bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primate neocortex development and evolution: Conserved versus evolved folding
Authors: Namba Takashi , Vaid Samir , Huttner Wieland B.
Published: December 2018

The neocortex, the seat of higher cognitive functions, exhibits a key feature across mammalian species—a highly variable degree of folding. Within the neocortex, two distinct subtypes of cortical areas can be distinguished, the isocortex and the proisocortex. Here, we have compared specific spatiotemporal aspects of folding between the proisocortex and the isocortex in 13 primates, including human, chimpanzee, and various Old World and New World monkeys. We find that folding at the boundaries of the dorsal isocortex and the proisocortex, which gives rise to the cingulate sulcus (CiS) and the lateral fissure (LF), is conserved across the primates studied and is therefore referred to asconserved folding. In contrast, the degree of folding within the dorsal isocortex exhibits huge variation across these primates, indicating that this folding, which gives rise to gyri and sulci, is subject to major changes during primate evolution. We therefore refer to the folding within the dorsal isocortex asevolved folding. Comparison of fetal neocortex development in long‐tailed macaque and human reveals that the onset ofconserved foldingprecedes the onset ofevolved folding. Moreover, the analysis of infant human neocortex exhibiting lissencephaly, a developmental malformation thought to be mainly due to abnormal neuronal migration, shows that theevolved foldingis perturbed more than theconserved folding. Taken together, our study presents a two‐step model of folding that pertains to primate neocortex development and evolution. Specifically, our data imply that theconserved foldingand theevolved foldingconstitute two distinct, sequential events.
DNA Aptamers in the Detection of Leukemia Cells by the Thickness Shear Mode Acoustics Method
Authors: Poturnayová Alexandra , Buríková Monika , Bízik Jozef , Hianik Tibor
Published: December 2018

By using the thickness shear mode acoustics method (TSM) and single‐molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) we studied the interactions between DNA aptamers (sgc8c) specific to the protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7), which is localized in the membranes of leukemia lymphoblastics (MOLT‐4), and lymphocyte (Jurkat) cell lines, as well with PTK7‐negative U266 myeloid leukemia cells. The TSM method allowed the development of a highly sensitive, label‐free biosensor for the detection leukemia cells with a limit of detection of (195±20) cells/mL. SMFS approved the high selectivity of the sgc8c aptamers to the PTK7 receptors at the cell surface and allowed determining the binding probability of the aptamers to the PTK7 receptors at different cell lines.
Centrifugation affects the purity of liquid biopsy‐based tumor biomarkers
Authors: Rikkert Linda G. , van der Pol Edwin , van Leeuwen Ton G. , Nieuwland Rienk , Coumans Frank A.W.
Published: December 2018

Biomarkers in the blood of cancer patients include circulating tumor cells (CTCs), tumor‐educated platelets (TEPs), tumor‐derived extracellular vesicles (tdEVs), EV‐associated miRNA (EV‐miRNA), and circulating cell‐free DNA (ccfDNA). Because the size and density of biomarkers differ, blood is centrifuged to isolate or concentrate the biomarker of interest. Here, we applied a model to estimate the effect of centrifugation on the purity of a biomarker according to published protocols. The model is based on the Stokes equation and was validated using polystyrene beads in buffer and plasma. Next, the model was applied to predict the biomarker behavior during centrifugation. The result was expressed as the recovery of CTCs, TEPs, tdEVs in three size ranges (1–8, 0.2–1, and 0.05–0.2 μm), EV‐miRNA, and ccfDNA. Bead recovery was predicted with errors <18%. Most notable cofounders are the 22% contamination of 1–8 μm tdEVs for TEPs and the 8–82% contamination of <1 μm tdEVs for ccfDNA. A Stokes model can predict biomarker behavior in blood. None of the evaluated protocols produces a pure biomarker. Thus, care should be taken in the interpretation of obtained results, as, for example, results from TEPs may originate from co‐isolated large tdEVs and ccfDNA may originate from DNA enclosed in <1 μm tdEVs. © 2018 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
Partitioning drivers of spatial genetic variation for a continuously distributed population of boreal caribou: Implications for management unit delineation
Authors: Priadka Pauline , Manseau Micheline , Trottier Tim , Hervieux Dave , Galpern Paul , McLoughlin Philip D. , Wilson Paul J.
Published: December 2018

