bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cerium–Copper–Manganese Oxides Synthesized via Solution Combustion Synthesis (SCS) for Total Oxidation of VOCs
Authors: Marin Figueredo Miguel Jose , Andana Tahrizi , Bensaid Samir , Dosa Melodj , Fino Debora , Russo Nunzio , Piumetti Marco
Published: January 2020

A set of cerium–manganese–copper oxide catalysts with various foreign metal contents was prepared via the solution combustion synthesis (SCS). The catalysts were characterized by complementary techniques such as N2 physisorption at − 196 °C, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), H2-temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), O2-temperature-programmed desorption (O2-TPD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Their catalytic activity was tested towards the VOC oxidation using ethylene and propylene as probe molecules. As a whole, it has been observed that the Ce55Mn45 sample (Mn 45 at.%), containing MnOx clusters interacting with the ceria phase, was the most active catalyst for propylene oxidation, exhibiting a complete conversion at 250 °C. On the other hand, the ternary oxide catalyst (Ce55Mn22.5Cu22.5 with Mn = 22.5 at.% and Cu = 22.5 at.%) has exhibited the best results for the oxidation of ethylene. These findings suggest that the co-presence of different active phases on the catalytic surface may have a beneficial (multiplicative) role on the whole reactivity. Finally, the most active powder catalysts were wash-coated in a SiC monolith and tested in a bench-scale reactor. As a whole, the catalyzed monoliths performed the complete oxidation of either ethylene or propylene at lower temperatures (550 and 450 °C, respectively) than those required to thermally decompose these molecules.

Graphic Abstract
Counting the number of trigonal curves of genus 5 over finite fields
Authors: Wennink Thomas
Published: January 2020

The trigonal curves of genus 5 can be represented by projective plane quintics that have one singularity of delta invariant one. Combining this with a partial sieve method for plane curves we count the number of such curves over any finite field. The main application is that this gives the motivic Euler characteristic of the moduli space of trigonal curves of genus 5.
A database of damaging small-to-medium magnitude earthquakes
Authors: Nievas Cecilia I. , Bommer Julian J. , Crowley Helen , van Elk Jan , Ntinalexis Michail , Sangirardi Marialuigia
Published: January 2020

Interest in small-to-medium magnitude earthquakes and their potential consequences has increased significantly in recent years, mostly due to the occurrence of some unusually damaging small events, the development of seismic risk assessment methodologies for existing building stock, and the recognition of the potential risk of induced seismicity. As part of a clear ongoing effort of the earthquake engineering community to develop knowledge on the risk posed by smaller events, a global database of earthquakes with moment magnitudes in the range from 4.0 to 5.5 for which damage and/or casualties have been reported has been compiled and is made publicly available. The two main purposes were to facilitate studies on the potential for earthquakes in this magnitude range to cause material damage and to carry out a statistical study to characterise the frequency with which earthquakes of this size cause damage and/or casualties (published separately). The present paper describes the data sources and process followed for the compilation of the database, while providing critical discussions on the challenges encountered and decisions made, which are of relevance for its interpretation and use. The geographic, temporal, and magnitude distributions of the 1958 earthquakes that make up the database are presented alongside the general statistics on damage and casualties, noting that these stem from a variety of sources of differing reliability. Despite its inherent limitations, we believe it is an important contribution to the understanding of the extent of the consequences that may arise from earthquakes in the magnitude range of study.
ES5 is involved in the regulation of phosphatidylserine synthesis and impacts on early senescence in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Rani Mohammad Hasanuzzaman , Liu Qunen , Yu Ning , Zhang Yingxin , Wang Beifang , Cao Yongrun , Zhang Yue , Islam Md Anowerul , Zegeye Workie Anley , Cao Liyong , Cheng Shihua
Published: January 2020

Leaf senescence, which affects plant growth and yield in rice, is an ideal target for crop improvement and remarkable advances have been made to identify the mechanism underlying this process. We have characterized an early senile mutantes5(early leafsenescence5) in rice exhibiting leaf yellowing phenotype after the 4-leaf stage. This phenotype was confirmed by the higher accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), the disintegration of chloroplasts, reduction in chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate and up-regulation of senescence-associated genes (SAGs) likeOsh36,OsI57, andOsI85. Positional cloning revealed that thees5phenotype is the result of one base substitution inES5, encoding phosphatidylserine synthase (PSS) family protein, which is involved in the base-exchange type reaction to synthesize the minor membrane phospholipid phosphatidylserine. Functional complementation ofES5in thees5plants completely restored the wild-type phenotype. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) analysis showed thates5plants had increased levels of phosphatidylserine (PS) and decreased level of phosphatidylcholine (PC). These results provide evidence about the role of PS in rice leaf senescence.
Modeling dynamics in household car ownership over life courses: a latent class competing risks model
Authors: Gu Gaofeng , Feng Tao , Yang Dujuan , Timmermans Harry
Published: January 2020

