bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chitin nanocrystals reticulated self‐assembled architecture reinforces deproteinized natural rubber latex film
Authors: Hu Jiarui , Tian Xiaohui , Sun Jinyu , Yuan Jianyong , Yuan Yizhong
Published: March 2020

Natural rubber (NR) latex was initially deproteinized, then, the interactions between chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs) and deproteinized natural rubber (DNR) latex particles in an aqueous system and the properties of DNR/ChNCs composites were investigated. Composite films were obtained by casting and evaporating off the prevulcanized DNR/ChNCs complexation rather than simply mixing of DNR latex and ChNCs suspension. The results of DLS and TEM confirmed that this kind of complexation was formed between negative charged DNR and positively charged ChNCs by self‐assembly. The tensile strength of composite films containing 4 wt% ChNCs was 25.00 ± 1.42 MPa, which was 3.11 multiples of the pure pre‐vulcanized DNR. DNR/ChNCs composite films could provide excellent mechanical properties and avoid allergies caused by proteins in NR latex.
Intraperitoneal versus retromuscular mesh placement for open incisional hernias: an analysis of the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative
Authors: Fafaj A , Petro C C , Tastaldi L , Alkhatib H , AlMarzooqi R , Olson M A , Stewart T G , Prabhu A , Krpata D , Rosen M J
Published: March 2020

Background

Incisional hernia repair with mesh improves long-term outcomes, but the ideal mesh position remains unclear. This study compared intraperitoneal versus retromuscular or preperitoneal sublay (RPS) mesh positions for open incisional hernia repairs.

Methods

All patients who had elective open incisional hernia repairs were identified retrospectively in the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative database. The primary outcome was the rate of 30-day surgical-site infection (SSI). Other outcomes of interest included 30-day surgical-site occurrences requiring procedural intervention (SSOPI), hernia-related quality-of-life survey (HerQLes) scores and long-term recurrence. A logistic model was used to generate propensity scores for mesh position using several clinically relevant co-variables. Regression models adjusting for propensity score and baseline characteristics were developed to assess the effect of mesh placement.

Results

A total of 4211 patients were included in the study population: 587 had intraperitoneal mesh and 3624 had RPS mesh. Analysis with propensity score adjustment provided no evidence for differences in SSOPI (odds ratio (OR) 0·79, 95 per cent c.i. 0·49 to 1·26) and SSI (OR 0·91, 0·50 to 1·67) rates or HerQLes scores at 30 days (OR 1·20, 0·79 to 1·82), or recurrence rates (hazard ratio 1·28, 0·90 to 1·82).

Conclusion

Mesh position had no effect on short- or long-term outcomes, including SSOPI and SSI rates, HerQLes scores and long-term recurrence rates.
Automated Java exceptions explanation using natural language generation techniques
Authors: Assiri Fatmah Yousef , Elazhary Hanan
Published: March 2020

A common problem encountered by novice programmers and students taking introductory programming courses is how to understand exception messages and how to locate the corresponding errors. Such messages are typically too difficult for them to interpret without seeking help from colleagues or through online forums. Tackling this problem can help speed up their learning curves and hence increase their productivity. This paper proposes using natural language generation (NLG) techniques and the Rhetorical Structure Theory, which specifies how text spans are related and aggregated, to convert Java exception messages into readable and understandable natural language (NL) statements. An additional advantage is the possibility of adding more information and explanations that help students understand different exception types, their causes, and how they can be avoided. As a proof of concept, we developed Java Exceptions in the NL (JENL) tool to process Java exceptions using NLG techniques. Empirical evaluation has shown extreme satisfaction among Java programming subjects (including student novice programmers) with the capabilities of JENL as well as its usability.
Influence of Hydration on the Structure and Interactions of Ethaline Deep‐Eutectic Solvent: A Spectroscopic and Computational Study
Authors: Kalhor Payam , Zheng Yan‐Zhen , Ashraf Hamad , Cao Bobo , Yu Zhi‐Wu
Published: March 2020

Deep‐eutectic solvents (DESs) are regarded as alternative green solvents to ionic liquids. In this work we report the structural properties and hydrogen bonding (H‐bonding) interactions of an aqueous DES system. The used DES, ethaline (ETH), is composed of choline chloride and ethylene glycol (EG) in 1 : 2 molar ratio. The investigations were carried out by FTIR spectroscopy combined with quantum chemical calculations. Excess spectroscopy and two‐dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D‐COS) were used to explore the data in detail. The results showed that, upon mixing, ETH transforms to EG dimers and trimers and D2O clusters transform to various ETH‐D2O complexes. Theoretical calculations show that water molecules insert between the anion and cation of ETH, break the strong doubly ionic Cl−…H−OCh+ H‐bond, share charges of the ions and form H‐bond with them, thus modulate the interaction properties of ETH. This study deepens our molecular‐level understanding of the system and would shed light on its applications.
Impact of dominance effects on autotetraploid genomic prediction
Authors: Amadeu Rodrigo R. , Ferrão Luis Felipe V. , Oliveira Ivone de Bem , Benevenuto Juliana , Endelman Jeffrey B. , Munoz Patricio R.
Published: March 2020

