bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empirical Models of Pigweed (Amaranthusspp.) Interference in Soybean (Glycine max)
Authors: Dieleman Anita , Hamill Allan S. , Weise Stephan F. , Swanton Clarence J.
Published: May 2019

Three empirical crop yield loss models were used to describe the interference of redroot pigweed and Powell amaranth populations with soybean. Data were obtained from field experiments conducted in 1992 and 1993. Pigweed densities of 0 to eight plants m−1were established within the soybean row. Pigweed sowing dates were selected so that weed seedling emergence coincided with VE, VC, and V2 soybean growth stages within the time frame of the critical weed-free period. The model incorporating pigweed density and time of emergence gave the best description of soybean yield loss in comparison to the two relative leaf area models. This model was fit to a combined data set of percent yield loss because parameter estimates did not differ among locations and years. Estimated soybean yield losses decreased from 16.4 to 0.5% with delayed pigweed emergence from 0 to 20 degree days. Leaf area of pigweed relative to soybean encompassed pigweed density and time of emergence. Relationship between relative leaf area and soybean yield loss was best described by the one-parameter model estimating a relative damage coefficient ‘q’ than the two-parameter model that also estimated maximum expected yield loss. The relative damage coefficient ‘q’ decreased with later times of leaf area assessment but could be predicted with one leaf area observation. Empirical models that incorporate time of weed emergence represent a step toward improving predictions of yield loss. This is important for the selection of cost-effective weed control strategies.
Temperature Effects on Vegetative Growth of Round-Leaved Mallow (Malva pusilla)
Authors: Blackshaw Robert E.
Published: May 2019

Vegetative growth response of round-leaved mallow to various day/night temperature regimes was studied under controlled-environment conditions to predict its potential geographic distribution and to develop an effective control program. Round-leaved mallow dry matter production was greatest with day temperatures of 18 to 26 C. Dry matter accumulation was reduced by a night temperature of 6 C but was minimally affected by night temperatures ranging from 12 to 24 C. Regression analysis predicted minimal vegetative growth at mean daily temperatures below 8 C and above 30 C, with optimum growth at 20 C. Partitioning of round-leaved mallow biomass in leaves, stems, and roots was affected by temperature. Maximum leaf weight ratio occurred at low temperatures, 10 C day and 6 C night. Stem weight ratio was greatest at a day temperature of 26 C, with night temperature having little effect. Maximum root biomass occurred with a day temperature of 18 C. Results are discussed in terms of environmental conditions that allow round-leaved mallow to be an effective competitor with crops and potential approaches for its control.
Physiological Basis of Seed Dormancy in Woolly Cupgrass (Eriochloa villosa[Thunb.] Kunth.)
Authors: Hatterman-Valenti Harlene , Bello Iliya A. , Owen Micheal D. K.
Published: May 2019

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effect of seed coat on woolly cupgrass seed moisture and oxygen uptake, and to determine if water-soluble growth inhibitors are present in the seed. Intact dormant seeds did not respond to any temperature regime or to oxygen concentrations above atmospheric level. Dehulling increased germination of dormant seed to about 85%. Oxygen concentrations above atmospheric level increased germination of partially dehulled (1/4 distal end of the seed dehulled) seeds an additional 10%. Oxygen uptake by dehulled dormant and intact nondormant seeds was greater than intact dormant seeds. Leaching intact dormant seeds did not promote germination, nor did the leachate inhibit germination of nondormant seeds. Embryos excised from dormant seeds germinated under laboratory conditions. Results from this study suggest that the woolly cupgrass seed coat may inhibit germination by controlling oxygen availability to the embryo.
Effect of Crop Species, Tillage, and Rye (Secale cereale) Mulch on Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia)
Authors: Brecke Barry J. , Shilling Donn G.
Published: May 2019

Field studies were conducted to determine the effect of crop species, tillage, and rye mulch on sicklepod growth. Competition from soybean and sunflower reduced sicklepod biomass by 19 and 77%, respectively. Sicklepod height was reduced by rye mulch. Rye root residue caused 49% reduction in sicklepod biomass, while whole plant rye mulch reduced weed growth an additional 12%. Crop competition reduced sicklepod shoot biomass to a greater extent when rye residue was present. Crop seed yield was 32% lower in tilled plots compared with no-tillage due to more weed competition in the tilled plots. In the presence of rye root residue, soybean yield showed a two-fold increase over no mulch or whole plant rye mulch. Sunflower yield increased by 30% in the presence of rye residue compared with no mulch.
An Italian Flanged Dish from Gloucester
Authors: Tyers Paul A.
Published: May 2019

Recent re-examination of the pottery in the Gloucester Roman pottery type series has identified an unusual large flanged dish in a micaceous fabric from the tilery site at St Oswald's Priory, originally published in Britannia. Petrological analysis indicates that it is of Italian origin. There are currently only a handful of examples of this type known from outside Italy, and this is the first example securely identified from Britain. Supplementary Material, including a high-resolution image of the microphotograph of Gloucester TF214, is available online at https://doi.org/10.1017/S0068113X19000126.
Maternal Talk About Disappearance Events
Authors: Goldfield Beverly A.
Published: May 2019

