bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyaluronic acid slows down collagen membrane degradation in uncontrolled diabetic rats
Authors: Eliezer Meizi , Sculean Anton , Miron Richard J. , Nemcovsky Carlos , Weinberg Evegeny , Weinreb Miron , Zoabi Hasan , Bosshardt Dieter D. , Fujioka‐Kobayashi Masako , Moses Ofer
Published: June 2019

Aim

To examine the in vitro biokinetics of hyaluronic acid (HA) from a collagen membrane (CM) and to evaluate the in vivo effect of immersion of the CM in HA solution on its degradation in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetes conditions in a rat calvaria subcutaneous model.

Background

CM degradation is accelerated in uncontrolled diabetic rats. Immersion of CM in HA has been suggested to decrease their resorption rate without interfering with their tissue integration and structural degradation. However, it is unknown to what extent CM degradation may be influenced by its immersion in HA solution under a condition mimicking a medically compromised situation with an increased inflammatory level such as diabetes.

Materials and Methods

CMs were soaked in cross‐linked HA. Protein adsorption and the HA release were quantified by ELISA. Diabetes was induced in sixteen rats, while 16 healthy rats served as control. CM was prepared and labeled prior to implantation with Biotin. Seventeen CM were immersed in HA and 17 CM in PBS. In each animal, one test or one control disk was implanted. In order to compare the collagen content, two similar non‐implanted CM were used as baseline. Fourteen days after surgery, thirty‐two animals were sacrificed. The entire calvaria including the skin above, was chemically fixed, decalcified, and embedded in paraffin. Five‐μm‐thick sections were analyzed histologically and histomorphometrically using H&E and avidin‐peroxidase staining.

Results

The in vitro results demonstrated that the CM adsorbed roughly 80% of the total HA content. After 10 days, 36.3% of the initial HA remained on the CM. The in vivo results demonstrated that diabetes significantly reduced the thickness of the CM, while HA had a significant effect on keeping the membrane thickness. HA increased the residual collagen content in the diabetic group (P < 0.0001) but no such effect was observed in the healthy group.

Conclusion

Immersion of CM in HA prior to the implantation delays membrane degradation in uncontrolled diabetic compared with normoglycemic rats.
Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and danofloxacin in premature calves
Authors: Corum Orhan , Altan Feray , Yildiz Ramazan , Ider Merve , Ok Mahmut , Uney Kamil
Published: June 2019

The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of enrofloxacin (ENR) and danofloxacin (DNX) following intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administrations in premature calves. The study was performed on twenty‐four calves that were determined to be premature by anamnesis and general clinical examination. Premature calves were randomly divided into four groups (six premature calves/group) according to a parallel pharmacokinetic (PK) design as follows: ENR‐IV (10 mg/kg, IV), ENR‐IM (10 mg/kg, IM), DNX‐IV (8 mg/kg, IV), and DNX‐IM (8 mg/kg, IM). Plasma samples were collected for the determination of tested drugs by high‐pressure liquid chromatography with UV detector and analyzed by noncompartmental methods. Mean PK parameters of ENR and DNX following IV administration were as follows: elimination half‐life (t1/2λz) 11.16 and 17.47 hr, area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC0‐48) 139.75 and 38.90 hr*µg/ml, and volume of distribution at steady‐state 1.06 and 4.45 L/kg, respectively. Total body clearance of ENR and DNX was 0.07 and 0.18 L hr−1 kg−1, respectively. The PK parameters of ENR and DNX following IM injection weret1/2λz21.10 and 28.41 hr, AUC0‐48164.34 and 48.32 hr*µg/ml, respectively. The bioavailability (F) of ENR and DNX was determined to be 118% and 124%, respectively. The mean AUC0‐48CPR/AUC0‐48ENRratio was 0.20 and 0.16 after IV and IM administration, respectively, in premature calves. The results showed that ENR (10 mg/kg) and DNX (8 mg/kg) following IV and IM administration produced sufficient plasma concentration for AUC0‐24/minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and maximum concentration (Cmax)/MIC ratios for susceptible bacteria, with the MIC90of 0.5 and 0.03 μg/ml, respectively. These findings may be helpful in planning the dosage regimen for ENR and DNX, but there is a need for further study in naturally infected premature calves.
Mucormycosis in South America: A review of 143 reported cases
Authors: Nucci Marcio , Engelhardt Marc , Hamed Kamal
Published: June 2019

Mucormycosis is a rare but important invasive fungal disease that most often affects immunocompromised hosts. The incidence of mucormycosis appears to be increasing worldwide, as risk factors such as the use of immunosuppressive therapies become more common. We report the results of a literature review of 143 mucormycosis cases reported in South America between 1960 and 2018. The number of reported cases has increased by decade, from 6 in the 1960s to 51 in the 2010s. The most common underlying conditions associated with mucormycosis in South America were diabetes mellitus (42.0%) and penetrating trauma/burns (20.0%). Underlying conditions involving immunosuppression, including treatment of haematologic malignancy, solid organ transplant, and corticosteroid use, also accounted for a large proportion of cases (45.5%). Between 1960 and 2018, cases of mucormycosis associated with conditions involving immunosuppression accounted for the highest mortality rate (58.5%), followed by diabetes mellitus (45.0%), and penetrating trauma/burns (37.9%). Overall mortality decreased from 100% to 39.4% during this period, mainly driven by the increasing availability and use of antifungal therapies and surgical intervention. However, these treatments are not yet universally utilised across the region in the treatment of mucormycosis; efforts to improve availability of effective treatments would be likely to improve outcomes.
Overexpression of paralogues of the wheat expansin gene TaEXPA8 improves low‐temperature tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Peng LN. , Xu YQ. , Wang X. , Feng X. , Zhao QQ. , Feng SS. , Zhao ZY. , Hu BZ. , Li FL.
Published: June 2019