Isolation by distance (IBD) is a natural pattern not readily incorporated into theoretical models nor traditional metrics for differentiating populations, although clinal genetic differentiation can be characteristic of many wildlife species. Landscape features can also drive population structure additive to baseline IBD resulting in differentiation through isolation‐by‐resistance (IBR). We assessed the population genetic structure of boreal caribou across western Canada using nonspatial (STRUCTURE) and spatial (MEMGENE) clustering methods and investigated the relative contribution of IBD and IBR on genetic variation of 1,221 boreal caribou multilocus genotypes across western Canada. We further introduced a novel approach to compare the partitioning of individuals into management units (MU) and assessed levels of genetic connectivity under different MU scenarios. STRUCTURE delineated five genetic clusters while MEMGENE identified finer‐scale differentiation across the study area. IBD was significant and did not differ for males and females both across and among detected genetic clusters. MEMGENE landscape analysis further quantified the proportion of genetic variation contributed by IBD and IBR patterns, allowing for the relative importance of spatial drivers, including roads, water bodies, and wildfires, to be assessed and incorporated into the characterization of population structure for the delineation of MUs. Local population units, as currently delineated in the boreal caribou recovery strategy, do not capture the genetic variation and connectivity of the ecotype across the study area. Here, we provide the tools to assess fine‐scale spatial patterns of genetic variation, partition drivers of genetic variation, and evaluate the best management options for maintaining genetic connectivity. Our approach is highly relevant to vagile wildlife species that are of management and conservation concern and demonstrate varying degrees of IBD and IBR with clinal spatial genetic structure that challenges the delineation of discrete population boundaries.
The DAHANCA 32 study: Electrochemotherapy for recurrent mucosal head and neck cancer
Authors: Plaschke Christina Caroline , Johannesen Helle Hjorth , Hansen Rasmus Hvass , Hendel Helle Westergren , Kiss Katalin , Gehl Julie , Wessel Irene
Published: December 2018

Background

Electrochemotherapy is an established treatment for cutaneous tumors. This study aimed at determining efficacy of electrochemotherapy in recurrent head and neck cancer.

Methods

Phase II clinical trial in patients with recurrent head and neck carcinomas with no curative treatment options. Electrochemotherapy was performed under general anesthesia. Primary endpoint was tumor response (CT scanning) evaluated at week 8. Secondary endpoints included biopsy results, MRI and fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography scanning, safety, toxicity, pain score, and quality‐of‐life questionnaires.

Results

Of 26 patients treated, 5 (19%) achieved complete response, 10 (39%) partial response, resulting in an objective response of 58%. Two responders remain without recurrence. No serious adverse events occurred during treatment. Four events occurred posttreatment: one bleeding episode, two episodes with mucosal swelling, and one patient died due to disease progression.

Conclusion

Electrochemotherapy is efficient against local recurrence of head and neck cancer with an overall response rate of 58%.
Salivary gland tumors: Molecular characterization and therapeutic advances for metastatic disease
Authors: Schvartsman Gustavo , Pinto Nathalia Almeida , Bell Diana , Ferrarotto Renata
Published: December 2018

Salivary gland cancers represent a rare group of tumors composed by over 20 histological subtypes. Initially treated as one single disease, its diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment are currently being stratified based on morphology. More recently, insight has been provided on the molecular characterization of each subtype, further improving diagnostic accuracy and paving the way for personalized therapy. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of recent breakthroughs, preliminary results of novel therapy, and future directions on the treatment of these complex malignancies.
Effect of radiotherapy on the chemical composition of root dentin
Authors: Campi Lívia Bueno , Lopes Fabiane Carneiro , Soares Luís Eduardo Silva , de Queiroz Alexandra Mussolino , de Oliveira Harley Francisco , Saquy Paulo César , de Sousa‐Neto Manoel Damião
Published: December 2018

Background

The radiotherapy can directly affect the bond strength of the adhesive materials, interfering in the prognosis of restorative treatments, which may be caused by chemical changes in dentin structure.

Methods

Twenty inferior homologues premolars were distributed in 2 groups (in vitro study) (n = 10): nonirradiated and irradiated. The specimens were submitted to the analysis of phosphate (ν1PO43−;ν2PO43−;ν4PO43−), carbonate (ν3CO32−), amide I, CH2, amide III, and amide I/III ratio by confocal Raman spectroscopy. Data were submitted to statistical analysis (T test, P < .05).

Results

In intracanal dentin, the irradiated group had lower ν4PO43− values (1.23 ± 0.06) compared to nonirradiated group (1.40 ± 0.18) (P < .05), with no difference for ν1PO43− and ν2PO43 peaks (P > .05). The irradiated (1.56 ± 0.06) had lower carbonate, amide III (1.05 ± 0.19), and amide I/III ratio values (0.19 ± 0.06) compared to nonirradiated group (1.42 ± 0.10, 1.28 ± 0.24, and 0.31 ± 0.10, respectively) (P < .05). For medium dentin irradiated group (1.30 ± 0.12) had lower phosphate values compared to nonirradiated group (1.48 ± 0.22) (P < .05). In cementum, there was no statistical difference between the groups.

Conclusion

The radiotherapy was able to cause changes in ν4PO43−, carbonate, and amide III peaks of root dentin.
Heterozygosity of p16 expression in an oral squamous cell carcinoma with associated loss of heterozygosity and copy number alterations
Authors: Ambele Melvin A. , Pepper Michael S. , van Heerden Marlene B. , van Heerden Willie F. P.
Published: December 2018

Background

Oral field cancerization describes a multifocal development process involving many cells at once in response to prolong exposure to carcinogens. This case demonstrated differential p16 expression in different sections of the same HPV negative tumor on the floor of mouth in a patient with history of prolonged smoking.

Methods

Histological examination, presence of HPV infection and OncoScan analysis of DNA extracted from two well‐defined areas with different p16 expression profiles were performed.

Results

Histological and immunochemical analysis revealed the presence of a dual architectural pattern squamous cell carcinoma with a p16 negative and a p16 positive component. OncoScan analysis showed genetic changes that define field cancerization of the p16 negative tumor as revealed by mosaicism in both loss of heterozygosity and copy number alterations in cancer‐associated genes located on 3p, 7p, 9p 11q, and 17p.