This study presents a latent class competing risks model to examine the influence of socio-demographics and life course events on car transaction behaviour. The types of car transaction and interval times between car transactions events are incorporated in a competing risk model. To capture unobserved behavioural heterogeneity across the population, the model classifies households into different segments. Results estimated based on retrospective survey data show significant heterogeneity exist in household car ownership decisions. The covariates are found to have different effects on car ownership decisions between different classes. Households in the class labelled “Young households without a car” are more sensitive to life course events related to household composition. Households labelled as “middle-aged and aged households with car(s)” are more sensitive to life course events related to job and house locations.
Amplitude estimation without phase estimation
Authors: Suzuki Yohichi , Uno Shumpei , Raymond Rudy , Tanaka Tomoki , Onodera Tamiya , Yamamoto Naoki
Published: January 2020

This paper focuses on the quantum amplitude estimation algorithm, which is a core subroutine in quantum computation for various applications. The conventional approach for amplitude estimation is to use the phase estimation algorithm, which consists of many controlled amplification operations followed by a quantum Fourier transform. However, the whole procedure is hard to implement with current and near-term quantum computers. In this paper, we propose a quantum amplitude estimation algorithm without the use of expensive controlled operations; the key idea is to utilize the maximum likelihood estimation based on the combined measurement data produced from quantum circuits with different numbers of amplitude amplification operations. Numerical simulations we conducted demonstrate that our algorithm asymptotically achieves nearly the optimal quantum speedup with a reasonable circuit length.
Catalytic activity of maghemite supported palladium catalyst in nitrobenzene hydrogenation
Authors: Hajdu Viktória , Prekob Ádám , Muránszky Gábor , Kocserha István , Kónya Zoltán , Fiser Béla , Viskolcz Béla , Vanyorek László
Published: January 2020

A maghemite supported palladium catalyst was prepared and tested in nitrobenzene hydrogenation. The catalyst support was made by a newly developed combined technique, where sonochemical treatment and combustion have been used. As a first step, maghemite nanoparticles were synthesized. Iron(II) citrate was treated in polyethylene glycol by high-intensity ultrasound cavitation to get a homogeneous dispersion, then the product was combusted. The produced powder contained maghemite nanoparticles with 21.8 nm average particle size. In the second step of catalyst preparation, the magnetic nanoparticles were dispersed in the ethanolic solution of palladium(II) nitrate. The necessary energy for the reduction of Pd2+ ions was achieved in the “hot spots” by acoustic cavitation, thus catalytically active palladium was formed. The prepared maghemite supported Pd catalyst have been tested in nitrobenzene hydrogenation at three different temperatures (283 K, 293 K and 303 K) and constant pressure (20 bar). At 293 K and 303 K, the conversion and selectivity of nitrobenzene was above 99% and 96%, respectively. However, the selectivity was only 73% at 273 K because the intermediate species (azoxybenzene and nitrosobenzene) have not been transformed to aniline. All in all, the prepared catalyst is successfully applied in nitrobenzene hydrogenation and easily separable from the reaction media.
Common genetic effects on risk-taking preferences and choices
Authors: Nicolaou Nicos , Shane Scott
Published: January 2020

Although prior research has shown that risk-taking preferences and choices are correlated across many domains, there is a dearth of research investigating whether these correlations are primarily the result of genetic or environmental factors. We examine the extent to which common genetic factors account for the association between general risk-taking preferences and domain-specific risk-taking preferences, and between general risk-taking preferences and risk taking choices in financial investments, stock market participation and business formation. Using data from 1898 monozygotic (MZ) and 1344 same-sex dizygotic (DZ) twins, we find that general risk-taking shares a common genetic component with domain-specific risk-taking preferences and risk-taking choices.
The Hahn Embedding Theorem for a Class of Residuated Semigroups
Authors: Jenei Sándor
Published: January 2020

Hahn’s embedding theorem asserts that linearly ordered abelian groups embed in some lexicographic product of real groups. Hahn’s theorem is generalized to a class of residuated semigroups in this paper, namely, to odd involutive commutative residuated chains which possess only finitely many idempotent elements. To this end, the partial lexicographic product construction is introduced to construct new odd involutive commutative residuated lattices from a pair of odd involutive commutative residuated lattices, and a representation theorem for odd involutive commutative residuated chains which possess only finitely many idempotent elements, by means of linearly ordered abelian groups and the partial lexicographic product construction is presented.
A Rational Approach to Understanding and Evaluating Responsive Neurostimulation
Authors: Sisterson Nathaniel D. , Wozny Thomas A. , Kokkinos Vasileios , Bagic Anto , Urban Alexandra P. , Richardson R. Mark
Published: January 2020

Closed-loop brain stimulation is increasingly used in level 4 epilepsy centers without an understanding of how the device behaves on a daily basis. This lack of insight is a barrier to improving closed-loop therapy and ultimately understanding why some patients never achieve seizure reduction. We aimed to quantify the accuracy of closed-loop seizure detection and stimulation on the RNS device through extrapolating information derived from manually reviewed ECoG recordings and comprehensive device logging information. RNS System event logging data were obtained, reviewed, and analyzed using a custom-built software package. A weighted-means methodology was developed to adjust for bias and incompleteness in event logs and evaluated using Bland–Altman plots and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to compare adjusted and non-weighted (standard method) results. Twelve patients implanted for a mean of 21.5 (interquartile range 13.5–31) months were reviewed. The mean seizure frequency reduction post-RNS implantation was 40.1% (interquartile range 0–96.2%). Three primary levels of event logging granularity were identified (ECoG recordings: 3.0% complete (interquartile range 0.3–1.8%); Event Lists: 72.9% complete (interquartile range 44.7–99.8%); Activity Logs: 100% complete; completeness measured with respect to Activity Logs). Bland–Altman interpretation confirmed non-equivalence with unpredictable differences in both magnitude and direction. Wilcoxon signed rank tests demonstrated significant (p < 10−6) differences in accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity at >5% absolute mean difference for extrapolated versus standard results. Device behavior logged by the RNS System should be used in conjunction with careful review of stored ECoG data to extrapolate metrics for detector performance and stimulation.
Double bordered constructions of self-dual codes from group rings over Frobenius rings
Authors: Gildea Joe , Taylor Rhian , Kaya Abidin , Tylyshchak A.
Published: January 2020

