bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atomic view of an amyloid dodecamer exhibiting selective cellular toxic vulnerability in acute brain slices
Authors: Gray Amber L. H. , Sawaya Michael R. , Acharyya Debalina , Lou Jinchao , Edington Emery M. , Best Michael D. , Prosser Rebecca A. , Eisenberg David S. , Do Thanh D.
Published: December 2021

Atomic structures of amyloid oligomers that capture the neurodegenerative disease pathology are essential to understand disease‐state causes and finding cures. Here we investigate the G6W mutation of the cytotoxic, hexameric amyloid model KV11. The mutation results into an asymmetric dodecamer composed of a pair of 30° twisted antiparallel β‐sheets. The complete break between adjacent β‐strands is unprecedented among amyloid fibril crystal structures and supports that our structure is an oligomer. The poor shape complementarity between mated sheets reveals an interior channel for binding lipids, suggesting that the toxicity may be due to a perturbation of lipid transport rather than a direct disruption of membrane integrity. Viability assays on mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus, anterior hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex demonstrated selective regional vulnerability consistent with Alzheimer's disease. Neuropeptides released from the brain slices may provide clues to how G6W initiates cellular injury.
Leader‐following consensus of multiple spacecraft systems with disturbance rejection over switching networks by adaptive learning control
Authors: Wang Tianqi , Huang Jie
Published: December 2021

In this article, we study the leader‐following attitude consensus and disturbance rejection problem of multiple uncertain rigid spacecraft systems over jointly connected switching networks. In contrast with the previous work, which can only handle disturbances in the form of step functions and trigonometric functions via the internal model approach, we allow the disturbances to be any bounded unknown time functions. Moreover, instead of static and connected communication networks, we can handle jointly connected switching networks, which can be disconnected at all time. These improvements are due to the integration of two techniques, namely, the adaptive distributed observer technique and the adaptive learning control technique. The effectiveness of our approach is illustrated by two numerical examples.
Hydrogen Bonding Crosslinking of Starch‐Polyvinyl Alcohol Films Reinforced by Ultrasound‐Assisted and Cellulose Nanofibers Dispersed Cellulose Nanocrystals
Authors: Jia Rui‐Jing , Teng Ke‐Yong , Huang Jia‐Yi , Wei Xin , Qin Zhi‐Yong
Published: December 2021

The study reports the effects of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and an ultrasound‐assisted method dispersed cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) on the mechanical and water resistance properties of starch‐polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films. Starch‐PVA (SP) based films are prepared by casting method, compared with the original SP films, the ultrasound‐assisted and CNF are beneficial to the dispersion of CNC in nanocomposites, and the tensile strength (TS) of the ultrasound treatment starch/PVA/CNC/CNF (USPCF) film is increased to 10.63 MPa, an increase by 60%. The cross‐section morphology of the USPCF film is smoother and more homogeneous, indicating the particle size of CNC is small. The structure of blend films is homogeneous and compact due to the CNC full playing to the nano‐effect, which is the main reason for the improvement of SP‐based films in mechanical properties. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy shows the hydrogen bonding is formed between SP and the fillers, while X‐ray diffraction shows that the crystallinity of nanocomposite films is decreased with ultrasonication. From the results, it can be concluded that CNF and ultrasound‐assisted dispersed nanoparticles could reinforce the SP‐based films efficiently to prepare green nanocomposite films.
Dry landscapes and parched economies: A review of how drought impacts nonagricultural socioeconomic sectors in the US Intermountain West
Authors: Wlostowski Adam N. , Jennings Keith S. , Bash Rachel E. , Burkhardt Jesse , Wobus Cameron W. , Aggett Graeme
Published: December 2021

From hampering the ability of water utilities to fill their reservoirs to leaving forests parched and ready to burn, drought is a unique natural hazard that impacts many human and natural systems. A great deal of research and synthesis to date has been devoted to understanding how drought conditions harm agricultural operations, leaving other drought‐vulnerable sectors relatively under‐served. This review aims to fill in such gaps by synthesizing literature from a diverse array of scientific fields to detail how drought impacts nonagricultural sectors of the economy: public water supply, recreation and tourism, forest resources, and public health. We focus on the Intermountain West region of the United States, where the decadal scale recurrence of severe drought provides a basis for understanding the causal linkages between drought conditions and impacts.

This article is categorized under:

