bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spin torque nano-oscillators based on antiferromagnetic skyrmions
Authors: Shen Laichuan , Xia Jing , Zhao Guoping , Zhang Xichao , Ezawa Motohiko , Tretiakov Oleg A. , Liu Xiaoxi , Zhou Yan
Published: January 2019

Skyrmion-based spin torque nano-oscillators are potential next-generation microwave signal generators. However, ferromagnetic skyrmion-based spin torque nano-oscillators cannot reach high oscillation frequencies. In this work, we propose to use the circular motion of an antiferromagnetic skyrmion to create an oscillation signal in order to overcome this obstacle. Micromagnetic simulations demonstrate that the antiferromagnetic skyrmion-based spin torque nano-oscillators can produce high frequencies (tens of GHz). Furthermore, the speed of the circular motion for an antiferromagnetic skyrmion in a nanodisk is analytically derived, which agrees well with the results of numerical simulations. Our findings are useful for the understanding of the inertial dynamics of an antiferromagnetic skyrmion and the development of future skyrmion-based spin torque nano-oscillators.
An adiabatic superconductor 8-bit adder with 24kBT energy dissipation per junction
Authors: Takeuchi Naoki , Yamae Taiki , Ayala Christopher L. , Suzuki Hideo , Yoshikawa Nobuyuki
Published: January 2019

Adiabatic quantum-flux-parametron (AQFP) logic is an energy-efficient superconductor logic family. In this paper, we conducted the high-frequency operation and energy measurement of an AQFP circuit with more than 1000 Josephson junctions in the experiment. We designed an 8-bit carry look-ahead adder (CLA) using AQFP gates and fabricated it using an advanced fabrication technology, the AIST 10 kA/cm2 Nb high-speed standard process. The correct operation of the 8-bit CLA was demonstrated at a 1-GHz clock frequency for a critical carry propagation test vector. The energy dissipation of the 8-bit CLA was measured by observing the power of excitation current. Our results showed that the energy dissipation per operation of the 8-bit CLA can be estimated to be approximately 1.5 aJ, or 24kBT per junction, where kB is the Boltzmann constant and T is the operating temperature.
Design and experimental demonstration of a TEM-TE10 phase shifter for high-power microwave applications
Authors: Sun Yunfei , He Juntao , Yuan Chengwei , Zhang Qiang , Dang Fangchao
Published: January 2019

A novel phase shifter used to adjust the output phase of high power microwave (HPM) is investigated. The phase shifter is composed of two different circular polarizers, one of which can convert the coaxial transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM) into circularly polarized (CP) TE11 mode, and the other one can realize the transformation between the CP TE11 mode and the rectangular TE10 mode. The two circular polarizers are connected by a circular waveguide, and the TEM-TE11 circular polarizer can rotate around its axis continuously. In this way, the phase shifter can adjust the output phase of the TE10 mode in the range of 0°–360°. In this paper, the principle of a phase shifter working at 1.57 GHz, as well as the experimental results, is demonstrated. The experimental and simulation results are in good agreement. At the central frequency, the transmission efficiency in this range of phase-shifting process is over 94.6%, and the power-handling capacity is as high as 1.5 GW. This novel phase shifter is of interest to HPM spatial power combination technologies.
Prestress tuning of negative refraction and wave channeling from flexural sources
Authors: Bordiga G. , Cabras L. , Piccolroaz A. , Bigoni D.
Published: January 2019

The quest for wave channeling and manipulation has driven a strong research effort on topological and architected materials, capable of propagating localized electromagnetical or mechanical signals. With reference to an elastic structural grid, the elements of which can sustain both axial and flexural deformations, it is shown that material interfaces can be created with structural properties tuned by prestress states to achieve total reflection, negative refraction, and strongly localized signal channeling. The achievement of a flat lens and topologically localized modes is demonstrated, and the tunability of the system allows these properties to hold for a broad range of wavelengths. An ingredient to obtain these effects is the use, suggested here and never attempted before, of concentrated pulsating moments. The important aspect of the proposed method is that states of prestress can be easily removed or changed to tune with continuity the propagational characteristics of the medium, so that a new use of vibration channeling and manipulation is envisaged for elastic materials.
Time-strain separability in medium-amplitude oscillatory shear
Authors: Martinetti Luca , Ewoldt Randy H.
Published: January 2019

We derive and study equations for the weakly nonlinear medium-amplitude oscillatory shear (MAOS) response of materials exhibiting time-strain separability. Results apply to constitutive models with arbitrary linear memory function m(s) and for both viscoelastic liquids and viscoelastic solids. The derived equations serve as a reference to identify which models are time-strain separable (TSS) and which may appear separable but are not, in the weakly nonlinear limit. More importantly, we study how the linear viscoelastic (LVE) relaxation spectrum, H(τ), affects the frequency dependence of the TSS MAOS material functions. Continuous relaxation spectra are considered that are associated with analytical functions (log-normal and asymmetric Lorentzian distributions), fractional mechanical models (Maxwell and Zener), and molecular theories (Rouse and Doi-Edwards). TSS MAOS signatures reveal much more than just the perturbation parameter A in the shear damping function small-strain expansion, h(γ)=1+Aγ2+Oγ4. Specifically, the distribution of terminal relaxation times is significantly more apparent in the TSS MAOS functions than their LVE counterparts. We theoretically show that this occurs because TSS MAOS material functions are sensitive to higher-order moments of the relaxation spectrum, which leads to the definition of MAOS liquids. We also show the first examples of MAOS signatures that differ from the liquid-like terminal MAOS behavior predicted by the fourth-order fluid expansion. This occurs when higher moments of the relaxation spectrum are not finite. The famous corotational Maxwell model is a subset of our results here, for which A = −1/6, and any LVE relaxation spectrum could be used.
New way to assemble bionanoparticles via shrinkage of light-induced bubbles
Authors: Liebendorfer Adam
Published: January 2019