Conclusion

These changes were indicative of field cancerization in response to tobacco exposure.
MIP‐1α induces inflammatory responses by upregulating chemokine receptor 1/chemokine receptor 5 and activating c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase and mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathways in acute pancreatitis
Authors: Wu Xingmao , Ji Kaiqiang , Wang Haiyuan , Zhao Yang , Jia Jia , Gao Xiaopeng , Zang Bin
Published: December 2018

Objective

We aimed to investigate the association of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α (CCL3) expression with the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods

The patients with AP were selected and divided into mild AP (MAP), moderately severe AP (MSAP), and severe AP (SAP) groups according to the severity of AP. The pancreatic acinar cell line Ar42 j was treated with cerulein to induce in vitro cell AP model. The expression of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and the activation of the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK)/p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in stimulated or transfected Ar42 j cells were detected.

Results

We detected that the upregulation of MIP‐1α was associated with the severity of AP. Patients with SAP showed the highest MIP‐1α contents, followed by MSAP, and, lastly, MAP. In cerulein‐stimulated Ar42 j cells, the upregulation of MIP‐1α, CCR5, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 was time dependent. In addition, in human recombinant MIP‐1α treated Ar42 j cells, the upregulation of TNF‐α and IL‐6 was MIP‐1α‐dose‐dependent. In contrast, we detected the inhibition of TNF‐α and IL‐6 in MIP‐1α small interfering RNA (siRNA)‐treated cells. Also, the activation of the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway was induced and inhibited by human recombinant MIP‐1α and MIP‐1α siRNA, respectively.

Conclusion

These results suggested that MIP‐1α might be used as a biomarker for the prognosis of AP severity. The MIP‐1α‐induced inflammatory responses in AP were mediated by TNF‐α and IL‐6, which were associated with the activation of the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
Association between α‐adducin rs4961 polymorphism and hypertension: A meta‐analysis based on 40 432 subjects
Authors: Jin Hongyan , Huang Yupeng , Yang Guokang
Published: December 2018

Background: Recently, the role of α‐adducin rs4961 polymorphism in hypertension (HTN) was intensively analyzed, but the results of these studies were inconsistent. Therefore, we performed this study to better assess the relationship between α‐adducin rs4961 polymorphism and the likelihood of HTN.

Methods: Eligible studies were searched in PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Web of Science. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the relationship between α‐adducin rs4961 polymorphism and HTN.

Results: A total of 33 studies with 40 432 participants were analyzed. Significant associations with the likelihood of HTN were detected for the α‐adducin rs4961 polymorphism with fixed effect models (FEM) (dominant model: P = 0.003; allele model: P = 0.003), but not with random effect models (REM). Further subgroup analysis according to ethnicity of participants revealed that the α‐adducin rs4961 polymorphism was significantly associated with the likelihood of HTN in Asians (7721 cases and 8299 controls) with both FEMs (dominant model: P < 0.0001; additive model: P = 0.01; allele model: P < 0.0001) and REMs (dominant model: P = 0.0005; additive model: P = 0.03; allele model: P = 0.0006).

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the α‐adducin rs4961 polymorphism may serve as a genetic biomarker of HTN in Asians.
Fastigial nucleus stimulation ameliorates cognitive impairment via modulating autophagy and inflammasomes activation in a rat model of vascular dementia
Authors: Xia Dongjian , Sui Rubo , Min Lianqiu , Zhang Ling , Zhang Zhuang
Published: December 2018

Background

It has been reported that the fastigial nucleus (FSN) plays an important role in the development of vascular dementia (VD). Both autophagy and inflammation are functionally involved in the pathogenesis of VD. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of electrical cerebellar fastigial nucleus stimulation (FNS) in VD treatment, as well as the effect of FNS on autophagy and inflammation.

Methods

A Morris water maze was used to evaluate the effect of FNS on the learning and memory ability of VD rats. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed to study the apoptosis status of neuron cells in different groups of rats. In addition, immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis were carried out to measure the expression of various factors involved in autophagy and inflammation.

Results

Rats with artery occlusion or FSN damages showed longer escape latency and spent less time in the target quadrant. In addition, FNS treatment could help to partly recover the lost learning and memory ability in VD rats. Meanwhile, FNS treatment could alleviate neuron cell apoptosis by downregulating light chain 3‐II expression and NLRP3 expression. In addition, the expression of caspase‐1, interleukin 1β (IL‐1β), and IL‐18 was markedly reduced in VD rats treated by FNS.

Conclusion

FNS treatment exerted a therapeutic effect during VD treatment by suppressing the autophagy process and by inhibiting inflammatory responses, thus alleviating neuron cell apoptosis and reducing the severity of VD.
miR‐186 inhibits proliferation, migration, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells by targeting Twist1
Authors: Sun Wen‐juan , Zhang Ya‐na , Xue Peng
Published: December 2018

Objective

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignancy in women worldwide. Our study aimed to investigate the expression and biological effect of miR‐186 in BC.

Methods

Expression of miR‐186 was determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Kaplan‐Meier curves were calculated for the survival data analysis. Functional assays were performed by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide and wound healing assay. Protein expression was analyzed by Western blot.