This study examines maternal talk about events in which persons or objects are hidden, missing, or absent, and the relationship of maternal language to the child's acquisition of words for disappearance. Twelve mother-child pairs were videotaped in the home during play when the children were 12, 15, and 18 months of age. The mothers kept a diary of the children 's words. Maternal language was coded during four types of disappearance events: peekaboo, hidden object games, missing objects, and absent entities. Children who had acquiredgoneand similar terms experienced more disappearance events and heard more maternal talk about disappearance than children who had not acquired a word for disappearance.
Examination of phonological working memory in specifically language-impaired children
Authors: Montgomery James W.
Published: May 2019

The present study examined the phonological memory capacity, rate of articulation, phonological-encoding, and perceptual-processing abilities of 13 well-defined, specifically language-impaired (SLI) children and 13 younger, language-matched normal (NL) children. The results of a nonsense word repetition task showed that SLI children repeated significantly fewer multisyllabic nonsense words than their NL peers. However, SLI and NL children were found to have comparable articulation rates, even when producing the longest nonsense word stimuli. Both SLI and NL children showed sensitivity to the phonological similarity effect, indicating that SLI children had intact phonological-encoding abilities. The results of a nonsense word discrimination task revealed that SLI children had greater difficulty perceptually processing 4-syllable nonsense words. Taken together, these findings were interpreted to be consistent with Gathercole and Baddeley's (1990) claim that SLI children have reduced phonological storage capacity. However, the capacity deficit account may require revision to include the possibility that the phonological storage deficit of some SLI children may have a perceptual basis (i.e., difficulty with processes related to item identification).
Unrecognized HIV-1 Infection in Inner-City Hospital Emergency Department Patients
Authors: Nagachinta Tippavan , Gold Claudia R. , Cheng Fenny , Heseltine Peter N.R. , Kerndt Peter R.
Published: May 2019

To determine the prevalence of unrecognized human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infections in patients presenting to an inner-city hospital emergency department, medical records were reviewed from 1,945 patients diagnosed with diseases not related to HIV or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The overall seroprevalence was 2.1% (40):1.8% (11) in nontrauma versus 3.0% (29) in trauma patients. The highest prevalence was found in black, male, uninsured patients.
Construct Validity of the French Shirom-Melamed Vigor Measure	(F-SMVM)
Authors: Isoard-Gautheur Sandrine , Ginoux Clément , Heuzé Jean-Philippe , Tessier Damien , Trouilloud David , Guillet-Descas Emma , Sarrazin Philippe
Published: May 2019

Abstract. Work vigor is defined by cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. The purpose of this multi-study paper was to develop a French version of the Shirom-Melamed Vigor Measure (F-SMVM), and test its (a) construct validity (i.e., factorial structure and internal consistency), (b) convergent and discriminant validity with the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), and (c) concurrent validity with work motivation and job satisfaction. Six hundred and forty (61.72% female) employees participated in the three present studies. Convergent and discriminant construct validity of the F-SMVM were examined with a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and a multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) analysis. Concurrent validity was examined through correlations and regressions with work motivation and job satisfaction. Overall, the results supported the reliability and the construct validity of the F-SMVM. They also showed evidence of convergent validity between the F-SMVM and the UWES-9, as well as evidence of concurrent validity with work motivation and job satisfaction. The F-SMVM represents a valid measure assessing three interrelated dimensions representing physical, cognitive, and emotional components of work engagement.
A Comparison of Short Forms of the Screener and Opioid Assessment for	Patients With Pain – Revised (SOAPP-R)
Authors: Finkelman Matthew D. , Jamison Robert N. , Kulich Ronald J. , Butler Stephen F. , Smits Niels , Weiner Scott G.
Published: May 2019

Abstract. The Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain – Revised (SOAPP-R) is a 24-item self-report questionnaire that assesses risk of aberrant medication-related behavior among chronic pain patients. Recently, an 8-item version of the SOAPP-R that weights items differentially was proposed. However, no previous study had compared the 8-item form with other short versions of the SOAPP-R, including a static 12-item short form and computer-based versions customizing the test length to the individual respondent. Moreover, no prior research had investigated combining the 8-item short form with customized computer-based stopping rules to further enhance efficiency. The objectives of this study were to compare the 8-item version with previously recommended short forms of the SOAPP-R, and to develop and evaluate a new version of the SOAPP-R combining the 8-item version with computer-based stopping rules. Versions were compared via sensitivity, specificity, and mean test length using real-data simulation of three datasets. Although results varied across datasets, the 8-item SOAPP-R compared favorably to previously recommended forms. Combining the 8-item form with computer-based stopping rules reduced the mean test length without affecting sensitivity or specificity; thus, the combined approach is recommended. The methodology used to shorten questionnaires via computer-based testing can also be applied to other instruments.
Involvement of Slab‐Derived Fluid in the Generation of Cenozoic Basalts in Northeast China Inferred From Machine Learning
Authors: Zhao Yong , Zhang Yigang , Geng Ming , Jiang Jilian , Zou Xinyu
Published: May 2019