Low temperature is one of the important factors limiting wheat yield in cold regions. Expansins are nonenzymatic proteins that loosen cell walls and play important roles in diverse biological processes related to cell wall modification, including development and stress tolerance. Many studies have shown that expansins are involved in resistance to various abiotic stresses, such as heat and drought. However, the role of expansins in response to low‐temperature stress remains unclear.

Based on our previous transcriptome data of a winter wheat cultivar Dongnongdongmai 2 (DN2), we found that one of the expansin genes, TaEXPA8, was significantly induced by low temperature, indicating a role for TaEXPA8 in cold resistance. In this study, the paralogous TaEXPA8 genes TaEXPA8‐A, TaEXPA8‐B and TaEXPA8‐D were cloned by RT‐PCR. These three genes were then transformed into Arabidopsis by the floral dip method. Expression patterns of TaEXPA8 genes in different tissues and in response to several abiotic stresses and hormones were detected by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR).

The results showed that TaEXPA8‐A and TaEXPA8‐B were expressed mainly in roots, while TaEXPA8‐D was expressed predominantly in flowers. TaEXPA8 genes were induced by low‐temperature and drought. The overexpression of TaEXPA8‐B and TaEXPA8‐D enhanced low‐temperature resistance and had increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activity and soluble protein, MDA and proline content.

In summary, our study suggested that the expansins TaEXPA8‐B and TaEXPA8‐D are involved in the response to low temperature and possibly play a role in cold resistance by activating the protective enzyme system.
Forecasting Causes of Death by Using Compositional Data Analysis: The Case of Cancer Deaths
Authors: Kjærgaard Søren , Ergemen Yunus Emre , Kallestrup-Lamb Malene , Oeppen Jim , Lindahl-Jacobsen Rune
Published: June 2019

Cause-specific mortality forecasting is often based on predicting cause-specific death rates independently. Only a few methods have been suggested that incorporate dependence between causes. An attractive alternative is to model and forecast cause-specific death distributions, rather than mortality rates, as dependence between the causes can be incorporated directly. We follow this idea and propose two new models which extend the current research on mortality forecasting using death distributions. We find that adding age, time and cause-specific weights and decomposing both joint and individual variation between different causes of death increased the forecast accuracy of cancer deaths by using data for French and Dutch populations.
Thoracic pain associated with an odontogenic infection: An unusual Lemierre's syndrome
Authors: Scopel Costa Bianca , Filipe da Paz Scardua Eduardo , Loss dos Reis Wyllyam , Nascimento Silva Daniela , Rangel Pereira Teresa Cristina , de Azevedo Vaz Sergio Lins , Grão Velloso Tânia Regina
Published: June 2019

Lemierre's syndrome is characterized by thrombophlebitis in the internal jugular vein after an infection in the area of the head or neck, mostly in the form of pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis. It may also result from less common conditions, such as odontogenic infections, but this condition has not often been reported in the dental literature. The syndrome's main etiological agent is Fusobacterium necrophorum, and it most commonly occurs in young adults. This study reports the clinical case of a 34‐year‐old female patient of poor socioeconomic status with a history of pericoronitis, who reported having a chest pain that radiated to the upper limbs, along with dyspnea. The computed tomography of her neck provided evidence of an acute thrombus in the right internal jugular vein. The treatment comprised antibiotic and anticoagulant therapy in addition to the extraction of her third molar and some residual roots. This report highlights the perils of systemic complications through dental infection, including the risk of death.
Evolutionary transcriptomics reveals the origins of olives and the genomic changes associated with their domestication
Authors: Gros‐Balthazard Muriel , Besnard Guillaume , Sarah Gautier , Holtz Yan , Leclercq Julie , Santoni Sylvain , Wegmann Daniel , Glémin Sylvain , Khadari Bouchaib
Published: June 2019

The olive (Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea) is one of the oldest and most socio‐economically important cultivated perennial crop in the Mediterranean region. Yet, its origins are still under debate and the genetic bases of the phenotypic changes associated with its domestication are unknown. We generated RNA‐sequencing data for 68 wild and cultivated olive trees to study the genetic diversity and structure both at the transcription and sequence levels. To localize putative genes or expression pathways targeted by artificial selection during domestication, we employed a two‐step approach in which we identified differentially expressed genes and screened the transcriptome for signatures of selection. Our analyses support a major domestication event in the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin followed by dispersion towards the West and subsequent admixture with western wild olives. While we found large changes in gene expression when comparing cultivated and wild olives, we found no major signature of selection on coding variants and weak signals primarily affected transcription factors. Our results indicated that the domestication of olives resulted in only moderate genomic consequences and that the domestication syndrome is mainly related to changes in gene expression, consistent with its evolutionary history and life history traits.
Dynamics of FII flows and stock market returns in a major developing country: How does economic uncertainty matter?
Authors: Jena Sangram Keshari , Tiwari Aviral Kumar , Hammoudeh Shawkat , Shahbaz Muhammad
Published: June 2019