Results

miR‐186 was downregulated in BC tissues and cells. Downregulation of miR‐186 was associated with tumor metastasis and a poor overall survival in patients with BC. Overexpression of miR‐186 inhibited BC cells proliferation, migration, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition process; while suppression of miR‐186 exhibited an opposite effects on BC cells. In addition, Twist1 was identified as a direct target of miR‐186 in BC and restoration of Twist1 attenuated the biological effect of miR‐186 on BC cells.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that miR‐186 functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting Twist1 in BC. miR‐186 may serve as a novel biomarker in BC diagnosis or a new therapeutic target in BC treatment.
From avatars to body swapping: The use of virtual reality for assessing and treating body‐size distortion in individuals with anorexia
Authors: Serino Silvia , Polli Nicoletta , Riva Giuseppe
Published: December 2018

In the last 30 years, virtual reality (VR) has offered innovative solutions for assessing and treating body representation disturbances in anorexia nervosa (AN). The most recent and innovative trend is the exploitation of the so‐called VR‐based body swapping illusion. The aim of this case study was to report the use of this VR protocol within a multidisciplinary treatment of AN. A patient with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual‐5 diagnosis of AN underwent an intensive multidisciplinary outpatient treatment. Three sessions of a VR‐based body swapping illusion (i.e., the experimental induction of being the owner of a virtual body as a result of a visuotactile stimulation) were delivered within the treatment protocol (i.e., beginning of the treatment; end of one cycle of the treatment; 1 year of follow‐up). We report the results obtained, discussing how the VR full body illusion was both able to effectively monitor changes of multisensory bodily integration and to act as a driver for these changes.
MicroRNA‐212 promotes the recovery function and vascular regeneration of endothelial progenitor cells in mice with ischemic stroke through inactivation of the notch signaling pathway via downregulating MMP9 expression
Authors: Hu Chen , Dong Zhi‐Ling
Published: December 2018

Ischemic stroke is a refractory disease caused by cerebral ischemic injury, which results in brain dysfunction. This study intends to investigate the effects of microRNA‐212 (miR‐212) on the recovery function and vascular regeneration of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) by inactivation of the Notch signaling pathway by binding to matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) in mice with ischemic stroke. According to the results of database retrieval systems and data analysis, MMP9 was predicted as a gene related to ischemic stroke and miR‐212 is a potential regulating mRNA of MMP9. All 72 healthy adult C57BL6 mice were selected for middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) establishment. Cerebral infarction was observed under triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. A series of inhibitors, activators, and siRNAs were introduced to the verified regulatory functions for miR‐212 governing MMP9 in ischemic stroke. Cell proliferation was detected by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and tube‐forming ability by tubule formation test. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were used to detect the expressions of miR‐212, MMP9, Hes‐1, and Notch‐1. The corresponding results demonstrated that the area of cerebral infarction and the number of neuronal necrosis increased in the MCAO group in contrast to the sham group. Meanwhile, upregulation of miR‐212 or downregulation of MMP9 decreases the expressions of MMP9, Hes‐1 Notch‐1, increases cell proliferation and tube‐forming ability and improves the pathological conditions of EPCs. Our study suggests that miR‐212 promotes recovery function and vascular regeneration of EPCs through negative regulation of the Notch signaling pathway via downregulating expression of MMP9, thus provides a clinical theoretical basis for ischemic stroke therapy.
Elevation‐dependent warming in the Swiss Alps 1981–2017: Features, forcings and feedbacks
Authors: Rottler Erwin , Kormann Christoph , Francke Till , Bronstert Axel
Published: December 2018

Due to the environmental and socio‐economic importance of mountainous regions, it is crucial to understand causes and consequences of climatic changes in those sensitive landscapes. Daily resolution alpine climate data from Switzerland covering an elevation range of over 3,000 m between 1981 and 2017 have been analysed using highly resolved trends in order to gain a better understanding of features, forcings and feedbacks related to temperature changes in mountainous regions. Particular focus is put on processes related to changes in weather types, incoming solar radiation, cloud cover, air humidity, snow/ice and elevation dependency of temperature trends. Temperature trends in Switzerland differ depending on the time of the year, day and elevation. Warming is strongest during spring and early summer with enhanced warming of daytime maximum temperatures. Elevation‐based differences in temperature trends occur during autumn and winter with stronger warming at lower elevations. We attribute this elevation‐dependent temperature signal mainly to elevation‐based differences in trends of incoming solar radiation and elevation‐sensitive responses to changes in frequencies of weather types. In general, effects of varying frequencies of weather types overlap with trends caused by transmission changes in short‐ and long‐wave radiation. Temperature signals arising from snow/ice albedo feedback mechanisms are probably small and might be hidden by other effects.
Intertidal regions changing coastal alkalinity: The Wadden Sea‐North Sea tidally coupled bioreactor
Authors: Voynova Yoana G. , Petersen Wilhelm , Gehrung Martina , Aßmann Steffen , King Andrew L.
Published: December 2018