The origin and involvement of fluid in the generation of Cenozoic basalts in Northeast China are still under debate. Here we apply the machine learning methods of random forest and deep neural network to train models using data sets of global island arc and ocean island basalts. The trained models predict that most Cenozoic basalts in Northeast China are influenced by fluid and that the fluid activity decreases from east to west. The boundary defined by fluid activity coincides with the westernmost edge of the present‐day stagnant Pacific slab determined by seismic tomography and with the geochemical boundary defined by magnesium isotopes. These observations support the view that the fluid involved in the generation of the basalts is controlled by the stagnant Pacific slab instead of driven by the plume induced by the sinking Izanagi Plate.
Fortitude and resilience in service of the population: a case study of dental professionals striving for health in Sierra Leone
Authors: Ghotane Swapnil G. , Challacombe Stephen J. , Gallagher Jennifer E.
Published: May 2019

Objective

Sierra Leone (SL), with a population of over 7 million people, has a critical health workforce shortage. This research explores the views of key players on population oral health needs and demands, the challenges of oral and dental care delivery, and professional careers in dentistry, in order to inform future capacity building.

Materials and methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of key players in dentistry and healthcare, both in-country and externally. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used in exploring views of key-players on the oral needs and demands of population, challenges in the delivery of oral and dental care, professional careers of dental professionals in SL, and future workforce capacity building based on a topic guide drawn from the available literature. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, anonymised and analysed using QSR NVivo 10 for data management and reported in accordance to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research.

Results

Twenty-one informants, of whom 18 were male, 17 were in-country and 16 were dental professionals, participated in the research. Dental professionals reported clear consensus on a considerable level of unmet oral health needs, most notably dental caries and periodontal disease, together with life threatening oral conditions such as osteomyelitis, Ludwig’s Angina and Burkitt’s Lymphoma. Challenges associated with the delivery of dental care revolved around five themes: patients’ predisposition for traditional remedies and urgent care; practical hindrances to the delivery of care; professional isolation and weak governance; and place with pressing local crises and lack of political will. An emerging typology of dental professionals included: demonstrating loyalty to their nation and family; exhibiting resilience in challenging circumstances; embracing opportunity most notably amongst expatriates; and striving to serve the needs of the population. There was support for innovative future capacity building developments.

Conclusion

This paper provides important insights to the delivery of dental care in a low-income country with significant oral health needs and multiple challenges in the delivery of dental care, whilst also providing a vision for developing, building and retaining future human resources for oral health.
Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of laboratory-based screening for hepatitis C in dried blood spot samples: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Vázquez-Morón Sonia , Ardizone Jiménez Beatriz , Jiménez-Sousa María A. , Bellón José M. , Ryan Pablo , Resino Salvador
Published: May 2019

The dried blood spot (DBS) is increasingly used for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening. Our objective was to perform a meta-analysis of the methodology for HCV screening in DBS samples, particularly in the type of diagnostic assay used. We performed a meta-analysis of all eligible studies published to date (March 2018). The literature search revealed 26 studies: 21 for detection of anti-HCV antibodies and 10 for detection of HCV-RNA. Statistical analyses were performed using Meta-DiSc and STATA (MIDAS module). For detection of HCV antibodies, pooled diagnostic accuracy measures were as follows: sensitivity 96.1%, specificity 99.2%, positive likelihood ratio (PLR) 105, negative likelihood ratio (NLR) 0.04, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) 2692.9, and summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) 0.997 ± 0.001. For detection of HCV-RNA, the pooled diagnostic accuracy measures were as follows: sensitivity 97.8%, specificity 99.2%, PLR 44.8, NLR 0.04, DOR 1966.9, and SROC 0.996 ± 0.013. Similar values of pooled diagnostic accuracy measures were found according to the type of anti-HCV antibody detection assay (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, rapid diagnostic test, and chemiluminescence assays) and HCV-RNA detection assay (real-time polymerase chain reaction and transcription-mediated amplification). The analysis of external validity showed a high negative predicted value (NPV) for both approaches, but a low positive predicted value (PPV) when prevalence was < 10%, particularly in HCV-RNA tests. Finally, this meta-analysis is subject to limitations, especially publication bias and significant heterogeneity between studies. In conclusion, HCV screening in DBS samples has an outstanding diagnostic performance, with no relevant differences between the techniques used. However, external validity may be limited when the HCV prevalence is low.
Acutely elevated O-GlcNAcylation suppresses hippocampal activity by modulating both intrinsic and synaptic excitability factors
Authors: Hwang Hongik , Rhim Hyewhon
Published: May 2019

Post-translational modification (PTM) plays a critical role in increasing proteome complexity and diversifying protein functions. O-GlcNAc modification is a reversible, dynamic and highly abundant PTM catalyzed by a single pair of enzymes, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA), regardless of substrates. The two enzymes are particularly enriched in the brain, and recent proteomic studies identified that a large number of neuron-specific proteins undergo O-GlcNAc modification. In addition, pathological conditions with aberrant O-GlcNAcylation such as diabetes and obesity are associated with the higher risk of cognitive decline and memory impairment. However, despite its prevalence in the brain, functional significance of O-GlcNAcylation in regulating neuronal properties remains unclear at the molecular level. Here, we report that an acute increase in O-GlcNAcylation induced by pharmacological inhibition of OGA significantly reduces the intrinsic excitability of hippocampal CA1 neurons through the cooperative modulation of multiple voltage-gated ion channels. Moreover, elevated O-GlcNAcylation also suppresses excitatory synaptic transmission at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses through the removal of GluA2-containing AMPA receptors from postsynaptic densities. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that a change in O-GlcNAcylation levels dynamically regulates hippocampal activity at both intrinsic and synaptic levels, providing a mechanistic link between dysregulated O-GlcNAcylation and hippocampal dysfunction.
Sub-cycle dynamics in relativistic nanoplasma acceleration
Authors: Cardenas D. E. , Ostermayr T. M. , Di Lucchio L. , Hofmann L. , Kling M. F. , Gibbon P. , Schreiber J. , Veisz L.
Published: May 2019

