bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexual Activity is Associated with Greater Enjoyment of Life in Older Adults
Authors: Smith Lee , Yang Lin , Veronese Nicola , Soysal Pinar , Stubbs Brendon , Jackson Sarah E.
Published: December 2018

Background

Relationships among sexual activity, problems and concerns, and well-being among older adults have not been fully explored.

Aim

To investigate associations among sexual activity, problems and concerns, and experienced well-being in a representative sample of older adults.

Methods

In this cross-sectional analysis from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, sexual behavior, problems, and concerns were assessed via a self-completed questionnaire. Covariates included age, partnership status, socioeconomic status, smoking status, alcohol intake, limiting long-standing illness, and depressive symptoms. Data were analyzed using 1-way independent analysis of variance.

Main Outcome Measure

Enjoyment of life was assessed with the pleasure subscale of the CASP-19 (Control, Autonomy, Self-realization, and Pleasure), a validated measure of quality of life specific to older age.

Results

Data on sexual activity and enjoyment of life were available for a total of 3,045 men and 3,834 women (mean age 64.4 years in men and 65.3 years in women). Men and women who reported any sexual activity in the past year had significantly higher mean enjoyment of life scores compared with those who were not sexually active (men, 9.75 vs 9.44 [P < .001]; women, 9.86 vs 9.67 [P = .003]). Among sexually active men, frequent (≥2 times a month) sexual intercourse (P < .001) and frequent kissing, petting, or fondling (P < .001) were associated with greater enjoyment of life. Among sexually active women, frequent kissing, petting, or fondling was also associated with greater enjoyment of life (P < .001), but there was no significant association with frequent intercourse (P = .101). Concerns about one’s sex life and problems with sexual function were strongly associated with lower levels of enjoyment of life in men and to a lesser extent in women.

Conclusion

This is among the first studies to show that well-being is higher among older adults when they are sexually active. Preferences regarding the expression of sexual activity differed between the sexes. Further longitudinal research is needed to confirm a causal association between sexual activity and well-being.
Association of cord serum albumin with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia among term appropriate-for-gestational-age neonates
Authors: Mishra Asit Kumar , Naidu C. Sanyasi
Published: December 2018

Introduction:

Neonatal jaundice affects nearly 60% of term and 80% of preterm neonates during the first week of life. Although early discharge of healthy term newborns is a common practice, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (NH) is the most common cause for readmission during the early neonatal period.

Objective:

To determine the association of cord serum albumin with serum bilirubin levels and whether it can be used as a risk indicator for the development of NH.

Method:

In this observational study, cord blood was collected from healthy term newborns for serum albumin level measurements. Total serum bilirubin and direct serum bilirubin were measured during 72 –96 h of life. Newborns were clinically assessed daily for NH or for any other complication during the study period.

Result:

Among the study cohort of 300 babies, 35 had a total serum bilirubin level of ≥17 mg/dl after 72 h and were considered to have NH. They were grouped as Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 according to the cord serum albumin level ≤2.8 g/dl, 2.9–3.3 g/dl, and ≥3.4 g/dl, respectively. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess the correlation of cord serum albumin with NH. The results showed that a cord serum albumin level ≤2.8 g/dl is critical, as it was seen in 95% of term newborns who developed NH. In the group where cord serum albumin was ≥3.4 g/dl, none of the term newborns developed NH.

Conclusion:

Term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia with a total serum bilirubin level ≥17 mg/dl had levels of cord serum albumin of ≤2.8 g/dl, and this can be used as a risk indicator to predict the development of NH.
Heterogenität im Klassenzimmer
Authors: Selig Lisa , Drossel Matthias , Ketelhut Kerstin
Published: December 2018

Zusammenfassung. Lehrkräfte der Gesundheits- und Krankenpflege haben seit jeher mit Heterogenität im Unterricht zu tun. Diese Entwicklung hat in den letzten Jahren aufgrund demografischer und gesellschaftlicher Veränderungen weiter zugenommen (vgl. Westhoff & Ernst, 2016) und stellt die Lehrkräfte vor neue Herausforderungen. Mittels einer Online-Befragung sollte die Einstellung der Lehrkräfte an Berufsfachschulen sowie deren Umgang mit Heterogenität im täglichen Schulalltag untersucht werden.
Global Mean Climate and Main Patterns of Variability in the CMCC‐CM2 Coupled Model
Authors: Cherchi A. , Fogli P. G. , Lovato T. , Peano D. , Iovino D. , Gualdi S. , Masina S. , Scoccimarro E. , Materia S. , Bellucci A. , Navarra A.
Published: December 2018

