bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitigating the Challenges and Capitalizing on Opportunities: A Qualitative Investigation of the Public Library’s Response to an Aging Population
Authors: Baluk Kaitlin Wynia , Griffin Meridith , Gillett James
Published: October 2020

Public libraries are community hubs that can both create opportunities and address challenges often associated with later life and population aging. Using a thematic analysis of 18 in-depth interviews with public librarians, this study investigates common practices and challenges experienced while developing programs for older adults. This analysis is augmented by an environmental scan of older-adult programming offered in member libraries of the Canadian Urban Library Council (CULC). Results indicate that public librarians leverage community partnerships and staff training to develop programs that foster digital, financial, language, and health literacy and create opportunities for both intergenerational and peer social connection. At the same time, they face challenges related to limited space, budgets, and staff capacity, difficulty meeting the extensive and often conflicting interests of various groups within the library, and marketing programming to older adults. Findings indicate that public libraries may be key players in mitigating challenges often associated with having an aging population, and indeed highlight the many benefits of valuing and providing services to this population.
An unusual case of obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous return with gastric varices
Authors: Tshuma Makabongwe , Culham Gordon , Maroo Sanjay
Published: October 2020

Total anomalous pulmonary venous return with obstruction to the venous pathway is a life-threatening emergency. We report a neonate with unusual infradiaphragmatic drainage into the ductus venosus and gastric veins. Neonatal gastric varices with obstructed pulmonary venous return are extremely rare with potential for catastrophic gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The complex anatomy first detected by echocardiography was clarified on CT.
Iron deficiency anaemia and low BMI among adolescent girls in India: the transition from 2005 to 2015
Authors: Bellizzi Saverio , Pichierri Giuseppe , Panu Napodano Catello M , Salaris Paola , Fiamma Maura , Fozza Claudio , Cegolon Luca
Published: October 2020

Objective:

The current study explored changes in trend of anaemia and BMI among currently pregnant nullipara adolescent women against socio-economic determinants in India from 2005 through 2015. The association between anaemia in currently pregnant nullipara adolescent womenv. currently pregnant nullipara older women of reproductive age was also explored.

Design:

We used the 2005 and the 2015 nationally representative Indian Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). The outcomes of interest, anaemia and BMI, were measured based on the DHS methodology following WHO standards and indicators. Place of residence, educational attainment and wealth quintiles were used as determinants in the analysis.

Setting:

India.

Participants:

In total, 696 adolescent girls from the India 2005 DHS and 3041 adolescent girls from the India 2015 DHS.

Results:

The 10-year transition from 2005 to 2015 showed differences between the least and most wealthy sections of society, with heaviest gains in anaemia reduction over time among the latter (from 50·0 to < 40·0 %). The odds of anaemia were significantly higher among the adolescent population when compared with adult women both in 2005 and in 2015 (OR = 1·2).

Conclusions:

Despite an overall improvement in the prevalence of both BMI < 18·5 and anaemia among adolescents nullipara in India, the adjusted risk of anaemia in the latter category was still significantly higher as compared with their adult counterparts. Since the inequalities evidenced during the first round of DHS remained unchanged in 2015, more investments in universal health care are needed in India.
THE DISTRIBUTIVITY SPECTRUM OF BAKER’S VARIETY
Authors: LIPPARINI PAOLO
Published: October 2020

For everyn, we evaluate the smallestksuch that the congruence inclusion$\alpha (\beta \circ _n \gamma ) \subseteq \alpha \beta \circ _{k} \alpha \gamma $holds in a variety of reducts of lattices introduced by K. Baker. We also study varieties with a near-unanimity term and discuss identities dealing with reflexive and admissible relations.
Judges and Representatives of the People: a Polish Perspective
Authors: Gersdorf Małgorzata , Pilich Mateusz
Published: October 2020

Relations between the judiciary and the elected authorities (i.e. the legislative and the executive) in each country and at all times are among the most sensitive from the point of view of statehood. There is an obvious truth expressed in the famous saying of Lord Acton: ‘Power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely’2. The universal calling of judges is to restrain executive and legislative branches of government in their efforts to increase their power, especially at the expense of individuals. A state where there is no sufficiently strong counterweight to the natural omnipotence of the people’s representatives is not in line with the principle of the rule of law, because there is no one to remind the elected powers that their mandate has its limits – contemporarily established in particular by constitutional norms and the international regime for the protection of human rights.3 Naturally, courts do not directly take part in a political discourse, even though some kind of judicial review of the acts of public authorities exists virtually everywhere; these should not be characterised as an interference in political matters.4 The mutual respect of the judiciary and elected authorities proves the maturity of the state constitutional system, regardless of how far-reaching the powers are of judges to examine the constitutionality of legislation.
The Virtues of Unprincipled Constitutional Compromises: Church and State in the Irish Constitution
Authors: Kenny David
Published: October 2020

Constitution making – Disagreement – Principled constitutionalism versus unprincipled bargaining – Pragmatism – Church and state – Separation of religion and law – Maintaining religious peace – Drafting of the Irish Constitution of 1937 – Placating Irish Catholicism – Accommodation of protestant religious minority – Balancing religious freedom and religiosity – Balancing fundamental rights and religious influence – Flexibility and adaptability – Pragmatic assessment of constitutions and constitution making
Lack of durability after transarterial ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer-embolization of type II endoleak following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
Authors: Menges Anna-Leonie , Trenner Matthias , Radu Oksana , Beddoe Daisy , Kallmayer Michael , Zimmermann Alexander , Eckstein Hans-Henning
Published: October 2020

