bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biometric, nutritional, biochemical, and cardiovascular outcomes in male rats submitted to an experimental model of early weaning that mimics mother abandoning
Authors: Barros Rogério Barbosa de Magalhães , Alvim-Silva Thaís , de Souza Júlia Raquel Nunes , Marques Emiliana Barbosa , Rocha Nazareth N. , Brito Fernanda C. F. , Scaramello Christianne B. V.
Published: September 2020

Literature describes breast milk as the best food for the newborn, recommending exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months of age. However, it is not available for more than 40% of children worldwide. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological models of 3-day early weaning were developed in rodents to investigate later outcomes related solely to this nutritional insult. Thus, the present work aimed to describe biometric, nutritional, biochemical, and cardiovascular outcomes in adult male rats submitted to 3-day early weaning achieved by maternal deprivation. This experimental model comprises not only nutritional insult but also emotional stress, simulating mother abandoning. Male offspring were physically separated from their mothers at 21st (control) or 18th (early weaning) postnatal day, receiving water/food ad libitum. Analysis performed at postnatal days 30, 90, 150, and 365 encompassed body mass and food intake monitoring and serum biochemistry determination. Further assessments included hemodynamic, echocardiographic, and cardiorespiratory evaluation. Early-weaned males presented higher body weight when compared to control as well as dyslipidemia, higher blood pressure, diastolic dysfunction, and cardiac hypertrophy in adult life. Animals early deprived of their mothers have also presented a worse performance on the maximal effort ergometer test. This work shows that 3-day early maternal deprivation favors the development of cardiovascular disease in male rats.
Two-dimensional MXene modified AgNRs as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate for sensitive determination of polychlorinated biphenyls
Authors: Fang Xuejiao , Song Yuhang , Huang Yi , Yang Guohai , Han Caiqin , Li Haitao , Qu Lulu
Published: September 2020

A MXene/AgNR substrate was prepared through a facile modification strategy. The substrate can perform sensitive SERS detection of polychlorinated biphenyls, which may have potential in environmental monitoring at the point of need.
Correction: Progress of electrospray ionization and rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometric techniques for the broad-range identification of microorganisms
Authors: Kailasa Suresh Kumar , Koduru Janardhan Reddy , Park Tae Jung , Wu Hui-Fen , Lin Ying-Chi
Published: September 2020

Correction for ‘Progress of electrospray ionization and rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometric techniques for the broad-range identification of microorganisms’ by Suresh Kumar Kailasa et al., Analyst, 2019, 144, 1073–1103, DOI: 10.1039/C8AN02034E.
Antibacterial lipo-random peptide mixtures exhibit high selectivity and synergistic interactions
Authors: Topman-Rakover Shiri , Malach Einav , Burdman Saul , Hayouka Zvi
Published: September 2020

We report antimicrobial activity of 5-mer lipo-random peptide mixtures (lipo-RPMs) composed of l-Phe, d-Lys and palmitic acid. Synergistic interactions were detected between selected lipopeptides that compose the lipo-RPM mixture.
A base-repair based electrochemiluminescent genotoxicity sensor that detects abasic sites in double-stranded DNA films
Authors: Wang Dong-Mei , Jia Jia , Huang Rong-Fu , Zhang Xinfeng
Published: September 2020

An ECL-based genotoxicity sensor with the ability to identify the missed bases at AP sites in damaged DNA is developed.
Photochemical and electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide thin films: tuning the nature of surface defects
Authors: Quezada Renteria Javier A. , Ruiz-Garcia Cristina , Sauvage Thierry , Chazaro-Ruiz Luis F. , Rangel-Mendez Jose R. , Ania Conchi O.
Published: September 2020

Tuning the reduction degree and the nature of surface defects (vacancies, sp3) in rGO upon combined mild photo(electro)chemical reduction.
A new planar BCN lateral heterostructure with outstanding strength and defect-mediated superior semiconducting to metallic properties
Authors: Thomas Siby , Asle Zaeem Mohsen
Published: September 2020

Outstanding strength and defect-mediated superior semiconducting to conducting properties of a planar BCN lateral heterostructure.
Electrocatalytic dinitrogen reduction reaction on silicon carbide: a density functional theory study
Authors: Guo Zhongyuan , Qiu Siyao , Li Huan , Xu Yongjun , Langford Steven J. , Sun Chenghua
Published: September 2020

C-SiC offers an ultralow over-potential of 0.39 V for nitrogen fixation, being lower than most metals and alloys.
Three states global fittings with improved long range: singlet and triplet states of H+3
Authors: Aguado Alfredo , Roncero Octavio , Sanz-Sanz Cristina
Published: September 2020

Full dimensional analytical fits of the coupled potential energy surfaces for the three lower singlet and triplet adiabatic states of H+3 are developed, providing analytic derivatives and non-adiabatic coupling matrix elements.
Probing the structural evolution, electronic and spectral properties of beryllium doped magnesium and its ion clusters
Authors: Zeng Lu , Liang Mei-Kun , Wei Xiao-Fan , Guo Jia , Zhang Shuai , Bi Jie , Dai Wei , Zhu Ben-Chao
Published: September 2020

Beryllium doped small-sized magnesium and its ion clusters are fully studied in this work.
Towards a consistent framework of comparing galaxy mergers in observations and simulations
Authors: Wang L. , Pearson W. J. , Rodriguez-Gomez V.
Published: September 2020

Aims.We aim to perform consistent comparisons between observations and simulations on the mass dependence of the galaxy major merger fraction at low redshift over an unprecedentedly wide range of stellar masses (∼109to 1012 M⊙).

