bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
XANES/EXAFS study of the Lu and Y incorporation in the single crystal Tb3Sc2Al3O12 Faraday rotator
Authors: Biquard X. , Víllora E. G. , Shimamura K. , Lorenz K.
Published: March 2020

Tb3Sc2Al3O12 (TSAG) is a paramagnetic insulator which, in spite of its congruent nature and excellent magneto-optical properties as Faraday rotators for optical isolators (OIs), cannot be industrially produced. The reason is that its lattice structure is so stressed that single crystals easily crack upon cooling after growth or during the cutting process. By the incorporation of a small amount of Lu, it has been demonstrated that the stress in the structure can be effectively released, and, therefore, the crystal cracking can be avoided. This has enabled the substitution of standard Tb3Ga5O12 (TGG), achieving better high-power performance and compacter OIs. In this study, the charge state and the lattice site location of Lu as well as Y dopants in TSAG are investigated by X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Analysis. Measurements on single crystal and powdered samples indicate that both dopants are incorporated in the 3+ charge state and substitute predominantly in the dodecahedral Tb-site (>87.5%), while a minor fraction is found in the octahedral Sc-site.
Do calcium and magnesium deficiencies in reproducing ewes contribute to high lamb mortality?
Authors: Friend Michael A. , Bhanugopan Marie S. , McGrath Shawn R. , Edwards Janelle Hocking , Hancock Serina , Loudon Kate , Miller David , McGilchrist Peter , Refshauge Gordon , Robertson Susan M. , Thompson Andrew N. , Masters David G.
Published: March 2020

High lamb mortality continues to be a significant economic and welfare problem within the Australian sheep industry, with 20–30% of lambs born in commercial flocks dying mostly within 3 days of birth. Clinical hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia cause ewe mortality, and, subsequently, either fetal or lamb death, but it is not known whether subclinical deficiencies of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) compromise lamb survival. This review considers the potential mechanisms through which Ca and Mg deficiencies may influence lamb survival, and factors influencing the risk of deficiency. Pastures grazed by lambing ewes may be marginal in calcium (Ca; <4 g/kg DM) and magnesium (Mg; <0.9 g/kg DM) but also have a high dietary cation–anion difference (>12 meq/100 g DM) and high concentrations of potassium (K; >30 g/kg DM) and nitrogen. In young cereal crops, sodium concentrations are also often low (<0.9 g/kg DM). This combination of minerals and other nutrients creates an imbalance in supply and increases susceptibility to acute Ca (hypocalcaemia) and Mg (hypomagnesaemia) deficiency. Calcium is required for smooth muscle function and has a direct role in uterine contraction, so may influence the duration of parturition. Low Ca and Mg intake both influence insulin release and sensitivity, low Mg results in poor glycaemic control and insulin resistance by impairing both insulin secretion and its action on peripheral tissues, also potentially altering the duration of parturition as well as risk of metabolic disease. Magnesium is also a neuroprotectant that slows the neuronal damage during hypoxia and has been linked with thermogenesis in offspring and increased immunoglobulins in colostrum. These functions indicate potential importance in improving the ease of parturition and improved ability of the newborn lamb to thermoregulate and survive after birth. Subclinical Ca and Mg deficiencies commonly occur in 20% of lambing ewes grazing temperate pastures, so further studies are warranted to investigate whether correction of these deficiencies can improve lamb survival.
试论普通话声调的本调
Authors: Shi Feng
Published: March 2020

抽象

本文提出对普通话声调描写的改进意见：把以单字调为基础的观念改为以连读调为基础。普通话的声调描写应为：阴平55、阳平35、上声11、去声53。理由可以有三点：1、连读调更接近于本调。2、单字调带有边界成分。3、连读调更接近实际语言交际。另外我们还找到两个理论依据。一个是麦迪森的平调定义，一个是赵元任的双数调原则。文章列出大量的声学和感知实验的证据来支持我们的意见。同时指出：普通话声调的这种轴对称结构表现出最大区别原理的最佳对立状态。讨论认为，五度值是一种半调值、半调位的记调法，具有相当的模糊性。实际语言中极少有分为五级调阶的。
Northwest Mandarin, Standard Chinese, and Tibetan elements in Wutun lexicon
Authors: Cabras Giulia
Published: March 2020

Wutun is a distinct form of Northwest Mandarin spoken by approximately 4000 people in a rural area called Seng ge
gshong (‘the valley of the lion’) in the Wutun language, or Wutun 五屯 in Standard Chinese, located a few kilometers from Rong bo
(Long wu 龙务), the county seat of Reb gong (Tongren
同仁), in the Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,
Qinghai province, People’s Republic of China. This article analyzes some features of basic and cultural Wutun vocabulary
(Northwest Mandarin, Standard Chinese, and Tibetan items, as well as hybrid and idiosyncratic words) exploring prospects for
lexical borrowing in an intense language contact situation, as well as the impact of the environment, cultural influences, and
linguistic prestige in the development of the lexicon of a small language community.
Last Papers in Linguistic Historiography
Authors: Koerner E. F. K.
Published: March 2020