In this work, we describe a double bordered construction of self-dual codes from group rings. We show that this construction is effective for groups of order 2p where p is odd, over the rings $\mathbb {F}_{2}+u\mathbb {F}_{2}$

F

2

+
u

F

2

and $\mathbb {F}_{4}+u\mathbb {F}_{4}$

F

4

+
u

F

4

. We demonstrate the importance of this new construction by finding many new binary self-dual codes of lengths 64, 68 and 80; the new codes and their corresponding weight enumerators are listed in several tables.
Acute liver failure associated with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: an autopsy case report
Authors: Kubo Kimitoshi , Kimura Noriko , Mabe Katsuhiro , Matsuda Soichiro , Tsuda Momoko , Kato Mototsugu
Published: January 2020

Acute liver failure (ALF) associated with malignant infiltration of the liver is rare and its pathological and radiologic features remain poorly described. An 87-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for anorexia for several days, high-grade fever from the previous day, and liver dysfunction but suddenly died on day 3 of hospitalization due to ventricular fibrillation. The patient was diagnosed at autopsy with malignant diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. To the best of our knowledge, this report represents a valuable addition to the ALF literature describing a case of ALF associated with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma diagnosed at autopsy.
Past and future ecosystem service trade-offs in Poyang Lake Basin under different land use policy scenarios
Authors: Liu Hai , Zheng Liang , Wu Jing , Liao Yonghao
Published: January 2020

Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China and is an important wetland in the world. The scientific assessment of ecosystem service trade-offs in Poyang Lake Basin is of great significance for maintaining regional ecological balance and global biodiversity. This study uses land use as the main data source and the “equivalent factor method” to estimate the ecosystem service value of the Poyang Lake Basin from 1990 to 2015; the study also analyzes the trade-off synergy among ecosystem services. On this basis, land use information was simulated under three scenarios: planning scenario (government policy-oriented), development scenario (economic benefit-oriented), and protection scenario (ecological protection-oriented). The trade-offs and synergies among ecosystem services under different scenarios were evaluated. The results demonstrate that the ecosystem service value for the entire basin steadily increased from 1990 to 2015. The relationships among ecosystem services in the basin were mainly synergistic, and there were few trade-offs. Among the three simulation scenarios, the ecosystem service value was the highest and the trade-offs among ecosystem services were the lowest under the protection scenario, the ecosystem service value was the lowest and the trade-offs among ecosystem services were the highest under the development scenario, and the trade-offs under the planning scenario were between the values of the protection scenario and the development scenario. From the perspective of maximizing the value of ecosystem services and minimizing trade-offs in ecosystem services, the protection scenario is the optimal scenario among the three scenarios.
Translating the fabrication of protein-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles from bench to scale-independent production using microfluidics
Authors: Roces Carla B. , Christensen Dennis , Perrie Yvonne
Published: January 2020

In the formulation of nanoparticles, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is commonly employed due to its Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency approval for human use, its ability to encapsulate a variety of moieties, its biocompatibility and biodegradability and its ability to offer a range of controlled release profiles. Common methods for the production of PLGA particles often adopt harsh solvents, surfactants/stabilisers and in general are multi-step and time-consuming processes. This limits the translation of these drug delivery systems from bench to bedside. To address this, we have applied microfluidic processes to develop a scale-independent platform for the manufacture, purification and monitoring of nanoparticles. Thereby, the influence of various microfluidic parameters on the physicochemical characteristics of the empty and the protein-loaded PLGA particles was evaluated in combination with the copolymer employed (PLGA 85:15, 75:25 or 50:50) and the type of protein loaded. Using this rapid production process, emulsifying/stabilising agents (such as polyvinyl alcohol) are not required. We also incorporate in-line purification systems and at-line particle size monitoring. Our results demonstrate the microfluidic control parameters that can be adopted to control particle size and the impact of PLGA copolymer type on the characteristics of the produced particles. With these nanoparticles, protein encapsulation efficiency varies from 8 to 50% and is controlled by the copolymer of choice and the production parameters employed; higher flow rates, combined with medium flow rate ratios (3:1), should be adopted to promote higher protein loading (% wt/wt). In conclusion, herein, we outline the process controls for the fabrication of PLGA polymeric nanoparticles incorporating proteins in a rapid and scalable manufacturing process.
On the third logarithmic coefficient in some subclasses of close-to-convex functions
Authors: Cho Nak Eun , Kowalczyk Bogumiła , Kwon Oh Sang , Lecko Adam , Sim Young Jae
Published: January 2020