Methods.We first carry out forward modelling of ideal synthetic images of major mergers and non-mergers selected from the Next Generation Illustris Simulations (IllustrisTNG) to include major observational effects. We then train deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) using realistic mock observations of galaxy samples from the simulations. Subsequently, we apply the trained CNNs to real the Kilo-Degree Survey (KiDS) images of galaxies selected from the Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey. Based on the major merger samples, which are detected in a consistent manner in the observations and simulations, we determine the dependence of major merger fraction on stellar mass atz ∼ 0.15 and make comparisons between the two.

Results.The detected major merger fraction in the GAMA/KiDS observations has a fairly mild decreasing trend with increasing stellar mass over the mass range 109 M⊙ <  M* <  1011.5 M⊙. There is good agreement in the mass dependence of the major merger fraction in the GAMA/KiDS observations and the IllustrisTNG simulations over 109.5 M⊙ <  M* <  1010.5 M⊙. However, the observations and the simulations show some differences atM* >  1010.5 M⊙, possibly due to the supermassive blackhole feedback in its low-accretion state in the simulations which causes a sharp transition in the quenched fractions at this mass scale. The discrepancy could also be due to the relatively small volume of the simulations and/or differences in how stellar masses are measured in simulations and observations.
Dentigerous Cyst in the Maxillary Anterior Region of a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Nagarajan Nivethitha , Jayachandran Sadaksharam , Jayaram Vidya , Nisha Aarthi
Published: September 2020

Dentigerous cyst is a common type of odontogenic cyst of the oral and maxillofacial region. It commonly occurs in the second or third decades and rare cases appear in the first decade of age. It is a developmental cyst associated with unerupted/impacted tooth. Radiographically, it appears as unilocular, radiolucent area along the cementoenamel junction of the associated tooth. Larger dentigerous cysts may be treated with marsupialization, and smaller dentigerous cysts are treated with enucleation of the cyst and extraction of the associated tooth. This case report presents a case of dentigerous cyst in the right maxillary region in a young child and was diagnosed using radiographs and removed by surgical excision.
Symplectic coarse-grained classical and semclassical evolution of subsystems: New theoretical approach
Authors: de Gosson Maurice A.
Published: September 2020

We study the classical and semiclassical time evolutions of subsystems of a Hamiltonian system; this is done using a generalization of Heller’s thawed Gaussian approximation introduced by Littlejohn. The key tool in our study is an extension of Gromov’s “principle of the symplectic camel” obtained in collaboration with Dias, de Gosson, and Prata [arXiv:1911.03763v1 [math.SG] (2019)]. This extension says that the orthogonal projection of a symplectic phase space ball on a phase space with a smaller dimension also contains a symplectic ball with the same radius. In the quantum case, the radii of these symplectic balls are taken equal to ℏ and represent the ellipsoids of minimum uncertainty, which we called “quantum blobs” in previous work.
Effect of many modes on self-polarization and photochemical suppression in cavities
Authors: Hoffmann Norah M. , Lacombe Lionel , Rubio Angel , Maitra Neepa T.
Published: September 2020

The standard description of cavity-modified molecular reactions typically involves a single (resonant) mode, while in reality, the quantum cavity supports a range of photon modes. Here, we demonstrate that as more photon modes are accounted for, physicochemical phenomena can dramatically change, as illustrated by the cavity-induced suppression of the important and ubiquitous process of proton-coupled electron-transfer. Using a multi-trajectory Ehrenfest treatment for the photon-modes, we find that self-polarization effects become essential, and we introduce the concept of self-polarization-modified Born–Oppenheimer surfaces as a new construct to analyze dynamics. As the number of cavity photon modes increases, the increasing deviation of these surfaces from the cavity-free Born–Oppenheimer surfaces, together with the interplay between photon emission and absorption inside the widening bands of these surfaces, leads to enhanced suppression. The present findings are general and will have implications for the description and control of cavity-driven physical processes of molecules, nanostructures, and solids embedded in cavities.
Sensitive detection of excited energy levels in rare-earth optical materials by a magneto-optical resonant excitation technique
Authors: Chen Xiaodie , Zhang Junpei , Dai Hongwei , Cheng Hui , Huang Chuyi , Ahmed Salman , Han Jun-Bo
Published: September 2020

An optical method for the sensitive detection of excited energy levels in rare-earth luminescent materials is developed based on the magnetic field induced photoluminescence (PL) enhancement phenomenon observed in Er3+:YVO4 crystals. Since the PL intensity of rare-earth luminescent materials is sensitive to the excitation efficiency, continuous tuning of the excitation laser wavelength under a magnetic field could result in a mapping of PL enhancement peaks vs excitation wavelength. This enables us to figure out the fine energy levels and the corresponding Lander g factors of materials, such as Er3+:YVO4 crystal as an example. Comparison between this method and the Zeeman splitting technique demonstrates that the proposed technique is a powerful solution to detect the fine energy structures and Lander g factors of rare-earth luminescent materials.
W-band system-on-chip electron cyclotron emission imaging system on DIII-D
Authors: Zhu Y. , Yu J.-H. , Yu G. , Ye Y. , Tobias B. , Diallo A. , Kramer G. , Ren Y. , Domier C. W. , Li X. , Luo C. , Chen M. , Chen Y. , Luhmann N. C.
Published: September 2020