This volume brings together — in 8 chapters — what has occupied the author during his many years as editor of Historiographia Linguistica. Namely, how the history of linguistics has developed into a major field of scholarly research, and that the discussion of questions of method and epistemology needs to be continued to avoid stereotypical practice. The author takes up a number of subjects that often had been regarded as settled, but which require a revisit. This is shown in several chapters, whether it appears subjects like ‘analogy’ or the relationships between well-known linguists like Saussure, Hermann Paul, and others.
Grain growth in IN718 superalloy fabricated by laser additive manufacturing
Authors: Cao Yu , Bai Pucun , Liu Fei , Hou Xiaohu
Published: March 2020

The grain growth mechanism of IN718 superalloy fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) was studied. Epitaxial growth with the same crystallographic orientation or rotating by 90° across the melting pool boundary and competitive growth in the same melting pool were observed. Either of the two patterns of epitaxial growth can maintain the same grain across the melting pool boundary. Competitive growth is determined by both the heat flow direction and preferred crystallographic orientation. In SLM, the grains grow along the preferred crystallographic orientation owing to a high solidification rate. The smaller the deviation angles between the heat flow direction and the preferred crystallographic orientation, the faster the grain growth rate.
Vascular plant one-zinc finger 1 (VOZ1) and VOZ2 negatively regulate phytochrome B-mediated seed germination inArabidopsis
Authors: Luo Dan , Qu Lina , Zhong Ming , Li Xinmei , Wang Han , Miao Jiahui , Liu Xuanming , Zhao Xiaoying
Published: March 2020

Seed germination is regulated by light. Phytochromes (Phys) act as red and far-red light photoreceptors to mediate seed germination. However, the mechanism of this process is not well understood. In this study, we found that the Arabidopsis thaliana mutants vascular plant one-zinc finger 1 (voz1) and voz2 showed higher seed germination percentage than wild type when PhyB was inactivated by far-red light. In wild type, VOZ1 and VOZ2 expression were downregulated after seed imbibition, repressed by PhyB, and upregulated by Phytochrome-interacting factor 1 (PIF1), a key negative regulator of seed germination. Red light irradiation and the voz1voz2 mutation caused increased expression of Gibberellin 3-oxidase 1 (GA3ox1), a gibberellin (GA) biosynthetic gene. We also found that VOZ2 is bound directly to the promoter of GA3ox1 in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggest that VOZs play a negative role in PhyB-mediated seed germination, possibly by directly regulating GA3ox1 expression.
The validity of conceptual knowledge test on mechanics topic
Authors: Tanjung Y I , Siregar A M , Bakar A , Mihardi S
Published: March 2020

This study aims to analyze the validity of conceptual knowledge test on mechanics topic. The research method used four stages that was Preliminary Research, Prototyping Stage, Summative Evaluation, Systematic Reflection and Documentation. This article report is focused on preliminary research and prototyping stage that is to arrange conceptual knowledge test and analyze validity of test by Content Validity Ratio (CVR) method. Based on the data analysis, it was concluded that the test was valid and feasible to use on students.
Analysis on facilities and intensity of utilization of biology laboratories in four state schools in medan
Authors: Mukra R , Silitonga M , Restuati M
Published: March 2020

This research aims for analyze the completeness of laboratory facilities and the intensity of the utilization of biology laboratories in four State schools in Medan. This type of research was descriptive with quantitative result. Samples were taken at four schools by Cluster Sampling, based on the criteria of SMA Negeri in Medan, namely MAN 1, MAN 2, SMA Negeri 3, and SMA Negeri 4 Medan and their biology teachers. Using data collection techniques consisting of observation sheets to determine the level of availability of facilities and intensity of utilization of laboratory data obtained from the number of practical done and not done as well as using descriptive analysis techniques by calculating the average data value. The results in this study are complete laboratory facilities in the biological category are in good category (77.34) and the intensity of utilization are in high category (82.14).
Accuracy of Fifth-Order Improved Runge-Kutta Method for Handling Hyperchaotics Finance Systems
Authors: Rangkuti Yulita Molliq , Huda Akmal
Published: March 2020

A new alternative technique named fifth order Improved Runge-Kutta (IRK5) method is applied to compute ahyperchaotic finance system, which needs less number of function evaluations per time step.This method obtains a solution in terms of a rapidly convergent infinite power seriescompared to fourth order RungeKutta (RK4) and fifth order Diagonally Implicit Runge-Kutta (DIRK5) methods. Moreover, the residual error of the IRK5 solution is defined and computed for each time interval. Via the computing of the residual error we observe that the accuracy of the IRK5 method compared to DIRK5.
Utilization of Moodle in Learning
Authors: Frisnoiry S , Darari MB
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Moodle on student learning motivation as well as to find out the result of learning improvement of students who were learned using Moodle. This research was conducting by experimental study which using the Descent Nonequivalent Control Group Design using two groups, the experimental group, and the control group. This research used test and questionnaire (non-test) to collect the data. Based on the result of the study it showed that by using Moodle learning significantly affect motivation of the students. Also, based on the test description it was found that the average score of learning outcomes was increased. Students’ average score on pretest was 67.6 while on posttest the average score was 92.3. it means that there was an average increase of 24.6.therefore it may be concluded that the use of Moodle in learning can improve students ‘motivation and learning outcomes.
Innovation of learning line on research in mathematics education to support students in conducting research
Authors: Haris Denny , Chairunisah
Published: March 2020