In this study, we successfully implemented a total alkalinity (TA) analyzer in a flow‐through setup, in combination with a FerryBox. The high‐frequency (10 min) measurements along our ship's route revealed that in coastal systems, where carbon fluxes are dynamic, TA can differ significantly (by up to 100 μmol kg−1) between the nearshore and adjacent coastal regions. Even though this study could not account for the net yearly TA production in the coastal region, it demonstrated that there was a seasonal increase in TA of 100–150 μmol kg−1 in coastal waters of the North Sea, equivalent to TA production of 11.7–26.8 mmol m−2 d−1 during the spring and summer months. This seasonal change could not be accounted for by riverine contributions, but instead was probably related to seasonal organic matter production and processing in coastal and nearshore regions. Bottom sediments and the tidally coupled biogeochemical reactor between coastal (North Sea) and nearshore (Wadden Sea) regions are mediating this TA change, and the ~ 4 months lag between the seasonal increase in alkalinity and the peak organic matter production could be explained by the supply of (labile) organic matter and its temperature‐dependent remineralization via both aerobic and anaerobic pathways.
Adjustment ability and associated factors of outpatients living with cancer
Authors: Hirokawa Keiko , Suzuki Shizue
Published: December 2018

Aims and objectives

To clarify the adjustment ability of outpatients with cancer, associated factors and the relationship between adjustment ability and associated factors.

Design

Quantitative study.

Methods

Anonymous self‐reported questionnaire (adjustment ability scale of outpatients with cancer) responses, patient background information and possible associated factors were collected from 369 cancer outpatients.

Results

The mean ± SD adjustment ability score was 110.5 ± 27.2. Several factors were associated with adjustment ability. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐General Scale, used to measure quality of life (QOL), was significantly higher in people with an adjustment ability score >95. The factor that was most related to the adjustment ability score was how people think about asking for support from others. The adjustment ability was higher among people who thought, “I should be supported by others for the things I cannot do by myself”.
Effectiveness of a theory‐based sun‐safe randomised behavioural change trial among Australian adolescents
Authors: White Katherine M. , Zhao Xiang , Starfelt Sutton Louise C. , Young Ross McD , Hamilton Kyra , Hawkes Anna L. , Leske Stuart
Published: December 2018

Objective

Sun safety is crucial for preventing skin cancer. This study evaluated a school‐based intervention based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), which aimed to encourage sun‐protective behaviour among adolescents.

Methods

Secondary school students (N = 382; 61.1% female; Mage = 13.73 y) in Queensland, Australia, participated in the study. Schools were randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. The intervention focussed on fostering positive attitudes, increasing perceptions of normative support, and strengthening control perceptions. Participants completed questionnaires assessing the TPB variables and sun‐protective behaviour (weekday and weekend) 1 week before intervention (time 1), 1 week after intervention (time 2), and 4 weeks after intervention (time 3).

Results

With baseline between‐group differences in TPB variables matched, repeated‐measures multivariate analysis of variance was used to evaluate the Time × Condition effects across time. Multigroup comparisons using path models traced the intervariable changes. From times 1 to 3, a significant improvement in weekend sun‐protective behaviour was identified in the intervention group (but not the control group), whereas cognitions showed no significant changes across time for either conditions. Multigroup comparisons on path coefficients between the intervention and control group participants indicated that the intervention group members formed stronger positive associations between perceived behavioural control and intention at time 2 and between perceived control and behaviour at time 3.

Conclusion

The significant behavioural change on weekends highlights the value of targeting control perceptions, which may encourage adolescents' sun‐protective behaviour. Further studies are needed to understand the absence of significant changes in weekday sun‐safe behaviour among this at‐risk cohort.
Applying actor–network theory to identify factors contributing to nonpersistence of African American students in STEM majors
Authors: Green André M. , Brand Brenda R. , Glasson George E.
Published: December 2018

African American undergraduates’ decision to change from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors while enrolled at a predominantly White university was the focus of this study. Through open‐ended interviews, the students discussed circumstances leading to their nonpersistence. Commonly published reports on the lower percentages of graduates from this demographic, while useful, do not provide a comprehensive view of this underperformance. Therefore, it is necessary to divulge the experiences of the individuals accounted for in these statistics, requiring a methodological approach that captures and reports experiences from individuals’ vantage points. Actor–network theory (ANT) is a framework encouraging an understanding of the human experience through an identification of the complex networks and associated power dynamics that sustain and legitimize the systems in which they operate. According to ANT, individual's potential for achievement is directly related to their ability to successfully engage key actors, as well as successfully navigate the codes and structures that control access to power. Thus, ANT was used to examine the students’ experiences. Evidenced in their discussions were unresolved feelings around weak relations with faculty and peers, as well as being viewed through deficit models. These findings could be useful for interpreting the statistics representing the lower percentages of African American students in STEM.
The swampland conjecture and the Higgs expectation value
Authors: Hamaguchi Koichi , Ibe Masahiro , Moroi Takeo
Published: December 2018