Monolithic, millimeter-wave “system-on-chip” (SoC) technology has been employed in heterodyne receiver integrated circuit radiometers in a newly developed Electron Cyclotron Emission Imaging (ECEI) system on the DIII-D tokamak for 2D electron temperature profile and fluctuation evolution diagnostics. A prototype module operating in the E-band (72 GHz–80 GHz) was first employed in a 2 × 10 element array that demonstrated significant improvements over the previous quasi-optical Schottky diode mixer arrays during the 2018 operational campaign of the DIII-D tokamak. For compatibility with International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor relevant scenarios on DIII-D, the SoC ECEI system was upgraded with 20 horn-waveguide receiver modules. Each individual module contains a University of California Davis designed W-band (75 GHz–110 GHz) receiver die that integrates a broadband low noise amplifier, a double balanced down-converting mixer, and a ×4 multiplier on the local oscillator (LO) chain. A ×2 multiplier and two IF amplifiers are packaged and selected to further boost the signal strength and downconvert the signal frequency. The upgraded W-band array exhibits >30 dB additional gain and 20× improvement in noise temperature compared with the previous Schottky diode radio frequency mixer input systems; an internal 8 times multiplier chain is used to bring down the LO frequency below 12 GHz, thereby obviating the need for a large aperture for quasi-optical LO coupling and replacing it with coaxial connectors. Horn-waveguide shielding housing avoids out-of-band noise interference on each individual module. The upgraded ECEI system plays an important role for absolute electron temperature evolution and fluctuation measurements for edge and core region transport physics studies.
Structure and overstability of resistive modes with runaway electrons
Authors: Liu Chang , Zhao Chen , Jardin Stephen C. , Bhattacharjee Amitava , Brennan Dylan P. , Ferraro Nathanial M.
Published: September 2020

We investigate the effects of runaway electron current on the dispersion relation of resistive magnetohydrodynamic modes in tokamaks. We present a new theoretical model to derive the dispersion relation, which is based on the asymptotic analysis of the resistive layer structure of the modes. It is found that in addition to the conventional resistive layer, a new runaway current layer can emerge whose properties depend on the ratio of the Alfvén velocity to the runaway electron convection speed. Due to the contribution from this layer, both the tearing mode and kink mode will have a real frequency in addition to a growth rate. The derived dispersion relation has been compared with numerical results using both a simplified eigenvalue calculation and a M3D-C1 linear simulation, and good agreement is found in both cases.
Highly dilute gas flows over an ellipse
Authors: Cai Shiying , Cai Chunpei , Li Jun
Published: September 2020

This paper presents recent investigation results on free molecular flows over a diffusely or specularly reflective ellipse, by using the gaskinetic theory. A virtual density distribution along the diffusely reflective surface is introduced to aid the investigations. Many local surface properties are obtained, including the surface slip velocity and coefficients for pressure, friction, and heat flux. Global coefficients for aerodynamic forces and moments and mass center–force center distances are also obtained by integrating the local surface distributions. In the end, analytical expressions for the flowfields around a diffusely or specularly reflective ellipse are also obtained. Special non-dimensional parameters, such as temperature and speed ratios, are explicitly embedded in these expressions. Particle simulations with the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method are performed to validate the above results. Those expressions need computers for evaluations; however, the cost is very minor when compared with DSMC simulations. The approaches are heuristic to investigate other external collisionless flows, and the load coefficients can be considered as baseline references at the high Knudsen number limit. By using these collisionless flow results, it is feasible to further study less rarefied gas flows over an ellipse, for example, with an asymptotic method. Swift parameter studies based on these solutions can be performed to study their effect.
{001}-textured Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 thin films on stainless steel by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Cardoletti Juliette , Komissinskiy Philipp , Bruder Enrico , Morandi Carl , Alff Lambert
Published: September 2020

In this work, we report nearly single oriented {001}-textured ferroelectric PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition onto AISI 304 stainless steel substrates. Pt, Al2O3, and LaNiO3 buffer layers promote the PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 {001} texture and protect the substrate against oxidation during deposition. The dominant {001} texture of the PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 layer was confirmed using x-ray and electron backscatter diffraction. Before poling, the films exhibit a permittivity of about 350 at 1 kHz and a dielectric loss below 5%. The films display a remanent polarization of about 16.5μCcm−2 and a high coercive field of up to Ec=135.9kVcm−1. The properties of these PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 thin films on stainless steel are promising for various MEMS applications such as transducers or energy harvesters.
Structure of the human clamp loader reveals an autoinhibited conformation of a substrate-bound AAA+ switch
Authors: Gaubitz Christl , Liu Xingchen , Magrino Joseph , Stone Nicholas P. , Landeck Jacob , Hedglin Mark , Kelch Brian A.
Published: September 2020