We apply the wavelet coherency and phase difference methodology to explore the nature of the relationship and the direction of causality between foreign institutional investment (FII) flows and stock market returns across time and frequency domain for the fast‐growing Indian economy. Since both variables are affected by economic uncertainty, we have estimated the partial wavelet coherency and the phase difference to discern the impact of economic uncertainty on the dynamic relationship and causality between those variables. Both the FII flows and the stock market return move together during the periods of the global financial crisis and the European sovereign debt crisis without any causality in the short run, but the stock market leads the FII inflows in the long run. However, in the bull market the stock market Granger causes the FII inflows both in the short run and in the long run. Nonetheless, economic uncertainty drives the co‐movement and also masks the causality effect between those two variables. Thus, the results require policymakers to set out a transparent economic environment to reap the benefits of FII flows. As far as the FII outflows are concerned, profit booking and economic uncertainty drive the relationship and the causality in the short run. Hence, policymakers and portfolio managers should be concerned about FII outflows in the long run, while in the short run, it is a normal trading activity.
Baseline retinal OCT measurements in normal female beagles: The effects of eccentricity, meridian, and age on retinal layer thickness
Authors: Ofri Ron , Ekesten Björn
Published: June 2019

Objective

Our aim was to generate baseline optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements of retinal thickness in female Beagles and to determine how these are affected by meridian, eccentricity, and age.

Methods

Twenty‐three female Beagles, including six puppies (<6 months old), six mature (1.8‐8.2 years old), and 11 elderly dogs (>11 years old) were studied. Both retinas of each dog were scanned (in 4 principal meridians) using the Heidelberg Spectralis following ophthalmic examination, refraction, and sedation. In each eye and each meridian, total retinal, outer retinal, and nerve fiber layer (NFL) thickness were measured from the disc rim up to 6 mm peripherally.

Results

The canine retina is thickest dorsally and thinnest ventrally. Total retinal, outer retinal, and NFL thickness decrease progressively and significantly as a function of eccentricity. The greatest eccentricity‐dependent thinning occurs dorsally. This thinning is due mostly to NFL tapering, while the eccentricity‐dependent change in outer retinal thickness is more moderate, especially in the lateral meridian, possibly due to the presence of the visual streak. The retina is thickest in puppies, but there were no significant differences between mature and elderly dogs.

Conclusions

Our results provide normative values for total, outer, and inner retinal thickness in female dogs and may facilitate OCT use in the diagnosis of canine glaucoma and inherited retinopathies.
Approaches for defining and assessing nursing informatics competencies: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Kleib Manal , Chauvette Amelia , Furlong Karen E. , Nagle Lynn M. , Slater Linda , McCloskey Rose
Published: June 2019

Review question:

How are nursing informatics competencies defined or assessed in the literature?
Blood flow restricted resistance exercise and reductions in oxygen tension attenuate mitochondrial H2O2 emission rates in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Petrick Heather L. , Pignanelli Christopher , Barbeau Pierre‐Andre , Churchward‐Venne Tyler A. , Dennis Kaitlyn M. J. H. , van Loon Luc J. C. , Burr Jamie F. , Goossens Gijs H. , Holloway Graham P.
Published: June 2019

Key points

Blood flow restricted resistance exercise (BFR‐RE) is capable of inducing comparable adaptations to traditional resistance exercise (RE), despite a lower total exercise volume.

It has been suggested that an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production may be involved in this response; however, oxygen partial pressure () is reduced during BFR‐RE, and the influence of on mitochondrial redox balance remains poorly understood.

In human skeletal muscle tissue, we demonstrate that both maximal and submaximal mitochondrial ROS emission rates are acutely decreased 2 h following BFR‐RE, but not RE, occurring along with a reduction in tissue oxygenation during BFR‐RE.

We further suggest that is involved in this response because an in vitro analysis revealed that reducing dramatically decreased mitochondrial ROS emissions and electron leak to ROS.

Altogether, these data indicate that mitochondrial ROS emission rates are attenuated following BFR‐RE, and such a response is likely influenced by reductions in .

Low‐load blood flow restricted resistance exercise (BFR‐RE) training has been proposed to induce comparable adaptations to traditional resistance exercise (RE) training, however, the acute signalling events remain unknown. Although a suggested mechanism of BFR‐RE is an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, oxygen partial pressure () is reduced during BFR‐RE, and the influence of O2 tension on mitochondrial redox balance remains ambiguous. We therefore aimed to determine whether skeletal muscle mitochondrial bioenergetics were altered following an acute bout of BFR‐RE or RE, and to further examine the role of in this response. Accordingly, muscle biopsies were obtained from 10 males at rest and 2 h after performing three sets of single‐leg squats (RE or BFR‐RE) to failure at 30% one‐repetition maximum. We determined that mitochondrial respiratory capacity and ADP sensitivity were not altered in response to RE or BFR‐RE. Although maximal (succinate) and submaximal (non‐saturating ADP) mitochondrial ROS emission rates were unchanged following RE, BFR‐RE attenuated these responses by ∼30% compared to pre‐exercise, occurring along with a reduction in skeletal muscle tissue oxygenation during BFR‐RE (P < 0.01 vs. RE). In a separate cohort of participants, evaluation of mitochondrial bioenergetics in vitro revealed that mild O2 restriction (50 µm) dramatically attenuated maximal (∼4‐fold) and submaximal (∼50‐fold) mitochondrial ROS emission rates and the fraction of electron leak to ROS compared to room air (200 µm). Combined, these data demonstrate that mitochondrial ROS emissions are attenuated following BFR‐RE, a response which may be mediated by a reduction in skeletal muscle .
Maternal allergic asthma during pregnancy alters fetal lung and immune development in sheep: potential mechanisms for programming asthma and allergy
Authors: Wooldridge Amy L. , Clifton Vicki L. , Moss Timothy J. M. , Lu Hui , Jamali Monerih , Agostino Stefanie , Muhlhausler Beverly S. , Morrison Janna L. , De Matteo Robert , Wallace Megan J. , Bischof Robert J. , Gatford Kathryn L.
Published: June 2019