Many commercially important plants are autopolyploid. As a result of the multiple chromosome sets in their genomes, higher orders of allele interactions can occur, implying different degrees of dominance. In contrast with diploids, dominance effects can be heritable in polyploids, potentially having a higher impact on the prediction of genetic values. In this study, we investigated the role of additive and dominance effects in the prediction of genotypic values for complex traits in autotetraploid species in the context of genomic selection. As autotetraploid model species, we used data from breeding populations of blueberry (Vaccinium spp., n = 1804) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L., n = 560), assessing genetic parameters and prediction ability of five and two horticultural traits, respectively. Using a Bayesian framework, the genotypic effects were estimated based on (i) realized additive and digenic dominance relationship matrices, and (ii) all markers included as explanatory variables under ridge regression and Bayes B approaches. When included, dominance effects explained part of the estimated genetic variance and resulted in better goodness‐of‐fit values. However, their predictive ability was similar to the predictability obtained with additive models. Although we have considered only autotetraploid species in this study, many of the ideas and results should be of more general interest, with applications in species with higher ploidy level.
Leakage rate analysis with imperfect channel state information for cooperative nonorthogonal multiple access networks
Authors: Ozduran Volkan
Published: March 2020

This paper investigates the imperfect channel state information that is caused by the channel estimation error and feedback delay effects on the leakage rate analysis for the cooperative nonorthogonal multiple access networks. The investigation considers a dual hop one‐/two‐way nonorthogonal multiple access‐based information exchange process with the aid of half‐/full‐duplex untrustworthy wireless relaying network for the leakage rate analysis. The channel estimation error causes system coding gain losses while the feedback delay does not have any effect on the users' outage performance at untrustworthy relay terminal in low signal‐to‐noise ratio regimes. Conversely, the channel estimation error effects become negligible while the feedback delay causes system coding gain losses on the users' outage performance at untrustworthy relay terminal in high signal‐to‐noise ratio. Results also reveal that the untrustworthy relay terminal, which is under the effect of the channel estimation error and feedback delay, is being active between
and
‐
 dB. Beyond
‐
 dB, the untrustworthy relay terminal becomes out of order and saturates. The Monte Carlo–based simulation results are in agreement with the analytical and asymptotic derivations.
Climate change‐induced migration patterns and extinction risks of Theaceae species in China
Authors: Zhang Yinbo , Meng Qingxin , Wang Yuzhuo , Zhang Xiaolong , Wang Wei
Published: March 2020

Theaceae, an economically important angiosperm family, is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical forests in Asia. In China, Theaceae has particularly high abundances and endemism, comprising ~75% of the total genera and ~46% of the total species worldwide. Therefore, predicting the response of Theaceae species to climate change is vital. In this study, we collected distribution data for 200 wild Theaceae species in China, and predicted their distribution patterns under current and future climactic conditions by species distribution modeling (SDM). We revealed that Theaceae species richness is highest in southeastern China and on Hainan Island, reaching its highest value (137 species) in Fujian Province. According to the IUCN Red List criteria for assessing species threat levels under two dispersal assumptions (no dispersal and full dispersal), we evaluated the conservation status of all Theaceae species by calculating loss of suitable habitat under future climate scenarios. We predicted that nine additional species will become threatened due to climate change in the future; one species will be classified as critically endangered (CR), two as endangered (EN), and six as vulnerable (VU). Given their extinction risks associated with climate change, we recommended that these species be added to the Red List. Our investigation of migration patterns revealed regional differences in the number of emigrant, immigrant, and persistent species, indicating the need for targeted conservation strategies. Regions containing numerous emigrants are concentrated in Northern Taiwan and coastal regions of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, while regions containing numerous immigrants include central Sichuan Province, the southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region, southwest Yunnan Province, northwest Sichuan Province, and the junction of Guangxi and Hunan provinces. Lastly, regions containing persistent species are widely distributed in southern China. Importantly, regions with high species turnover are located on the northern border of the entire Theaceae species distribution ranges owing to upwards migration; these regions are considered most sensitive to climate change and conservation planning should therefore be prioritized here. This study will contribute valuable information for reducing the negative impacts of climate change on Theaceae species, which will ultimately improve biodiversity conservation efficiency.
Prognostic biomarker soluble ST2 exhibits diurnal variation in chronic heart failure patients
Authors: Crnko Sandra , Printezi Markella I. , Jansen Tijn P.J. , Leiteris Laurynas , van der Meer Manon G. , Schutte Hilde , van Faassen Martijn , du Pré Bastiaan C. , de Jonge Nicolaas , Asselbergs Folkert W. , Gaillard Carlo A.J.M. , Kemperman Hans , Doevendans Pieter A. , Sluijter Joost P.G. , van Laake Linda W.
Published: March 2020

Aim

Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity‐2 (sST2) is a strong prognostic biomarker in heart failure. The emerging understanding of circadian biology in cardiovascular disease may lead to novel applications in prognosis and diagnosis and may provide insight into mechanistic aspects of the disease–biomarker interaction. So far, it is unknown whether sST2 exhibits a diurnal rhythm. Repeated measurements of sST2 may aid in clinical decision making. The goal of this study was to investigate whether sST2 exhibits diurnal variation in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and in control subjects, thereby enhancing its diagnostic and prognostic values.