Significance

DNA replication and repair depend on AAA+ ATPase protein complexes called clamp loaders that open and load ring-shaped sliding clamps onto DNA. Using cryogenic electron microscopy, we determined the first structure of the human clamp loader (RFC), which is in an autoinhibited conformation while bound to the sliding clamp (PCNA). We assign this to be a reaction intermediate prior to clamp opening and propose a conformational change necessary for activation, leading to a unique paradigm for the AAA+ ATPase mechanism. We examined RFC’s interaction with a PCNA disease variant, which illuminates how this variant maintains tight interactions with some partners. Finally, mapping of cancer mutations onto RFC’s structure suggests stability as a key factor in proper function and human health.
Neural progenitor cell pyroptosis contributes to Zika virus-induced brain atrophy and represents a therapeutic target
Authors: He Zhenjian , An Shu , Chen Jiahui , Zhang Shuqing , Tan Chahui , Yu Jianchen , Ye Hengming , Wu Yun , Yuan Jie , Wu Jueheng , Zhu Xun , Li Mengfeng
Published: September 2020

Significance

Zika virus (ZIKV) has been identified as a cause of microcephaly. However, the mechanisms by which ZIKV disrupts neurogenesis and causes microcephaly remains poorly understood. Here, we first report that ZIKV exposure causes neural progenitor cell pyroptosis, mediated by activation of caspase-1 and gasdermin D in vivo as well as in vitro, which links ZIKV to the development and progression of microcephaly. Consistent with this notion, caspase-1 deletion or treatment with caspase-1 inhibitor VX-765 reduced ZIKV-induced inflammatory responses and pyroptosis, and robustly attenuated neuropathy and brain atrophy. Taken together, our findings provide unique perspectives on ZIKV-associated neuropathogenesis and potentially clinically applicable options for its treatment.
Molecular regulation of
ZmMs7
required for maize male fertility and development of a dominant male-sterility system in multiple species
Authors: An Xueli , Ma Biao , Duan Meijuan , Dong Zhenying , Liu Ruogu , Yuan Dingyang , Hou Quancan , Wu Suowei , Zhang Danfeng , Liu Dongcheng , Yu Dong , Zhang Yuwen , Xie Ke , Zhu Taotao , Li Ziwen , Zhang Simiao , Tian Youhui , Liu Chang , Li Jinping , Yuan Longping , Wan Xiangyuan
Published: September 2020

Significance

Developing a male-sterility system that is effective in multiple species is essential for hybrid seed production in different plants, especially for plants without cloned male-sterility genes. Here, we identified the transcriptional regulation mechanism for maize male-sterility gene
ZmMs7
and thereby developed a dominant male-sterility system that was proved to be effective in maize, rice, and
Arabidopsis
. Compared with current male-sterility systems, this system has potential advantages, e.g., utilization of a single transgene cassette, high stability of male sterility under different genetic backgrounds, and producing fluorescent transgenic and normal color nontransgenic F
1
hybrid seeds which can be used flexibly in different countries where transgenic crop cultivation is prohibited or allowed. Therefore, it is a simple, cost-effective, and multiple-crop-applicable biotechnology.
Pulling a folded polymer through a nanopore
Authors: Ghosh Bappa , Sarabadani Jalal , Chaudhury Srabanti , Ala-Nissila Tapio
Published: September 2020

We investigate the translocation dynamics of a folded linear polymer which is pulled through a nanopore by an external force. To this end, we generalize the iso-flux tension propagation theory for end-pulled polymer translocation to include the case of two segments of the folded polymer traversing simultaneously trough the pore. Our theory is extensively benchmarked with corresponding molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The translocation process for a folded polymer can be divided into two main stages. In the first stage, both branches are traversing the pore and their dynamics is coupled. If the branches are not of equal length, there is a second stage where translocation of the shorter branch has been completed. Using the assumption of equal monomer flux of both branches confirmed by MD simulations, we analytically derive the equations of motion for both branches and characterize the translocation dynamics in detail from the average waiting time and its scaling form.
Tolman length of simple droplet: Theoretical study and molecular dynamics simulation*
Authors: Cui Shu-Wen , Wei Jiu-An , Li Qiang , Liu Wei-Wei , Qian Ping , Wang Xiao Song
Published: September 2020

In 1949, Tolman found the relation between the surface tension and Tolman length, which determines the dimensional effect of the surface tension. Tolman length is the difference between the equimolar surface and the surface of tension. In recent years, the magnitude, expression, and sign of the Tolman length remain an open question. An incompressible and homogeneous liquid droplet model is proposed and the approximate expression and sign for Tolman length are derived in this paper. We obtain the relation between Tolman length and the radius of the surface of tension (R
s) and found that they increase with the R
s decreasing. The Tolman length of plane surface tends to zero. Taking argon for example, molecular dynamics simulation is carried out by using the Lennard–Jones (LJ) potential between atoms at a temperature of 90 K. Five simulated systems are used, with numbers of argon atoms being 10140, 10935, 11760, 13500, and 15360, respectively. By methods of theoretical study and molecular dynamics simulation, we find that the calculated value of Tolman length is more than zero, and it decreases as the size is increased among the whole size range. The value of surface tension increases with the radius of the surface of tension increasing, which is consistent with Tolman’s theory. These conclusions are significant for studying the size dependence of the surface tension.
Photoluminescence of green InGaN/GaN MQWs grown on pre-wells*
Authors: Lai Shou-Qiang , Li Qing-Xuan , Long Hao , Wu Jin-Zhao , Ying Lei-Ying , Zheng Zhi-Wei , Qiu Zhi-Ren , Zhang Bao-Ping
Published: September 2020