For analytic functionsfin the unit disk$${\mathbb {D}}$$Dnormalized by$$f(0)=0$$f(0)=0and$$f'(0)=1$$f′(0)=1satisfying in$${\mathbb {D}}$$Drespectively the conditions$${{\,\mathrm{Re}\,}}\{ (1-z)f'(z) \}> 0,\ {{\,\mathrm{Re}\,}}\{ (1-z^2)f'(z) \}> 0,\ {{\,\mathrm{Re}\,}}\{ (1-z+z^2)f'(z) \}> 0,\ {{\,\mathrm{Re}\,}}\{ (1-z)^2f'(z) \} > 0,$$Re{(1-z)f′(z)}>0,Re{(1-z2)f′(z)}>0,Re{(1-z+z2)f′(z)}>0,Re{(1-z)2f′(z)}>0,the sharp upper bound of the third logarithmic coefficient in case when$$f''(0)$$f′′(0)is real was computed.
Molybdenum alloying in high-performance flat-rolled steel grades
Authors: Uranga Pello , Shang Cheng-Jia , Senuma Takehide , Yang Jer-Ren , Guo Ai-Min , Mohrbacher Hardy
Published: January 2020

Considerable progress in developing flat-rolled steel grades has been made by the Chinese steel industry over the recent two decades. The increasing demand for high-performance products to be used in infrastructural projects as well as in production of consumer and capital goods has been driving this development until today. The installation of state-of-the-art steel making and rolling facilities has provided the possibility of processing the most advanced steel grades. The production of high-performance steel grades relies on specific alloying elements of which molybdenum is one of the most powerful. China is nearly self-sufficient in molybdenum supplies. This paper highlights the potential and advantages of molybdenum alloying over the entire range of flat-rolled steel products. Specific aspects of steel property improvement with respect to particular applications are indicated.
Vasa Praevia: A Nightmare to Good Outcome
Authors: Aloorkar Patil Prajakta , Vemarapu Gayatri , Pooskuru Swapna
Published: January 2020

Vasa praevia is a real nightmare for obstetricians if not diagnosed prenatally. We report five cases of vasa praevia with different presentations and outcomes. In the first case, vasa praevia was not diagnosed during the antenatal period and the baby was stillborn due to ruptured fetal vessels. In the other four cases, vasa praevia was diagnosed in antenatal period and all the cases had good outcomes. In one case there was evidence of marginal and velamentous cord insertion in the same placenta. Pregnancies were terminated in three cases by elective caesarean section with good perinatal outcome. In one case vasa praevia and placenta praevia resolved in third-trimester, and the baby was delivered vaginally. In all cases placental location was low lying at second-trimester anomaly scan. Hence it is important to check placental site cord insertion and presence of blood vessels near internal os in high risk cases in the second and third-trimester.
The damage response framework and infection prevention: From concept to bedside
Authors: Godbout Emily J. , Madaline Theresa , Casadevall Arturo , Bearman Gonzalo , Pirofski Liise-anne
Published: January 2020

Hospital-acquired infections remain a common cause of morbidity and mortality despite advances in infection prevention through use of bundles, environmental cleaning, antimicrobial stewardship, and other best practices. Current prevention strategies and further hospital-acquired infection reduction are limited by lack of recognition of the role that host–microbe interactions play in susceptibility and by the inability to analyze multiple risk factors in real time to accurately predict the likelihood of a hospital-acquired infection before it occurs and to inform medical decision making. Herein, we examine the value of incorporating the damage-response framework and host attributes that determine susceptibility to infectious diseases known by the acronym MISTEACHING (ie, microbiome, immunity, sex, temperature, environment, age, chance, history, inoculum, nutrition, genetics) into infection prevention strategies using machine learning to drive decision support and patient-specific interventions.
Narco-Messages: Competition and Public Communication by Criminal Groups
Authors: Phillips Brian J. , Ríos Viridiana
Published: January 2020

Criminal groups often avoid the limelight, shunning publicity. However, in some instances, they overtly communicate, such as with banners or signs. This article explains the competition dynamics behind public criminal communication and provides theory and evidence of the conditions under which it emerges. Relying on a new dataset of approximately 1,800 banners publicly deployed by Mexican criminal groups from 2007 to 2010, the study identifies the conditions behind such messaging. The findings suggest that criminal groups “go public” in the presence of interorganizational contestation, violence from authorities, antagonism toward the local media, local demand for drugs, and local drug production. Some of these factors are associated only with communication toward particular audiences: rivals, the state, or the public. An interesting finding is that the correlates of criminal propaganda are sometimes distinct from those of criminal violence, suggesting that these phenomena are explained by separate dynamics.
Modernization of Competition Law and Policy in Egypt: Past, Present and Future
Authors: Kim Dong-Hwan , Choi Yo Sop
Published: January 2020