Methods and results

The study comprised 32 subjects: 16 HFrEF patients and 16 controls. Blood was collected at seven subsequent time points during a 24 h time period. sST2, N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), melatonin, and cortisol were measured from serum. Peak values of sST2 clustered at daytime (modal value: 5 p.m.) in 87.6% of all subjects (81.3% of patients, P = 0.021; 93.8% of controls, P = 0.001), and minimum concentrations at night‐time (modal value: 5 a.m.) in 84.4% (87.5% of patients, P = 0.004 81.3% of controls, P = 0.021). A cosinor analysis of mean normalized sST2 values revealed significant cosine shaped 24 h oscillations of patients (P = 0.026) and controls (P = 0.037). NT‐proBNP in contrast did not show a diurnal rhythm, while melatonin and cortisol patterns were intact in all subjects.

Conclusions

sST2 exhibits a diurnal rhythm with lower values in the morning than in the late afternoon. This new insight could lead to refinement of its diagnostic and prognostic values through specified and consistent sampling times with repeated measurements. For example, by measuring sST2 during the afternoon, when levels are at their highest, false negatives on prognosis prediction could be avoided.
Transthoracic echocardiography‐guided left bundle branch pacing without fluoroscopic guidance: A case report
Authors: Tan Kunyue , Deng Xiaoqi , Wang Shuzhen , Liu Chunxia , Zhao Ruohan , Xiong Feng
Published: March 2020

This case study demonstrates the feasibility of pacing the left bundle branch and atrial septum under transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) without fluoroscopic guidance. This technique could be useful to guide pacemaker implantation in some patients, especially pregnant women.
The Ramsey numbers of two sets of cycles
Authors: Wang Longqin , Chen Yaojun
Published: March 2020

For two given sets and of cycles, the Ramsey number is the smallest integer such that for any graph on vertices, either contains a cycle from or contains a cycle from . In this paper, we determine all Ramsey numbers , which confirms a conjecture due to Hansson, and extends the well‐known Ramsey numbers for two cycles.
A retrospect on antimicrobial potential of thiazole scaffold
Authors: Mishra Isha , Mishra Raghav , Mujwar Somdutt , Chandra Phool , Sachan Neetu
Published: March 2020

Due to its appreciable diversity in biological actions, thiazole and its substituted components, a significant class of heterocyclic compounds has developed as an influential scaffold in the field of chemical sciences. The variability of thiazole core has been expressed through the effective instigation of its anticancer (Dasatinib, Tiazofurin), antiretroviral (Ritonavir, Brecanavir), antimicrobial (Sulfathiazole, Ravuconazole) and anti‐inflammatory (Fenclozic acid, Meloxicam) derivatives. This reasonable diversity in the physiological reaction pattern led many scientists to refine and develop new structural alternatives with much more efficient pharmacological action. This review is crucial for previous studies and projects to survey the antimicrobial activity of thiazole and thiazole related compounds to the mid of 2019.
Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of sorafenib derivatives containing indole (ketone) semicarbazide analogs as antitumor agents
Authors: Li Wen , Qi Ya‐Yun , Wang Yuan‐Yuan , Gan Yi‐Yuan , Shao Li‐Hui , Zhang Li‐Qiong , Tang Zhen‐Hua , Zhu Mei , Tang Si‐Yu , Wang Zhen‐Chao , Ouyang Gui‐Ping
Published: March 2020

A series of new sorafenib derivatives was designed and synthesized. The antiproliferative activity of the synthesized compounds against human lung cancer cell (A549), human pancreatic cancer cell (PC‐3), human leukemia cell (K562), and human hepatoma cell (SMMC‐7721) was evaluated by MTT assay. The results revealed that several compounds displayed more significant antitumor activities than commercial anticancer agent sorafenib against SMMC‐7721. In addition, compounds 7a, 7g, 7l, 7m, and 7p represented obvious growth inhibition with IC50 values of 1‐9 μM against four cancer cell lines, demonstrating more predominant activities against cancer cells as compared to sorafenib. Furthermore, some structure‐activity relationships have also been established. Compounds containing indole and benzene ring substituted by halogen showed better activity than sorafenib. Wound healing assay suggested that cells would be targeted on their migratory capacity by 7g, potentially affecting the migration activity of these tumors. The effects of A549 and PC‐3 cell apoptosis induced by compound 7g were significantly increased compared with sorafenib. Importantly, the result of western blot assay showed that 7g inhibited cell growth by suppressing the activity of EGFR, especially the expression of p‐EGFR (Tyr1068).
Potential utilities of mask‐wearing and instant hand hygiene for fighting SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Ma Qing‐Xia , Shan Hu , Zhang Hong‐Liang , Li Gui‐Mei , Yang Rui‐Mei , Chen Ji‐Ming
Published: March 2020

The surge of patients in the pandemic of COVID‐19 caused by the novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 may overwhelm the medical systems of many countries. Mask‐wearing and handwashing can slow the spread of the virus, but currently, masks are in shortage in many countries, and timely handwashing is often impossible. In this study, the efficacy of three types of masks and instant hand wiping was evaluated using the avian influenza virus to mock the coronavirus. Virus quantification was performed using real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Previous studies on mask‐wearing were reviewed. The results showed that instant hand wiping using a wet towel soaked in water containing 1.00% soap powder, 0.05% active chlorine, or 0.25% active chlorine from sodium hypochlorite removed 98.36%, 96.62%, and 99.98% of the virus from hands, respectively. N95 masks, medical masks, and homemade masks made of four‐layer kitchen paper and one‐layer cloth could block 99.98%, 97.14%, and 95.15% of the virus in aerosols. Medical mask‐wearing which was supported by many studies was opposed by other studies possibly due to erroneous judgment. With these data, we propose the approach of mask‐wearing plus instant hand hygiene (MIH) to slow the exponential spread of the virus. This MIH approach has been supported by the experiences of seven countries in fighting against COVID‐19. Collectively, a simple approach to slow the exponential spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 was proposed with the support of experiments, literature review, and control experiences.
Nontrauma fracture increases risk for respiratory disease among adults with cerebral palsy
Authors: Whitney Daniel G.
Published: March 2020

Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) manifest skeletal fragility problems early in life and are vulnerable to nontrauma fracture (NTFx), which may exacerbate the risk of respiratory disease (RD)– the main cause of premature mortality for this population. The purpose of this study was to determine if adults with CP had a greater 12‐month risk of RD post‐NTFx compared to adults without CP. Data from 2011 to 2017 were leveraged from Optum Clinformatics Data Mart; a claims database from a single private payer in the United States diagnostic codes were used to identify adults (≥18 years) with and without CP, NTFx, incident RD, and pre‐NTFx cardiometabolic diseases. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to compare 12‐month RD incidence following NTFx with adjustment for sociodemographics and cardiometabolic diseases. Mean age (SD) at baseline was 57.5 (18.4) for adults with CP (n = 646) and 61.8 (19.7) for adults without CP (n = 321,482). During the follow‐up, 172 adults with CP (26.6%) and 73 937 adults without CP (23.0%) developed RD. Adults with CP had higher 12‐month post‐NTFx RD incidence compared to adults without CP (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03‐1.37). When stratified by the RD subtype, adults with CP had a higher incidence of pneumonia (HR = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.56‐2.95), interstitial/pleura disease (HR = 2.13; 95% CI = 1.53‐2.96), and other RD (eg, respiratory failure; HR = 2.33; 95% CI = 1.82‐2.98), but not acute respiratory infection (HR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.75‐1.15) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR = 1.15; 95% CI = 0.86‐1.53). Among privately insured adults with CP, NTFx is associated with greater risk of RD among adults with vs without CP.
Neoadjuvant radiation improves margin‐negative resection rates in extremity sarcoma but not survival
Authors: Shelby Rita D. , Suarez‐Kelly Lorena P. , Yu Peter Y. , Hughes Tasha M. , Ethun Cecilia G. , Tran Thuy B. , Poultsides George , King David M. , Bedi Meena , Mogal Harveshp , Clarke Callisia , Tseng Jennifer , Roggin Kevin K. , Chouliaras Konstantinos , Votanopoulos Konstantinos , Krasnick Bradley A. , Fields Ryan C. , Pollock Raphael E. , Howard J. Harrison , Cardona Kenneth , Grignol Valerie
Published: March 2020

Background and Objectives

Radiation improves limb salvage in extremity sarcomas. Timing of radiation therapy remains under investigation. We sought to evaluate the effects of neoadjuvant radiation (NAR) on surgery and survival of patients with extremity sarcomas.

Materials and Methods

A multi‐institutional database was used to identify patients with extremity sarcomas undergoing surgical resection from 2000‐2016. Patients were categorized by treatment strategy: surgery alone, adjuvant radiation (AR), or NAR. Survival, recurrence, limb salvage, and surgical margin status was analyzed.

Results

A total of 1483 patients were identified. Most patients receiving radiotherapy had high‐grade tumors (82% NAR vs 81% AR vs 60% surgery;P < .001). The radiotherapy groups had more limb‐sparing operations (98% AR vs 94% NAR vs 87% surgery;P < .001). NAR resulted in negative margin resections (90% NAR vs 79% surgery vs 75% AR;P < .0001). There were fewer local recurrences in the radiation groups (14% NAR vs 17% AR vs 27% surgery;P = .001). There was no difference in overall or recurrence‐free survival between the three groups (OS,P = .132; RFS,P = .227).

Conclusion

In this large study, radiotherapy improved limb salvage rates and decreased local recurrences. Receipt of NAR achieves more margin‐negative resections however this did not improve local recurrence or survival rates over.
Long‐term effects of ivacaftor on nonpulmonary outcomes in individuals with cystic fibrosis, heterozygous for a S1251N mutation
Authors: Burghard M (Marcella) , Berkers G (Gitte) , Ghijsen S (Sophie) , Hollander‐Kraaijeveld FM (Francis) , de Winter‐de Groot KM (Karin) , van der Ent CK (Kors) , Heijerman HGM (Harry) , Takken T (Tim) , Hulzebos HJ (Erik)
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To describe the long‐term effects of ivacaftor (Kalydeco®) in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) on body mass index (BMI), body composition (BC), pulmonary function (PF), resting energy expenditure (REE), and exercise capacity (EC) after ≥12 months of treatment.

Working Hypothesis

BMI, lean and fat mass, PF, and EC will increase and REE will decrease after treatment.

Study Design

Observational study.

Methodology

Seven individuals with CF (mean age 15.4 ± 5.8 years) heterozygous for S1251N mutation, starting with ivacaftor, were included. Paired t tests were performed to assess the effects of ivacaftor. Height and weight were used to calculate BMI and BMI Z‐scores. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry was used to assess BC. Spirometry and body plethysmography were used to assess PF. Indirect calorimetry was used to measure REE and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was used to measure oxygen uptake (VO2peak), peak work rate (Wpeak), and other CPET variables.