Summary: Background: Type II endoleak (T2EL) after endovascular aortic repair is associated with AAA sac enlargements in up to 25%, reduction of attachment zones and rarely with aortic rupture. Indications for therapy and efficacy of interventions of T2EL are not clearly established. Transarterial embolization with application of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer has been described with varying outcomes. Aim of this study is to evaluate durability of OnyxTM embolization (OE) in T2EL in a consecutive series at a single tertiary vascular center. Patients and methods: Demographic data, technical success, pre- and postoperative aneurysm growth, morbidity, mortality and reintervention rates during hospital stay as well as in follow up were recorded in patients treated with OE for T2EL between 01/2015 and 12/2017. The primary endpoint was defined as persistence or reoccurrence of T2EL (durability of OE). Results: In total 15 patients (78 ± 6 years, 13 men) were treated with OE because of sac enlargement (average growth of 12 ± 8%, n = 12), persistent bleeding after AAA rupture (n = 2) or persistent T2EL with stable but large aneurysm diameter (n = 1). Mean length of stay was 8 ± 11 days. Technical success was 93.3% (n = 14). Inhospital-morbidity was 26.7%, in-hospital- and 1-year-mortality rate were 6.6% (n = 1) and 20.0% (n = 3). T2EL persisted in 20.0% (n = 3) despite of OE. Re-EL-II occurred after 40 (30–114) days in 33.3% (n = 5). Reintervention rate was 13.3% (n = 2, at day 48 and 319). Altogether clinical success with stable aneurysm diameter was achieved in 80.0% (n = 12), but durable elimination of EL was only achieved in 46.7% of patients (n = 7). Conclusions: OE is technically possible in more than 90% of patients but might be associated with severe complications. Durability of this treatment is low, since T2EL persist or reoccur in more than 50% of all patients. OE of T2EL should be reserved for few selected cases.
Zwischen Himmel und Hölle: Erfahrungen von Eltern mit einem kritisch kranken Kind mit extrakorporaler Membranoxygenierung (ECMO) - Eine qualitative-explorative Studie mit Paarinterviews
Authors: Kröger Yvonne , Stoffel Gaby , Jeitziner Marie-Madlen , Bischofberger Iren , van Holten Karin
Published: October 2020

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Wenn ein Kind infolge einer schweren Erkrankung intensive Pflege und medizinische Versorgung braucht, ist das für Eltern traumatisch. Dies wird für sie noch herausfordernder, wenn eine technisch hochspezialisierte Therapie, wie die extrakorporale Membranoxygenierung (ECMO) auf der pädiatrischen Intensivstation nötig ist. Ziel: Das Ziel der Studie ist, aus den Erfahrungen betroffener Eltern typische Muster für deren Bedürfnisse sowie entsprechende Handlungsoptionen von Gesundheitsfachpersonen abzuleiten. Methode: Die qualitativ-explorative Studie untersuchte mit narrativen Paarinterviews die Erfahrungen von sechs Elternpaaren, deren Kind eine ECMO erhält oder im vergangenen Jahr erhalten hat. Die Transkripte wurden mithilfe intensiven Paraphrasierens und induktiven Kodierens analysiert. Ergebnisse: Die Situation der Eltern ist geprägt durch das Phänomen der Ambivalenz mit den gleichzeitigen Gefühlen von Hoffnung und Angst. Sie erkennen die Lebensgefahr ihres Kindes, was zu einer großen Hilflosigkeit mit starken emotionalen Reaktionen führt. Es zeigt sich, dass es zu wenig Passung zwischen der Gefühlswelt der Eltern und den Handlungsmustern der Gesundheitsfachpersonen gibt. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Denklogik der Gesundheitsfachpersonen baut auf professionellen Kriterien, wie der Lebensbedrohung und den Risiken der ECMO auf, welche die emotionalen Bedürfnisse der Eltern außer Acht lässt. Aus dem Grund ist es wichtig, sensibler auf die Eltern zu zugehen und auch positive kleine Zeichen zum Gesundheitszustand und der Leidensfähigkeit ihres Kindes mit ihnen zu teilen.
Coupling of the Surface and Near‐Bottom Currents in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Zhu Yingli , Liang Xinfeng
Published: October 2020