Photoluminescence (PL) characteristics of the structure consisting of green InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) and low indium content InGaN/GaN pre-wells are investigated. Several PL peaks from pre-wells and green InGaN/GaN MQWs are observed. The peak energy values for both pre-wells and green InGaN/GaN MQWs display an S-shaped variation with temperature. In addition, the differences in the carrier localization effect, defect density, and phonon–exciton interaction between the pre-wells and green InGaN/GaN MQWs, and the internal quantum efficiency of the sample are studied. The obtained results elucidate the mechanism of the luminescence characteristics of the sample and demonstrate the significant stress blocking effect of pre-wells.
Role of Ag microalloying on glass forming ability and crystallization kinetics of ZrCoAgAlNi amorphous alloy
Authors: Surendar A , Geetha K , Rajan C , Alaazim M
Published: September 2020

Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) with new chemical compositions (ZrCoAgAlNi) were fabricated and the effects of Ag minor addition on the glass forming ability (GFA) and crystallization kinetics were studied. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) test was applied to identify the amorphousness of BMGs or possible crystalline phases. Using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), the thermal stability and crystallization kinetics under a non-isothermal condition at the different heating rates were studied. Considering the heating rate dependency of glass transition and crystallization kinetics, the activation energy was evaluated and measured for the mentioned processes. It was revealed that the rise in Ag content led to the decrease in activation energy for glass transition, while the activation energy for crystallization increased. The thermal stability and GFA were also studied and it was found that the Ag addition strongly affected the inherent features of BMGs. With the increase in Ag content, the atomic mobility and structural rearrangement changed in the material and consequently, the GFA and thermal stability were significantly improved.
Complex (super)-matrix models with external sources and q-ensembles of Chern–Simons and ABJ(M) type
Authors: Santilli Leonardo , Tierz Miguel
Published: September 2020

The Langmann–Szabo–Zarembo (LSZ) matrix model is a complex matrix model with a quartic interaction and two external matrices. The model appears in the study of a scalar field theory on the non-commutative plane. We prove that the LSZ matrix model computes the probability of atypically large fluctuations in the Stieltjes–Wigert matrix model, which is a q-ensemble describing U(N) Chern–Simons theory on the three-sphere. The correspondence holds in a generalized sense: depending on the spectra of the two external matrices, the LSZ matrix model either describes probabilities of large fluctuations in the Chern–Simons partition function, in the unknot invariant or in the two-unknot invariant. We extend the result to supermatrix models, and show that a generalized LSZ supermatrix model describes the probability of atypically large fluctuations in the ABJ(M) matrix model.
Corrigendum to “On non-uniqueness in mean field games”
Authors: Bayraktar Erhan , Zhang Xin
Published: September 2020

We clarify some reference errors in the conclusion part of our paper “On non-uniqueness in mean field games” (Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 148 (2020), 4091–4106). Below is our original section 6 after correction.
Telomere length set point regulation in human pluripotent stem cells critically depends on the shelterin protein TPP1
Authors: Boyle John M. , Hennick Kelsey M. , Regalado Samuel G. , Vogan Jacob M. , Zhang Xiaozhu , Collins Kathleen , Hockemeyer Dirk
Published: September 2020

To better understand telomere length set point control in human stem cells, we generated knockout stem cell lines for TPP1 and contrasted their phenotypes with those of homozygous TPP1 L104A mutant stem cells. This comparison reveals that TPP1 L104A is not a hypomorphic allele but formally establishes TPP1 L104 as a dissociation of function mutant.
Individual Differences in Cognitive Performance Are Better Predicted by Global Rather Than Localized BOLD Activity Patterns Across the Cortex
Authors: Zhao Weiqi , Palmer Clare E , Thompson Wesley K , Chaarani Bader , Garavan Hugh P , Casey B J , Jernigan Terry L , Dale Anders M , Fan Chun Chieh
Published: September 2020

Despite its central role in revealing the neurobiological mechanisms of behavior, neuroimaging research faces the challenge of producing reliable biomarkers for cognitive processes and clinical outcomes. Statistically significant brain regions, identified by mass univariate statistical models commonly used in neuroimaging studies, explain minimal phenotypic variation, limiting the translational utility of neuroimaging phenotypes. This is potentially due to the observation that behavioral traits are influenced by variations in neuroimaging phenotypes that are globally distributed across the cortex and are therefore not captured by thresholded, statistical parametric maps commonly reported in neuroimaging studies. Here, we developed a novel multivariate prediction method, the Bayesian polyvertex score, that turns a unthresholded statistical parametric map into a summary score that aggregates the many but small effects across the cortex for behavioral prediction. By explicitly assuming a globally distributed effect size pattern and operating on the mass univariate summary statistics, it was able to achieve higher out-of-sample variance explained than mass univariate and popular multivariate methods while still preserving the interpretability of a generative model. Our findings suggest that similar to the polygenicity observed in the field of genetics, the neural basis of complex behaviors may rest in the global patterning of effect size variation of neuroimaging phenotypes, rather than in localized, candidate brain regions and networks.
Comparative genomic analyses illuminate the distinct evolution of megabats within Chiroptera
Authors: Nikaido Masato , Kondo Shinji , Zhang Zicong , Wu Jiaqi , Nishihara Hidenori , Niimura Yoshihito , Suzuki Shunta , Touhara Kazushige , Suzuki Yutaka , Noguchi Hideki , Minakuchi Yohei , Toyoda Atsushi , Fujiyama Asao , Sugano Sumio , Yoneda Misako , Kai Chieko
Published: September 2020