Human Water > Value of Water

Science of Water > Water Extremes
The time traveler’s guide to the quantization of zero modes
Authors: Alonso-Serrano Ana , Tjoa Erickson , Garay Luis J. , Martín-Martínez Eduardo
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We study the relationship between the quantization of a massless scalar field on the two-dimensional Einstein cylinder and in a spacetime with a time machine. We find that the latter picks out a unique prescription for the state of the zero mode in the Einstein cylinder. We show how this choice arises from the computation of the vacuum Wightman function and the vacuum renormalized stress-energy tensor in the time-machine geometry. Finally, we relate the previously proposed regularization of the zero mode state as a squeezed state with the time-machine warp parameter, thus demonstrating that the quantization in the latter regularizes the quantization in an Einstein cylinder.
Celestial dual superconformal symmetry, MHV amplitudes and differential equations
Authors: Hu Yangrui , Ren Lecheng , Srikant Akshay Yelleshpur , Volovich Anastasia
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Celestial and momentum space amplitudes for massless particles are related to each other by a change of basis provided by the Mellin transform. Therefore properties of celestial amplitudes have counterparts in momentum space amplitudes and vice versa. In this paper, we study the celestial avatar of dual superconformal symmetry of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 Yang-Mills theory. We also analyze various differential equations known to be satisfied by celestial n-point tree-level MHV amplitudes and identify their momentum space origins.
A note on ensemble holography for rational tori
Authors: Raeymaekers Joris
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We study simple examples of ensemble-averaged holography in free compact boson CFTs with rational values of the radius squared. These well-known rational CFTs have an extended chiral algebra generated by three currents. We consider the modular average of the vacuum character in these theories, which results in a weighted average over all modular invariants. In the simplest case, when the chiral algebra is primitive (in a sense we explain), the weights in this ensemble average are all equal. In the non-primitive case the ensemble weights are governed by a semigroup structure on the space of modular invariants.

These observations can be viewed as evidence for a holographic duality between the ensemble of CFTs and an exotic gravity theory based on a compact U(1) × U(1) Chern-Simons action. In the bulk description, the extended chiral algebra arises from soliton sectors, and including these in the path integral on thermal AdS3 leads to the vacuum character of the chiral algebra. We also comment on wormhole-like contributions to the multi-boundary path integral.
Inside an asymptotically flat hairy black hole
Authors: Dias Óscar J. C. , Horowitz Gary T. , Santos Jorge E.
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We study the interior of a recently constructed family of asymptotically flat, charged black holes that develop (charged) scalar hair as one increases their charge at fixed mass. Inside the horizon, these black holes resemble the interior of a holographic superconductor. There are analogs of the Josephson oscillations of the scalar field, and the final Kasner singularity depends very sensitively on the black hole parameters near the onset of the instability. In an appendix, we give a general argument that Cauchy horizons cannot exist in a large class of stationary black holes with scalar hair.
A class of Newton maps with Julia sets of Lebesgue measure zero
Authors: Wolff Mareike
Published: December 2021

Let $$g(z)=\int _0^zp(t)\exp (q(t))\,dt+c$$

g

(
z
)

=

∫
0
z

p

(
t
)

exp

(
q

(
t
)

)

d
t
+
c

where p, q are polynomials and $$c\in {\mathbb {C}}$$

c
∈
C

, and let f be the function from Newton’s method for g. We show that under suitable assumptions on the zeros of $$g''$$

g

′
′

the Julia set of f has Lebesgue measure zero. Together with a theorem by Bergweiler, our result implies that $$f^n(z)$$

f
n

(
z
)

converges to zeros of g almost everywhere in $${\mathbb {C}}$$
C
if this is the case for each zero of $$g''$$

g

′
′

that is not a zero of g or $$g'$$

g
′

. In order to prove our result, we establish general conditions ensuring that Julia sets have Lebesgue measure zero.
Xenobiotic metabolism and its physiological consequences in high-Antarctic Notothenioid fishes
Authors: Strobel Anneli , Lille-Langøy Roger , Segner Helmut , Burkhardt-Holm Patricia , Goksøyr Anders , Karlsen Odd André
Published: December 2021

The Antarctic ecosystem is progressively exposed to anthropogenic contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). So far, it is largely unknown if PAHs leave a mark in the physiology of high-Antarctic fish. We approached this issue via two avenues: first, we examined the functional response of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), which is a molecular initiating event of many toxic effects of PAHs in biota. Chionodraco hamatus and Trematomus loennbergii served as representatives for high-Antarctic Notothenioids, and Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua as non-polar reference species. We sequenced and cloned the Ahr ligand binding domain (LBD) of the Notothenioids and deployed a GAL4-based luciferase reporter gene assay expressing the Ahr LBD. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), beta-naphthoflavone and chrysene were used as ligands for the reporter gene assay. Second, we investigated the energetic costs of Ahr activation in isolated liver cells of the Notothenioids during acute, non-cytotoxic BaP exposure. In the reporter assay, the Ahr LBD of Atlantic cod and the Antarctic Notothenioids were activated by the ligands tested herein. In the in vitro assays with isolated liver cells of high-Antarctic Notothenioids, BaP exposure had no effect on overall respiration, but caused shifts in the respiration dedicated to protein synthesis. Thus, our study demonstrated that high-Antarctic fish possess a functional Ahr that can be ligand-activated in a concentration-dependent manner by environmental contaminants. This is associated with altered cost for cellular protein synthesis. Future studies have to show if the toxicant-induced activation of the Ahr pathway may lead to altered organism performance of Antarctic fish.
Clinical responses following inspiratory muscle training in exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction
Authors: Sandnes Astrid , Andersen Tiina , Clemm Hege Havstad , Hilland Magnus , Heimdal John-Helge , Halvorsen Thomas , Røksund Ola Drange , Vollsæter Maria
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) is relatively common in young people. Treatment rests on poor evidence; however, inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been proposed a promising strategy. We aimed to assess laryngeal outcomes shortly after IMT, and to compare self-reported symptoms with a control group 4–6 years later.