Coupling between the surface and near‐bottom currents in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) has been reported in many case studies. However, geographical variations of this coupling need more examination. In this study, surface geostrophic currents derived from satellite‐observed sea surface height and subsurface currents from a collection of deep ocean moorings are used to examine the surface and bottom coupling in different parts of the GoM. The short‐period (30–90 days) fluctuations generated by the Loop Current (LC) and the LC eddies (LCEs) have a more vertically coherent structure and stronger deep ocean expressions than the long‐period fluctuations (>90 days). In addition, the strength of the coupling is modulated by the long‐period variations of the LC and LCE sheddings. Moreover, the surface and bottom coupling varies geographically. In the LC region, the surface fluctuations along the eastern side of the LC are important in causing the bottom current fluctuations through baroclinic instability under the LC and through traveling topographic Rossby waves (TRWs) north of the LC. In the central deep GoM, the bottom currents are affected by the upper fluctuations of the northern LC through both local baroclinic instability and remote TRW propagation. In the northwestern GoM, the bottom current fluctuations are largely related to the remote surface variability from the west side of the LC by TRWs propagating northwestward. This study will help us better understand mechanisms of the bottom current fluctuations that are important for the dispersal of deep ocean materials and properties.
Circulating biomarkers and outcomes from a randomised phase 2 trial of gemcitabine versus capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy for pancreatic cancer
Authors: Willenbrock Frances , Cox Catrin M. , Parkes Eileen E. , Wilhelm-Benartzi Charlotte S. , Abraham Aswin G. , Owens Robert , Sabbagh Ahmad , Jones Christopher M. , Hughes Daniel L. I. , Maughan Tim , Hurt Christopher N. , O’Neill Eric E. , Mukherjee Somnath
Published: October 2020

Background

The Phase 2 SCALOP trial compared gemcitabine with capecitabine-based consolidation chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC).

Methods

Thirty-five systematically identified circulating biomarkers were analysed in plasma samples from 60 patients enroled in SCALOP. Each was measured in triplicate at baseline (prior to three cycles of gemcitabine-capecitabine induction chemotherapy) and, for a subset, prior to CRT. Association with overall survival (OS) was determined using univariable Cox regression and optimal thresholds delineating low to high values identified using time-dependent ROC curves. Independence from known prognostic factors was assessed using Spearman correlation and the Wilcoxon rank sum test prior to multivariable Cox regression modelling including independent biomarkers and known prognostic factors.

Results

Baseline circulating levels of C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) were significantly associated with OS, independent of other clinicopathological characteristics. Patients with low circulating CCL5 (CCL5low) had a median OS of 18.5 (95% CI 11.76–21.32) months compared to 11.3 (95% CI 9.86–15.51) months in CCL5high; hazard ratio 1.95 (95% CI 1.04–8.65; p = 0.037).

Conclusions

CCL5 is an independent prognostic biomarker in LAPC. Given the known role of CCL5 in tumour invasion, metastasis and the induction of an immunosuppressive micro-environment, targeting of CCL5-mediated pathways may offer therapeutic potential in pancreatic cancer.

Clinical trial registration

The SCALOP trial was registered with ISRCTN, number 96169987 (registered 29 May 2008).
3D printed graphene-based self-powered strain sensors for smart tires in autonomous vehicles
Authors: Maurya Deepam , Khaleghian Seyedmeysam , Sriramdas Rammohan , Kumar Prashant , Kishore Ravi Anant , Kang Min Gyu , Kumar Vireshwar , Song Hyun-Cheol , Lee Seul-Yi , Yan Yongke , Park Jung-Min , Taheri Saied , Priya Shashank
Published: October 2020

The transition of autonomous vehicles into fleets requires an advanced control system design that relies on continuous feedback from the tires. Smart tires enable continuous monitoring of dynamic parameters by combining strain sensing with traditional tire functions. Here, we provide breakthrough in this direction by demonstrating tire-integrated system that combines direct mask-less 3D printed strain gauges, flexible piezoelectric energy harvester for powering the sensors and secure wireless data transfer electronics, and machine learning for predictive data analysis. Ink of graphene based material was designed to directly print strain sensor for measuring tire-road interactions under varying driving speeds, normal load, and tire pressure. A secure wireless data transfer hardware powered by a piezoelectric patch is implemented to demonstrate self-powered sensing and wireless communication capability. Combined, this study significantly advances the design and fabrication of cost-effective smart tires by demonstrating practical self-powered wireless strain sensing capability.
Methanol-dependent Escherichia coli strains with a complete ribulose monophosphate cycle
Authors: Keller Philipp , Noor Elad , Meyer Fabian , Reiter Michael A. , Anastassov Stanislav , Kiefer Patrick , Vorholt Julia A.
Published: October 2020

Methanol is a biotechnologically promising substitute for food and feed substrates since it can be produced renewably from electricity, water and CO2. Although progress has been made towards establishing Escherichia coli as a platform organism for methanol conversion via the energy efficient ribulose monophosphate (RuMP) cycle, engineering strains that rely solely on methanol as a carbon source remains challenging. Here, we apply flux balance analysis to comprehensively identify methanol-dependent strains with high potential for adaptive laboratory evolution. We further investigate two out of 1200 candidate strains, one with a deletion of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (fbp) and another with triosephosphate isomerase (tpiA) deleted. In contrast to previous reported methanol-dependent strains, both feature a complete RuMP cycle and incorporate methanol to a high degree, with up to 31 and 99% fractional incorporation into RuMP cycle metabolites. These strains represent ideal starting points for evolution towards a fully methylotrophic lifestyle.
Powerful extragalactic jets dissipate their kinetic energy far from the central black hole
Authors: Harvey Adam Leah W. , Georganopoulos Markos , Meyer Eileen T.
Published: October 2020