The revision of the sub-order Microchiroptera is one of the most intriguing outcomes in recent mammalian molecular phylogeny. The unexpected sister–taxon relationship between rhinolophoid microbats and megabats, with the exclusion of other microbats, suggests that megabats arose in a relatively short period of time from a microbat-like ancestor. In order to understand the genetic mechanism underlying adaptive evolution in megabats, we determined the whole-genome sequences of two rousette megabats, Leschenault’s rousette (Rousettus leschenaultia) and the Egyptian fruit bat (R. aegyptiacus). The sequences were compared with those of 22 other mammals, including nine bats, available in the database. We identified that megabat genomes are distinct in that they have extremely low activity of SINE retrotranspositions, expansion of two chemosensory gene families, including the trace amine receptor (TAAR) and olfactory receptor (OR), and elevation of the dN/dS ratio in genes for immunity and protein catabolism. The adaptive signatures discovered in the genomes of megabats may provide crucial insight into their distinct evolution, including key processes such as virus resistance, loss of echolocation, and frugivorous feeding.
Impact of surgical treatment of pectus carinatum on cardiopulmonary function: a prospective study
Authors: Del Frari Barbara , Sigl Stephan , Schwabegger Anton H , Blank Cornelia , Morawetz David , Gassner Eva , Schobersberger Wolfgang
Published: September 2020

OBJECTIVES

The frequency of sternochondroplasty in cases of pectus carinatum (PC) has increased due to greater surgeon experience and modified surgical techniques. PC deformity does not usually cause cardiopulmonary malfunction or impairment. However, whether cardiopulmonary function changes after surgical repair remains a matter of controversy. The aim of our prospective study was to determine if surgery changes preoperative cardiopulmonary function.

METHODS

Nineteen patients (16 males, 3 females) were enrolled in a prospective, open-label, single-arm, single-centre clinical trial (Impact of Surgical Treatments of Thoracic Deformation on Cardiopulmonary Function) (NCT02163265) between July 2013 and January 2017. All patients underwent PC repair via a modified Ravitch procedure and wore a lightweight, patient-controlled chest brace for 8 weeks postoperatively (the Innsbruck protocol). The average follow-up surgical examination was 8.3 months after surgery. In all enrolled patients, before surgery and not before 6 months postoperatively chest X-ray, 3-dimensional volume-rendered computed tomography thorax imaging, cardiopulmonary function tests with stepwise cycle spiroergometry (sitting and supine position) and Doppler echocardiography were performed; questionnaires about daily physical activity were also completed.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients (aged 16.3 ± 2.6 years at study entry) completed the study. Changes in submaximal and peak power output were not detected during sitting, or when in the supine position. Also, no clinically relevant postoperative changes in spirometry or echocardiography were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirm that surgical correction of PC does not impair cardiopulmonary function at rest or during physical exercise.

Clinical registration number

clinicaltrials.gov NCT02163265.
Availability, Accessibility, and Coverage of Needle and Syringe Programs in Prisons in the European Union
Authors: Moazen Babak , Dolan Kate , Saeedi Moghaddam Sahar , Lotfizadeh Masoud , Duke Karen , Neuhann Florian , Stöver Heino , Jahn Albrecht
Published: September 2020

Needle and syringe programs (NSPs) are among the most effective interventions for controlling the transmission of infection among people who inject drugs in prisons. We evaluated the availability, accessibility, and coverage of NSPs in prisons in European Union (EU) countries. In line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, we systematically searched 4 databases of peer-reviewed publications (MEDLINE (PubMed), ISI Web of Science, EBSCO, and ScienceDirect) and 53 databases containing gray literature to collect data published from January 2008 to August 2018. A total of 23,969 documents (17,297 papers and 6,672 gray documents) were identified, of which 26 were included in the study. In 2018, imprisonment rates in 28 EU countries ranged between 51 per 100,000 population in Finland and 235 per 100,000 population in Lithuania. Only 4 countries were found to have NSPs in prisons: Germany (in 1 prison), Luxembourg (no coverage data were found), Romania (available in more than 50% of prisons), and Spain (in all prisons). Portugal stopped an NSP after a 6-month pilot phase. Despite the protective impact of prison-based NSPs on infection transmission, only 4 EU countries distribute sterile syringes among people who inject drugs in prisons, and coverage of the programs within these countries is very low. Since most prisoners will eventually return to the community, lack of NSPs in EU prisons not only is a threat to the health of prisoners but also endangers public health.
Full waveform inversion by proximal Newton method using adaptive regularization
Authors: Aghamiry H S , Gholami A , Operto S
Published: September 2020