Methods

Two groups were retrospectively identified from the EILO-register at Haukeland University Hospital, Norway; one group had received only information and breathing advice (IBA), and another additionally IMT (IBA + IMT). At diagnosis, all participants performed continuous laryngoscopy during exercise (CLE), with findings split by glottic and supraglottic scores, and completed a questionnaire mapping exercise-related symptoms. After 2–4 weeks, the IBA + IMT-group was re-evaluated with CLE-test. After 4–6 years, both groups were re-assessed with a questionnaire.

Results

We identified 116 eligible patients from the EILO-register. Response rates after 4–6 years were 23/58 (40%) and 32/58 (55%) in the IBA and IBA + IMT-group, respectively. At diagnosis, both groups rated symptoms similarly, but laryngeal scores were higher in the IBA + IMT-group (P = 0.003). After 2–4 weeks, 23/32 in the IBA + IMT-group reported symptom improvements, associated with a decrease of mainly glottic scores (1.7–0.3; P < 0.001), contrasting unchanged scores in the 9/32 without symptom improvements. After 4–6 years, exercise-related symptoms and activity levels had decreased to similar levels in both groups, with no added benefit from IMT; however, full symptom resolution was reported by only 8/55 participants.

Conclusion

Self-reported EILO symptoms had improved after 4–6 years, irrespective of initial treatment. Full symptom resolution was rare, suggesting individual follow-up should be offered.
Reductions in sleep quality and circadian activity rhythmicity predict longitudinal changes in objective and subjective cognitive functioning in women treated for breast cancer
Authors: Ancoli-Israel Sonia , Liu Lianqi , Natarajan Loki , Rissling Michelle , Neikrug Ariel B. , Youngstedt Shawn D. , Mills Paul J. , Sadler Georgia R. , Dimsdale Joel E. , Parker Barbara A. , Palmer Barton W.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To examine long-term cognitive effects of chemotherapy and identify predictors among women with breast cancer (WBC).

Patients and methods

Sixty-nine WBC scheduled to receive chemotherapy, and 64 matched-controls with no cancer, participated. Objective and subjective cognition, total sleep time, nap time, circadian activity rhythms (CAR), sleep quality, fatigue, and depression were measured pre-chemotherapy (Baseline), end of cycle 4 (Cycle-4), and one-year post-chemotherapy (1-Year).

Results

WBC showed no change in objective cognitive measures from Baseline to Cycle-4 but significantly improved from both time points to 1-Year. Matched-controls showed an increase in test performance at all time points. WBC had significantly higher self-reported cognitive dysfunction at Cycle-4 and 1-Year compared to baseline and compared to matched-controls. Worse neuropsychological functioning was predicted by less robust CARs (i.e., inconsistent 24 h pattern), worse sleep quality, longer naps, and worse cognitive complaints. Worse subjective cognition was predicted by lower sleep quality and higher fatigue and depressed mood.

Conclusion

Objective testing showed increases in performance scores from pre- and post-chemotherapy to one year later in WBC, but matched-controls showed an increase in test performance from baseline to Cycle-4 and from Cycle-4 to 1-Year, likely due to a practice effect. The fact that WBC showed no practice effects may reflect a form of learning deficit. Compared with the matched-controls, WBC reported significant worsened cognitive function. In WBC, worse objective and subjective cognitive functioning were predicted by worse sleep and sleep-related behaviors (naps and CAR). Interventions that target sleep, circadian rhythms, and fatigue may benefit cognitive function in WBC.
Leukocyte profile variation in Dupont’s Lark (Chersophilus duponti) in Spain and Morocco
Authors: Bustillo-de la Rosa Daniel , Calero-Riestra María , Pérez-Granados Cristian , Mereu Silvia , Morales Manuel B. , Traba Juan , López-Iborra Germán M. , Barrero Adrián , Gómez-Catasús Julia , Reverter Margarita , Viñuela Javier , Oñate Juan J. , Hervás Israel , Justribó Jorge Hernández , García Jesús T.
Published: December 2021

Stress in birds has been widely studied through the measurement of heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio). In this study we aimed to assess for the first time the potential variation of stress, measured as H/L ratio, associated to geography (between-country variation) and seasonality (between seasons and within the breeding season), as well as the leukocyte profiles, in the threatened Dupont’s Lark (Chersophilus duponti), using samples from Spain and Morocco. Furthermore, we tested whether variation in H/L ratio was associated with variables such as population density, presence of blood parasites and individual body condition. We found that H/L ratio did not vary between countries, but individuals captured during the breeding season showed higher values of H/L compared to non-breeding ones. Neither male density, nor date within the breeding season had an effect on the H/L ratio. In Spain, individuals with higher body condition showed lower H/L ratio regardless of whether they were malaria-infected. In Morocco, malaria-infected individuals showed higher values of H/L ratio than the non-infected birds. Moreover, we found that our average values of H/L ratio in Morocco were within the ranges of other passerines, but not in Spain. Individuals with higher H/L ratios may be more stressed or present higher capability to face stressful situations. Although H/L ratio is a useful and relatively easy way to obtain measure of stress, the impact that the environment might have on stress and the way it is explained by H/L ratio must be addressed carefully. This study provides new insight for this species’ biology and provides useful reference information to test the status and survival of other populations.
Turbulence Intensity and Length Scale Effects on Premixed Turbulent Flame Propagation
Authors: Trivedi Shrey , Cant R. S.
Published: December 2021