Accretion onto the supermassive black hole in some active galactic nuclei (AGN) drives relativistic jets of plasma, which dissipate a significant fraction of their kinetic energy into gamma-ray radiation. The location of energy dissipation in powerful extragalactic jets is currently unknown, with implications for particle acceleration, jet formation, jet collimation, and energy dissipation. Previous studies have been unable to constrain the location between possibilities ranging from the sub-parsec-scale broad-line region to the parsec-scale molecular torus, and beyond. Here we show using a simple diagnostic that the more distant molecular torus is the dominant location for powerful jets. This diagnostic, called the seed factor, is dependent only on observable quantities, and is unique to the seed photon population at the location of gamma-ray emission. Using 62 multiwavelength, quasi-simultaneous spectral energy distributions of gamma-ray quasars, we find a seed factor distribution which peaks at a value corresponding to the molecular torus, demonstrating that energy dissipation occurs  ~1 parsec from the black hole (or  ~104 Schwarzchild radii for a 109M⊙ black hole).
Host genetic variation explains reduced protection of commercial vaccines against Piscirickettsia salmonis in Atlantic salmon
Authors: Figueroa Carolina , Veloso Pamela , Espin Lenin , Dixon Brian , Torrealba Débora , Elalfy Islam Said , Afonso Juan Manuel , Soto Carlos , Conejeros Pablo , Gallardo José A.
Published: October 2020

Vaccination is a widely used control strategy to prevent Piscirickettsia salmonis causing disease in salmon farming. However, it is not known why all the currently available commercial vaccines generally fail to protect against this pathogenic bacteria. Here, we report, from two different populations, that between-family variation is a strong intrinsic factor that determines vaccine protection for this disease. While in some full-sib families, the protection added by vaccination increased the survival time in 13 days in comparison with their unvaccinated siblings; in other families, there was no added protection by vaccination or even it was slightly negative. Resistance to P. salmonis, measured as days to death, was higher in vaccinated than unvaccinated fish, but only a moderate positive genetic correlation was obtained between these traits. This disputes a previous hypothesis, that stated that both traits were fully controlled by the same genes, and challenges the use of unvaccinated fish as gold standard for evaluating and selecting fish resistant to P. salmonis, particularly if the offspring will be vaccinated. More studies are necessary to evaluate if variation in the host immune response to vaccination could explain the between-family differences in resistance observed in vaccinated fish.
Chemical and spectroscopic signatures of resins from Sumatra (Sarolangun mine, Jambi Province) and Germany (Bitterfeld, Saxony-Anhalt)
Authors: Drzewicz Przemysław , Naglik Beata , Natkaniec-Nowak Lucyna , Dumańska-Słowik Magdalena , Stach Paweł , Kwaśny Mirosław , Matusik Jakub , Milovský Rastislav , Skonieczny Janusz , Kubica-Bąk Dorota
Published: October 2020

Fossil resins from Miocene coal deposit (Sarolangun mine, Jambi Province, Sumatra, Indonesia) have been analysed using spectroscopic methods: Raman Spectroscopy (RS), Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR),13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13C NMR), Fluorescence Spectroscopy (FS), and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) in order to describe their diagnostic features. Simultaneously, glessite, a fossil resin from Upper Oligocene Bitterfeld deposit (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany), originating from similar botanical sources (i.e. angiosperms) was tested with the same analytical methods in order to find similarities and differences between the resins. The resins differ in colour, transparency and amounts of inclusions (resins from Sumatra—yellow, and transparent with few inclusions; glessite—brown–red, translucent with wealth of inclusions). In general, the IR and RS spectra of these resins are very similar, probably because the glessite colour-changing additives can be very subtle and non-observable in the infrared region. The RS spectra revealed also a slight difference in intensity ratio of the 1650/1450 cm−1bands (0.56 and 0.68 for Sumatra and Germany resins, respectively), indicating a differences in their maturation process. The resins from Sumatra seem to be more mature than glessite from Germany. The excitation–emission (EM–EX) and synchronous spectra showed unique, chemical compositions of these resins, which are different one from another. The GC–MS data for Sumatran resins, dominated by sesquiterpenoids and triterpenoids (amyrin), confirmed their botanical origin (angiosperms as their biological affinities). The sesquiterpenoid biomarkers with cadine-structures suggested the glessite underwent more advanced polymerization processes, which does not correlate with its RS spectrum. The geological factors, the environmental conditions of resin deposition, and later various diagenesis processes may have influenced the maturation and crosslinking of compounds. Despite the genetic similarity of the resins from various part of the world, Sumatra and Germany, advanced techniques such as Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry and Fluorescence Spectroscopy were the most useful to find the differences between them. These differences are predominantly a result of different diagenetic transformations of the resins.
Preclinical validation of therapeutic targets predicted by tensor factorization on heterogeneous graphs
Authors: Paliwal Saee , de Giorgio Alex , Neil Daniel , Michel Jean-Baptiste , Lacoste Alix MB
Published: October 2020