Results

After a median of 15 (interquartile range: 13‐16) months of treatment, BMI increased significantly (P = .03), but not BMI Z‐score (P = .23) or BC. Significant improvements were found for several PF variables, especially measures of hyperinflation (P = .02). Absolute VO2peak (P = .01), VO2peak related to body weight (P = .00), and oxygen cost of work (P = .01) decreased. Absolute Wpeak (P = .59) and Wpeak related to body weight (P = .31) remained stable.

Conclusions

The results showed that long‐term treatment of ivacaftor is associated with improvement of BMI and PF, but not of BC and REE. Oxygen uptake reduced after treatment, which may be due to a decrease in work of breathing.
Subtype-specific cardiomyocytes for precision medicine: Where are we now?
Authors: Zhao Ming-Tao , Shao Ning-Yi , Garg Vidu
Published: March 2020

Patient-derived pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have greatly transformed the current understanding of human heart development and cardiovascular disease. Cardiomyocytes derived from personalized PSCs are powerful tools for modeling heart disease and performing patient-based cardiac toxicity testing. However, these PSC-derived cardiomyocytes (PSC-CMs) are a mixed population of atrial-, ventricular-, and pacemaker-like cells in the dish, hindering the future of precision cardiovascular medicine. Recent insights gleaned from the developing heart have paved new avenues to refine subtype-specific cardiomyocytes from patients with known pathogenic genetic variants and clinical phenotypes. Here, we discuss the recent progress on generating subtype-specific (atrial, ventricular, and nodal) cardiomyocytes from the perspective of embryonic heart development and how human pluripotent stem cells will expand our current knowledge on molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular disease and the future of precision medicine.
Exact β-function of Yang-Mills theory in 2+1 dimensions
Authors: Romatschke Paul
Published: March 2020

Abstract

To set the stage, I discuss the β-function of the massless O(N) model in three dimensions, which can be calculated exactly in the large N limit. Then, I consider SU(N) Yang-Mills theory in 2+1 space-time dimensions. Relating the β-function to the expectation value of the action in lattice gauge theory, and the latter to the trace of the energy-momentum tensor, Is how that $$ \frac{d\ln {g}^2/\mu }{d\ln \mu }=-1 $$

d
ln

g
2

/
μ

d
ln
μ

=
−
1
for all g and all N in one particular renormalization scheme. As a consequence, I find that the Yang-Mills β-function in three dimensions must have the same sign for all finite and positive bare coupling parameters in any renormalization scheme, and all non-trivial infrared fixed points are unreachable in practice.
Holographic Wilson lines as screened impurities
Authors: Evans Nick , O’Bannon Andy , Rodgers Ronnie
Published: March 2020

Abstract

In Landau Fermi liquids, screened impurities support quasi-bound states, representing electrons bound to the impurity but making virtual excursions away. Signals of these quasi-bound states are electron-impurity scattering phase shifts and the corresponding resonances in cross sections. We consider large-N, strongly-coupled (3 + 1)-dimensional$$ \mathcal{N} $$N= 4 supersymmetric SU(N) Yang-Mills theory on the Coulomb branch, where an adjoint scalar has a non-zero expectation value that breaks SU(N)→SU(N −1)×U(1). In the holographic dual we re-visit well-known solutions for a probe D3-brane that describe this theory with a symmetric-representation Wilson line “impurity”. We present evidence that the adjoint scalar screens the Wilson line, by showing that quasi-bound states form at the impurity, producing U(1)-impurity scattering phase shifts and corresponding resonances in cross sections. The quasi-bound states appear holographically as quasi-normal modes of probe D3-brane fields, even in the absence of a black hole horizon, via a mechanism that we argue is generic to screened defects in holography. We also argue that well-known generalisations of these probe D3-brane solutions can describe lattices of screened Wilson/’t Hooft line impurities.
The quantum origins of non-topological vortices
Authors: Turner Carl
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We review some unusual facts about the theory of non-relativistic anyons in 2+1 dimensions, and use it as a laboratory to explore how interesting features of non­relativistic field theory correspond to those of many-body quantum mechanics. In particular, we offer an explanation of how Jackiw-Pi vortices arise as the classical limit of certain many-body states in the quantum mechanical theory. Along the way, we make various interesting observations about universal features of the spectrum of anyons subject to different amounts of tuning.
Magnetically trapped atoms in the vicinity of an optical nanofibre
Authors: Alampounti A. , Jenkins R. A. , Eriksson S.
Published: March 2020

Magnetically trapped $$^{87}$$87Rb atoms have been observed near a single-mode optical nanofibre. Approximately $$1\times 10^6$$1×106 atoms were optically pumped to the $${|{F=2,m_\mathrm{F}=2}\rangle }$$|F=2,mF=2⟩ state and held in the trap with a trap lifetime of up to 2 s. The temperature of the atomic sample within the magnetic trap was measured to be below $$230\,\upmu \hbox {K}$$230μK. The compact vacuum system and high-temperature fibre feedthroughs are presented, and the feasibility of creating a quantum degenerate gas of ultracold neutral atoms near an optical nanofibre is discussed.
Engineering a growth-phase-dependent biosynthetic pathway for carotenoid production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Su Buli , Song Dandan , Yang Fan , Zhu Honghui
Published: March 2020