The effects of varying turbulence intensity and turbulence length scale on premixed turbulent flame propagation are investigated using Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS). The DNS dataset contains the results of a set of turbulent flame simulations based on separate and systematic changes in either turbulence intensity or turbulence integral length scale while keeping all other parameters constant. All flames considered are in the thin reaction zones regime. Several aspects of flame behaviour are analysed and compared, either by varying the turbulence intensity at constant integral length scale, or by varying the integral length scale at constant turbulence intensity. The turbulent flame speed is found to increase with increasing turbulence intensity and also with increasing integral length scale. Changes in the turbulent flame speed are generally accounted for by changes in the flame surface area, but some deviation is observed at high values of turbulence intensity. The probability density functions (pdfs) of tangential strain rate and mean flame curvature are found to broaden with increasing turbulence intensity and also with decreasing integral length scale. The response of the correlation between tangential strain rate and mean flame curvature is also investigated. The statistics of displacement speed and its components are analysed, and the findings indicate that changes in response to decreasing integral length scale are broadly similar to those observed for increasing turbulence intensity, although there are some interesting differences. These findings serve to improve current understanding of the role of turbulence length scales in flame propagation.
Fairly and Justly? Are Employment Tribunals Able to Even Out Whistleblowing Power Imbalances?
Authors: William Laura , Vandekerckhove Wim
Published: December 2021

In Britain, Employment Tribunals (ET) adjudicate on whistleblowing legislation. They do so with the overriding aim to adjudicate cases fairly and justly, by hearing parties on an equal footing. This paper presents research questioning this rule-of-law assumption vis-a-vis power imbalances that relate to whistleblowing. Using multinomial logistic regression analysis, we analyse all cases at ET in England and Wales between 2015 and 2018, that included a whistleblowing claim and that went to preliminary hearing or beyond. We find that several variables have an effect on the relative representational strength (RRS) at ET, but not on the outcome of the whistleblowing claim. However, whistleblowing claims brought in combination of discrimination claims (41%) have lower RRS and less favourable outcomes for the whistleblowing claim.
Epicardial fat volume is associated with preexisting atrioventricular conduction abnormalities and increased pacemaker implantation rate in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Weferling Maren , Rolf Andreas , Fischer-Rasokat Ulrich , Liebetrau Christoph , Renker Matthias , Choi Yeoung-Hoon , Hamm Christian W. , Dey Damini , Kim Won-Keun
Published: December 2021

Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) is a highly metabolically active fat depot surrounding the heart and coronary arteries that is related to early atherosclerosis and adverse cardiac events. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the amount of EFT and preexisting cardiac conduction abnormalities (CCAs) and the need for new postinterventional pacemaker in patients with severe aortic stenosis planned for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). A total of 560 consecutive patients (54% female) scheduled for TAVI were included in this retrospective study. EFT volume was measured via a fully automated artificial intelligence software (QFAT) using computed tomography (CT) performed before TAVI. Baseline CCAs [first-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, right bundle branch block (RBBB), and left bundle branch block (LBBB)] were diagnosed according to 12-lead ECG before TAVI. Aortic valve calcification was determined by the Agatston score assessed in the pre-TAVI CT. The median EFT volume was 129.5 ml [IQR 94–170]. Baseline first-degree AV block was present in 17%, RBBB in 10.4%, and LBBB in 10.2% of the overall cohort. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, higher EFT volume was associated with first-degree AV block (OR 1.006 [95% CI 1.002–1.010]; p = 0.006) and the need for new pacemaker implantation after TAVI (OR 1.005 [95% CI 1.0–1.01]; p = 0.035) but not with the presence of RBBB or LBBB. EFT volume did not correlate with the Agatston score of the aortic valve. Greater EFT volume is associated independently with preexisting first-degree AV block and new pacemaker implantation in patients undergoing TAVI. It may play a causative role in degenerative processes and the susceptibility of the AV conduction system.
Water intake of cellulose materials monitored by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy
Authors: Resch Laura , Karner Anna , Sprengel Wolfgang , Würschum Roland , Schennach Robert
Published: December 2021

In this study, for the first time, the experimental technique of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) has been applied to monitor in situ the microstructural changes of cellulose-based materials, i.e. paper, during water intake. For three different cellulose samples, bleached fine paper without filler, Kraft paper without filler, and a viscose fiber sheet, the mean positron lifetime $$\Delta \tau _{\mathrm {mean}}$$

Δ

τ
mean

showed a strong increase with time in humid atmosphere, but exhibiting different trends depending on the type of sample. For all the cellulose samples investigated, the mean positron lifetime $$\Delta \tau _{\mathrm {mean}}$$

