bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shiyan Taihe Hospital Brand Promotion Organizational Communication Strategy
Authors: Chen X , Jian G , Wang X , Zhong ZY , Ai CQ
Published: May 2020

Taihe Hospital, as the largest grade A class 3 hospital and regional medical center in Shiyan City, will face more opportunities and challenges in the future under the background of the gradual deepening of China’s medical and health system reform and the rapid development of China’s medicine. Facing severe external environment, taihe hospital must from the rational Angle analysis the current common way and the reason about its own brand, and can clearly identify the advantages and disadvantages of current communication, based on the actual situation of taihe brand, concrete improvement measures are put forward, and can understand why brand need to implement these improvements, to obtain the benefits of taihe hospital brand, plan for the future Organizational Communication about taihe hospital brand strategy.
Investigation on Occupational Hazards and Control Measures in an Optical Enterprise
Authors: Lu S , Shu Y , Cen Z , Du W , Liu Y
Published: May 2020

In this paper, the hazard factors of an optical enterprise were analyzed, and the appropriate prevention and control measures were discussed. The field investigation and detection of occupational health was applied. The on spot monitoring results showed that the over-standard rate of acetone in the workplace was 10.0%, the over-standard rate of trichloroethylene was 25.0%, the over-standard rate of dichloromethane was 50.0%, and the over-standard rate of noise was 23.8%. Acetone, trichloroethylene, dichloromethane and noise were the key points of prevention and control in this optical enterprise. It was suggested that the ventilation system of the cleaning workshop should been improved comprehensively, and the workers’ hearing protection measures should been increased to effectively protect their health.
Effect of Jiuwei Jiangzhi tablet on liver homogenate in rats with hyperlipidemia model
Authors: Shi X M , Geng X L , Wang H Y , Sun J H , Li L , Sun H L , Hao S J , Wang L N , Ji K , Mao S M , Zhang Z C
Published: May 2020

To observe the effect of Jiangzhi tablet on liver homogenate of hyperlipidemia model rats, seventy-two rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: blank control group, model group, Xuezhikang group and Jiangzhi tablet group. Except for the blank group, the rats were fed with high fat diet and the compound factors of intragastrically fat milk to establish hyperlipidemia model. The corresponding drugs were given intragastrically for 21 days in each administration group, and the eyeballs were removed 2 hours after administration on the 21st day, and the whole blood viscosity was measured. The rats were killed, the liver was taken, and the content of TC,TG in liver homogenate was measured. Hyperlipemia model rats were successful in the replication. Compared with the model group, the levels of TC and TG of the liver homogenate (P <0.01) could be significantly reduced in the high, middle and low dose lipid-lowering tablet groups. Jiangzhi tablet can significantly reduce blood lipid and regulate lipid metabolism in rats with hyperlipidemia.
Improving the performance characteristics of glued materials based on thermally modified veneer
Authors: Krivorotova A I , Orlov A A
Published: May 2020

The performance characteristics of glued materials based on thermo-modified veneer depend on the heat treatment mode. The choice of a mode that does not lead to a decrease in the strength of plywood allows reducing water absorption and swelling by a value from 20,4 to 33,5 %. Plywood based on thermo-modified veneer acquires higher strength and water resistance, which significantly expands the range of application of laminated wood based on urea-formaldehyde resins.
An integrated approach to environmental management
Authors: Zhirnova E A , Trifanov I V , Sukhanova O A , Trifanov V I
Published: May 2020

The issues of improving the system of environmental management on the basis of knowledge management, risk-based approach, environmental monitoring are covered in the article. As a result of the carried out researches the algorithm of improvement of system of ecological management is developed. The model of improvement of ecological monitoring is offered. Practical recommendations for improving environmental safety and placing points of observation of the state of the environment are presented.
Description of wildfires spreading and extinguishing with the aid of agent-based models
Authors: Dorrer G A , Yarovoy S V
Published: May 2020

The article describes a new method of describing wildfires spreading and extinguishing based on agent-based models. The agent approach in conjunction with geoinformation systems (GIS) permits to efficiently describe the interaction of a big number of participants of wildfire fighting: spreading fire, fire brigades, means of mechanization, air means, etc. In the current paper, this approach is illustrated by an example of two types of agents denoted as A and B. The burning fire line is seen as a chain of type A agents, each of which imitates burning of an elementary area of vegetable fuel. The fire line movement is described by Hamilton–Jacobi equation and is calculated based on the moving grid algorithm. Agents of another type—B-agents—describe fire extinguishing, they approach the agents of A type and affect them decreasing fire intensity to zero. This model is presented by a GIS-oriented software system which may be enhanced and be useful both for fire control management and training personnel in wildfire fighting tactics.
Contemporary analysis of Krasnoyarsk environmental problems
Authors: Litovchenko V I , Misuna I I , Shumakova N A
Published: May 2020