Incorrect drug target identification is a major obstacle in drug discovery. Only 15% of drugs advance from Phase II to approval, with ineffective targets accounting for over 50% of these failures1–3. Advances in data fusion and computational modeling have independently progressed towards addressing this issue. Here, we capitalize on both these approaches with Rosalind, a comprehensive gene prioritization method that combines heterogeneous knowledge graph construction with relational inference via tensor factorization to accurately predict disease-gene links. Rosalind demonstrates an increase in performance of 18%-50% over five comparable state-of-the-art algorithms. On historical data, Rosalind prospectively identifies 1 in 4 therapeutic relationships eventually proven true. Beyond efficacy, Rosalind is able to accurately predict clinical trial successes (75% recall at rank 200) and distinguish likely failures (74% recall at rank 200). Lastly, Rosalind predictions were experimentally tested in a patient-derived in-vitro assay for Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which yielded 5 promising genes, one of which is unexplored in RA.
Prediction of the binding interface between monoclonal antibody m102.4 and Nipah attachment glycoprotein using structure-guided alanine scanning and computational docking
Authors: Tit-oon Phanthakarn , Tharakaraman Kannan , Artpradit Charlermchai , Godavarthi Abhinav , Sungkeeree Pareenart , Sasisekharan Varun , Kerdwong Jarunee , Miller Nathaniel Loren , Mahajan Bhuvna , Khongmanee Amnart , Ruchirawat Mathuros , Sasisekharan Ram , Fuangthong Mayuree
Published: October 2020

Nipah Virus (NiV) has been designated as a priority disease with an urgent need for therapeutic development by World Health Organization. The monoclonal antibody m102.4 binds to the immunodominant NiV receptor-binding glycoprotein (GP), and potently neutralizes NiV, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent. Although the co-crystal structure of m102.3, an m102.4 derivative, in complex with the GP of the related Hendra Virus (HeV) has been solved, the structural interaction between m102.4 and NiV is uncharacterized. Herein, we used structure-guided alanine-scanning mutagenesis to map the functional epitope and paratope residues that govern the antigen–antibody interaction. Our results revealed that the binding of m102.4 is mediated predominantly by two residues in the HCDR3 region, which is unusually small for an antibody-antigen interaction. We performed computational docking to generate a structural model of m102.4-NiV interaction. Our model indicates that m102.4 targets the common hydrophobic central cavity and a hydrophilic rim on the GP, as observed for the m102.3-HeV co-crystal, albeit with Fv orientation differences. In summary, our study provides insight into the m102.4-NiV interaction, demonstrating that structure-guided alanine-scanning and computational modeling can serve as the starting point for additional antibody reengineering (e.g. affinity maturation) to generate potential therapeutic candidates.
Background pressure effects on MeV protons accelerated via relativistically intense laser-plasma interactions
Authors: Snyder Joseph , Morrison John , Feister Scott , Frische Kyle , George Kevin , Le Manh , Orban Christopher , Ngirmang Gregory , Chowdhury Enam , Roquemore William
Published: October 2020

We present how chamber background pressure affects energetic proton acceleration from an ultra-intense laser incident on a thin liquid target. A high-repetition-rate (100 Hz), 3.5 mJ laser with peak intensity of $$8 \times 10^{18}\,\text {Wcm}^{-2}$$

8
×

10
18

Wcm

-
2

impinged on a 450 nm sheet of flowing liquid ethylene glycol. For these parameters, we experimentally demonstrate a threshold in laser-to-proton conversion efficiency at background pressures $$< 8\,\text {Torr}$$

<
8

Torr

, wherein the overall energy in ions $$>1\,\text {MeV}$$

>
1

MeV

increases by an order of magnitude. Proton acceleration becomes increasingly efficient at lower background pressures and laser-to-proton conversion efficiency approaches a constant as the vacuum pressure decreases. We present two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations and a charge neutralization model to support our experimental findings. Our experiment demonstrates that high vacuum is not required for energetic ion acceleration, which relaxes target debris requirements and facilitates applications of high-repetition rate laser-based proton accelerators.
Disentangling etiologies of CNS infections in Singapore using multiple correspondence analysis and random forest
Authors: Zellweger Raphaël M. , Yacoub Sophie , Chan Yvonne F. Z. , Soon Derek , Shafi Humaira , Ooi Say Tat , Chan Monica , Jacobson Leslie , Sessions October M. , Vincent Angela , Low Jenny Guek Hong , Ooi Eng Eong , Wang Linfa , Wijaya Limin , Tan Kevin ,   the Singapore Neurologic Infections Program (SNIP)
Published: October 2020

Central nervous system (CNS) infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide, with mounting concern about new and emerging neurologic infections. Stratifying etiologies based on initial clinical and laboratory data would facilitate etiology-based treatment rather than relying on empirical treatment. Here, we report the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of patients with CNS infections from a prospective surveillance study that took place between 2013 and 2016 in Singapore. Using multiple correspondence analysis and random forest, we analyzed the link between clinical presentation, laboratory results, outcome and etiology. Of 199 patients, etiology was identified as infectious in 110 (55.3%, 95%-CI 48.3–62.0), immune-mediated in 10 (5.0%, 95%-CI 2.8–9.0), and unknown in 79 patients (39.7%, 95%-CI 33.2–46.6). The initial presenting clinical features were associated with the prognosis at 2 weeks, while laboratory-related parameters were related to the etiology of CNS disease. The parameters measured were helpful to stratify etiologies in broad categories, but were not able to discriminate completely between all the etiologies. Our results suggest that while prognosis of CNS is clearly related to the initial clinical presentation, pinpointing etiology remains challenging. Bio-computational methods which identify patterns in complex datasets may help to supplement CNS infection diagnostic and prognostic decisions.
Modeling of variables in cellular infection reveals CXCL10 levels are regulated by human genetic variation and the Chlamydia-encoded CPAF protease
Authors: Schott Benjamin H. , Antonia Alejandro L. , Wang Liuyang , Pittman Kelly J. , Sixt Barbara S. , Barnes Alyson B. , Valdivia Raphael H. , Ko Dennis C.
Published: October 2020

