bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Characterization of (BaSr)PbTiO3 Material Compositions
Authors: Tambe Sukhadeo N. , Kulal Shivaji R. , Kokare Shrikant R. , Salunkhe Dadasaheb J.
Published: October 2019

The ferroelectric composition Ba0.8−xSrxPb0.2TiO3 (BSPTx) with x = 0.2–0.4 are synthesized using ceramic route of synthesis. From XRD, it is observed that with an increase in x, the c/a ratio decreases. From the observations of variation of dielectric constant ɛ with temperature, it is revealed that for x = 0.3 and 0.2, the BSPTx shows a relaxor behavior. On the other hand, for all other compositions, the phase transition is a diffused phase transition (DPT). For x = 0.3 and 0.2, the variation of Curie temperature (Tc) with frequency obeys the Vogel–Fulchar relation. The present observations suggest that the BSPTx could be a useful ferroelectric system.
RMSD analysis of structures of the bacterial protein FimH identifies five conformations of its lectin domain
Authors: Magala Pearl , Klevit Rachel E. , Thomas Wendy E. , Sokurenko Evgeni V. , Stenkamp Ronald E.
Published: October 2019

FimH is a bacterial adhesin protein located at the tip of Escherichia coli fimbria that functions to adhere bacteria to host cells. Thus, FimH is a critical factor in bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections and is of interest in drug development. It is also involved in vaccine development and as a model for understanding shear‐enhanced catch bond cell adhesion. To date, over 60 structures have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank showing interactions between FimH and mannose ligands, potential inhibitors, and other fimbrial proteins. In addition to providing insights about ligand recognition and fimbrial assembly, these structures provide insights into conformational changes in the two domains of FimH that are critical for its function. To gain further insights into these structural changes, we have superposed FimH's mannose binding lectin domain in all these structures and categorized the structures into five groups of lectin domain conformers using RMSD as a metric. Many structures also include the pilin domain, which anchors FimH to the fimbriae and regulates the conformation and function of the lectin domain. For these structures, we have also compared the relative orientations of the two domains. These structural analyses enhance our understanding of the conformational changes associated with FimH ligand binding and domain‐domain interactions, including its catch bond behavior through allosteric action of force in bacterial adhesion.
Extension of the Lanczos algorithm for simultaneous computation of multiple targeted singular vector sets
Authors: Ono Kosuke
Published: October 2019

This article discusses an extension of the singular vector (SV) method in the context of an initial perturbation generator for an ensemble prediction system (EPS). In general, multiple SVs targeted at different regions are computed in operational EPSs to extract growing modes with focus on different parts of the EPS domain. However, significant computational cost is associated with running all the procedures of the SV computations multiple times. In this study, the Lanczos algorithm used for SV computation was extended to allow simultaneous computation of multiple targeted SV sets. Algebraic calculations in the algorithm, such as orthonormalizations and eigenvalue problem resolution, are separately implemented for multiple “subdomains” incorporating different targeting areas, and SV sets are computed for individual subdomains. However, forward and backward linearized propagation runs through the whole domain, shared among the SV sets from all the subdomains. As such algebraic operation accounts for a relatively small part of all computation, the computational cost increment brought by the algorithm extension is also small in relation to single SV computations. For verifications, consistency between SVs produced with the original and extended algorithms was examined. Both SV sets spanned the same subspaces with similar linear growth rates, except those derived on subdomain boundaries, where SVs produced using the extended algorithm were truncated by the boundary. To avoid such truncation, it is necessary to set a subdomain large enough to cover the target area and its surrounding region. In this article, some applications of this algorithm in operational situations are suggested. Also, an application of subdomain to the wave‐number space is described.
NH4Cl‐Modified ZnO for High‐Performance CsPbIBr2 Perovskite Solar Cells via Low‐Temperature Process
Authors: Wang Huaxin , Cao Siliang , Yang Bo , Li Haiyun , Wang Ming , Hu Xiaofei , Sun Kuan , Zang Zhigang
Published: October 2019

Recently, the thermally stable and facilely fabricated inorganic CsPbIBr2 perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted tremendous attention where the electron transport layer (ETL) is vital. However, the typical sintering temperature for the widely used electron transport material, that is, TiO2, is more than 400 °C, elevating the cost and hindering the application. Due to high electron mobility and low fabrication temperature, ZnO becomes a desirable alternative for TiO2, as the ETL in CsPbIBr2 PSCs, albeit with low open‐circuit voltage (Voc). Herein, this work introduces a trace of NH4Cl to the sol–gel‐derived ZnO precursor to decrease the work function of the ZnO film, tune the surface morphology of the perovskite film, and thus suppress the density of trap states in the CsPbIBr2 films. Consequently, full‐coverage and pure‐phase CsPbIBr2 films consisting of micron‐size and high‐crystallinity grains are obtained. More importantly, for the optimal NH4Cl‐modified ZnO, a shining improvement in Voc from 1.08 to 1.27 V boosts the champion CsPbIBr2 PSCs to obtain a power conversion efficiency of 10.16%, which is the highest value reported among pure‐CsPbIBr2 PSCs under a low fabrication temperature of 160 °C. In addition, the NH4Cl‐modified ZnO ETL reduces the severe hysteresis and increases the device stability significantly.
Unraveling the Effect of Martensite Volume Fraction on the Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of Low‐Carbon Dual‐Phase Steel
Authors: Soleimani Maryam , Mirzadeh Hamed , Dehghanian Changiz
Published: October 2019

