bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postoperative analgesic efficacy of caudal dexamethasone added to bupivacaine vs bupivacaine alone for pediatric elective infra-umbilical surgery at (Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital), Ethiopia: Prospective cohort study
Authors: Gashaw Amanu , Dendir Getahun , sitot Mulualem , Balcha Bahailu , Aweke Zemedu
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACT

Background:

Caudal block is the most preferred technique of postoperative analgesia in pediatrics, despite its limited duration of action. Many additives are used to improve the efficacy of caudal blocks, such as opioids or α2 agonists. Recently, there has been increased use of caudal dexamethasone as postoperative analgesia.

Objective:

To assess the efficacy of adding caudal dexamethasone on bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia in pediatric infra-umbilical surgery.

Method:

A prospective cohort study design was employed for two equal groups of 30 children aged 1–14 years scheduled for infra-umbilical surgery under caudal bupivacaine; those exposed to dexamethasone (BD) were considered to be the exposed group and those exposed to bupivacaine alone (B) were the non-exposed group. Pain severity, first analgesia request time as well as analgesic consumption were assessed using Mann-Whitney U test for 24 h. Chi-square test was used to analyze the homogenous categorical independent variables between these two groups and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Result:

The dexamethasone with bupivacaine group had significant prolonged postoperative analgesia with a median of 915 (650–1,440) minutes compared with 433 (328–555) minutes in the bupivacaine-alone group (p < 0.001). Moreover, the total analgesic consumption was significantly lower in the dexamethasone group with a median total dose of 55 (0–250) mg compared with 402 (95–812) mg in the bupivacaine group with (p < 0.001). Pain score in the dexamethasone group was reduced, being statically significant at 4th, 8th and 12th hrs.

Conclusion:

Dexamethasone with bupivacaine decreases postoperative pain severity and total analgesic consumption and prolongs the duration of analgesia. Therefore, we recommend the use of caudal dexamethasone with bupivacaine as an effective option for postoperative analgesia.

Highlights:
Latin America in Colonial Times
Authors: Restall Matthew , Lane Kris
Published: May 2020

Few milestones in human history are as momentous as the meeting of three great civilizations on American soil in the sixteenth century. The fully revised textbook Latin America in Colonial Times presents that story in an engaging but informative new package, revealing how a new civilization and region - Latin America - emerged from that encounter. The authors give equal attention to the Spanish and Portuguese conquerors and settlers, to the African slaves they brought across the Atlantic, and to the indigenous peoples whose lands were invaded. From the dawn of empires in the fifteenth century, through the conquest age of the sixteenth and to the end of empire in the nineteenth, the book combines broad brushstrokes with anecdotal details that bring the era to life. This new edition incorporates the newest scholarship on Spain, Portugal, and Atlantic Africa, in addition to Latin America itself, with indigenous and African views and women's experiences and contributions to colonial society highlighted throughout.
V. Balance and Imbalance: The Papacy and the Contested Legacies of the Vatican Councils
Authors: Blanchard Shaun
Published: May 2020

Toward the end of his magisterial study of Catholic ecclesiological struggles spanning 1300 to 1870 CE, Francis Oakley employed a striking image to illustrate the victory of papalism over conciliarism. After Vatican I, the “solitary horseman” left on a desolate “ecclesiological battlefield” many centuries in the making was “none other than the resilient ghost of Bellarmine.” By this image, Oakley meant that Pastor Aeternus’ twin definitions of papal infallibility and jurisdictional supremacy represented the definitive triumph of the ultramontane school, as typified by the counter-reformation Jesuit Cardinal Robert Bellarmine. For Oakley—and in this point he echoed a common interpretation—Vatican I consigned conciliar and constitutionalist Catholic ecclesiologies to “oblivion.”
II. The Role of a Theologian in Genocide Prevention: Theology in Postgenocide Rwanda
Authors: Rutagambwa Elisee
Published: May 2020

When the world came to its senses after the Second World War and reports of the horrors of the Holocaust began to spread, the international community reacted with disbelief. And when reality proved much worse than even the worst nightmare, the world community reacted unanimously with a general outcry: crimes of this magnitude must never happen again. It appeared quite clear that, in the future, the international community would never again remain inactive in the face of such appalling tragedy. Yet, the firm imperative “never again” has become “again and again,” and the same dreadful crimes have been repeated in many parts of the world.
Problems with products? Control strategies for models with interaction and quadratic effects
Authors: Beiser-McGrath Janina , Beiser-McGrath Liam F.
Published: May 2020

Models testing interactive and quadratic hypotheses are common in Political Science but control strategies for these models have received little attention. Common practice is to simply include additive control variables, without relevant product terms, into models with interaction or quadratic terms. In this paper, we show in Monte Carlos that interaction terms can absorb the effects of other un-modeled interaction and non-linear effects and analogously, that included quadratic terms can reflect omitted interactions and non-linearities. This problem even occurs when included and omitted product terms do not share any constitutive terms. We show with Monte Carlo experiments that regularized estimators, the adaptive Lasso, Kernel Regularized Least Squares (KRLS), and Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART) can prevent the misattribution of interactive/quadratic effects, minimize the problems of efficiency loss and overfitting, and have low false-positive rates. We illustrate how inferences drawn can change when relevant product terms are used in the control strategy using a recent paper. Implementing the recommendations of this paper would increase the reliability of conditional and non-linear relationships estimated in many papers in the literature.
Genetic analysis and screening of detoxification-related genes in an amitraz-resistant strain of Panonychus citri
Authors: Yu Shi-Jiang , Cong Lin , Liu Hao-Qiang , Ran Chun
Published: May 2020