Learning of research method required effective instruction to help students developed research and academic writing skills. Various approaches had been offered to overcome this obstacle. However, these approaches do not have a special treatment to produce a model of instructional activity in generating research and academic writing well. This paper aims to describe the activities structure of a developed learning line to support research and academic writing skills for students in the mathematics education department. The design research method containing preliminary design, teaching experiment and retrospective analysis was applied. The research described how developed learning line on research contributed to 30 students in mathematics education department in Universitas Negeri Medan. Explicitly, the developed learning line on research was successful in promoting understanding of a research process.
Application Genetic Algorithm In solving three-level supply chain distribution problems.
Authors: Indra Z , Chairunisah  , Refisis N R
Published: March 2020

Every company cannot be separated from transportation problems, both for the procurement of raw materials or in allocating finished goods. One method that can be used to minimize transportation costs is to optimize the distribution of goods as possible, using transportation methods. Given the complexity of supply chain problems, the use of metaheuristic methods such as genetic algorithms is expected to be able to quickly resolve supply chain problems, where time is a mandatory requirement to satisfy the market. The problem in the application of genetic algorithms in this study is the distribution of three levels. This study uses 3 producers, 3 agents, 5 distributors and 7 retails. Optimal solutions were obtained from population sizes of 10, 20, and 30 with a combination of mutation probabilities, 0.1 and 0.2, crossover probabilities of 0.1 and 0.2, amounting to 100.454, by conducting experiments 20 times for each genetic parameter. The lowest cost distribution is obtained at population size 20, mutation probability 0.1 and crossover probability 0.2. Based on these results obtained goods distribution channels from each producer, agent and distributor.
The Comparison of Double Moving Average and Double Exponential Smoothing Methods in Forecasting the Number of Foreign Tourists Coming to North Sumatera
Authors: Febrian Didi , Idrus Said Iskandar Al , Nainggolan Debora Agnes Jessica
Published: March 2020

In Mathematics, Forecasting is scientific. Forecasting uses statistical techniques to describe the future using previous data. Based on North Sumatra BPS data, the number of foreign tourists coming to North Sumatra fluctuates. Therefore, forecasting the number of foreign tourism needs to be done so that tourism actors can prepare themselves. The purpose of this study is to compare time series forecasting methods, namely Double Moving Average (DMA) and Double Exponential Smoothing (DES). Then the number of tourists is predicted using the best method, the method with the smallest MAPE. The research data in the form of secondary data obtained from BPS as many as 108 data, from January 2010 to December 2018. The calculation process uses Ms. Excel. The results showed that the 12th time order on DMA had the smallest MAPE value, which was 14.12%. Whereas the DES Brown method with and DES Holt yielding MAPE values respectively 12.71% and 12.21%. Forecasting the number of foreign tourists coming to North Sumatra in 2019 using the DES Holt method.
Synthesis of hydroxyapatite from limestone by using precipitation method
Authors: Sirait M , Sinulingga K , Siregar N , Siregar R S D
Published: March 2020

Hydroxyapatite from limestone was synthesized by precipitation method. During the synthesization, the temperature of a 200 mesh sample was increased to 600°C for 3 hours. It was transformed CaCO3 into CaO powder. Then the CaO powder was dissolved with water to get Ca(OH)2, then it dissolved with H3PO4 0.3M as a source of phosphate. The solution was mixed by using magnetic stirrer with a speed of 300 rpm for 1 hour. Then NH4OH 1M solution was periodically dropped to that the solution until it became an alkaline with pH 10. The solution was stood for 24 hours and the precipitate was dried by using an oven in 120°C for 5 hours. Hydroxyapatite powder obtained was characterized by FTIR to see the major functional groups that are formed in hydroxyapatite limestone. The results obtained were 3 functional major groups that are phosphate (PO4
3−), carbonate (CO3
2−) and hydroxyl (OH−) on hydroxyapatite limestone.
Lejeuneaceae (Marchantiophyta) of Taman Eden 100 Natural Park North Sumatera Indonesia
Authors: Siregar E S , Pasaribu N
Published: March 2020

Knowledge on the liverworts (Marchantiophyta) of Sumatera is still insufficiently reported including that of family Lejeuneaceae. This study was conducted to explore the diversity of Lejeuneaceae in Taman Eden Natural Park North Sumatera, Indonesia. Sample was collected along the hiking trails in the study site using the explorative survey method. Thirty one species of Lejeuneaceae were found in Taman Eden Natural Park, belonging to 13 genera, two of which are new record for Sumatera: Cololejeunea denticulata and Lejeunea albescens.
Modelling the Distribution of Dendrocygna javanica in North Sumatera, Indonesia using Maximum Entropy Approach
Authors: Lazuardi  , Prastowo P , Prasetya E , Prakasa H
Published: March 2020