The interaction of light with nanometer-sized solids provides the means of focusing optical radiation to sub-wavelength spatial scales with associated electric field enhancements offering new opportunities for multifaceted applications. We utilize collective effects in nanoplasmas with sub-two-cycle light pulses of extreme intensity to extend the waveform-dependent electron acceleration regime into the relativistic realm, by using 106 times higher intensity than previous works to date. Through irradiation of nanometric tungsten needles, we obtain multi-MeV energy electron bunches, whose energy and direction can be steered by the combined effect of the induced near-field and the laser field. We identified a two-step mechanism for the electron acceleration: (i) ejection within a sub-half-optical-cycle into the near-field from the target at >TVm−1 acceleration fields, and (ii) subsequent acceleration in vacuum by the intense laser field. Our observations raise the prospect of isolating and controlling relativistic attosecond electron bunches, and pave the way for next generation electron and photon sources.
Psychopathic traits are related to diminished guilt aversion and reduced trustworthiness during social decision-making
Authors: Gong Xu , Brazil Inti A. , Chang Luke J. , Sanfey Alan G.
Published: May 2019

Individuals with high levels of psychopathic tendencies tend to show a lack of guilt, a lack of empathic concern, and a disregard for the impact of their decisions on others. However, how guilt influences social decision-making for those with high psychopathic traits is still unknown. Here, we investigated how psychopathic traits relate to the capacity to acquire knowledge about social expectations, and to what extent guilt aversion affects subsequent decision-making. 63 participants completed self-report measures of psychopathy, and then played a modified Trust Game in the role of the Trustee. Results showed that participants’ self-reported beliefs about their partner’s expectations were largely predictive of the amount of money they returned to the partner. These decisions were negatively correlated with the PPI-I scores. Furthermore, participants’ degree of guilt aversion were negatively correlated with PPI total scores. Our findings suggest that individuals with higher psychopathic traits are indeed capable of understanding the expectations of others, but do not seem to directly utilise this knowledge in their social decision-making, and experience less anticipated guilt about this. The present study provides empirical evidence of intact social knowledge coupled with decreased reciprocity and diminished guilt aversion as levels of psychopathic traits increase.
Amygdala activation during unconscious visual processing of food
Authors: Sato Wataru , Kochiyama Takanori , Minemoto Kazusa , Sawada Reiko , Fushiki Tohru
Published: May 2019

Hedonic or emotional responses to food have important positive and negative effects on human life. Behavioral studies have shown that hedonic responses to food images are elicited rapidly, even in the absence of conscious awareness of food. Although a number of previous neuroimaging studies investigated neural activity during conscious processing of food images, the neural mechanisms underlying unconscious food processing remain unknown. To investigate this issue, we measured neural activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging while participants viewed food and mosaic images presented subliminally and supraliminally. Conjunction analyses revealed that the bilateral amygdala was more strongly activated in response to food images than to mosaic images under both subliminal and supraliminal conditions. Interaction analyses revealed that the broad bilateral posterior regions, peaking at the posterior fusiform gyrus, were particularly active when participants viewed food versus mosaic images under the supraliminal compared with the subliminal condition. Dynamic causal modeling analyses supported the model in which the subcortical visual pathway from the pulvinar to the amygdala was modulated by food under the subliminal condition; in contrast, the model in which both subcortical and cortical (connecting the primary visual cortex, fusiform gyrus, and the amygdala) visual pathways were modulated by food received the most support under the supraliminal condition. These results suggest the possibility that unconscious hedonic responses to food may exert an effect through amygdala activation via the subcortical visual pathway.
Immune regeneration in irradiated mice is not impaired by the absence of DPP9 enzymatic activity
Authors: Gall Margaret G. , Zhang Hui Emma , Lee Quintin , Jolly Christopher J. , McCaughan Geoffrey W. , Cook Adam , Roediger Ben , Gorrell Mark D.
Published: May 2019

The ubiquitous intracellular protease dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9) has roles in antigen presentation and B cell signaling. To investigate the importance of DPP9 in immune regeneration, primary and secondary chimeric mice were created in irradiated recipients using fetal liver cells and adult bone marrow cells, respectively, using wild-type (WT) and DPP9 gene-knockin (DPP9S729A) enzyme-inactive mice. Immune cell reconstitution was assessed at 6 and 16 weeks post-transplant. Primary chimeric mice successfully regenerated neutrophils, natural killer, T and B cells, irrespective of donor cell genotype. There were no significant differences in total myeloid cell or neutrophil numbers between DPP9-WT and DPP9S729A-reconstituted mice. In secondary chimeric mice, cells of DPP9S729A-origin cells displayed enhanced engraftment compared to WT. However, we observed no differences in myeloid or lymphoid lineage reconstitution between WT and DPP9S729A donors, indicating that hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) engraftment and self-renewal is not diminished by the absence of DPP9 enzymatic activity. This is the first report on transplantation of bone marrow cells that lack DPP9 enzymatic activity.
Social hierarchy position in female mice is associated with plasma corticosterone levels and hypothalamic gene expression
Authors: Williamson Cait M. , Lee Won , DeCasien Alexandra R. , Lanham Alesi , Romeo Russell D. , Curley James P.
Published: May 2019

