bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
atom: A Matlab Package for Manipulation of Molecular Systems
Authors: Holmboe Michael
Published: January 2020

This work presents Atomistic Topology Operations in MATLAB (atom), an open source library of modular MATLAB routines which comprise a general and flexible framework for manipulation of atomistic systems. The purpose of the atom library is simply to facilitate common operations performed for construction, manipulation, or structural analysis. Due to the data structure used, atoms and molecules can be operated upon based on different chemical names or attributes, such as atom- or molecule-ID, name, residue name, charge, positions, etc. Furthermore, the Bond Valence Method and a neighbor-distance analysis can be performed to assign many chemical properties of inorganic molecules. Apart from reading and writing common coordinate files (.pdb, .xyz, .gro, .cif) and trajectories (.dcd, .trr, .xtc; binary formats are parsed via third-party packages), the atom library can also be used to generate topology files with bonding and angle information taking the periodic boundary conditions into account, and supports basic Gromacs, NAMD, LAMMPS, and RASPA2 topology file formats. Focusing on clay-mineral systems, the library supports CLAYFF (Cygan, 2004) but can also generate topology files for the INTERFACE forcefield (Heinz, 2005, 2013) for Gromacs and NAMD.
Hormone therapy decision‐making processes: Transgender youth and parents
Authors: Clark Beth A. , Marshall Sheila K. , Saewyc Elizabeth M.
Published: January 2020

Introduction

This study explored how transgender (trans) youth and parents of trans youth made decisions around hormone therapy initiation as well as trans youth experiences of barriers to care.

Methods

Participants included 21 trans youth (ages 14–18) and 15 parents of trans youth who resided in British Columbia, Canada. Data for this grounded theory research consisted of transcripts and lifeline drawings collected through semi‐structured interviews conducted August 2016 through February 2017.

Results

The decision‐making processes of youth and of parents are illustrated in three‐phase temporal models, starting with discovery, leading to (inter)action while seeking care, and reflection after hormone therapy initiation. Youth who sought hormone therapy were clear about their decision to access this care. Throughout these processes, youth experienced numerous parent‐ and system‐related barriers to care. Youth with the lowest levels of parent support experienced more system barriers, with non‐binary/genderfluid youth experiencing greater barriers and less support for hormone therapy than youth with binary genders. A new barrier identified in this study was health care provider imposed requirements for parental involvement and/or approval, which rendered some youth unable access to hormone therapy.

Conclusions

Health care providers should be aware of the deliberation and information‐seeking in which youth engage prior to seeking care as well as the temporally misaligned decision‐making processes of youth and parents. Understanding the challenges trans youth experience due to insufficient parental support and system barriers can provide important context for health care providers striving to provide accessible, gender‐affirming care and decision‐making support for trans youth.
Navigating the cyber-insurance landscape to protect MSPs and their clients
Authors: Mittel Michael
Published: January 2020

The level and severity of data breaches and cyber attacks occurring today continues to focus the minds of organisations across the world. According to Absolute Market Insights: “It is estimated that over the next five years, cybercrime could potentially cost companies $5.2tr every year.” 1 Moreover, according to a study by IBM and the Ponemon Institute, the average cost of a data breach in 2018 reached $3.86m, up 6.4% from the year before. 2

There is a growing awareness among enterprises that having cyber insurance is essential. And so we are seeing an escalating interest in this kind of insurance.

Managed service providers (MSPs) are likely to be especially attracted to this proposition as their strategic focus is on dealing with networks and they can take on the role of a trusted consultant for their clients. The knowledge MSPs typically have of their clients’ network infrastructure, and their understanding of the cyber security market, allows them to pinpoint the bigger threats, argues Michael Mittel of RapidFire Tools.
A malicious activity monitoring mechanism to detect and prevent ransomware
Authors: Patel Ashish , Tailor Jinal
Published: January 2020

In this digital world, security is the primary concern for users concerned about unauthorised access to their computer systems. At the same time, ransomware – a tool used by cyber criminals to encrypt the contents of a computer's file system without the permission or knowledge of the victim – is becoming increasingly common. Once the system is compromised – that is, the files are encrypted – the attacker forces users to pay a ransom, typically through online payment methods, to get a decryption key. Even if victims pay the ransom, there is no guarantee that the decryption key will be supplied, or access to their computer system restored.
Naloxone dosing in the era of ultra-potent opioid overdoses: a systematic review
Authors: Moe Jessica , Godwin Jesse , Purssell Roy , O'Sullivan Fiona , Hau Jeffrey P. , Purssell Elizabeth , Curran Jason , Doyle-Waters Mary M. , Brasher Penelope M.A. , Buxton Jane A. , Hohl Corinne M.
Published: January 2020

Objectives

Evaluate the relationship between naloxone dose (initial and cumulative) and opioid toxicity reversal and adverse events in undifferentiated and presumed fentanyl/ultra-potent opioid overdoses.

Methods

We searched Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, DARE, CINAHL, Science Citation Index, reference lists, toxicology websites, and conference proceedings (1972 to 2018). We included interventional, observational, and case studies/series reporting on naloxone dose and opioid toxicity reversal or adverse events in people >12 years old.