Key points

Experimental maternal allergic asthma in sheep provides an experimental model in which to test impacts on progeny.

Fetuses from allergic asthmatic ewes had fewer surfactant‐producing cells in lungs.

A greater proportion of lymphocytes from thymus were CD44 positive in fetuses from allergic asthmatic ewes than in controls.

These changes to fetal development might contribute to poor neonatal lung function and increased risk of allergy seen in offspring of pregnancies complicated by asthma.

Asthma is prevalent in pregnancy and increases the risk of disease in offspring, including neonatal respiratory distress and childhood asthma and allergy, but the mechanisms are not understood. We hypothesized that fetal lung structure and immune phenotype in late gestation fetal sheep would be impaired in our sheep model of maternal allergic asthma during pregnancy. Singleton‐bearing ewes were either sensitized before pregnancy to house dust mite (HDM, allergic, n = 7) or were non‐allergic (control, n = 5). The ewes were subsequently subjected to repeated airway challenges with HDM (allergic group) or saline (control group) throughout gestation. Tissues were collected at 140 ± 1 days gestational age (term, ∼147 days). The density of type II alveolar epithelial cells (surfactant protein C‐immunostained) in the lungs was 30% lower in fetuses from allergic ewes than in controls (P < 0.001), but tissue‐to‐air space ratio and numbers of leucocytes and macrophages were not different between groups. The proportion of CD44+ lymphocytes in the fetal thymus was 3.5‐fold higher in fetuses from allergic ewes than in control ewes (P = 0.043). Fewer surfactant‐producing type II alveolar epithelial cells may contribute to the increased risk of neonatal respiratory distress in infants of asthmatic mothers, suggesting that interventions to promote lung maturation could improve their neonatal outcomes. If the elevated lymphocyte expression of CD44 persists postnatally, this would confer greater susceptibility to allergic diseases in progeny of asthmatic mothers, consistent with observations in humans. Further experiments are needed to evaluate postnatal phenotypes of progeny and investigate potential interventions.
Optimization of Vortex Promoter Parameters to Enhance Heat Transfer Rate in Electronic Equipment
Authors: Aylı Ece , Bayer Özgür
Published: June 2019

In this paper, optimization of the location and the geometry of a vortex promoter located above in a finned surface in a channel with eight heat sources is investigated for a Reynolds number of 12,500 < Re < 27,700. Heat transfer rates and the corresponding Nusselt number distributions are studied both experimentally and numerically using different vortex promoter geometries (square, circular, and triangular) in different locations to illustrate the effect of vortex promoter on the fluid flow. Optimization study considered a range of following parameters: blockage ratio of 0.30 < (y/C) < 0.45 and interpromoter distance ratio of 0.2277 < (x/L) < 0.3416. Results show that fins over which rectangular and circular promoters are integrated perform better in enhancing the heat transfer. According to the numerical and experimental results, higher blockage ratios cause significantly higher heat transfer coefficients. According to the observations, as the interpromoter distances increase, shedding gains strength, and more turbulence is created. All vortex promoters enhance heat transfer resulting in lower temperature values on the finned surface for different (y/C) and (x/L) values and Reynolds numbers. The use of promoters enhances the heat transfer, and the decrease in the maximum temperature values is recorded on the finned surface changing between 15% and 27%. The biggest decrease in maximum surface temperature value is 500 K–364 K and observed in circular promoter case with (y/C) = 0.43, (x/L) = 0.3416, and Reynolds numbers of 22,200.
Component Testing and Numerical Calculation of a Bolted High Temperature Power Plant Pipe Flange Under Complex, Near-Service Loads
Authors: Leibing Benjamin , Klenk Andreas , Seidenfuss Michael
Published: June 2019