Regularization is necessary for solving non-linear ill-posed inverse problems arising in different fields of geosciences. The base of a suitable regularization is the prior expressed by the regularizer, which can be non-adaptive or adaptive (data-driven), smooth or non-smooth, variational-based or not. Nevertheless, tailoring a suitable and easy-to-implement prior for describing geophysical models is a non-trivial task. In this paper, we propose two generic optimization algorithms to implement arbitrary regularization in non-linear inverse problems such as full-waveform inversion (FWI), where the regularization task is recast as a denoising problem. We assess these optimization algorithms with the plug-and-play block matching (BM3D) regularization algorithm, which determines empirical priors adaptively without any optimization formulation. The non-linear inverse problem is solved with a proximal Newton method, which generalizes the traditional Newton step in such a way to involve the gradients/subgradients of a (possibly non-differentiable) regularization function through operator splitting and proximal mappings. Furthermore, it requires to account for the Hessian matrix in the regularized least-squares optimization problem. We propose two different splitting algorithms for this task. In the first, we compute the Newton search direction with an iterative method based upon the first-order generalized iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm (ISTA), and hence Newton-ISTA (NISTA). The iterations require only Hessian-vector products to compute the gradient step of the quadratic approximation of the non-linear objective function. The second relies on the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM), and hence Newton-ADMM (NADMM), where the least-squares optimization subproblem and the regularization subproblem in the composite objective function are decoupled through auxiliary variable and solved in an alternating mode. The least-squares subproblem can be solved with exact, inexact, or quasi-Newton methods. We compare NISTA and NADMM numerically by solving FWI with BM3D regularization. The tests show promising results obtained by both algorithms. However, NADMM shows a faster convergence rate than NISTA when using L-BFGS to solve the Newton system.
The Fairy Tale of the Average Consumer: Why We Should Not Rely on the Real Consumer When Assessing the Likelihood of Confusion
Authors: Anemaet Lotte
Published: September 2020

The present article considers whether the confusion analysis in trademark law is at risk of being used strategically as a self-servicing mechanism by the industry to obtain trademark rights to descriptive, cultural and non-traditional signs. In this context, two features of the trademark system are particularly worrisome. First, trademark owners can strengthen the distinctive character of their marks by investing in marketing and branding campaigns. Second, trademark owners can afford expensive surveys demonstrating the high distinctiveness of their marks and strengthening their position in an infringement case. A study of 189 Dutch cases reveals that in the likelihood-of-confusion assessment, the degree of a mark’s distinctiveness and corresponding empirical findings can have a deep impact. However, the study also shows that descriptive, cultural and non-traditional signs were not often disputed. In practice, the risk of misappropriating these signs might therefore be limited. In some cases, however, trademark owners did succeed in achieving a broad scope of protection regarding descriptive, cultural and non-traditional signs. Therefore, national courts should have more room to make normative corrections in favour of freedom-of-competition interests. This would allow judges to prevent trademark owners from achieving unjustified economic advantages flowing from these signs.
Bridging the gap with a gender lens: How two implementation research datasets were repurposed to inform health policy reform in Kenya
Authors: Suchman Lauren , Appleford Gabrielle , Owino Edward , Seefeld Charlotte Avery
Published: September 2020

Policies as they are written often mask the power relations behind their creation (Hull, 2008). As a result, not only are policies that appear neat on the page frequently messy in their implementation on the ground, but the messiness of implementation, and implementation science, often brings these hidden power relations to light. In this paper, we examine the process by which different data sources were generated within a programme meant to increase access to quality private healthcare for the poorest populations in Kenya, how these sources were brought and analyzed together to examine gender bias in the large-scale rollout of Kenya’s National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) beyond public hospitals and civil service employees, and how these findings ultimately were developed in real time to feed into the NHIF reform process. We point to the ways in which data generated for implementation science purposes and without a specific focus on gender were analyzed with a policy implementation analysis lens to look at gender issues at the policy level, and pay particular attention to the role that the ongoing close partnership between the evaluators and implementers played in allowing the teams to develop and turn findings around on short timelines. In conclusion, we discuss possibilities for programme evaluators and implementers to generate new data and feed routine monitoring data into policy reform processes to create a health policy environment that serves patients more effectively and equitably. Implementation science is generally focused on programmatic improvement; the experiences in Kenya make clear that it can, and should, also be considered for policy improvement.
Establishing essential metrics for antifungal stewardship in hospitals: the results of an international Delphi survey
Authors: Khanina A , Urbancic K F , Haeusler G M , Kong D C M , Douglas A P , Tio S Y , Worth L J , Slavin M A , Thursky K A
Published: September 2020

Background

Guidance on assessment of the quantity and appropriateness of antifungal prescribing is required to assist hospitals to interpret data effectively and structure quality improvement programmes.

Objectives

To achieve expert consensus on a core set of antifungal stewardship (AFS) metrics and to determine their feasibility for implementation.

Methods

A literature review was undertaken to develop a list of candidate metrics. International experts were invited to participate in sequential web-based surveys to evaluate the importance and feasibility of metrics in the area of AFS using Delphi methodology. Three surveys were completed. Consensus was predefined as ≥80% agreement on the importance of each metric.