New work leverages photon pressure and the foaming properties of proteins to create bubbles for use in nanocomposites and fluorophore-free protein detection.
Synthesis and Structural Investigation of Some Electron-Rich Nitroaromatics
Authors: White Jonathan M. , Skene Colin E. , Deadman John , Epa Ruwan , Foenander Sarah , Hamer Kyle , Fellowes Thomas , Lim Shea Fern , Marcuccio Sebastian M. , Martin Roger F.
Published: January 2019

2,4-Difluoro-, 2,4,6-trifluoro-, and 2,3,4,6,tetrafluoronitrobenzenes undergo nucleophilic aromatic substitution, once, twice, and three times with a variety of amine substituents with a high degree of regiochemical control to provide a range of electron-rich nitrobenzene derivatives. In these structures the nitro group proves a useful structural probe to reveal the varying extents of electron donation from the varying number of amino substituents onto the nitro group as revealed by accurate low temperature X-ray crystal structure analysis, thus increasing electron donation manifests in a decrease in the Ar–NO2 distance consistent with increased double bond character, while the N–O bond distance increases as the oxygens accept the electron density. The effect of delocalization of the aniline nitrogen lone pair onto the nitro group impacts on the geometry and hybridization of the nitrogen substituent and also impacts on the ability of the nitrogen lone pair electrons to participate in other competing electronic interactions, such as the nN–σ*C–S anomeric effect as demonstrated by the thiazolidine substituted derivatives 3c, 4c, and 6c.
Social rank does not affect sperm quality in male African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus)
Authors: Van den Berghe Femke , Paris Monique C. J. , Sarnyai Zoltan , Briggs Michael B. , Millar Robert P. , Ganswindt Andre , Paris Damien B. B. P.
Published: January 2019

Sperm banking and AI could benefit endangered African wild dog conservation. However, it is unclear whether their dominance hierarchy causes a decrease in reproductive and sperm quality parameters in subordinate males that typically do not breed. In this study, we investigated the effect of social rank on male reproductive parameters, including faecal androgen and glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations, prostate and testes volume, preputial gland size, semen collection success and sperm quality. Samples were obtained from captive males (prebreeding season: n=12 from four packs; breeding season: n=24 from seven packs) that were classified as alpha (dominant), beta or gamma (subordinates) based on the frequency of dominant versus submissive behaviours. In the prebreeding season, semen was successfully collected from all alpha but only half the subordinate males, with urine contamination (associated with lower rank) significantly reducing total and progressive motility, sperm motility index, normal sperm morphology and acrosome integrity. The breeding season was associated with a significant increase in faecal androgens, prostate and testis volume, as well as progressive motility and the total number of spermatozoa ejaculated. However, with the exception of prostate volume (mean±s.e.m: 12.5±4.5, 7.1±1.0 and 7.3±1.0cm3 in alpha, beta and gamma males respectively; P=0.035), all other reproductive and sperm quality parameters did not differ between males of each social rank. In conclusion, reproductive suppression of subordinate males appears to be behaviourally mediated, because males of all social ranks produce semen of similar quality, making them suitable candidates for sperm banking, particularly during the breeding season when sperm quality improves.
A Cautionary Note Regarding the Use of Cumulative Burnt Areas for the Determination of Fire Danger Index Breakpoints
Authors: Pimont F. , Ruffault J. , Martin-StPaul N.K. , Dupuy J.-L.
Published: January 2019

Identifying the links between fire danger metrics and fire activity is critical in various operational and research fields. A common methodology consists in analysing the relationship between cumulative burnt areas and fire danger metrics. Building on this approach, it has been proposed that fuel moisture content (FMC) drives fire activity in some ecosystems through between one and three breakpoints corresponding to the onset or saturation of fire activity. We demonstrate, through two different approaches, that this methodology is incorrect, because it is biased by the frequency distribution of FMC values. From comparison with a neutral fire distribution and correction for the frequency bias, we show that cumulative burnt area breakpoints are spurious: an upper breakpoint might exist (but would be higher than expected), while no evidence of reduced fire danger was detected for the lowest values of FMC (on the contrary, a secondary increase was detected). Our findings clearly suggest that previous breakpoints resulting from this methodology should be considered with caution, as erroneous conclusions regarding fire danger breakpoints could have major consequences for both fire safety and science outcomes. Finally, we discuss widespread confusion between fire danger breakpoints and fire danger levels, which explains most previous erroneous conclusions.
Fighting misinformation on social media using crowdsourced judgments of news source quality
Authors: Pennycook Gordon , Rand David G.
Published: January 2019