Social hierarchies emerge when animals compete for access to resources such as food, mates or physical space. Wild and laboratory male mice have been shown to develop linear hierarchies, however, less is known regarding whether female mice have sufficient intrasexual competition to establish significant social dominance relationships. In this study, we examined whether groups of outbred CD-1 virgin female mice housed in a large vivaria formed social hierarchies. We show that females use fighting, chasing and mounting behaviors to rapidly establish highly directionally consistent social relationships. Notably, these female hierarchies are less linear, steep and despotic compared to male hierarchies. Female estrus state was not found to have a significant effect on aggressive behavior, though dominant females had elongated estrus cycles (due to increased time in estrus) compared to subordinate females. Plasma estradiol levels were equivalent between dominant and subordinate females. Subordinate females had significantly higher levels of basal corticosterone compared to dominant females. Analyses of gene expression in the ventromedial hypothalamus indicated that subordinate females have elevated ERα, ERβ and OTR mRNA compared to dominant females. This study provides a methodological framework for the study of the neuroendocrine basis of female social aggression and dominance in laboratory mice.
Eichhornia crassipes: a Powerful Bio-indicator for Water Pollution by Emerging Pollutants
Authors: De Laet Chloe , Matringe Théodora , Petit Eddy , Grison Claude
Published: May 2019

Eichhornia crassipes is well known as an invasive aquatic plant. It is also used very effectively in phytoremediation, particularly for the rhizofiltration of effluents contaminated by heavy metals. In this article, we show that it is also an excellent bioindicator of water polluted by worrying organic pollutants such as endocrine disruptors and neonicotinoids. As a proof of concept, di-n-hexylphthalate, pentabromodiphenyl ether, nitenpyram, acetamiprid and bis (3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-6-methylphenyl) sulfide were clearly identified by UHPLC-HRMS or GC-MS in the root system of E. crassipes after a short period of exposure. These results open up new perspectives for the remediation of water polluted by alarming organic pollutants.
A Novel Bioelectronic Reporter System in Living Cells Tested with a Synthetic Biological Comparator
Authors: Zeng Ji , Banerjee Areen , Kim Jaewook , Deng Yijie , Chapman Tim W. , Daniel Ramez , Sarpeshkar Rahul
Published: May 2019

As the fields of biotechnology and synthetic biology expand, cheap and sensitive tools are needed to measure increasingly complicated genetic circuits. In order to bypass some drawbacks of optical fluorescent reporting systems, we have designed and created a co-culture microbial fuel cell (MFC) system for electronic reporting. This system leverages the syntrophic growth of Escheriachia. coli (E. coli) and an electrogenic bacterium Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (S. oneidensis). The fermentative products of E. coli provide a carbon and electron source for S. oneidensis MR-1, which then reports on such activity electrically at the anode of the MFC. To further test the capability of electrical reporting of complicated synthetic circuits, a novel synthetic biological comparator was designed and tested with both fluorescent and electrical reporting systems. The results suggest that the electrical reporting system is a good alternative to commonly used optical fluorescent reporter systems since it is a non-toxic reporting system with a much wider dynamic range.
Evaluation of CdZnTeSe as a high-quality gamma-ray spectroscopic material with better compositional homogeneity and reduced defects
Authors: Roy Utpal N. , Camarda Giuseppe S. , Cui Yonggang , Gul Rubi , Yang Ge , Zazvorka Jakub , Dedic Vaclav , Franc Jan , James Ralph B.
Published: May 2019

X- and gamma-ray detectors have broad applications ranging from medical imaging to security, non-proliferation, high-energy physics and astrophysics. Detectors with high energy resolution, e.g. less than 1.5% resolution at 662 keV at room temperature, are critically important in most uses. The efficacy of adding selenium to the cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe) matrix for radiation detector applications has been studied. In this paper, the growth of a new quaternary compound Cd0.9Zn0.1Te0.98Se0.02 by the Traveling Heater Method (THM) is reported. The crystals possess a very high compositional homogeneity with less extended defects, such as secondary phases and sub-grain boundary networks. Virtual Frisch-grid detectors fabricated from as-grown ingots revealed ~0.87–1.5% energy resolution for 662-keV gamma rays. The superior material quality with a very low density of defects and very high compositional homogeneity heightens the likelihood that Cd0.9Zn0.1Te0.98Se0.02 will be the next generation room-temperature detector material.
Long-lived Temnothorax ant queens switch from investment in immunity to antioxidant production with age
Authors: Negroni Matteo Antoine , Foitzik Susanne , Feldmeyer Barbara
Published: May 2019