The effect of martensite volume fraction on the mechanical and corrosion properties of low‐carbon dual‐phase steel is studied based on both step quenching (SQ) and intercritical annealing (IA) routes. For SQ samples, hardness and ultimate tensile strength decrease with increasing holding time at the intercritical temperature and reach a plateau, which is related to the decrease in the amount of martensite during annealing. Conversely, for the IA samples, hardness increases during holding at the intercritical temperature due to austenitization and reaches the same plateau. At a same martensite volume fraction, the work‐hardening behavior of SQ samples is better than IA samples, which is related to both the finer grain size and smaller martensite islands in the former. At low martensite fractions, the corrosion properties are comparable with the as‐received ferritic–pearlitic sample. It is revealed that by decreasing the volume fraction of martensite in SQ samples, the corrosion current density (icorr) decreases almost linearly, and at martensite content of zero, it reaches the icorr of the fully ferritic microstructure. The latter is found to be lower than the icorr of the as‐received sample. Therefore, the real effect of martensite on corrosion properties is unraveled for the first time.
Interactional Features of L2 Pragmatic Interaction in Role‐Play Speaking Assessment
Authors: Youn Soo Jung
Published: October 2019

This study explicates the nature of second language (L2) pragmatic interaction focusing on the quantitative function of interactional features. A relationship between the fine‐grained interactional features elicited from learners’ role‐play performances at varying levels and trained raters’ scores was investigated. The corpus of 102 learners’ role‐play performances was transcribed turn by turn and analyzed qualitatively to identify recurrent interactional phenomena, which formed the basis of data‐driven coding schemes that are grounded in conversation analysis. Three levels of interactional features—length of interaction, engaging with interaction, and sequential organizations—were coded. The coded data were extracted using the CLAN program and analyzed quantitatively to examine what interactional features distinguished among varying performance levels. The linear regression analysis indicated that the combination of nine significant interactional features accounted for 74.7% of the variance in the raters’ scores. The discriminant function analysis revealed that the interactional features elicited from the role‐plays that involve formal pragmatic functions were important variables in distinguishing among the performance levels. This study confirms that the interactional features deserve a prominent place in defining L2 pragmatic interaction. The author discusses practical implications for teaching and assessing interactive pragmatic performance, as well as methodological issues underlying quantifying spoken interaction.
Genetic characterization of Porcine circovirus type 2 from 2013 to 2018 in Shandong Province, China
Authors: Wang Shuo , Xin Changxun , Wu Xiaoyan , Shi Jianli , Peng Zhe , Sun Panpan , Wang Yan , Xu Shaojian , Yang Ying , Zhang Fan , Li Jun
Published: October 2019

PCV2 belongs to the genus Circovirus, family Circoviridae, who is recognized as the causative agents of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome. Since being found to China in 2000, it has caused serious damage to the pig industry. In this study, we downloaded 40 PCV2 genome‐wide sequences uploaded to GenBank from 2013 to 2018 in Shandong Province, including 23 uploaded by our laboratory. Construction of a genome‐wide evolution tree using MEGA V5.0 software. Phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that the genotype of PCV2 in Shandong Province was: three genotypes coexisted (2a, 2b, 2d); among them, PCV2d has become the main genotype in the province due to its number and spread range. Amino acid sequence analysis of different genotypes of ORF2 showed that specific amino acid sites exist in different genotypes, with the most significant range of 81–160; different genotypes of PCV2 can be distinguished at the molecular level. This study found that due to the increase in infections of the PCV2d genotype in recent years, it may replace PCV2b as the dominant base in Shandong.
On marginal operators in boundary conformal field theory
Authors: Herzog Christopher P. , Shamir Itamar
Published: October 2019

Abstract

The presence of a boundary (or defect) in a conformal field theory allows one to generalize the notion of an exactly marginal deformation. Without a boundary, one must find an operator of protected scaling dimension ∆ equal to the space-time dimension d of the conformal field theory, while with a boundary, as long as the operator dimension is protected, one can make up for the difference d − ∆ by including a factor z
∆−d
in the deformation where z is the distance from the boundary. This coordinate dependence does not lead to a reduction in the underlying SO(d, 1) global conformal symmetry group of the boundary conformal field theory. We show that such terms can arise from boundary flows in interacting field theories. Ultimately, we would like to be able to characterize what types of boundary conformal field theories live on the orbits of such deformations. As a first step, we consider a free scalar with a conformally invariant mass term z

−2
φ
2, and a fermion with a similar mass. We find a connection to double trace deformations in the AdS/CFT literature.
Pion-induced Drell-Yan processes within TMD factorization
Authors: Vladimirov Alexey
Published: October 2019

Abstract

We extract the pion transverse momentum dependent (TMD) parton distribu- tion by fitting the pion-induced Drell-Yan process within the framework of TMD factoriza- tion. The analysis is done at the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) with proton TMD distribution and non-perturbative TMD evolution extracted earlier in the global fit. We observe the significant difference in the normalization of transverse momentum differential cross-section measured by E615 experiment and the theory prediction.
Effectiveness of combining microcurrent with resistance training in trained males
Authors: Naclerio Fernando , Seijo Marcos , Karsten Bettina , Brooker George , Carbone Leandro , Thirkell Jack , Larumbe-Zabala Eneko
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Microcurrent has been used to promote tissue healing after injury or to hasten muscle remodeling post exercise post exercise.