Abstract

The recently proposed de Sitter swampland conjecture excludes local extrema of a scalar potential with a positive energy density in a low energy effective theory. Under the conjecture, the observed dark energy cannot be explained by the cosmological constant. The local maximum of the Higgs potential at the symmetric point also contradicts the conjecture. In order to make the Standard Model consistent with the conjecture, it has been proposed to introduce a quintessence field, Q, which couples to the cosmological constant and the local maximum of the Higgs potential. In this paper, we show that such a modified Higgs potential generically results in a Q-dependent Higgs vacuum expectation value (VEV). The Q-dependence of the Higgs VEV induces a long-range force, which is severely excluded by the tests of the equivalence principle. Besides, as the quintessence field is in motion, the Higgs VEV shows a time-dependence, which is also severely constrained by the measurements of the time-dependence of the proton-to-electron mass ratio. Those constraints require an additional fine-tuning which is justified neither by the swampland conjecture nor the anthropic principle. We further show that, even if such an unjustified fine-tuning condition is imposed at the tree level, radiative corrections upset it. Consequently, we argue that most of the habitable vacua in the string landscape are in tension with the phenomenological constraints.
Producing a new fermion in coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering: from neutrino mass to dark matter
Authors: Brdar Vedran , Rodejohann Werner , Xu Xun-Jie
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We consider the production of a new MeV-scale fermion in coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering. The effect on the measurable nucleon recoil spectrum is calculated. Assuming that the new fermion couples to neutrinos and quarks via a singlet scalar, we set limits on its mass and coupling using COHERENT data and also determine the sensitivity of the CONUS experiment. We investigate the possible connection of the new fermion to neutrino mass generation. The possibility of the new fermion being the dark matter particle is also studied.
Solving the muon g-2 anomaly in CMSSM extension with non-universal gaugino masses
Authors: Wang Fei , Wang Kun , Yang Jin Min , Zhu Jingya
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We propose to generate non-universal gaugino masses in SU(5) Grand Unified Theory (GUT) with the generalized Planck-scale mediation SUSY breaking mechanism, in which the non-universality arises from proper wavefunction normalization with lowest component VEVs of various high dimensional representations of the Higgs fields of SU(5) and an unique F-term VEV by the singlet. Different predictions on gaugino mass ratios with respect to widely studied scenarios are given. The gluino-SUGRA-like scenario, where gluinos are much heavier than winos, bino and universal scalar masses, can be easily realized with appropriate combinations of such high-representation Higgs fields. With six GUT-scale free parameters in our scenario, we can solve elegantly the tension between mSUGRA and the present experimental results, including the muon g-2, the dark matter (DM) relic density and the direct sparticle search bounds from the LHC. Taking into account the current constraints in our numerical scan, we have the following observations: (i) The large-tan β (≳35) samples with a moderate M
3 (∼5 TeV), a small |A
0
/M
3| (≲0.4) and a small m

A
(≲4 TeV) are favoured to generate a 125 GeV SM-like Higgs and predict a large muon g-2, while the stop mass and μ parameter, mainly determined by |M
3| (≫ M
0
, |M
1|, |M
2|), can be about 6 TeV; (ii) The moderate-tan β (35 ∼ 40) samples with a negative M
3 can have a light smuon (250 ∼ 450 GeV) but a heavy stau (≳1 TeV), which predict a large muon g-2 but a small Br(B

s
→ μ
+
μ
−); (iii) To obtain the right DM relic density, the annihilation mechanisms should be stau exchange, stau coannihilation, chargino coannihilation, slepton annihilation and the combination of two or three of them; (iv) To obtain the right DM relic density, the spin-independent DM-nucleon cross section is typically much smaller than the present limits of XENON1T 2018 and also an order of magnitude lower than the future detection sensitivity of LZ and XENONnT experiments.
All Killing superalgebras for warped AdS backgrounds
Authors: Beck S. , Gran U. , Gutowski J. , Papadopoulos G.
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We present all the symmetry superalgebras

$$ \mathfrak{g} $$

g

of all warped AdS
k
×
w

M

d − k
, k > 2, flux backgrounds in d = 10, 11 dimensions preserving any number of supersymmetries. First we give the conditions for g to decompose into a direct sum of the isometry algebra of AdS
k
and that of the internal space M

d − k
. Assuming this decomposition, we identify all symmetry superalgebras of AdS3 backgrounds by showing that the isometry groups of internal spaces act transitively on spheres. We demonstrate that in type II and d = 11 theories the AdS3 symmetry superalgebras may not be simple and also present all symmetry superalgebras of heterotic AdS3 backgrounds. Furthermore, we explicitly give the symmetry superalgebras of AdS
k
, k > 3, backgrounds and prove that they are all classical.
Spin chain integrability in non-supersymmetric Wilson loops
Authors: Correa Diego , Leoni Matias , Luque Solange
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We study the 1-loop dilatation operator for insertions of composite operators in a generalized Wilson loop in