Panonychus citri (McGregor) is the most common pest in citrus-producing regions. Special low-toxicity acaricides, such as spirocyclic tetronic acids and mite growth inhibitors, have been used for a long time in China. However, pesticide resistance in mites is a growing problem due to the lack of new acaricide development. Wide-spectrum insecticides, such as amitraz have gained acceptance among fruit growers. An amitraz-resistant strain of P. citri was obtained by indoor screening to examine field resistance monitoring of mites to acaricides and to explore the resistant mechanism of mites against amitraz. The amitraz-resistant strain of P. citri had an LC50 value of 2361.45 mg l−1. The resistance ratio was 81.35 times higher in the resistant strain of P. citri compared with the sensitive strain. Crossing experiments between the sensitive and resistant strains of P. citri were conducted, resulting in a D value of 0.11 for F1 SS♀×RS♂ and 0.06 for F1 RS♀×SS♂. Reciprocal cross experiments showed that the dose–mortality curves for the F1 generations coincided, indicating that the resistance trait was not affected by cytoplasmic inheritance. The dose–expected response relationship was evaluated in the backcross generation and a significant difference was observed compared with the actual value. The above results indicate that the inheritance of resistance trait was incompletely dominant, governed by polygenes on the chromosome. Synergism studies demonstrated that cytochrome P450s and esterase may play important roles in the detoxification of amitraz. Based on differential gene analysis, 23 metabolism-related genes of P. citri were identified, consistent with the results of synergism studies. Real-time PCR verification implied that P450s, ABC transporters, and acetylcholinesterase might influence the detoxification of amitraz by P. citri. These results provide the genetic and molecular foundation for the management of pest mite resistance.
New kinetic cyclotron instability for electron beam in time-changing magnetic fields
Authors: Vorgul Irena , Ayling M. , Straub C. R. , MacKay D. M. , Houghton J. D. , Lamb G. A.
Published: May 2020

This paper examines the velocity distribution function and cyclotron resonance conditions for a beam of electrons moving in a magnetic field which gradually changes with time. A spatial gradient of magnetic field is known to result in an unstable horseshoe distribution of electrons. The field gradient in time adds additional effects due to an induced electric field. The resultant anisotropic velocity distribution function, which we call a Luvdisk distribution, has some distinctive properties when compared to the horseshoe. Fitting the cyclotron resonance condition circle shows that the frequency of the resultant emission is under the local cyclotron frequency. While the spatial gradient results in the emission coming almost perpendicularly to the field, the direction of the radiation under a time-changing field has more variability. The Luvdisk distribution also arises when the magnetic field has a gradient both in space and time. The beam can be unstable if those gradients are added or subtracted from each other (if the gradients are of equal or different sign), which occurs even when the total change of magnetic field is negative. While the frequency of the emission is related to the final magnetic field value, its direction is indicative of the field’s history which produced the instability.
A blockchain-based database management system
Authors: Samantha Tharani Jeyakumar , Tharmakulasingam Mukunthan , Muthukkumarasamy Vallipuram
Published: May 2020

The software and hardware applications are clearly on the way of becoming an integral tool of business, communication and popular culture in many parts of the world. People are interacting with the environment via the Internet to perform physical activities remotely. These applications are hosted in the public or private servers under the control of the server admin. The users’ online usage data can be stored in public or private cloud platforms, used for processing and monitoring users’ online behaviour and emotional factors and shared with third parties to facilitate making their business decisions. When users allow their data to be collected via software applications and mobile devices, users need to have some level of trust and control over their data. But, software applications or mobile devices connected to the cloud server using client–server architecture does not ensure the reliability, security and integrity among their data. To get over these kinds of limitations, we propose a database management system using blockchain technology that can be used by any software applications. The blockchain database connected to the cloud server can be used to increase the trustfulness of the application. Blockchain has the capability to provide decentralization, immutability and owner-controlled digital assets among software applications. Since users can save their data in a shared transaction repository with tamper-resistant records, it enables related parties to access and control users’ data without the need for a central control system.
Mathematical Entities without Objects. On Realism in Mathematics and a Possible Mathematization of (Non)Platonism: Does Platonism Dissolve in Mathematics?
Authors: Paul Thierry
Published: May 2020

By looking at three significant examples in analysis, geometry and dynamical systems, I propose the possibility of having two levels of realism in mathematics: the upper one, the one of entities; and a subordinated ground one, the one of objects. The upper level (entities) is more the one of ‘operations’, of mathematics in action, of the dynamics of mathematics, whereas the ground floor (objects) is more dedicated to culturally well-defined objects inherited from our perception of the physical or real world. I will show that the upper level is wider than the ground level, therefore foregrounding the possibility of having in mathematics entities without underlying objects. In the three examples treated in this article, this splitting of levels of reality is created directly by the willingness to preserve different symmetries, which take the form of identities or equivalences. Finally, it is proposed that mathematical Platonism is – in fine – a true branch of mathematics in order for mathematicians to avoid the temptation of falling into the Platonist alternative ‘everything is real’/‘nothing is real’.
The Institutional Lock-out of Sustainable Transport Technologies: Inherent, Intentional, Invertible?
Authors: Bi Stephen
Published: May 2020