The purpose of the article is to analyze modern environmental situation in Krasnoyarsk. Industrialization, which started during the war, didn’t take into consideration ecological question. Krasnoyarsk Aluminum Smelter and the Krasnoyarsk Hydroelectric Power Station negatively affected the city ecology. Besides, the increasing number of transport also produces environmental discharge in great amount. According to the research of total index of atmospheric layer air pollution five top priority pollutants are at their critical level. Benzapyrene, formaldehyde, suspended substance, nitrogen dioxide and hydrogen nitride mainly influence city air. Urgent measures must be taken to solve Krasnoyarsk environmental problems. The industries have to recycle and dispose hazardous waste, bituminous coal plants should be converted to gas, motor transport should be transferred to environmentally friendly fuel, and a green belt round Krasnoyarsk should be created. A document of intentions to improve the ecological situation in Krasnoyarsk has already been adopted, and the process of fulfilling it has already started. Otherwise, if situation isn’t changed, life-threatening consequences are inevitable.
Influence of antipiren on the properties of small density wood plates
Authors: Ermolin V N , Namyatov A V , Bayandin M A , Prokopenko V A
Published: May 2020

In this work a new method of small density wood plates obtaining without adhesives use based on preliminary hydrodynamic processing of wood is offered. It has been established that this method allows to receive the plates with indexes of physicomechanical properties and water resistance surpassing the known analogs made with the use of synthetic adhesives.
Analysis of the secondary emission current and X-ray radiation dependency on the beam’s position along the joint during electron beam welding
Authors: Braverman V Ya , Bogdanov V V , Oborin L A
Published: May 2020

We analyzed secondary emission current and X-Ray radiation dependency on the beam’s position along the joint during Electron Beam Welding of similar and dissimilar materials. We established that those characteristics were identical if the welding rim melting was absent. The characteristics are of extreme nature. During the welding of similar materials, the dependency minimum corresponds with the precise alignment of the beam’s position and the joint. During the welding of dissimilar materials, the minimum of the secondary emission current shifts towards the material with the lowest coefficient of the secondary emission and the minimum of the X-ray radiation shifts towards the material with the lowest atom number. The similarity of the characteristics is explained by the fact that the appearance of the secondary emission and the X-ray radiation is the result of the electron beam’s interaction with the material of the welded parts. Therefore, we can use the same mathematical tool to analyze the dependencies and joint tracking devices can be designed with unified hardware and software applications.
Quantum dot light-emitting diodes as light sources in photomedicine: photodynamic therapy and photobiomodulation
Authors: Triana Manuel A , Restrepo Adriana A , Lanzafame Raymond J , Palomaki Peter , Dong Yajie
Published: May 2020

Widespread clinical adoption of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photobiomodulation (PBM) has been limited due to the lack of a suitable commercial light source. Cost-effective quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) promise to be an ideal light source nicely fitting into this niche, not only complying with desired form factors—flexibility, lightweight, and uniform large area illumination—but with narrow emission spectrum and high power density at clinically relevant deep red wavelengths. This paper is intended to provide a review on the development of QLEDs as a photomedical light source, specifically, for PDT and PBM. First, we introduce the potential of QLEDs as light sources in the photomedical field, briefly describe the mechanisms and benefits of both PDT and PBM phototherapies, and present the unique features of flexible QLEDs (FQLEDs) over conventional and commercial light sources. Then, the pioneering work and state-of-the-art research using QLEDs and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) for photomedicine are presented. The performance of QLEDs/OLEDs used in photomedical studies and latest progress on QLEDs are also summarized. Ultimately, we discuss the materials and design strategies for fabrication of efficient and stable FQLEDs, and present the basic requirements for near future introduction of FQLEDs into the healthcare and photomedicine markets. This review is expected to be comprehensive and useful to the scientific community interested in developing lightweight and flexible light sources for photomedicine and/or exploring novel applications for OLED/QLED based lighting devices.
Investigation of surface strain by digital image correlation and charge trap characteristics of epoxy alumina nanocomposites
Authors: Neelmani  , Velmurugan R , Jayaganthan R , Sarathi R , Suematsu H
Published: May 2020

Epoxy alumina nanocomposites were fabricated through shear mixing of alumina nanoparticles in to epoxy resin under optimum process conditions for its potential application as insulator in transformer. The fundamental insight in to the influence of ageing of nanocomposite insulator due to its continuous exposure to UV irradiation and water in terms of their charge trap characteristics was explored. The surface potential decay and strain variation of nanocomposite samples were measured by using Electrostatic voltmeter and Digital Image Correlation technique (DIC), respectively. Diffusion of water into epoxy alumina nanocomposite is less compared with pure epoxy resin. It has been observed that surface potential decay rate and trap depth have shown increasing and decreasing trend, respectively, with the addition of alumina nanoparticles in to epoxy resin. The UV and water aged nanocomposites exhibited a decreasing trend of surface potential decay rate and the governing reasons could be due to surface damage causing increase in deep trap formation. The tensile strength and stiffness of the samples have increased with the addition of alumina nanoparticles in to the epoxy resin. It could be due to the better bonding of alumina particles with epoxy resin. The surface strain induced in to the sample during tensile loading and the surface potential decay rate of nanocomposite has shown a direct correlation, as observed in the present work.
Distinct degrees in induced subgraphs
Authors: Jenssen Matthew , Keevash Peter , Long Eoin , Yepremyan Liana
Published: May 2020

An important theme of recent research in Ramsey theory has been establishing pseudorandomness properties of Ramsey graphs. An

N
N

-vertex graph is called

C
C

-Ramsey if it has no homogeneous set of size

C
log
⁡
N

C\log N

. A theorem of Bukh and Sudakov, solving a conjecture of Erdős, Faudree, and Sós, shows that any

C
C

-Ramsey

N
N

-vertex graph contains an induced subgraph with

Ω
C

(

N

1

/

2

)

\Omega _C(N^{1/2})

distinct degrees. We improve this to

Ω
C

(

N

2

/

3

)

\Omega _C(N^{2/3})

, which is tight up to the constant factor.