Significance

Many people consume news via social media. It is therefore desirable to reduce social media users’ exposure to low-quality news content. One possible intervention is for social media ranking algorithms to show relatively less content from sources that users deem to be untrustworthy. But are laypeople’s judgments reliable indicators of quality, or are they corrupted by either partisan bias or lack of information? Perhaps surprisingly, we find that laypeople—on average—are quite good at distinguishing between lower- and higher-quality sources. These results indicate that incorporating the trust ratings of laypeople into social media ranking algorithms may prove an effective intervention against misinformation, fake news, and news content with heavy political bias.
Maternal small RNAs mediate spatial-temporal regulation of gene expression, imprinting, and seed development in
Arabidopsis
Authors: Kirkbride Ryan C. , Lu Jie , Zhang Changqing , Mosher Rebecca A. , Baulcombe David C. , Chen Z. Jeffrey
Published: January 2019

Arabidopsis
seed development involves maternal small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that induce RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) through the
NRPD1
-mediated pathway. To investigate their biological functions, we characterized siRNAs in the endosperm and seed coat that were separated by laser-capture microdissection (LCM) in reciprocal genetic crosses with an
nrpd1
mutant. We also monitored the spatial-temporal activity of the
NRPD1
-mediated pathway on seed development using the AGO4:GFP::AGO4 (promoter:GFP::protein) reporter and promoter:GUS sensors of siRNA-mediated silencing. From these approaches, we identified four distinct groups of siRNA loci dependent on or independent of the maternal
NRPD1
allele in the endosperm or seed coat. A group of maternally expressed
NRPD1
-siRNA loci targets endosperm-preferred genes, including those encoding AGAMOUS-LIKE (AGL) transcription factors. Using translational promoter:AGL::GUS constructs as sensors, we demonstrate that spatial and temporal expression patterns of these genes in the endosperm are regulated by the
NRPD1
-mediated pathway irrespective of complete silencing (
AGL91
) or incomplete silencing (
AGL40
) of these target genes. Moreover, altered expression of these siRNA-targeted genes affects seed size. We propose that the corresponding maternal siRNAs could account for parent-of-origin effects on the endosperm in interploidy and hybrid crosses. These analyses reconcile previous studies on siRNAs and imprinted gene expression during seed development.
Developmental trajectory of social influence integration into perceptual decisions in children
Authors: Large Imogen , Pellicano Elizabeth , Mojzisch Andreas , Krug Kristine
Published: January 2019

Significance

Social influence biases even simple perceptual decisions across a range of contexts. The development and mechanism of such biases remain unclear. We systematically examined the developmental course of social influence bias exerted by another person on perceptual decisions in children between 6 and 14 years old. To probe underlying mechanisms, we applied the computational model drift diffusion to behavioral response data. Our results show that although young neurotypical children seem to be unaffected by social influence, adolescents develop a systematic bias of their responses in the direction of social influence and appear to do so by integrating social information into visual perceptual processing. The same pattern of results did not emerge in age-matched autistic children, suggesting a different developmental trajectory.
Agent-based representations of objects and actions in the monkey pre-supplementary motor area
Authors: Livi Alessandro , Lanzilotto Marco , Maranesi Monica , Fogassi Leonardo , Rizzolatti Giacomo , Bonini Luca
Published: January 2019

Significance

Social animals exploit information about objects for planning actions and for predicting those of others. Here, we show that pre-supplementary motor area F6 hosts different types of neurons responding to visually presented objects when they are targeted by the monkey’s own action (self-type), another agent’s action (other-type), or both (self- and other-type). These findings suggest the existence in area F6 of an “object-mirroring” mechanism, which allows observers to predict others’ impending action by recruiting the same motor representation they would use for planning their own action in the same context, before the activation of classical “action-mirroring” mechanisms.
Fanconi anemia protein FANCI functions in ribosome biogenesis
Authors: Sondalle Samuel B. , Longerich Simonne , Ogawa Lisa M. , Sung Patrick , Baserga Susan J.
Published: January 2019

Significance

FANCI is a Fanconi anemia (FA) protein and functions in DNA interstrand cross-link repair. Surprisingly, in addition to DNA repair proteins, we find that FANCI interacts with proteins that function in ribosome biogenesis, the synthesis of ribosomes in cells. Furthermore, FANCI localizes to the nucleolus—the cellular compartment in which ribosome biogenesis initiates—and functions in the transcription and processing of pre-ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA). Interestingly, defects in ribosome biogenesis underlie three other bone marrow failure syndromes, raising the question, Do defects in ribosome biogenesis contribute to FA pathogenesis? Our results expand the functions of FANCI to encompass ribosome biogenesis and DNA repair, highlighting the importance of future investigations into the role of other FA proteins in synthesizing ribosomes.
Transitions between foot postures are associated with elevated rates of body size evolution in mammals
Authors: Kubo Tai , Sakamoto Manabu , Meade Andrew , Venditti Chris
Published: January 2019

