bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exposure to exogenous egg cortisol does not rescue juvenile Chinook salmon body size, condition, or survival from the effects of elevated water temperatures
Authors: Warriner Theresa R. , Semeniuk Christina A. D. , Pitcher Trevor E. , Love Oliver P.
Published: February 2020

Climate change is leading to altered temperature regimes which are impacting aquatic life, particularly for ectothermic fish. The impacts of environmental stress can be translated across generations through maternally derived glucocorticoids, leading to altered offspring phenotypes. Although these maternal stress effects are often considered negative, recent studies suggest this maternal stress signal may prepare offspring for a similarly stressful environment (environmental match). We applied the environmental match hypothesis to examine whether a prenatal stress signal can dampen the effects of elevated water temperatures on body size, condition, and survival during early development in Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha from Lake Ontario, Canada. We exposed fertilized eggs to prenatal exogenous egg cortisol (1,000 ng/ml cortisol or 0 ng/ml control) and then reared these dosed groups at temperatures indicative of current (+0°C) and future (+3°C) temperature conditions. Offspring reared in elevated temperatures were smaller and had a lower survival at the hatchling developmental stage. Overall, we found that our exogenous cortisol dose did not dampen effects of elevated rearing temperatures (environmental match) on body size or early survival. Instead, our eyed stage survival indicates that our prenatal cortisol dose may be detrimental, as cortisol‐dosed offspring raised in elevated temperatures had lower survival than cortisol‐dosed and control reared in current temperatures. Our results suggest that a maternal stress signal may not be able to ameliorate the effects of thermal stress during early development. However, we highlight the importance of interpreting the fitness impacts of maternal stress within an environmentally relevant context.
Synthetic Strategy for Tetraphenyl‐Substituted All‐E‐Carotenoids with Improved Molecular Properties
Authors: Lim Boram , Jung Hyunuk , Yoo Hyebin , Park Myeongnam , Yang Huijeong , Chung Wook‐Jin , Koo Sangho
Published: February 2020

The synthetic method of tetraphenyl‐substituted all‐E‐carotenes 1 with improved properties of antioxidant and molecular electronic conductance was developed through the formation of tetraphenyl‐substituted all‐E‐apocarotenedial 4. The synthesis highlighted the preparation of novel subunits containing phenyl substituent(s) with E‐configuration starting from the key (E)‐4‐chloro‐2‐phenylbut‐2‐enal (10), utilizing conjugation effect with formyl group or easy recrystallization of sulfone compounds. Sulfone‐mediated coupling methods of Julia and modified Julia–Kocienski olefinations utilizing the subunits were demonstrated to produce tetraphenyl‐substituted apocarotenedials 4. The major all‐E‐forms (73–85 % selectivity) were easily purified by SiO2 chromatography and trituration with Et2O due to the presence of the polar formyl groups. The olefination of all‐E‐apocarotenedials 4 and Wittig salt 5 provided all‐E‐9,9',13,13'‐tetraphenylcarotenes 1.
Reliability of liquid organic hydrogen carrier‐based energy storage in a mobility application
Authors: Uhrig Felix , Kadar Julian , Müller Karsten
Published: February 2020

Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) are a technology that allows storing hydrogen in a safe and dense manner by reversible chemical conversion. They constitute a very promising option for energy storage, transport, and release combined with electric power generation by fuel cells in large‐scale applications like trains. In order to establish trains running on LOHC, it is mandatory to ensure the reliability of the system. This study evaluates various system configurations concerning reliability and resilience. The fault tree analysis method has been used to quantify the probability of failure. The S‐P matrix was applied to assess the different failure modes in context of severity as well as their probability. The MTTF of the system can be more than doubled by introducing single redundancy for the fuel cell and the reactor, while more than two redundant components diminish the positive effect on reliability due to higher complexity. It is estimated that the systems full functionality is available for more than 97% of its operating time.
Microglial NMDA receptors drive pro‐inflammatory responses via PARP‐1/TRMP2 signaling
Authors: Raghunatha Prajwal , Vosoughi Amir , Kauppinen Tiina M. , Jackson Michael F.
Published: February 2020

Chronic neuroinflammation driven by microglia is a characteristic feature associated with numerous neurodegenerative diseases. While acute inflammation can assist with recovery and repair, prolonged microglial pro‐inflammatory responses are known to exacerbate neurodegenerative processes. Yet, detrimental outcomes of extended microglial activation are counterbalanced by beneficial outcomes including phagocytosis and release of trophic factors promoting neuronal viability. Our past work has shown that the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1) is a key signaling hub driving pro‐inflammatory microglia responses, but the signaling pathway maintaining PARP‐1 activation remains elusive. While best understood for its role in promoting DNA repair, our group has shown that PARP‐1 activity can be stimulated via Ca2+ influx‐dependent ERK1/2‐mediated phosphorylation. However, to date, the route of Ca2+ entry responsible for stimulating PARP‐1 has not been identified. A likely candidate is via Ca2+‐permeable transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channels activated downstream of PARP‐1 in a cascade that involves ADP‐ribose (ADPR) production by poly(ADP‐ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG). Here we demonstrate that NMDA receptor (NMDAR) stimulation in primary cultured microglia induces their proliferation, morphological activation and release of pro‐inflammatory mediators. These responses were contingent on the recruitment of PARP‐1, PARG and Ca2+ permeable TRPM2 channels. Furthermore, we show that Ca2+ influx is necessary to activate PARP‐1/TRPM2 signaling, in an ERK1/2‐dependent, but DNA damage independent, manner. Our findings, showing that PARP‐1/TRPM2 mediate the pro‐inflammatory effects of NMDAR stimulation, provides a unifying mechanism linking elevated glutamate levels to chronic neuroinflammation.
Left‐handed musicians show a higher probability of atypical cerebral dominance for language
Authors: Villar‐Rodríguez Esteban , Palomar‐García María‐Ángeles , Hernández Mireia , Adrián‐Ventura Jesús , Olcina‐Sempere Gustau , Parcet María‐Antònia , Ávila César
Published: February 2020