We also show that any

N
N

-vertex graph with

N
>
(
k
−
1
)
(
n
−
1
)

N > (k-1)(n-1)

and

n
≥

n
0

(
k
)
=
Ω
(

k
9

)

n\geq n_0(k) = \Omega (k^9)

either contains a homogeneous set of order

n
n

or an induced subgraph with

k
k

distinct degrees. The lower bound on

N
N

here is sharp, as shown by an appropriate Turán graph, and confirms a conjecture of Narayanan and Tomon.
Longitudinal Mediation Analysis Using Natural Effect Models
Authors: Mittinty Murthy N , Vansteelandt Stijn
Published: May 2020

Mediation analysis is concerned with the decomposition of the total effect of an exposure on an outcome into the indirect effect, through a given mediator, and the remaining direct effect. This is ideally done using longitudinal measurements of the mediator, which capture the mediator process more finely. However, longitudinal measurements pose challenges for mediation analysis, because the mediators and outcomes measured at a given time point can act as confounders for the association between mediators and outcomes at a later time point; these confounders are themselves affected by the prior exposure and outcome. Such posttreatment confounding cannot be dealt with using standard methods (e.g., generalized estimating equations). Analysis is further complicated by the need for so-called cross-world counterfactuals to decompose the total effect. This work addresses these challenges. In particular, we introduce so-called natural effect models, which parameterize the direct and indirect effect of a baseline exposure with respect to a longitudinal mediator and outcome. These can be viewed as a generalization of marginal structural mean models to enable effect decomposition. We introduce inverse probability weighting techniques for fitting these models, adjusting for (measured) time-varying confounding of the mediator-outcome association. Application of this methodology uses data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a longitudinal study of children born in the United Kingdom between September 2000 and January 2002.
Engaging Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Environmental Management Could Alleviate Scale Mismatches in Social–Ecological Systems
Authors: Herse Mark R , Lyver Phil O’B , Scott Nigel , McIntosh Angus R , Coats Simon C , Gormley Andrew M , Tylianakis Jason M
Published: May 2020

Scale mismatches in social–ecological systems constrain conservation by obscuring signals of environmental change, which could otherwise feed back to inform adaptive responses and solutions. We argue that engaging indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC) in place-based environmental management could generate the fine-resolution information and workforce needed to alleviate scale mismatches. We illustrate our argument using a case study initiated by Māori in Aotearoa/New Zealand and demonstrate that the current broad scales of hunting regulation and assessment in black swan (kakī anau, Cygnus atratus) management could obscure local ecological drivers of populations. Many IPLC can facilitate adaptive place-based management by continually monitoring ecological feedbacks (e.g., population numbers, habitat conditions) at fine resolutions through customary resource use and observations. However, disregard for IPLC rights, scepticism of traditional ecological knowledge, restricted opportunity to connect with resources, compartmentalization of resource management, and insufficient funding limit IPLC engagement and must be overcome to alleviate scale mismatches.
The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis Index Predicts Hepatic Fibrosis Superior to FIB4 and APRI in HIV/HCV Infected Patients
Authors: Abdel-hameed Enass A , Rouster Susan D , Kottilil Shyam , Sherman Kenneth E
Published: May 2020

Background

Accurate noninvasive biomarkers of fibrotic progression are important for hepatitis C virus (HCV) management, but commonly used modalities may have decreased efficacy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV-coinfected persons. The enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) index is a highly sensitive noninvasive marker of hepatic fibrosis that has had limited assessment in the HIV/HCV population. We compared ELF index performance to FIB4 and aspartate to platelet ratio index (APRI) at different stages of liver fibrosis as determined by liver histology, and validated the efficacy of the three noninvasive biomarkers in HIV/HCV-coinfected versus HCV-monoinfected.

Methods

The ELF index was determined in 147 HIV/HCV-coinfected and 98 HCV-monoinfected persons using commercial ELISA assays for the component elements of the index. Area under the receiver-operator curve was used to validate ELF and to compare its performance to liver histology as well as to other noninvasive biomarkers of liver fibrosis, FIB4, and APRI.

Results

The ELF index increased with histological stage of liver fibrosis and exhibited a linear relationship with Metavir score in all subjects. ELF performance was comparable between HIV/HCV and HCV with advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis. In the HIV/HCV cohort ELF cutoffs of 8.45 and 9.23 predicted mild and moderate fibrosis with 85% sensitivity, whereas the ELF cutoff of 9.8 had the highest specificity for advanced fibrosis and the cutoff of 10.4 was 99% specific for cirrhosis. ELF performance was superior to FIB4 and APRI in all subjects regardless of HIV status.