Metabolic engineering is usually focused on static control of microbial cell factories to efficient production of interested chemicals, though heterologous pathways compete with endogenous metabolism. However, products like carotenoids may cause metabolic burden on engineering strains, thus limiting product yields and influencing strain growth. Herein, a growth-phase-dependent regulation was developed to settle this matter, and its efficiency was verified using the heterogenous biosynthesis of lycopene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an example. Through growth-phase-dependent control of the lycopene biosynthetic pathway, limited step in MVA pathway, and competitive squalene pathway, production yield was increased by approximately 973-fold (from 0.034- to 33.1-mg/g CDW) and 1.48 g/L of production was obtained by one-stage fermentation in a 5-L bioreactor. Our study not only introduces an economically approach to the production of carotenoids, but also provides an example of dynamic regulation of biosynthetic pathways for metabolic engineering.
Balancing supply and demand in the presence of renewable generation via demand response for electric water heaters
Authors: Tammam Adham I. , Anjos Miguel F. , Gendreau Michel
Published: March 2020

With the increasing presence of renewable energy sources in the electrical power grid, demand response via thermostatic appliances such as electric water heaters is a promising way to compensate for the significant variability in renewable power generation. We propose a multistage stochastic optimization model that computes the optimal day-ahead target profile of the mean thermal energy contained in a large population of heaters, given various possible wind power production and uncontrollable load scenarios. This optimal profile is calculated to make the variable net demand as even as possible.
Encouraging Sustainable Behaviour Change via a Social Practice Approach: A Focus on Apparel Consumption Practices
Authors: McEachern M. G. , Middleton D. , Cassidy T.
Published: March 2020

To encourage greater sustainability regarding apparel consumption practices, policymakers have traditionally focused on economic and/or social psychology frameworks which rely on information-based campaigns to achieve behavioural change. Whilst such campaigns have had limited success and received significant criticism, additional policy solutions are called for. In contrast to conventional behavioural change strategies, this study responds to calls for further methodological insight and explores the potential of creative methods such as upcycling workshops and contemplative theatre performance, as practice-based mechanisms to engender a greater understanding of the environmental impact of apparel consumption and help bring about behavioural change to current apparel consumption practice. Via the theoretical lens of behavioural change theory and contemplative performance practice, our findings reveal the dynamic and continuously reshaping nature of the apparel market, in that most of our participants were until recently unaware of the unsustainable nature of the apparel industry. Despite some participants citing barriers, such as a lack of time, peer pressure, and the desire to express a specific social identity, reactions to practice-based methods were overwhelmingly positive. Thus, initiating a more proactive engagement with sustainability issues as well as increased reflection and discussion on how they might modify current apparel consumption behaviours in the future. We conclude by making suggestions for policymakers regarding future sustainability initiatives.
Making Use of Existing International Legal Mechanisms to Manage the Global Antimicrobial Commons: Identifying Legal Hooks and Institutional Mandates
Authors: Rogers Van Katwyk Susan , Weldon Isaac , Giubilini Alberto , Kirchhelle Claas , Harrison Mark , McLean Angela , Savulescu Julian , Hoffman Steven J.
Published: March 2020

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an urgent threat to global public health and development. Mitigating this threat requires substantial short-term action on key AMR priorities. While international legal agreements are the strongest mechanism for ensuring collaboration among countries, negotiating new international agreements can be a slow process. In the second article in this special issue, we consider whether harnessing existing international legal agreements offers an opportunity to increase collective action on AMR goals in the short-term. We highlight ten AMR priorities and several strategies for achieving these goals using existing “legal hooks” that draw on elements of international environmental, trade and health laws governing related matters that could be used as they exist or revised to include AMR. We also consider the institutional mandates of international authorities to highlight areas where additional steps could be taken on AMR without constitutional changes. Overall, we identify 37 possible mechanisms to strengthen AMR governance using the International Health Regulations, the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, and the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm conventions. Although we identify many shorter-term opportunities for addressing AMR using existing legal hooks, none of these options are capable of comprehensively addressing all global governance challenges related to AMR, such that they should be pursued simultaneously with longer-term approaches including a dedicated international legal agreement on AMR.
iRhom2 in the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Agwae Matthew E. , Shaw Richard J. , Triantafyllou Asterios , Greaney Frances S. T. , Ben Salah Khaled , Risk Janet M.
Published: March 2020

iRhom2 is an inactive rhomboid protease involved in diverse signalling events. It has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of cancer types, including oesophageal and ovarian cancer, while its closely associated family member, iRhom1, is implicated in head and neck cancer. However, a role for iRhom2 in head and neck cancer has not been investigated. Immunoblotting for iRhom2 in 54 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and 24 paired normal tissues demonstrated higher levels of iRhom2 protein in tumour compared with normal samples (P < 0.05). iRhom2 over-expression correlated with poor patient survival (P < 0.0005) but with no other clinicopathological variable. Increased cell migration was observed in stably over-expressing iRhom2 clones of OSCC cell lines in the absence of increased cell proliferation, but not in the normal oral keratinocyte cell line, NOK-hTERT, and this was abrogated by knock-down of iRhom2. iRhom2 protein expression is increased in a proportion of OSCC and this up-regulation is associated with faster cell migration and decreased patient survival. These data implicate iRhom2-controlled signalling events in the pathogenesis of this cancer.
Learning About Science in Preschool: Play-Based Activities to Support Children’s Understanding of Chemistry Concepts
Authors: Adbo Karina , Vidal Carulla Clara
Published: March 2020

