bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Citric acid modification of a polymer exhibits antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties in stem cells and tissues
Authors: Wu Xiaopei , Dai Honglian , Xu Chao , Liu Langlang , Li Shipu
Published: June 2019

Biomaterials can be used as carriers of antioxidant or drug to the oxidative injury site of tissue and decrease intracellular oxidative stress levels, however, low dosage delivery or unstable molecular structure of antioxidant or drug limited the long‐term sustained release. A chemically stable antioxidant molecule is essential to serve as antioxidant structure components of biomaterials that may provide the relatively high antioxidant content and persisting local antioxidant release with the degradation of materials. In this study, we used citric acid modified polyvinyl alcohol (PVA‐C) as a model biomaterial to investigate the role of citric acid on the material stimulated antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects. In cellular‐based assays, PVA‐C extracts showed a protective effects on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) under oxidative stress. It could enhance the antiapoptotic ability of stem cells by inhibiting reactive oxygen species. Further studies revealed that PVA‐C extracts upregulated the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and superoxide dismutase [Mn] (SOD2). in vivo animal assays, PVA‐C extracts showed significant inhibitory effects on the oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction which were induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These findings suggest that the citric acid modified polymer can regulate the redox signaling of stem cells and tissues by the release of citric acid from materials, leading to enhanced oxidative stress‐induced degenerative diseases and inflammatory diseases therapy.
Antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects of the monocarbonyl curcumin analogs B2BRBC and C66 in monocrotaline‐induced right ventricular hypertrophy
Authors: Hadzi‐Petrushev Nikola , Angelovski Marija , Rebok Katerina , Mitrokhin Vadim , Kamkin Andre , Mladenov Mitko
Published: June 2019

For 22 days after monocrotaline injection two groups of rats received either of the monocarbonyl curcumin analogs (2E,6E)‐2,6‐bis(2‐bromobenzylidene)cycloxehanone (B2BrBC) and (2E,6E)‐2,6‐bis([2‐triﬂuoromethyl]benzylidene)cyclohexanone (C66), and their right ventricle parameters were compared to those from the control and the monocrotaline injected animals. B2BrBC and C66 treatments did not prevent the monocrotaline‐induced right ventricular hypertrophy but attenuated the changes in antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced inflammation. The level of thiol‐based nonenzymatic antioxidants did not change in the function of monocrotaline or curcumin analogs treatment. However, due to its stronger antioxidant properties, only B2BrBC treatment was effective in the reduction of monocrotaline‐associated lipid peroxidation. The obtained results suggest that increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes may not be sufficient to reduce oxidative stress and chronic inflammation optimally and our current study supports the potential of compounds with more than one beneficial biological activity as a promising treatment against the progression of cardiac hypertrophy.
Metal‐free aerobic oxidative esterification of aromatic aldehydes promoted by potassium fluoride (KF)
Authors: Soltani Roghaye , Ghaderi Arash
Published: June 2019

We investigated the oxidative esterification of aldehydes with alcohols/phenols to produce a range of esters. In this approach, we conducted the reaction under metal‐free conditions at room temperature. The reactions were promoted by potassium fluoride (KF) as the additive, resulting in the desired product in good to high yields. This procedure was found to be effective for the production of aryl esters, which are challenging in most of the available reports. It is vital for this procedure not to exclude air as the source of oxygen.
Synthesis of micronized CaO assisted by NH4HCO3 with Ca(OH)2 and its application in heterogeneously catalyzing transesterification reaction for producing biodiesel
Authors: Bai Haixin , Liu Xiaohua , Bao Fengyu , Zhao Zhonglin
Published: June 2019

Micronized CaO with pores was synthesized by calcining the reaction product CaCO3 from NH4HCO3 and Ca(OH)2. Scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis were used to characterize CaO, which confirmed that after calcining at 800°C for 2 hr, CaCO3 was completely converted into porous micronized CaO with a surface area of about 7.295 m2/g and a particle size of 0.5–1.5 μm. The porous CaO microparticles were used as heterogeneous catalysts for producing biodiesel from transesterification of soybean oil and methanol. The influences of reaction time, calcined temperature, and reusability of CaO were explored. The experiments showed that CaO has high catalytic activity for transesterification reaction, and the yield of biodiesel reaches more than 98% under the conditions of methanol/oil mole ratio of 9, and the catalyst amount (catalyst/oil) of 3% after reaction for 2.5 hr. The CaO catalyst can be recycled easily and it also has the advantage of low pollution. Simple synthetic route, low cost, high catalytic activity, good reusability, and great potential for industrialization are the advantages of the porous micronized CaO catalyst that was proposed in this work.
Psychiatric disorders among offspring of patients with Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: Küng Anne‐Lise , Pham Eleonore , Cordera Paolo , Hasler Roland , Aubry Jean‐Michel , Dayer Alexandre , Perroud Nader , Piguet Camille
Published: June 2019

Objective

As part of a larger study investigating biological risk factors for bipolar disorder (BD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD), we investigated the prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses presented by young BD or BPD offspring. With respect to the scarcity of studies interested in psychiatric disorders among BPD offspring, we have chosen to report these results despite the small sample size for a prevalence study.