Conclusions

ELF index demonstrated excellent characteristics toward accurate prediction of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis with superior performance to APRI and FIB4 in HIV/HCV coinfection. Applying this noninvasive biomarker index for diagnosis of liver fibrosis and progression in HIV/HCV is warranted.
Evaluation of the Catalan Physical Activity, Sports and Health Plan: a nested case-control study
Authors: Weitzer Jakob , Gonzalez-Viana Angelina , Pérez-Hoyos Santiago , Coma Ermengol , Mendez Leonardo , Violan Mariona , Rubinat Maica , Cabezas Carmen ,   PAFES Working Group, Farreny Divina , Lara Daniel , Pardo Alba , Navarrete Albert , Sancho Alfons , Mundet Carles , Osanz Anna Cristina , Coll Maria Dolors , Oliva Josep Maria , Casadesús Francesc , Hernandez Teresa , Quirós Belén Escalada , Lalueza Estrella , Viñas Paulina , Esquerra Griselda , Ferré Maria , dels Angels Rallo Maria , Castillo Antonia , Güell Francesc , Juncadella Remei , Salut Martinez Maria , Rodriguez Tania , Sintes Xavier , Rodriguez Mireia , Muntané Blanca
Published: May 2020

Background

Physical inactivity is one of the most important risk factors in modern society. Primary Health Care (PHC) interventions have been shown to be effective to increase physical activity (PA). This work evaluates the Catalan Physical Activity, Sport and Health Plan (PAFES).

Methods

Nested case–control design with risk-set matching based on a retrospective cohort of 22 450 physically inactive people registered between 2010 and 2018 in the Catalan electronic medical record (EMR). Confounder adjusted conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the probability that participants who had received PA advice became active between 2010 and 2018 compared to those who did not receive it.

Results

A lower probability to become active [odds ratio (OR) = 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10–0.13] was found for those people who had received PA advice only once. However, the probability to become active increased for people who had received advice two or more times (two times: OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.32–1.55). A dose–response relationship was observed.

Conclusions

This is the first study evaluating a PA promotion real-life intervention in PHC using a large cohort based on data from an EMR with more than 2 years of follow-up.
Community dynamics of duckweed-associated bacteria upon inoculation of plant growth-promoting bacteria
Authors: Ishizawa Hidehiro , Kuroda Masashi , Inoue Daisuke , Morikawa Masaaki , Ike Michihiko
Published: May 2020

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) have recently been demonstrated as a promising agent to improve wastewater treatment and biomass production efficiency of duckweed hydrocultures. With a view to their reliable use in aqueous environments, this study analysed the plant colonization dynamics of PGPB and the ecological consequences for the entire duckweed-associated bacterial community. A PGPB strain, Aquitalea magnusonii H3, was inoculated to duckweed at different cell densities or timings in the presence of three environmental bacterial communities. The results showed that strain H3 improved duckweed growth by 11.7–32.1% in five out of nine experiments. Quantitative-PCR and amplicon sequencing analyses showed that strain H3 successfully colonized duckweed after 1 and 3 d of inoculation in all cultivation tests. However, it significantly decreased in number after 7 d, and similar bacterial communities were observed on duckweed regardless of H3 inoculation. Predicted metagenome analysis suggested that genes related to bacterial chemotactic motility and surface attachment systems are consistently enriched through community assembly on duckweed. Taken together, strain H3 dominantly colonized duckweed for a short period and improved duckweed growth. However, the inoculation of the PGPB did not have a lasting impact due to the strong resilience of the natural duckweed microbiome.
Muscle Mass Assessed by the D3-Creatine Dilution Method and Incident Self-reported Disability and Mortality in a Prospective Observational Study of Community-Dwelling Older Men
Authors: Cawthon Peggy M , Blackwell Terri , Cummings Steven R , Orwoll Eric S , Duchowny Kate A , Kado Deborah M , Stone Katie L , Ensrud Kristine E , Cauley Jane A , Evans William J
Published: May 2020

Background

Whether low muscle mass is a risk factor for disability and mortality is unclear. Associations between approximations of muscle mass (including lean mass from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DXA]), and these outcomes are inconsistent.

Methods

Muscle mass measured by deuterated creatine (D3Cr) dilution and appendicular lean mass (ALM, by DXA) were assessed at the Year 14 Visit (2014–2016) of the prospective Osteoporotic Fractures in Men study (N = 1,425, age 77–101 years). Disability in activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, and mobility tasks was self-reported at the Year 14 visit and 2.2 years later; deaths were centrally adjudicated over 3.3 years. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated per standard deviation decrement with negative binomial, logistic regression, or proportional hazards models.

Results

In age- and clinical center-adjusted models, the relative risks per decrement in D3Cr muscle mass/wgt was 1.9 (95% CI: 1.2, 3.1) for incident self-reported ADL disability; 1.5 (95% CI: 1.3, 1.9) for instrumental ADL disability; and 1.8 (95% CI: 1.5, 2.2) for mobility disability. In age-, clinical center-, and weight-adjusted models, the relative risks per decrement in D3Cr muscle mass was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.5, 2.2) for all-cause mortality. In contrast, lower DXA ALM was not associated with any outcome. Associations of D3Cr muscle mass with these outcomes were slightly attenuated after adjustment for confounding factors and the potentially mediating effects of strength and physical performance.