Competition laws and policies play an important role in developing countries. More than 130 countries have adopted either a competition law or a similar framework of anti-monopoly laws that aims to improve social welfare. Most African countries have already started developing their competition regimes, and regional trade organizations in Africa have provided competition sections in their free trade agreements to enhance enforcement cooperation. For fledgling competition regimes in Africa, the improvement of effective public enforcement and competition law culture has become an essential driver of competition law development. In particular, Egypt has demonstrated its efforts towards the modernization of competition law and the enhancement of fair and free competition, which is an example of the development of the competition regime in a developing African country. This article discusses the development of the Egyptian competition regime from a comparative perspective and suggests proposals for its further modernization.
Secured Transactions in Moveable Assets Act, Company Charges and Funding Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises under Nigerian Law
Authors: Esangbedo Gregory
Published: January 2020

The clamour for the reform of Nigeria's secured transactions’ law has culminated in the recent enactment of the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act to stimulate responsible lending to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), among other objectives. This article evaluates the impact of the act, in particular how it addresses the problems associated with the common law system that made it difficult for small business entities to access loans and other credit facilities. The article further examines the implications of the autonomy the act gives to companies to continue to grant charges pursuant to the old system. The author contends that, despite the act's obvious similarity to reformed systems of personal property security laws (reform now being championed by the UN Commission on International Trade Law), expectations of it meeting its key objective of stimulating credit to MSMEs may be misconceived.
Effect of different temperatures on survival and development of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Railliet, 1898) larvae
Authors: Napoli E. , Arfuso F. , Gaglio G. , Abbate J.M. , Giannetto S. , Brianti E.
Published: January 2020

Aim of the study was to get in-depth information on Aelurostrongylus abstrusus first-stage larvae (L1s) survival at different temperatures and to assess the capability of these larvae to develop into the third infective stage (L3s). Faeces of a naturally infected cat were split into two aliquots: the first was divided in subsamples assigned to four groups (F1–F4); from the second aliquot, L1s were extracted by Baermann technique, suspended in water and divided into four groups (W1–W4). Groups were stored at different temperatures (F1/W1 −20 ± 1°C; F2/W2 +4 ± 1°C; F3/W3 +14 ± 1°C; and F4/W4 +28 ± 1°C) and L1s vitality assessed every seven days. The capability of L1s stored in water to develop into L3s in snails was evaluated at the beginning and every 21 days. The L1s of W2 and F2 groups remained viable for a longer period (231 and 56 days, respectively) compared to those of other groups. The capability of L1s to moult into L3s in snails showed a decreasing trend; the group W2's L1s maintained the capability to moult into L3s for the longest time (day 189) compared to the other groups. The time of survival of A. abstrusus L1s is influenced by temperature. However, the species seems to be more resistant to temperature variations than other feline lungworms, and this may explain its wider distribution across Europe.
Testimony, faith, and humility
Authors: MALCOLM FINLAY
Published: January 2020

It is sometimes claimed that faith is a virtue. To what extent faith is a virtue depends on what faith is. One construal of faith, which has been popular in both recent and historical work on faith, is that faith is a matter of taking oneself to have been spoken to by God and of trusting this purported divine testimony. In this article, I argue that when faith is understood in this way, for faith to be virtuous then it must be accompanied by intellectual humility. I defend this view by showing how someone ought to respond to purported divine testimony if her faith is to be intellectually humble, and how, if it fails in this respect, it will instead be accompanied by the vices of either servility or arrogance.
UNDER THE LORDLY MONARCHS OF THE NORTH: THE EPIGRAPHY OF NORTHERN BELIZE
Authors: Helmke Christophe
Published: January 2020

The hieroglyphic texts of northern Belize are remarkable for their longevity, spanning from the Late Preclassic to the Late Postclassic (ca. 100b.c–a.d.1544). Together, these texts constitute an invaluable body of information that has thus far been generally overlooked and has not been integrated into larger syntheses of the region. This paper provides a diachronic review of the glyphic texts of northern Belize and contrasts them to the wider historical processes of the eastern Maya lowlands. A definition of the northern Belizean region precedes an outline of the corpora of monuments, as well as the textual sources on portable objects. This provides an historical review of northern Belize from the incipience of royalty to the eve of the Spanish Conquest.
A surgical technique for ascending aorta, aortic arch and descending aorta replacement without cross-clamp, circulatory arrest or hypothermia
Authors: Ugurlucan Murat , Yildiz Yahya , Ulukan Mustafa O. , Oztas Didem M. , Beyaz Metin O. , Canata Emin , Coban Senay , Unal Orcun , Erkanli Korhan , Turkoglu Halil
Published: January 2020

Treatment of the aneurysms comprising the aortic arch is challenging. Surgical reconstruction usually requires aortic cross-clamping, cardiac arrest, and even deep hypothermia for a bloodless field. In this report, we present our surgical technique providing normothermic ascending aorta, aortic arch, and proximal descending aorta replacement with selective cannulation and perfusion of the whole body.
Depression among women of reproductive age in rural Bangladesh is linked to food security, diets and nutrition
Authors: Sparling Thalia M , Waid Jillian L , Wendt Amanda S , Gabrysch Sabine
Published: January 2020

Objective:

To quantify the relationship between screening positive for depression and several indicators of the food and nutrition environment in Bangladesh.

Design:

We used cross-sectional data from the Food and Agricultural Approaches to Reducing Malnutrition (FAARM) trial in Bangladesh to examine the association of depression in non-peripartum (NPW) and peripartum women (PW) with food and nutrition security using multivariable logistic regression and dominance analysis.