Senescence is manifested by an increase in molecular damage and a deterioration of biological functions with age. In most organisms, body maintenance is traded-off with reproduction. This negative relationship between longevity and fecundity is also evident on the molecular level. Exempt from this negative trait association, social insect queens are both extremely long-lived and highly fecund. Here, we study changes in gene expression with age and fecundity in ant queens to understand the molecular basis of their long lifespan. We analyse tissue-specific gene expression in young founding queens and old fecund queens of the ant Temnothorax rugatulus. More genes altered their expression with age in the fat body than in the brain. Despite strong differences in ovary development, few fecundity genes were differentially expressed. Young founding queens invested in immunity (i.e. activation of Toll signalling pathway) and resistance against environmental and physiological stress (i.e. down-regulation of TOR pathway). Conversely, established older queens invested into anti-aging mechanisms through an overproduction of antioxidants (i.e. upregulation of catalase, superoxide dismutase). Finally, we identified candidate genes and pathways, potentially involved in the association between fertility and longevity in social insects and its proximate basis.
Phylogeography of the soil-borne vector nematode Xiphinema index highly suggests Eastern origin and dissemination with domesticated grapevine
Authors: Nguyen Van Chung , Villate Laure , Gutierrez-Gutierrez Carlos , Castillo Pablo , Van Ghelder Cyril , Plantard Olivier , Esmenjaud Daniel
Published: May 2019

The soil-borne nematodeXiphinema indexis closely linked to its main host, the grapevine, and presents a major threat to vineyards worldwide due to its ability to transmitGrapevine fanleaf virus(GFLV). The phylogeography ofX. indexhas been studied using mitochondrial and microsatellite markers in samples from most regions of its worldwide distribution to reveal its genetic diversity. We first used the mitochondrial markerCytBand illustrated the low intraspecific divergence of this mainly meiotic parthenogenetic species. To generate a higher polymorphism level, we then concatenated the sequences ofCytBand three mitochondrial markers,ATP6,CO1andND4, to obtain a 3044-bp fragment. We differentiated two clades, which each contained two well-supported subclades. Samples from the eastern Mediterranean and the Near and Middle East were grouped into three of these subclades, whereas the samples from the western Mediterranean, Europe and the Americas all belonged to the fourth subclade. The highest polymorphism level was found in the samples of one of the Middle and Near East subclades, strongly suggesting that this region contained the native area of the nematode. An east-to-west nematode dissemination hypothesis appeared to match the routes of the domesticated grapevine during Antiquity, presumably mainly dispersed by the Greeks and the Romans. Surprisingly, the samples of the western subclade comprised only two highly similar mitochondrial haplotypes. The first haplotype, from southern Iberian Peninsula, Bordeaux and Provence vineyards, exhibited a high microsatellite polymorphism level that suggests introductions dating from Antiquity. The second haplotype contained a highly predominant microsatellite genotype widespread in distant western countries that may be a consequence of the massive grapevine replanting following the 19th-century phylloxera crisis. Finally, our study enabled us to draw a first scaffold ofX. indexdiversity at the global scale.
An oxidation resistant refractory high entropy alloy protected by CrTaO4-based oxide
Authors: Lo Kai-Chi , Chang Yao-Jen , Murakami Hideyuki , Yeh Jien-Wei , Yeh An-Chou
Published: May 2019

Although refractory high entropy alloys (RHEAs) have shown potentials to be developed as structural materials for elevated temperature applications, most of the reported oxidation behaviours of RHEA were associated with short term exposures for only up to 48 hours, and there is a lack of understanding on the oxidation mechanism of any RHEA to-date. In this work, by using thermogravimetric analysis, isothermal oxidation was conducted on a novel RHEA at 1000 °C and 1100 °C for up to 200 hours, which is an unprecedented testing duration. The external oxide layer strongly influenced the weight gain behaviours, and it consisted of CrTaO4-based oxide with some dispersion of Al2O3 and Cr2O3. At 1000 °C, the inability to form dense CrTaO4-based oxide layer resulted an exponential dependence of weight gain throughout 200 hours. At 1100 °C, mass gain curve showed two parabolic dependences associated with the formation of protective CrTaO4-based oxide layer and the weight gain after 200 hours was 4.03 mg/cm2, which indicates that it is one of the most oxidation resistant RHEAs comparing to literature data to-date. This work can also provide insights on how to further develop RHEA to withstand long term oxidation at elevated temperatures.
High-precision isotopic analysis sheds new light on mercury metabolism in long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas)
Authors: Bolea-Fernandez Eduardo , Rua-Ibarz Ana , Krupp Eva M. , Feldmann Jörg , Vanhaecke Frank
Published: May 2019