Conclusions

Low muscle mass as measured by D3Cr dilution is a novel risk factor for clinically meaningful outcomes in older men.
Seismic event coda-correlation's formation: implications for global seismology
Authors: Wang Sheng , Tkalčić Hrvoje
Published: May 2020

The seismic-event-coda correlograms are characterized by many prominent features, which, if understood thoroughly, could supply valuable information on the internal structure of the Earth. To further refine our knowledge and be able to utilize that information, all-embracing comprehension of coda-correlation's formation apart from a conjecture, is a pre-requisite. Here, we conduct a comprehensive analysis that aims at a quantitative ‘dissection’ of the formation mechanism of coda correlation. Our analysis presents relevant implications for global seismology. We demonstrate that coda correlation is dominated by a few contributions, most of which arise from the late-coda time window, 3 hr after the earthquake origin time. Our identification analysis confirms that the contributions are cross-terms between body waves. That represents an observational proof of the conjecture that coda-correlation features are formed due to body waves arriving at a pair of receivers with the same slowness. We further quantify the relationship between body-wave cross-terms and event-receiver geometries and Earth structure, which has significant practical implications. Our analysis demonstrates that body-wave cross-terms that contribute to the same coda-correlation feature sample the Earth along fundamentally different paths. They are significantly different depending on event locations, although the resulting time variation is quite small if the late coda (e.g. 3–9 hr after event origin time) is used. That explains why the late coda is more effective than an earlier time window in producing relatively stable features, as empirically suggested by previous studies. Our study enables quantitative and practical understanding of coda-correlation features in terms of their formation progress, and this opens a way to distill valuable information about Earth structure from coda correlation.
Ovotesticular disorders of sex development in FGF9 mouse models of human synostosis syndromes
Authors: Bird Anthony D , Croft Brittany M , Harada Masayo , Tang Lingyun , Zhao Liang , Ming Zhenhua , Bagheri-Fam Stefan , Koopman Peter , Wang Zhugang , Akita Keiichi , Harley Vincent R
Published: May 2020

In mice, male sex determination depends on FGF9 signalling via FGFR2c in the bipotential gonads to maintain the expression of the key testis gene SOX9. In humans, however, while FGFR2 mutations have been linked to 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD), the role of FGF9 is unresolved. The only reported pathogenic mutations in human FGF9, FGF9S99N and FGF9R62G, are dominant and result in craniosynostosis (fusion of cranial sutures) or multiple synostoses (fusion of limb joints). Whether these synostosis-causing FGF9 mutations impact upon gonadal development and DSD etiology has not been explored. We therefore examined embryonic gonads in the well-characterized Fgf9 missense mouse mutants, Fgf9S99N and Fgf9N143T, which phenocopy the skeletal defects of FGF9S99N and FGF9R62G variants, respectively. XY Fgf9S99N/S99N and XY Fgf9N143T/N143T fetal mouse gonads showed severely disorganized testis cords and partial XY sex reversal at 12.5 days post coitum (dpc), suggesting loss of FGF9 function. By 15.5 dpc, testis development in both mutants had partly recovered. Mitotic analysis in vivo and in vitro suggested that the testicular phenotypes in these mutants arise in part through reduced proliferation of the gonadal supporting cells. These data raise the possibility that human FGF9 mutations causative for dominant skeletal conditions can also lead to loss of FGF9 function in the developing testis, at least in mice. Our data suggest that, in humans, testis development is largely tolerant of deleterious FGF9 mutations which lead to skeletal defects, thus offering an explanation as to why XY DSDs are rare in patients with pathogenic FGF9 variants.
Multidimensional Impact of Mediterranean Diet on IBD Patients
Authors: Chicco Fabio , Magrì Salvatore , Cingolani Arianna , Paduano Danilo , Pesenti Mario , Zara Federica , Tumbarello Francesca , Urru Emanuela , Melis Alessandro , Casula Laura , Fantini Massimo Claudio , Usai Paolo
Published: May 2020

Background & Aims

Malnutrition with the accumulation of fat tissue and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are conditions associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Visceral fat and NAFLD-related liver dysfunction can both worsen intestinal inflammation. Because the Mediterranean diet (Md) has been shown to ameliorate both obesity and NAFLD, the aim of this study was to analyze the impact of Md on the nutritional state, liver steatosis, clinical disease activity, and quality of life (QoL) in IBD patients.

Methods

Patients with IBD, both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), followed Md for 6 months. Their body mass index (BMI), body tissue composition, liver steatosis and function, serum lipid profile, clinical disease activity, and inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin) were collected at baseline (T0) and compared with those obtained after 6 months (T180) to evaluate the impact of Md.