Music processing and right hemispheric language lateralization share a common network in the right auditory cortex and its frontal connections. Given that the development of hemispheric language dominance takes place over several years, this study tested whether musicianship could increase the probability of observing right language dominance in left‐handers. Using a classic fMRI language paradigm, results showed that atypical lateralization was more predominant in musicians (40%) than in nonmusicians (5%). Comparison of left‐handers with typical left and atypical right lateralization revealed that: (a) atypical cases presented a thicker right pars triangularis and more gyrified left Heschl's gyrus; and (b) the right pars triangularis of atypical cases showed a stronger intra‐hemispheric functional connectivity with the right angular gyrus, but a weaker interhemispheric functional connectivity with part of the left Broca's area. Thus, musicianship is the first known factor related to a higher prevalence of atypical language dominance in healthy left‐handed individuals. We suggest that differences in the frontal and temporal cortex might act as shared predisposing factors to both musicianship and atypical language lateralization.
The association between resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging and aortic pulse‐wave velocity in healthy adults
Authors: Hussein Ahmad , Matthews Jacob L. , Syme Catriona , Macgowan Christopher , MacIntosh Bradley J. , Shirzadi Zahra , Pausova Zdenka , Paus Tomáš , Chen J. Jean
Published: February 2020

Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) is frequently used to study brain function; but, it is unclear whether BOLD‐signal fluctuation amplitude and functional connectivity are associated with vascular factors, and how vascular‐health factors are reflected in rs‐fMRI metrics in the healthy population. As arterial stiffening is a known age‐related cardiovascular risk factor, we investigated the associations between aortic stiffening (as measured using pulse‐wave velocity [PWV]) and rs‐fMRI metrics. We used cardiac MRI to measure aortic PWV (an established indicator of whole‐body vascular stiffness), as well as dual‐echo pseudo‐continuous arterial‐spin labeling to measure BOLD and CBF dynamics simultaneously in a group of generally healthy adults. We found that: (1) higher aortic PWV is associated with lower variance in the resting‐state BOLD signal; (2) higher PWV is also associated with lower BOLD‐based resting‐state functional connectivity; (3) regions showing lower connectivity do not fully overlap with those showing lower BOLD variance with higher PWV; (4) CBF signal variance is a significant mediator of the above findings, only when averaged across regions‐of‐interest. Furthermore, we found no significant association between BOLD signal variance and systolic blood pressure, which is also a known predictor of vascular stiffness. Age‐related vascular stiffness, as measured by PWV, provides a unique scenario to demonstrate the extent of vascular bias in rs‐fMRI signal fluctuations and functional connectivity. These findings suggest that a substantial portion of age‐related rs‐fMRI differences may be driven by vascular effects rather than directly by brain function.
Significance of LncRNA CASC8 genetic polymorphisms on the tuberculosis susceptibility in Chinese population
Authors: Liu Guoye , Xia Rui , Wang Qian , Wang Zhiqiang , Ying Binwu , Yan Hong
Published: February 2020

Background

Tuberculosis remains an important disease threatening the security of public health, and no effective targets have been found for the immunological diagnosis or therapy of tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to explore the associations between lncRNA CASC8 genetic polymorphism and tuberculosis risk.

Method

A total of 900 tuberculosis patients and 1534 healthy individuals in the Western Chinese Han population were recruited for our study. Candidate SNPs of CASC8 were initially filtered by importing the 1000 genomes database into Haploview, and subsequently genotyped using modified multiplex ligation detection reactions.

Results

The lncRNA CASC8 genetic variant rs7836840 was associated with an increased tuberculosis risk with a P‐value of .034, but .134 after Bonferroni correction. Using subtype analysis, the C allele in rs7836840 showed a significant association with tuberculosis susceptibility (OR = 1.196, 95% CI = 1.05‐1.362, P = .02739 after Bonferroni correction). Patients carrying genotype AG and GG of rs7825118 and rs9297758 exhibited lower Hb concentrations (P = .006) and neutrophil counts (P = .015), respectively, while genotype AG and AA in rs6981424 demonstrated higher levels of ALT (P = .005) and AST (P = .033) in a dominant model, which were consistent with a tendency toward increased TB risk.