Method

We recruited 21 BD and 22 BPD offspring and 23 control subjects. All subjects were assessed with a structured interview.

Results

Our main finding suggests that BPD offspring present a higher rate of psychiatric disorders compared to BD offspring. Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder was the most prevalent disorder.

Conclusion

Our results contribute to the evidence that offspring of patients with BPD, are at high risk with regard to their mental health and deserve both more research and special attention at the clinical level.
Cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase is expressed in α‐cells from human and murine pancreas
Authors: Westermeier Francisco , Holyoak Todd , Gatica Rodrigo , Martínez Fernando , Negrón Marianne , Yáñez Alejandro J. , Nahmias Daniel , Nualart Francisco , Burbulis Ian , Bertinat Romina
Published: June 2019

The pancreatic islets of Langerhans, mainly formed by glucagon‐producing α‐cells and insulin‐producing β‐cells, are critical for glucose homeostasis. Insulin and glucagon oppositely modulate blood glucose levels in health, but a combined decline in insulin secretion together with increased glucagon secretion contribute to hyperglycemia in diabetes. Despite this bi‐hormonal dysregulation, most studies have focused on insulin secretion and much less is known about glucagon secretion. Therefore, a deeper understanding of α‐cell metabolism and glucagon secretion is of great interest. Here, we show that phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1), an essential cataplerotic enzyme involved in metabolism and long considered to be absent from the pancreatic islet, is expressed in pancreatic α‐cells of both murine and human. Furthermore, PCK1 transcription is induced by fasting and diabetes in rat pancreas, which indicates that the PCK1 activity is required for α‐cell adaptation to different metabolic states. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence implicating PCK1 expression in α‐cell metabolism.
Genetic testing and eHealth usage among Deaf women
Authors: Kushalnagar Poorna , Holcomb Juliana , Sadler Georgia R.
Published: June 2019

In the past decade, accessible information in American Sign Language (ASL) about cancer and genetic testing is expanding on eHealth platforms, including social network sites, commercial sites, and mobile apps. Primary data on genetic testing awareness and genetic testing for BRCA 1/2 among Deaf women were gathered using HINTS‐ASL survey between November 2016 and April 2018, and secondary data for hearing women were drawn from NCI's HINTS 5 Cycle 1 survey in 2017. Deaf women who had heard of DNA testing (63%) were more likely to be young adults, college graduates, and/or have a family history of cancer. Compared to hearing women, Deaf women who had heard of genetic testing were more likely to use social networking sites to read or share information about medical topics and watch health‐related videos. Making eHealth platforms accessible in ASL and easy‐to‐understand text can help reduce knowledge gap in genetic testing, since some Deaf women may not be using genetic testing to help identify whether they are at increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer early on, before they are diagnosed with cancer.
High rate of occult hepatitis B virus infection in hemodialysis units of KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa
Authors: Msomi Nokukhanya , Ndlovu Kwazi , Giandhari Jennifer , Wilkinson Eduan , Parboosing Raveen , Zungu Sabrina , Mlisana Koleka
Published: June 2019

Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) is defined as the presence of HBV DNA in the liver with or without detectable HBV DNA in the serum of individuals testing HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) negative using currently available assays. The prevalence of OBI among patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) treatment remains poorly characterized in South Africa despite the high prevalence of HBV. We sought to determine the prevalence of OBI in HD units in tertiary hospitals of KwaZulu‐Natal and to characterize the HBV S gene mutations potentially responsible for OBI. A cross‐sectional descriptive study of residual diagnostic plasma samples from 85 HBsAg‐negative patients receiving HD treatment was included. The PreS/S gene was amplified with a nested HBV polymerase chain reaction for downstream next‐generation sequencing, to determine the viral genotype and identify S gene mutations associated with OBI. Nine of the 85 samples had OBI, based on detectable HBV DNA. The point prevalence of OBI was 10.6% (95% control interval: 5.5%‐19.1%). Phylogenetic analysis of the samples with OBI showed that all belonged to genotype A. Three (~33%) samples had mutations in the major hydrophilic region (MHR) within the S gene, three (~33%) had mutations within the S gene but outside the MHR, whilst the remaining three had no mutations observed. The prevalence of OBI in HBsAg‐negative patients undergoing HD was 10.6%, suggesting that OBI is a clinically significant problem in patients with HD in this region. The screening methods for HBV infection need to be revised to include nucleic acid testing.
Extraction of male steroids and progesterone from water by vegetable oil gels and their determination by partial filling capillary micellar electrokinetic chromatography
Authors: Sirén Heli , El Fellah Samira
Published: June 2019