Purpose

To compare the effects of resistance training in combination with either, microcurrent or sham treatment, on-body composition and muscular architecture. Additionally, changes in performance and perceived delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were determined.

Methods

Eighteen males (25.7 ± 7.6 years) completed an 8-week resistance training program involving 3 workouts per week (24 total sessions) wearing a microcurrent (MIC, n = 9) or a sham (SH, n = 9) device for 3-h post-workout or in the morning during non-training days. Measurements were conducted at pre and post intervention.

Results

Compared to baseline, both groups increased (p < 0.05) muscle thickness of the elbow flexors (MIC + 2.9 ± 1.4 mm; SH + 3.0 ± 2.4 mm), triceps brachialis (MIC + 4.3 ± 2.8 mm; SH + 2.7 ± 2.6 mm), vastus medialis (MIC + 1.5 ± 1.5 mm; SH + 0.9 ± 0.8 mm) and vastus lateralis (MIC + 6.8 ± 8.0 mm; SH + 3.2 ± 1.8 mm). Although both groups increased (p < 0.01) the pennation angle of vastus lateralis (MIC + 2.90° ± 0.95°; SH + 1.90° ± 1.35°, p < 0.01), the change measured in MIC was higher (p = 0.045) than that observed in SH. Furthermore, only MIC enlarged (p < 0.01) the pennation angle of brachialis (MIC + 1.93 ± 1.51). Both groups improved (p < 0.05) bench press strength and power but only MIC enhanced (p < 0.01) vertical jump height. At post intervention, only MIC decreased (p < 0.05) DOMS at 12-h, 24-h, and 48-h after performing an exercise-induced muscle soreness protocol.

Conclusion

A 3-h daily use of microcurrent maximized muscular architectural changes and attenuated DOMS with no added significant benefits on body composition and performance.
Modeling managed aquifer recharge processes in a highly heterogeneous, semi-confined aquifer system
Authors: Maples Stephen R. , Fogg Graham E. , Maxwell Reed M.
Published: October 2019

Widespread groundwater overdraft in alluvial aquifer systems like the Central Valley (CV) in California, USA, has increased interest in managed aquifer recharge (MAR). Like most clastic sedimentary basins, recharge to the productive semi-confined CV aquifer system remains a challenge due to the presence of nearly ubiquitous, multiple confining units (silt and clay) that limit recharge pathways. Previous studies suggest the presence of interconnected networks of coarse-texture sand and gravel deposits that bypass regional confining units over a small fraction of the CV near the American and Cosumnes rivers. Here, variably saturated infiltration and recharge processes were simulated across a domain that includes high-resolution representation of the heterogeneous alluvial geologic architecture in this area. Results show that recharge potential is highly dependent on subsurface geologic architecture, with a nearly 2 order-of-magnitude range of recharge across the domain. Where interconnected coarse-texture recharge pathways occur, results show that these features can (1) accommodate rapid, high-volume MAR and (2) propagate widespread and rapid pressure responses over multi-kilometer distances in the semi-confined aquifer system. For all MAR simulations, results show that the majority of MAR is accommodated by filling unsaturated-zone (UZ) pore volume. Results also show that coarse-texture UZ facies (where present) accommodate the majority of MAR volume during early time, but fine-texture facies ultimately accommodate the majority of the total MAR volume, even for coarse-dominated sites. These findings highlight the large variability of MAR potential across the landscape and demonstrate the importance of fine-texture facies for accommodating MAR in alluvial aquifer systems.
Constructing freshness: the vitality of wet markets in urban China
Authors: Zhong Shuru , Crang Mike , Zeng Guojun
Published: October 2019

Wet markets, a ‘traditional’ form of food retail, have maintained their popularity in urban China despite the rapid expansion of ‘modern’ supermarket chains. Their continued popularity rests in the freshness of their food. Chinese consumers regard freshness as the most important aspect of food they buy, but what constitutes ‘freshness’ in produce is not simply a given. Freshness is actively produced by a range of actors including wholesalers, vendors as well as consumers. The paper examines what fresh food means to consumers in the Chinese market. It argues that wet markets create a sense of freshness that resonates with this culinary culture through their sensoria, atmosphere, and trust between food vendors and consumers. Together these respond to desires for and reproduce criteria used to evaluate freshness. Within a fragmented food trade system, wet market vendors have an advantage in offering ‘freshness’ through their ability to connect various wholesalers, agencies, and middlemen, and shorten supply chains. The paper is based on participatory observation, a consumer survey and in-depth interviews of various stakeholders in southern China, especially Sanya in Hainan and Guangzhou in Guangdong. This study suggests that this cultural construction of freshness creates a niche for small-scale players and ‘traditional’ markets in an increasingly concentrated global food system.
Rankings or leagues or rankings on leagues? - Ranking in fair reference groups
Authors: Kosztyán Zsolt T. , Banász Zsuzsanna , Csányi Vivien V. , Telcs András
Published: October 2019