The worldwide transportation sector remains 93% dependent on the oil industry. While other economic sectors in developed nations have begun to decarbonize in recent decades, greenhouse gas emissions from transportation have continued to rise. This article examines how automobiles came to be so dependent on a finite and socially detrimental resource when electric and ethanol-powered vehicles have always offered distinct performance advantages, and how the latter vehicles fell from socio-political favour to technological lock-out.
Stationsäquivalente Behandlung
Authors: Holzke Martin , Gottlob Melanie , Längle Gerhard
Published: May 2020

Zusammenfassung. Seit dem 1. Januar 2018 wird die stationsäquivalente Behandlung (StäB) als Behandlungsoption in den Versorgungsregionen Südwürttembergs angeboten. Der Beitrag stellt die seither gesammelten Umsetzungserfahrungen, Finanzierungsmodelle und Herausforderungen dar.
Selbstkonzept überdenken
Authors: Pauge Matthias , Thomese Marvin , Müller Katharina
Published: May 2020

Zusammenfassung. Seit April 2019 bietet die LWL-Klinik Dortmund als eine von drei Kliniken in Nordrhein-Westfalen die stationsäquivalente Behandlung (StäB) als Behandlungsform an. Behandelt werden Patienten, bei denen StäB eine gleichwertige Alternative zu einer reinen stationären Behandlung darstellt und die sich für diese Behandlungsform eignen. Es gibt kein diagnostisches Ausschlusskriterium für eine Aufnahme in StäB. Voraussetzung ist die Absprachefähigkeit der Patienten sowie die Möglichkeit des Zugangs des Behandlungsteams zu den eigenen vier Wänden. Das Behandlungsteam setzt sich aus Pflegefachkräften unterschiedlicher Fachrichtungen, Psychiatern, einer Genesungsbegleiterin, einer Psychologin, einer Sozialarbeiterin und Ergotherapeuten zusammen. Der Artikel beschäftigt sich primär mit den Perspektiven der beiden Berufsgruppen, die mit der Organisation und Durchführung der alltäglichen Versorgung am meisten konfrontiert sind – nämlich Pflegefachpersonen und Genesungsbegleiter.
Toward a Unified Model for the Thermal State of the Planetary Mantle: Estimations From Mean Field Deep Learning
Authors: Shahnas M. H. , Pysklywec R. N.
Published: May 2020

The cooling of terrestrial planets depends upon the mechanism whereby heat is transferred from the interior to the surface and thereafter is radiated to the space. The surface boundary condition, geometry, internal processes, and the Rayleigh number are the most important controlling parameter influencing the rate of cooling. In this study we employ machine learning algorithms to train learning models that estimate the thermal state of the planets based on their curvature (f = rcmb/rsurf), Rayleigh number, and internal heating for two end member planets—rigid and free‐slip surface planets. Three‐dimension‐spherical control volume models are used to generate training samples. Employing regression learning algorithms, we show that supervised machine learning (SML) techniques can successfully predict the thermal state of the simplified model planets (predicted results versus calculated) with the possibility of extending the method to the actual planets where the complexities are incorporated into the model. The predictive models can be used in estimation of the surface heat flux and the planets' mean temperature. We find that deep learned models provide higher prediction accuracies than those obtained from simple machine leaning models with polynomialized features. The prediction accuracies in deep learned models for the unseen data approached 99% for both mean mantle temperature and mean surface heat flux. As such, deep learning techniques can be employed in more complex mantle problems in which more complex and highly pressure and temperature dependent processes are present.
Improvements in Circumpolar Southern Hemisphere Extratropical Atmospheric Circulation in CMIP6 Compared to CMIP5
Authors: Bracegirdle T. J. , Holmes C. R. , Hosking J. S. , Marshall G. J. , Osman M. , Patterson M. , Rackow T.
Published: May 2020

One of the major globally relevant systematic biases in previous generations of climate models has been an equatorward bias in the latitude of the Southern Hemisphere (SH) mid‐latitude tropospheric eddy driven westerly jet. The far‐reaching implications of this for Southern Ocean heat and carbon uptake and Antarctic land and sea ice are key reasons why addressing this bias is a high priority. It is therefore of primary importance to evaluate the representation of the SH westerly jet in the latest generation of global climate and earth system models that comprise the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). In this paper we assess the representation of major indices of SH extratropical atmospheric circulation in CMIP6 by comparison against both observations and the previous generation of CMIP5 models. Indices assessed are the latitude and speed of the westerly jet, variability of the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), and representation of the Amundsen Sea Low (ASL). These are calculated from the historical forcing simulations of both CMIP5 and CMIP6 for time periods matching available observational and reanalysis data sets. From the 39 CMIP6 models available at the time of writing there is an overall reduction in the equatorward bias of the annual mean westerly jet from 1.9° in CMIP5 to 0.4° in CMIP6 and from a seasonal perspective the reduction is clearest in austral spring and summer. This is accompanied by a halving of the bias of SAM decorrelation timescales compared to CMIP5. However, no such overall improvements are evident for the ASL.
Observed Relationships Between the Urban Heat Island, Urban Pollution Island, and Downward Longwave Radiation in the Beijing Area
Authors: Li Ju , Zhou Mingyu , Lenschow Donald H. , Cheng Zhigang , Dou Youjun
Published: May 2020