Euro‐Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change coupled climate model (CMCC‐CM2) represents the new family of the global coupled climate models developed and used at CMCC. It is based on the atmospheric, land and sea ice components from the Community Earth System Model coupled with the global ocean model Nucleus for European Modeling of the Ocean. This study documents the model components, the coupling strategy, particularly for the oceanic, atmospheric, and sea ice components, and the overall model ability in reproducing the observed mean climate and main patterns of interannual variability. As a first step toward a more comprehensive, process‐oriented, validation of the model, this work analyzes a 200‐year simulation performed under constant forcing corresponding to present‐day climate conditions. In terms of mean climate, the model is able to realistically reproduce the main patterns of temperature, precipitation, and winds. Specifically, we report improvements in the representation of the sea surface temperature with respect to the previous version of the model. In terms of mean atmospheric circulation features, we notice a realistic simulation of upper tropospheric winds and midtroposphere geopotential eddies. The oceanic heat transport and the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation satisfactorily compare with present‐day observations and estimates from global ocean reanalyses. The sea ice patterns and associated seasonal variations are realistically reproduced in both hemispheres, with a better skill in winter. Main weaknesses of the simulated climate are related with the precipitation patterns, specifically in the tropical regions with large dry biases over the Amazon basin. Similarly, the seasonal precipitation associated with the monsoons, mostly over Asia, is weaker than observed. The main patterns of interannual variability in terms of dominant empirical orthogonal functions are faithfully reproduced, mostly in the Northern Hemisphere winter. In the tropics the main teleconnection patterns associated with El Niño–Southern Oscillation and with the Indian Ocean Dipole are also in good agreement with observations.
Interactions Between Regional Climate, Surficial Geology, and Topography: Characterizing Shallow Groundwater Systems in Subhumid, Low‐Relief Landscapes
Authors: Hokanson K. J. , Mendoza C. A. , Devito K. J.
Published: December 2018

The Boreal Plains region of Canada is characterized by low relief, heterogeneous glacial landforms, and a subhumid climate, which result in complex and spatially variable groundwater‐surface water interactions. We test the influence of, and interactions between, short‐term climate variations, glacial deposit types, and topography on water table position and groundwater flow in a region with a subhumid long‐term climate. To do so, we evaluated water table positions, vertical hydraulic gradients, geochemistry, and stable water isotope signatures over a 19‐year period (including wet and dry climate states) along a 70‐km transect. The transect spans topographic positions on three hydrological response areas that comprise the major glacial depositional types typical of the Boreal Plains. High spatiotemporal variability of water table fluctuations and responses to climate signals illustrate the strong spatially variable controls that surficial geology, climate, and topography exert over scales of groundwater flow within and between glacial landforms across the Boreal Plains. Water tables were determined to be recharge controlled in the hummocky moraine and coarse outwash and topography controlled in the clay plain. Chemoscapes and isoscapes help delineate areas with characteristic water storage and transmission properties, which in turn control scales of groundwater flow and hydrologic responses to climate. Understanding the natural spatial and temporal variability of, and controls on, water table position, groundwater movement, and water quality under varying physical and climatic scenarios is important, as water security, ecosystem sustainability, and environmental quality become the focus of land management and reclamation efforts.
Author Correction: Mapping mesoscopic phase evolution during E-beam induced transformations via deep learning of atomically resolved images
Authors: Vasudevan Rama K. , Laanait Nouamane , Ferragut Erik M. , Wang Kai , Geohegan David B. , Xiao Kai , Ziatdinov Maxim , Jesse Stephen , Dyck Ondrej , Kalinin Sergei V.
Published: December 2018

In the original version of this Article the term ‘rhombohedral’ was used incorrectly in place of ‘oblique’, and the term ‘rhombohedral’ was used in Supplementary Figure 5 to describe the simulated lattice but we had instead simulated a rectangular centered lattice. All mentions of ‘rhombohedral’ have been corrected to ‘oblique’ in the manuscript, Fig. 2 and Fig. 4–6, and Supplementary Information. Similarly, ‘centered rectangle’ has been corrected to ‘rectangular centered lattice’ throughout the manuscript to avoid any confusion in terminology. Supplementary Figure 5 was not accurately computed in the original published version, and has now been recomputed to meet the actual definition of an oblique Bravais lattice.

There was also a typographical error in the original version of the Article, where Fig. 3c was referred to instead of Fig. 3d on page 4 of the manuscript.

The above changes have been made to the HTML and PDF versions of the Article.

These errors were alerted to the authors by Prof. M. Nespolo (Université de Lorraine) and Prof. P. Moeck (Portland State University), to whom we are grateful.
Physiological and proteomic analysis on long-term drought resistance of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)
Authors: Shan Zhongying , Luo Xinglu , Wei Maogui , Huang Tangwei , Khan Aziz , Zhu Yanmei
Published: December 2018

Drought stress is one of the potent abiotic stress limiting cassava (Manihot esculenta) yield globally, but studies addressing both physiological and proteomic responses that how cassava crops can adjust their growth and metabolism under drought conditions are lacking. Combining leaf physiological and proteomic characteristics strongly allied with drought tolerance should results in enhanced drought tolerance in cassava crop. Therefore, the aims of this study were to explore the plant physiological and proteomic mechanisms involved in drought adaptation in cassava. Xinxuan 048 (XX048) was exposed to well-watered control (CK, relative soil water content (RSWC) as 80 ± 5%), mild drought stress (LD, RSWC as 65 ± 5%), moderate drought stress (MD, RSWC as 50 ± 5%) and severe drought stress (SD, RSWC as 35 ± 5%) from 30 days after planting. Under drought stress conditions, cassava plant showed a substantial decline in plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, leaf water content, the ratio of free water content to bound water content of leaf (FW/BW), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) compared with well watered plants. However, compared with control, leaf water content, SPAD value, cell membrane permeability, malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble sugar, protein proline content SOD and CAT activity were at peak under drought stress. The proteomic analysis revealed that among 3 339 identified proteins, drought stress increased and decreased abundance of 262 and 296 proteins, respectively, compared with control condition. These proteins were involved in carbohydrate energy metabolism, protein homeostasis, transcription, cell structure, cell membrane transport, signal transduction, stress and defense responses. These data not only provides a comprehensive dataset on overall proteomic changes in cassava leaves under drought stress, but also highlights the mechanisms by which euphorbiaceae plants can adapt to drought conditions.
Streptococcus mitis Expressing Pneumococcal Serotype 1 Capsule
Authors: Lessa Fernanda C. , Milucky Jennifer , Rouphael Nadine G. , Bennett Nancy M. , Talbot H. Keipp , Harrison Lee H. , Farley Monica M. , Walston Jeremy , Pimenta Fabiana , Gertz Robert E. , Rajam Gowrisankar , Carvalho Maria da Gloria , Beall Bernard , Whitney Cynthia G.
Published: December 2018