To ensure a reliable power supply with a minimum environmental impact in the future, further increases in efficiency and flexibility of fossil-fired power plants are major challenges to address in recent R&D activities. In order to counterbalance substantial fluctuations in the electricity grid due to the rising share of renewable resources, frequent start-ups and shut-downs of turbomachinery will be claimed by the market. Hence, along with the development of advanced materials for elevated steam parameters, contemplations with respect to altered boundary conditions of established materials, e.g., for bolted pipe flange connections, are required. In this paper, a selection of results from a recently finished research work on stress relaxation will be presented. Together with European power plant component manufacturers, a newly developed test rig comprising a scaled intermediate pressure (IP) steam turbine pipe flange now allows investigations under near-service conditions. Before, throughout, and after performance of the experiments, an extensive measurement setup enables the examination of effects that cannot be studied in standardized relaxation tests. Within this work, a loss in bolt pretension of up to almost 50% over a comparatively short period of experimental time was observed. By means of numerical calculations, creep deformation in the transition areas between pipe and flange plate sections was identified to be a major originator of these pretension drops. Particularly, good correlations between experiments and finite element method (FEM) simulations could be achieved through the implementation of enhancements concerning the fitting strategy of the Graham–Walles-type creep model which was used.
Iterative Identification of Discrete-Time Systems With Bilinear Forms in the Presence of Colored Noises Based on the Hierarchical Principle
Authors: Chen Mengting , Ding Feng
Published: June 2019

The paper focuses on the identification of discrete-time bilinear forms in the special case when the external noise (disturbance) is an autoregressive average moving process. The proposed estimation procedure is iterative where, at each iteration, two sets of parameter vectors are estimated interactively. Using the hierarchical technique, a hierarchical generalized extended least squares-based iterative (H-GELSI) algorithm is proposed for avoiding estimating the redundant parameters. In contrast to the hierarchical generalized extended gradient-based iterative (H-GEGI) algorithm, the proposed algorithm can give more accurate parameter estimates. The main results derived in this paper are verified by means of both the computational efficiency comparison and two numerical simulations.
Temperature-Dependent Interfacial Debonding and Frictional Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites
Authors: Li Qiyang , Nian Guodong , Tao Weiming , Qu Shaoxing
Published: June 2019

As fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites are often cured from stress-free high temperature, when subjected to ambient temperature, both the mismatch of the coefficient of linear thermal expansion between the fiber and the matrix and the dependence of material properties on temperature will influence the interfacial behavior. Thus, it is necessary to provide an insight into the mechanism of temperature effects on the thermomechanical properties and behaviors along the interface. In this work, we conducted microbond tests of the glass fiber–epoxy material system at controlled testing temperature (Tt). A modified interface model is formulated and implemented to study the interfacial decohesion and frictional sliding behavior of microbond tests at different Tt. With proper cohesive parameters obtained, the model can predict temperature-dependent interfacial behaviors in fiber-reinforced composites. Both the slope of the peak force as well as the measured force at the stage of frictional sliding decrease with Tt in a wide range of the length of microdroplet-embedded fiber (le). The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) keeps almost constant at Tt ≤ 40 °C and decreases with le when temperature is above 40 °C. The average frictional stress (τfAverage) along the interface increases with le when temperature is below 80 °C but is almost constant when temperature is above or equal to 80 °C. Overall, in the same range of le, τfAverage is greater when Tt is at low temperature.
Auralization uses in acoustical design: A survey study of acoustical consultants
Authors: Thery David , Boccara Vincent , Katz Brian F. G.
Published: June 2019

While auralization technology is used in a variety of fields, particularly in architectural acoustics, there is a lack of data on the auralization tools used and actual practices. In this perspective, this work presents the results of a survey study on auralization uses in the acoustical design and consulting community, targeting acoustical consultants. The objectives are (1) to identify the tools and methods used by acousticians to create auralizations as well as effective uses so as to understand the benefits and changes provided by this technology, and (2) to highlight the difficulties and limitations linked to the use of auralizations in concrete projects. Based on the theory of acceptability and use of technology, the study was conducted from a mix of quantitative and qualitative data collection approaches, combining a questionnaire answered by 74 respondents with semi-directed interviews with nine practitioners. Results highlight the main uses of auralizations, the diversity of projects in which auralizations are applied, and how auralizations are currently used in real-world situations. The benefits of using this technology, inherent weaknesses in the tools, and practical difficulties are also discussed.
Localization of multiple ships using a vertical array in shallow water
Authors: Byun Gihoon , Song H. C. , Byun Sung-Hoon
Published: June 2019

The blind deconvolution employs conventional plane-wave beamforming using an array, selects a well-resolved angle of arrival for beam steering to estimate the phase component of an unknown source waveform, and then extracts the Green's function between the source and the array. In this letter, the approach is extended to multiple-ship scenarios in which the multipath arrivals from one ship are masked by other ships, adopting the basic concept of successive interference cancellation. Once individual Green's functions are available, the array invariant method based on the beam-time migration can be subsequently applied to estimate each source range. Simultaneous localization of two ships radiating broadband noise (200–900 Hz) is demonstrated using a 16-element, 56-m long vertical array in approximately 100-m deep shallow water.
Experimental drug holds off type 1 diabetes
Authors: Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: June 2019

Two weeks of therapy delays disease for average of 2 years.
Large-area graphene-nanomesh/carbon-nanotube hybrid membranes for ionic and molecular nanofiltration
Authors: Yang Yanbing , Yang Xiangdong , Liang Ling , Gao Yuyan , Cheng Huanyu , Li Xinming , Zou Mingchu , Ma Renzhi , Yuan Quan , Duan Xiangfeng
Published: June 2019

Supported graphene-based membranes

Porous graphene sheets have excellent filtration capabilities and are able to block most ions, but their fragility limits their scale-up beyond laboratory demonstrations. Yang
et al.
created a nanoporous graphene membrane reinforced by a network of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) to provide mechanical stability (see the Perspective by Mi). The SWNT network also stopped the propagation of cracks in the graphene, effectively localizing the damage to a small area defined by a cell in the carbon nanotube mesh. The membranes showed high water flux rates as well as a high rejection rate for most ions.