We used the mean air temperature and particulate matter concentration at northern and southern rural stations as rural background values to calculate the urban heat island intensity (UHII) and urban pollution island intensity (UPII) for Beijing. The correlation between UHII and UPII is significantly negative in winter during the daytime and nighttime when selecting southern rural background stations but significantly positive in spring during both daytime and nighttime and in winter during the nighttime when selecting northern rural background stations. The downward longwave radiation (DLR) is highly correlated with surface air temperature and water vapor, and with particulate matter concentration in winter and summer. Water vapor also has a high correlation with particulate matter concentration in winter and summer. Winter data were used to investigate the particulate matter contribution to DLR to minimize the effect of humidity. The results indicate that in winter the urban area DLR and net radiation increased more than rural area under polluted conditions compared with clean conditions, which may lead to an increase in UHII. But in other seasons with more moisture, the aerosol effect on DLR is smaller than water vapor. Our results imply that the contribution of air pollutants to DLR had been overestimated in recent studies without removing water vapor effects on the longwave radiation. We suggest that the interaction between the urban heat island and the urban pollution island and related mitigation strategies needs to be carefully studied in the future by considering different climate zone and seasons.
Thermal manipulation of plasmons in atomically thin films
Authors: Dias Eduardo J. C. , Yu Renwen , García de Abajo F. Javier
Published: May 2020

Nanoscale photothermal effects enable important applications in cancer therapy, imaging and catalysis. These effects also induce substantial changes in the optical response experienced by the probing light, thus suggesting their application in all-optical modulation. Here, we demonstrate the ability of graphene, thin metal films, and graphene/metal hybrid systems to undergo photothermal optical modulation with depths as large as >70% over a wide spectral range extending from the visible to the terahertz frequency domains. We envision the use of ultrafast pump laser pulses to raise the electron temperature of graphene during a picosecond timescale in which its mid-infrared plasmon resonances undergo dramatic shifts and broadenings, while visible and near-infrared plasmons in the neighboring metal films are severely attenuated by the presence of hot graphene electrons. Our study opens a promising avenue toward the active photothermal manipulation of the optical response in atomically thin materials with potential applications in ultrafast light modulation.
Low sample volume origami-paper-based graphene-modified aptasensors for label-free electrochemical detection of cancer biomarker-EGFR
Authors: Wang Yang , Sun Shuai , Luo Jinping , Xiong Ying , Ming Tao , Liu Juntao , Ma Yuanyuan , Yan Shi , Yang Yue , Yang Zhugen , Reboud Julien , Yin Huabing , Cooper Jonathan M. , Cai Xinxia
Published: May 2020

In this work, an electrochemical paper-based aptasensor was fabricated for label-free and ultrasensitive detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by employing anti-EGFR aptamers as the bio-recognition element. The device used the concept of paper-folding, or origami, to serve as a valve between sample introduction and detection, so reducing sampling volumes and improving operation convenience. Amino-functionalized graphene (NH2-GO)/thionine (THI)/gold particle (AuNP) nanocomposites were used to modify the working electrode not only to generate the electrochemical signals, but also to provide an environment conducive to aptamer immobilization. Electrochemical characterization revealed that the formation of an insulating aptamer–antigen immunocomplex would hinder electron transfer from the sample medium to the working electrode, thus resulting in a lower signal. The experimental results showed that the proposed aptasensor exhibited a linear range from 0.05 to 200 ngmL−1 (R2 = 0.989) and a detection limit of 5 pgmL−1 for EGFR. The analytical reliability of the proposed paper-based aptasensor was further investigated by analyzing serum samples, showing good agreement with the gold-standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
A phylogenetically novel cyanobacterium most closely related to Gloeobacter
Authors: Grettenberger Christen L , Sumner Dawn Y , Wall Kate , Brown C Titus , Eisen Jonathan A , Mackey Tyler J , Hawes Ian , Jospin Guillaume , Jungblut Anne D
Published: May 2020

Clues to the evolutionary steps producing innovations in oxygenic photosynthesis may be preserved in the genomes of organisms phylogenetically placed between non-photosynthetic Vampirovibrionia (formerly Melainabacteria) and the thylakoid-containing Cyanobacteria. However, only two species with published genomes are known to occupy this phylogenetic space, both within the genus Gloeobacter. Here, we describe nearly complete, metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of an uncultured organism phylogenetically placed near Gloeobacter, for which we propose the name Candidatus Aurora vandensis {Au’ro.ra. L. fem. n. aurora, the goddess of the dawn in Roman mythology; van.de’nsis. N.L. fem. adj. vandensis of Lake Vanda, Antarctica}. The MAG of A. vandensis contains homologs of most genes necessary for oxygenic photosynthesis including key reaction center proteins. Many accessory subunits associated with the photosystems in other species either are missing from the MAG or are poorly conserved. The MAG also lacks homologs of genes associated with the pigments phycocyanoerethrin, phycoeretherin and several structural parts of the phycobilisome. Additional characterization of this organism is expected to inform models of the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis.
Tools for successful proliferation: diverse strategies of nutrient acquisition by a benthic cyanobacterium
Authors: Tee H S , Waite D , Payne L , Middleditch M , Wood S , Handley K M
Published: May 2020