Streptococcus pneumoniae’spolysaccharide capsule is an important virulence factor; vaccine-induced immunity to specific capsular polysaccharide effectively prevents disease. Serotype 1S.pneumoniaeis rarely found in healthy persons, but is highly invasive and a common cause of meningitis outbreaks and invasive disease outside of the United States. Here we show that genes for polysaccharide capsule similar to those expressed by pneumococci were commonly detected by polymerase chain reaction among upper respiratory tract samples from older US adults not carrying pneumococci. Serotype 1-specific genes were predominantly detected. In five oropharyngeal samples tested, serotype 1 gene belonging toS.mitisexpressed capsules immunologically indistinct from pneumococcal capsules. Whole genome sequencing revealed three distinctS.mitisclones, each representing acps1operon highly similar to the pneumococcalcps1reference operon. These findings raise important questions about the contribution of commensal streptococci to natural immunity against pneumococci, a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
Author Correction: Telomere length and survival in primary cutaneous melanoma patients
Authors: Rachakonda Sivaramakrishna , Srinivas Nalini , Mahmoudpour Seyed Hamidreza , Garcia-Casado Zaida , Requena Celia , Traves Victor , Soriano Virtudes , Cardelli Maurizio , Pjanova Dace , Molven Anders , Gruis Nelleke , Nagore Eduardo , Kumar Rajiv
Published: December 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Author Correction: The FAAH inhibitor URB597 suppresses hippocampal maximal dentate afterdischarges and restores seizure-induced impairment of short and long-term synaptic plasticity
Authors: Colangeli Roberto , Pierucci Massimo , Benigno Arcangelo , Campiani Giuseppe , Butini Stefania , Di Giovanni Giuseppe
Published: December 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Data mining for health: staking out the ethical territory of digital phenotyping
Authors: Martinez-Martin Nicole , Insel Thomas R. , Dagum Paul , Greely Henry T. , Cho Mildred K.
Published: December 2018

Digital phenotyping uses smartphone and wearable signals to measure cognition, mood, and behavior. This promising new approach has been developed as an objective, passive assessment tool for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Digital phenotyping is currently used with informed consent in research studies but is expected to expand to broader uses in healthcare and direct-to-consumer applications. Digital phenotyping could involve the collection of massive amounts of individual data and potential creation of new categories of health and risk assessment data. Because existing ethical and regulatory frameworks for the provision of mental healthcare do not clearly apply to digital phenotyping, it is critical to consider its possible ethical, legal, and social implications. This paper addresses four major areas where guidelines and best practices will be helpful: transparency, informed consent, privacy, and accountability. It will be important to consider these issues early in the development of this new approach so that its promise is not limited by harmful effects or unintended consequences.
Gold nanoparticle based fluorescent oligonucleotide probes for imaging and therapy in living systems
Authors: Yang Yanjing , Zhong Shian , Wang Kemin , Huang Jin
Published: December 2018

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with unique physical and chemical properties have become an integral part of research in nanoscience.
Trace level determination of Hg2+ ions in environmental samples with a mercaptotriazole-functionalized TiO2 nanostructure-based fluorescent probe
Authors: K. B. Akshaya , G. Reenamole , Sasitharan Kezia , T. P. Vinod , Varghese Anitha , George Louis
Published: December 2018

A highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probe for the determination of Hg2+ ions is reported using substituted mercaptotriazole functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles (MMT@TiO2).
Site-selective conversion of azido groups at carbonyl α-positions into oxime groups leading triazide to a triple click conjugation scaffold
Authors: Yokoi Taiki , Ueda Tomomi , Tanimoto Hiroki , Morimoto Tsumoru , Kakiuchi Kiyomi
Published: December 2018

This paper reports the selective conversion of alkyl azido groups at the carbonyl α-position into oximes, and one-pot triple click conjugation is demonstrated.
Aromaticity can enhance the reactivity of P-donor/borole frustrated Lewis pairs
Authors: Cabrera-Trujillo Jorge Juan , Fernández Israel
Published: December 2018

Herein we introduce a novel concept in FLP chemistry: aromaticity as the key factor enhancing the reactivity of FLPs.
Novel fluid–fluid interface domains in geologic media
Authors: Araújo Juliana B. , Brusseau Mark L.
Published: December 2018