Whales accumulate mercury (Hg), but do not seem to show immediate evidence of toxic effects. Analysis of different tissues (liver, kidney, muscle) and biofluids (blood, milk) from a pod of stranded long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) showed accumulation of Hg as a function of age, with a significant decrease in the MeHg fraction. Isotopic analysis revealed remarkable differences between juvenile and adult whales. During the first period of life, Hg in the liver became isotopically lighter (δ202Hg decreased) with a strongly decreasing methylmercury (MeHg) fraction. We suggest this is due to preferential demethylation of MeHg with the lighter Hg isotopes and transport of MeHg to less sensitive organs, such as the muscles. Also changes in diet, with high MeHg intake in utero and during lactation, followed by increasing consumption of solid food contribute to this behavior. Interestingly, this trend in δ202Hg is reversed for livers of adult whales (increasing δ202Hg value), accompanied by a progressive decrease of δ202Hg in muscle at older ages. These total Hg (THg) isotopic trends suggest changes in the Hg metabolism of the long-finned pilot whales, development of (a) detoxification mechanism(s) (e.g., though the formation of HgSe particles), and Hg redistribution across the different organs.
Modelling opinion dynamics in the age of algorithmic personalisation
Authors: Perra Nicola , Rocha Luis E. C.
Published: May 2019

Modern technology has drastically changed the way we interact and consume information. For example, online social platforms allow for seamless communication exchanges at an unprecedented scale. However, we are still bounded by cognitive and temporal constraints. Our attention is limited and extremely valuable. Algorithmic personalisation has become a standard approach to tackle the information overload problem. As result, the exposure to our friends’ opinions and our perception about important issues might be distorted. However, the effects of algorithmic gatekeeping on our hyper-connected society are poorly understood. Here, we devise an opinion dynamics model where individuals are connected through a social network and adopt opinions as function of the view points they are exposed to. We apply various filtering algorithms that select the opinions shown to each user (i) at random (ii) considering time ordering or (iii) its current opinion. Furthermore, we investigate the interplay between such mechanisms and crucial features of real networks. We found that algorithmic filtering might influence opinions’ share and distributions, especially in case information is biased towards the current opinion of each user. These effects are reinforced in networks featuring topological and spatial correlations where echo chambers and polarisation emerge. Conversely, heterogeneity in connectivity patterns reduces such tendency. We consider also a scenario where one opinion, through nudging, is centrally pushed to all users. Interestingly, even minimal nudging is able to change the status quo moving it towards the desired view point. Our findings suggest that simple filtering algorithms might be powerful tools to regulate opinion dynamics taking place on social networks.
Identification of influential invaders in evolutionary populations
Authors: Yang Guoli , Benko Tina P. , Cavaliere Matteo , Huang Jincai , Perc Matjaž
Published: May 2019

The identification of the most influential nodes has been a vibrant subject of research across the whole of network science. Here we map this problem to structured evolutionary populations, where strategies and the interaction network are both subject to change over time based on social inheritance. We study cooperative communities, which cheaters can invade because they avoid the cost of contributions that are associated with cooperation. The question that we seek to answer is at which nodes cheaters invade most successfully. We propose the weighted degree decomposition to identify and rank the most influential invaders. More specifically, we distinguish two kinds of ranking based on the weighted degree decomposition. We show that a ranking strategy based on negative-weighted degree allows to successfully identify the most influential invaders in the case of weak selection, while a ranking strategy based on positive-weighted degree performs better when the selection is strong. Our research thus reveals how to identify the most influential invaders based on statistical measures in dynamically evolving cooperative communities.
Structural prediction of stabilized atomically thin tin layers
Authors: Borlido Pedro , Huran Ahmad W. , Marques Miguel A. L. , Botti Silvana
Published: May 2019

The family of group IV two-dimensional materials shows a rich variety of structural, electronic and topological properties. Only graphene is stable in the honeycomb structure, while buckling and dumbbell configurations stabilize silicene and germanene. Here we investigate from first principles the lowest-energy atomic arrangements of atomically-thin tin layers. Our calculations are performed with a very efficient method for global structural prediction, combined with constrains that enforce the desired one-dimensional confinement and include the effect of strain due to the substrate. We discover a series of new structures that span a large range of atomic densities and are considerably more stable than hexagonal single- or double-layer stanene, as well as dumbbell structures. The ground state, a metallic double layer with a square lattice that lies 295 meV/atom below honeycomb stanene and only 149 meV/atom above bulk α-tin, is akin to the atomic arrangement of a layer of romarchite tin oxide. Due to its enhanced stability with respect to honeycomb stanene, we propose that this structure can be easily synthesized on appropriate lattice-matched metallic substrates.
Digital health: a path to validation
Authors: Mathews Simon C. , McShea Michael J. , Hanley Casey L. , Ravitz Alan , Labrique Alain B. , Cohen Adam B.
Published: May 2019

Digital health solutions continue to grow in both number and capabilities. Despite these advances, the confidence of the various stakeholders — from patients and clinicians to payers, industry and regulators — in medicine remains quite low. As a result, there is a need for objective, transparent, and standards-based evaluation of digital health products that can bring greater clarity to the digital health marketplace. We believe an approach that is guided by end-user requirements and formal assessment across technical, clinical, usability, and cost domains is one possible solution. For digital health solutions to have greater impact, quality and value must be easier to distinguish. To that end, we review the existing landscape and gaps, highlight the evolving responses and approaches, and detail one pragmatic framework that addresses the current limitations in the marketplace with a path toward implementation.
Transcriptome analysis of activated sludge microbiomes reveals an unexpected role of minority nitrifiers in carbon metabolism
Authors: Sato Yuya , Hori Tomoyuki , Koike Hideaki , Navarro Ronald R. , Ogata Atsushi , Habe Hiroshi
Published: May 2019

