bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In-vivo correlations between skin metabolic oscillations and vasomotion in wild-type mice and in a model of oxidative stress
Authors: Smirni Salvatore , McNeilly Alison D. , MacDonald Michael P. , McCrimmon Rory J. , Khan Faisel
Published: January 2019

Arterioles in the cutaneous microcirculation frequently display an oscillatory phenomenon defined vasomotion, consistent with periodic diameter variations in the micro-vessels associated with particular physiological or abnormal conditions. The cellular mechanisms underlying vasomotion and its physiological role have not been completely elucidated. Various mechanisms were demonstrated, based on cell Ca2+ oscillations determined by the activity of channels in the plasma membrane or sarcoplasmic reticulum of vascular cells. However, the possible engagement in vasomotion of cell metabolic oscillations of mitochondrial or glycolytic origin has been poorly explored. Metabolic oscillations associated with the production of ATP energy were previously described in cells, while limited studies have investigated these fluctuations in-vivo. Here, we characterised a low-frequency metabolic oscillator (MO-1) in skin from live wild-type and Nrf2−/− mice, by combination of fluorescence spectroscopy and wavelet transform processing technique. Furthermore, the relationships between metabolic and microvascular oscillators were examined during phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction. We found a significant interaction between MO-1 and the endothelial EDHF vasomotor mechanism that was reduced in the presence of oxidative stress (Nrf2−/− mice). Our findings suggest indirectly that metabolic oscillations may be involved in the mechanisms underlying endothelium-mediated skin vasomotion, which might be altered in the presence of metabolic disturbance.
Effect of intravitreal or sub-tenon triamcinolone acetonide injection at completion of vitrectomy on peripheral retinochoroidal thickness in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Fujiwara Yoshito , Iwase Takeshi , Yamamoto Kentaro , Ueno Yoshitaka , Ra Eimei , Terasaki Hiroko
Published: January 2019

The effect of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) on the peripheral retinochoroidal thickness was determined after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with scatter photocoagulation in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The peripheral retinochoroidal thickness was measured at 5 mm from the limbus in the four quadrants using anterior segment optical coherence tomography before, and 3 days, and 1 and 2 weeks after the surgery. The total peripheral thickness was significantly thicker than the baseline thickness after PPV alone (P < 0.001; 18 eyes), PPV combined with intravitreal TA injection (IVTA;P = 0.011; 19 eyes), and PPV combined with sub-tenon TA injection (STTA;P = 0001; 23 eyes). The total peripheral thickness in the PPV group at 3 days after surgery was significantly thicker than that of the PPV + IVTA (P = 0.015) and of the PPV + STTA groups (P = 0.016). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the injection of TA by the two routes and the number of photocoagulation burns were significantly correlated with the total peripheral thicknesses at 3 days after the surgery. The results indicate that the PPV with large number of intraoperative scatter photocoagulation burns caused an increase in the total peripheral thickness and an administration of either IVTA and STTA can reduced the degree of thickening.
Enhanced Macrophage Pannexin 1 Expression and Hemichannel Activation Exacerbates Lethal Experimental Sepsis
Authors: Chen Weiqiang , Zhu Shu , Wang Yongjun , Li Jianhua , Qiang Xiaoling , Zhao Xiaoling , Yang Huan , D’Angelo John , Becker Lance , Wang Ping , Tracey Kevin J. , Wang Haichao
Published: January 2019