High-resolution microtomographic imaging revealed the presence of fluid–fluid interfaces associated with physical heterogeneities such as pits and crevices present on the surfaces of natural porous media.
Antiparasitic activity and ultrastructural alterations provoked by organoruthenium complexes againstLeishmania amazonensis
Authors: Colina-Vegas Legna , Lima Prado Godinho Joseane , Coutinho Thallita , Correa Rodrigo S. , de Souza Wanderley , Cola Fernandes Rodrigues Juliany , Batista Alzir Azevedo , Navarro Maribel
Published: December 2018

New organoruthenium complexes were synthetized, characterized and evaluated to inhibit the proliferation of theLeishmania amazonensisparasite.
Corrosion behaviour of austenitic stainless steels in phosphate buffer saline solution: synergistic effects of protein concentration, time and nitrogen
Authors: Talha Mohd , Ma Yucong , Lin Yuanhua , Singh Ambrish , Liu Wanying , Kong Xiangwei
Published: December 2018

Adsorption of protein on a steel surface decreases the corrosion rate, while the formation of metal–protein complexes followed by detachment enhances the corrosion rate.
Design and synthesis of benzothiazole/thiophene-4H-chromene hybrids
Authors: Pazhanivel Lakshmanan , Gnanasambandam Vasuki
Published: December 2018

A library of 4H-chromene derivatives with heterocyclic substituents at 3 and 4-positions was synthesized in a convenient DBU catalysed three component reaction.
Solvothermal synthesis of NiWO4 nanostructure and its application as a cathode material for asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Tian Jinjun , Xue Yan , Yu Xinping , Pei Yuanchao , Zhang Hucheng , Wang Jianji
Published: December 2018

This study proposes a facile solvothermal synthesis of nickel tungstate (NiWO4) nanowires for application as a novel cathode material for supercapacitors.
Visual kinetic analysis
Authors: Nielsen Christian D.-T. , Burés Jordi
Published: December 2018

Naked-eye comparison of reaction profiles is a powerful tool to extract mechanistic information – FAQ, video tutorial and templated examples included.
Computational design of biofuels from terpenes and terpenoids
Authors: Pahima Efrat , Hoz Shmaryahu , Ben-Tzion Moshe , Major Dan Thomas
Published: December 2018

Finding renewable energy sources as alternatives to petroleum-based fuels is a current global challenge.
Dolomite: a low cost thermochemical energy storage material
Authors: Humphries Terry D. , Møller Kasper T. , Rickard William D. A. , Sofianos M. Veronica , Liu Shaomin , Buckley Craig E. , Paskevicius Mark
Published: December 2018

Reversible storage of carbon dioxide in dolomite using a catalyst allows viable thermal energy storage technology.
ELITE-Studie – Ernährung, Lebensstil und individuelle Information zur Verhinderung von Schlaganfall, Demenz und Herzinfarkt – Studiendesign und kardiovaskuläre Aufnahmedate
Authors: Lüders Stephan , Schrader Bastian , Bäsecke Jörg , Haller Hermann , Elsässer Albrecht , Koziolek Michael , Schrader Joachim
Published: December 2018

Einleitung Zur Prävention kardiovaskulärer Risikofaktoren (RF) existieren zahlreiche Empfehlungen von Fachgesellschaften, die sich auf die persönliche Lebensweise von Menschen beziehen (z. B. Ernährung/Diät, körperliche Aktivität, Stressabbau etc.). Die Umsetzung dieser Empfehlungen ist bislang mangelhaft. In der ELITE-Studie sollen in der Region Oldenburger Münsterland prospektiv Daten zu RF, Ernährungsverhalten, körperlicher Aktivität und Lebensqualität erhoben und durch individuelle Information verbessert werden. Gründe für fehlende Umsetzung von Präventionsmaßnahmen sollen erkannt werden.

Methoden Die Studie wird als interventionelle Kohorten-Untersuchung durchgeführt (DRKS-Nr.: 00 006 813; Ethikvotum Universität Göttingen). Bis zu 5000 Personen (mit oder ohne Vorerkrankungen) sollten eingeschlossen werden. Alle Teilnehmer erhalten einen computergenerierten Report ihres persönlichen Risikoprofils mit hieraus resultierenden ausführlichen Empfehlungen, die sich an den aktuellen Leitlinien orientieren. Ergänzend wird empfohlen, den Hausarzt aufzusuchen, um die Befunde zu besprechen und ggf. diagnostische oder therapeutische Maßnahmen einzuleiten. Im Jahresabstand erfolgen über bis zu 5 Jahre Follow-Up-Untersuchungen.

Ergebnisse Bis zum 31.12.2017 wurden 4602 Teilnehmer (mittleres Alter 51,5 (± 15,7) Jahre; 53,7 % weiblich) aufgenommen. Übergewichtig sind 39 % der Teilnehmer, adipös 20,4 %. Häufigster anamnestischer RF ist Bluthochdruck (31,4 %), mittlerer Blutdruck 138,4 ± 16,6/83,0 ± 9,9 mmHg. 2165 (47,0 %) Teilnehmer weisen hypertone Blutdruckwerte auf. Zweithäufigster anamnestischer RF sind Fettstoffwechselstörungen (16,6 %).