Significance

Terrestrial mammals have evolved diverse foot postures, contributing to their ecological success. Yet, how postures evolved and how they affected body size evolution remain largely unknown. Here we statistically reconstruct the paths and trajectories in foot posture evolution and explicitly test the effects of posture on body size evolution, using phylogenetic Bayesian approaches. We found that upright foot postures evolved in a directional manner, from flat-footed ancestors, to tiptoed, and then to hooved descendants. Furthermore, transitions to different foot postures are associated with increases in rates of body size evolution, rapidly leading to larger descendants, demonstrating how transitions between foot postures have had profound influences on mammalian body size evolution.
IL-33/regulatory T cell axis triggers the development of a tumor-promoting immune environment in chronic inflammation
Authors: Ameri Amir H. , Moradi Tuchayi Sara , Zaalberg Anniek , Park Jong Ho , Ngo Kenneth H. , Li Tiancheng , Lopez Elena , Colonna Marco , Lee Richard T. , Mino-Kenudson Mari , Demehri Shadmehr
Published: January 2019

Significance

Chronic inflammatory diseases are well-recognized causes of cancer and account for up to 20% of all cancer deaths worldwide. However, the mechanism that initiates the development of a tumor-promoting immune environment in chronic inflammation is not known. Using mouse models of chronic skin and colon inflammation and human samples, we show IL-33 triggers the transition from tumor-suppressive immunity to chronic, tumor-promoting inflammation through a regulatory T cell-dependent mechanism. Our findings demonstrate a generalized dependency of tumor-promoting immune environments on the IL-33/Treg axis both in the skin and colon. Based on these findings, IL-33/Treg axis blockade may be an attractive therapeutic strategy for the treatment and prevention of cancers associated with chronic inflammatory diseases and potentiating the antitumor immunity induced by cancer immunotherapeutics.
Effective connectivity changes in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness in humans
Authors: Preller Katrin H. , Razi Adeel , Zeidman Peter , Stämpfli Philipp , Friston Karl J. , Vollenweider Franz X.
Published: January 2019

Psychedelics exert unique effects on human consciousness. The thalamic filter model suggests that core effects of psychedelics may result from gating deficits, based on a disintegration of information processing within cortico–striato–thalamo-cortical (CSTC) feedback loops. To test this hypothesis, we characterized changes in directed (effective) connectivity between selected CTSC regions after acute administration of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and after pretreatment with Ketanserin (a selective serotonin 2A receptor antagonist) plus LSD in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study in 25 healthy participants. We used spectral dynamic causal modeling (DCM) for resting-state fMRI data. Fully connected DCM models were specified for each treatment condition to investigate the connectivity between the following areas: thalamus, ventral striatum, posterior cingulate cortex, and temporal cortex. Our results confirm major predictions proposed in the CSTC model and provide evidence that LSD alters effective connectivity within CSTC pathways that have been implicated in the gating of sensory and sensorimotor information to the cortex. In particular, LSD increased effective connectivity from the thalamus to the posterior cingulate cortex in a way that depended on serotonin 2A receptor activation, and decreased effective connectivity from the ventral striatum to the thalamus independently of serotonin 2A receptor activation. Together, these results advance our mechanistic understanding of the action of psychedelics in health and disease. This is important for the development of new pharmacological therapeutics and also increases our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the potential clinical efficacy of psychedelics.
Stimulus complexity shapes response correlations in primary visual cortex
Authors: Bányai Mihály , Lazar Andreea , Klein Liane , Klon-Lipok Johanna , Stippinger Marcell , Singer Wolf , Orbán Gergő
Published: January 2019

Significance

Whether the population activity in neuronal networks can be understood as the sum of individual activities or neurons jointly determine the state of populations is a fundamental question of neuroscience. Spike count correlations reflect coordination between pairs of neurons and therefore can be regarded as a signature of joint computations. So far, a majority of experimental and theoretical analyses considered these correlations noise and ignored stimulus-dependent aspects. Based on theoretical considerations, we argue that spike count correlations are stimulus dependent and variations in their structure can be predicted by stimulus content. Recording the activity of neurons from primary visual cortex in task-engaged monkeys, we confirm these predictions. These results provide insight into the computations performed by populations of cortical neurons.
Quantification of reaction cycle parameters for an essential molecular switch in an auxin-responsive transcription circuit in rice
Authors: Acevedo Lucila Andrea , Kwon Jeahoo , Nicholson Linda K.
Published: January 2019

Significance

The two-state nature (
cis
and
trans
) of the peptide bond between any amino acid residue and proline provides a bimodal switch with an intrinsically slow flipping rate. The
cis
−
trans
exchange rate is accelerated by isomerase enzymes, bringing this protein switch into relevant timescales for biological signaling. Turning on and off the expression of specific genes in response to hormone signals is a critical aspect of organism development. In rice, the initiation of lateral root development requires a prolyl
cis
−
trans
switch and its associated isomerase. Knowledge of the parameters that define this catalyzed reaction provides important predictive power for understanding the impact of this molecular switch as a timing device in a developmental process, and has broad implications across conserved systems.
Directional pumping of water and oil microdroplets on slippery surface
Authors: Jiang Jieke , Gao Jun , Zhang Hengdi , He Wenqing , Zhang Jianqiang , Daniel Dan , Yao Xi
Published: January 2019