Microemulsion gels were synthetized from macadamia, linseed, olive, walnut, rapeseed, sesame, and coconut oils and frying oil made from sunflower, palm, and rapeseed oils. The gels were similar as polyacrylamide–based gels with exception of replacing dodecyl sulfate with vegetable oils. The gels were modified with celluloses, cotton, or lignin to make the emulsions sustainable for water purification. They were used to compare sorption properties when they were used as solid‐phase adsorbents in isolation of steroids from water. Hydrophobicity features of the gels were compared by detecting adsorption and extraction efficiency of nonpolar androstenedione, testosterone, and progesterone, which exist in wastewater and drinking water. Quantification was done with partial filling–micellar electrokinetic chromatography with 29.5 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate–3.4 mM sodium taurocholate as the micelle and 20 mM ammonium acetate (pH 9.68) as the electrolyte. UV‐detection was used. Methanol was the best eluent for extraction of steroids from gels. The highest recoveries were from frying oil and rapeseed oil gels modified with celluloses. They also possessed the best floating properties on water surface. Lignin modified gels were too hydrophilic, when in touch with water they filled up with water. They also had the lowest capacity.
Anaerobic methane oxidation is an important sink for methane in the ocean's largest oxygen minimum zone
Authors: Thamdrup Bo , Steinsdóttir Herdís G. R. , Bertagnolli Anthony D. , Padilla Cory C. , Patin Nastassia V. , Garcia‐Robledo Emilio , Bristow Laura A. , Stewart Frank J.
Published: June 2019

We investigated methane oxidation in the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) of the eastern tropical North Pacific (ETNP) off central Mexico. Methane concentrations in the anoxic core of the OMZ reached ~ 20 nmol L−1 at off shelf sites and 34 nmol L−1 at a shelf site. Rates of methane oxidation were determined in ship‐board incubations with 3H‐labeled methane at O2 concentrations 0–75 nmol L−1. In vertical profiles at off‐shelf stations, highest rates were found between the secondary nitrite maximum at ~ 130 m and the methane maximum at 300–400 m in the anoxic core. Methane oxidation was inhibited by addition of 1 μmol L−1 oxygen, which, together with the depth distribution, indicated an anaerobic pathway. A coupling to nitrite reduction was further indicated by the inhibitory effect of the nitric oxide scavenger 2‐phenyl‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide (PTIO). Metatranscriptomes from the anoxic OMZ core supported the likely involvement of nitrite‐reducing bacteria of the NC10 clade in anaerobic methane oxidation, but also indicated a potential role for nitrate‐reducing euryarchaeotal methane oxidizers (ANME‐2d). Gammaproteobacteria of the Methanococcales were further detected in both 16S rRNA gene amplicons and metatranscriptomes, but the role of these presumed obligately aerobic methane oxidizers in the anoxic OMZ core is unclear. Given available estimates of water residence time, the measured rates and rate constants (up to ~ 1 yr−1) imply that anaerobic methane oxidation is a substantial methane sink in the ETNP OMZ and hence attenuates the emission of methane from this and possibly other OMZs.
Choosing a reference phase for a dynamic tumor tracking treatment: A new degree of freedom?
Authors: Ziegler Marc , Lettmaier Sebastian , Fietkau Rainer , Bert Christoph
Published: June 2019

Purpose

With the introduction of dynamic tumor tracking in radiotherapy, it is possible to irradiate moving targets with minimal safety margins. However, most dynamic tumor tracking techniques rely on changing the beam geometry by, for example, adapting the multileaf collimator (MLC) positions or rotating the LINAC head. These changes are relative to a reference position which is determined by a specific breathing phase. Since these changes in the beam path also influence the delivered dose, choosing a different reference position based on a different breathing phase impacts the applied dose to the patient. This work investigates the influence of choosing different reference breathing phases on the dose distribution.

Methods

The Vero system tracks the moving target by performing a pan and tilt rotation of the LINAC head. For 13 patients, the target position was extracted from every phase of a four‐dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) and the pan and tilt values were determined with respect to three different reference phases. These reference phases were inspiration, expiration, and the midventilation. For all reference phases, a 4D dose calculation was performed on the 4DCT regarding the respective pan and tilt values. Furthermore, the applied dose to the target and surrounding organs at risk was calculated. To accumulate the dose distribution, weights from the actual patient breathing motion were determined. The weights were calculated from the breathing motions from different days to investigate the impact of daily variations in the breathing motion onto the accumulated dose distribution. All obtained values were then compared to the static treatment plan.

Results

The mean and maximum doses applied to the target or surrounding organs at risk show no general behavior depending on the different reference phases. Nevertheless, for some patients, large differences (approx. 30%) in the applied dose to certain organs at risk could be observed, whereas the applied dose to the target shows no dependency on the different reference phases. However, the mean target dose is in all cases approx. 1.5% below the reference value from the static treatment plan.