Schlussfolgerung Die Häufigkeit von Teilnehmern mit mindestens einem anamnestisch angegebenen kardiovaskulären RF ist sehr hoch (49,5 %; 16,6 % mehrere RF). Die Häufigkeit von RF entspricht anderen epidemiologischen Daten in Deutschland, sodass das ELITE-Kollektiv einen guten Vergleich mit anderen Erhebungen zulässt.
A systematic analysis of parametric instabilities in nonlinear parabolic multimode fibers
Authors: Lopez-Aviles H. E. , Wu F. O. , Sanjabi Eznaveh Z. , Eftekhar M. A. , Wise F. , Amezcua Correa R. , Christodoulides D. N.
Published: December 2018

We provide a systematic analysis of geometric parametric instabilities in nonlinear graded-index multimode fibers. Our approach implicitly accounts for self-focusing effects and considers dispersion processes to all orders. It is shown that the resulting parametric problem takes the form of a Hill’s equation that can be systematically addressed using a Floquet approach. The theory developed indicates that the unstable spectral domains associated with such geometric parametric instabilities can be significantly altered as the power levels injected in a parabolic multimode fiber increase. These predictions are in excellent agreement with experimental data gathered from graded-index multimode structures.
Geometric phase effects on photodissociation dynamics of diatomics
Authors: Sun Zhaopeng , Wang Chunyang , Zhao Wenkai , Yang Chuanlu
Published: December 2018

We investigated the effect of the geometric phase (GP) on photodissociation dynamics at a light-induced conical intersection (LICI) through exact quantum dynamical calculations. By taking the one-photon photodissociation of H2+ ionic molecules as an example, we explored the conditions wherein the LICI associated GP affects dissociation dynamics. We found that GP leads to a phase shift between the angular distributions of GP included and GP excluded photofragments. This effect is more pronounced when the energy of the initial vibrational level is above the energy of the LICI point.
A study of secondary electron emission from semiconductors and insulators
Authors: Xie Ai-Gen , Yu Yang , Wang Hai-Bo
Published: December 2018

No rude approximations were made in the course of deducing formula for B(χ, Eg) as a function of parameters of secondary electron emission SEE; where B(χ, Eg) is the probability that an internal secondary electron escapes into vacuum upon reaching the surface of semiconductors and insulators SI with width of forbidden band Eg and original electron affinity χ. It can be concluded that the formula for B(χ, Eg) as a function of parameters of SEE can be used to calculate B(χ, Eg). The B(χ, Eg) calculated with the formula for B(χ, Eg) as a function of parameters of SEE and characteristics of B(χ, Eg) and SEE from SI were studied, the formula for B(χ, Eg) of SI with Eg≥0.6 eV and χ≥0.5 eV as a function of χ and Eg was determined. It concludes that the determined formula can be used to calculate B(χ, Eg) of SI with Eg≥0.6 eV and χ≥0.5 eV. The processes and characteristics of SEE from SI, energy loss of primary electron and parameters of SEE were studied, the formulae for δm(Epom, χreal, Eg) in the general case and 1/α(χreal, Eg) of SI with Eg≥0.6 eV and χ≥0.5 eV were deduced and experimentally proved, respectively; where δm(Epom, χreal, Eg) is the maximum secondary electron yield δm of SI with Eg and χreal, Epom is primary incident energy corresponding to δm, χreal is real electron affinity,1/α(χreal, Eg) is mean escape depth of secondary electrons emitted from SI with Eg and χreal.
Particle-in-cell simulations of Hall thruster acceleration and near plume regions
Authors: Katz Ira , Chaplin Vernon H. , Lopez Ortega Alejandro
Published: December 2018

The results of 1-D azimuthal, and 2-D z-θ, particle-in-cell simulations of Hall thruster acceleration and near plume regions are reported. The 1-D simulations show that fast moving electron waves drive coherent, large amplitude, ion acoustic waves. The ion waves become azimuthally coherent too quickly for ion sound to be the cause; the coherence comes from early electron waves. 2-D simulations with only fast moving, main beam, ions result in ion acoustic wave amplitudes much lower than those in the 1-D calculations. The addition of a small amount of ionization in the domain, at a rate consistent with Hall thruster parameters, causes the potential profile to divide into two distinct regions. In the upstream portion of the domain, the potential profile is very steep; in the downstream portion, the potential profile is almost flat. Electron transport in the two regions is discussed.
Enhancement of channel electric field in AlGaN/GaN multi-nanochannel high electron mobility transistors
Authors: Matys M. , Nishiguchi K. , Adamowicz B. , Kuzmik J. , Hashizume T.
Published: December 2018

We studied the drain current properties of an AlGaN/GaN multi-nano-channel (MNC) high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) fabricated on a sapphire substrate. We observed that the MNC HEMT exhibits the currents almost equal to those in the conventional planar device grown on the same chip. This result was unexpected since the actual gate width on the AlGaN surface in the case of MNC HEMT was only 20% of that for the planar device. In order to explain our experimental results, we performed a three dimensional (3D) simulation of the planar and MNC HEMTs using the TCAD Sentaurus software. Especially, we calculated the transfer characteristics of the MNC HEMT with a different nanochannel width and compared them with experimental data. The simulation results exhibited a good agreement with experimental ones. On this basis, we showed that the unusual behavior of the current in the MNC HEMT results from the enhancement of the effective electron velocity (ve) under the gate. In particular, we found that ve for the MNC HEMT was about 2.5 times higher than for the conventional HEMT, i.e., 2.44×107 cm/s, which is close to the peak saturation velocity in GaN (2.5×107 cm/s). Finally, we showed that such a strong enhancement of ve in the MNC HEMT case is due to the formation of the high electric field in the nanochannel. The results obtained in this work are not limited only to MNC structures but they should also be useful in understanding the electric field and electron velocity distribution in other AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with 3D nanochannels such as AlGaN/GaN FinFETs.
Occasional uncoupling overcomes measure desynchronization
Authors: Ghosh Anupam , Shah Tirth , Chakraborty Sagar
Published: December 2018