Significance

Driving liquid microdroplets has been challenging due to the large contact angle hysteresis and insufficient driving force at microscale. We designed a strategy to directionally transport water and oil microdroplets. By simply mounting hydrogel dots on a slippery surface to arrest lubricant menisci, spontaneously formed capillary force pumps liquid microdroplets continuously at high efficiency. Such strategy is universally applicable to water and oil droplets of different surface tensions and different sizes, yet with little substrate preparation effort. Furthermore, we demonstrated its applications in highly efficient water droplet collection and biomedical sample enrichment for highly sensitive detection. Our technique may be useful in water harvesting, droplet condensation, and biomedical analysis.
The glutathione cycle shapes synaptic glutamate activity
Authors: Sedlak Thomas W. , Paul Bindu D. , Parker Gregory M. , Hester Lynda D. , Snowman Adele M. , Taniguchi Yu , Kamiya Atsushi , Snyder Solomon H. , Sawa Akira
Published: January 2019

Significance

Glutathione is a major antioxidant and redox regulator in cells. In addition to its essential roles in redox homeostasis, it functions as cofactors for a multitude of enzymes. We show here that the glutathione cycle molds the activity of synaptic glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Deficits in glutathione have been linked to multiple neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Accordingly, agents that restore glutathione-glutamate homeostasis may afford therapeutic benefit.
Fluorescent reconstitution on deposition of PM
2.5
in lung and extrapulmonary organs
Authors: Li Donghai , Li Yongjian , Li Guiling , Zhang Yu , Li Jiang , Chen Haosheng
Published: January 2019

Significance

It is always a challenge to see the deposition of single PM
2.5
particles, the harmful inhalable aerosols in the polluted air, in alveolar region, and their invasion to the extrapulmonary organs. The dynamic deposition process and the nonuniform deposition pattern of PM
2.5
in the alveolar region are revealed using a fluorescent imaging method with high temporal and spatial resolutions. This observation technology would also bring insight in the study of the public health in air pollution and lung administration.
Impact of nuclear quantum effects on the structural inhomogeneity of liquid water
Authors: Berger Arian , Ciardi Gustavo , Sidler David , Hamm Peter , Shalit Andrey
Published: January 2019

Significance

The degree to which water is structured is an extremely intriguing problem and a matter of ongoing debate. To that end, we studied the 2D Raman–terahertz response of liquid water in dependence of temperature and isotope substitution, considering

H

2

O,

D

2

O, and

H

2

18

O. A very short-lived echo is observed, whose lifetime slows down with decreasing temperature. It differs for

D

2

O versus

H

2

O, whereas that of

H

2

18

O versus

H

2

O is the same. The comparison of the three isotopologues allows us to disentangle nuclear quantum effects from trivial dynamical mass effects. The former dominate the echo lifetime, hence, it is concluded that it is a measure of the heterogeneity of the hydrogen bond networks of water.
Ferroptosis as a target for protection against cardiomyopathy
Authors: Fang Xuexian , Wang Hao , Han Dan , Xie Enjun , Yang Xiang , Wei Jiayu , Gu Shanshan , Gao Feng , Zhu Nali , Yin Xiangju , Cheng Qi , Zhang Pan , Dai Wei , Chen Jinghai , Yang Fuquan , Yang Huang-Tian , Linkermann Andreas , Gu Wei , Min Junxia , Wang Fudi
Published: January 2019

Significance

Nonapoptotic cell death-induced tissue damage has been implicated in a variety of diseases, including neurodegenerative disorder, inflammation, and stroke. In this study, we demonstrate that ferroptosis, a newly defined iron-dependent cell death, mediates both chemotherapy- and ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiomyopathy. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed up-regulation of heme oxygenase 1 by doxorubicin as a major mechanism of ferroptotic cardiomyopathy. As a result, heme oxygenase 1 degrades heme and releases free iron in cardiomyocytes, which in turn leads to generation of oxidized lipids in the mitochondria membrane. Most importantly, both iron chelation therapy and pharmacologically blocking ferroptosis could significantly alleviate cardiomyopathy in mice. These findings suggest targeting ferroptosis as a strategy for treating deadly heart disease.
False equality in election advertisements
Authors: Karas Hilla
Published: January 2019

Studies have covered a variety of aspects related to the translation of political texts and propaganda. However, little has been written about the role that heterolingualism and translation can play in the original versions of these very texts. This article investigates a case in which multilingualism in propaganda was employed to reflect and comment on multilingualism and diversity in the political reality. It analyzes two highly controversial televised election advertisements from the Israeli 2013 campaign and their use of both Hebrew and Arabic in speech and in interlingual and intralingual subtitles. The analysis shows that code-switching and subtitles can play a role in conveying the political message and in masking it at the same time. It also suggests that the political use of heterolingualism and translation in the propaganda itself should be more profoundly explored.
Surface analysis of stationary shoulder friction stir processed AZ31B magnesium alloy
Authors: Patel Vivek , Li Wenya , Wen Quan
Published: January 2019