Science
, this issue p.
1057
; see also p.
1033
Discovery and inhibition of an interspecies gut bacterial pathway for Levodopa metabolism
Authors: Maini Rekdal Vayu , Bess Elizabeth N. , Bisanz Jordan E. , Turnbaugh Peter J. , Balskus Emily P.
Published: June 2019

The dope on
l
-dopa metabolism

The efficacy of
l
-dopa treatment for Parkinson's disease is hugely variable between individuals, depending on the composition of their microbiota.
l
-Dopa is decarboxylated into active dopamine, but if the gut microbiota metabolize
l
-dopa before it crosses the blood-brain barrier, medication is ineffective. Maini Rekdal
et al.
found that different species of bacterium are involved in
l
-dopa metabolism (see the Perspective by O'Neill). Tyrosine decarboxylase (TDC) from
Enterococcus faecalis
and dopamine dehydroxylase (Dadh) from
Eggerthella lenta
A2 sequentially metabolized
l
-dopa into
m
-tyramine. The microbial
l
-dopa decarboxylase can be inactivated by (
S
)-α-fluoromethyltyrosine (AFMT), which indicates possibilities for developing combinations of Parkinson's drugs to circumvent microbial inactivation.

Science
, this issue p.
eaau6323
; see also p.
1030
Terahertz field–induced ferroelectricity in quantum paraelectric SrTiO
3
Authors: Li Xian , Qiu Tian , Zhang Jiahao , Baldini Edoardo , Lu Jian , Rappe Andrew M. , Nelson Keith A.
Published: June 2019

Driving strontium titanate ferroelectric

Hidden phases are metastable collective states of matter that are typically not accessible on equilibrium phase diagrams. Nova
et al.
used infrared pulses to excite higher-frequency lattice modes that drive the crystal into a metastable ferroelectric phase, a phase that can persist for many hours. X. Li
et al.
used terahertz fields to drive the soft mode that moves the ions in the crystal into the positions they occupy in the new phase. The ferroelectric phase in this case was transient, lasting on the order of 10 picoseconds. Because these hidden phases can host exotic properties in otherwise conventional materials, the accessibility to and control of such hidden phases may broaden potential functionality and applications.

Science
, this issue p.
1075
, p.
1079
Atomically dispersed Fe
3+
sites catalyze efficient CO
2
electroreduction to CO
Authors: Gu Jun , Hsu Chia-Shuo , Bai Lichen , Chen Hao Ming , Hu Xile
Published: June 2019

Three's a charm for iron and CO
2

Large-scale electrochemical reduction of CO
2
to CO could be a promising first step in sustainable conversion of the greenhouse gas to commodity chemicals. Currently, gold and silver are the most active catalysts for this process, whereas more abundant, less expensive metals tend to require impractically high potentials. Jun Gu
et al.
now report an iron catalyst with activity equaling or exceeding that of the precious metals. The key proved to be stabilization of the dispersed single iron ions in the +3 oxidation state.

Science
, this issue p.
1091
Innovating a Green Real Deal
Authors: Moniz Ernest J.
Published: June 2019

As the United States heads toward an election year in 2020, climate change promises to stay in the headlines. Increasing public concern about and desire to address the consequences of global warming drive this attention, along with the debate about a Green New Deal that promotes social justice alongside accelerated deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Now is the time to translate these aspirations into action within the constraints of technical, cost, and social realities. This is optimization, not compromise—call it a Green Real Deal.
Bordetella bronchiseptica Diguanylate Cyclase BdcA Regulates Motility and Is Important for the Establishment of Respiratory Infection in Mice
Authors: Belhart Keila , Gutierrez María de la Paz , Zacca Federico , Ambrosis Nicolás , Cartelle Gestal Monica , Taylor Dawn , Dahlstrom Kurt M. , Harvill Eric T. , O’Toole George A. , Sisti Federico , Fernández Julieta
Published: June 2019

Pathogenesis of
Bordetella
spp., like that of a number of other pathogens, involves biofilm formation. Biofilms increase tolerance to biotic and abiotic factors and are proposed as reservoirs of microbes for transmission to other organs (trachea, lungs) or other hosts. Bis-(3′-5′)-cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) is a second messenger that regulates transition between biofilm and planktonic lifestyles. In
Bordetella bronchiseptica
, high c-di-GMP levels inhibit motility and favor biofilm formation. In the present work, we characterized a
B. bronchiseptica
diguanylate cyclase, BdcA, which regulates motility and biofilm formation and affects the ability of
B. bronchiseptica
to colonize the murine respiratory tract. These results provide us with a better understanding of how
B. bronchiseptica
can infect a host.
Preventing Accidental Heterocyst Development in Cyanobacteria
Authors: Xing Wei-Yue , Zhang Cheng-Cai
Published: June 2019