The study explores children’s emerging understanding of an important science concept in chemistry. Play-based learning activities were designed for children to experience and imagine the concept of ‘small’ as used in chemistry, moving from the visually experienced level of ‘small’ towards more imaginative understandings. Data were collected through visual ethnography. Analyses of six vignettes of conversations between children and the teacher illustrate development of children’s understanding of the focus concept. Deconstruction of everyday items familiar to the children and visual computer animations provided experiences that enabled children to transition from a macro-level of understanding to visualise the molecular/atomic level to differentiate between macro- and micro-understandings of ‘small’. A process of ‘sustained shared thinking’ could describe the teaching/learning processes evident in the children’s and teacher’s conversations. The analyses suggest that sustained and shared conversations between children and teachers should stem from children’s everyday experiences.
Outcome of Aneurysmal Septum Primum with Non-restrictive Foramen Ovale in Fetuses with Structurally Normal Hearts: A Tertiary Center Experience
Authors: Ozel Aysegul , Dedeoglu Reyhan , Davutoglu Ebru Alici , Madazli Riza , Oztunc Funda
Published: March 2020

The aim of this analysis was to study the postnatal short-term outcome of cases with aneurysmal septum primum (ASP) and non-restrictive foramen ovale in otherwise structurally normal hearts. This is a retrospective review of fetuses with ASP referred between 2016 and 2018 to the University Hospital of Cerrahpasa, Department of Fetal Cardiology for cardiac scanning. Prenatal and postnatal clinical features and outcomes for each case were ascertained from the departmental database and from individual clinical hospital records. We presented twenty-four cases which also had postnatal echocardiographic examination in our hospital. At the time of diagnosis of ASP, the mean maternal age was 31.1 ± 5.7 years, the mean gestational age was 28.9 ± 5.9 weeks, the mean birth week was 37.4 ± 3.1 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 2940.8 ± 736.6 g. The postnatal first 3 months prevalences of atrial septal aneurysm, patent foramen ovale and, secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) were 12.5%, 12.5%, 20.8% among fetuses with ASP, respectively. ASP may persist after birth and may increase the frequency of secundum ASD. These data suggest that fetuses with ASP should be followed by a pediatric cardiologist in postnatal life.
The Association Between Parent Engagement and Child Outcomes in Social Skills Training Programs: Discovering the Secret Agent Society in Partnership
Authors: Costley Debra , Baldwin Susanna , Clark Trevor , Howlin Patricia , Taffe John R. , Beaumont Renae , Gray Kylie M. , Einfeld Stewart L. , Smith-Merry Jennifer , Roberts Jacqueline , Sofronoff Kate
Published: March 2020

Previous research in clinical, community, and school settings has demonstrated positive outcomes for the Secret Agent Society (SAS) social skills training program. This is designed to help children on the autism spectrum become more aware of emotions in themselves and others and to ‘problem-solve’ complex social scenarios. Parents play a key role in the implementation of the SAS program, attending information and support sessions with other parents and providing supervision, rewards, and feedback as their children complete weekly ‘home mission’ assignments. Drawing on data from a school-based evaluation of the SAS program, we examined whether parents’ engagement with these elements of the intervention was linked to the quality of their children’s participation and performance. Sixty-eight 8–14-year-olds (M age = 10.7) with a diagnosis of autism participated in the program. The findings indicated that ratings of parental engagement were positively correlated with children’s competence in completing home missions and with the quality of their contribution during group teaching sessions. However, there was a less consistent relationship between parental engagement and measures of children’s social and emotional skill gains over the course of the program.
Mars's Red (575–625 nm) Seasonal Approximate Reflectivity Averaged Over Mars Years 24–28 From Mars Orbiter Camera
Authors: Robbins Stuart J.
Published: March 2020

The Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft successfully orbited Mars for over nine Earth years, its instruments returning a plethora of data that still today form important, key data sets in Mars research. A relatively underutilized data set was returned from the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC), specifically the wide‐angle component (MOC‐WA), despite returning over 150,000 images in “blue” and “red” wavelengths. The median imaging time of day was 14:00, resulting in few shadows, making it difficult to use for geology, while better cameras arrived within a few years. However, the limb‐to‐limb coverage of the MOC‐WA survey images provides an important resource, where the imaging time that was poor for geology is good for measuring reflectivity. To‐date, the only published albedo maps of Mars are from a companion MGS instrument, TES, with wide wavelength coverage and low spatial resolution, and the OMEGA instrument on Mars Express. Modern processing of the MOC‐WA images, presented here, allow for the creation of new reflectivity maps in a narrow wavelength range that can be used for photometric control of other data sets and understanding broad‐scale surface changes on Mars. Four reflectivity maps were made, at cardinal Ls points, averaging images taken within just a week of each Ls but across multiple Mars years. From these maps, several trends are revealed though most have been previously described, including significant differences in seasonal frost cover surrounding each residual polar ice cap, and significant changes across Syrtis Major, Solis Lacus, and the Tharsis volcanoes.
Soil Biogenic Volatile Organic Compound Flux in a Mixed Hardwood Forest: Net Uptake at Warmer Temperatures and the Importance of Mycorrhizal Associations
Authors: Trowbridge A. M. , Stoy P. C. , Phillips R. P.
Published: March 2020