Results

A total of 174 studies (110 case reports/series, 57 observational, 7 interventional) with 26,660 subjects (median age 35 years; 74% male). Heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. Where reported, we abstracted naloxone dose and proportion of patients with toxicity reversal. Among patients with presumed exposure to fentanyl/ultra-potent opioids, 56.9% (617/1,085) responded to an initial naloxone dose ≤0.4 mg compared with 80.2% (170/212) of heroin users, and 30.4% (7/23) responded to an initial naloxone dose >0.4 mg compared with 59.1% (1,434/2,428) of heroin users. Among patients who responded, median cumulative naloxone doses were higher for presumed fentanyl/ultra-potent opioids than heroin overdoses in North America, both before 2015 (fentanyl/ultra-potent opioids: 1.8 mg [interquartile interval {IQI}, 1.0, 4.0]; heroin: 0.8 mg [IQI, 0.4, 0.8]) and after 2015 (fentanyl/ultra-potent opioids: 3.4 mg [IQI, 3.0, 4.1]); heroin: 2 mg [IQI, 1.4, 2.0]). Where adverse events were reported, 11% (490/4,414) of subjects experienced withdrawal. Variable reporting, heterogeneity and poor-quality studies limit conclusions.

Conclusions

Practitioners have used higher initial doses, and in some cases higher cumulative naloxone doses to reverse toxicity due to presumed fentanyl/ultra-potent opioid exposure compared with other opioids. High-quality comparative naloxone dosing studies assessing effectiveness and safety are needed.
Examination of commercially available bird feed for weed seed contaminants
Authors: Oseland Eric , Bish Mandy , Spinka Christine , Bradley Kevin
Published: January 2020

In 2016 and 2017, 98 separate commercially available bird feed mixes were examined for the presence of weed seed. All weed seed contaminants were counted and identified by species. Amaranthus species were present in 94 of the 98 bags of bird feed. Amaranthus species present in bird feed mixes included waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer], redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson), smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.), and tumble pigweed (Amaranthus albus L.). Amaranthus palmeri was present in 27 of the 98 mixes. Seed of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.), kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott], grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], wild buckwheat (Fallopia convolvulus L., syn: Polygonum convolvulus), common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.], and Setaria species were also present in bird feed mixes. A greenhouse assay to determine Amaranthus species seed germinability and resistance to glyphosate revealed that approximately 19% of Amaranthus seed in bird feed mixes are readily germinable, and five mixes contained A. tuberculatus and A. palmeri seed that were resistant to glyphosate. Results from linear regression and t-test analysis indicate that when proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), grain sorghum, and corn (Zea mays L.) were present in feed mixes, Amaranthus seed contamination was increased. The presence of proso millet and grain sorghum also increased contamination of grass weed species, while sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) increased A. artemisiifolia contamination and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) increased contamination of Bassia scoparia.
Local Matters: Queer Scenes in 1960s Manchester, Plymouth, and Brighton
Authors: Cook Matt
Published: January 2020

This article compares queer social scenes in the 1960s in three English towns and cities: Brighton and Plymouth on the south coast and Manchester in the northwest. It considers how queer experience in these places was affected by local identities, demographics, geographies, and socioeconomic circumstances and so demonstrates how and why the local matters to queer scenes and lives, even in the midst of wider burgeoning mass and connective cultures. A focus on London has dominated analysis of both the “Swinging Sixties” and queer lives in England; this article shows how different queer experience outside that city could be. Despite multiple resonances and connections, London's queer story cannot stand in for that of other places.
In-Plane and Out-of Plane Failure of an Ice Sheet using Peridynamics
Authors: Vazic Bozo , Oterkus Erkan , Oterkus Selda
Published: January 2020

When dealing with ice structure interaction modeling, such as designs for offshore structures/icebreakers or predicting ice cover’s bearing capacity for transportation, it is essential to determine the most important failure modes of ice. Structural properties, ice material properties, ice-structure interaction processes, and ice sheet geometries have significant effect on failure modes. In this paper two most frequently observed failure modes are studied; splitting failure mode for in-plane failure of finite ice sheet and out-of-plane failure of semi-infinite ice sheet. Peridynamic theory was used to determine the load necessary for inplane failure of a finite ice sheet. Moreover, the relationship between radial crack initiation load and measured out-of-plane failure load for a semi-infinite ice sheet is established. To achieve this, two peridynamic models are developed. First model is a 2 dimensional bond based peridynamic model of a plate with initial crack used for the in-plane case. Second model is based on a Mindlin plate resting on a Winkler elastic foundation formulation for out-of-plane case. Numerical results obtained using peridynamics are compared against experimental results and a good agreement between the two approaches is obtained confirming capability of peridynamics for predicting in-plane and out-of-plane failure of ice sheets.
Extracting multilayer networks from Sentinel-2 satellite image time series
Authors: Interdonato Roberto , Gaetano Raffaele , Lo Seen Danny , Roche Mathieu , Scarpa Giuseppe
Published: January 2020