Susceptibility to infectious diseases is determined by a complex interaction between host and pathogen. For infections with the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, variation in immune activation and disease presentation are regulated by both host genetic diversity and pathogen immune evasion. Previously, we discovered a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs2869462) associated with absolute abundance of CXCL10, a pro-inflammatory T-cell chemokine. Here, we report that levels of CXCL10 change during C. trachomatis infection of cultured cells in a manner dependent on both host and pathogen. Linear modeling of cellular traits associated with CXCL10 levels identified a strong, negative correlation with bacterial burden, suggesting that C. trachomatis actively suppresses CXCL10. We identified the pathogen-encoded factor responsible for this suppression as the chlamydial protease- or proteasome-like activity factor, CPAF. Further, we applied our modeling approach to other host cytokines in response to C. trachomatis and found evidence that RANTES, another T-cell chemoattractant, is actively suppressed by Chlamydia. However, this observed suppression of RANTES is not mediated by CPAF. Overall, our results demonstrate that CPAF suppresses CXCL10 to evade the host cytokine response and that modeling of cellular infection parameters can reveal previously unrecognized facets of host–pathogen interactions.
A systematic investigation of human DNA preservation in medieval skeletons
Authors: Parker Cody , Rohrlach Adam B. , Friederich Susanne , Nagel Sarah , Meyer Matthias , Krause Johannes , Bos Kirsten I. , Haak Wolfgang
Published: October 2020

Ancient DNA (aDNA) analyses necessitate the destructive sampling of archaeological material. Currently, the cochlea, part of the osseous inner ear located inside the petrous pyramid, is the most sought after skeletal element for molecular analyses of ancient humans as it has been shown to yield high amounts of endogenous DNA. However, destructive sampling of the petrous pyramid may not always be possible, particularly in cases where preservation of skeletal morphology is of top priority. To investigate alternatives, we present a survey of human aDNA preservation for each of ten skeletal elements in a skeletal collection from Medieval Germany. Through comparison of human DNA content and quality we confirm best performance of the petrous pyramid and identify seven additional sampling locations across four skeletal elements that yield adequate aDNA for most applications in human palaeogenetics. Our study provides a better perspective on DNA preservation across the human skeleton and takes a further step toward the more responsible use of ancient materials in human aDNA studies.
Apoptotic effect of novel pyrazolone-based derivative [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] on HeLa cells and its mechanism
Authors: Reheman Delizhaer , Zhao Jing , Guan Shan , Xu Guan-Cheng , Li Yi-Jie , Sun Su-Rong
Published: October 2020

Pyrazolone complexes have strong anti-tumor and antibacterial properties, but the anti-tumor mechanism of pyrazolone-based copper complexes has not been fully understood. In this study, the possible mechanism and the inhibitory effect of a novel pyrazolone-based derivative compound [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] on human cervical cancer cells (HeLa cells) was investigated. [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] effectively inhibited proliferation of HeLa cells in vitro with an IC50 value of 2.082 after treatment for 72 h. Cell cycle analysis showed apoptosis was induced by blocking the cell cycle in the S phase. [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] promoted the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c, PARP cleavage, and activation of caspase-3/9 in HeLa cells. Additionally, [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway and activated the P38/MAPK, and JNK/MAPK pathways. [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] also inhibited the phosphorylation of Iκ-Bα in the NF-κB pathway activated by TNF-α, thus restricting the proliferation of HeLa cells which were activated by TNF-α. In conclusion, [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] inhibited the growth of HeLa cells and induced apoptosis possibly via the caspase-dependent mitochondria-mediated pathway. These results suggest that [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] can be a potential candidate for the treatment of cervical cancer.
Inkjet printed self-healable strain sensor based on graphene and magnetic iron oxide nano-composite on engineered polyurethane substrate
Authors: Hassan Gul , Khan Muhammad Umair , Bae Jinho , Shuja Ahmed
Published: October 2020

In recent years, self-healing property has getting tremendous attention in the future wearable electronic. This paper proposes a novel cut-able and highly stretchable strain sensor utilizing a self-healing function from magnetic force of magnetic iron oxide and graphene nano-composite on an engineered self-healable polyurethane substrate through commercialized inkjet printer DMP-3000. Inducing the magnetic property, magnetic iron oxide is applied to connect between graphene flacks in the nano-composite. To find the best nano-composite, the optimum graphene and magnetic iron oxide blending ratio is 1:1. The proposed sensor shows a high mechanical fracture recovery, sensitivity towards strain, and excellent self-healing property. The proposed devices maintain their performance over 10,000 times bending/relaxing cycles, and 94% of their function are recovered even after cutting them. The device also demonstrates stretchability up to 54.5% and a stretching factor is decreased down to 32.5% after cutting them. The gauge factor of the device is 271.4 at 35%, which means its sensitivity is good. Hence, these results may open a new opportunity towards the design and fabrication of future self-healing wearable strain sensors and their applied electronic devices.
Evaluation of surgical procedures of mouse urethra by visualization and the formation of fistula
Authors: Hyuga Taiju , Hashimoto Daiki , Matsumaru Daisuke , Kumegawa Shinji , Asamura Shinichi , Suzuki Kentaro , Katayama Kei-ichi , Nakamura Shigeru , Nakai Hideo , Yamada Gen
Published: October 2020