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (bVOCs) play important roles in ecological interactions and Earth system processes, yet the biological and physical processes that drive soil bVOC exchanges remain poorly understood. In temperate forests, nearly all tree species associate with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) or ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi. Given well‐established differences in soil biogeochemistry between AM‐dominated and ECM‐dominated stands, we hypothesized that bVOC exchanges with the atmosphere would differ between soils from the two stand types. We measured bVOC fluxes at the soil‐atmosphere interface in plots dominated by AM‐ and ECM‐associated trees in a deciduous forest in south‐central Indiana, USA during the early and late vegetative growing season. Soils in both AM‐ and ECM‐dominated plots were a net bVOC sink following leaf‐out and were a greater bVOC sink or smaller source at warmer soil temperatures (Ts). The flux of different bVOCs from ECM plots was often related to soil water content in addition to Ts. Methanol dominated total bVOC fluxes, and ECM soils demonstrated greater uptake relative to AM‐dominated plots, on the order of 170 nmol m−2 hr−1 during the early growing season. Our results demonstrate the importance of soil dynamics characterized by mycorrhizal associations to bVOC dynamics in forested ecosystems and emphasize the need to study bidirectional soil bVOC uptake and emission processes.
SPOP negatively regulates Toll-like receptor-induced inflammation by disrupting MyD88 self-association
Authors: Hu Yun-Hong , Wang Yang , Wang Fei , Dong Yan-Ming , Jiang Wan-Ling , Wang Ya-Ping , Zhong Xing , Ma Li-Xin
Published: March 2020

Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathways need to be tightly controlled to avoid excessive inflammation and unwanted damage to the host. Myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) is a critical adaptor of TLR signaling. Here, we identified the speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP) as a MyD88-associated protein. SPOP was recruited to MyD88 following TLR4 activation. TLR4 activation also caused the translocation of SPOP from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. SPOP depletion promoted the aggregation of MyD88 and recruitment of the downstream signaling kinases IRAK4, IRAK1 and IRAK2. Consistently, overexpression of SPOP inhibited the TLR4-mediated activation of NF-κB and production of inflammatory cytokines, whereas SPOP depletion had the opposite effects. Furthermore, knockdown of SPOP increased MyD88 aggregation and inflammatory cytokine production upon TLR2, TLR7 and TLR9 activation. Our findings reveal a mechanism by which MyD88 is regulated and highlight a role for SPOP in limiting inflammatory responses.
Construction of an anchoring SSR marker genetic linkage map and detection of a sex-linked region in two dioecious populations of red bayberry
Authors: Wang Yan , Jia Hui-Min , Shen Yu-Tong , Zhao Hai-Bo , Yang Qin-Song , Zhu Chang-Qing , Sun De-Li , Wang Guo-Yun , Zhou Chao-Chao , Jiao Yun , Chai Chun-Yan , Yan Li-Ju , Li Xiong-Wei , Jia Hui-Juan , Gao Zhong-Shan
Published: March 2020

Red bayberry (Morella rubra) is an evergreen fruit tree found in southern China whose whole-genome sequence has recently been published. We updated the linkage map of the species by adding 118 SSR markers and the female-specific marker MrFT2_BD-SEX. The integrated map included eight linkage groups and spanned 491 cM. Eleven sex-associated markers were identified, six of which were located in linkage group 8, in agreement with the previously reported location of the sex-determining region. The MrFT2_BD-SEX marker was genotyped in 203 cultivated accessions. Among the females of the accessions, we found two female-specific alleles, designated W-b (151 bp) and W-d (129 bp). We previously found that‘Dongkui’, a female cultivar, could produce viable pollen (we refer to such plants‘Dongkui-male’) and serve as the paternal parent in crosses. The genotypes of the MrFT2_BD-SEX marker were W-b/Z in‘Biqi’and W-d/Z in‘Dongkui-male’. The progeny of a cross between these parents produced a 3:1 female (W-) to male (ZZ) ratio and the expected 1:1:1:1 ratio of W-b/W-d: W-b/Z: W-d/Z: Z/Z. In addition, the flowering and fruiting phenotypes of all the F1 progeny fit their genotypes. Our results confirm the existence of ZW sex determination and show that the female phenotype is controlled by a single dominant locus (W) in a small genomic region (59 kb and less than 3.3 cM). Furthermore, we have produced a homozygous “super female” (WW) that should produce all-female offspring in the F2 generation, providing a foundation for commercial use and presenting great potential for use in modern breeding programs.
Phenotypes of a family with XLH with a novel PHEX mutation
Authors: Yamamoto Akiko , Nakamura Toshiro , Ohata Yasuhisa , Kubota Takuo , Ozono Keiichi
Published: March 2020

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is the most common form of heritable hypophosphatemic rickets. We encountered a 4-year-old boy with a novel variant in the phosphate-regulating neutral endopeptidase homolog X-linked (PHEX) gene who presented with a short stature, genu valgum, and scaphocephaly. The same mutation was identified in his mother and sister; however, the patient presented with a more severe case.
Author Correction: Unveiling how intramolecular stacking modes of covalently linked dimers dictate photoswitching properties
Authors: Lu Ru-Qiang , Yan Xiao-Yun , Zhu Lei , Yang Lin-Lin , Qu Hang , Wang Xin-Chang , Luo Ming , Wang Yu , Chen Rui , Wang Xiao-Ye , Lan Yu , Pei Jian , Weng Wengui , Xia Haiping , Cao Xiao-Yu
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.