The filamentous cyanobacterium
Anabaena
can form heterocysts specialized in N
2
fixation, mostly through a cascade of transcriptional activation in response to the nitrogen starvation signal 2-oxoglutarate. It is reported now that a transcription repressor, CalA, acts as a safety device to prevent heterocyst development under certain conditions where the 2-oxoglutarate level may touch the threshold to trigger unnecessary initiation of heterocyst development.
Accuracy and precision of the late Eocene–early Oligocene geomagnetic polarity time scale
Authors: Sahy Diana , Hiess Joe , Fischer Anne U. , Condon Daniel J. , Terry Dennis O. , Abels Hemmo A. , Hüsing Silja K. , Kuiper Klaudia F.
Published: June 2019

An accurate and precise geomagnetic polarity time scale is crucial to the development of a chronologic framework in which to test paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental interpretations of marine and terrestrial records of the Eocene–Oligocene transition (EOT). The magnetic polarity patterns of relatively continuous marine and terrestrial records of the EOT have been dated using both radio-isotopic techniques and astronomical tuning, both of which can achieve a precision approaching ±30 k.y. for much of the Paleogene. However, the age of magnetic reversals between chrons C12n and C16n.2n has proved difficult to calibrate, with discrepancies of up to 250 k.y. between radio-isotopically dated and astronomically tuned marine successions, rising to 600 k.y. for comparisons with the 206Pb/238U-dated terrestrial record of the White River Group in North America. In this study, we reevaluate the magnetic polarity pattern of the Flagstaff Rim and Toadstool Geologic Park records of the White River Group (C12n–C16n.2n). Our interpretation of the Flagstaff Rim polarity record differs significantly from earlier studies, identifying a previously unreported normal polarity zone correlated to C15n, which eliminates discrepancies between the WRG and the 206Pb/238U-dated marine record of the Rupelian Global Stratotype Section and Point in the Italian Umbria-Marche basin. However, residual discrepancies persist between U-Pb–dated and astronomically tuned records of the EOT even when stratigraphic and systematic uncertainties associated with each locality and dating method are taken into account, which suggests that the uncertainties associated with astronomically tuned records of the EOT may have been underestimated.
Late Cenozoic structure and tectonics of the southern Sierra Nevada–San Joaquin Basin transition, California
Authors: Saleeby Jason , Saleeby Zorka
Published: June 2019

This paper presents a new synthesis for the late Cenozoic tectonic, paleogeographic, and geomorphologic evolution of the southern Sierra Nevada and adjacent eastern San Joaquin Basin. The southern Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Basin contrast sharply, with the former constituting high-relief basement exposures and the latter constituting a Neogene marine basin with superposed low-relief uplifts actively forming along its margins. Nevertheless, we show that Neogene basinal conditions extended continuously eastward across much of the southern Sierra Nevada, and that during late Neogene–Quaternary time, the intra-Sierran basinal deposits were uplifted and fluvially reworked into the San Joaquin Basin. Early Neogene normal-sense growth faulting was widespread and instrumental in forming sediment accommodation spaces across the entire basinal system. Upon erosion of the intra-Sierran basinal deposits, structural relief that formed on the basement surface by the growth faults emerged as topographic relief. Such “weathered out” fossil fault scarps control much of the modern southern Sierra landscape. This Neogene high-angle fault system followed major Late Cretaceous basement structures that penetrated the crust and that formed in conjunction with partial loss of the region’s underlying mantle lithosphere. This left the region highly prone to surface faulting, volcanism, and surface uplift and/or subsidence transients during subsequent tectonic regimes. The effects of the early Neogene passage of the Mendocino Triple Junction were amplified as a result of the disrupted state of the region’s basement. This entailed widespread high-angle normal faulting, convecting mantle-sourced volcanism, and epeirogenic transients that were instrumental in sediment dispersal, deposition, and reworking patterns. Subsequent phases of epeirogenic deformation forced additional sediment reworking episodes across the southern Sierra Nevada–eastern San Joaquin Basin region during the late Miocene break-off and west tilt of the Sierra Nevada microplate and the Pliocene–Quaternary loss of the region’s residual mantle lithosphere that was left intact from the Late Cretaceous tectonic regime. These late Cenozoic events have left the high local-relief southern Sierra basement denuded of its Neogene basinal cover and emergent immediately adjacent to the eastern San Joaquin Basin and its eastern marginal uplift zone.
Nephrotic syndrome without kidney injury revealing intravascular large B cell lymphoma
Authors: Pothen Lucie , Aydin Selda , Camboni Alessandra , Hainaut Philippe
Published: June 2019

We describe the case of a 64-year-old woman admitted for fever of unknown origin, who developed nephrotic syndrome during hospitalisation and pulmonary infiltrates. Renal biopsy disclosed intracapillary glomerular invasion by intravascular large B cell lymphoma. Clinical and biological evolution was favourable after rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicine, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) treatment and autologous stem cell transplant. Two years after diagnosis the patient was considered in remission.
Maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring body composition in adulthood: Results from two birth cohort studies
Authors: Magalhães Elma Izze da Silva , Lima Natália Peixoto , Menezes Ana Maria Baptista , Gonçalves Helen , Wehrmeister Fernando C , Assunção Maria Cecília Formoso , Horta Bernardo Lessa
Published: June 2019

Objective

To evaluate the association of maternal smoking during pregnancy with offspring body composition in adulthood and explore the causality of this association.

Design

Birth cohort.

Setting

Population-based study in Pelotas, Brazil.