Visualization of the surgically operated tissues is vital to improve surgical model animals including mouse. Urological surgeries for urethra include series of fine manipulations to treat the increasing number of birth defects such as hypospadias. Hence visualization of the urethral status is vital. Inappropriate urethral surgical procedure often leads to the incomplete wound healing and subsequent formation of urethro-cutaneous fistula or urethral stricture. Application of indocyanine green mediated visualization of the urethra was first performed in the current study. Indocyanine green revealed the bladder but not the urethral status in mouse. Antegrade injection of contrast agent into the bladder enabled to detect the urethral status in vivo. The visualization of the leakage of contrast agent from the operated region was shown as the state of urethral fistula in the current hypospadias mouse model and urethral stricture was also revealed. A second trial for contrast agent was performed after the initial operation and a tendency of accelerated urethral stricture was observed. Thus, assessment of post-surgical conditions of urogenital tissues can be improved by the current analyses on the urethral status.
Shear strength characteristics of a sand clay liner
Authors: Dafalla Muawia , Shaker Abdullah , Elkady Tamer , Almajed Abdullah , Al-Shamrani Mosleh
Published: October 2020

This study investigated shear strength behaviour of compacted sand–clay mixtures used as liners, with 10%, 20%, and 30% clay contents. A natural high-plasticity and highly expansive clay found in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia was used. A series of consolidated undrained triaxial tests and pore water pressure measurements of saturated samples with various clay contents and confining pressures was conducted using a computer-controlled Bishop and Wesley triaxial cell. The unit was equipped with pressure volume controllers and a pressure transducer for measuring sample volume changes and excess pore water pressure. The experimental test results indicate that clay content and confining pressure significantly affect stress strain response curves, pore water pressure generation curves, and steady-state shear strength. Sand–clay mixtures with clay content less than 10% showed a tendency toward contractive behaviour. The failure line slope increased in accordance with clay content increase. The deviator stress versus axial strain of saturated sand–clay mixtures indicated a hyperbolic trend. The stress ratio versus axial strain representation was more informative for the shear strength behaviour assessment. Clay content did not significantly affect critical-state friction angle. Scanning electron microscope images of the sand-clay mixtures with different clay contents are presented.
Chia seeds as a potential cognitive booster in the APP23 Alzheimer’s disease model
Authors: Schreyer Stefanie , Klein Charlotte , Pfeffer Anna , Rasińska Justyna , Stahn Laura , Knuth Karlotta , Abuelnor Basim , Panzel Alina Elisabeth Catharina , Rex André , Koch Stefan , Hemmati-Sadeghi Shabnam , Steiner Barbara
Published: October 2020

Glucose hypometabolism potentially contributes to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and might even represent an underlying mechanism. Here, we investigate the relationship of diet-induced metabolic stress and AD as well as the therapeutic potential of chia seeds as a modulator of glucose metabolism in the APP23 mouse model. 4–6 (pre-plaque stage, PRE) and 28–32 (advanced-plaque stage, ADV) weeks old APP23 and wild type mice received pretreatment for 12 weeks with either sucrose-rich (SRD) or control diet, followed by 8 weeks of chia seed supplementation. Although ADV APP23 mice generally showed functioning glucose homeostasis, they were more prone to SRD-induced glucose intolerance. This was accompanied by elevated corticosterone levels and mild insulin insensitivity. Chia seeds improved spatial learning deficits but not impaired cognitive flexibility, potentially mediated by amelioration of glucose tolerance, attenuation of corticosterone levels and reversal of SRD-induced elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Since cognitive symptoms and plaque load were not aggravated by SRD-induced metabolic stress, despite enhanced neuroinflammation in the PRE group, we conclude that impairments of glucose metabolism do not represent an underlying mechanism of AD in this mouse model. Nevertheless, chia seeds might provide therapeutic potential in AD as shown by the amelioration of cognitive symptoms.
Extended harmonic mapping connects the equations in classical, statistical, fluid, quantum physics and general relativity
Authors: Zhai Xiaobo , Huang Changyu , Ren Gang
Published: October 2020