Freshwater cyanobacterial blooms have increased worldwide, channeling organic carbon into these systems, and threatening animal health through the production of cyanotoxins. Both toxic and nontoxic Microcoleus proliferations usually occur when there are moderate concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen, but when phosphorus is scarce. In order to understand how Microcoleus establishes thick biofilms (or mats) on riverbeds under phosphorus-limiting conditions, we collected Microcoleus-dominated biofilms over a 19-day proliferation event for proteogenomics. A single pair of nitrogen-dependent Microcoleus species were consistently present in relatively high abundance, although each followed a unique metabolic trajectory. Neither possessed anatoxin gene clusters, and only very low concentrations of anatoxins (~2 µg kg−1) were detected, likely originating from rarer Microcoleus species also present. Proteome allocations were dominated by photosynthesizing cyanobacteria and diatoms, and data indicate biomass was actively recycled by Bacteroidetes and Myxococcales. Microcoleus likely acquired nutrients throughout the proliferation event by uptake of nitrate, urea, and inorganic and organic phosphorus. Both species also harbored genes that could be used for inorganic phosphate solubilization with pyrroloquinoline quinone cofactors produced by cohabiting Proteobacteria. Results indicate that Microcoleus are equipped with diverse mechanisms for nitrogen and phosphorus acquisition, enabling them to proliferate and out-compete others in low-phosphorus waters.
The microbiome of alpine snow algae shows a specific inter-kingdom connectivity and algae-bacteria interactions with supportive capacities
Authors: Krug Lisa , Erlacher Armin , Markut Katharina , Berg Gabriele , Cernava Tomislav
Published: May 2020

Mutualistic interactions within microbial assemblages provide a survival strategy under extreme conditions; however, little is known about the complexity of interaction networks in multipartite, free-living communities. In the present study, the interplay within algae-dominated microbial communities exposed to harsh environmental influences in the Austrian Alps was assessed in order to reveal the interconnectivity of eukaryotic and prokaryotic inhabitants. All analyzed snowfields harbored distinct microbial communities. Network analyses revealed that mutual exclusion prevailed among microalgae in the alpine environment, while bacteria were mainly positively embedded in the interaction networks. Especially members of Proteobacteria, with a high prevalence of Oxalobacteraceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Sphingomonadaceae showed genus-specific co-occurrences with distinct microalgae. Co-cultivation experiments with algal and bacterial isolates confirmed beneficial interactions that were predicted based on the bioinformatic analyses; they resulted in up to 2.6-fold more biomass for the industrially relevant microalga Chlorella vulgaris, and up to 4.6-fold increase in biomass for the cryophilic Chloromonas typhlos. Our findings support the initial hypothesis that microbial communities exposed to adverse environmental conditions in alpine systems harbor inter-kingdom supportive capacities. The insights into mutualistic inter-kingdom interactions and the ecology of microalgae within complex microbial communities provide explanations for the prevalence and resilience of such assemblages in alpine environments.
Lake characteristics influence how methanogens in littoral sediments respond to terrestrial litter inputs
Authors: Yakimovich Kurt M , Orland Chloé , Emilson Erik J S , Tanentzap Andrew J , Basiliko Nathan , Mykytczuk Nadia C S
Published: May 2020

Shallow lake sediments harbor methanogen communities that are responsible for large amounts of CH4 flux to the atmosphere. These communities play a major role in degrading in-fluxed terrestrial organic matter (t-OM)—much of which settles in shallow near-shore sediments. Little work has examined how sediment methanogens are affected by the quantity and quality of t-OM, and the physicochemical factors that shape their community. Here, we filled mesocosms with artificial lake sediments amended with different ratios and concentrations of coniferous and deciduous tree litter. We installed them in three boreal lakes near Sudbury, Canada that varied in trophic status and water clarity. We found that higher endogenous nutrient concentrations led to greater CH4 production when sediment solar irradiance was similar, but high irradiance of sediments also led to higher CH4 concentrations regardless of nutrient concentrations, possibly due to photooxidation of t-OM. Sediments with t-OM had overall higher CH4 concentrations than controls that had no t-OM, but there were no significant differences in CH4 concentrations with different t-OM compositions or increasing concentrations over 25%. Differences among lakes also explained variation in methanogen community structure, whereas t-OM treatments did not. Therefore, lake characteristics are important modulators of methanogen communities fueled by t-OM.
EMQN best practice guidelines for genetic testing in dystrophinopathies
Authors: Fratter Carl , Dalgleish Raymond , Allen Stephanie K. , Santos Rosário , Abbs Stephen , Tuffery-Giraud Sylvie , Ferlini Alessandra
Published: May 2020

Dystrophinopathies are X-linked diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Becker muscular dystrophy, due toDMDgene variants. In recent years, the application of new genetic technologies and the availability of new personalised drugs have influenced diagnostic genetic testing for dystrophinopathies. Therefore, these European best practice guidelines for genetic testing in dystrophinopathies have been produced to update previous guidelines published in 2010.