Conclusion

Although no general dependency of the applied dose on the selected reference phase could be found, the choice of the reference phase can have great impact on the organ at risk dose for some patients. Thus, the choice of the reference phase used for patient positioning should be considered during treatment planning since it can be seen as a new degree of freedom of a treatment based on tracking.
Management of chronic myeloid leukemia in children and adolescents: Recommendations from the Children's Oncology Group CML Working Group
Authors: Athale Uma , Hijiya Nobuko , Patterson Briana C. , Bergsagel John , Andolina Jeffrey R. , Bittencourt Henrique , Schultz Kirk R. , Burke Michael J. , Redell Michele S. , Kolb E. Anders , Johnston Donna L.
Published: June 2019

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) accounts for 2‐3% of leukemias in children under 15 and 9% in adolescents aged 15‐19. The diagnosis and management of CML in children, adolescents, and young adults have several differences compared to that in adults. This review outlines the diagnosis and management of the underlying disease as well as challenges that can occur when dealing with CML in this patient population.
Why some early college high school students do not transition to a 4‐year college: An exploration of perceived barriers and schooling experiences on students’ transition plans
Authors: Hutchins Bryan C. , Arshavsky Nina , Edmunds Julie A.
Published: June 2019

This study examined why some seniors attending Early College High Schools did not plan to continue their education at a 4‐year college immediately after graduation despite attending schools designed to provide coordinated academic and social supports with the expectation that all students would continue their education. Most students in our study (75%) did plan to continue their education at a 4‐year college immediately after graduation. For the remaining students, we used cluster analysis to identify four distinct groups of noncollege bound students. These groups were evaluated based on background characteristics, perceived opportunities and barriers, and schooling experiences. Results indicate that noncollege bound students are diverse in their reasons for not continuing their education at a 4‐year program and that any reform efforts designed to personalize opportunities and supports for these students must take into account how combinations of perceived opportunities and barriers shape their postsecondary decisions.
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Modulate Corneal Alloimmunity via Secretion of Hepatocyte Growth Factor
Authors: Mittal Sharad K. , Foulsham William , Shukla Sachin , Elbasiony Elsayed , Omoto Masahiro , Chauhan Sunil K.
Published: June 2019

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that participate in tissue repair and possess considerable immunomodulatory potential. MSCs have been shown to promote allograft survival, yet the mechanisms behind this phenomenon have not been fully defined. Here, we investigate the capacity of MSCs to suppress the allogeneic immune response by secreting the pleiotropic molecule hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Using an in vivo mouse model of corneal transplantation, we report that MSCs promote graft survival in an HGF-dependent manner. Moreover, our data indicate that topically administered recombinant HGF (a) suppresses antigen-presenting cell maturation in draining lymphoid tissue, (b) limits T-helper type-1 cell generation, (c) decreases inflammatory cell infiltration into grafted tissue, and (d) is itself sufficient to promote transplant survival. These findings have potential translational implications for the development of HGF-based therapeutics. Stem Cells Translational Medicine  2019;8:1030–1040
Rational engagement buffers the effect of conservatism on one's reported relevance of the theory of evolution
Authors: Short Stephen D. , Lastrapes Katherine A. , Natale Noelle E. , McBrady Erin E.
Published: June 2019

Previous research has noted one's knowledge of and attitudes toward the theory of evolution is negatively predicted by one's political ideology, specifically how conservative the individual identifies, and positively predicted by one's level rational thinking. The present research expands on this past research by examining the roles of political conservatism and rational thinking in predicting one's reported relevance of evolutionary theory in a multi‐study design. In Study 1, a sample of undergraduate college students (N = 198) completed a survey with measures of conservatism, rational and intuitive thinking styles, including both engagement and ability, and attitudes toward the relevance of evolutionary theory. A multiple mediator model revealed that conservatism was a negative predictor rational engagement, rational engagement was a positive predictor of relevance of evolution, and the indirect effect of conservatism on relevance of evolution through rational engagement was significant. In Study 2, a new sample of college students (N = 146) completed an experiment where rational engagement was manipulated. Conservatism negatively predicted relevance of evolution for individuals who were not primed to engage in rational thought and were below average in rational ability. Conversely, conservatism was not a significant predictor of relevance of evolution for individuals who were primed to engage in rational thought, and who had below average rational ability scores. These results suggest that when individuals are lower in rational ability, priming for rational engagement may be effective at buffering the effect of conservatism on one's reported relevance of evolution. Thus, examining additional procedures for increasing one's rational engagement may be useful for educators and researchers interested in reducing the effects of political ideology on one's knowledge of and attitudes toward evolution.
Etiology and perinatal outcome of periviable fetal growth restriction associated with structural or genetic anomaly
Authors: Dall'Asta A. , Girardelli S. , Usman S. , Lawin‐O'Brien A. , Paramasivam G. , Frusca T. , Lees C. C.
Published: June 2019

Objective

To investigate the etiology and perinatal outcome of periviable fetal growth restriction (FGR) associated with a structural defect or genetic anomaly.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of singleton pregnancies seen at a referral fetal medicine unit between 2005 and 2018, in which FGR (defined as fetal abdominal circumference ≤ 3rd percentile for gestational age) was diagnosed between 22 + 0 and 25 + 6 weeks of gestation. The study group included pregnancies with periviable FGR associated with a genetic or structural anomaly (anomalous FGR), while the control group consisted of structurally and genetically normal pregnancies with periviable FGR (non‐anomalous FGR). Results of genetic testing, TORCH screen and postmortem examination, as well as perinatal outcome, were investigated.