Conclusions

This study was the first to explore the association between lncRNA CASC8 polymorphisms and TB infection risk and clinical manifestations. Our results provide evidence that CASC8 may act as a biomarker for the progression of clinical tuberculosis.
Impact of the Selective Orexin‐1 Receptor Antagonist ACT‐539313 on the Pharmacokinetics of the CYP3A Probe Drug Midazolam in Healthy Male Subjects
Authors: Berger Benjamin , Kaufmann Priska , Koch Annelize , Dingemanse Jasper
Published: February 2020

ACT‐539313 is a potent and selective orexin‐1 receptor antagonist. CYP3A is the major cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme involved in the metabolism and clearance of ACT‐539313 in man. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ACT‐539313 on the pharmacokinetics of orally administered midazolam. Thereby, this single‐center, open‐label, fixed‐sequence study investigated the CYP3A interaction potential of ACT‐539313 following single‐ (on day 2) and repeated‐dose (on day 11) twice‐daily administration of 200 mg ACT‐539313. Exposure to midazolam was higher during concomitant administration of single as well as after repeated doses of ACT‐539313 over 10 days compared to midazolam alone (day 1). In the presence of ACT‐539313, the geometric mean ratio of the maximum plasma concentration and the area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 to 24 hours increased by 1.18‐ and 1.79‐fold on day 2, and by 2.13‐ and 4.54‐fold on day 11, respectively. A similar outcome was also shown in the additionally evaluated urinary 6β‐hydroxycortisol/cortisol ratio (6β‐CR), as the geometric mean ratio of the 6β‐CR showed a decrease to 0.78 on day 2 and to 0.61 on day 11. The most commonly reported adverse events (AEs) included somnolence and headache. All AEs were transient and of mild intensity. No treatment‐related effects on vital signs, clinical laboratory, and electrocardiogram were observed. In summary, the observed corresponding decrease of both the validated, exogenous (midazolam/1‐hydroxymidazolam ratio) and a frequently used endogenous (6β‐CR) marker of CYP3A activity is indicative of CYP3A inhibition occurring after ACT‐539313 treatment.
Associations of MTRR A66G polymorphism and promoter methylation with ischemic stroke in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia
Authors: Li Dankang , Zhao Qinglin , Zhang Chengda , Huang Xiaowen , Godfrey Opolot , Zhang Weidong
Published: February 2020

Background

Patients with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) have a higher risk of developing ischemic stroke (IS). The association between MTRR A66G polymorphism and promoter methylation with IS in patients with HHcy is also uncertain. The present study aimed to investigate the association between the MTRR polymorphism and methylation with IS in HHcy patients.

Methods

This case–control study included a total of 304 HHcy patients (95 with IS and 209 without IS). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to explore the association between MTRR polymorphism and classical atherothrombotic risk factors with the risk of IS.

Results

The log‐additive and dominant models were markedly different in participants with IS compared to the control group (p = 0.031 and 0.016, respectively). The log‐additive and dominant showed a significant association with IS in the low level plasma homocysteine groups (p = 0.024 and 0.014, respectively). No significant difference of methylation between IS and without IS group (p > 0.05). Patients with high plasma homocysteine had a 4.041–4.941 fold higher risk of IS (p = 0.01, 0.016 and 0.041, respectively) compared to the low plasma homocysteine group. Age, diabetes, hypertension and plasma homocysteine were the risk factors for IS in patients with HHcy (p = 0.033, 0.000, 0.001 and 0.038, respectively).

Conclusions

MTRR A66G polymorphism and an elevated plasma plasma homocysteine level were significantly associated with an increased risk of IS in patients with HHcy. Age, diabetes, hypertension and Hcy were all found to be associated with IS.
Longitudinal evaluation of Wnt inhibitors and comparison with others serum osteoimmunological biomarkers in osteolytic bone metastasis
Authors: Galliera Emanuela , Massaccesi Luca , de Benedettis Elena , Longhi Elisa , de Toma Domenico , Corsi Romanelli Massimiliano M , Banfi Giuseppe
Published: February 2020

Bone and the immune system are closely linked: bone regulates the hematopoietic stem cells, which are precursors of immune cells, and several immunoregulatory cytokines influence the differentiation of bone cells, thus defining the osteoimmunological system. Cytokines and growth factors produced by immune and bone cells promote tumors in bone, supporting the vicious cycle of bone metastasis. Therefore osteoimmunological molecules linking the immune and bone systems could have diagnostic and prognostic potential for bone metastases. The osteoimmunologic Wnt pathway has been recently described as an important pathway with a vital role in bone carcinogenesis and metastatic progression. We examined the Wnt inhibitor DKK-1, sclerostin and several other osteoimmunological biomarkers involved in bone metastatic progression: RANKL, OPG, OPN, matrix metalloproteinase MMP-3 and the Receptor of Advanced Glycosylated End-products sRAGE. OPN and sclerostin proved good biomarkers of metastatic bone progression; the RANKL/OPG ratio was a good indicator of bone erosion in the metastatic process, while sRAGE had a protective role against metastatic progression in bone. These results serve to define a panel of new osteoimmunological biomarkers that could be useful in assessing the progress of osteolytic bone metastases.
A comparative view on vitamin C effects on αβ- versus γδ T-cell activation and differentiation
Authors: Peters Christian , Kouakanou Léonce , Kabelitz Dieter
Published: February 2020