These guidelines summarise current recommended technologies and methodologies for analysis of theDMDgene, including testing for deletions and duplications of one or more exons, small variant detection and RNA analysis. Genetic testing strategies for diagnosis, carrier testing and prenatal diagnosis (including non-invasive prenatal diagnosis) are then outlined. Guidelines for sequence variant annotation and interpretation are provided, followed by recommendations for reporting results of all categories of testing. Finally, atypical findings (such as non-contiguous deletions and dualDMDvariants), implications for personalised medicine and clinical trials and incidental findings (identification ofDMDgene variants in patients where a clinical diagnosis of dystrophinopathy has not been considered or suspected) are discussed.
Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome with a novel DNMT3A mutation presented severe intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Yokoi Takayuki , Enomoto Yumi , Naruto Takuya , Kurosawa Kenji , Higurashi Norimichi
Published: May 2020

Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome is a congenital anomaly syndrome that manifests with overgrowth, macrocephaly, and characteristic facial features. This autosomal dominant disease is caused by a germline mutation in DNMT3A. Some patients with this syndrome develop mild to severe intellectual disability, which is sometimes accompanied by autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disorders. We report a Japanese patient with severe intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder with a de novo mutation in the active domain of DNMT3A.
Dose-dependent skeletal deficits due to varied reductions in mechanical loading in rats
Authors: Ko Frank C. , Mortreux Marie , Riveros Daniela , Nagy Janice A. , Rutkove Seward B. , Bouxsein Mary L.
Published: May 2020

Reduced skeletal loading leads to marked bone loss. Animal models of hindlimb suspension are widely used to assess alterations in skeleton during the course of complete unloading. More recently, the effects of partial unloading on the musculoskeletal system have been interrogated in mice and rats, revealing dose-dependent effects of partial weight bearing (PWB) on the skeleton and skeletal muscle. Here, we extended these studies to determine the structural and functional skeletal alterations in 14-week-old male Wister rats exposed to 20%, 40%, 70%, or 100% of body weight for 1, 2, or 4 weeks (n = 11–12/group). Using in vivo pQCT, we found that trabecular bone density at the proximal tibia declined in proportion to the degree of unloading and continued progressively with time, without evidence of a plateau by 4 weeks. Ex vivo measurements of trabecular microarchitecture in the distal femur by microcomputed tomography revealed deficits in bone volume fraction, 2 and 4 weeks after unloading. Histologic analyses of trabecular bone in the distal femur revealed the decreased osteoblast number and mineralizing surface in unloaded rats. Three-point bending of the femoral diaphysis indicated modest or no reductions in femoral stiffness and estimated modulus due to PWB. Our results suggest that this rat model of PWB leads to trabecular bone deterioration that is progressive and generally proportional to the degree of PWB, with minimal effects on cortical bone.
New GMP manufacturing processes to obtain thermostable HIV-1 gp41 virosomes under solid forms for various mucosal vaccination routes
Authors: Amacker Mario , Smardon Charli , Mason Laura , Sorrell Jack , Jeffery Kirk , Adler Michael , Bhoelan Farien , Belova Olga , Spengler Mark , Punnamoottil Beena , Schwaller Markus , Bonduelle Olivia , Combadière Behazine , Stegmann Toon , Naylor Andrew , Johnson Richard , Wong Desmond , Fleury Sylvain
Published: May 2020

The main objective of the MACIVIVA European consortium was to develop new Good Manufacturing Practice pilot lines for manufacturing thermostable vaccines with stabilized antigens on influenza virosomes as enveloped virus-like particles. The HIV-1 gp41-derived antigens anchored in the virosome membrane, along with the adjuvant 3M-052 (TLR7/8 agonist) on the same particle, served as a candidate vaccine for the proof of concept for establishing manufacturing processes, which can be directly applied or adapted to other virosomal vaccines or lipid-based particles. Heat spray-dried powders suitable for nasal or oral delivery, and freeze-dried sublingual tablets were successfully developed as solid dosage forms for mucosal vaccination. The antigenic properties of vaccinal antigens with key gp41 epitopes were maintained, preserving the original immunogenicity of the starting liquid form, and also when solid forms were exposed to high temperature (40 °C) for up to 3 months, with minimal antigen and adjuvant content variation. Virosomes reconstituted from the powder forms remained as free particles with similar size, virosome uptake by antigen-presenting cells in vitro was comparable to virosomes from the liquid form, and the presence of excipients specific to each solid form did not prevent virosome transport to the draining lymph nodes of immunized mice. Virosome integrity was also preserved during exposure to <−15 °C, mimicking accidental freezing conditions. These “ready to use and all-in-one” thermostable needle-free virosomal HIV-1 mucosal vaccines offer the advantage of simplified logistics with a lower dependence on the cold chain during shipments and distribution.
Dissociating the white matter tracts connecting the temporo-parietal cortical region with frontal cortex using diffusion tractography
Authors: Barbeau Elise B. , Descoteaux Maxime , Petrides Michael
Published: May 2020