Δ

τ
mean

shows an initial strong increase simultaneously occurring (t<10 h) to the mass increase of the samples due to water intake. Interestingly, the variations of $$\Delta \tau _{\mathrm {mean}}$$

Δ

τ
mean

of the viscose fiber sheet and the Kraft paper sample both show a second increase on longer timescales (t>60 h in humid atmosphere) during which the mass increase of these samples has already been saturated. The results of this study show that by the means of PALS, water transport in paper can be reliably followed over a long timespan and it is even possible to distinguish between different types of cellulose materials. The second stage increase of the mean positron lifetime after long times in humid atmosphere for the Kraft paper sample and the pure viscose sheets even suggest that not only water intake itself can be monitored but also further atomistic processes in the material are accessible.
Higher-order learning
Authors: Evdokimov Piotr , Garfagnini Umberto
Published: December 2021

We design a novel experiment to study how subjects update their beliefs about the beliefs of others. Three players receive sequential signals about an unknown state of the world. Player 1 reports her beliefs about the state; Player 2 simultaneously reports her beliefs about the beliefs of Player 1; Player 3 simultaneously reports her beliefs about the beliefs of Player 2. We say that beliefs exhibit higher-order learning if the beliefs of Player k about the beliefs of Player $$k-1$$

k
-
1

become more accurate as more signals are observed. We find that some of the predicted dynamics of higher-order beliefs are reflected in the data; in particular, higher-order beliefs are updated more slowly with private than public information. However, higher-order learning fails even after a large number of signals is observed. We argue that this result is driven by base-rate neglect, heterogeneity in updating processes, and subjects’ failure to correctly take learning rules of others into account.
The origin of the genus Cannabis
Authors: Osterberger Elisabeth , Lohwasser Ulrike , Jovanovic Dijana , Ruzicka Joana , Novak Johannes
Published: December 2021

Chloroplast markers (cp markers) are the useful instrument for cannabis (syn. hemp, Cannabis sativa L.) to study relationships of accessions between different geographic origins. In an alignment of three published plastomes 38 chloroplast polymorphisms were identified from which 8 cp markers were used to study relationships of 53 cannabis accessions by high-resolution-melting analyis (HRMA). The marker set could distinguish six haplotypes (‘A’ to ‘F’) in the cannabis collection, where haplotypes ‘A’ and ‘F’ dominated with 34% and 50% of the individuals, respectively. A majority of populations (37) were homogeneous regarding the haplotype, 12 accessions were constituted of two haplotypes and 4 accessions of three haplotypes. Most of the European fibre cultivars consisted of the ‘F’-type (e.g. ‘Fibrimon’, Fibrimon 21’, Juso 14’, ‘Fasamo’ and ‘Schurig’), some were mixed ‘A/F’-types (e.g. ‘Fibrimon 21’, ‘Superfibra’, ‘Lorrin 110’, ‘Futura’, ‘Havelländische’). The Italian ‘Carmagnola in Selezione’ was exceptional in being a pure ‘A’-type. In the heterogenous populations, expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.06 to 0.41. The populations were well differentiated by this marker set locating 79% of the variation among populations (AMOVA). By comparison with plastomes from the closest related genus Humulus, haplotype ‘B’ could be identified as haplotype of the common ancestor of both genera. The haplotype ‘B’ is rare with a frequency of only 4% in the populations analysed. Unfortunately, the true geographic origin of most samples was unclear. However, amongst all published plastomes, only two were classified as haplotype ‘B’, both pointing independently back to Yunnan province (China), indicating Yunnan as the region of origin of the genus Cannabis.
Skin Conductance Responses to a Discrete Threat in Virtual Reality: Associations with Psychopathy and Anxiety
Authors: Centifanti Luna C. M. , Gillespie Steven M. , Thomson Nicholas D.
Published: December 2021

People with high levels of psychopathic traits are often described as fearless and lacking in emotional depth, particularly when evaluating threats in their environments. Skin conductance responsivity (SCR) to negative emotional stimuli represents a robust autonomic correlate of conduct problem behavior in children (Fanti et al., in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 100, 98–107, 2019). However, studies that have examined threat-related processing in youth with conduct problems have tended to use a variety of negative stimuli that might induce various and unspecific negative emotions. Few studies have taken in to account the moderating effects of anxiety on the relationship of distinct psychopathic traits (e.g., narcissism, callousness, impulsivity) with SCR to a fear inducing stimulus. In this study, we examined SCR to a virtual reality rollercoaster drop – that is, a discrete fear inducing event – in a sample of 75 youths (61 males; M = 14 years, SD = 1.4) enrolled in a non-mainstream school. The rollercoaster drop was used to more clearly examine an event-related response to a discrete threat, rather than examining SCR throughout the rollercoaster ride. We used the teacher-reported Antisocial Process Screening Device (Frick & Hare, in Antisocial process screening device: APSD. Toronto: Multi-Health Systems, 2001) to examine the relations of distinct psychopathic traits with SCR and self-reported anxiety. Lower anxiety was associated with higher callousness, but only in youths with low SCR to discrete threat. These findings suggest that fear and anxiety show complex and interactive relations with distinct psychopathic traits.
The light response in chickens divergently selected for feather pecking behavior reveals mechanistic insights towards psychiatric disorders
Authors: Falker-Gieske Clemens , Bennewitz Jörn , Tetens Jens
Published: December 2021

Background

Feather pecking is a serious behavioral disorder in chickens that has a considerable impact on animal welfare and poses an economic burden for poultry farming. To study the underlying genetics of feather pecking animals were divergently selected for feather pecking over 15 generations based on estimated breeding values for the behavior.