Owing to the absence of the phase space attractors in the Hamiltonian dynamical systems, the concept of the identical synchronization between the dissipative systems is inapplicable to the Hamiltonian systems for which, thus, one defines a related generalized phenomenon known as the measure synchronization. A coupled pair of Hamiltonian systems—the full coupled system also being Hamiltonian—can possibly be in two types of measure synchronized states: quasiperiodic and chaotic. In this paper, we take representative systems belonging to each such class of the coupled systems and highlight that, as the coupling strengths are varied, there may exist intervals in the ranges of the coupling parameters at which the systems are measure desynchronized. Subsequently, we illustrate that as a coupled system evolves in time, occasionally switching off the coupling when the system is in the measure desynchronized state can bring the system back in measure synchrony. Furthermore, for the case of the occasional uncoupling being employed periodically and the corresponding time-period being small, we analytically find the values of the on-fraction of the time-period during which measure synchronization is effected on the corresponding desynchronized state.
Cutoff frequencies of accelerating modes propagation inside a cylindrical waveguide filled with radially inhomogeneous magnetized plasma
Authors: Hedayatian F. , Salem M. K. , Saviz S. , Zakeri-Khatir H.
Published: December 2018

The cutoff frequencies of accelerating hybrid EH0l mode (l = 1, 2, 3, and 4) propagation are studied in a cylindrical waveguide filled with radially inhomogeneous plasma in the presence of an external static magnetic field applied along the waveguide axis. To drive the analytical cutoff equations, a model based on the Bessel-Fourier expansion, which considers strong spatial dispersion and a finite external magnetic field, is utilized. In order to examine the integrity of the cutoff equations, the well-known cutoff expression related to the hybrid EH wave in a homogeneous magnetized plasma waveguide is recalculated with the help of a new model. The cutoff equations are solved numerically, and the effects of the external magnetic field and plasma density are investigated on the cutoff frequencies of the EH0l modes (l = 1, 2, 3, and 4) in the particular waveguide with a radius of 2.1 cm. By studying the effect of the waveguide radius on the cutoff frequencies, it is revealed that the waveguide radius plays a decisive role in the behavior of the cutoff frequencies with the external static magnetic field and plasma density. It is found that a critical radius can be realized for the waveguide so that the cutoff frequency treatment with the external magnetic field and plasma density is reversed in it.
Engineering the work function of solution-processed electrodes of silver nanocrystal thin film through surface chemistry modification
Authors: Seong Mingi , Kim Haneun , Lee Seung-Wook , Kim Donghun , Oh Soong Ju
Published: December 2018

A solution-processable electrode is a key component in flexible electronics. Despite recent studies on silver nanocrystal (Ag NC)-based electrodes with high conductivity, the absence of a strategy to control the work function has limited the development of low-cost and high-performance electronic devices. In this report, we introduce a chemical route to manipulate the work function of solution-processed Ag NC-based electrodes. The structural, chemical, optical, and electronic properties, as well as the work functions, of the Ag NC thin films treated with three types of halide ligands (Cl−, Br−, and I−) were investigated. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy analysis shows that the work functions are shifted to 4.76, 4.43, and 4.04 eV when the ligands are changed to Cl−, Br−, and I−, respectively. The trend in the shift induced by the halide ligands matches the results of atomistic density functional theory calculations and scales with the strength of the dipoles formed by the electron transfer at the NC/ligand interfaces. To demonstrate the impact of our strategy in device applications, we fabricated all-NC-based thin-film transistors and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor inverters. This study provides a fundamental understanding of the surface states of nanomaterials and also offers technological benefits for the construction of low-cost, high-performance electronic devices.
Comparative kernel growth and yield components of two- and six-row barley (Hordeum vulgare) under terminal drought simulated by defoliation
Authors: Dodig Dejan , Kandić Vesna , Zorić Miroslav , Nikolić-Đorić Emilija , Nikolić Ana , Mutavdžić Beba , Perović Dragan , Šurlan-Momirović Gordana
Published: December 2018