Results

Of 255 pregnancies complicated by periviable FGR, 188 were eligible; of which 52 (28%) had anomalous FGR and 136 (72%) had non‐anomalous FGR. A confirmed genetic abnormality accounted for 17/52 cases (33%) of anomalous FGR, with trisomy 18 constituting over 50% (9/17; 53%). The most common structural defects associated with FGR were central nervous system abnormalities (13/35; 37%). Overall, 12 (23%) cases of anomalous FGR survived the neonatal period. No differences were found in terms of perinatal survival between pregnancies with anomalous and those with non‐anomalous FGR.

Conclusions

Most pregnancies complicated by anomalous FGR were associated with a structural defect. The presence of an associated genetic defect was invariably lethal, while those with a structural defect, in the absence of a confirmed genetic abnormality, survived into infancy in over 90% of cases, with an overall one in three chance of perinatal survival. These data can be used for counseling prospective parents. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Kinetic energy distributions of the fragment ions from multiply ionized C2H6 as functions of the charge state of the intermediate states
Authors: Yoshida S. , Majima T. , Tsuchida H. , Saito M.
Published: June 2019

Here, we report the kinetic energy distributions (KEDs) of the fragment ions produced from multiply ionized ethane (C2H6) molecules in single electron capture collisions with 1.2 MeV C2+. To systematically investigate the fragmentation dynamics, the KEDs were obtained as functions of the charge state of the intermediate C2H6r+* ions r transiently generated prior to fragmentation. r was determined from coincidence measurement of the fragment ions and the number of emitted electrons. The KEDs are drastically different depending on the number of broken C–H bonds. The underlying causes are explained by the variation of the relative contributions of the multiply ionized states and preferential fragmentation pathways. For instance, CHn+ fragment ions with smaller n exhibit lower KEs because they are likely to be correlated with H+ emission, which carries away a large portion of the KE release. In addition, we report the KEDs of H3+ produced from doubly and triply charged states.
Characterization of carbonate rocks through X‐ray microfluorescence and X‐ray computed microtomography
Authors: Machado Alessandra Silveira , Santos Ramon Silva , Rodrigues Amanda Goulart , Borghi Leonardo , de Oliveira Davi Ferreira , dos Anjos Marcelino José , Lopes Ricardo Tadeu
Published: June 2019

Carbonate rocks play an important role in petroleum geology by acting as reservoir rocks, generators, and even hydrocarbon sealants, accounting for about half of the oil and gas reserves known in the world. The study of these carbonate rocks have become very important in the hydrocarbon exploration scene in Brazil because of they consist in analogous for reservoir rocks of the presalt interval. Thus, the objective of this research was to use X‐ray microfluorescence (micro‐XRF) and X‐ray microtomography analysis, as complementary techniques, in order to characterize samples of carbonate rocks in respect to their structures, textures, mineralogy, and pores. The microtomographic analyses allowed the identification of the horizontal structures as parallel lamination, horizontal, and vertical fractures filled by calcite and biotic constituents (gastropods bioclasts). Different composition of minerals were also identified, as calcite, quartz, feldspars, iron sulfides, and oxides. The porosity (ranges <1 to17%), and the high‐density elements could also be quantified, as well as their distribution in each sample. The micro‐XRF analysis present a direct relationship with the distribution of minerals that compound carbonate rocks, highlighting some structures, as well as helping to identify trace and minor elements in the carbonates (Mn, Sr, and Mg).
Extended Riemannian geometry III: global Double Field Theory with nilmanifolds
Authors: Deser Andreas , Sämann Christian
Published: June 2019

Abstract

We describe the global geometry, symmetries and tensors for Double Field Theory over pairs of nilmanifolds with fluxes or gerbes. This is achieved by a rather straightforward application of a formalism we developed previously. This formalism constructs the analogue of a Courant algebroid over the correspondence space of a T-duality, using the language of graded manifolds, derived brackets and we use the description of nilmanifolds in terms of periodicity conditions rather than local patches. The strong section condition arises purely algebraically, and we show that for a particularly symmetric solution of this condition, we recover the Courant algebroids of both nilmanifolds with fluxes. We also discuss the finite, global symmetries of general local Double Field Theory and explain how this specializes to the case of T-duality between nilmanifolds.
Generating new N = 2 small black holes
Authors: Polini Davide
Published: June 2019