Setting:

Rural north-eastern Bangladesh.

Participants:

Women of reproductive age.

Results:

Of 2599 women, 40 % were pregnant or up to 1 year postpartum, while 60 % were not peripartum. Overall, 20 % of women screened positive for major depression. In the dominance analysis, indicators of food and nutrition security were among the strongest explanatory factors of depression. Food insecurity (HFIAS) and poor household food consumption (FCS) were associated with more than double the odds of depression (HFIAS: NPW OR = 2·74 and PW OR = 3·22; FCS: NPW OR = 2·38 and PW OR = 2·44). Low dietary diversity (<5 food groups) was associated with approximately double the odds of depression in NPW (OR = 1·80) and PW (OR = 1·99). Consumption of dairy, eggs, fish, vitamin A-rich and vitamin C-rich foods was associated with reduced odds of depression. Anaemia was not associated with depression. Low BMI (<18·5 kg/m2) was also associated with depression (NPW: OR = 1·40).

Conclusions:

Depression among women in Bangladesh was associated with many aspects of food and nutrition security, also after controlling for socio-economic factors. Further investigation into the direction of causality and interventions to improve diets and reduce depression among women in low- and middle-income countries are urgently needed.
Association of sugar-sweetened beverage intake with risk of metabolic syndrome among children and adolescents in urban China
Authors: Li Shuyi , Cao Muqing , Yang Chen , Zheng Hao , Zhu Yanna
Published: January 2020

Objective:

High sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake has been shown to correlate with a higher risk for CVD and metabolic disorders, while the association between SSB intake and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains unclear. The present study aimed to explore the association between SSB intake and MetS among children and adolescents in urban China.

Design:

A cross-sectional study involving 7143 children and adolescents was conducted in urban China. MetS definition proposed by the International Diabetes Federation was adopted. Data on SSB intake, diet, physical activity and family environment factors were obtained through questionnaires. Logistic regression models with multivariable adjustment were adopted to analyse the association between SSB intake and the risk of MetS and its components.

Setting:

Primary and secondary schools in three urban cities of China.

Participants:

Children and adolescents (n 5258) aged 7–18 years.

Results:

Among the participants, 29·9 % of them had high SSB intake (at least 0·3 servings/d) and the overall MetS prevalence was 2·7 %. Participants with high SSB intake were at higher risk for MetS (OR = 1·60; 95 % CI 1·03, 2·54) and abdominal obesity (OR = 1·55; 95 % CI 1·28, 1·83) compared with their counterparts with no SSB intake (0 servings/d).

Conclusions:

High SSB intake is significantly associated with increased MetS and abdominal obesity risk among children and adolescents in urban China. These results suggest that strong policies focusing on controlling SSB intake might be effective in preventing MetS and abdominal obesity.
Incidence and temporal trends of co-occurring personality disorder diagnoses in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases
Authors: Blaney C. , Sommer J. , El-Gabalawy R. , Bernstein C. , Walld R. , Hitchon C. , Bolton J. , Sareen J. , Patten S. , Singer A. , Lix L. , Katz A. , Fisk J. , Marrie R. A. ,   for the CIHR Team in Defining the Burden and Managing the Impact of Psychiatric Comorbidity in Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Disease
Published: January 2020

Aims

Although immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) are associated with multiple mental health conditions, there is a paucity of literature assessing personality disorders (PDs) in these populations. We aimed to estimate and compare the incidence of any PD in IMID and matched cohorts over time, and identify sociodemographic characteristics associated with the incidence of PD.

Methods

We used population-based administrative data from Manitoba, Canada to identify persons with incident inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using validated case definitions. Unaffected controls were matched 5:1 on sex, age and region of residence. PDs were identified using hospitalisation or physician claims. We used unadjusted and covariate-adjusted negative binomial regression to compare the incidence of PDs between the IMID and matched cohorts.

Results

We identified 19 572 incident cases of IMID (IBD n = 6,119, MS n = 3,514, RA n = 10 206) and 97 727 matches overall. After covariate adjustment, the IMID cohort had an increased incidence of PDs (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.72; 95%CI: 1.47–2.01) as compared to the matched cohort, which remained consistent over time. The incidence of PDs was similarly elevated in IBD (IRR 2.19; 95%CI: 1.69–2.84), MS (IRR 1.79; 95%CI: 1.29–2.50) and RA (IRR 1.61; 95%CI: 1.29–1.99). Lower socioeconomic status and urban residence were associated with an increased incidence of PDs, whereas mid to older adulthood (age 45–64) was associated with overall decreased incidence. In a restricted sample with 5 years of data before and after IMID diagnosis, the incidence of PDs was also elevated before IMID diagnosis among all IMID groups relative to matched controls.