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is often grown in sites with low rainfall and high temperature during grain filling. Because spike architecture is one of basic footprints of barley domestication, the importance of spikes in adaptation to different environments or abiotic stresses can be hypothesised. In order to compare different barley spike types in terms of kernel growth and yield components, we tested 15 two-row and 10 six-row winter genotypes in eight environments where terminal drought was simulated by defoliation at 7 days after heading (7 DAH). Control plants were grown intact. On average, two-row genotypes outyielded six-row genotypes by 17% under control conditions and 33% under simulated late drought. Observations of kernel dry weights from 7 DAH through to harvest maturity at 5-day intervals were regressed onto a measure of thermal time. After preliminary evaluation of four nonlinear (S-shaped) models for kernel dry-weight accumulation, the ordinary logistic model was deemed the most appropriate in most cases and was finally applied to all plant-growth curves. Four parameters were estimated from the logistic model. Whereas two earliness estimators (inflection point and thermal time needed to reach maximum kernel weight) were similar for the two barley types, maximum kernel weight (Ymax) and mean rate of kernel growth (RG) were higher (P<0.05) in two-row than in six-row barleys. Differences in Ymax and RG among six-row barley genotypes were greater between control and defoliation treatments than between years, whereas among two-row barley genotypes, differences between years were greater, suggesting better stability of six-row types and better drought tolerance of two-row types in the tested barley set.
Steroidogenic differentiation and PKA signaling are programmed by histone methyltransferase EZH2 in the adrenal cortex
Authors: Mathieu Mickael , Drelon Coralie , Rodriguez Stéphanie , Tabbal Houda , Septier Amandine , Damon-Soubeyrand Christelle , Dumontet Typhanie , Berthon Annabel , Sahut-Barnola Isabelle , Djari Cyril , Batisse-Lignier Marie , Pointud Jean-Christophe , Richard Damien , Kerdivel Gwenneg , Calméjane Marie-Ange , Boeva Valentina , Tauveron Igor , Lefrançois-Martinez Anne-Marie , Martinez Antoine , Val Pierre
Published: December 2018

Adrenal cortex steroids are essential for body homeostasis, and adrenal insufficiency is a life-threatening condition. Adrenal endocrine activity is maintained through recruitment of subcapsular progenitor cells that follow a unidirectional differentiation path from zona glomerulosa to zona fasciculata (zF). Here, we show that this unidirectionality is ensured by the histone methyltransferase EZH2. Indeed, we demonstrate that EZH2 maintains adrenal steroidogenic cell differentiation by preventing expression of GATA4 and WT1 that cause abnormal dedifferentiation to a progenitor-like state in Ezh2 KO adrenals. EZH2 further ensures normal cortical differentiation by programming cells for optimal response to adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)/PKA signaling. This is achieved by repression of phosphodiesterases PDE1B, 3A, and 7A and of PRKAR1B. Consequently, EZH2 ablation results in blunted zF differentiation and primary glucocorticoid insufficiency. These data demonstrate an all-encompassing role for EZH2 in programming steroidogenic cells for optimal response to differentiation signals and in maintaining their differentiated state.
Baseplate variability of
Vibrio cholerae
chemoreceptor arrays
Authors: Yang Wen , Alvarado Alejandra , Glatter Timo , Ringgaard Simon , Briegel Ariane
Published: December 2018

Significance

The chemotaxis array is a macromolecular assembly employed by motile prokaryotes to sense their chemical environment. They share a universal architecture in which trimers of chemoreceptor dimers are arranged in a highly conserved hexagonal array. However, the cluster II arrays in
Vibrio cholerae
exhibit an underappreciated diversity in their composition. They have low structural stability despite the retention of the canonical receptor packing. Our results demonstrate that chemoreceptor arrays have an unexpectedly high variability in composition among species, a property that likely facilitates the rapid incorporation of different chemotaxis proteins in response to environmental changes. Overall, our results highlight the necessity to better understand chemoreceptor arrays and their biological significance outside the model organism.
Autoimmunity to hypocretin and molecular mimicry to flu in type 1 narcolepsy
Authors: Luo Guo , Ambati Aditya , Lin Ling , Bonvalet Mélodie , Partinen Markku , Ji Xuhuai , Maecker Holden Terry , Mignot Emmanuel Jean-Marie
Published: December 2018

Significance

This work shows that the amidated terminal ends of the secreted hypocretin (HCRT) peptides (HCRT
NH2
) are autoantigens in type 1 narcolepsy, an autoimmune disorder targeting HCRT neurons. The autoimmune process is usually initiated by influenza A flu infections, and a particular piece of the hemagglutinin (HA) flu protein of the pandemic 2009 H1N1 strain was identified as a likely trigger. This HA epitope has homology with HCRT
NH2
and T cells cross-reactive to both epitopes are involved in the autoimmune process by molecular mimicry. Genes associated with narcolepsy mark the particular HLA heterodimer (DQ0602) involved in presentation of these antigens and modulate expression of the specific T cell receptor segments (TRAJ24 and TRBV4-2) involved in T cell receptor recognition of these antigens, suggesting causality.
Mediatized Taiwan Mandarin
Authors: Peng Chun-Yi
Published: December 2018

This study examines the changing perceptions of Taiwan Mandarin (TM) among Chinese mainlanders and how televised media contribute to the formation of language ideology. This study shows that televised media play a role in reinforcing the socio-semiotic link between ideologies and linguistic practice. TM is traditionally associated with chic, urban television celebrities and young cosmopolitan types. However, the results of an online survey measuring language attitudes towards televised TM among young mainlanders indicate that the social prestige of TM may be waning for this demographic. TM is now perceived by many millennials on the mainland as gentle, pretentious and emasculated. The changing attitude among millennials on the Chinese mainland towards TM can be ascribed in part to (1) social and economic changes on the mainland and (2) the way TM is stylized in televised media.
The emergence of a discourse construction in the internet
Authors: Peng Xinjia
Published: December 2018