Participants

All newborn infants in the city’s hospitals were enrolled in 1982 and 1993. At a mean age of 30.2 and 22.6 years, the 1982 and 1993 cohorts, respectively, followed the subjects and 7222 subjects were evaluated.

Primary outcome measures

Body mass index (BMI), fat mass index, android to gynoid fat ratio, waist circumference, waist to height ratio, lean mass index and height.

Results

Prevalence of maternal smoking during pregnancy was 35.1% and 32.6%, in 1982 and 1993 cohorts, respectively. Offspring of smoking mothers showed higher mean BMI (β: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.55 to 1.12 kg/m2), fat mass index (β: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.64 kg/m2), android to gynoid fat ratio (β: 0.016; 95% CI: 0.010 to 0.023), waist circumference (β: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.15 to 2.33 cm), waist to height ratio (β: 0.013; 95% CI: 0.010 to 0.017) and lean mass index (β: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.42 kg/m2), whereas height was lower (β: −0.95; −1.26 to −0.65). Weight gain in the first 2 years captured most of the association of maternal smoking with BMI (96.2%), waist circumference (86.1%) and fat mass index (71.7%).

Conclusions

Maternal smoking in pregnancy was associated with offspring body composition measures in adulthood.
‘People have started to deliver in the facility these days’: a qualitative exploration of factors affecting facility delivery in Ethiopia
Authors: Hill Zelee , Amare Yared , Scheelbeek Pauline , Schellenberg Joanna
Published: June 2019

Objectives

To understand the recent rise in facility deliveries in Ethiopia.

Design

A qualitative study.

Setting

Four rural communities in two regions of Ethiopia.

Participants

12 narrative, 12 in-depth interviews and four focus group discussions with recently delivered women; and four focus group discussions with each of grandmothers, fathers and community health workers.

Results

We found that several interwoven factors led to the increase in facility deliveries, and that respondents reported that the importance of these factors varied over time. The initial catalysts were a saturation of messages around facility delivery, improved accessibility of facilities, the prohibition of traditional birth attendants, and elders having less influence on deciding the place of delivery. Once women started to deliver in facilities, the drivers of the behaviour changed as women had positive experiences. As more women began delivering in facilities, families shared positive experiences of the facilities, leading to others deciding to deliver in a facility.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the need to employ strategies that act at multiple levels, and that both push and pull families to health facilities.
Chewing gum to treat postoperative nausea and emesis in female patients (CHEWY): rationale and design for a multicentre randomised trial
Authors: Darvall Jai , von Ungern-Sternberg Britta Sylvia , Braat Sabine , Story David , Davidson Andrew , Allen Megan , Tran-Duy An , Middleton Dana , Leslie Kate
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Postoperative nausea, retching and vomiting (PONV) remains one of the most common side effects of general anaesthesia, contributing significantly to patient dissatisfaction, cost and complications. Chewing gum has potential as a novel, drug-free alternative treatment. We aim to conduct a large, definitive randomised controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of peppermint-flavoured chewing gum to treat PONV in the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU). If chewing gum is shown to be as effective as ondansetron, this trial has the potential to significantly improve outcomes for tens of millions of surgical patients around the world each year.

Methods and analysis

This is a prospective, multicentre, randomised controlled non-inferiority trial. 272 female patients aged ≥12 years having volatile anaesthetic-based general anaesthesia for breast or laparoscopic surgery will be randomised. Patients experiencing nausea, retching or vomiting in PACU will be randomised to 15 min of chewing gum or 4 mg intravenous ondansetron. The primary outcome (complete response) is cessation of PONV within 2 hours of administration, with no recurrence nor rescue medication requirement for 2 hours after administration.

Ethics and dissemination

The Chewy Trial has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committees at all sites. Dissemination will be via international and national anaesthesia conferences, and publication in the peer-reviewed literature.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12618000429257; Pre-results.
Improving the accuracy of digital templating: achieving success through stakeholder management
Authors: Parwaiz Hammad , Aliaga Crespo Boris , Filer Joshua , Thorpe Ashley , Seatter Rosie , Faulkner Dominique Suzanne , Sandhu Harvey
Published: June 2019

The use of a marker ball in digital templating for hip arthroplasty is a well-established method of preoperative planning and is used to overcome the inherent magnification in plain film radiographs. Our hospital policy is to place a marker ball in all anteroposterior pelvic films taken in the emergency department (ED) which have been requested for suspected neck of femur fractures. We carried out a baseline measurement followed by three Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles for all pelvic films taken in ED during July 2016, November 2016, February 2017 and November 2017. Interventions between the baseline measurement and cycle 1 were to educate the lead radiographer and publish the results in the radiology newsletter, and between cycles 1 and 2 was to run a teaching session for radiographers, display posters in the X-ray department and place an electronic prompt on the X-ray machine to alert them of the need to place a marker ball in the X-ray field. Cycle 3 looked to see if improvements were sustained. 16/81 (20%) radiographs complied with the policy in our baseline measurement; 25/51 (46%, p=0.002) in cycle 1; 40/54 (74%, p=0.0056) in cycle 2; and 48/63 (76%) in cycle 3. Our quality improvement project led to large improvements in clinical practice through straightforward, small, but appropriately targeted interventions. Stakeholder management is key to successfully implementing change. The next step is to switch from the VoyantMark to the KingMark marker ball, as it has greater accuracy of templating and is also easier to place within the field of an X-ray.