Although metagenomics researches have illuminated microbial diversity in numerous biospheres, understanding individual microbial functions is yet difficult due to the complexity of ecosystems. To address this issue, we applied a metagenome-independent, de novo assembly–based metatranscriptomics to a complex microbiome, activated sludge, which has been used for wastewater treatment for over a century. Even though two bioreactors were operated under the same conditions, their performances differed from each other with unknown causes. Metatranscriptome profiles in high- and low-performance reactors demonstrated that denitrifiers contributed to the anaerobic degradation of heavy oil; however, no marked difference in the gene expression was found. Instead, gene expression-based nitrification activities that fueled the denitrifiers by providing the respiratory substrate were notably high in the high-performance reactor only. Nitrifiers—small minorities with relative abundances of <0.25%—governed the heavy-oil degradation performances of the reactors, unveiling an unexpected linkage of carbon- and nitrogen-metabolisms of the complex microbiome.
An “OFF–ON” quantum dot–graphene oxide bioprobe for sensitive detection of micrococcal nuclease ofStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Hunsur Ravikumar Chandan , Ira Gowda Manjunath , Balakrishna R. Geetha
Published: May 2019

mAb-Strep-QDs-GO probe in an OFF state due to energy transfer from QDs to GO turns into an ON state when the energy transfer is inhibited by MNase, thus allowing the sensing of MNase (Micrococcal Nuclease, an extracellular endonuclease ofStaphylococcus Aureus).
Biomolecule-assisted green synthesis of nanostructured calcium phosphates and their biomedical applications
Authors: Qi Chao , Musetti Sara , Fu Lian-Hua , Zhu Ying-Jie , Huang Leaf
Published: May 2019

Biomolecules play important roles in the synthesis of nanostructured calcium phosphates with various sizes and morphologies and promising applications.
Effective bioprinting resolution in tissue model fabrication
Authors: Miri Amir K. , Mirzaee Iman , Hassan Shabir , Mesbah Oskui Shirin , Nieto Daniel , Khademhosseini Ali , Zhang Yu Shrike
Published: May 2019

We compare current bioprinting technologies for their effective resolutions in the fabrication of micro-tissues towards construction of biomimetic microphysiological systems.
Polygemcitabine nanogels with accelerated drug activation for cancer therapy
Authors: Ma Yuan , Mou Quanbing , Zhu Lijuan , Su Yue , Jin Xin , Feng Jing , Yan Deyue , Zhu Xinyuan , Zhang Chuan
Published: May 2019

Polygemcitabine nanogels assembled from DNA-like polygemcitabine undergo rapid intracellular degradation to generate active gemcitabine derivatives for enhanced cancer therapy.
Phenolics isolation from bio-oil using the metal–organic framework MIL-53(Al) as a highly selective adsorbent
Authors: Jia Chunmei , Bueken Bart , Cirujano Francisco G. , Van Geem Kevin M. , De Vos Dirk
Published: May 2019

The selective uptake of phenolic compounds, a key step of bio-refining, was achieved on MIL-53(Al) and Basolite A100 both from a simulated bio-oil and a real pyrolysis bio-oil.
Complementary interaction with peptide amphiphiles guides size-controlled assembly of small molecules for intracellular delivery
Authors: Wakabayashi Rie , Obayashi Hiroki , Hashimoto Ryuichiro , Kamiya Noriho , Goto Masahiro
Published: May 2019

Complementary interaction leads to programmable co-assemblies of peptides and a small fluorescent dye, controlling intracellular delivery of the dye.
Hydration and ion association of aqueous choline chloride and chlorocholine chloride
Authors: Shaukat Saadia , Fedotova Marina V. , Kruchinin Sergey E. , Bešter-Rogač Marija , Podlipnik Črtomir , Buchner Richard
Published: May 2019

Choline hydration occurs predominantly via its hydroxyl group, and weak contact ion pair formation with Cl− is via the onium moiety.
Infrared intensities and molar refraction of amorphous dimethyl carbonate – comparisons to four interstellar molecules
Authors: Hudson Reggie L. , Coleman Falvia M.
Published: May 2019

The first measurements of infrared (IR) band intensities of solid dimethyl carbonate are presented along with measurements of this compound's refractive index and density near 15 K, neither of which has been reported.
Vibrational spectroscopy of the hexahydrated sulfate dianion revisited: role of isomers and anharmonicities
Authors: Knorke Harald , Li Huiyan , Liu Zhi-Feng , Asmis Knut R.
Published: May 2019

Anharmonic as well as entropic effects are important to understand the infrared spectrum of the hexahydrated sulfate dianion.
New insights into the binding behavior of lomefloxacin and human hemoglobin using biophysical techniques: binary and ternary approaches
Authors: Mokaberi Parisa , Reyhani Vida , Amiri-Tehranizadeh Zeinab , Saberi Mohammad Reza , Beigoli Sima , Samandar Farzaneh , Chamani Jamshidkhan
Published: May 2019

Demonstrates the overlap that had been induced between the fluorescence emission spectrum of Hb and the absorption spectrum of drugs, which has proved that there is a high probability to the occurrence of energy transfer from Hb and LMF in the absence and presence of NRF.