There are several well-known rankings of universities and higher education systems. Numerous recent studies question whether it is possible to compare universities and countries of different constitutions. These criticisms stand on solid ground. It is impossible to create a one-dimensional ordering that faithfully compares complex systems such as universities or even higher education systems. We would like to convince the reader that using well-chosen elements of a family of state-of-the-art data mining methods, namely, bi-clustering methods, can provide an informative picture of the relative positions of universities/higher education systems. Bi-clustering methods produce leagues of comparable entities alongside the indicators, which produce a similar grouping of them. Within leagues, partial rankings could be specified and furthermore can serve as a proper basis for benchmarking.
Assessment of natural groundwater physico-chemical properties in major industrial and residential locations of Lagos metropolis
Authors: Popoola Lekan Taofeek , Yusuff Adeyinka Sikiru , Aderibigbe Tajudeen Adejare
Published: October 2019

This study investigated groundwater quality collected from two industrial and residential locations in each of Lagos metropolis. Prescribed standard procedures of American Public Health Association were used to measure physico-chemical parameters of each of the groundwater samples which include pH, EC, DO, TDS, BOD, COD, anions (Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, PO43−) and heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Fe, Co, Cd and Cr). From laboratory analysis, measured physico-chemical parameters were within the permissible ranges specified by the WHO and NSDWQ except pH, TDS, EC, Pb, Mn and Fe for groundwater samples from industrial locations and pH, Pb, Mn and Fe for residential locations. Higher concentrations of TDS and EC reported for groundwater samples from industrial locations were attributed to heavy discharge of effluents from industrial treatment plants as well as dissolution of ionic heavy metals from industrial activities of heavy machines. Statistical Pearson’s correlation revealed physico-chemical parameters of water quality to be moderately and strongly correlated with one another at either p  < 0.05 or < 0.01.
Augmenting Intrinsic Fenton-Like Activities of MOF-Derived Catalysts via N-Molecule-Assisted Self-catalyzed Carbonization
Authors: Yang Chengdong , Zhou Mi , He Chao , Gao Yun , Li Shuang , Fan Xin , Lin Yi , Cheng Fei , Zhu Puxin , Cheng Chong
Published: October 2019

To overcome the ever-growing organic pollutions in the water system, abundant efforts have been dedicated to fabricating efficient Fenton-like carbon catalysts. However, the rational design of carbon catalysts with high intrinsic activity remains a long-term goal. Herein, we report a new N-molecule-assisted self-catalytic carbonization process in augmenting the intrinsic Fenton-like activity of metal–organic-framework-derived carbon hybrids. During carbonization, the N-molecules provide alkane/ammonia gases and the formed iron nanocrystals act as the in situ catalysts, which result in the elaborated formation of carbon nanotubes (in situ chemical vapor deposition from alkane/iron catalysts) and micro-/meso-porous structures (ammonia gas etching). The obtained catalysts exhibited with abundant Fe/Fe–Nx/pyridinic-N active species, micro-/meso-porous structures, and conductive carbon nanotubes. Consequently, the catalysts exhibit high efficiency toward the degradation of different organic pollutions, such as bisphenol A, methylene blue, and tetracycline. This study not only creates a new pathway for achieving highly active Fenton-like carbon catalysts but also takes a step toward the customized production of advanced carbon hybrids for diverse energy and environmental applications.
Recent Progress on Zinc-Ion Rechargeable Batteries
Authors: Xu Wangwang , Wang Ying
Published: October 2019

The increasing demands for environmentally friendly grid-scale electric energy storage devices with high energy density and low cost have stimulated the rapid development of various energy storage systems, due to the environmental pollution and energy crisis caused by traditional energy storage technologies. As one of the new and most promising alternative energy storage technologies, zinc-ion rechargeable batteries have recently received much attention owing to their high abundance of zinc in natural resources, intrinsic safety, and cost effectiveness, when compared with the popular, but unsafe and expensive lithium-ion batteries. In particular, the use of mild aqueous electrolytes in zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) demonstrates high potential for portable electronic applications and large-scale energy storage systems. Moreover, the development of superior electrolyte operating at either high temperature or subzero condition is crucial for practical applications of ZIBs in harsh environments, such as aerospace, airplanes, or submarines. However, there are still many existing challenges that need to be resolved. This paper presents a timely review on recent progresses and challenges in various cathode materials and electrolytes (aqueous, organic, and solid-state electrolytes) in ZIBs. Design and synthesis of zinc-based anode materials and separators are also briefly discussed.
Association between edible mushroom intake and the prevalence of newly diagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: results from the Tianjin Chronic Low-Grade Systemic Inflammation and Health Cohort Study in China
Authors: Zhang Shunming , Gu Yeqing , Lu Min , Fu Jingzhu , Zhang Qing , Liu Li , Meng Ge , Yao Zhanxin , Wu Hongmei , Bao Xue , Sun Shaomei , Wang Xing , Zhou Ming , Jia Qiyu , Song Kun , Wu Yuntang , Niu Kaijun
Published: October 2019