Vitamin C (VitC) is an essential vitamin that needs to be provided through exogenous sources. It is a potent anti-oxidant, and an essential cofactor for many enzymes including a group of enzymes that modulate epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Moreover, VitC has a significant influence on T-cell differentiation, and can directly interfere with T-cell signaling. Conventional CD4 and CD8 T cells express the αβ TCR and recognize peptide antigens in the context of MHC presentation. The numerically small population of γδ T cells recognizes antigens in an MHC-independent manner. γδ T cells kill a broad variety of malignant cells, and because of their unique features, are interesting candidates for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we summarize what is known about the influence of VitC on T-cell activation and differentiation with a special focus on γδ T cells. The known mechanisms of action of VitC on αβ T cells are discussed and extrapolated to the effects observed on γδ T-cell activation and differentiation. Overall, VitC enhances proliferation and effector functions of γδ T cells and thus may help to increase the efficacy of γδ T cells applied as cancer immunotherapy in adoptive cell transfer.
Early markers of atrial fibrillation recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Lanters Eva A. H. , Teuwen Christophe P. , Hokken Thijmen , Rohde Sofie , Haitsma David B. , Zijlstra Felix , Jordaens Luc J. L. M. , de Groot Natasja M. S.
Published: February 2020

Background

Postprocedural atrial extrasystole (AES) frequency predicts atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with paroxysmal AF. However, the predictive value of preprocedural AES frequency is unknown. We investigate whether preprocedural AES frequency is a feasible marker to predict (timing of) AF recurrence after PVI.

Methods

Patients (N = 684) with paroxysmal or persistent AF undergoing first‐time PVI were evaluated for (a) the frequency of AES/day on Holter recordings without AF prior to PVI, (b) AF episodes during the 90 days blanking period, and (c) AF recurrences afterward. The correlation between AES/day and both development and timing of AF recurrences was tested.

Results

Preprocedural AES/day was similar in patients with paroxysmal (66 [20‐295] AES/day) and persistent AF (115 [12‐248] AES/day, P = .915). During the blanking period, 302 (44.2%) patients showed AF episodes. AF recurred in 379 (55.4%) patients at 203 (105‐400) days after PVI. AF recurred more frequently in patients with persistent (N = 104 [69.3%]) than in patients with paroxysmal AF (N = 275 [51.5%], P < .001). Frequency of AES prior to PVI was not correlated with development (P = .203) or timing (P = .478) of AF recurrences. AF recurrences occurred both more frequently (P < .001) and earlier (P < .000) in patients with AF during the blanking period.

Conclusion

AES/day prior to PVI is not correlated with (timing of) AF during the blanking period or AF recurrences, and is therefore not a feasible marker for AF recurrences in patients with PAF. AF during the blanking period is correlated with AF recurrence.
Assessment of PMIP3 model simulations of megadroughts over the eastern China during the last millennium
Authors: Qin Yanmin , Ning Liang , Chen Kefan , Liu Jian , Yan Mi
Published: February 2020

The simulated spatiotemporal characteristics and variability of decadal megadroughts over the eastern China during the last millennium of 7 model simulations from the Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project Phase 3 (PMIP3) archive were assessed, and the corresponding mechanisms of the megadroughts were also investigated. The simulated megadrought features of frequencies, durations, magnitudes and spatial distributions were compared with reconstructed data. Comparison showed that climate models can reasonably reproduce the major features of megadroughts, however, the simulated megadroughts are not temporal synchronous with the reconstructed megadroughts, indicating that the internal variability rather than external forcing initiates the observed megadroughts. The simulated spatial distributions of wind and sea level pressure (SLP) anomalies during megadrought years showed that megadroughts over the eastern China corresponded to weakening of the East Asia Summer Monsoon (EASM) and strengthening of the East Asia Winter Monsoon (EAWM). A pattern of sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) with significant negative SSTA over the western central North Pacific and significant positive SSTA over eastern North Pacific and equatorial Pacific, resembling a positive PDO‐like pattern, was found to suppress precipitation in eastern China. Therefore, it could be concluded that that internal climate variability is the main trigger of the megadroughts over the eastern China, while the North Pacific decadal variability is considered the key driving factor influencing the EASM and EAWM.
Multi‐diagnostic multi‐model ensemble forecasts of aviation turbulence
Authors: Storer Luke N. , Gill Philip G. , Williams Paul D.
Published: February 2020