Dendrocygna javanica (Horsfield, 1821) is a species of bird that lives in the South, Southeast and South Asian regions, especially on the islands of Kalimantan, Java and Sumatra, Indonesia. D. javanica is a member of the genus Dendrocygna and the Anatidae family with a unique characteristic-making a continuous sound when flying and therefore often called the Lesser Whistling Teal. This study aims to predict the distribution model of D. javanica in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The study area ranges from the districts of Central Tapanuli, Mandailing Natal, Medan, Langkat, Deli Serdang, Tebing Tinggi, Tanjung Balai, Asahan, and Siantar. A total of 35 points obtained from the study area were analyzed using the Maximum Entropy 3.4.0 application. The environmental variables used in this analysis are global elevation, global land, solar radiation, bioclims, global aspects, precipitation, temperature, water vapor pressure, and wind speed. The Jacknife test is used to evaluate important variables for predicting the distribution model. The resulting MaxEnt model has high accuracy with a significant AUC value of 0. 968. The distribution model approach using MaxEnt can promise the potential distribution of D. javanica in North Sumatra so that it can be used as an effective tool in planning bird conservation.
Changes in the exposure of California’s levee-protected critical infrastructure to flooding hazard in a warming climate
Authors: Mallakpour Iman , Sadegh Mojtaba , AghaKouchak Amir
Published: March 2020

Levee systems are an important part of California’s water infrastructure, engineered to provide resilience against flooding and reduce flood losses. The growth in California is partly associated with costly infrastructure developments that led to population expansion in the levee protected areas. Therefore, potential changes in the flood hazard could have significant socioeconomic consequences over levee protected areas, especially in the face of a changing climate. In this study, we examine the possible impacts of a warming climate on flood hazard over levee protected land in California. We use gridded maximum daily runoff from global circulation models (GCMs) that represent a wide range of variability among the climate projections, and are recommended by the California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment Report, to investigate possible climate-induced changes. We also quantify the exposure of several critical infrastructure protected by the levee systems (e.g. roads, electric power transmission lines, natural gas pipelines, petroleum pipelines, and railroads) to flooding. Our results provide a detailed picture of change in flood risk for different levees and the potential societal consequences (e.g. exposure of people and critical infrastructure). Levee systems in the northern part of the Central Valley and coastal counties of Southern California are likely to observe the highest increase in flood hazard relative to the past. The most evident change is projected for the northern region of the Central Valley, including Butte, Glenn, Yuba, Sutter, Sacramento, and San Joaquin counties. In the leveed regions of these counties, based on the model simulations of the future, the historical 100-year runoff can potentially increase up to threefold under RCP8.5. We argue that levee operation and maintenance along with emergency preparation plans should take into account the changes in frequencies and intensities of flood hazard in a changing climate to ensure safety of levee systems and their protected infrastructure.
Evolution of morphology and defects of graphene with growth parameters by PECVD
Authors: Luo Anlin , Xu Yu , Zhou Hao , Yuan Zhihao , Cao Bing , Wang Chinhua , Xu Ke
Published: March 2020

The morphology of graphene has an important impact on its applications such as sensing and energy storage. In this study, the evolution of the surface morphology and defect types of graphene that was directly grown on Al2O3 by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) was investigated by controlled growth conditions. It was found that the defect type of graphene was determined by the ion source power while the surface morphology of graphene was determined by the combination of growth temperature and ion source power. The type of defects of graphene changed from vacancy-like to boundary-like as the ion source power increased, and the morphology of graphene changed from two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional (3D) as the temperature rose or the power of the ion source increased. The hydrophobicity of graphene was well correlated with surface morphology, in which the contact angle of graphene changes from 78° to 132° with the change of graphene from 2D to 3D.
Low-cost synthesis of AuNPs through ultrasonic spray pyrolysis
Authors: Tiyyagura Hanuma Reddy , Majerič Peter , Anžel Ivan , Rudolf Rebeka
Published: March 2020

The present research informs about the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) through Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP), which were collected in ethanol with 0.1% Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Initially, the research focused on two precursors, where the first represented a homemade H-HAuCl4, completed in our own laboratory through the chlorine gas method by using HCl and KMnO4, and the second was the commercial C-HAuCl4, prepared by using Gold (III) chloride tetrahydrate powder and deionised water. The goal was to find any potential precursor differences and their influences on the later use for AuNPs synthesis through USP using almost the same parameters. In the first step of research it was determined that the H-HAuCl4 precursor was similar to C-HAuCl4 in chemical composition, surface tension and pH value. This finding represented the starting point for being able to use H-HAuCl4 in the USP for AuNPs‘ synthesis. In the second step, AuNPs were synthesised from both types of precursors. Afterwards, characterisation of some functional properties by FTIR and UV–vis techniques was done directly for H- and C-AuNPs in the collecting media. For SEM/EDX and TEM microscopy both types of H- and C-AuNPs were dried, and observation revealed that the morphology, shape and size distribution of dried AuNPs were very similar. Based on the performed laboratory research, it could be concluded that prepared H-AuNPs could represent a new and low-cost effective solution for future USP transfer onto the industrial level, not only in in the process itself, but also in the field of Low-cost Precursor Preparation.
Effects of Al-5Ti-0.62C-1.07La intermediate alloy on the microstructure and mechanical properties of A356 aluminum alloy
Authors: Ding Wanwu , Xu Chen , Zhang Haixia , Zhao Wenjun
Published: March 2020