Results

Eighty-two experts consented to participate from 17 different countries. Response rate for each survey was >80%. The panel included adult and paediatric physicians, microbiologists and pharmacists with diverse content expertise. Consensus was achieved for 38 metrics considered important to routinely include in AFS programmes, and related to antifungal consumption (n = 5), quality of antifungal prescribing and management of invasive fungal infection (IFI) (n = 24), and clinical outcomes (n = 9). Twenty-one consensus metrics were considered to have moderate to high feasibility for routine collection.

Conclusions

The identified core AFS metrics will provide a framework to comprehensively assess the quantity and quality of antifungal prescribing within hospitals to develop quality improvement programmes aimed at improving IFI prevention, management and patient-centred outcomes. A standardized approach will support collaboration and benchmarking to monitor the efficacy of current prophylaxis and treatment guidelines, and will provide important feedback to guideline developers.
Continuation of Over-the-Counter Biotin Supplements in the Inpatient Setting: An Unexpected Source of Laboratory Error
Authors: Merrill Anna E , Malvik Natalie M , Ford Diana C , Krasowski Matthew D
Published: September 2020

Background

Over the past decade, use of high-dose biotin has increased significantly and can lead to erroneous results on some clinical immunoassays. In collaboration with pharmacists at our institution, we discovered that high biotin doses were being administered to inpatients as a continuation of patient-reported home biotin use.

Methods

This retrospective study evaluated high-dose biotin administration in 226 inpatient encounters from 2009 to 2019 and its potential impact on concurrent immunoassay testing.

Results

In 96% of cases, biotin was administered in the inpatient setting as a continuation of patient-reported home use. In total, 322 immunoassays capable of biotin interference were performed across 100 inpatient encounters with high-dose biotin administration. Troponin T and TSH were the most commonly performed immunoassays in this cohort.

Discussion

Even though less than 5% of all high-dose biotin orders at our institution are placed for inpatients, hospitalized patients are still at risk for mismanagement due to erroneous immunoassay results. Immunoassay testing susceptible to biotin interference was performed in approximately 45% of inpatient encounters with biotin administration. Laboratories utilizing biotin-susceptible, sensitive cardiac troponin assays should be particularly cautious. Pharmacokinetic data for biotin clearance is especially lacking for certain populations likely to be hospitalized, such as those with renal failure. Given that medical conditions requiring high-dose biotin therapy are extremely rare, we recommend restricting biotin dosing during inpatient encounters for all other patients.
Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Two Commercial Insecticides on Egg Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) of Green Stink Bugs (Hem: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Ranjbar Fateme , Reitz Stuart , Jalali M Amin , Ziaaddini Mahdi , Izadi Hamzeh
Published: September 2020

Pistacia vera L. is one of the most important horticultural crops in Iran. The stink bugs Acrosternum arabicum and Brachynema germari are two of the key pests that cause significant direct and indirect damage on Pistacia vera. Egg parasitoids have been considered as potential biological control agents of pistachio green stink bugs. Among them, Trissolcus semistriatus and Psix saccharicola are the most abundant and efficient parasitoid for A. arabicum in pistachio orchards. In this study, we assessed lethal and sublethal effects of two commonly used insecticide products (fenitrothion and a binary mixture of lambda-cyhalothrin + thiamethoxam) on these two parasitoid wasps under laboratory conditions. The median lethal concentration (LC50) values for fenitrothion and thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin in P. saccharicola and T. semistriatus were estimated as 1.03, 0.48 and 0.87, 0.98 mg a.i./liter, respectively. In terms of sublethal effects, insecticide treatments altered the type of functional response from type III to type II in T. semistriatus. However, P. saccharicola exhibited a type II functional to density of A. arabicum for all treatments, although attack rates were lower for insecticide-exposed wasps while handling times increased. Our results show that sublethal effects of insecticides further reduce the efficacy of biological control agents. Effective integrated pest management programs should avoid antagonistic interactions between chemical and biological control methods. The results of this study provide useful information to develop comprehensive integrated pest management programs for stink bugs in pistachio orchards.
Monitoring House Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Activity on Animal Facilities
Authors: Gerry Alec C
Published: September 2020

Monitoring house fly (Diptera: Muscidae) activity on animal facilities is a necessary component of an integrated pest management (IPM) program to reduce the negative impacts of these flies. This article describes monitoring methods appropriate for use on animal facilities with discussion of monitoring device use and placement. Action thresholds are presented where these have been suggested by researchers. Sampling precision is an important aspect of a monitoring program, and the number of monitoring devices needed to detect a doubling of fly activity is presented for monitoring methods where this information is available. It should be noted that both action thresholds and numbers of monitoring devices will be different for every animal facility. Suggested action thresholds and numbers of monitoring devices are presented only to provide guidance when initiating a fly monitoring program. Facility managers can adjust these values based upon the fly activity data recorded at their facility. Spot cards are generally recommended as an easy-to-use method for monitoring fly activity for most animal facilities. Fly ribbons or similar sticky devices are recommended where several pest fly species may be abundant and identifying the activity of each species is important, but a sampling period of <7 d may be needed in dusty conditions or when fly density is high. Fly ribbons are not recommended for outdoor use. Insecticide-baited traps may be used in outdoor locations where environmental conditions limit the use of spot cards, fly ribbons, and sticky traps.