Methods and results

By characterizing the transcriptomes of whole brains isolated from high and low feather pecking chickens in response to light stimulation we discovered a putative dysregulation of micro RNA processing caused by a lack of Dicer1. This results in a prominent downregulation of the GABRB2 gene and other GABA receptor transcripts, which might cause a constant high level of excitation in the brains of high feather pecking chickens. Moreover, our results point towards an increase in immune system-related transcripts that may be caused by higher interferon concentrations due to Dicer1 downregulation.

Conclusion

Based on our results, we conclude that feather pecking in chickens and schizophrenia in humans have numerous common features. For instance, a Dicer1 dependent disruption of miRNA biogenesis and the lack of GABRB2 expression have been linked to schizophrenia pathogenesis. Furthermore, disturbed circadian rhythms and dysregulation of genes involved in the immune system are common features of both conditions.
Asymptotics for Bailey-type mock theta functions
Authors: Garnowski Taylor
Published: December 2021

We compute asymptotic estimates for the Fourier coefficients of two mock theta functions, which come from Bailey pairs derived by Lovejoy and Osburn. To do so, we employ the circle method due to Wright and a modified Tauberian theorem. We encounter cancelation in our estimates for one of the mock theta functions due to the auxiliary function $$\theta _{n,p}$$

θ

n
,
p

arising from the splitting of Hickerson and Mortenson. We deal with this by using higher-order asymptotic expansions for the Jacobi theta functions.
Least number of n-periodic points of self-maps of $$PSU(2)\times PSU(2)$$
Authors: Jezierski Jerzy
Published: December 2021

Let $$f:M\rightarrow M$$

f
:
M
→
M

be a self-map of a compact manifold and $$n\in {\mathbb {N}}$$

n
∈
N

. In general, the least number of n-periodic points in the smooth homotopy class of f may be much bigger than in the continuous homotopy class. For a class of spaces, including compact Lie groups, a necessary condition for the equality of the above two numbers, for each iteration $$f^n$$

f
n

, appears. Here we give the explicit form of the graph of orbits of Reidemeister classes $$\mathcal {GOR}(f^*)$$

GOR
(

f
∗

)

for self-maps of projective unitary group PSU(2) and of $$PSU(2)\times PSU(2)$$

P
S
U
(
2
)
×
P
S
U
(
2
)

satisfying the necessary condition. The structure of the graphs implies that for self-maps of the above spaces the necessary condition is also sufficient for the smooth minimal realization of n-periodic points for all iterations.
Microorganism Profiles of Penile Prosthesis Removed for Infection, Erosion, and Mechanical Malfunction Based on Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Chung Paul H. , Leong Joon Yau , Phillips Caleb D. , Henry Gerard D.
Published: December 2021

Background

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is an emerging technology that may allow for more sensitive and sophisticated microbial testing of the microbiota of penile prostheses (PP).

Aim

To describe the microorganism profiles of PP explanted for infection, erosion, and mechanical malfunction using NGS.

Methods

All patients who underwent PP removal by two physicians at two institutions were identified. Differences in alpha diversity (ie, number of species detected, species diversity across samples) and microbiome compositional profiles (Bray-Curtis community dissimilarities) across samples were assessed using ANOVA and PERMANOVA, respectively.

Outcomes

Number of species detected, species diversity across samples, and microbiome compositional profiles.

Results

A total of 83 patients who underwent device removal for infection (n = 8, 10%), erosion (n = 5, 6%), and mechanical malfunction (n = 70, 84%) were included. When considering all devices, 56% (n = 48) of NGS and 29% (n = 24) of standard cultures resulted positive for presence of microorganisms. Culture only detected the most abundant NGS species in 62.5% (n = 5) of infected devices. Species richness and microbiome compositional profiles varied by surgical indication, but not by age, race, diabetes status, or implant duration. Most frequent organisms by surgical indication were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (infection), Staphylococcus epidermidis (erosion), and Escherichia coli (mechanical malfunction). The highest relative abundance organisms were P aeruginosa (infection), Corynebacterium jeikeium (erosion), and E coli (mechanical malfunction).

Clinical Implications

Identifying microbiome profiles of PP removed for infection, erosion, and mechanical malfunction may guide the selection of peri-operative antibiotics and PP antibiotic coatings or hydrophilic dip solutions for each individual scenario.

Strengths and Limitations

While this is the first study to utilize next-generation sequencing to evaluate penile prosthesis biofilm, the clinical significance of these findings has yet to be determined. A prospective, randomized trial aimed at evaluating the clinical significance of NGS in patients with PP infection is currently underway.