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 4 super Yang-Mills, which interpolates between the supersymmetric Wilson-Maldacena loop and the ordinary Wilson loop with no scalar coupling. For SO(6) scalar insertions, we show that the 1-loop dilatation operator is integrable for the endpoints of the interpolation, i.e. either for the Wilson-Maldacena or the ordinary Wilson loop. Moreover, we also show that integrability persists for SU(2|3) insertions in the ordinary Wilson loop, even when the term making the spin chain length dynamical is included.
A concrete composite 2-Higgs doublet model
Authors: De Curtis Stefania , Rose Luigi Delle , Moretti Stefano , Yagyu Kei
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We consider a Composite Higgs Model (CHM) with two isospin doublet Higgs fields arising as pseudo Nambu-Goldstone bosons from a SO(6) → SO(4) × SO(2) breaking. The main focus of this work is to explicitly compute the properties of these Higgses in terms of the fundamental parameters of the composite sector such as masses, Yukawa and gauge couplings of the new spin-1 and spin-1/2 resonances. Concretely, we calculate the Higgs potential at one-loop level through the Coleman-Weinberg mechanism from the explicit breaking of the SO(6) global symmetry by the partial compositeness of fermions and gauge bosons. We derive then the phenomenological properties of the Higgs states and highlight the main signatures of this Composite 2-Higgs Doublet Model at the Large Hadron Collider, including modifications to the SM-like Higgs couplings as well as production and decay channels of heavier Higgs bosons. We also consider flavour bounds that are typical of CHMs with more than one Higgs doublet.
Exotic branes in Exceptional Field Theory: E7(7) and beyond
Authors: Berman David S. , Musaev Edvard T. , Otsuki Ray
Published: December 2018

Abstract

In recent years, it has been widely argued that the duality transformations of string and M-theory naturally imply the existence of so-called ‘exotic branes’ — low codimension objects with highly non-perturbative tensions, scaling as g

s

α

for α ≤ −3. We argue that their intimate link with these duality transformations make them an ideal object of study using the general framework of Double Field Theory (DFT) and Exceptional Field Theory (EFT) — collectively referred to as ExFT. Parallel to the theme of dualities, we also stress that these theories unify known solutions in string- and M-theory into a single solution under ExFT. We argue that not only is there a natural unifying description of the lowest codimension objects, many of these exotic states require this formalism as a consistent supergravity description does not exist.
Cubic interaction vertices for massive/massless continuous-spin fields and arbitrary spin fields
Authors: Metsaev R. R.
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We use light-cone gauge formalism to study interacting massive and massless continuous-spin fields and finite component arbitrary spin fields propagating in the flat space. Cubic interaction vertices for such fields are considered. We obtain parity invariant cubic vertices for coupling of one continuous-spin field to two arbitrary spin fields and cubic vertices for coupling of two continuous-spin fields to one arbitrary spin field. Parity invariant cubic vertices for self-interacting massive/massless continuous-spin fields are also obtained. We find the complete list of parity invariant cubic vertices for continuous-spin fields and arbitrary spin fields.
Factorisation and subtraction beyond NLO
Authors: Magnea L. , Maina E. , Pelliccioli G. , Signorile-Signorile C. , Torrielli P. , Uccirati S.
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We provide a general method to construct local infrared subtraction counterterms for unresolved radiative contributions to differential cross sections, to any order in perturbation theory. We start from the factorised structure of virtual corrections to scattering amplitudes, where soft and collinear divergences are organised in gauge-invariant matrix elements of fields and Wilson lines, and we define radiative eikonal form factors and jet functions which are fully differential in the radiation phase space, and can be shown to cancel virtual poles upon integration by using completeness relations and general theorems on the cancellation of infrared singularities. Our method reproduces known results at NLO and NNLO, and yields substantial simplifications in the organisation of the subtraction procedure, which will help in the construction of efficient subtraction algorithms at higher orders.
Improved cell growth and biosynthesis of glycolic acid by overexpression of membrane-bound pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase
Authors: Cabulong Rhudith B , Valdehuesa Kris Niño G , Bañares Angelo B , Ramos Kristine Rose M , Nisola Grace M , Lee Won-Keun , Chung Wook-Jin
Published: December 2018

The non-conventional d-xylose metabolism called the Dahms pathway which only requires the expression of at least three enzymes to produce pyruvate and glycolaldehyde has been previously engineered in Escherichia coli. Strains that rely on this pathway exhibit lower growth rates which were initially attributed to the perturbed redox homeostasis as evidenced by the lower intracellular NADPH concentrations during exponential growth phase. NADPH-regenerating systems were then tested to restore the redox homeostasis. The membrane-bound pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase, PntAB, was overexpressed and resulted to a significant increase in biomass and glycolic acid titer and yield. Furthermore, expression of PntAB in an optimized glycolic acid-producing strain improved the growth and product titer significantly. This work demonstrated that compensating for the NADPH demand can be achieved by overexpression of PntAB in E. coli strains assimilating d-xylose through the Dahms pathway. Consequently, increase in biomass accumulation and product concentration was also observed.
Correction to: Using multiple metaphors and multimodalities as a semiotic resource when teaching year 2 students computational strategies
Authors: Mildenhall Paula , Sherriff Barbara
Published: December 2018

The article Using multiple metaphors and multimodalities as a semiotic resource when teaching year 2 students computational strategies, written by Paula Mildenhall and Barbara Sherriff.
Behavioral, cognitive and histological changes following neonatal anoxia: Male and female rats' differences at adolescent age
Authors: Kumar Amrita Jha , Motta‐Teixeira Lívia Clemente , Takada Silvia Honda , Yonamine‐Lee Vitor , Machado‐Nils Aline Vilar , Xavier Gilberto Fernando , Nogueira Maria Inês
Published: December 2018