We have recently reported an important role of Connexin 43 (Cx43) hemichannels in the pathogenesis of lethal sepsis through facilitating ATP efflux to potentiate the double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase R (PKR)-dependent macrophage activation. Here we further elucidated the possible role of Pannexin 1 (Panx1) hemichannel in lethal sepsis by assessing its expression along with the impact of a Panx1-specific mimetic inhibitory peptide, 10Panx, on macrophage hemichannel activityin vitroand animal sepsis lethalityin vivo. Both crude bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and purified serum amyloid A (SAA) effectively induced the expression and extracellular release of Panx1 by macrophages or monocytes as judged by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry assays. In animal model of lethal sepsis, Panx1 expression levels were significantly elevated in the heart, but reduced in the kidney, lung, spleen, and blood. At relatively lower doses (10, 50, and 100 mg/kg), the Panx1 mimetic peptide, 10Panx, reproducibly exacerbated the sepsis-induced animal lethality, reducing survival rates from 60–70% to 0–10%. Consistently, 10Panx did not inhibit, but rather promoted, the LPS-induced elevation of Lucifer Yellow dye uptake, ATP release, and Nitric Oxide (NO) production. Collectively, these findings suggested that elevated macrophage Panx1 expression and hemichannel activation contribute to the pathogenesis of lethal sepsis.
Predictors of objective cognitive impairment and subjective cognitive complaints in patients with Fabry disease
Authors: Körver Simon , Geurtsen Gert J. , Hollak Carla E. M. , van Schaik Ivo N. , Longo Maria G. F. , Lima Marjana R. , Vedolin Leonardo , Dijkgraaf Marcel G. W. , Langeveld Mirjam
Published: January 2019

This study investigates the relationship between objective cognitive impairment (OCI), subjective cognitive complaints and depressive symptoms in men and women with classical and non-classical Fabry disease (FD). Cognitive functioning was assessed using a neuropsychological test battery, subjective cognitive complaints using a structured interview and depressive symptoms using a depression scale (CESD). Eighty-one patients were included (mean age 44.5 ± 14.3, 35% men, 74% classical). Subjective cognitive complaints were reported by 64% of all patients. OCI was present in thirteen patients (16%), predominantly in men with classical FD. Thirty-one patients (38%) had a high score (≥16) on the CESD scale. Male sex (OR, 6.8; 95%CI, 1.6–39.8; p = 1.6 * 10−2) and stroke (OR, 6.4; 95% CI, 1.1–41.0; p = 3.7 * 10−2) were independently positively associated with OCI, and premorbid IQ (one IQ point increase: OR, 0.91; 95%CI, 0.82–0.98; p = 3.8 * 10−2) was independently negatively associated with OCI. The CESD-score (one point increase: OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02–1.13; p = 3.3 * 10−3) and a history of depression (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1–7.3; p = 3.9 * 10−2) were independently positively associated with subjective cognitive complaints. OCI is present in 16% of FD patients, warranting referral for neuropsychological assessment. Nevertheless, subjective cognitive complaints are related to depressive symptoms, emphasizing the importance of recognition and treatment of the latter.
Relationships of Haptoglobin Phenotypes with Systemic Inflammation and the Severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Lee Pao-Lin , Lee Kang-Yun , Cheng Tsai-Mu , Chuang Hsiao-Chi , Wu Sheng-Ming , Feng Po-Hao , Liu Wen-Te , Chen Kuan-Yuan , Ho Shu-Chuan
Published: January 2019

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is caused by chronic inflammation. Many inflammatory mediators induce the low grade systemic inflammation of COPD. Haptoglobin (Hp) is synthesized in the liver and by lung epithelial and alveolar macrophage cells. However, associations of the serum concentration and phenotype of Hp with COPD are unclear. Therefore, we explored the association of the Hp concentration and Hp phenotype with the inflammatory response and COPD disease severity. We included healthy subjects and COPD patients. The Hp phenotype was categorized by SDS native-PAGE, and concentrations were determined by ELISA. In this trial Hp concentrations in COPD groups were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. There was a significant negative correlation between the Hp concentration and FEV1(%) (p < 0.001), while IL-6 and 8-isoprostane were positively correlated with the Hp concentration. As to the Hp phenotype, there were significant negative correlations between the FEV1 and both Hp2-1 and Hp2-2; IL-6 and 8-isoprostane were significantly positively correlated with Hp2-1 and Hp2-2. The ROC curve analysis of the Hp concentration was significantly higher than CRP. Hp concentrations and phenotype were positively correlated with the severity of COPD, especially Hp2-2. In the future, Hp can be considered a novel biomarker for identifying COPD.
INSIdE NANO: a systems biology framework to contextualize the mechanism-of-action of engineered nanomaterials
Authors: Serra Angela , Letunic Ivica , Fortino Vittorio , Handy Richard D. , Fadeel Bengt , Tagliaferri Roberto , Greco Dario
Published: January 2019