Results

One hundred forty-two IBD patients, 84 UC and 58 CD, followed Md for 6 months. At T180, diet-adherent CD and UC improved BMI (UC −0.42, P = 0.002; CD −0.48, P = 0.032) and waist circumference (UC −1.25 cm, P = 0.037; CD −1.37 cm, P = 0.041). Additionally, the number of patients affected by liver steatosis of any grade was significantly reduced in both groups (UC T0 31 of 84 [36.9%] vs T180 18 of 84 [21.4%], P = 0.0016; CD T0 27 of 58 [46.6%] vs T180 18 of 58 [31.0%], P < 0.001) after dietary intervention. Finally, after 6 months of the diet, fewer UC and CD patients with stable therapy had active disease (UC T0 14 of 59 [23.7%] vs T180 4 of 59 [6.8%], P = 0.004; CD T0 9 of 51 [17.6%] vs T180 2 of 51 [3.0%], P = 0.011) and elevated inflammatory biomarkers. Mediterranean diet improved QoL in both UC and CD, but neither serum lipid profile nor liver function were modified by the diet.

Conclusions

A significant reduction of malnutrition-related parameters and liver steatosis was observed in both CD and UC patients after short-term dietary intervention based on the adoption of Md, and this was associated with a spontaneous improvement of disease activity and inflammatory markers.
Evolution of Antimalarial Drug Resistance Markers in the Reservoir of Plasmodium falciparum Infections in the Upper East Region of Ghana
Authors: Narh Charles A , Ghansah Anita , Duffy Michael F , Ruybal-Pesántez Shazia , Onwona Christiana O , Oduro Abraham R , Koram Kwadwo A , Day Karen P , Tiedje Kathryn E
Published: May 2020

Background

The majority of Plasmodium falciparum infections, constituting the reservoir in all ages, are asymptomatic in high-transmission settings in Africa. The role of this reservoir in the evolution and spread of drug resistance was explored.

Methods

Population genetic analyses of the key drug resistance–mediating polymorphisms were analyzed in a cross-sectional survey of asymptomatic P. falciparum infections across all ages in Bongo District, Ghana.

Results

Seven years after the policy change to artemisinin-based combination therapies in 2005, the pfcrt K76 and pfmdr1 N86 wild-type alleles have nearly reached fixation and have expanded via soft selective sweeps on multiple genetic backgrounds. By constructing the pfcrt-pfmdr1-pfdhfr-pfdhps multilocus haplotypes, we found that the alleles at these loci were in linkage equilibrium and that multidrug-resistant parasites have not expanded in this reservoir. For pfk13, 32 nonsynonymous mutations were identified; however, none were associated with artemisinin-based combination therapy resistance.

Conclusions

The prevalence and selection of alleles/haplotypes by antimalarials were similar to that observed among clinical cases in Ghana, indicating that they do not represent 2 subpopulations with respect to these markers. Thus, the P. falciparum reservoir in all ages can contribute to the maintenance and spread of antimalarial resistance.
Firefighter Postinjury Return to Work: A Balance of Dedication and Obligation
Authors: Nosanov Lauren B , Romanowski Kathleen S
Published: May 2020

Firefighters are at significant risk for burn injuries. Most are minor and do not significantly affect ability to work in full capacity, but there exists risk for both short- and long-term incapacitation. Many push for earlier return to work than is medically advisable. An online cross-sectional survey was sent to a statewide Professional Firefighters’ Union. Multiple-choice format was used to assess demographics, injury details, medical care received, and return to work, with free-text format for elaboration. The survey was sent to 30,000 firefighters, with 413 (1.4%) responses. After exclusions, 354 remained for analysis with 132 burn-injured. Burns were small and affected the head (45.5%) and upper extremities (43.2%). Reported gear use was 90.7%, and the majority were not treated at a Burn Center. While 12 (12.1%) returned prematurely, nearly half knew a colleague who they felt had returned too soon. Factors cited include firefighter culture, finances, pressure from peers and employers, dislike of light duty, and a driving desire to get back to work. While many cite love of the job and a culture of pride and camaraderie that is “in our DNA,” firefighters’ decisions to return to work after burn injury are equally driven external pressures and obligations. Additional education is needed, which may best be facilitated by treatment at a Burn Center. Improved understanding of factors driving firefighters’ views on returning to duty after injury may help establish support systems and improve education regarding risks of premature return to work, particularly with regard to reinjury.
Magnetic-structure imaging in polycrystalline materials by specimen-tilt series averaged DPC STEM
Authors: Murakami Yoshiki O , Seki Takehito , Kinoshita Akihito , Shoji Tetsuya , Ikuhara Yuichi , Shibata Naoya
Published: May 2020