Animal studies have suggested that mushroom intake can alleviate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, the association between mushroom intake and NAFLD is unknown in humans. We aimed to investigate the association of mushroom intake with NAFLD among Chinese adults. This is a cross-sectional study of 24 236 adults (mean (standard deviation) age: 40·7 (sd 11·9) years; 11 394 men (47·0 %)). Mushroom intake was assessed via a validated FFQ. Newly diagnosed NAFLD was identified based on the results of annual health examinations, including ultrasound findings and a self-reported history of the disease. Multiple logistic models were used to examine the association between mushroom intake and NAFLD. The prevalence of newly diagnosed NAFLD was 19·0 %. Compared with those consuming mushrooms less frequently (≤1 time/week), the fully adjusted OR of newly diagnosed NAFLD were 0·95 (95 % CI 0·86, 1·05) for those consuming 2–3 times/week and 0·76 (95 % CI 0·63, 0·92) for those consuming ≥4 times/week (Pfor trend = 0·01). The inverse association was consistent in subgroups defined by age, sex and BMI. In conclusion, higher mushroom intake was significantly associated with lower prevalence of NAFLD among Chinese adults. Future research is required to understand the causal association between mushroom intake and NAFLD.
Speed Adaptation in Learning from Demonstration through Latent Space Formulation
Authors: Koskinopoulou Maria , Maniadakis Michail , Trahanias Panos
Published: October 2019

Performing actions in a timely manner is an indispensable aspect in everyday human activities. Accordingly, it has to be present in robotic systems if they are going to seamlessly interact with humans. The current work addresses the problem of learning both the spatial and temporal characteristics of human motions from observation. We formulate learning as a mapping between two worlds (the observed and the action ones). This mapping is realized via an abstract intermediate representation termed “Latent Space.” Learned actions can be subsequently invoked in the context of more complex human–robot interaction (HRI) scenarios. Unlike previous learning from demonstration (LfD) methods that cope only with the spatial features of an action, the formulated scheme effectively encompasses spatial and temporal aspects. Learned actions are reproduced under the high-level control of a time-informed task planner. During the implementation of the studied scenarios, temporal and physical constraints may impose speed adaptations in the reproduced actions. The employed latent space representation readily supports such variations, giving rise to novel actions in the temporal domain. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme in the implementation of HRI scenarios. Finally, a set of well-defined evaluation metrics are introduced to assess the validity of the proposed approach considering the temporal and spatial consistency of the reproduced behaviors.
Punishment and disagreement in the state of nature
Authors: Barrett Jacob
Published: October 2019

Hobbes believed that the state of nature would be a war of all against all. Locke denied this, but acknowledged that in the absence of government, peace is insecure. In this paper, I analyse both accounts of the state of nature through the lens of classical and experimental game theory, drawing especially on evidence concerning the effects of punishment in public goods games. My analysis suggests that we need government not to keep wicked or relentlessly self-interested individuals in line, but rather to maintain peace among those who disagree about morality.
Ultra-processed foods, incident overweight and obesity, and longitudinal changes in weight and waist circumference: the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)
Authors: Canhada Scheine Leite , Luft Vivian Cristine , Giatti Luana , Duncan Bruce Bartholow , Chor Dora , Fonseca Maria de Jesus M da , Matos Sheila Maria Alvim , Molina Maria del Carmen Bisi , Barreto Sandhi Maria , Levy Renata Bertazzi , Schmidt Maria Inês
Published: October 2019

Objective:

To evaluate the association of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption with gains in weight and waist circumference, and incident overweight/obesity, in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) cohort.

Design:

We applied FFQ at baseline and categorized energy intake by degree of processing using the NOVA classification. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured at baseline and after a mean 3·8-year follow-up. We assessed associations, through Poisson regression with robust variance, of UPF consumption with large weight gain (1·68 kg/year) and large waist gain (2·42 cm/year), both being defined as ≥90th percentile in the cohort, and with incident overweight/obesity.

Setting:

Brazil.

Participants:

Civil servants of Brazilian public academic institutions in six cities (n11 827), aged 35–74 years at baseline (2008–2010).

Results:

UPF provided a mean 24·6 (sd9·6) % of ingested energy. After adjustment for smoking, physical activity, adiposity and other factors, fourth (>30·8 %)v. first (<17·8 %) quartile of UPF consumption was associated (relative risk (95 % CI)) with 27 and 33 % greater risk of large weight and waist gains (1·27 (1·07, 1·50) and 1·33 (1·12, 1·58)), respectively. Similarly, those in the fourth consumption quartile presented 20 % greater risk (1·20 (1·03, 1·40)) of incident overweight/obesity and 2 % greater risk (1·02; (0·85, 1·21)) of incident obesity. Approximately 15 % of cases of large weight and waist gains and of incident overweight/obesity could be attributed to consumption of >17·8 % of energy as UPF.

Conclusions:

Greater UPF consumption predicts large gains in overall and central adiposity and may contribute to the inexorable rise in obesity seen worldwide.
Genetic and Environmental Influences on Cognitive Abilities in Extreme Poverty
Authors: Hur Yoon-Mi , Bates Timothy
Published: October 2019