The physical characters that belong to hypo-eutectic Al-Si alloys are affected by certain important factors including the dimension, distribution together with structure of eutectic Si crystals together with primary α-Al. In this paper, A356-x Al-5Ti-0.62C-1.07La (x = 0, 4, 5, 6, 7 wt%) alloys are was prepared by mechanical stirring. The effects of Al-5Ti-0.62C-1.07La intermediate alloy on the microstructures and mechanical properties of A356 alloy are investigated. Results show that the primary α-Al was significantly refined by Al-5Ti-0.62C-1.07La intermediate alloy. The secondary dendrite arm space (SDAS) of unrefined α-Al is approximately 40 μm. When the substance of Al-5Ti-0.62C-1.07La intermediate alloy is 6 wt%, SDAS declines to 10 μm. In addition, the component part of eutectic Si turns from thick acicular/schistose to short rod-like together with a section of pellets. Adding 6 wt% Al-5Ti-0.62C-1.07La intermediate alloy, A356-T6 alloy obtained the best tensile function and hardness. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS), elongation (El) together with Vickers hardness (HV) are 183.5 MPa, 8.2% and 62.3, which is increased by 30.3%, 95.2% and 38.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the variation in mechanical properties change with the development of micro-structure.
Kinetic modeling of seeded nitrogen in an ITER baseline scenario
Authors: Schluck F
Published: March 2020

ITER as the next-level fusion device is intended to reliably produce more fusion power than required for sustainably heating its plasma. Modeling has been an essential part of the ITER design and for planning of future experimental campaigns. In a tokamak or stellarator plasma discharge, impurities play a significant role, especially in the edge region. Residual gases, eroded wall material, or even intentionally seeded gases all heavily influence the confinement and, thus, the overall fusion performance. Nitrogen is such a gas envisaged to be seeded into a discharge plasma. By modeling the impurities kinetically using the full three-dimensional Monte-Carlo code package EMC3-EIRENE, we analyze the distribution of nitrogen charge-state resolved in a seeded ITER baseline scenario and draw conclusions for the hydrogen background plasma density. Lastly, we compare the influence of a more refined kinetic ion transport in EIRENE including additional physical effects on the impurity density.
Transitions between frailty states in the very old: the influence of socioeconomic status and multi-morbidity in the Newcastle 85+ cohort study
Authors: Mendonça Nuno , Kingston Andrew , Yadegarfar Mohammad , Hanson Helen , Duncan Rachel , Jagger Carol , Robinson Louise
Published: March 2020

Background

Using Newcastle 85+ Study data, we investigated transitions between frailty states from age 85 to 90 years and whether multi-morbidities and socioeconomic status (SES) modify transitions.

Methods

The Newcastle 85+ Study is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study of all people born in 1921 in Newcastle and North Tyneside. Data included: a multidimensional health assessment; general practice record review (GPRR) and date of death. Using the Fried phenotype (participants defined as robust, pre-frail or frail), frailty was measured at baseline, 18, 36 and 60 months.

Results

Frailty scores were available for 82% (696/845) of participants at baseline. The prevalence of frailty was higher in women (29.7%, 123/414) than men (17.7%, 50/282) at baseline and all subsequent time points. Of those robust at baseline, 44.6% (50/112) remained robust at 18 months and 28% (14/50) at age 90. Most (52%) remained in the same state across consecutive interviews; only 6% of the transitions were recovery (from pre-frail to robust or frail to pre-frail), and none were from frail to robust. Four or more diseases inferred a greater likelihood of progression from robust to pre-frail even after adjustment for SES. SES did not influence the likelihood of moving from one frailty state to another.

Conclusions

Almost half the time between age 85 and 90, on average, was spent in a pre-frail state; multi-morbidity increased the chance of progression from robust and to frail; greater clinical intervention at the onset of a first chronic illness, to prevent transition to multi-morbidity, should be encouraged.
White Subversion of Public School Desegregation in South Carolina, 1963-1970
Authors: Lowe Stephen
Published: March 2020

Despite small victories for black South Carolinians in desegregating Clemson College and the University of South Carolina in 1963, federal court cases dealing with public education in the mid- to late 1960s reveal that South Carolina officials were willing to go to great lengths to preserve segregation. 1963 as a turning point on South Carolina’s desegregation history should be reconsidered. The state had no lack of white politicians, bureaucrats, and parents who continued to appeal to the courts to undermine the transformative intent of Brown v. Board. Despite some minor steps toward desegregation—small steps that whites were willing to allow as long as they helped to forestall any real integration—white South Carolinians were able, through legal delay and obfuscation, to subvert the promise of “integration with dignity.” Ultimately, policy-related efforts failed and by the early 1970s, desegregation had become a reality. However, personal defiance successfully thwarted integration, leading some white parents to permanently quit the public school system.
Short- and Longer-Term Benefits of Temporary Alcohol Abstinence During ‘Dry January’ Are Not Also Observed Among Adult Drinkers in the General Population: Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: de Visser Richard O , Piper Richard
Published: March 2020

Aims

The alcohol abstinence challenge ‘Dry January’ continues to grow, but there is a lack of knowledge of how Dry January participants compare to the general population. There is also a need to determine whether benefits experienced by Dry January participants are unique to that group or are also observed among other people.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study using online questionnaires in early January, February and August 2019. We compared 1192 Dry January participants and 1549 adult drinkers who did not attempt to abstain from alcohol. Key outcomes were self-rated physical health, psychological well-being (Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale), control over drinking (Drink Refusal Self-Efficacy Scale (DRSE)) and alcohol intake (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Consumption (AUDIT-C) subscale). Baseline differences in demographic and alcohol consumption variables were included as covariates in between-group analyses.