This analysis aims at establishing thediscourse constructionas a theoretical construct within the framework of Construction Grammar. Linguistic constructions theoretically exist at different levels of analysis, but linguistic analyses at the level of discourse are few and far apart. This analysis showcases a study of a discourse construction that contains the internet neologismyě-shì-zuì-le. This discourse construction emerges from the Chinese cyberspace and develops complex meaning and function. I illustrate how the construct of discourse construction allows for an in-depth explanation its use and development. Also, the analysis of this construction demonstrates the necessity to redefine and broaden the consideration of ‘context’ when the idea of a discourse construction is introduced.
7. Environmental ethics and religion
Authors: Attfield Robin
Published: December 2018

‘Environmental ethics and religion’ focuses on the impact of theistic religions and the related tradition of stewardship on environmental ethics. It is widely believed that Western forms of religion have fostered an anthropocentric attitude to nature, and with it a despotic and domineering approach. Lynn White’s (1967) influential attack on Judaeo-Christian attitudes to nature is discussed, which finds in them the roots of our ecological problems, and proceeds to expound and defend the stance of stewardship adopted by Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The striking contributions of other religions of the world—including Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism—to the care of the environment are also considered.
Pathogen–Host Analysis Tool (PHAT): an integrative platform to analyze next-generation sequencing data
Authors: Gibb Christopher M , Jackson Robert , Mohammed Sabah , Fiaidhi Jinan , Zehbe Ingeborg
Published: December 2018

The Pathogen–Host Analysis Tool (PHAT) is an application for processing and analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) data as it relates to relationships between pathogens and their hosts. Unlike custom scripts and tedious pipeline programming, PHAT provides an integrative platform encompassing raw and aligned sequence and reference file input, quality control (QC) reporting, alignment and variant calling, linear and circular alignment viewing, and graphical and tabular output. This novel tool aims to be user-friendly for life scientists studying diverse pathogen–host relationships.

Availability and implementation

The project is available on GitHub (https://github.com/chgibb/PHAT) and includes convenient installers, as well as portable and source versions, for both Windows and Linux (Debian and RedHat). Up-to-date documentation for PHAT, including user guides and development notes, can be found at https://chgibb.github.io/PHATDocs/. We encourage users and developers to provide feedback (error reporting, suggestions and comments).
Comment on: ‘Empirical comparison of web-based antimicrobial peptide prediction tools’
Authors: Vishnepolsky Boris , Pirtskhalava Malak
Published: December 2018

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of Fluoroquinolones and Pyrazinamide Susceptibility Correlate to Clinical Improvement in Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis Patients: A Nationwide Swedish Cohort Study Over 2 Decades
Authors: Forsman Lina Davies , Jonsson Jerker , Wagrell Charlotta , Werngren Jim , Mansjö Mikael , Wijkander Maria , Groenheit Ramona , Hammar Ulf , Giske Christian G , Schön Thomas , Bruchfeld Judith
Published: December 2018

Background

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing, unlike routine drug susceptibility testing (DST) at a single critical concentration, quantifies drug resistance. The association of MICs and treatment outcome in multidrug-resistant (MDR)–tuberculosis patients is unclear. Therefore, we correlated MICs of first- and second-line tuberculosis drugs with time to sputum culture conversion (tSCC) and treatment outcome in MDR-tuberculosis patients.

Methods

Clinical and demographic data of MDR-tuberculosis patients in Sweden, including DST results, were retrieved from medical records from 1992 to 2014. MIC determinations were performed retrospectively for the stored individual Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) isolates using broth microdilution in Middlebrook 7H9. We fitted Cox proportional hazard models correlating MICs, DST results, and clinical variables to tSCC and treatment outcome.

Results

Successful treatment outcome was observed in 83.5% (132/158) of MDR-tuberculosis patients. Increasing MICs of fluoroquinolones, diabetes, and age >40 years were significantly associated with unsuccessful treatment outcome. Patients treated with pyrazinamide (PZA) had a significantly shorter tSCC compared to patients who were not (median difference, 27 days).

Conclusions

Increasing MICs of fluoroquinolones were correlated with unsuccessful treatment outcome in MDR-tuberculosis patients. Further studies, including MIC testing and clinical outcome data to define clinical Mtb breakpoints, are warranted. PZA treatment was associated with shorter tSCC, highlighting the importance of PZA DST.
The Pleasure of Assessing and Expressing Our Likes and Dislikes
Authors: He Daniel , Melumad Shiri , Pham Michel Tuan
Published: December 2018

Although consumer behavior theory has traditionally regarded evaluations as instrumental to consumer choice, in reality consumers often assess and express what they like and dislike even when there is no decision at stake. Why are consumers so eager to express their evaluations when there is no ostensible purpose for doing so? In this research, we advance the thesis that this is because consumers derive an inherent pleasure from assessing and expressing their likes and dislikes. In support of this thesis, the results of seven studies show that compared to a variety of simple and commonplace control judgments, assessing and expressing one’s likes and dislikes results in greater task enjoyment. This occurs because externalizing one’s evaluations enables a form of self-expression that appears to be deep and global. These findings have important implications for marketers and policy makers.