To improve global human capital, an understanding of the interplay of endowment across the full range of socioeconomic status (SES) is needed. Relevant data, however, are absent in the nations with the most abject poverty (Tucker-Drob & Bates, 2016), where the lowest heritability and strong effects of SES are predicted. Here we report the first study of biopsychosocial gene–environment interaction in extreme poverty. In a sub-Saharan sample of early teenage twins (N = 3192), we observed substantial (~30–40%) genetic influence on cognitive abilities. Surprisingly, shared environmental influences were similar to those found in adolescents growing in Western affluent countries (25–28%). G × SES moderation was estimated at aˋ = .06 (p = .355). Family chaos did not moderate genetic effects but did moderate shared environment influence. Heritability of cognitive abilities in extreme poverty appears comparable to Western data. Reduced family chaos may be a modifiable factor promoting cognitive development.
Constraining the Variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation During the Holocene
Authors: Lippold Jörg , Pöppelmeier Frerk , Süfke Finn , Gutjahr Marcus , Goepfert Tyler J. , Blaser Patrick , Friedrich Oliver , Link Jasmin M. , Wacker Lukas , Rheinberger Stefan , Jaccard Samuel L.
Published: October 2019

There is a converging body of evidence supporting a measurable slowdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) as climate warms and Northern Hemisphere ice sheets inexorably shrink. Within this context, we assess the variability of the AMOC during the Holocene based on a marine sediment core retrieved from the deep northwest Atlantic, which sensitively recorded large‐scale deglacial transitions in deep water circulation. While there is a diffuse notion of Holocene variability in Labrador and Nordic Seas overturning, we report a largely invariable deep water circulation for the last ~11,000 years, even during the meltwater pulse associated with the 8.2‐ka event. Sensitivity tests along with high‐resolution 231Pa/230Th data constrain the duration and the magnitude of possible Holocene AMOC variations. The generally constant baseline during the Holocene suggests attenuated natural variability of the large‐scale AMOC on submillennial timescales and calls for compensating effects involving the upstream components of North Atlantic Deep Water.
An Investigation of Flow Shear and Diamagnetic Drift Effects on Magnetic Reconnection at Saturn's Dawnside Magnetopause
Authors: Sawyer R. P. , Fuselier S. A. , Mukherjee J. , Petrinec S. M.
Published: October 2019

At Saturn, solar wind driving of the magnetosphere is predicted to be reduced due to the extreme rotationally driven interior. As a result, the rotationally driven plasma corotates with the planet, possibly out to the magnetopause. Modeling suggests that this corotation should set up conditions that are unfavorable for the onset of magnetic reconnection on the dawnside magnetopause due to the generation of a significant flow shear. The flow shear model being tested makes use of idealized steady state models and a dominant east‐west interplanetary magnetic field orientation with a slight northward component. When the flow shear is larger than the Alfvèn speed, the model indicates that reconnection is suppressed. In this study, we employ observations from Cassini, when the interplanetary magnetic field has a northward component, to test this flow shear suppression model and whether reconnection is suppressed by diamagnetic drifts. Observations from the electron spectrometer on the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer suite of instruments show that reconnection does occur at the dayside magnetopause of Saturn, even in locations where modeling suggests that conditions are unfavorable for its onset. The inconsistency between modeling and observations may be caused by the conditions and assumptions within the model itself. Furthermore, the occurrence of reconnection on the dawnside magnetopause in general may hint at additional complexities in the global structure of Saturn's magnetosphere.
Ionospheric Interhemispheric Asymmetry Induced by Planetary Wave Under Solar Minimum Condition
Authors: Qin Yusong , Gu Sheng‐Yang , Dang Tong , Dou Xiankang
Published: October 2019

The westward quasi‐6‐day planetary wave with zonal wave number 1 (Q6DW) is important in the Earth's atmospheric coupling. The International Global Navigation Satellite System Service total electron content (TEC) maps show that the Q6DW‐related ionospheric perturbations exhibit clear interhemispheric asymmetry, which do not always agree with the interhemispheric asymmetry feature of the background TEC. The National Center for Atmospheric Research Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Mesosphere Electrodynamic General Circulation Model is then used to investigate the reasons for planetary wave‐induced interhemispheric asymmetry by imposing Q6DW forcing at the model lower boundary at vernal equinox under solar minimum condition. The interhemispheric asymmetry features of the ionospheric responses to Q6DW are well captured by our model simulations. For example, the southern branch of the Q6DW perturbation in F region is ~26% larger than that in the Northern Hemisphere at 30°E, while the background Model TEC is~4.7% stronger in the Northern Hemisphere. We found that the vertical plasma transportation induced by Q6DW perturbations in the neutral wind fields in F region show the same asymmetric features with TEC, which leads to corresponding ionospheric perturbations by changing the local recombination effect. Our further simulations show that the vertical plasma drifts induced by Q6DW through E × B process can also cause interhemispheric asymmetry in Model TEC. It is also found that the zonal component of Q6DW perturbations contributes more to the asymmetry than the meridional component through both neutral wind direct transportation effects and E region wind dynamo effects. Moreover, the ionospheric asymmetry of the Q6DW‐related oscillations also exhibit clear longitudinal variabilities.
Anatomy of Salinity Anomalies Associated With the Positive Indian Ocean Dipole
Authors: Kido Shoichiro , Tozuka Tomoki , Han Weiqing
Published: October 2019