Three major white matter pathways connect the posterior temporal region and the adjacent inferior parietal lobule with the lateral frontal cortex: the arcuate fasciculus (AF), and the second and third branches of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF II and SLF III). These pathways are found also in nonhuman primate brains where they play specific roles in auditory and spatial processing. The precise origin, course, and termination of these pathways has been examined in invasive tract tracing studies in macaque monkeys. Here we use this prior knowledge to improve dissections of these pathways in vivo in the human brain using diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tractography. In this study, the AF, originating from the posterior temporal cortex, has been successfully separated from the SLF II and SLF III tracts originating from the angular and supramarginal gyri of the inferior parietal lobule, respectively. The latter two pathways, i.e. SLF II and SLF III, have also been clearly separated from each other. Furthermore, we report for the first time in the human brain the dorsal branch of the AF that targets the posterior dorsolateral frontal region. These improved dissection protocols provide a solid basis for exploring the respective functional roles of these major fasciculi.
Rabies Vaccine Characterization by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis
Authors: Navarro Sanchez M. E. , Soulet D. , Bonnet E. , Guinchard F. , Marco S. , Vetter E. , Nougarede N.
Published: May 2020

There are concerns that effectiveness and consistency of biopharmaceutical formulations, including vaccines, may be compromised by differences in size, concentration and shape of particles in suspension. Thus, a simple method that can help monitor and characterize these features is needed. Here, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) was used to characterize particle concentration and size distribution of a highly-purified rabies vaccine (RABV), produced in Vero cells without raw materials of animal origin (RMAO). The NTA technique was qualified for characterization of RABV particles by assessing the stability profile of vaccine particles over 5–55 °C. Antigenicity of the viral particle was also monitored with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and NTA. RABV particle size diameters were 100–250 nm (mean:150 nm), similar to sizes obtained when labelled with rabies anti-G D1–25 monoclonal antibody, suggesting mainly antigenic virus-like particles, also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Thermal stress at 55 °C decreased the concentration of anti-G D1–25-labelled particles from 144 hours, coherent with conformational changes leading to loss of G protein antigenicity without impacting aggregation. Results from RABV antigenicity assessment during the 24 months monitoring of stability showed good correlation between NTA and ELISA. NTA is a suitable approach for the characterization of biopharmaceutical suspensions.
Nanostructural Diversity of Synapses in the Mammalian Spinal Cord
Authors: Broadhead Matthew J. , Bonthron Calum , Arcinas Lauren , Bez Sumi , Zhu Fei , Goff Frances , Nylk Jonathan , Dholakia Kishan , Gunn-Moore Frank , Grant Seth G. N. , Miles Gareth B.
Published: May 2020

Functionally distinct synapses exhibit diverse and complex organisation at molecular and nanoscale levels. Synaptic diversity may be dependent on developmental stage, anatomical locus and the neural circuit within which synapses reside. Furthermore, astrocytes, which align with pre and post-synaptic structures to form ‘tripartite synapses’, can modulate neural circuits and impact on synaptic organisation. In this study, we aimed to determine which factors impact the diversity of excitatory synapses throughout the lumbar spinal cord. We used PSD95-eGFP mice, to visualise excitatory postsynaptic densities (PSDs) using high-resolution and super-resolution microscopy. We reveal a detailed and quantitative map of the features of excitatory synapses in the lumbar spinal cord, detailing synaptic diversity that is dependent on developmental stage, anatomical region and whether associated with VGLUT1 or VGLUT2 terminals. We report that PSDs are nanostructurally distinct between spinal laminae and across age groups. PSDs receiving VGLUT1 inputs also show enhanced nanostructural complexity compared with those receiving VGLUT2 inputs, suggesting pathway-specific diversity. Finally, we show that PSDs exhibit greater nanostructural complexity when part of tripartite synapses, and we provide evidence that astrocytic activation enhances PSD95 expression. Taken together, these results provide novel insights into the regulation and diversification of synapses across functionally distinct spinal regions and advance our general understanding of the ‘rules’ governing synaptic nanostructural organisation.
RIFTA: A Robust Iterative Fourier Transform-based dwell time Algorithm for ultra-precision ion beam figuring of synchrotron mirrors
Authors: Wang Tianyi , Huang Lei , Kang Hyukmo , Choi Heejoo , Kim Dae Wook , Tayabaly Kashmira , Idir Mourad
Published: May 2020