We propose a stationary shoulder friction stir process (SSFSP) to produce a smooth surface finish. The use of a stationary shoulder tool contributes to reducing the heat input during friction stir processing (FSP). Hence, a stationary shoulder tool is advantageous for FSP in heat sensitive alloys like magnesium. The present short communication investigates the surface finish of AZ31B magnesium alloy processed by SSFSP without using additional cooling. Surface analysis of the processed region was carried out by 2D and 3D surface mapping using digital microscopy. The surface mapping indicated that there was very little flash generation on the processed zone, while 3D mapping quantified the surface roughness in the longitudinal as well as transverse directions of the processing zone.
Psychometric properties of the Portuguese Environmental Attitudes Inventory / Propiedades psicométricas del Inventario Portugués de Actitudes Ambientales
Authors: Domingues Rita B. , Fernandes Jacinta , Cabral Maria , Gonçalves Gabriela
Published: January 2019

This paper aimed to assess the structural validity of the Portuguese version (EAI-PT) of the Environmental Attitudes Inventory using exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). EFA showed that all 12 EAI-PT scales have adequate reliabilities. Ten scales loaded heavily on one higher-order factor, whilst scales 5 (confidence in science and technology) and 12 (support for population growth policies) loaded on a different factor; moreover, these scales did not correlate with any other scale, indicating that they are not related to environmental attitudes in the Portuguese population. The removal of these two scales and five items from other scales is suggested, resulting in an EAI-PT version with 95 items and 10 scales. CFA confirmed that a vertical structure of EA with either two second-order factors that reflect the dilemma between Preservation and Utilization or one second-order factor that expresses a bipolar view of environmental attitudes are equally adequate.
Onward and upward
Authors: Gordon Sharona E.
Published: January 2019

2019 heralded a brand-new century for JGP and the beginning of a year in which we expect the journal to continue its upward trajectory.
Hemp in the United States: A Case Study of Regulatory Path Dependence
Authors: Malone Trey , Gomez Kevin
Published: January 2019

The Agricultural Act of 2014 allowed for federally funded research on hemp for the first time since 1937. Since 2014, pro‐hemp legislation has received increasingly bipartisan support, culminating with the Hemp Farming Act of 2018, which would remove industrial hemp from its current listing as a Schedule 1 drug, and allow hemp to be treated like any other agricultural commodity. In part because of this legalization, hemp production in the United States has the potential to increase substantially. This study describes what is known about the economic and regulatory considerations of U.S. hemp agriculture through the lens of path dependency. Important questions remain regarding the legal and regulatory landscape of hemp, and are further complicated by its current listing as a Schedule 1 drug.
Estimation of Relative and Absolute Risks in a Competing-Risks Setting Using a Nested Case-Control Study Design: Example From the ProMort Study
Authors: Zelic Renata , Zugna Daniela , Bottai Matteo , Andrén Ove , Fridfeldt Jonna , Carlsson Jessica , Davidsson Sabina , Fiano Valentina , Fiorentino Michelangelo , Giunchi Francesca , Grasso Chiara , Lianas Luca , Mascia Cecilia , Molinaro Luca , Zanetti Gianluigi , Richiardi Lorenzo , Pettersson Andreas , Akre Olof
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we describe the Prognostic Factors for Mortality in Prostate Cancer (ProMort) study and use it to demonstrate how the weighted likelihood method can be used in nested case-control studies to estimate both relative and absolute risks in the competing-risks setting. ProMort is a case-control study nested within the National Prostate Cancer Register (NPCR) of Sweden, comprising 1,710 men diagnosed with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer between 1998 and 2011 who died from prostate cancer (cases) and 1,710 matched controls. Cause-specific hazard ratios and cumulative incidence functions (CIFs) for prostate cancer death were estimated in ProMort using weighted flexible parametric models and compared with the corresponding estimates from the NPCR cohort. We further drew 1,500 random nested case-control subsamples of the NPCR cohort and quantified the bias in the hazard ratio and CIF estimates. Finally, we compared the ProMort estimates with those obtained by augmenting competing-risks cases and by augmenting both competing-risks cases and controls. The hazard ratios for prostate cancer death estimated in ProMort were comparable to those in the NPCR. The hazard ratios for dying from other causes were biased, which introduced bias in the CIFs estimated in the competing-risks setting. When augmenting both competing-risks cases and controls, the bias was reduced.
Emotional Face Processing among Treatment-Seeking Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorders: Investigating Sex Differences and Relationships with Interpersonal Functioning
Authors: Lewis Ben , Price Julianne L , Garcia Christian C , Nixon Sara Jo
Published: January 2019

Background

Individuals in treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) display deficits across a broad range of cognitive processes. Disruptions in affective processing are understudied, but may be particularly important for interpersonal functioning and post-treatment adaptation. In particular, the role of sex in AUD-associated emotion processing deficits remains largely unaddressed and was a focus of the current investigation.

Methods

Fifty-six treatment seekers with AUD and 54 healthy community controls (N = 110) were administered an emotional face discrimination task. Non-affective tasks included a sex-discrimination task and two brief measures of executive functioning. Two measures of interpersonal function were included.

Results

Emotion processing deficits were evident among women with AUD relative to other groups. This sex-contingent relationship was not observed in measures of executive function, sex-discrimination or interpersonal problems, although individuals with AUD performed more poorly on these measures.