Differential phase contrast (DPC) imaging in scanning transmission electron microscopy is a technique to visualize electromagnetic field distribution inside specimens at high spatial resolution. However, diffraction contrast strongly hampers electromagnetic contrast in DPC images especially in polycrystalline samples. In this paper, we develop an imaging technique to effectively suppress diffraction contrast in DPC images. It is shown that a magnetic structure in a Nd–Fe–B permanent magnet was clearly visualized by averaging 64 DPC images with various specimen-tilt conditions. This is because the diffraction contrast in DPC images sensitively and randomly varies with crystal orientation and thus almost vanishes by averaging specimen-tilt image series. We further investigated two types of residual diffraction contrast in the tilt-series averaged DPC images: weak contrast inside grains and strong contrast at grain boundaries. We found that the former can be suppressed by averaging more DPC images, whereas the latter can be suppressed by the tilt-series averaging with wider range of specimen tilt. The tilt-series averaging method enables DPC to visualize electromagnetic structures even inside polycrystalline materials.
Origin of quasi-harmonic emission bands with fine structure in the dynamic spectra of high-frequency interpulses of the Crab pulsar
Authors: Zheleznyakov V V , Shaposhnikov V E
Published: May 2020

We study the origin of quasi-harmonic emission bands with fine structure observed in the dynamic radiation spectra of high-frequency interpulses. The possible explanation of observed structure is based on the effect of double plasma resonance (DPR) at electron cyclotron harmonics realized in the magnetosphere of pulsar in a local radio emission source filled with non-relativistic plasma. The model of the source consists of neutral current sheet with a transverse magnetic field where plasma waves are generated due to DPR effect. It is shown that the emergence of emission bands and their frequency spacing are due to the inhomogeneity of the plasma and magnetic field along the current sheet, and their fine structure is due to the inhomogeneity of the current sheet in the direction orthogonal to it. Each quasi-harmonic emission band represents a system of elements of fine features of radiation that is generated by suprathermal electrons under DPR conditions. The observed upward drift of quasi-harmonic emission bands is due to the displacement of suprathermal electrons across the current sheet and an increase in the DPR frequencies with distance from the central plane of the layer.
Super-resolution emulator of cosmological simulations using deep physical models
Authors: Kodi Ramanah Doogesh , Charnock Tom , Villaescusa-Navarro Francisco , Wandelt Benjamin D
Published: May 2020

We present an extension of our recently developed Wasserstein optimized model to emulate accurate high-resolution (HR) features from computationally cheaper low-resolution (LR) cosmological simulations. Our deep physical modelling technique relies on restricted neural networks to perform a mapping of the distribution of the LR cosmic density field to the space of the HR small-scale structures. We constrain our network using a single triplet of HR initial conditions and the corresponding LR and HR evolved dark matter simulations from the quijote suite of simulations. We exploit the information content of the HR initial conditions as a well-constructed prior distribution from which the network emulates the small-scale structures. Once fitted, our physical model yields emulated HR simulations at low computational cost, while also providing some insights about how the large-scale modes affect the small-scale structure in real space.
Lensed or not lensed: determining lensing magnifications for binary neutron star mergers from a single detection
Authors: Pang Peter T H , Hannuksela Otto A , Dietrich Tim , Pagano Giulia , Harry Ian W
Published: May 2020

Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo could observe the first lensed gravitational wave sources in the coming years, while the future Einstein Telescope could observe hundreds of lensed events. It is, therefore, crucial to develop methodologies to distinguish between lensed from unlensed gravitational-wave observations. A lensed signal not identified as such will lead to biases during the interpretation of the source. In particular, sources will appear to have intrinsically higher masses. No robust method currently exists to distinguish between the magnification bias caused by lensing and intrinsically high-mass sources. In this work, we show how to recognize lensed and unlensed binary neutron star systems through the measurement of their tidal effects for highly magnified sources as a proof-of-principle. The proposed method could be used to identify lensed binary neutron stars that are the chief candidate for lensing cosmography studies. We apply our method on GW190425, finding no evidence in favour of lensing, mainly due to the poor measurement of the event’s tidal effects. However, we expect that future detections with better tidal measurements can yield better constraints.
The impact of fallback on the compact remnants and chemical yields of core-collapse supernovae
Authors: Chan Conrad , Müller Bernhard , Heger Alexander
Published: May 2020

Fallback in core-collapse supernovae plays a crucial role in determining the properties of the compact remnants and of the ejecta composition. We perform three-dimensional simulations of mixing and fallback for selected non-rotating supernova models to study how explosion energy and asymmetries correlate with the remnant mass, remnant kick, and remnant spin. We find that the strongest kick and spin are imparted by partial fallback in an asymmetric explosion. Black hole (BH) kicks of several hundred $\mathrm{km}\, \mathrm{s}^{-1}$ and spin parameters of $\mathord {\sim }0.25$ can be obtained in this scenario. If the initial explosion energy barely exceeds the envelope binding energy, stronger fallback results, and the remnant kick and spin remain small. If the explosion energy is high with respect to the envelope binding energy, there is little fallback with a small effect on the remnant kick, but the spin-up by fallback can be substantial. For a non-rotating $12\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ progenitor, we find that the neutron star is spun up to millisecond periods. The high specific angular momentum of the fallback material can also lead to disc formation around BHs. Fallback may thus be a pathway towards millisecond-magnetar or collapsar-type engines for hypernovae and gamma-ray bursts that does not require rapid progenitor rotation. Within our small set of simulations, none reproduced the peculiar layered fallback necessary to explain the metal-rich iron-poor composition of many carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars. Models with different explosion energy and different realizations of asymmetries may, however, be compatible with CEMP abundance patterns.
How primordial magnetic fields shrink galaxies
Authors: Martin-Alvarez Sergio , Slyz Adrianne , Devriendt Julien , Gómez-Guijarro Carlos
Published: May 2020