Conclusion

NGS testing identified distinct microbiome profiles of PP removed for infection, erosion, and mechanical malfunction.
Sedimentary Provenance From the Evolving Forearc‐to‐Foreland Central Sakarya Basin, Western Anatolia Reveals Multi‐Phase Intercontinental Collision
Authors: Mueller Megan A. , Licht Alexis , Campbell Clay , Ocakoğlu Faruk , Akşit Gui G. , Métais Grégoire , Coster Pauline M. C. , Beard K. Christopher , Taylor Michael H.
Published: December 2021

Collision between the Pontides and Anatolide‐Tauride Block along the İzmir‐Ankara‐Erzincan suture in Anatolia has been variously estimated from the Late Cretaceous to Eocene. It remains unclear whether this age range results from a protracted, multi‐phase collision or differences between proxies of collision age and/or along strike diachroneity. Here, we leverage the Cretaceous‐Eocene evolution of the forearc‐to‐foreland Central Sakarya Basin system in western Anatolia to determine when and how collision progressed. New detrital zircon (DZ) and sandstone petrography results indicate that the volcanic arc was the main source of sediment to the forearc basin in the Late Cretaceous. The first appearance of Pontide basement‐aged DZs, in concert with exhumation of the accretionary prism and a decrease in regional convergence rates, indicates intercontinental collision initiated no later than 76 Ma. However, this first contractional phase does not produce advanced thick‐skinned deformation and basin partitioning until ca. 54 Ma. We propose three non‐exclusive and widely applicable mechanisms to reconcile the observed ∼20 Myr delay between initial intercontinental collision and thick‐skinned upper plate deformation: slab breakoff, relict basin closure north and south of the İAES, and underthrusting of progressively thicker passive margin lithosphere. These mechanisms highlight the links between upper plate deformation and plate coupling during continental collision.
Orbital and Suborbital‐Scale Variations of Productivity and Sea Surface Conditions in the Gulf of Alaska During the Past 54,000 Years: Impact of Iron Fertilization by Icebergs and Meltwater
Authors: Romero Oscar E. , LeVay Leah J. , McClymont Erin L. , Müller Juliane , Cowan Ellen A.
Published: December 2021

As a high‐nutrient and low‐chlorophyll region, the modern Gulf of Alaska (GoA) is strongly impacted by the limitation of iron. Paleostudies along the Alaskan slope have mainly focused on reconstructing environmental conditions over the past 18 ka. Based on micropaleontological, biogeochemical, and sedimentological parameters, we explore a sediment record covering the past 54 ka at Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Site U1419 to understand the impact of orbital‐ and suborbital‐scale climate variability on productivity and sea‐surface conditions. Close to the Cordilleran Ice Sheet (CIS), Site U1419 is ideally located to elucidate how the evolution of a large ice mass and glacial processes affected orbital‐ and suborbital‐scale changes in nutrients (e.g., iron) supply. Meltwater discharge from the northern CIS impacted sea surface dynamics of GoA coastal waters. The corresponding increases in bulk biogenic concentrations during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 and MIS 2 (54–17 ka) suggests a direct impact from iron fertilization. The lack of a consistent relationship between productivity and SST suggests that cooling of surface waters was not the dominant control on primary producers. The inundation of the subaerially exposed continental shelf during the last deglacial (17–10 ka) warming could have served as a major micronutrient source, accounting for a deglacial peak in production. Low productivity after the last deglaciation suggests reduced iron availability, which we link to reduced meltwater inputs from smaller ice masses onshore. Our multiproxy approach reveals a more comprehensive picture of late Quaternary productivity variations compared to earlier studies along the Alaskan margin. The impact of tidewater glaciers and meltwater discharge on past marine productivity and nutrient budget dynamics of high‐latitude coastal regions is discussed.
The lateral outward growth of single-crystal diamonds by two different structures of microwave plasma reactor
Authors: Cao Wei , Ma Zhibin , Zhao Hongyang , Gao Deng , Fu Qiuming
Published: December 2021

On semi-open holders, the lateral outward growth of single-crystal diamond was performed using two different structures of resonance cavity. Both reactors can be used for laterally enlarging the top surface of SCD without polycrystalline diamond rim.
Sonography in Childhood and Adolescence for General Radiologists – More Possibilities Than Expected...
Authors: Schaal Matthias Cornelius , Moritz Jörg Detlev , Mentzel Hans-Joachim , Beer Meinrad
Published: December 2021

Sonography is the most common imaging modality in childhood and adolescence. The rapid availability, absence of X-rays, bedside applicability, e. g., in intensive care units, the lack of need for sedation, and last but not least the very good ultrasound conditions in the vast majority of cases are the main advantages of sonography. Due to the spectrum of patients, from premature infants to adolescents, a great variety of questions arise for the examiner. This requires knowledge of the various disease patterns in the different age groups. Proper handling of the young patients as well as their parents is essential in order to make the examination conditions as optimal as possible. Due to the smaller body size compared to adults, sonographic examinations of the abdomen and thorax in children and adolescents are usually possible with very good image quality. In the majority of cases, a definitive diagnosis is made by sonography without additional cross-sectional imaging, which is more common in adults. Due to the acoustic windows provided by the still open fontanelles, excellent image quality of the central nervous system is usually possible in the first year of life. In most cases, complex MRI examinations are not necessary. Due to the partly still missing ossification of the bony structures, further acoustic windows are available, which allow an examination of, e. g., the spinal canal. Ultrasound also plays a major role in the examination of soft tissues and the musculoskeletal system in childhood and adolescence, not only in hip ultrasound. The aim of this article is to show this very broad spectrum for colleagues working predominantly in adult radiology, to highlight some representative examples and to present the respective clinical features in childhood and adolescence.