Mechanisms of salinity anomalies associated with the positive Indian Ocean Dipole (pIOD) are investigated through a series of sensitivity experiments and an online budget analysis using a regional ocean model. Special emphasis is placed on the contribution from the rectified effects due to high‐frequency variability, which was not quantitatively discussed in previous studies. The results from sensitivity experiments show that positive sea surface salinity (SSS) anomalies in the southeastern tropical Indian Ocean are primarily caused by reduction in precipitation and partly by enhanced evaporation due to increased wind speed, while negative SSS anomalies in the central‐eastern equatorial Indian Ocean are generated by zonal advection anomalies induced by anomalous wind stress, consistent with previous studies. Completely new results are that the modulation of nonlinear salinity advection associated with mesoscale eddies also plays an important role in determining the spatial pattern of SSS anomalies, especially in the southeastern tropical Indian Ocean. On the other hand, subsurface salinity anomalies are almost entirely caused by wind stress effects mediated by ocean dynamical processes. Further decomposition of advective anomalies suggests that they are mainly explained by the pIOD‐related current anomalies governed by equatorial wave dynamics. However, a vertical shift of nonlinear freshening due to high‐frequency variability also substantially contributes to the generation of positive subsurface salinity anomalies in the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean. Our results show that large‐scale oceanic changes in response to the pIOD‐related atmospheric anomalies are the key drivers of the observed salinity anomalies, while some nonlinear effects also seem to be at work.
Seasonal Variability of the Southern Tip of the Oxygen Minimum Zone in the Eastern South Pacific (30°‐38°S): A Modeling Study
Authors: Pizarro‐Koch Matias , Pizarro Oscar , Dewitte Boris , Montes Ivonne , Ramos Marcel , Paulmier Aurélien , Garçon Véronique
Published: October 2019

We investigate the seasonal variability of the southern tip (30°–38°S) of the eastern South Pacific oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) based on a high horizontal resolution (1/12°) regional coupled physical‐biogeochemical model simulation. The simulation is validated by available in situ observations and the OMZ seasonal variability is documented. The model OMZ, bounded by the contour of 45 μM, occupies a large volume (4.5x104 km3) during the beginning of austral winter and a minimum (3.5x104 km3) at the end of spring, just 1 and 2 months after the southward transport of the Peru‐Chile Undercurrent (PCUC) is maximum and minimum, respectively. We showed that the PCUC significantly impacts the alongshore advection of dissolved oxygen (DO) modulating the OMZ seasonal variability. However, zonal transport of DO by meridionally alternating zonal jets and mesoscale eddy fluxes play also a major role in the seasonal and spatial variability of the OMZ. Consistently, a DO budget analysis reveals a significant contribution of advection terms to the rate of change of DO and the prominence of mesoscale variability within the seasonal cycle of these terms. Biogeochemical processes and horizontal and vertical mixing, associated with subgrid scale processes, play only a secondary role in the OMZ seasonal cycle. Overall, our study illustrates the interplay of mean and (mesoscale) eddy‐induced transports of DO in shaping the OMZ and its seasonal cycle off Central Chile.
The Deflection Angle of Surface Ocean Currents From the Wind Direction
Authors: Bressan A. , Constantin A.
Published: October 2019

Wind stress drives the upper ocean circulation in nonequatorial regions by means of an interplay with the vertical turbulent friction and the Coriolis force, generating horizontal wind drift currents which spiral and decay with depth. Classical Ekman theory—applied almost universally in oceanography—predicts that the angle between the vectors of the surface current and surface wind is 45°, if the coefficient of vertical turbulent mixing is constant. However, observations show that the deflection angle is usually close to 30° in arctic regions and larger than 45° in some low‐latitude areas, because the vertical turbulent mixing varies with depth. In contrast to Ekman's classical solution, the solutions that are available for depth‐dependent eddy viscosity are quite involved and, as in data‐driven studies, it is difficult to sort out spurious correlations that obscure the underlying structure. We propose a perturbative approach, providing a formula for the deviation of the deflection angle from the 45° reference value and discussing its implications.
Targeting cell signaling in allergic asthma
Authors: Athari Seyyed Shamsadin
Published: October 2019

Asthma is chronic inflammation of the airways characterized by airway hyper-responsiveness, wheezing, cough, and dyspnea. Asthma affects >350 million people worldwide. The Th2 immune response is a major contributor to the pathophysiology of asthma. Targeted therapy modulating cell signaling pathways can be a powerful strategy to design new drugs to treat asthma. The potential molecular pathways that can be targeted include IL-4-IL-13-JAK-STAT-MAP kinases, adiponectin-iNOS-NF-κB, PGD2-CRTH2, IFNs-RIG, Wnt/β-catenin-FAM13A, FOXC1-miR-PI3K/AKT, JNK-Gal-7, Nrf2-ROS, Foxp3-RORγt, CysLTR, AMP, Fas-FasL, PTHrP/PPARγ, PAI-1, FcɛRI-LAT-SLP-76, Tim-3-Gal-9, TLRs-MyD88, PAR2, and Keap1/Nrf2/ARE. Therapeutic drugs can be designed to target one or more of these pathways to treat asthma.
Delineating and validating higher-order dimensions of psychopathology in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study
Authors: Michelini Giorgia , Barch Deanna M. , Tian Yuan , Watson David , Klein Daniel N. , Kotov Roman
Published: October 2019