Results

Dry January participants had higher SES, poorer well-being, higher AUDIT-C scores and less control over their drinking than the general population. Beneficial changes in health, WEMWBS, DRSE and AUDIT-C observed among people completing Dry January were not observed among other adult drinkers.

Conclusions

Dry January appears to attract people who are heavier drinkers than the general population and who are more concerned about their alcohol intake. Completion of Dry January is associated with short- and longer-term benefits to well-being that are not observed in the general population.
Expanding Indications for Dorsal Preservation Rhinoplasty With Cartilage Conversion Techniques
Authors: Kosins Aaron M
Published: March 2020

Background

Preservation rhinoplasty (PR) is a new and evolving philosophy in rhinoplasty surgery. As a surgeon becomes more experienced with preservation concepts, he/she begins to look for new ways to apply PR to an increasing percentage of primary cases.

Objectives

This article presents a series of 100 primary rhinoplasties that underwent dorsal preservation with an emphasis on the cartilage-only dorsal preservation.

Methods

A total of 226 primary rhinoplasty cases were studied retrospectively between July 2017 and August 2018. One hundred cases of dorsal preservation were included in the study. Data was collected in all cases regarding age, gender, ethnicity, and technical details of the operation. These 100 cases fall into the following 3 categories: (1) dorsal preservation employing a subdorsal strip; (2) dorsal preservation utilizing a cartilage-only pushdown with separate bony pyramid modification; and (3) dorsal preservation employing a cartilage reduction method with separate bony pyramid modification.

Results

Fifty-seven patients underwent subdorsal strip technique, 39 underwent cartilage-only pushdown technique, and 4 underwent cartilage modification. The average lowering was 4.5 mm (range, 2-10 mm), 2.5 mm (range, 1-3.5 mm), and 2 mm (range, 1-2.5 mm) for the subdorsal strip, cartilage-only pushdown techniques, and cartilage modification technique, respectively. No patients required revision surgery of their dorsum.

Conclusions

PR is a paradigm shift in rhinoplasty. With time, surgeons will find themselves asking in every situation whether they can preserve structures. Dorsal preservation is a reliable technique if patients are chosen properly. With bony cap modification, more dorsums can be preserved and dorsal aesthetics can be improved.

Level of Evidence: 4
M6A2Target: a comprehensive database for targets of m6A writers, erasers and readers
Authors: Deng Shuang , Zhang Hongwan , Zhu Kaiyu , Li Xingyang , Ye Ying , Li Rui , Liu Xuefei , Lin Dongxin , Zuo Zhixiang , Zheng Jian
Published: March 2020

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant posttranscriptional modification in mammalian mRNA molecules and has a crucial function in the regulation of many fundamental biological processes. The m6A modification is a dynamic and reversible process regulated by a series of writers, erasers and readers (WERs). Different WERs might have different functions, and even the same WER might function differently in different conditions, which are mostly due to different downstream genes being targeted by the WERs. Therefore, identification of the targets of WERs is particularly important for elucidating this dynamic modification. However, there is still no public repository to host the known targets of WERs. Therefore, we developed the m6A WER target gene database (m6A2Target) to provide a comprehensive resource of the targets of m6A WERs. M6A2Target provides a user-friendly interface to present WER targets in two different modules: ‘Validated Targets’, referred to as WER targets identified from low-throughput studies, and ‘Potential Targets’, including WER targets analyzed from high-throughput studies. Compared to other existing m6A-associated databases, m6A2Target is the first specific resource for m6A WER target genes. M6A2Target is freely accessible at http://m6a2target.canceromics.org.
Rapid, modular, and cost-effective generation of donor DNA constructs for CRISPR-based gene knock-in
Authors: Chen Yi-Jiun , Cheng Ya-Yun , Wang Weikang , Tian Xiao-Jun , Lefever Daniel E , Taft David A , Zhang Jingyu , Xing Jianhua
Published: March 2020

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based gene editing techniques find applications in many fields, such as molecular biology, cancer biology, and disease modeling. In contrast to the knock-out procedure, a key step of CRISPR knock-in experiments is the homology-directed repair process that requires donor constructs as repair templates. Therefore, it is desirable to generate a series of donor templates efficiently and cost-effectively. In this study, we developed a new strategy that combines (i) Gibson assembly reaction, (ii) a linker pair composed of eight in silico screened restriction enzyme sites, and (iii) a hierarchical framework, to remarkably improve the efficiency of producing donor constructs for common genes as well as for the genes containing unbalanced guanine-cytosine content and requiring a selectable marker. Furthermore, the approach provides the ability of inserting additional elements into the donor templates, such as single guide RNA recognition sites that have been reported to enhance the efficiency of homology-directed repair. Conclusively, our modularized process is simple, fast, and cost-effective for making donor constructs and benefits the application of CRISPR knock-in methods.
Neurophysiological and Cognitive Correlates of Error Processing Deficits in Internet Gaming Disorder
Authors: Park Minkyung , Jung Myung Hun , Lee Jiyoon , Choi A Ruem , Chung Sun Ju , Kim Bomi , Kim Dai Jin , Choi Jung-Seok
Published: March 2020

