Nazir Muhammad
Published: October 2020

Introduction. Obesity and dental caries are global public health problems. There are conflicting reports about the relationship between caries and obesity. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the association between obesity and dental caries among male adolescents. Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study included a sample of 258 male students’ aged 12 to 15 years from schools in Dammam/Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The study involved measuring caries prevalence and DMFT estimates, assessing body mass index (BMI), and administering a self-completion questionnaire. Independent samples Student’s t-test, one-way ANOVA test, Pearson’s correlation test, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results. Caries prevalence of the sample was 79.8%, and the mean score of DMFT was 3.55 ± 2.94. The mean BMI of participants was 23.42 ± 6.82 and 18% were obese (BMI > 30). The obese participants had a higher mean DMFT score (4.46 ± 3.54) than nonobese participants (3.35 ± 2.77) (P=0.021). Similarly, the mean untreated caries was higher in obese (4.17 ± 3.22) than in nonobese participants (3.01 ± 2.66) (P=0.010). In the logistic regression analysis, after controlling for father’s education, family history of obesity, meals per day, fast food per week, and physical activity in the final model, the participants with high caries experience (DMFT = 5–15) were 2.21 times more likely to have obesity than those with low caries experience (DMFT = 0–4) (P=0.04). No/school education of father (odds ratio 3.54, P=0.011), family history of obesity (odds ratio 3.27, P=0.002), and not performing physical activity (odds ratio 4.37, P=0.002) were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of obesity. Conclusion. The prevalence of caries and obesity was high in male adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Obesity was significantly associated with untreated caries and caries experience. Children with high caries experience were more likely to have obesity than children with low caries experience. Preventive programs and policies should address public health issues related to caries and obesity in male teenagers.