Hierarchical dimensional systems of psychopathology promise more informative descriptions for understanding risk and predicting outcome than traditional diagnostic systems, but it is unclear how many major dimensions they should include. We delineated the hierarchy of childhood and adult psychopathology and validated it against clinically relevant measures. Participants were 9987 9- and 10-year-old children and their parents from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Factor analyses of items from the Child Behavior Checklist and Adult Self-Report were run to delineate hierarchies of dimensions. We examined the familial aggregation of the psychopathology dimensions, and the ability of different factor solutions to account for risk factors, real-world functioning, cognitive functioning, and physical and mental health service utilization. A hierarchical structure with a general psychopathology (‘p’) factor at the apex and five specific factors (internalizing, somatoform, detachment, neurodevelopmental, and externalizing) emerged in children. Five similar dimensions emerged also in the parents. Child and parent p-factors correlated highly (r = 0.61, p < 0.001), and smaller but significant correlations emerged for convergent dimensions between parents and children after controlling for p-factors (r = 0.09−0.21, p < 0.001). A model with child p-factor alone explained mental health service utilization (R2 = 0.23, p < 0.001), but up to five dimensions provided incremental validity to account for developmental risk and current functioning in children (R2 = 0.03−0.19, p < 0.001). In this first investigation comprehensively mapping the psychopathology hierarchy in children and adults, we delineated a hierarchy of higher-order dimensions associated with a range of clinically relevant validators. These findings hold important implications for psychiatric nosology and future research in this sample.
Depression and suicide risk prediction models using blood-derived multi-omics data
Authors: Bhak Youngjune , Jeong Hyoung-oh , Cho Yun Sung , Jeon Sungwon , Cho Juok , Gim Jeong-An , Jeon Yeonsu , Blazyte Asta , Park Seung Gu , Kim Hak-Min , Shin Eun-Seok , Paik Jong-Woo , Lee Hae-Woo , Kang Wooyoung , Kim Aram , Kim Yumi , Kim Byung Chul , Ham Byung-Joo , Bhak Jong , Lee Semin
Published: October 2019

More than 300 million people worldwide experience depression; annually, ~800,000 people die by suicide. Unfortunately, conventional interview-based diagnosis is insufficient to accurately predict a psychiatric status. We developed machine learning models to predict depression and suicide risk using blood methylome and transcriptome data from 56 suicide attempters (SAs), 39 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), and 87 healthy controls. Our random forest classifiers showed accuracies of 92.6% in distinguishing SAs from MDD patients, 87.3% in distinguishing MDD patients from controls, and 86.7% in distinguishing SAs from controls. We also developed regression models for predicting psychiatric scales with R2 values of 0.961 and 0.943 for Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression–17 and Scale for Suicide Ideation, respectively. Multi-omics data were used to construct psychiatric status prediction models for improved mental health treatment.
CD24: a marker of granulosa cell subpopulation and a mediator of ovulation
Authors: Dong Jun-peng , Dai Zhi-hui , Jiang Zhong-xin , He Yi , Wang Liang , Liao Qiu-ying , Sun Ning-xia , Wang Yi-ning , Sun Shu-han , Lin Wei , Li Wen , Yang Fu
Published: October 2019

Granulosa cells (GCs) play a critical role in driving the formation of ovarian follicles and building the cumulus-oocyte complex surrounding the ovum. We are particularly interested in assessing oocyte quality by examining the detailed gene expression profiles of human cumulus single cells. Using single-cell RNAseq techniques, we extensively investigated the single-cell transcriptomes of the cumulus GC populations from two women with normal ovarian function. This allowed us to elucidate the endogenous heterogeneity of GCs by uncovering the hidden GC subpopulation. The subsequent validation results suggest that CD24(+) GCs are essential for triggering ovulation. Treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) significantly increases the expression of CD24 in GCs. CD24 in cultured human GCs is associated with hCG-induced upregulation of prostaglandin synthase (ARK1C1, PTGS2, PTGES, and PLA2G4A) and prostaglandin transporter (SLCO2A1 and ABCC4) expression, through supporting the EGFR-ERK1/2 pathway. In addition, it was observed that the fraction of CD24(+) cumulus GCs decreases in PCOS patients compared to that of controls. Altogether, the results support the finding that CD24 is an important mediator of ovulation and that it may also be used for therapeutic target of ovulatory disorders.
Loss of TIMP3 by promoter methylation of Sp1 binding site promotes oral cancer metastasis
Authors: Su Chun-Wen , Chang Yu-Chao , Chien Ming-Hsien , Hsieh Yi-Hsien , Chen Mu-Kuan , Lin Chiao-Wen , Yang Shun-Fa
Published: October 2019

The tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3) is the only member of the TIMP family that binds to the extracellular matrix and suppresses cancer cell growth, angiogenesis, migration, and invasion. However, whether the abnormal expression and promoter methylation of TIMP3 facilitates oral cancer metastasis remain unclear. In this study, the DNA methylation levels of TIMP3 CpG islands were assessed through pyrosequencing. Artificial modulation of TIMP3 was performed to explore the role of TIMP3 in tumor metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that the suppression of TIMP3 transcription by DNA methylation involves the inhibition of the binding of the transcription factor Sp1 to the TIMP3 promoter as well as the upregulation of DNMT1 and DNMT3B. Functional analyses revealed that TIMP3 overexpression reduced migration and invasion abilities in oral cancer cells and inhibited lymph node metastasis in vivo. Moreover, TIMP3 regulated epithelial–mesenchymal transition by increasing the expression of the epithelial markers and reducing the expression of the mesenchymal markers. In conclusion, our findings suggested that the suppression of TIMP3 by DNA methylation contributes to oral cancer metastasis.