Nowadays, modern Earth Observation systems continuously generate huge amounts of data. A notable example is the Sentinel-2 Earth Observation mission, developed by the European Space Agency as part of the Copernicus Programme, which supplies images from the whole planet at high spatial resolution (up to 10 m) with unprecedented revisit time (every 5 days at the equator). In this data-rich scenario, the remote sensing community is showing a growing interest toward modern supervised machine learning techniques (e.g., deep learning) to perform information extraction, often underestimating the need for reference data that this framework implies. Conversely, few attention is being devoted to the use of network analysis techniques, which can provide a set of powerful tools for unsupervised information discovery, subject to the definition of a suitable strategy to build a network-like representation of image data. The aim of this work is to provide clues on how Satellite Image Time Series can be profitably represented using complex network models, by proposing a methodology to build a multilayer network from such data. This is the first work to explore the possibility to exploit this model in the remote sensing domain. An example of community detection over the provided network in a real-case scenario for the mapping of complex land use systems is also presented, to assess the potential of this approach.
ReadingUtopiain the Reformation of Punishment
Authors: Ritger Matthew
Published: January 2020

Recent scholarship on the first English translation of Thomas More's “Utopia” has asked how its publication in the 1550s fits with the larger agenda of Protestant Reformers who promoted the book alongside their other civic projects. This article argues that the initiatives of greatest relevance were the new house of correction at Bridewell (est. 1553–57) and the infamous Vagrancy Act of 1547–49, which failed to introduce slavery as a punishment in English law. Evidence of user interactions with the 1550s editions, including indexing, annotation, commonplacing, and quotation, helps to analyze how the text's complicated ideas about penal labor were received and reemphasized by early English readers.
The Curious Origins of Airline Deregulation: Economic Deregulation and the American Left
Authors: Schiller Reuel
Published: January 2020

This article examines the politics of airline deregulation in the 1970s, and the events that led to the passage of the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. It links the antibureaucratic, antiregulatory policies of the 1970s to ideas closely connected to the New Left, the counterculture, and other left-wing subcultures that dominated high and low thought in the 1960s. By linking this source of antibureaucratic sentiment to the politics of airline deregulation, this article suggests a new direction for historians who study the American state in the last decades of the twentieth century. As they focus their attention on the rise of market-based, neoliberal regulatory policies, they should look for their origins not only in the growing strength of the intellectual and political right, but also in the political thought and practice of the 1960s left.
Variations in sex ratios estimated from census and survey data in Zambia, 1969–2014
Authors: Chisumpa Vesper H. , Kalindi Audrey M.
Published: January 2020

The sex ratio question has been an area of growing interest in population dynamics, especially in developing countries with respect to the issue of missing women, but few studies have examined this in sub-Saharan Africa. Both at birth and in the general population, sex ratios follow an expected demographic pattern in the absence of the interference of historical events affecting either males or females in a population. In Zambia, an unexpected demographic pattern of sex ratios is exhibited in census and survey data. This study used data from censuses and surveys conducted from 1969 to 2014 to examine variations in sex ratios in the Zambian population. It was found that sex ratio imbalances were largely due to data deficiencies due to age misreporting and under-enumeration. A consistent under-enumeration of young adult males in the 20–34 years age group was found. A systematic pattern of high sex ratios, above 100, for ages 40+ was found, represented by synthetic cohorts traceable from the 1969 census, progressing to the 2000 census and phased out in the 2010 census. Extremely high adult male mortality was found in 2010 in the 35–59 years age group, primarily attributable to HIV/AIDS. Understanding the demographic pattern of sex ratios in a population is relevant for policies to improve the quality of data collection systems, and socioeconomic development planning, for the young age group population, which is prone under-enumeration.
The role of smartphone applications in clinical practice: a review
Authors: Wallace J , Kanegaonkar R
Published: January 2020

Objective

The number of medical mobile phone applications continues to grow. Although otorhinolaryngology-specific applications represent a small proportion, there are exciting innovations emerging for the specialty. This article will assess the number of applications available and review how they may be used in clinical practice.

Method

The application stores of the two most popular mobile phone platforms, Apple and android, were searched using multiple search terms.

Results

A total of 107 ENT applications were identified and categorised according to intended use. Eight applications were reviewed in more detail and assessed on whether a doctor or allied health professional was involved in their design and if they were evidence-based.

Conclusion

There are a number of ENT-specific smartphone applications currently available. As the technology progresses, their scope has extended beyond being purely for reference. Nevertheless, it remains difficult to assess the validity and security of these applications.
The aspiring developmental state and business associations in Ethiopia – (dis-)embedded autonomy?
Authors: Pellerin Camille Louise
Published: January 2020

This article investigates how the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front's (EPRDF) attempt to build a developmental state influenced and shaped its relationships with the Ethiopian private sector. Through a case study of the chambers of commerce system in Ethiopia, the research reveals that the EPRDF's relationship to the private sector was characterised by the twin objectives of (1) curbing the private sector's power to prevent challenges to the EPRDF rule and (2) mobilising the private sector as part of the ruling coalition's developmental state programme. However, these twin objectives, were, in several cases, perceived as mutually exclusive by the EPRDF which, at times, led to a focus on control at the expense of developmental objectives. The ensuing lack of embeddedness posed problems for the operationalisation of the developmental state policies, reducing the EPRDF's ability to institutionalise collaborative relationships with the private sector.
Comparison between self-administered depression questionnaires and patients' own views of changes in their mood: a prospective cohort study in primary care
Authors: Hobbs Catherine , Lewis Gemma , Dowrick Christopher , Kounali Daphne , Peters Tim J. , Lewis Glyn
Published: January 2020