Neonatal anoxia induces long‐term brain injury that may underlie neurobehavioral deficits at adolescence. Neonatal anoxia, induced by exposure of 30‐hour old pups to 100% nitrogen, represents a non‐invasive and global stimulus, which simulates clinical conditions of human pre‐term babies (around 6 gestational months). Previous studies showed that neonatal anoxia induced impairments of spatial memory and altered anxiety‐like behaviors in male rats tested at adult age. This study evaluated if neonatal anoxia induces similar behavioral effects in female rats, as compared to males, by testing the animals at adolescence, and also searched for possible cell losses in hippocampal subfields. Results in the Elevated Plus Maze test showed that anoxic females spent proportionally more time within the open arms as compared to anoxic males, suggesting a less anxious‐like behavior. In the Morris Water Maze Test, latencies and path lengths of the anoxic subjects were longer as compared to control subjects, thus indicating that anoxia disrupted the cognitive functions required for spatial mapping. In addition, results showed that anoxia‐induced disruption was greater in male rats as compared to female rats. Stereological analysis revealed that anoxic male rats exhibited significant cell losses in the dorsal hippocampus dentate gyrus and CA1 subfields, but not in CA3‐2 subfield. Similar results were observed in the ventral hippocampus, but now with cell loss in the male CA3‐2 subfield. There were also significant cell loss differences of anoxic male rats as compared to anoxic female rats. In conclusion, neonatal anoxia induces deleterious and long lasting behavioral and cognitive disruptions, and these effects were stronger in male rats as compared to female rats. These changes are congruent with the pattern of cell losses observed in hippocampal subfields. Together, these results emphasize the relevance of scientific research, aiming at clinical strategies and treatments, consider the sex differential patterns of response to neonatal injury.
Evidence of Magnetic Nulls in Electron Diffusion Region
Authors: Fu H. S. , Cao J. B. , Cao D. , Wang Z. , Vaivads A. , Khotyaintsev Y. V. , Burch J. L. , Huang S. Y.
Published: December 2018

Theoretically, magnetic reconnection—the process responsible for solar flares and magnetospheric substorms—occurs at the X‐line or radial null in the electron diffusion region (EDR). However, whether this theory is correct is unknown, because the radial null (X‐line) has never been observed inside the EDR due to the lack of efficient techniques and the scarcity of EDR measurements. Here we report such evidence, using data from the recent MMS mission and the newly developed First‐Order Taylor Expansion (FOTE) Expansion technique. We investigate 12 EDR candidates at the Earth's magnetopause and find radial nulls (X‐lines) in all of them. In some events, spacecraft are only 3 km (one electron inertial length) away from the null. We reconstruct the magnetic topology of these nulls and find it agrees well with theoretical models. These nulls, as reconstructed for the first time inside the EDR by the FOTE technique, indicate that the EDR is active and the reconnection process is ongoing.
The Effect of Fast Normal Mode Structure and Magnetopause Forcing on FLRs in a 3‐D Waveguide
Authors: Elsden T. , Wright A. N.
Published: December 2018

This paper investigates the excitation of waveguide modes in a nonuniform dipole equilibrium and, further, their coupling to field line resonances (FLRs). Waveguide modes are fast compressional ultralow frequency (ULF) waves, whose structure depends upon the magnetospheric equilibrium and the solar wind driving conditions. Using magnetohydrodynamic simulations, we consider how the structure of the excited waveguide mode is affected by various forms of magnetopause driving. We find that the waveguide supports a set of normal modes that are determined by the equilibrium. However, the particular normal modes that are excited are determined by the structure of the magnetopause driver. A full understanding of the spatial structure of the normal modes is required in order to predict where coupling to FLRs will occur. We show that symmetric pressure driving about the noon meridian can excite normal modes which remain around to drive resonances for longer than antisymmetric driving. Further, the critical quantity in terms of efficient coupling is the magnetic pressure gradient aligned with the resonance.
Short‐Term Impacts of the Megaurbanizations of New Delhi and Los Angeles Between 2000 and 2009
Authors: Jacobson Mark Z. , Nghiem Son V. , Sorichetta Alessandro
Published: December 2018

Urban areas are expanding worldwide due to increasing population, standard of living, and migration from rural areas. This study uses satellite and road data to quantify the urbanization of two megacities, New Delhi and Los Angeles, between 2000 and 2009. It then estimates, with a three‐dimensional nested global‐through‐urban climate, weather, and air pollution model, Gas, Aerosol, Transport, Radiation, General Circulation, Mesoscale, and Ocean Model, the short‐term atmospheric impacts of such urbanization alone. The simulations account for changes in meteorologically driven natural emissions, but not anthropogenic emissions, between 2000 and 2009. New Delhi's urban extent, defined based on the physical existence of its built structures and the transitional gradient from buildings to rural areas rather than on abrupt administrative borders, increased by ~80% and Los Angeles's by ~22.5% between 2000 and 2009. New Delhi experienced a larger increase in its urban extent relative to its population during this period than did Los Angeles. In both megacities, urbanization increased surface roughness, increasing shearing stress and vertical turbulent kinetic energy, decreasing near‐surface and boundary layer wind speed, contributing to higher column pollution levels. Urbanization may also have increased downward solar plus thermal infrared radiation fluxes to the ground and consequently upward latent and sensible heat fluxes from the ground to the air, increasing near‐surface air temperatures. As such, urbanization alone may have had notable impacts on both meteorology and air quality.