Turbulence is one of the major weather hazards to aviation. Studies have shown that clear‐air turbulence may well occur more frequently with future climate change. Currently the two World Area Forecast Centres use deterministic models to generate forecasts of turbulence. It has been shown that the use of multi‐model ensembles can lead to more skilful turbulence forecasts. It has also been shown that the combination of turbulence diagnostics can also produce more skilful forecasts using deterministic models. This study puts the two approaches together to expand the range of diagnostics to include predictors of both convective and mountain wave turbulence, in addition to clear‐air turbulence, using two ensemble model systems. Results from a 12 month global trial from September 2016 to August 2017 show the increased skill and economic value of including a wider range of diagnostics in a multi‐diagnostic multi‐model ensemble.
On PageRank versatility for multiplex networks: properties and some useful bounds
Authors: Pedroche Francisco , Criado Regino , Flores Julio , García Esther , Romance Miguel
Published: February 2020

In this paper, some results concerning the PageRank versatility measure for multiplex networks are given. This measure extends to the multiplex setting the well‐known classic PageRank. Particularly, we focus on some spectral properties of the Laplacian matrix of the multiplex and on obtaining boundaries for the ranking value of a given node when some personalization vector is added, as in the classic setting.
Electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of ferrocene‐based polyimidazole/carbon material composites
Authors: Nazir Ahsan , Yu Haojie , Wang Li , Liu Jinhua , Li Songbiao , Amin Bilal Ul , Naveed Kaleem‐ur‐Rahman , Khan Rizwan Ullah , Khan Amin , Usman Muhammad , Elshaarani Tarig , Uddin Md Alim
Published: February 2020

Ferrocene‐based polyimidazole (PPIFc) composites containing multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), reduced graphene oxide (RGO), and carbon black (CB) were prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization, respectively. The prepared PPIFc/MWCNT, PPIFc/RGO, and PPIFc/CB composites were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The electrical conductive property of the PPIFc/MWCNT, PPIFc/RGO, and PPIFc/CB composites was tested by a four‐probe method. The electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties of the composites were measured by a coaxial method in the 1 to 4.5 GHz. These PPIFc/MWCNT, PPIFc/RGO, and PPIFc/CB composites showed good EMI shielding performance and total shielding effectiveness (SET) for PPIFc/CB was −11.2 dB, PPIFc/RGO was −13.1 dB, and PPIFc/MWCNT was −25.4 dB by using 50 wt% of the composite in the paraffin wax.
Strain‐rate‐dependent mechanical properties of polypropylene separator for lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Moghim Mohammad Hadi , Nahvi Bayani Ashkan , Eqra Rahim
Published: February 2020

The mechanical integrity of battery separators is critical for battery safety and durability. A comprehensive study of strain‐rate‐dependent tensile and puncture properties of a polypropylene lithium‐ion battery separator is presented here with a new model. Due to anisotropy of the polymeric membrane, tensile testing was conducted for different directions. Results showed that tensile strength and elastic modulus were increased 1000% and 500%, respectively, for different directions. It was also demonstrated that tensile strength changed 10 to 25% with strain rate (1.67 × 10−4 to 1.67 × 10−1 s−1) for different directions. An equation was obtained for the first time for flow stress versus strain rate at varied tensile directions with respect to machine direction. Moreover, puncture testing was performed and it was shown that puncture strength was increased 140% with increasing strain rate from 0.25 to 250 mm min−1. Two failure modes were also observed in puncture samples. Finally, Eyring's model was used to calculate activation enthalpy of the porous polypropylene separator. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Intellectual property in entomology: Analysis and perspective on recent trends in global patent publications
Authors: Hamm Ronda L , Gregg Anne , Sparks Thomas C
Published: February 2020

Intellectual property (IP) is an important consideration for entomological research and provides a means to capture value from new discoveries. Herein, we describe an analysis of more than 26 000 patent publications from 2007–2017 related to the field of entomology. These patents were divided among 8000 patent assignees; however, only 5% of the assignees had ≥10 patents. Corporations accounted for the largest share of patents (59%), with individuals (20%), academic institutions (17%) and government organizations (4%) making up the remaining segments. From 2007–2017 the number of entomological patents increased by 400%, with the largest number being from China. However, unlike patents from Europe, Japan or the US, which target a range of countries, the Chinese patents almost exclusively focus on China. Among the array of subjects covered are transgenic insects and plants, repellents, recombinant insect cells, with the highest proportion of patents focused on insecticides (39%), followed by insecticide mixtures (27%) and formulations (21%). The top 30 patent assignees included companies/institutions from China (18), Europe (3), Japan (6) and the US (3). Among the top 12 entities, IP from the US assignees was distributed across insecticides, mixtures and insecticidal traits while those from China were more focused on mixtures. However, given expanding IP numbers from China it is expected that in the future there will be a greater impact on new insecticides and related technologies. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
High first‐hyperpolarizabilities of thiobarbituric acid derivative‐based donor‐π‐acceptor nonlinear optical‐phores: Multiple theoretical investigations of substituents and conjugated bridges effect
Authors: Liu Yidan , Yuan Yizhong , Tian Xiaohui , Yuan Jianyong , Sun Jinyu
Published: February 2020