One potential pathway to find an ultimate rule governing our universe is to hunt for a connection among the fundamental equations in physics. Recently, Ren et al. reported that the harmonic maps with potential introduced by Duan, named extended harmonic mapping (EHM), connect the equations of general relativity, chaos and quantum mechanics via a universal geodesic equation. The equation, expressed as Euler–Lagrange equations on the Riemannian manifold, was obtained from the principle of least action. Here, we further demonstrate that more than ten fundamental equations, including that  of classical mechanics, fluid physics, statistical physics, astrophysics, quantum physics and general relativity, can be connected by the same universal geodesic equation. The connection sketches a family tree of the physics equations, and their intrinsic connections reflect an alternative ultimate rule of our universe, i.e., the principle of least action on a Finsler manifold.
Raw transcriptomics data to gene specific SSRs: a validated free bioinformatics workflow for biologists
Authors: Naranpanawa D. N. U. , Chandrasekara C. H. W. M. R. B. , Bandaranayake P. C. G. , Bandaranayake A. U.
Published: October 2020

Recent advances in next-generation sequencing technologies have paved the path for a considerable amount of sequencing data at a relatively low cost. This has revolutionized the genomics and transcriptomics studies. However, different challenges are now created in handling such data with available bioinformatics platforms both in assembly and downstream analysis performed in order to infer correct biological meaning. Though there are a handful of commercial software and tools for some of the procedures, cost of such tools has made them prohibitive for most research laboratories. While individual open-source or free software tools are available for most of the bioinformatics applications, those components usually operate standalone and are not combined for a user-friendly workflow. Therefore, beginners in bioinformatics might find analysis procedures starting from raw sequence data too complicated and time-consuming with the associated learning-curve. Here, we outline a procedure for de novo transcriptome assembly and Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) primer design solely based on tools that are available online for free use. For validation of the developed workflow, we used Illumina HiSeq reads of different tissue samples of Santalum album (sandalwood), generated from a previous transcriptomics project. A portion of the designed primers were tested in the lab with relevant samples and all of them successfully amplified the targeted regions. The presented bioinformatics workflow can accurately assemble quality transcriptomes and develop gene specific SSRs. Beginner biologists and researchers in bioinformatics can easily utilize this workflow for research purposes.
Screening for energetic compounds based on 1,3-dinitrohexahydropyrimidine skeleton and 5-various explosopheres: molecular design and computational study
Authors: Duan Binghui , Liu Ning , Lu Xianming , Mo Hongchang , Zhang Qian , Liu Yingzhe , Wang Bozhou
Published: October 2020

In this paper, twelve 1,3-dinitrohexahydropyrimidine-based energetic compounds were designed by introducing various explosopheres into hexahydropyrimidine skeleton. Their geometric and electronic structures, heats of formation (HOFs), energetic performance, thermal stability and impact sensitivity were discussed. It is found that the incorporation of electron-withdrawing groups (–NO2, –NHNO2, –N3, –CH(NO2)2, –CF(NO2)2, –C(NO2)3) improves HOFs of the derivatives and all the substituents contribute to enhancing the densities and detonation properties (D, P) of the title compounds. Therein, the substitution of –C(NO2)3 features the best energetic performance with detonation velocity of 9.40 km s−1 and detonation pressure of 40.20 GPa. An analysis of the bond dissociation energies suggests that N–NO2 bond may be the initial site in the thermal decompositions for most of the derivatives. Besides, –ONO2 and –NF2 derivatives stand out with lower impact sensitivity. Characters with striking detonation properties (D = 8.62 km s−1, P = 35.08 GPa; D = 8.81 km s−1, P = 34.88 GPa), good thermal stability, and acceptable impact sensitivity (characteristic height H50 over 34 cm) lead novel compounds 5,5-difluoramine-1,3-dinitrohexahydropyrimidine (K) and 5-fluoro-1,3,5-trinitrohexahydropyrimidine (L) to be very promising energetic materials. This work provides the theoretical molecular design and a reasonable synthetic route of L for further experimental synthesis and testing.
Universal non-Markovianity detection in hybrid open quantum systems
Authors: Svozilík Jiří , Hidalgo-Sacoto Raúl , Arkhipov Ievgen I.
Published: October 2020

A universal characterization of non-Markovianity for any open hybrid quantum systems is presented. This formulation is based on the negativity volume of the generalized Wigner function, which serves as an indicator of the quantum correlations in any composite quantum systems. It is shown, that the proposed measure can be utilized for any single or multi-partite quantum system, containing any discrete or continuous variables. To demonstrate its power in revealing non-Markovianity in such quantum systems, we additionally consider a few illustrative examples.
Sex differences in type of exercise associated with depression in South Korean adults
Authors: Kim Hyunkyu , Jeong Wonjeong , Kwon Junhyun , Kim Youseok , Jang Sung-In , Park Eun-Cheol
Published: October 2020

Exercise has been considered as treatment and a preventive modality to alleviate depressive symptoms, but sex differences regarding specific types of exercise in association with depression have not been clearly elucidated. Here, we investigated sex differences in the association between exercise type and depression in Korean adults. Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were used for this study. A total of 13,914 participants who had filled in a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were included. The subjects’ exercise status had been evaluated with questions on strength exercise and walking, and answers were analysed in the current study using multivariate logistic regression. Male participants who reported having done strength exercise more than once in a week were less likely to be depressed after adjusting for covariates assumed to affect depression levels [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.60, 95% CI 0.40–0.92]. In women, walking more than once during the previous week was associated with lower depression levels after covariate adjustments (adjusted OR 0.54, CI 0.34–0.87). This study identifies the relationship between exercise and the presence of depressive symptoms and finds sex differences in the types of exercise that correlate with depression in Korean adults.