Conclusions

Results were consistent with extant literatures examining cognitive, affective and interpersonal functioning among individuals with AUD, and provided novel evidence of vulnerability to alcohol-associated deficits in emotion processing among women. While similar sex-contingent effects were not apparent among other measures, results support modest interrelationships, specifically including the import of emotion processing to interpersonal functioning in AUD. These data offer guidance for further systematic investigation and highlight important considerations for future relapse-prevention and recovery-facilitation efforts.
CAFU: a Galaxy framework for exploring unmapped RNA-Seq data
Authors: Chen Siyuan , Ren Chengzhi , Zhai Jingjing , Yu Jiantao , Zhao Xuyang , Li Zelong , Zhang Ting , Ma Wenlong , Han Zhaoxue , Ma Chuang
Published: January 2019

A widely used approach in transcriptome analysis is the alignment of short reads to a reference genome. However, owing to the deficiencies of specially designed analytical systems, short reads unmapped to the genome sequence are usually ignored, resulting in the loss of significant biological information and insights. To fill this gap, we present Comprehensive Assembly and Functional annotation of Unmapped RNA-Seq data (CAFU), a Galaxy-based framework that can facilitate the large-scale analysis of unmapped RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) reads from single- and mixed-species samples. By taking advantage of machine learning techniques, CAFU addresses the issue of accurately identifying the species origin of transcripts assembled using unmapped reads from mixed-species samples. CAFU also represents an innovation in that it provides a comprehensive collection of functions required for transcript confidence evaluation, coding potential calculation, sequence and expression characterization and function annotation. These functions and their dependencies have been integrated into a Galaxy framework that provides access to CAFU via a user-friendly interface, dramatically simplifying complex exploration tasks involving unmapped RNA-Seq reads. CAFU has been validated with RNA-Seq data sets from wheat and Zea mays (maize) samples. CAFU is freely available via GitHub: https://github.com/cma2015/CAFU.
Tumour size determines both recurrence-free survival and disease-specific survival after surgical treatment for thymoma
Authors: Okumura Meinoshin , Yoshino Ichiro , Yano Motoki , Watanabe Shun-ichi , Tsuboi Masahiro , Yoshida Kazuo , Date Hiroshi , Yokoi Kohei , Nakajima Jun , Toyooka Shin-ichi , Asamura Hisao , Miyaoka Etsuo
Published: January 2019

OBJECTIVES

The tumour, node and the metastasis (TNM) staging system for thymic epithelial tumours was adopted by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in 2016. Although the T factor is defined by the invasive nature of a thymoma, tumour size is not considered. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical importance of tumour size using a nationwide retrospective database of cases treated from 1991 to 2010 compiled by the Japanese Association for Research of the Thymus.

METHODS

Tumour size was evaluated by the maximum diameter shown by computed tomography imaging prior to resection. Tumour size was available for 2083 thymoma patients undergoing upfront surgical treatment. The tumour size ranged from 0.6 to 19.4 cm (mean 5.1 cm, median 4.9 cm). Harrell’s C-index was adopted to determine the cut-off value of the tumour size in 0.5-cm increments.

RESULTS

The highest C-index value (0.7760) was obtained in terms of recurrence-free survival after the complete resection when the cut-off value was set at 5.0 cm. The 10-year recurrence-free survival rate was 93.8% in patients with a tumour ≤5.0 cm and 84.3% in patients with a tumour >5.0 cm (P < 0.0001). The highest C-index value (0.8885) in terms of disease-specific survival was obtained when the cut-off value was set at 8.0 cm. The 10-year disease-specific survival rate was 98.8% in patients with a tumour <8.0 cm and 90.1% in those with a tumour ≥8.0 cm (P < 0.0001). The Cox’s proportional hazard model analysis showed that the tumour size and the TNM-based pathological stage were independent factors to determine both recurrence-free survival and disease-specific survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumour size is an important prognostic factor and should be considered when determining the treatment strategy for thymoma patients.
Y-shaped catheter improves carbon dioxide clearance during apnoeic oxygenation in tracheal surgery
Authors: Yokota Naoya , Go Tetsuhiko , Fujiwara Atsushi , Matsuura Natsumi , Yokomise Hiroyasu
Published: January 2019

OBJECTIVES

Apnoeic oxygenation is a ventilation method in tracheal surgery, but has the disadvantage of causing progressive hypercapnia. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the efficacy of a Y-shaped catheter for the prevention of accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) in tracheal surgery.

METHODS

Surgery for tracheal resection and reconstruction was performed in 10 beagles under general anaesthesia. Before transecting the trachea, the dogs were hyperventilated for 10 min with pure oxygen. After the airway was opened, ventilation was maintained with a small catheter for apnoeic oxygenation for 30 min until the end of the tracheal reconstruction. Y-shaped catheters were used in 5 dogs and straight catheters were used in 5 dogs for oxygen insufflation. Haemodynamic values and blood gas values were evaluated and compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