A number of compounds including thiobarbituric acid derivative‐based acceptor unit and diverse donor moieties along with two types of π‐conjugated bridges have been constructed to aid in the design of the superior nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. The effect of varying the donor and bridge parts of this donor‐bridge‐acceptor system was analyzed in terms of structural and opto‐electronic parameters such as bond length alternation and ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectra. Various functionals with aug‐cc‐pVDZ basis set including B3LYP, PBE0, PBE38, BMK, CAM‐B3LYP, and ωB97XD were employed to calculate the static and dynamic first‐hyperpolarizabilities, and also the linear polarizabilities. Furthermore, the variation of the static first‐hyperpolarizabilities has been explained satisfactorily in the light of the sum‐over‐states method and two‐level model. The comprehensive study indicates that the coplanar compound D‐5 with the low electronic absorption energy, strongest oscillator strength paired with the largest ground, and excited state dipole moment difference generates a dramatical increase in its static and dynamic first‐hyperpolarizabilities, which would be the most worthwhile target for development as the NLO‐phores.
On the connectivity of proper colorings of random graphs and hypergraphs
Authors: Anastos Michael , Frieze Alan
Published: February 2020

Let Ωq=Ωq(H) denote the set of proper [q]‐colorings of the hypergraph H. Let Γq be the graph with vertex set Ωq where two colorings σ,τ are adjacent iff the corresponding colorings differ in exactly one vertex. We show that if H=Hn,m;k, k ≥ 2, the random k‐uniform hypergraph with V=[n] and m=dn/k hyperedges then w.h.p. Γq is connected if d is sufficiently large and . This is optimal up to the first order in d. Furthermore, with a few more colors, we find that the diameter of Γq is O(n) w.h.p., where the hidden constant depends on d. So, with this choice of d,q, the natural Glauber dynamics Markov Chain on Ωq is ergodic w.h.p.
Testing for change‐point in the covariate effects based on the Cox regression model
Authors: Lee Chun Yin , Chen Xuerong , Lam Kwok Fai
Published: February 2020

Models with change‐point in covariates have wide applications in cancer research with the response being the time to a certain event. A Cox model with change‐point in covariate is considered at which the pattern of the change‐point effects can be flexibly specified. To test for the existence of the change‐point effects, three statistical tests, namely, the maximal score, maximal normalized score, and maximal Wald tests are proposed. The asymptotic properties of the test statistics are established. Monte Carlo approaches to simulate the critical values are suggested. A large‐scale simulation study is carried out to study the finite sample performance of the proposed test statistics under the null hypothesis of no change‐points and various alternative hypothesis settings. Each of the proposed methods provides a natural estimate for the location of the change‐point, but it is found that the performance of the maximal score test can be sensitive to the true location of the change‐point in some cases, while the performance of the maximal Wald test is very satisfactory in general even in cases with moderate sample size. For illustration, the proposed methods are applied to two medical datasets concerning patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and breast cancer, respectively.
Flavoured leptogenesis and CPμτ symmetry
Authors: Samanta Rome , Sen Manibrata
Published: February 2020

Abstract

We present a systematic study of leptogenesis in neutrino mass models with μτ-flavoured CP symmetry. In addition to the strong hierarchical N1-dominated scenario (N
1DS) in the ‘two flavour regime’ of leptogenesis, we show that one may choose the right-handed (RH) neutrino mass hierarchy as mild as M
2 ≃ 4.7M
1 for a perfectly valid hierarchical N
1DS. This reduces the lower bound on the allowed values of M
1, compared to what is stated in the literature. The consideration of flavour effects due to the heavy neutrinos also translate into an upper bound on M
1. It is only below this bound that the observed baryon-to-photon ratio can be realized for a standard N
1 domination, else a substantial part of the parameter space is also compatible with N
2DS. We deduce conditions under which the baryon asymmetry produced by the second RH neutrino plays an important role. Finally, we discuss another scenario where lepton asymmetry generated by N
2 in the two flavour regime faces washout by N
1 in the three flavour regime. Considering a hierarchical light neutrino mass spectrum, which is now favoured by cosmological observations, we show that at the end of N
1-leptogenesis, the asymmetry generated by N
2 survives only in the electron flavour and about 33% of the parameter space is consistent with a pure N
2-leptogenesis.
Newton-Hooke/Carrollian expansions of (A)dS and Chern-Simons gravity
Authors: Gomis Joaquim , Kleinschmidt Axel , Palmkvist Jakob , Salgado-Rebolledo Patricio
Published: February 2020

Abstract

We construct finite- and infinite-dimensional non-relativistic extensions of the Newton-Hooke and Carroll (A)dS algebras using the algebra expansion method, starting from the (anti-)de Sitter relativistic algebra in D dimensions. These algebras are also shown to be embedded in different affine Kac-Moody algebras. In the three-dimensional case, we construct Chern-Simons actions invariant under these symmetries. This leads to a sequence of non-relativistic gravity theories, where the simplest examples correspond to extended Newton-Hooke and extended (post-)Newtonian gravity together with their Carrollian counterparts.
Entanglement wedge cross section from CFT: dynamics of local operator quench
Authors: Kusuki Yuya , Tamaoka Kotaro
Published: February 2020