As one of the prime contributors to the interstellar medium energy budget, magnetic fields naturally play a part in shaping the evolution of galaxies. Galactic magnetic fields can originate from strong primordial magnetic fields provided these latter remain below current observational upper limits. To understand how such magnetic fields would affect the global morphological and dynamical properties of galaxies, we use a suite of high-resolution constrained transport magnetohydrodynamic cosmological zoom simulations where we vary the initial magnetic field strength and configuration along with the prescription for stellar feedback. We find that strong primordial magnetic fields delay the onset of star formation and drain the rotational support of the galaxy, diminishing the radial size of the galactic disc and driving a higher amount of gas towards the centre. This is also reflected in mock UVJ observations by an increase in the light profile concentration of the galaxy. We explore the possible mechanisms behind such a reduction in angular momentum, focusing on magnetic braking. Finally, noticing that the effects of primordial magnetic fields are amplified in the presence of stellar feedback, we briefly discuss whether the changes we measure would also be expected for galactic magnetic fields of non-primordial origin.
Convective excitation and damping of solar-like oscillations
Authors: Zhou Yixiao , Asplund Martin , Collet Remo , Joyce Meridith
Published: May 2020

The last decade has seen a rapid development in asteroseismology thanks to the CoRoT and Kepler missions. With more detailed asteroseismic observations available, it is becoming possible to infer exactly how oscillations are driven and dissipated in solar-type stars. We have carried out three-dimensional (3D) stellar atmosphere simulations together with one-dimensional (1D) stellar structural models of key benchmark turn-off and subgiant stars to study this problem from a theoretical perspective. Mode excitation and damping rates are extracted from 3D and 1D stellar models based on analytical expressions. Mode velocity amplitudes are determined by the balance between stochastic excitation and linear damping, which then allows the estimation of the frequency of maximum oscillation power, νmax, for the first time based on ab initio and parameter-free modelling. We have made detailed comparisons between our numerical results and observational data and achieved very encouraging agreement for all of our target stars. This opens the exciting prospect of using such realistic 3D hydrodynamical stellar models to predict solar-like oscillations across the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram, thereby enabling accurate estimates of stellar properties such as mass, radius, and age.
Flexible Mixture Model Approaches That Accommodate Footprint Size Variability for Robust Detection of Balancing Selection
Authors: Cheng Xiaoheng , DeGiorgio Michael
Published: May 2020

Long-term balancing selection typically leaves narrow footprints of increased genetic diversity, and therefore most detection approaches only achieve optimal performances when sufficiently small genomic regions (i.e., windows) are examined. Such methods are sensitive to window sizes and suffer substantial losses in power when windows are large. Here, we employ mixture models to construct a set of five composite likelihood ratio test statistics, which we collectively term B statistics. These statistics are agnostic to window sizes and can operate on diverse forms of input data. Through simulations, we show that they exhibit comparable power to the best-performing current methods, and retain substantially high power regardless of window sizes. They also display considerable robustness to high mutation rates and uneven recombination landscapes, as well as an array of other common confounding scenarios. Moreover, we applied a specific version of the B statistics, termed B2, to a human population-genomic data set and recovered many top candidates from prior studies, including the then-uncharacterized STPG2 and CCDC169–SOHLH2, both of which are related to gamete functions. We further applied B2 on a bonobo population-genomic data set. In addition to the MHC-DQ genes, we uncovered several novel candidate genes, such as KLRD1, involved in viral defense, and SCN9A, associated with pain perception. Finally, we show that our methods can be extended to account for multiallelic balancing selection and integrated the set of statistics into open-source software named BalLeRMix for future applications by the scientific community.
5′-fluoro(di)phosphate-labeled oligonucleotides are versatile molecular probes for studying nucleic acid secondary structure and interactions by 19F NMR
Authors: Baranowski Marek R , Warminski Marcin , Jemielity Jacek , Kowalska Joanna
Published: May 2020

The high sensitivity of 19F nucleus to changes in the chemical environment has promoted the use of fluorine-labeled molecular probes to study structure and interactions of nucleic acids by 19F NMR. So far, most efforts have focused on incorporating the fluorine atom into nucleobase and ribose moieties using either monomer building blocks for solid-phase synthesis, or nucleoside triphosphates for enzymatic synthesis. Here, we report a simple and efficient synthesis of 5′-fluoromonophosphorylated and 5′-fluorodiphosphorylated oligodeoxyribonucleotides, which combines solid-phase and in-solution synthesis methods and requires only commercially available nucleoside phosphoramidites, followed by their evaluation as 19F NMR probes. We confirmed that the fluorine atom at the oligonucleotide 5′ end did not alter the secondary structure of DNA fragments. Moreover, at the same time, it enabled real-time 19F NMR monitoring of various DNA-related biophysical processes, such as oligonucleotide hybridization (including mismatch identification), G-quadruplex folding/unfolding and its interactions with thrombin, as well as formation of an i-motif structure and its interaction with small-molecule ligands.