Background

Self-administered questionnaires are widely used in primary care and other clinical settings to assess the severity of depressive symptoms and monitor treatment outcomes. Qualitative studies have found that changes in questionnaire scores might not fully capture patients' experience of changes in their mood but there are no quantitative studies of this issue. We examined the extent to which changes in scores from depression questionnaires disagreed with primary care patients' perceptions of changes in their mood and investigated factors influencing this relationship.

Methods

Prospective cohort study assessing patients on four occasions, 2 weeks apart. Patients (N = 554) were recruited from primary care surgeries in three UK sites (Bristol, Liverpool and York) and had reported depressive symptoms or low mood in the past year [68% female, mean age 48.3 (s.d. 12.6)]. Main outcome measures were changes in scores on patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) and beck depression inventory (BDI-II) and the patients' own ratings of change.

Results

There was marked disagreement between clinically important changes in questionnaire scores and patient-rated change, with disagreement of 51% (95% CI 46–55%) on PHQ-9 and 55% (95% CI 51–60%) on BDI-II. Patients with more severe anxiety were less likely, and those with better mental and physical health-related quality of life were more likely, to report feeling better, having controlled for depression scores.

Conclusions

Our results illustrate the limitations of self-reported depression scales to assess clinical change. Clinicians should be cautious in interpreting changes in questionnaire scores without further clinical assessment.
Impact of land use changes on soil quality and species diversity in the Vindhyan dry tropical region of India
Authors: Srivastava Rajani , Mohapatra Monalisha , Latare Ashish
Published: January 2020

Conversion of forest land into different land use types is the primary cause of degradation of land resources, which in turn alters nutrient and carbon cycles, land productivity and diversity of species. There is scarcity of information about land-use changes (LUC) and their effect on relationship of soil quality and species diversity at landscape level in the Vindhyan dry tropical region. We evaluated the impact of land-use changes on soil physicochemical quality and the influence of these qualities on species diversity and organic matter accumulation. We also established the relationship between soil quality indicators and species diversity parameters. To examine impact of LUC, we did a detailed field survey and analysed selected soil quality indicators by standard methods. We examined species diversity parameters and established the relationship between soil quality and species diversity. We found that there is a marked decline in soil porosity, water-holding capacity and soil moisture due to LUC. Conversion from forest land (FL) to savanna land (SL) resulted in soil organic carbon decreasing by ∼40–50%. The decrease was more pronounced in cultivated land (CL) and degraded land (DL) (65–70% and 83–85%, respectively). In the case of total N, maximum decrease in total N of 83–87% was noted in DL as compared with FL. The poor soil quality indicators in degraded and agricultural land can be explained by the interaction between the soil organic carbon and nitrogen loss with diversity loss. This study recommends that for management/restoration of land resources, planning strategies should consider the current landscape structure, with land-use planning.
Overshoot in licensing-driven harmony
Authors: Kaplan Aaron
Published: January 2020

Kaplan (2018a) argues for a positive and gradient version of positional licensing in Harmonic Grammar. A chief difference between this formalism and standard positional licensing is that it predicts that harmony whose goal is to place a feature in a licensing position may overshoot its target by extending beyond the licensing position. Centralisation harmony in Tudanca Montañés bears out this prediction: though harmony triggered by a final vowel typically stops at the stressed syllable, under particular circumstances it extends into the pretonic domain. Positive gradient positional licensing is indispensable in an account of this. It plays a central role in a gang effect that drives overshoot, an interaction that cannot be replicated with standard versions of positional licensing.
Promoting well-being in refugee children: An exploratory controlled trial of a positive psychology intervention delivered in Greek refugee camps
Authors: Foka Sevasti , Hadfield Kristin , Pluess Michael , Mareschal Isabelle
Published: January 2020

Rigorously evaluated interventions that target protective factors and positive resources rather than ameliorating negative outcomes in child refugees are rare. To address this, we developed and evaluated a short, group-based resilience-building intervention called Strengths for the Journey (SFJ), which was designed for war-affected children. We conducted a quasi-randomized pilot study of the SFJ intervention with 72 7- to 14-year-old forcibly displaced children (Mage = 10.76, 64.8% female) in three refugee camps in Lesvos, Greece. Intervention effectiveness was assessed by measuring pre-post changes in well-being, self-esteem, optimism, and depressive symptoms from before (T1) to immediately after the intervention/wait-list task (T2). Four focus group interviews were conducted with 31 of the participants to discuss their views on the effects of the intervention and the continued use of the skills that were learned. Using repeated-measures ANOVAs, we found improvements in well-being, F (1, 46) = 42.99, ηp2 = .48, self-esteem, F (1, 56) = 29.11, ηp2 = .40, optimism, F (1, 53) = 27.16, ηp2 = .34, and depressive symptoms, F (1, 31) = 62.14, ηp2 = .67, in the intervention group compared with the wait-listed group (p < .05). Focus group participants highlighted the importance of SFJ in developing a sense of togetherness and building their strengths. Child refugees in low-resource settings may benefit from brief, first-line interventions that target protective factors such as well-being, hope, self-esteem, and belonging.
Pulse oximetry in neonates at high altitudes: a modified Colorado protocol
Authors: Hoffman Julien I. E.
Published: January 2020