Abstract

We use the exact symmetries of the N = 2 STU model of Sen and Vafa to classify BPS orbits in this theory. Subsequently, we construct examples of small BPS black holes in this model by solving the associated attractor equations, and use duality symmetries as a solution generating technique to construct a two-center bound state of small BPS black holes in asymptotically flat space-time.
Chaos and high temperature pure state thermalization
Authors: Lensky Yuri D. , Qi Xiao-Liang
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Classical arguments for thermalization of isolated systems do not apply in a straightforward way to the quantum case. Recently, there has been interest in diagnostics of quantum chaos in many-body systems. In the classical case, chaos is a popular explanation for the legitimacy of the methods of statistical physics. In this work, we relate a previously proposed criteria of quantum chaos in the unitary time evolution operator to the entanglement entropy growth for a far-from-equilibrium initial pure state. By mapping the unitary time evolution operator to a doubled state, chaos can be characterized by suppression of mutual information between subsystems of the past and that of the future. We show that when this mutual information is small, a typical unentangled initial state will evolve to a highly entangled final state. Our result provides a more concrete connection between quantum chaos and thermalization in many-body systems.
Taming boundary condition changing operator anomalies with the tachyon vacuum
Authors: Erler Theodore , Maccaferri Carlo , Noris Ruggero
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Motivated by the appearance of associativity anomalies in the context of superstring field theory, we give a generalized solution built from boundary condition changing operators which can be associated to a generic tachyon vacuum in the KBc subalgebra of the Okawa form. We articulate sufficient conditions on the choice of tachyon vacuum to ensure that ambiguous products do not appear in the equations of motion.
White matter microstructure and network-connectivity in emerging adults with subclinical psychotic experiences
Authors: Michielse Stijn , Lange Iris , Bakker Jindra , Goossens Liesbet , Verhagen Simone , Wichers Marieke , Lieverse Ritsaert , Schruers Koen , van Amelsvoort Therese , van Os Jim , Marcelis Machteld
Published: June 2019

Group comparisons of individuals with psychotic disorder and controls have shown alterations in white matter microstructure. Whether white matter microstructure and network connectivity is altered in adolescents with subclinical psychotic experiences (PE) at the lowest end of the psychosis severity spectrum is less clear. DWI scan were acquired in 48 individuals with PE and 43 healthy controls (HC). Traditional tensor-derived indices: Fractional Anisotropy, Axial Diffusivity, Mean Diffusivity and Radial Diffusivity, as well as network connectivity measures (global/local efficiency and clustering coefficient) were compared between the groups. Subclinical psychopathology was assessed with the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE) and Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) questionnaires and, in order to capture momentary subclinical expression of psychosis, the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) questionnaires. Within the PE-group, interactions between subclinical (momentary) symptoms and brain regions in the model of tensor-derived indices and network connectivity measures were investigated in a hypothesis-generating fashion. Whole brain analyses showed no group differences in tensor-derived indices and network connectivity measures. In the PE-group, a higher positive symptom distress score was associated with both higher local efficiency and clustering coefficient in the right middle temporal pole. The findings indicate absence of microstructural white matter differences between emerging adults with subclinical PE and controls. In the PE-group, attenuated symptoms were positively associated with network efficiency/cohesion, which requires replication and may indicate network alterations in emerging mild psychopathology.
Culturomics and metagenomics: In understanding of environmental resistome
Authors: Nowrotek Monika , Jałowiecki Łukasz , Harnisz Monika , Płaza Grażyna Anna
Published: June 2019

Pharmaceutical residues, mainly antibiotics, have been called “emerging contaminants” in the environment because of their increasing frequency of detection in aquatic and terrestrial systems and their sublethal ecological effects. Most of them are undiscovered. Both human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, are introduced into the environment via many different routes, including discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants and land application of animal manure and biosolids to fertilize croplands. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the widespread problem of antibiotic resistance, modern and scientific approaches have been developed to gain knowledge of the entire antibiotic-resistant microbiota of various ecosystems, which is called the resistome. In this review, two omics methods, i.e. culturomics, a new approach, and metagenomics, used to study antibiotic resistance in environmental samples, are described. Moreover, we discuss how both omics methods have become core scientific tools to characterize microbiomes or resistomes, study natural communities and discover new microbes and new antibiotic resistance genes from environments. The combination of the method for get better outcome of both culturomics and metagenomics will significantly advance our understanding of the role of microbes and their specific properties in the environment.
Role of Autopsy in Diagnosis and Genetic Counselling of Congenital Malformations: a Prospective Analytical Study
Authors: Gowda Mamatha , Paranthaman Shanthi , Jacob Sajini Elizabeth , Thiagarajan Monica , Godipelli Laxmi
Published: June 2019