With the rapid evolution of synchrotron X-ray sources, the demand for high-precision X-ray mirrors has greatly increased. Single nanometer profile error is required to keep imaging capability at the diffraction limit. Ion Beam Figuring (IBF), as a highly deterministic surfacing technique, has been used for ultra-precision finishing of mirrors. One crucial step that guides the IBF process is dwell time calculation. A valid dwell time solution should be non-negative and duplicate the shape of the desired removal map. Another important aspect is to minimize the total dwell time. In this study, we propose a Robust Iterative Fourier Transform-based dwell time Algorithm (RIFTA) that automatically fulfills these requirements. First, the thresholded inverse filtering in Fourier transform-based deconvolution is stabilized and automated by optimizing the threshold value using the Nelder-Mead simplex algorithm. Second, a novel two-level iterative scheme is proposed to guarantee the minimized total dwell time with its non-negativity at each dwell point. Third, a bicubic resampling is employed to flexibly adapt the calculated dwell time map to any IBF process intervals. The performance of RIFTA is first studied with simulation, followed by a comparison with the other state-of-the-art dwell time algorithms. We then demonstrate with an experiment that, using the dwell time calculated by the RIFTA, the total dwell time is shortened by a factor of two and the RMS in a 5 × 50 mm clear aperture was reduced from 3.4 nm to 1.1 nm after one IBF run, which proves the effectiveness and the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Determination of the optimal location for constructing solar photovoltaic farms based on multi-criteria decision system and Dempster–Shafer theory
Authors: Mokarram Marzieh , Mokarram Mohammad J. , Khosravi Mohammad R. , Saber Ali , Rahideh Akbar
Published: May 2020

Considering environmental concerns regarding air pollution which is induced by burning fossil fuels to generate electrical power, utilizing solar energy as a green and sustainable energy source is of great interest. This study proposes a novel framework to determine the optimal location for constructing solar photovoltaic (PV) farms. To locate the suitable areas for PV farms, firstly, a fuzzy-based method is utilized to homogenize the input parameters, thereafter, the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and Dempster-Shafer (DS) methods are independently used. In the AHP method, the proper weight for each input parameter is generated utilizing a pairwise comparison matrix. However, the DS method identifies output in different confident levels. Finally, southeast of Fars province in Iran as a region with high sunny hours in the year is selected, and the applicability of proposed methods is examined. The results show that 32% of the case study is located at high and good suitability classes in the fuzzy_AHP method. However, it is 18.56%, 16.70%, 16.32% according to 95%, 99% and 99.5% confident levels in the fuzzy_DS method, respectively. Comparisons of the fuzzy_AHP and fuzzy_DS methods at 20 points with various solar radiation intensities and the number of dusty days parameters indicate that the fuzzy_DS method can more reliably determine the optimal PV farm locations. Additionally, as the fuzzy_DS method determines the optimal locations with different confident levels, this method can benefit decision-makers to determine the risks associated with selecting a specific site for constructing solar PV farms.
UGCG overexpression leads to increased glycolysis and increased oxidative phosphorylation of breast cancer cells
Authors: Schömel Nina , Gruber Lisa , Alexopoulos Stephanie J. , Trautmann Sandra , Olzomer Ellen M. , Byrne Frances L. , Hoehn Kyle L. , Gurke Robert , Thomas Dominique , Ferreirós Nerea , Geisslinger Gerd , Wegner Marthe-Susanna
Published: May 2020

The only enzyme in the glycosphingolipid (GSL) metabolic pathway, which produces glucosylceramide (GlcCer) de novo is UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG). UGCG is linked to pro-cancerous processes such as multidrug resistance development and increased proliferation in several cancer types. Previously, we showed an UGCG-dependent glutamine metabolism adaption to nutrient-poor environment of breast cancer cells. This adaption includes reinforced oxidative stress response and fueling the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle by increased glutamine oxidation. In the current study, we investigated glycolytic and oxidative metabolic phenotypes following UGCG overexpression (OE). UGCG overexpressing MCF-7 cells underwent a metabolic shift from quiescent/aerobic to energetic metabolism by increasing both glycolysis and oxidative glucose metabolism. The energetic metabolic phenotype was not associated with increased mitochondrial mass, however, markers of mitochondrial turnover were increased. UGCG OE altered sphingolipid composition of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/mitochondria fractions that may contribute to increased mitochondrial turnover and increased cell metabolism. Our data indicate that GSL are closely connected to cell energy metabolism and this finding might contribute to development of novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
Stability and metallization of solid oxygen at high pressure
Authors: Elatresh Sabri F. , Bonev Stanimir A.
Published: May 2020

Using first principles theory, a metallic molecular phase of solid oxygen is determined to be thermodynamically stable at elevated temperatures in the pressure range between 50 and 100 GPa.
Hydrosulfide complexes of the transition elements: diverse roles in bioinorganic, cluster, coordination, and organometallic chemistry
Authors: Pluth Michael D. , Tonzetich Zachary J.
Published: May 2020

Molecules containing transition metal hydrosulfide linkages are diverse, spanning a variety of elements, coordination environments, and redox states, and carrying out multiple roles across several fields of chemistry.
Experimental and theoretical study on the cyclic(alkyl)(amino)carbene-copper catalyzed Friedel–Crafts reaction of N,N-dialkylanilines with styrenes
Authors: Ma Wentao , Zhai Gaowen , Hu Xingbang , Wu Youting
Published: May 2020

The Friedel–Crafts reaction of alkalinous substrates is achieved using a copper based catalyst.
PbSrSiO4: a new ultraviolet nonlinear optical material with a strong second harmonic generation response and moderate birefringence
Authors: Jiang Shutong , Zhou Jinjie , Wu Hongping , Yu Hongwei , Hu Zhanggui , Wang Jiyang , Wu Yicheng
Published: May 2020

PbSrSiO4 exhibits excellent properties, including a strong second harmonic generation response (∼5.8 × KDP), a short UV cut-off edge (240 nm) and moderate birefringence (0.053@1064 nm).