Pulse oximetry for detecting critical CHD produces more false positive tests at high altitudes than at sea level, because at altitude the average resting saturation is lower and the variability is higher. This increases diagnostic difficulties, especially in small isolated communities without paediatric echocardio-graphy, and requires expensive transport to a regional medical centre. One way of reducing diagnostic errors is to measure arterial oxygen saturation while the infant is breathing 100% oxygen. In the absence of right-to-left shunting through the heart, the ductus, or the lungs, arterial oxygen tension will exceed 150 mmHg and arterial oxygen saturation will be 100%. With right-to-left shunting, arterial oxygen tension will be <100 mmHg, and thus <96% (usually much lower).
Beyond the Limits of the Productivist Regime: Capturing Three Decades of East Asian Welfare Development with Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Yang Nan , Kühner Stefan
Published: January 2020

Systematic accounts of East Asian government responses to the ‘limits of productivist regimes’ (Gough, 2004) remain surprisingly rare. This article develops three distinct types of East Asian welfare development, i.e. quantitative, type-specific, and radical, employing set-theoretic methods. It then uses these types to analyse six policy fields, including education, health care, family policy, old-age pensions, public housing, and passive labour market policy, in six East Asian societies: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. We find that all cases except Hong Kong and Singapore have experienced at least one radical shift in their welfare models over the past three decades (1990–2016). East Asian governments have increasingly combined quantitative expansion or retrenchment of ‘productive’ and ‘protective’ policy structures but have done so in unique ways. South Korea has followed the most ‘balanced’ approach to welfare development and stands out as the best candidate for further type-specific expansions moving forward.
Inclusive wealth with total factor productivity: global sustainability measurement
Authors: Jumbri Isma Addi , Managi Shunsuke
Published: January 2020

Non-technical abstract

Wealth commonly refers to the measure of the value of all assets or capital owned by an individual, community, company or nation. Sustainable development requires that the per capita productive base or comprehensive wealth of an economy should at least not decline over a period of time. We present here a comprehensive assessment of cross-country productivity over a study period of 1990–2010 for 140 countries. We used the concept of inclusive wealth introduced by the United Nations to assess the social value, rather than dollar price, of all each country's assets, including produced, human and natural capital.
Evaluation of optimal droplet size for control of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) with acifluorfen
Authors: Franca Lucas X. , Dodds Darrin M. , Butts Thomas R. , Kruger Greg R. , Reynolds Daniel B. , Mills J. Anthony , Bond Jason A. , Catchot Angus L. , Peterson Daniel G.
Published: January 2020

Acifluorfen is a nonsystemic PPO-inhibiting herbicide commonly used for POST Palmer amaranth control in soybean, peanut, and rice across the southern United States. Concerns have been raised regarding herbicide selection pressure and particle drift, increasing the need for application practices that optimize herbicide efficacy while mitigating spray drift. Field research was conducted in 2016, 2017, and 2018 in Mississippi and Nebraska to evaluate the influence of a range of spray droplet sizes [150 μm (Fine) to 900 μm (Ultra Coarse)], using acifluorfen to create a novel Palmer amaranth management recommendation using pulse width modulation (PWM) technology. A pooled site-year generalized additive model (GAM) analysis suggested that 150-μm (Fine) droplets should be used to obtain the greatest Palmer amaranth control and dry biomass reduction. Nevertheless, GAM models indicated that only 7.2% of the variability observed in Palmer amaranth control was due to differences in spray droplet size. Therefore, location-specific GAM analyses were performed to account for geographical differences to increase the accuracy of prediction models. GAM models suggested that 250-μm (Medium) droplets optimize acifluorfen efficacy on Palmer amaranth in Dundee, MS, and 310-μm (Medium) droplets could sustain 90% of maximum weed control. Specific models for Beaver City, NE, indicated that 150-μm (Fine) droplets provide maximum Palmer amaranth control, and 340-μm (Medium) droplets could maintain 90% of greatest weed control. For Robinsonville, MS, optimal Palmer amaranth control could be obtained with 370-μm (Coarse) droplets, and 90% maximum control could be sustained with 680 μm (Ultra Coarse) droplets. Differences in optimal droplet size across location could be a result of convoluted interactions between droplet size, weather conditions, population density, plant morphology, and soil fertility levels. Future research should adopt a holistic approach to identify and investigate the influence of environmental and application parameters to optimize droplet size recommendations.
Germinability and seed biochemical properties of susceptible and non–target site herbicide-resistant blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides) subpopulations exposed to abiotic stresses
Authors: Ghazali Zahra , Keshtkar Eshagh , AghaAlikhani Majid , Kudsk Per
Published: January 2020