Abstract

We derive dynamics of the entanglement wedge cross section from the reflected entropy for local operator quench states in the holographic CFT. By comparing between the reflected entropy and the mutual information in this dynamical setup, we argue that (1) the reflected entropy can diagnose a new perspective of the chaotic nature for given mixed states and (2) it can also characterize classical correlations in the subregion/subregion duality. Moreover, we point out that we must improve the bulk interpretation of a heavy state even in the case of well-studied entanglement entropy. Finally, we show that we can derive the same results from the odd entanglement entropy. The present paper is an extended version of our earlier report arXiv:1907.06646 and includes many new results: non-perturbative quantum correction to the reflected/odd entropy, detailed analysis in both CFT and bulk sides, many technical aspects of replica trick for reflected entropy which turn out to be important for general setup, and explicit forms of multi-point semi- classical conformal blocks under consideration.
Quantum Critical Higgs: from AdS5 to colliders
Authors: Shirazi Ali Shayegan , Terning John
Published: February 2020

Abstract

We examine distinctive signatures of Quantum Critical Higgs models at the LHC and future higher energy colliders. In these models the Higgs boson is part of a conformal sector that is softly broken at a threshold scale, and generically the scaling dimension of the Higgs is larger than in the Standard Model. In particular we examine thegg→H→ZZ,gg→H→γγ, andgg→Z→H Zchannels to see how the cross sections deviate from the Standard Model in the high invariant mass region. In order to perform the calculations we use 5D duals of Quantum Critical Higgs models using the AdS/CFT correspondence, with a soft wall to break the conformal symmetry.
Invisible and displaced dark matter signatures at Belle II
Authors: Duerr Michael , Ferber Torben , Hearty Christopher , Kahlhoefer Felix , Schmidt-Hoberg Kai , Tunney Patrick
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Many dark matter models generically predict invisible and displaced signatures at Belle II, but even striking events may be missed by the currently implemented search programme because of inefficient trigger algorithms. Of particular interest are final states with a single photon accompanied by missing energy and a displaced pair of electrons, muons, or hadrons. We argue that a displaced vertex trigger will be essential to achieve optimal sensitivity at Belle II. To illustrate this point, we study a simple but well-motivated model of thermal inelastic dark matter in which this signature naturally occurs and show that otherwise inaccessible regions of parameter space can be tested with such a search. We also evaluate the sensitivity of single-photon searches at BaBar and Belle II to this model and provide detailed calculations of the relic density target.
Complexity in the presence of a boundary
Authors: Braccia Paolo , Cotrone Aldo L. , Tonni Erik
Published: February 2020

Abstract

The effects of a boundary on the circuit complexity are studied in two dimensional theories. The analysis is performed in the holographic realization of a conformal field theory with a boundary by employing different proposals for the dual of the complexity, including the “Complexity = Volume” (CV) and “Complexity = Action” (CA) prescriptions, and in the harmonic chain with Dirichlet boundary conditions. In all the cases considered except for CA, the boundary introduces a subleading logarithmic divergence in the expansion of the complexity as the UV cutoff vanishes. Holographic subregion complexity is also explored in the CV case, finding that it can change discontinuously under continuous variations of the configuration of the subregion.
The Chiral Anomaly of the Free Fermion in Functorial Field Theory
Authors: Ludewig Matthias , Roos Saskia
Published: February 2020

When trying to cast the free fermion in the framework of functorial field theory, itschiral anomalymanifests in the fact that it assigns the determinant of the Dirac operator to a top-dimensional closed spin manifold, which is not a number as expected, but an element of a complex line. In functorial field theory language, this means that the theory istwisted, which gives rise to ananomaly theory. In this paper, we give a detailed construction of this anomaly theory, as a functor that sends manifolds to infinite-dimensional Clifford algebras and bordisms to bimodules.
The glucose-lowering effects of α-glucosidase inhibitor require a bile acid signal in mice
Authors: Qiu Yixuan , Shen Linyan , Fu Lihong , Yang Jie , Cui Canqi , Li Tingting , Li Xuelin , Fu Chenyang , Gao Xianfu , Wang Weiqing , Ning Guang , Gu Yanyun
Published: February 2020

Aims/hypothesis

Bile-acid (BA) signalling is crucial in metabolism homeostasis and has recently been found to mediate the therapeutic effects of glucose-lowering treatments, including α-glucosidase inhibitor (AGI). However, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be clarified. We hypothesised that BA signalling may be required for the glucose-lowering effects and metabolic benefits of AGI.

Methods

Leptin receptor (Lepr)-knockout (KO) db/db mice and high-fat high-sucrose (HFHS)-fed Fxr (also known as Nr1h4)-KO mice were treated with AGI. Metabolic phenotypes and BA signalling in different compartments, including the liver, gut and endocrine pancreas, were evaluated. BA pool profiles were analysed by mass spectrometry. The islet transcription profile was assayed by RNA sequencing. The gut microbiome were assayed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.

Results

AGI lowered microbial BA levels in BA pools of different compartments in the body, and increased gut BA reabsorption in both db/db and HFHS-fed mouse models via altering the gut microbiome. The AGI-induced changes in BA signalling (including increased activation of farnesoid X receptor [FXR] in the liver and inhibition of FXR in the ileum) echoed the alterations in BA pool size and composition in different organs. In Fxr-KO mice, the glucose- and lipid-lowering effects of AGI were partially abrogated, possibly due to the Fxr-dependent effects of AGI on decelerating beta cell replication, alleviating insulin hypersecretion and improving hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism.