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Generation and characterization of complex vector modes with digital micromirror devices: a tutorial
Authors: Hu Xiao-Bo , Rosales-Guzmán Carmelo
Published: December 2021

Complex vector light modes with a spatial variant polarization distribution have become topical of late, enabling the development of novel applications in numerous research fields. Key to this is the remarkable similarities they hold with quantum entangled states, which arises from the non-separability between the spatial and polarisation degrees of freedom (DoF). As such, the demand for diversification of generation methods and characterization techniques have increased dramatically. Here we put forward a comprehensive tutorial about the use of digital micromirrors devices (DMDs) in the generation and characterization of vector modes, providing details on the implementation of techniques that fully exploits the unsurpassed advantage of DMDs, such as their high refresh rates and polarisation independence. We start by briefly describing the operating principles of DMD and follow with a thorough explanation of some of the methods to shape arbitrary vector modes. Finally, we describe some techniques aiming at the real-time characterization of vector beams. This tutorial highlights the value of DMDs as an alternative tool for the generation and characterization of complex vector light fields, of great relevance in a wide variety of applications.
Enhanced ablation efficiency for silicon by femtosecond laser microprocessing with GHz bursts in MHz bursts(BiBurst)
Authors: Caballero-Lucas Francesc , Obata Kotaro , Sugioka Koji
Published: December 2021

Ultrashort laser pulses confine material processing to the laser-irradiated area by suppressing heat diffusion, resulting in precise ablation in diverse materials. However, challenges occur when high speed material removal and higher ablation efficiencies are required. Ultrafast burst mode laser ablation has been proposed as a successful method to overcome these limitations. Following this approach, we studied the influence of combining GHz bursts in MHz bursts, known as BiBurst mode, on ablation efficiency of silicon. BiBurst mode used in this study consists of multiple bursts happening at a repetition rate of 64 MHz, each of which contains multiple pulses with a repetition rate of 5 GHz. The obtained results show differences between BiBurst mode and conventional single pulse mode laser ablation, with a remarkable increase in ablation efficiency for the BiBurst mode, which under optimal conditions can ablate a volume 4.5 times larger than the single pulse mode ablation while delivering the same total energy in the process.
Underwater gas self-transportation along femtosecond laser-written open superhydrophobic surface microchannels (<100 µm) for bubble/gas manipulation
Authors: Yong Jiale , Yang Qing , Huo Jinglan , Hou Xun , Chen Feng
Published: December 2021

Underwater transportation of bubbles and gases has essential applications in manipulating and using gas, but achieving this function at the microscopic level remains a significant challenge. Here, we report a strategy to self-transport gas in water along a laser-induced open superhydrophobic microchannel with a width less than 100 µm. The femtosecond laser can directly write superhydrophobic and underwater superaerophilic microgrooves on the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surfaces. In water, the single laser-induced microgroove and water medium generate a hollow microchannel. When the microchannel connects two superhydrophobic regions in water, the gas spontaneously travels from the small region to the large area along this hollow microchannel. Gas self-transportation can be extended to laser-drilled microholes through a thin PTFE sheet, which can even achieve anti-buoyancy unidirectional penetration. The gas can overcome the bubble’s buoyance and spontaneously travel downward. The Laplace pressure difference drives the processes of spontaneous gas transportation and unidirectional bubble passage. We believe the property of gas self-transportation in the femtosecond laser-structured open superhydrophobic and underwater superaerophilic microgrooves/microholes has significant potential applications related to manipulating underwater gas.
A global stochastic optimization particle filter algorithm
Authors: Gerber M , Douc R
Published: December 2021

We introduce a new online algorithm for expected loglikelihood maximization in situations where the objective function is multimodal or has saddle points. The key element underpinning the algorithm is a probability distribution that concentrates on the target parameter value as the sample size increases and can be efficiently estimated by means of a standard particle filter algorithm. This distribution depends on a learning rate, such that the faster the learning rate the quicker the distribution concentrates on the desired element of the search space, but the less likely the algorithm is to escape from a local optimum of the objective function. In order to achieve a fast convergence rate with a slow learning rate, our algorithm exploits the acceleration property of averaging, which is well known from the stochastic gradient literature. Considering several challenging estimation problems, our numerical experiments show that with high probability, the algorithm successfully finds the highest mode of the objective function and converges to the global maximizer at the optimal rate. While the focus of this work is expected loglikelihood maximization, the proposed methodology and its theory apply more generally to optimization of a function defined through an expectation.