Quantifying the level of ecophysiological, biochemical, and agronomical fitness of herbicide-resistant (R) and herbicide-susceptible (S) weeds is useful for understanding the evolutionary development of herbicide resistance, but also for implementing herbicide-resistance management strategies. Although germination is a key fitness component in the life cycle of weeds, germinability of S and R weeds has rarely been evaluated under stressful conditions. Germinability traits of S and non–target site resistant subpopulations of blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.) sharing closely related genetic background were tested under salinity, drought stress, and accelerated seed-aging (i.e., exposed to 100% relative humidity at 45 C from 0 to 134 h) conditions. In addition, the activity of three antioxidant enzymes and protein concentration of accelerated aged seeds of the subpopulations were studied. There were no differences in maximum seed germination (Gmax) and time to 50% germination between the two subpopulations under optimum conditions. However, under salinity, drought stress, and accelerated aging conditions, there were differences between the subpopulations. The salinity, drought, and accelerated aging treatments reducing Gmax of the S subpopulation by 50% were 18 dS m−1, 0.75 MPa, and 90 h, respectively, while for the R subpopulation the corresponding values were 15 dS m−1, 0.66 MPa, and 67 h. No differences were found in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes and the content of protein between non-aged seeds of the subpopulations. The aging treatments reducing the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes by 50% were 118 and 82 h for the S subpopulation, respectively, while they were 54 and 58 h for the R subpopulation. In contrast, there were no differences in the effect of the aging treatments on the peroxidase activity and protein content between subpopulations. The results provided clear evidence that the non–target site resistant loci of blackgrass is associated with fitness costs under environmental stress.
Are Prosodic Variants Stored in the French Mental	Lexicon?
Authors: Michelas Amandine , Dufour Sophie
Published: January 2020

Abstract. A long-term priming experiment examined the way stress information is processed and represented in French speakers’ mind. Repeated prime and target words either matched (/bãˈ do/ – /bãˈ do/ “headband”) or mismatched their stress pattern (/bãdo/ – /bãˈ do/). In comparison to a control condition (/maʁ[Formula: see text]/ – /bãˈ do/), the results showed that matching and mismatching primes were equally effective in facilitating the processing of the target words. Thus, despite the fact that French speakers routinely produce and hear words in their stressed and unstressed versions, this study suggests that stress in French is not integrated into lexical representations.
The role of PDIA3 in myogenesis during muscle regeneration
Authors: Wang Chao , Zhu Yuanjiao , Wu Dan , Wang Zien , Xu Xiaoli , Shi Yan , Yang Gang , Yu Yongming , Peng Xi
Published: January 2020

Beta 3 (β3) integrin plays an important role in the initiation of myogenesis in adult muscle. Protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) can activate β3 integrin in various cells to promote cell migration, adhesion and fusion. However, the effect of PDIs on myogenesis during muscle regeneration has not been elucidated. Here, we report that PDIA3 expression is induced in regenerating myofibers. The inhibition of PDIA3 in muscle injuries in mice disrupts myoblast differentiation, impairs muscle regeneration, and ultimately aggravates muscle damage. Moreover, PDIA3 expression is upregulated and observed on the cell surfaces of myoblasts during differentiation and fusion. The inhibition of extracellular PDIA3 with an anti-PDIA3 monoclonal antibody attenuates β3 integrin/AKT/mTOR signal activity, inhibits myoblast differentiation, and blocks the fusion of myoblasts. Thus, PDIA3 may be a mediator of myoblast differentiation and fusion during muscle regeneration.
Hypermethylation of mitochondrial DNA in vascular smooth muscle cells impairs cell contractility
Authors: Liu Yue-Feng , Zhu Juan-Juan , Yu Tian Xiao , Liu Han , Zhang Tao , Zhang Yun-Peng , Xie Si-An , Zheng Ming , Kong Wei , Yao Wei-Juan , Pang Wei , Zhao Chuan-Rong , Tang Yuan-Jun , Zhou Jing
Published: January 2020

Vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) from arterial stenotic-occlusive diseases is featured with deficiency in mitochondrial respiration and loss of cell contractility. However, the regulatory mechanism of mitochondrial genes and mitochondrial energy metabolism in SMC remains elusive. Here, we described that DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) translocated to the mitochondria and catalyzed D-loop methylation of mitochondrial DNA in vascular SMCs in response to platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). Mitochondrial-specific expression of DNMT1 repressed mitochondrial gene expression, caused functional damage, and reduced SMC contractility. Hypermethylation of mitochondrial D-loop regions were detected in the intima-media layer of mouse carotid arteries subjected to either cessation of blood flow or mechanical endothelial injury, and also in vessel specimens from patients with carotid occlusive diseases. Likewise, the ligated mouse arteries exhibited an enhanced mitochondrial binding of DNMT1, repressed mitochondrial gene expression, defects in mitochondrial respiration, and impaired contractility. The impaired contractility of a ligated vessel could be restored by ex vivo transplantation of DNMT1-deleted mitochondria. In summary, we discovered the function of DNMT1-mediated mitochondrial D-loop methylation in the regulation of mitochondrial gene transcription. Methylation of mitochondrial D-loop in vascular SMCs contributes to impaired mitochondrial function and loss of contractile phenotype in vascular occlusive disease.
NEDD4L downregulates autophagy and cell growth by modulating ULK1 and a glutamine transporter
Authors: Lee Dong-Eun , Yoo Ju Eun , Kim Jiyea , Kim Seungki , Kim Sunshin , Lee Ho , Cheong Heesun
Published: January 2020