Conclusions

IMID are associated with an increased incidence of PDs both before and after an IMID diagnosis. These results support the relevance of shared risk factors in the co-occurrence of PDs and IMID conditions.
Zn Isotope Composition in the Water Column of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean: The Importance of External Sources
Authors: Liao Wen‐Hsuan , Takano Shotaro , Yang Shun‐Chung , Huang Kuo‐Fang , Sohrin Yoshiki , Ho Tung‐Yuan
Published: January 2020

We determined Zn isotope composition (δ66Zn) in the water column of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean (NWPO) and its marginal seas to investigate the processes driving vertical and spatial variations. Comparable to previous studies, dissolved δ66Zn was relatively low in the top 200 m, ranging from −0.91 to +0.24‰ and increased with depth toward an averaged value, +0.38±0.10‰, in deep water. We found that δ66Zn observed in the deep water of the NWPO was much lower than the Northeastern Pacific Ocean. Box model approaches suggest that spatial variations in the deep water may be attributed to isotopically light Zn originating from sedimentary input or anthropogenic aerosols. In the surface water, the fractionation factors derived from both closed or open system fractionation models are all less than one in the NWPO. However, both closed and open system models show a relatively poor fit to the measured data. We thus propose that external input is a major factor causing the variations of [Zn] and δ66Zn values in surface water, in addition to the effects of scavenging, physical mixing, and biological uptake. As elevated [Zn] and relatively light δ66Zn in the surface water were observed in high aerosol input regions, aerosol deposition may play a dominant role in regulating Zn elemental and isotopic composition in the surface ocean.
Anthropogenic Effects on Cloud Condensation Nuclei Distribution and Rain Initiation in East Asia
Authors: Liu Chong , Wang Tijian , Rosenfeld Daniel , Zhu Yannian , Yue Zhiguo , Yu Xing , Xie Xiaodong , Li Shu , Zhuang Bingliang , Cheng Tiantao , Niu Shengjie
Published: January 2020

Key Points

The activated cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) into cloud droplets were nearly equally low (<300 cm−3) in inland areas with little anthropogenic emissions

Anthropogenic emissions were responsible to the greatly elevated concentrations of CCN over and downwind of urban agglomeration

The enhanced CCN increased cloud depth for rain initiation up to 4 km, further delayed and suppressed the precipitation over the most polluted regions
Deep Submarine Groundwater Discharge—Evidence From Achziv Submarine Canyon at the Exposure of the Judea Group Confined Aquifer, Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Paldor Anner , Katz Oded , Aharonov Einat , Weinstein Yishai , Roditi‐Elasar Mia , Lazar Ayah , Lazar Boaz
Published: January 2020

Deep submarine groundwater discharge (DSGD) of fresh‐brackish water was suggested to occur globally, yet its driving mechanism is not well constrained. Specifically, it is unclear whether the phenomenon may represent a steady‐state condition of a hydrological system, in which the terrestrial recharge area is hydraulically connected with the submarine discharge area (by a confined aquifer, for example). Recently, our hydrogeological modeling suggested that such a system exists in northern Israel. The model predicted the location of a brackish water seepage within the Achziv Submarine Canyon, ~10 km offshore, where the Cretaceous Judea Group confined aquifer is carved by the canyon. The present work is a field study that attempts to identify these brackish seeps in the water column of the canyon at the aquifer exposure. The field observations include salinity and temperature profiling of the water column along the canyon during three cruises and 224Ra measurements of water samples from the canyon. The results point to a significant near‐bottom low‐salinity and low‐temperature anomaly right where the aquifer submarine outcrop is mapped that coincide with a high 224Ra activity anomaly. Such near‐bottom anomalies are absent in an adjacent submarine canyon, in which the confined aquifer is not exposed. The anomalies in the water column of the Achziv Submarine Canyon corroborate the results of the hydrogeological modeling that predicted brackish DSGD from the sea bottom at the aquifer outcrop. The possibility of DSGD in specific geo‐hydrological settings is relevant for various biological, geochemical, hydrological, and geotechnical studies of the marginal ocean.
Effects of Female Political Participation on Insecurity in a Mining Area
Authors: Coelho Paula S. , Cordeiro Mariana P. , Massola Gustavo M.
Published: January 2020

Mining conditions in Brazil tend to be viewed as extremely insecure. Insecurity is a situation in which potential risks that already exist directly affect people’s lives and make them vulnerable to a number of threats. One of the consequences of such insecurity is fatalism, which is the belief that fate is predetermined, and everything happens in an unchangeable way. Fatalism has been associated with undemocratic social contexts. However, political participation or participation in political decision-making has been associated in the academic literature with a decrease in a sense of fatalism. This article analyzes insecurity and fatalism among women who have assumed political leadership in the fight against mining in a small city in Brazil. The research was conducted through on-site observations, workshops on mining with women, and five interviews. The main contexts of insecurity brought about by mining were related to the fear of dam rupture, urban problems such as crime and housing, mobility, and water scarcity. Women reported that before they started protesting against the mining company, they felt impotent and hopeless. After political participation, these women felt that their identity has changed, as well as their political consciousness. It also appeared that their fatalistic time perspective has also changed indicating that autocratic social relations may be central to the perception of insecurity in some social contexts.
AXL and CAV-1 play a role for MTH1 inhibitor TH1579 sensitivity in cutaneous malignant melanoma
Authors: Das Ishani , Gad Helge , Bräutigam Lars , Pudelko Linda , Tuominen Rainer , Höiom Veronica , Almlöf Ingrid , Rajagopal Varshni , Hansson Johan , Helleday Thomas , Egyházi Brage Suzanne , Warpman Berglund Ulrika
Published: January 2020

Cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is the deadliest form of skin cancer and clinically challenging due to its propensity to develop therapy resistance. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can induce DNA damage and play a significant role in CMM. MTH1 protein protects from ROS damage and is often overexpressed in different cancer types including CMM. Herein, we report that MTH1 inhibitor TH1579 induced ROS levels, increased DNA damage responses, caused mitotic arrest and suppressed CMM proliferation leading to cell death both in vitro and in an in vivo xenograft CMM zebrafish disease model. TH1579 was more potent in abrogating cell proliferation and inducing cell death in a heterogeneous co-culture setting when compared with CMM standard treatments, vemurafenib or trametinib, showing its broad anticancer activity. Silencing MTH1 alone exhibited similar cytotoxic effects with concomitant induction of mitotic arrest and ROS induction culminating in cell death in most CMM cell lines tested, further emphasizing the importance of MTH1 in CMM cells. Furthermore, overexpression of receptor tyrosine kinase AXL, previously demonstrated to contribute to BRAF inhibitor resistance, sensitized BRAF mutant and BRAF/NRAS wildtype CMM cells to TH1579. AXL overexpression culminated in increased ROS levels in CMM cells. Moreover, silencing of a protein that has shown opposing effects on cell proliferation, CAV-1, decreased sensitivity to TH1579 in a BRAF inhibitor resistant cell line. AXL-MTH1 and CAV-1-MTH1 mRNA expressions were correlated as seen in CMM clinical samples. Finally, TH1579 in combination with BRAF inhibitor exhibited a more potent cell killing effect in BRAF mutant cells both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, we show that TH1579-mediated efficacy is independent of BRAF/NRAS mutational status but dependent on the expression of AXL and CAV-1.
Inhibiting bacterial cooperation is an evolutionarily robust anti-biofilm strategy
Authors: Dieltjens Lise , Appermans Kenny , Lissens Maries , Lories Bram , Kim Wook , Van der Eycken Erik V. , Foster Kevin R. , Steenackers Hans P.
Published: January 2020

Bacteria commonly form dense biofilms encased in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Biofilms are often extremely tolerant to antimicrobials but their reliance on shared EPS may also be a weakness as social evolution theory predicts that inhibiting shared traits can select against resistance. Here we show that EPS of Salmonella biofilms is a cooperative trait whose benefit is shared among cells, and that EPS inhibition reduces both cell attachment and antimicrobial tolerance. We then compare an EPS inhibitor to conventional antimicrobials in an evolutionary experiment. While resistance against conventional antimicrobials rapidly evolves, we see no evolution of resistance to EPS inhibition. We further show that a resistant strain is outcompeted by a susceptible strain under EPS inhibitor treatment, explaining why resistance does not evolve. Our work suggests that targeting cooperative traits is a viable solution to the problem of antimicrobial resistance.
GM-CSF drives dysregulated hematopoietic stem cell activity and pathogenic extramedullary myelopoiesis in experimental spondyloarthritis
Authors: Regan-Komito Daniel , Swann James W. , Demetriou Philippos , Cohen E. Suzanne , Horwood Nicole J. , Sansom Stephen N. , Griseri Thibault
Published: January 2020

Dysregulated hematopoiesis occurs in several chronic inflammatory diseases, but it remains unclear how hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow (BM) sense peripheral inflammation and contribute to tissue damage in arthritis. Here, we show the HSC gene expression program is biased toward myelopoiesis and differentiation skewed toward granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (GMP) during joint and intestinal inflammation in experimental spondyloarthritis (SpA). GM-CSF-receptor is increased on HSCs and multipotent progenitors, favoring a striking increase in myelopoiesis at the earliest hematopoietic stages. GMP accumulate in the BM in SpA and, unexpectedly, at extramedullary sites: in the inflamed joints and spleen. Furthermore, we show that GM-CSF promotes extramedullary myelopoiesis, tissue-toxic neutrophil accumulation in target organs, and GM-CSF prophylactic or therapeutic blockade substantially decreases SpA severity. Surprisingly, besides CD4+ T cells and innate lymphoid cells, mast cells are a source of GM-CSF in this model, and its pathogenic production is promoted by the alarmin IL-33.
In silico spectral libraries by deep learning facilitate data-independent acquisition proteomics
Authors: Yang Yi , Liu Xiaohui , Shen Chengpin , Lin Yu , Yang Pengyuan , Qiao Liang
Published: January 2020

Data-independent acquisition (DIA) is an emerging technology for quantitative proteomic analysis of large cohorts of samples. However, sample-specific spectral libraries built by data-dependent acquisition (DDA) experiments are required prior to DIA analysis, which is time-consuming and limits the identification/quantification by DIA to the peptides identified by DDA. Herein, we propose DeepDIA, a deep learning-based approach to generate in silico spectral libraries for DIA analysis. We demonstrate that the quality of in silico libraries predicted by instrument-specific models using DeepDIA is comparable to that of experimental libraries, and outperforms libraries generated by global models. With peptide detectability prediction, in silico libraries can be built directly from protein sequence databases. We further illustrate that DeepDIA can break through the limitation of DDA on peptide/protein detection, and enhance DIA analysis on human serum samples compared to the state-of-the-art protocol using a DDA library. We expect this work expanding the toolbox for DIA proteomics.