The study aimed to determine the role of autopsy in refining the antenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies and its effect on genetic counseling. The objectives of the study were to correlate the findings of antenatal ultrasound with that of perinatal autopsy, to determine the contribution of autopsy in refining the antenatal diagnosis and whether it altered the genetic counseling. This was a prospective, non-interventional analytical study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, JIPMER with the approval of Institutional Ethics Committee. Fourty-six fetuses which were stillborn/aborted or expired in newborn period due to congenital malformations were included. The findings of antenatal ultrasound were correlated with postnatal autopsy findings. The genetic counselling based on antenatal findings were compared with that based on postnatal findings and any change in the counselling given were noted and analysed. More than 70% of anomalies among the 46 fetuses included in the study were detected by the mid trimester anomaly scan. Male predominance was seen in this study (24 male fetuses). A definitive diagnosis or documentation of anomalies by autopsy was possible in all 46 fetuses (100%). Single system anomalies were noted in 24 (52.17%) fetuses and multisystem involvement was observed in 19 (41.3%) fetuses. Among fetuses with multiple malformation syndrome, 15.8% of fetuses had probable single gene etiology, 26.3% were probably sporadic and 57.9% were unclassified. Autopsy was valuable in prenatal genetic counseling by confirming the USG findings with (5) or without additional information (30) in 35/46 (76.1%) cases and by changing the diagnosis in 11/46 (23.9%) cases. Autopsy led to refinement of the recurrence risk in 23.9% of cases (increased in 19.6% and decreased in 4.3%). From the present study, we conclude that the results demonstrate a good correlation between prenatal diagnosis by USG and post mortem diagnosis by autopsy. Prenatal ultrasound and postnatal autopsy are complementary and supplement each other. The value of autopsy in reconfirming the ultrasound finding and providing additional information is irrefutable. Though autopsy may not provide exact diagnosis or establish definitive etiology, it is an invaluable tool for genetic counseling in fetal anomalies.
Moderating effect of trait emotional intelligence on the relationship between parental nurturance and prosocial behaviour
Authors: Gallitto Elena , Leth‐Steensen Craig
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Research on the moderating role of trait emotional intelligence (EI) has typically examined this construct in light of other risk factors and their detrimental effects on adolescents' outcomes. This study aims to expand this line of research by focusing on the enhancing effect of trait EI and its moderating effects on the relationship between parental nurturance and adolescents' prosocial behaviour. According to such view, higher trait EI was expected to enhance the positive effect of parental nurturance on adolescents’ prosocial behaviour.

Method

A nationally representative sample of 1850 Canadian adolescents completed self‐reported ratings of trait EI and parenting at 10–12 years of age which were related to prosocial behaviour at 14–16 years.

Results

Findings indicated that, after controlling for previous ratings of prosocial behaviour at age 10–12, child's age and sex, adolescents with high trait EI who were exposed to positive rearing experiences in early adolescence reported higher levels of prosocial behaviour two years later compared to respondents with either low or average scores on trait EI.

Conclusion

In line with our prediction, these results confirm the enhancing the effects of trait EI on the relationship between parental nurturance and future development of prosocial behaviour. These findings have important implications in regard to the important role of trait EI in predicting variation of adolescents’ prosocial behaviour in response to positive parental influences.
Cytokine release syndrome and neurologic toxicities associated with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy
Authors: Chavez Julio C. , Jain Michael D. , Kharfan-Dabaja Mohamed A.
Published: June 2019

Advances in the fields of immuno-oncology and T-cell engineering have brought autologous chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CART) therapies from the bench to the bedside. At present, two CART products that target CD19 are commercially available: tisagenlecleucel and axicabtagene ciloleucel. They have demonstrated remarkable efficacy for their particular indications. One challenge is to compare the safety among commercially available and clinical trial CART treatments due to the use of different grading models to assess the severity of cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. An unmet need exists to harmonize current grading models in order to develop uniform treatment strategies to manage these toxicities. Here, we attempt to summarize the evolution of the various grading systems for cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity and also highlight the major differences among them, whenever applicable.
Infidelity and Its Associated Factors: A Systematic Review
Authors: Haseli Arezoo , Shariati Mohammad , Nazari Ali Mohammad , Keramat Afsaneh , Emamian Mohammad Hassan
Published: June 2019

Background

Infidelity can be facilitated and/or inhibited as a result of interrelations among multilevel contexts. Despite the existence of numerous studies about infidelity, there is no developmental model that considers multilevel contexts of factors associated with infidelity.

Aim

To review published articles addressing factors associated with infidelity and to apply the ecological model to these factors.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsychoInfo. Literature search was restricted to articles published in English up to June 2018. All quantitative and full-text studies that addressed associated factors with infidelity were included. This study was conducted following PRISMA guidelines.

Main Outcome Measures

This article reports a review of the literature on the factors associated with infidelity based on the ecological model.

Results

We retrieved 5,159 titles, of which 82 were qualified after the qualitative synthesis. The Ecological Couples Systems Diagram (ECSD) is proposed as a developmental model similar to Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Systems Model. There was an inconsistency between variables of microsystem and infidelity engagement. However, the results of some studies indicated the impact of demographic factors, personality traits, and sexual information on infidelity, considering partner characteristics. Variables belonging to a mesosystem had a more stable association with infidelity than those from other systems. In addition, the review reveals the complexity of infidelity, associated with following factors: 68.3% (n = 56) of the studies were based on microsystem variables, 48.8% (n = 40) used mesosystem variables, 19.5% (n = 16) used exosystem variables, 26.8% (n = 22) used macrosystem variables, 6.1% (n = 5) used chronosystem variables, and 50% (n = 41) included variables from 2 or more levels.

Clinical Implications

The ECSD can be used not only for assessing couple compatibility in premarital counseling, but also for consulting couples who want to have a long-term romantic relationship. As a potential clinical application, therapists can use the ECSD to assess unfaithful clients and their partners, improving the quality of counseling.

Strengths & Limitations

This study reveals different environmental layers of various variables related to infidelity. Determining the effect size of variables associated with infidelity was not possible due to the heterogeneity of infidelity assessment tools and test analysis.