In mammals, autophagosome formation is initiated by ULK1 via the posttranslational modification of this protein. However, the precise role of ULK1 ubiquitination in modulating autophagy is unknown. Here, we show that NEDD4L, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, binds ULK1 in pancreatic cancer cells. ULK1 expression was stabilized in NEDD4L knockdown cells compared to that in control cells, suggesting that NEDD4L is involved in ULK1 ubiquitination and its subsequent degradation. Autophagy activity was enhanced in NEDD4L knockdown cells compared to control cells. NEDD4L-depleted cells exhibited an increase in the cellular oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and mitochondrial membrane potential, and maintained mitochondrial fusion status in response to metabolic stress. Enhanced OCR and mitochondrial fusion morphology in NEDD4L knockdown cells were repressed by siRNA targeting ULK1. In addition to ULK1, ASCT2, a glutamine transporter, was accumulated in NEDD4L-depleted cells; this is important for maintaining autophagy activation and mitochondrial metabolic function. Finally, the cellular growth and survival rate increased in NEDD4L knockdown cells compared to control cells. However, the genetic or pharmacological blockade of either ULK1 or ASCT2 in NEDD4L-depleted cells sensitized pancreatic cancer cells, particularly in response to nutrient deprivation. In a mouse xenograft model of pancreatic cancer, the use of autophagy inhibitors suppressed tumor growth more in NEDD4L-depleted cells than in tumors from control cells. NEDD4L and ULK1 levels were inversely correlated in two different pancreatic cancer mouse models-xenograft mouse and KPC mouse models. These results suggest that NEDD4L suppressed autophagy and mitochondrial metabolism by reducing cellular ULK1 or ASCT2 levels, and thus could repress the growth and survival of pancreatic cancer cells. Therefore, ubiquitin ligase-mediated autophagy plays a critical role in regulating mitochondrial metabolism, thereby contributing to the growth and survival of certain cancers with low NEDD4L levels.
Economic system justification predicts muted emotional responses to inequality
Authors: Goudarzi Shahrzad , Pliskin Ruthie , Jost John T. , Knowles Eric D.
Published: January 2020

Although humans display inequality aversion, many people appear to be untroubled by widespread economic disparities. We suggest that such indifference is partly attributable to a belief in the fairness of the capitalist system. Here we report six studies showing that economic ideology predicts self-reported and physiological responses to inequality. In Studies 1 and 2, participants who regard the economic system as justified, compared with those who do not, report feeling less negative emotion after watching videos depicting homelessness. In Studies 3–5, economic system justifiers exhibit low levels of negative affect, as indexed by activation of the corrugator supercilii muscle, and autonomic arousal, as indexed by skin conductance, while viewing people experiencing homelessness. In Study 6, which employs experience-sampling methodology, everyday exposure to rich and poor people elicits less negative emotion among system justifiers. These results provide the strongest evidence to date that system-justifying beliefs diminish aversion to inequality in economic contexts.
Precapillary sphincters maintain perfusion in the cerebral cortex
Authors: Grubb Søren , Cai Changsi , Hald Bjørn O. , Khennouf Lila , Murmu Reena Prity , Jensen Aske G. K. , Fordsmann Jonas , Zambach Stefan , Lauritzen Martin
Published: January 2020

Active nerve cells release vasodilators that increase their energy supply by dilating local blood vessels, a mechanism termed neurovascular coupling and the basis of BOLD functional neuroimaging signals. Here, we reveal a mechanism for cerebral blood flow control, a precapillary sphincter at the transition between the penetrating arteriole and first order capillary, linking blood flow in capillaries to the arteriolar inflow. The sphincters are encircled by contractile mural cells, which are capable of bidirectional control of the length and width of the enclosed vessel segment. The hemodynamic consequence is that precapillary sphincters can generate the largest changes in the cerebrovascular flow resistance of all brain vessel segments, thereby controlling capillary flow while protecting the downstream capillary bed and brain tissue from adverse pressure fluctuations. Cortical spreading depolarization constricts sphincters and causes vascular trapping of blood cells. Thus, precapillary sphincters are bottlenecks for brain capillary blood flow.
Seeing is believing: visualization of antiferromagnetic domains
Authors: Cheong Sang-Wook , Fiebig Manfred , Wu Weida , Chapon Laurent , Kiryukhin Valery
Published: January 2020