The ability to detect and correct errors is a critical aspect of human cognition. Neuronal dysfunction in error processing has been reported in addictive disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate neural systems underlying error processing using event-related potentials (ERPs) and current source localization as well as neurocognitive executive function tests in patients with Internet gaming disorder (IGD). A total of 68 individuals (34 patients with IGD and 34 healthy controls [HCs]) were included, and two ERP components, error-related negativity (ERN) and error positivity (Pe), were extracted during a GoNogo task. Patients with IGD exhibited significantly reduced ERN and Pe amplitudes compared with HCs. Standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) in between-group comparisons revealed that patients with IGD had decreased source activations of the Pe component in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) under the Nogo condition. These ERP changes were associated with deficits in decision-making and response inhibition in IGD patients. The results suggest that IGD may be associated with functional abnormalities in the ACC and alterations in neural activity related to both the early unconscious and the later conscious stages of error processing, as well as deficits in area of decision-making.
Pleasantness of Binary Odor Mixtures: Rules and Prediction
Authors: Ma Yue , Tang Ke , Thomas-Danguin Thierry , Xu Yan
Published: March 2020

Pleasantness is a major dimension of odor percepts. While naturally encountered odors rely on mixtures of odorants, few studies have investigated the rules underlying the perceived pleasantness of odor mixtures. To address this issue, a set of 222 binary mixtures based on a set of 72 odorants were rated by a panel of 30 participants for odor intensity and pleasantness. In most cases, the pleasantness of the binary mixtures was driven by the pleasantness and intensity of its components. Nevertheless, a significant pleasantness partial addition was observed in 6 binary mixtures consisting of 2 components with similar pleasantness ratings. A mathematical model, involving the pleasantness of the components as well as τ-values reflecting components’ odor intensity, was applied to predict mixture pleasantness. Using this model, the pleasantness of mixtures including 2 components with contrasted intensity and pleasantness could be efficiently predicted at the panel level (R2 > 0.80, Root Mean Squared Error < 0.67).
Size-related effects and the influence of metabolic traits and morphology on swimming performance in fish
Authors: Rubio-Gracia Francesc , García-Berthou Emili , Guasch Helena , Zamora Lluís , Vila-Gispert Anna
Published: March 2020

Energy metabolism fuels swimming and other biological processes. We compared the swimming performance and energy metabolism within and across eight freshwater fish species. Using swim tunnel respirometers, we measured the standard metabolic rate (SMR) and maximum metabolic rate (MMR) and calculated the critical swimming speed (Ucrit). We accounted for body size, metabolic traits, and some morphometric ratios in an effort to understand the extent and underlying causes of variation. Body mass was largely the best predictor of swimming capacity and metabolic traits within species. Moreover, we found that predictive models using total length or SMR, in addition to body mass, significantly increased the explained variation of Ucrit and MMR in certain fish species. These predictive models also underlined that, once body mass has been accounted for, Ucrit can be independently affected by total length or MMR. This study exemplifies the utility of multiple regression models to assess within-species variability. At interspecific level, our results showed that variation in Ucrit can partly be explained by the variation in the interrelated traits of MMR, fineness, and muscle ratios. Among the species studied, bleak Alburnus alburnus performed best in terms of swimming performance and efficiency. By contrast, pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus showed very poor swimming performance, but attained lower mass-specific cost of transport (MCOT) than some rheophilic species, possibly reflecting a cost reduction strategy to compensate for hydrodynamic disadvantages. In conclusion, this study provides insight into the key factors influencing the swimming performance of fish at both intra- and interspecific levels.
The Effects of Photoperiod on Diapause Induction in Hypena opulenta (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), a Biological Control Agent Against Invasive Swallow-Worts in North America
Authors: Jones Ian M , Seehausen Martin Lukas , Bourchier Robert S , Smith Sandy M
Published: March 2020

Many insects exhibit a short-day diapause response, whereby diapause is induced when daylength falls below a critical threshold. This response is an adaptation to ensure synchrony between periods of insect activity, and the availability of resources, but it can cause problems when organisms are moved to new locations, where early or late-induced diapause can prove a barrier to establishment. We explored the role of photoperiod in diapause induction in Hypena opulenta, a recently introduced classical biological control agent for invasive swallow-worts in North America. We conducted four experimental cage releases as well as a growth chamber experiment to determine the threshold photoperiod for diapause induction in H. opulenta. We determined that the critical photoperiod for inducing diapause in 50% of H. opulenta is 15 h 35 min, which the moth only experiences in the Ottawa release site around summer solstice. This may lead to univoltinism, premature diapause, and poor establishment at some North American release sites. Our results can inform practical aspects of the biological control program for H. opulenta, such as fine-tuning methodologies for stockpiling diapausing pupae in the laboratory and narrowing down the optimal time window for releases at a given location. Additionally, our results will be important for the development of a temperature-based phenology model to more accurately predict voltinism in H. opulenta across the invasive range of swallow-worts in North America.
Near real-time bedside detection of spinal cord ischaemia during aortic repair by microdialysis of the cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Simoniuk Urszula D , Haunschild Josephina , von Aspern Konstantin , Boschmann Michael , Klug Lars , Khachatryan Zara , Bianchi Edoardo , Ossmann Susann , Oo Aung Y , Borger Michael A , Etz Christian D
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVES

Spinal cord ischaemia (SCI) remains the most devastating complication after thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair. Its early detection is crucial if therapeutic interventions are to be successful. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is readily available and accessible to microdialysis (MD) capable of detecting metabolites involved in SCI [i.e. lactate, pyruvate, the lactate/pyruvate ratio (LPR), glucose and glycerol] in real time. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of CSF MD for the real-time detection of SCI metabolites.