Conclusion

Apparently, incompatibility of interpersonal characteristics is more likely associated with infidelity than incompatibility of intrapersonal characteristics. It is important to consider couple compatibility before starting an exclusive relationship, such as marriage, for individuals who intend to maintain a long-term exclusive romantic relationship.
New Zealand Caregiver Knowledge of Paediatric Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Willix-Payne Dawn , Starkey Nicola , Jones Kelly
Published: June 2019

Background:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common among children. However, their caregivers’ knowledge and understanding of symptoms may influence how the injury is managed.

Primary objective:

To investigate the knowledge of New Zealand (NZ) parents about TBI and concussion.

Method and procedures:

Parents (n = 205) of children aged 5–13 years completed a pen-and-paper or online survey containing questions examining their knowledge of TBI terminology, TBI symptoms and knowledge about concussion management.

Main outcomes and results:

A high proportion (61%) of parents did not think that a concussion was the same as a brain injury. Loss of consciousness (LOC) was the most endorsed symptom of TBI. However, 69% of participants were aware that TBI could occur without LOC. On average, parents correctly identified 19.5 (67.3%) of the 29 symptoms of TBI, but also identified 2.0 (11.9%) of the 17 distractor symptoms as being TBI related. Demographic factors and experience of TBI/concussion were associated with TBI symptom identification accuracy and concussion knowledge.

Conclusions:

Further education of parents is needed to ensure they recognise the signs and symptoms of concussion/mild TBI so that they can make informed decisions on how best to manage their child’s injury.
Coma Recovery Scale-Revised With and Without the Emotional Stimulation of Caregivers
Authors: Formisano Rita , Contrada Marianna , Iosa Marco , Ferri Giulia , Schiattone Sara , Aloisi Marta
Published: June 2019

The Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) is the gold standard of responsiveness assessment in patients with disorder of consciousness. The purpose of this study is to search for the efficacy of the caregivers’ involvement in the evaluation of responsiveness in these patients. Responsiveness assessment was performed in 15 patients with CRS-R. The CRS-R was administered with and without the emotional stimulation of the primary caregiver at different times. Our preliminary findings seem to suggest that, including also the caregivers during CRS-R assessment, may obtain better responsiveness scoring than that obtained by professionals and might reduce the misdiagnosis rate.
Recovery of wall-shear stress to equilibrium flow conditions after a rough-to-smooth step change in turbulent boundary layers
Authors: Li Mogeng , de Silva Charitha M. , Rouhi Amirreza , Baidya Rio , Chung Daniel , Marusic Ivan , Hutchins Nicholas
Published: June 2019

This paper examines the recovery of the wall-shear stress of a turbulent boundary layer that has undergone a sudden transition from a rough to a smooth surface. Early work of Antonia & Luxton (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 53, 1972, pp. 737–757) questioned the reliability of standard smooth-wall methods for measuring wall-shear stress in such conditions, and subsequent studies show significant disagreement depending on the approach used to determine the wall-shear stress downstream. Here we address this by utilising a collection of experimental databases at $Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}\approx 4100$ that have access to both ‘direct’ and ‘indirect’ measures of the wall-shear stress to understand the recovery to equilibrium conditions of the new surface. Our results reveal that the viscous region ($z^{+}\lesssim 4$) recovers almost immediately to an equilibrium state with the new wall conditions; however, the buffer region and beyond takes several boundary layer thicknesses before recovering to equilibrium conditions, which is longer than previously thought. A unique direct numerical simulation database of a wall-bounded flow with a rough-to-smooth wall transition is employed to confirm these findings. In doing so, we present evidence that any estimate of the wall-shear stress from the mean velocity profile in the buffer region or further away from the wall tends to underestimate its magnitude in the near vicinity of the rough-to-smooth transition, and this is likely to be partly responsible for the large scatter of recovery lengths to equilibrium conditions reported in the literature. Our results also reveal that smaller energetic scales in the near-wall region recover to an equilibrium state associated with the new wall conditions within one boundary layer thickness downstream of the transition, while larger energetic scales exhibit an over-energised state for several boundary layer thicknesses downstream of the transition. Based on these observations, an alternative approach to estimating the wall-shear stress from the premultiplied energy spectrum is proposed.
A CORRECT POLYNOMIAL TRANSLATION OF S4 INTO INTUITIONISTIC LOGIC
Authors: GORÉ RAJEEV , THOMSON JIMMY
Published: June 2019

We show that the polynomial translation of the classical propositional normal modal logic S4 into the intuitionistic propositional logic Int from Fernández is incorrect. We give a modified translation and prove its correctness, and provide implementations of both translations to allow others to test our results.
THE IMPLICITLY CONSTRUCTIBLE UNIVERSE
Authors: GROSZEK MARCIA J. , HAMKINS JOEL DAVID
Published: June 2019

We answer several questions posed by Hamkins and Leahy concerning the implicitly constructible universe Imp, which they introduced in [5]. Specifically, we show that it is relatively consistent with ZFC that $$Imp = \neg {\rm{CH}}$$, that $Imp \ne {\rm{HOD}}$, and that $$Imp \models V \ne Imp$$, or in other words, that $\left( {Imp} \right)^{Imp} \ne Imp$.