Understanding and utilizing novel antiferromagnetic (AFM) materials has been recently one of the central issues in condensed matter physics, as well as in materials science and engineering. The relevant contemporary topics include multiferroicity, topological magnetism and AFM spintronics. The ability to image magnetic domains in AFM materials is of key importance for the success of these exciting fields. While imaging techniques of magnetic domains on the surfaces of ferro-(ferri)magnetic materials with, for example, magneto-optical Kerr microscopy and magnetic force microscopy have been available for a number of decades, AFM domain imaging is a relatively new development. We review various experimental techniques utilizing scanning, optical, and synchrotron X-ray probes to visualize AFM domains and domain walls, and to unveil their physical properties. We also discuss the existing challenges and opportunities in these techniques, especially with further increase of spatial and temporal resolution.
Magnetism and anomalous transport in the Weyl semimetal PrAlGe: possible route to axial gauge fields
Authors: Destraz Daniel , Das Lakshmi , Tsirkin Stepan S. , Xu Yang , Neupert Titus , Chang J. , Schilling A. , Grushin Adolfo G. , Kohlbrecher Joachim , Keller Lukas , Puphal Pascal , Pomjakushina Ekaterina , White Jonathan S.
Published: January 2020

In magnetic Weyl semimetals, where magnetism breaks time-reversal symmetry, large magnetically sensitive anomalous transport responses are anticipated that could be useful for topological spintronics. The identification of new magnetic Weyl semimetals is therefore in high demand, particularly since in these systems Weyl node configurations may be easily modified using magnetic fields. Here we explore experimentally the magnetic semimetal PrAlGe, and unveil a direct correspondence between easy-axis Pr ferromagnetism and anomalous Hall and Nernst effects. With sizes of both the anomalous Hall conductivity and Nernst effect in good quantitative agreement with first principles calculations, we identify PrAlGe as a system where magnetic fields can connect directly to Weyl nodes via the Pr magnetisation. Furthermore, we find the predominantly easy-axis ferromagnetic ground state co-exists with a low density of nanoscale textured magnetic domain walls. We describe how such nanoscale magnetic textures could serve as a local platform for tunable axial gauge fields of Weyl fermions.
Predictive Risk-scoring Model For Central Lymph Node Metastasis and Predictors of Recurrence in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Jiang Lie-hao , Yin Ke-xin , Wen Qing-liang , Chen Chao , Ge Ming-hua , Tan Zhuo
Published: January 2020

There are about half of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with the experience of central lymph node metastasis (CLNM), while the model to predict high-risk groups of CLNM from PTC patients is uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate candidate risk factors of CLNM and identify risk factors of recurrence to guide the postoperative therapeutic decision and follow-up for physicians and patients.A total of 4107 patients(4884 lesions) who underwent lymph node dissection in two hospitals from 2005 to 2014 were evaluated. CLNM risk was stratified and a risk-scoring model was developed on the basis of the identified independent risk factors for CLNM. Cox’s proportional hazards regression model was used to investigate the risk factors for recurrence.CLNM was proved in 37.96% (1559/4107) of patients and 33.96% (1659/4884) of lesions. In the multivariate analysis, Male, Age ≤35 years, Tumor size >0.5 cm,Lobe dissemination (+), Psammoma body (+), Multifocality and Capsule invasion (+) were independent risk predictors of CLNM (P  < 0.01). A 14-point risk-scoring model was built to predict the stratified CLNM in PTC patients and the area under receiver operating characteristic curve of the model for the prediction of CLNM was 0.672 (95% CI: 0.656–0.688) (P < 0.01). COX regression model showed that Tumor size >0.5 cm, Lobe dissemination (+), Multifocality and CLNM were significant risk factors associated with poor outcomes. The research suggested that prophylactic CLN dissection could be performed in patients with total score ≥4 according to the risk-scoring model, and more aggressive treatment and more frequent follow-up should be considered for patients with Tumor size >0.5 cm, Lobe dissemination (+), Multifocality and CLNM.
Automated Flow Synthesis of Tumor Neoantigen Peptides for Personalized Immunotherapy
Authors: Truex Nicholas L. , Holden Rebecca L. , Wang Bin-You , Chen Pu-Guang , Hanna Stephanie , Hu Zhuting , Shetty Keerthi , Olive Oriol , Neuberg Donna , Hacohen Nir , Keskin Derin B. , Ott Patrick A. , Wu Catherine J. , Pentelute Bradley L.
Published: January 2020

High-throughput genome sequencing and computation have enabled rapid identification of targets for personalized medicine, including cancer vaccines. Synthetic peptides are an established mode of cancer vaccine delivery, but generating the peptides for each patient in a rapid and affordable fashion remains difficult. High-throughput peptide synthesis technology is therefore urgently needed for patient-specific cancer vaccines to succeed in the clinic. Previously, we developed automated flow peptide synthesis technology that greatly accelerates the production of synthetic peptides. Herein, we show that this technology permits the synthesis of high-quality peptides for personalized medicine. Automated flow synthesis produces 30-mer peptides in less than 35 minutes and 15- to 16-mer peptides in less than 20 minutes. The purity of these peptides is comparable with or higher than the purity of peptides produced by other methods. This work illustrates how automated flow synthesis technology can enable customized peptide therapies by accelerating synthesis and increasing purity. We envision that implementing this technology in clinical settings will greatly increase capacity to generate clinical-grade peptides on demand, which is a key step in reaching the full potential of personalized vaccines for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.