The mean elevation in the CO2 partial pressure value per minute from 5 min after the start of the procedure to the end of apnoeic oxygenation was 1.34 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–1.68] in the Y-shaped catheter group and 2.03 mmHg (95% CI 1.54–2.53) in the straight catheter group (P < 0.018). The total CO2 partial pressure elevation value was 59.5 mmHg in the Y-shaped catheter group and 89.0 mmHg in the straight catheter group (P < 0.006). There were no significant differences in haemodynamic values between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Apnoeic oxygenation using a Y-shaped catheter represses the accumulation of CO2 compared with a straight catheter in canine tracheal resection–reconstruction surgery.
Evidence for Cross-Protection Against Subsequent Febrile Respiratory Illness Episodes From Prior Infections by Different Viruses Among Singapore Military Recruits 2009–2014
Authors: Chen I-Cheng Mark , Loh Jin Phang , Chuah Cheryl X P , Gao Qiu Han Christine , Sun Yinxiaohe , Ng Sock Hoon , Koh Wee-Hong Victor , Goh Ee Hui , Zhao Xiahong , Tambyah Paul Anantharajah , Cook Alex R , Chng Jeremiah , Pang Junxiong , Tan Boon-Huan , Lee Vernon J
Published: January 2019

Background

Few studies have evaluated the relative cross-protection conferred by infection with different groups of viruses through studies of sequential infections in humans. We investigated the presence of short-lived relative cross-protection conferred by specific prior viral infections against subsequent febrile respiratory illness (FRI).

Methods

Men enlisted in basic military training between December 2009 and December 2014 were recruited, with the first FRI as the study entry point. ResPlex II assays and real-time polymerase chain reaction assays were used to detect viral pathogens in nasal wash samples, and survival analyses were performed to determine whether infection with particular viruses conferred short-lived relative cross-protection against FRI.

Results

Prior infection with adenovirus (hazard ratio [HR], 0.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], .14–.44) or influenza virus (HR, 0.52; 95% CI, .38–.73) conferred relative protection against subsequent FRI episode. Results were statistically significant even after adjustment for the interval between enlistment and FRI (P < .001). Adenovirus-positive participants with FRI episodes tended to be protected against subsequent infection with adenovirus, coronavirus, enterovirus/rhinovirus, and influenza virus (P = .062–.093), while men with influenza virus–positive FRI episodes tended be protected against subsequent infection with adenovirus (P = .044) and influenza virus (P = .081).

Conclusion

Prior adenovirus or influenza virus infection conferred cross-protection against subsequent FRI episodes relative to prior infection due to other circulating viruses.
Improving the design of California’s prescription drug monitoring program
Authors: Hussain Mustafa I , Nelson Ariana M , Polston Gregory , Zheng Kai
Published: January 2019

Objective

The US CDC identified prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) as a tool to address the contemporary opioid crisis, but few studies have investigated PDMP usability and effectiveness from the users’ perspective. Even fewer have considered how practices differ across medical domains. In this study, we aimed to address these gaps, soliciting perspectives on PDMPs from providers contending with the opioid crisis: physicians working in emergency departments (EDs) and pain management clinics. We aimed to provide practical design recommendations to improve PDMP workflow integration, as well as controlled substance history retrieval, interpretation, and decision support.

Methods

We conducted 16 in-depth semi-structured interviews with practicing emergency and pain physicians regarding their procedures, problems, and proposed solutions surrounding their use of CURES, California’s PDMP. We investigated design problems in CURES by combining users’ feedback with our usability inspection, drawing upon an extensive body of design literature. Then, we generated alternatives using design methods.

Results

We found CURES’s design did not accommodate the unique information needs of different medical domains. Further, clinicians had trouble accessing CURES and retrieving patients’ controlled substance histories, mainly due to usability problems that could be addressed with little technical adjustment. Additionally, CURES rendered patient histories in large, cluttered tables, devoid of overview or context, making interpretation difficult and precarious. Lastly, our interviewees had rarely noticed or used advanced features, such as decision support.

Discussion and Conclusion

Usability barriers inhibited adoption and effective use. We provide practical recommendations for improving opioid control by way of improving PDMP design, based on interviewees’ suggestions and research-based design principles. Our findings have implications for other disciplines, including surgery and primary care.
The microenvironment surrounding FAD mediates its conversion to 8-formyl-FAD in Aspergillus oryzae RIB40 formate oxidase
Authors: Doubayashi Daiju , Oki Masaya , Mikami Bunzo , Uchida Hiroyuki
Published: January 2019

Aspergillus oryzae RIB40 formate oxidase has Arg87 and Arg554 near the formyl group and O(4) atom of 8-formyl-flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), respectively, with Asp396 neighbouring Arg554. Herein, we probed the roles of these three residues in modification of FAD to 8-formyl-FAD. Replacement of Arg87 or Arg554 with Lys or Ala decreased and abolished the modification, respectively. Replacement of Asp396 with Ala or Asn lowered the modification rate. The observation of unusual effects of maintaining pH 7.0 on the modification in R87K, R554K and D396 variants indicates initial and subsequent processes with different pH dependencies. Comparison of the initial process at pH 4.5 and 7.0 suggests that the microenvironment around Arg87 and the protonation state of Asp396 affect the initial process in the native enzyme. Comparison of the crystal structures of native and R554 variants showed that the replacements had minimal effect on catalytic site structure. The positively charged Arg87 might contribute to the formation of an anionic quinone-methide tautomer intermediate, while the positively charged Arg554, in collaboration with the negatively charged Asp396, might stabilize this intermediate and form a hydrogen bonding network with the N(5)/O(4) region, thereby facilitating efficient FAD modification.