Conclusions/interpretation

By regulating microbial BA metabolism, AGI elicited diverse changes in BA pool composition in different host compartments to orchestrate BA signalling in the whole body. The AGI-induced changes in BA signalling may be partly required for its glucose-lowering effects. Our study, hence, sheds light on the promising potential of regulating microbial BA and host FXR signalling for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Data availability

Sequencing data are available from the BioProject Database (accession no. PRJNA600345; www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/600345).
Prospects and challenges of multi-omics data integration in toxicology
Authors: Canzler Sebastian , Schor Jana , Busch Wibke , Schubert Kristin , Rolle-Kampczyk Ulrike E. , Seitz Hervé , Kamp Hennicke , von Bergen Martin , Buesen Roland , Hackermüller Jörg
Published: February 2020

Exposure of cells or organisms to chemicals can trigger a series of effects at the regulatory pathway level, which involve changes of levels, interactions, and feedback loops of biomolecules of different types. A single-omics technique, e.g., transcriptomics, will detect biomolecules of one type and thus can only capture changes in a small subset of the biological cascade. Therefore, although applying single-omics analyses can lead to the identification of biomarkers for certain exposures, they cannot provide a systemic understanding of toxicity pathways or adverse outcome pathways. Integration of multiple omics data sets promises a substantial improvement in detecting this pathway response to a toxicant, by an increase of information as such and especially by a systemic understanding. Here, we report the findings of a thorough evaluation of the prospects and challenges of multi-omics data integration in toxicological research. We review the availability of such data, discuss options for experimental design, evaluate methods for integration and analysis of multi-omics data, discuss best practices, and identify knowledge gaps. Re-analyzing published data, we demonstrate that multi-omics data integration can considerably improve the confidence in detecting a pathway response. Finally, we argue that more data need to be generated from studies with a multi-omics-focused design, to define which omics layers contribute most to the identification of a pathway response to a toxicant.
Vestibular-guided visual search
Authors: Smith Laura , Gkioka Annita , Wilkinson David
Published: February 2020

The amnesic symptoms that accompany vestibular dysfunction point to a functional relationship between the vestibular and visual memory systems. However, little is known about the underpinning cognitive processes. As a starting point, we sought evidence for a type of cross-modal interaction commonly observed between other sensory modalities in which the identification of a target (in this case, visual) is facilitated if earlier coupled to a unique, temporally coincident stimulus from another sensory domain (in this case, vestibular). Participants first performed a visual detection task in which stimuli appeared at random locations within a computerised grid. Unknown to participants, the onset of one particular stimulus was accompanied by a brief, sub-sensory pulse of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS). Across two visual search experiments, both old and new targets were identified faster when presented in the grid location at which the GVS-paired visual stimulus had appeared in the earlier detection task. This location advantage appeared to be based on relative rather than absolute spatial co-ordinates since the effect held when the search grid was rotated 90°. Together these findings indicate that when individuals return to a familiar visual scene (here, a 2D grid), visual judgements are facilitated when targets appear at a location previously associated with a unique, task-irrelevant vestibular cue. This novel case of multisensory interplay has broader implications for understanding how vestibular signals inform cognitive processes and helps constrain the growing therapeutic application of GVS.
Burden of fractures in France: incidence and severity by age, gender, and site in 2016
Authors: Bouyer Benjamin , Leroy Fanny , Rudant Jérémie , Weill Alain , Coste Joël
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Fractures are common events, but the exact incidence and severity of fractures have not been clearly determined for most anatomical sites. We estimated the incidence and severity of fractures in France regardless of the anatomical site.

Methods

Observational cross-sectional study in France in 2016 based on the national health data system. All incident fractures in patients 20 years and older were included. We determined the anatomical fracture site (12 sites) and the severity using a 4-point scale (outpatient care, hospitalization, surgery, and in-hospital death).

Results

We identified 562,094 incident fractures, predominantly occurring in women (319,858: 56.9%); with a mean age of 63.6 years, and an exponential increase after the age of 70 years. Distal upper limb (172,591: 30.7%), distal lower limb (84,602: 15.1%), and femoral neck (78,766: 14.0%) accounted for more than one-half of all fractures. Sex and age of onset distributions varied widely according to fracture sites, with earlier onset for distal lower limb fractures (mean age: 54.2 years) and distal upper limb fractures (mean age: 55.2 years) with a men predominance for skull fractures. Only 105,165 (18.7%) fractures were treated on an outpatient basis; 11,913 (2.1%) in-hospital deaths occurred in patients with a mean age of 79.5 years. High mortality was observed for skull (12.9%), rib (4.9%), and femoral fractures (femoral neck 4.3% and proximal lower limb 4.2%).

Conclusion

We estimated the incidence of fractures in France by sex and anatomical site. We also showed that fractures remain common and serious life events, especially in older people.