METHODS

In a combined experimental and translational approach, CSF MD was evaluated (i) in an established experimental large animal model of SCI with 2 arms: (a) after aortic cross-clamping (AXC, N = 4), simulating open TAAA repair and (b) after total segmental artery sacrifice (Th4–L5, N = 8) simulating thoracic endovascular aortic repair. The CSF was analysed utilizing MD every 15 min. Additionally, CSF was collected hourly from 6 patients undergoing open TAAA repair in a high-volume aortic reference centre and analysed using CSF MD.

RESULTS

In the experimental AXC group, CSF lactate increased 3-fold after 10 min and 10-fold after 60 min of SCI. Analogously, the LPR increased 5-fold by the end of the main AXC period. Average glucose levels demonstrated a 1.5-fold increase at the end of the first (preconditioning) AXC period (0.60±0.14 vs 0.97±0.32 mmol/l); however, they decreased below (to 1/3 of) baseline levels (0.60±0.14 vs 0.19±0.13 mmol/l) by the end of the experiment (after simulated distal arrest). In the experimental segmental artery sacrifice group, lactate levels doubled and the LPR increased 3.3-fold within 30 min and continued to increase steadily almost 5-fold 180 min after total segmental artery sacrifice (P < 0.05). In patients undergoing TAAA repair, lactate similarly increased 5-fold during ischaemia, reaching a maximum at 6 h postoperatively. In 2 patients with intraoperative SCI, indicated by a decrease in the motor evoked potential of >50%, the LPR increased by 200%.

CONCLUSIONS

CSF is widely available during and after TAAA repair, and CSF MD is feasible for detection of early anaerobic metabolites of SCI. CSF MD is a promising new tool combining bedside availability and real-time capacity to potentially enable rapid detection of imminent SCI, thereby maximizing chances to prevent permanent paraplegia in patients with TAAA.
The Mediterranean diet, plasma metabolome, and cardiovascular disease risk
Authors: Li Jun , Guasch-Ferré Marta , Chung Wonil , Ruiz-Canela Miguel , Toledo Estefanía , Corella Dolores , Bhupathiraju Shilpa N , Tobias Deirdre K , Tabung Fred K , Hu Jie , Zhao Tong , Turman Constance , Feng Yen-Chen Anne , Clish Clary B , Mucci Lorelei , Eliassen A Heather , Costenbader Karen H , Karlson Elizabeth W , Wolpin Brian M , Ascherio Alberto , Rimm Eric B , Manson JoAnn E , Qi Lu , Martínez-González Miguel Ángel , Salas-Salvadó Jordi , Hu Frank B , Liang Liming
Published: March 2020

Aims

To investigate whether metabolic signature composed of multiple plasma metabolites can be used to characterize adherence and metabolic response to the Mediterranean diet and whether such a metabolic signature is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

Methods and results

Our primary study cohort included 1859 participants from the Spanish PREDIMED trial, and validation cohorts included 6868 participants from the US Nurses’ Health Studies I and II, and Health Professionals Follow-up Study (NHS/HPFS). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using a validated Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), and plasma metabolome was profiled by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We observed substantial metabolomic variation with respect to Mediterranean diet adherence, with nearly one-third of the assayed metabolites significantly associated with MEDAS (false discovery rate < 0.05). Using elastic net regularized regressions, we identified a metabolic signature, comprised of 67 metabolites, robustly correlated with Mediterranean diet adherence in both PREDIMED and NHS/HPFS (r = 0.28–0.37 between the signature and MEDAS; P = 3 × 10−35 to 4 × 10−118). In multivariable Cox regressions, the metabolic signature showed a significant inverse association with CVD incidence after adjusting for known risk factors (PREDIMED: hazard ratio [HR] per standard deviation increment in the signature = 0.71, P < 0.001; NHS/HPFS: HR = 0.85, P = 0.001), and the association persisted after further adjustment for MEDAS scores (PREDIMED: HR = 0.73, P = 0.004; NHS/HPFS: HR = 0.85, P = 0.004). Further genome-wide association analysis revealed that the metabolic signature was significantly associated with genetic loci involved in fatty acids and amino acids metabolism. Mendelian randomization analyses showed that the genetically inferred metabolic signature was significantly associated with risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke (odds ratios per SD increment in the genetically inferred metabolic signature = 0.92 for CHD and 0.91 for stroke; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

We identified a metabolic signature that robustly reflects adherence and metabolic response to a Mediterranean diet, and predicts future CVD risk independent of traditional risk factors, in Spanish and US cohorts.