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are widely present in our daily lives. Despite the efforts to characterize their mechanism of action in multiple species, their possible implications in human pathologies are still not fully understood. Here we performed an integrated analysis of the effects of ENMs on human health by contextualizing their transcriptional mechanism-of-action with respect to drugs, chemicals and diseases. We built a network of interactions of over 3,000 biological entities and developed a novel computational tool, INSIdE NANO, to infer new knowledge about ENM behavior. We highlight striking association of metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles and major neurodegenerative disorders. Our novel strategy opens possibilities to achieve fast and accurate read-across evaluation of ENMs and other chemicals based on their biosignatures.
Real life Experience of Medical Cannabis Treatment in Autism: Analysis of Safety and Efficacy
Authors: Bar-Lev Schleider Lihi , Mechoulam Raphael , Saban Naama , Meiri Gal , Novack Victor
Published: January 2019

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) worldwide. Recently anecdotal evidence of possible therapeutic effects of cannabis products has emerged. The aim of this study is to characterize the epidemiology of ASD patients receiving medical cannabis treatment and to describe its safety and efficacy. We analysed the data prospectively collected as part of the treatment program of 188 ASD patients treated with medical cannabis between 2015 and 2017. The treatment in majority of the patients was based on cannabis oil containing 30% CBD and 1.5% THC. Symptoms inventory, patient global assessment and side effects at 6 months were primary outcomes of interest and were assessed by structured questionnaires. After six months of treatment 82.4% of patients (155) were in active treatment and 60.0% (93) have been assessed; 28 patients (30.1%) reported a significant improvement, 50 (53.7%) moderate, 6 (6.4%) slight and 8 (8.6%) had no change in their condition. Twenty-three patients (25.2%) experienced at least one side effect; the most common was restlessness (6.6%). Cannabis in ASD patients appears to be well tolerated, safe and effective option to relieve symptoms associated with ASD.
The first complete mitochondrial genome of marigold pest thrips, Neohydatothrips samayunkur (Sericothripinae) and comparative analysis
Authors: Kumar Vikas , Tyagi Kaomud , Kundu Shantanu , Chakraborty Rajasree , Singha Devkant , Chandra Kailash
Published: January 2019

Complete mitogenomes from the order Thysanoptera are limited to representatives of the subfamily Thripinae. Therefore, in the present study, we sequenced the mitochondrial genome of Neohydatothrips samayunkur (15,295 bp), a member of subfamily Sericothripinae. The genome possesses the canonical 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) as well as two putative control regions (CRs). The majority strand was 77.42% A + T content, and 22.58% G + C with weakly positive AT skew (0.04) and negative GC skew (−0.03). The majority of PCGs start with ATN codons as observed in other insect mitochondrial genomes. The GCG codon (Alanine) was not used in N. samayunkur. Most tRNAs have the typical cloverleaf secondary structure, however the DHU stem and loop were absent in trnV and trnS1, while the TΨC loop was absent in trnR and trnT. The two putative control regions (CR1 and CR2) show 99% sequence similarity indicated a possible duplication, and shared 57 bp repeats were identified. N. samayunkur showed extensive gene rearrangements, with 11 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, and two rRNAs translocated when compared to the ancestral insect. The gene trnL2 was separated from the ‘trnL2-cox2’ gene block, which is a conserved, ancestral gene order found in all previously sequenced thrips mitogenomes. Both maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) phylogenetic trees resulted in similar topologies. The phylogenetic position of N. samayunkur indicates that subfamily Sericothripinae is sister to subfamily Thripinae. More molecular data from different taxonomic groups is needed to understand thrips phylogeny and evolution.
A testis-derived macroporous 3D scaffold as a platform for the generation of mouse testicular organoids
Authors: Rezaei Topraggaleh Tohid , Rezazadeh Valojerdi Mojtaba , Montazeri Leila , Baharvand Hossein
Published: January 2019

Extracellular matrix-derived scaffolds provide an efficient platform for the generation of organ-like structures.
Air-stable formamidinium/methylammonium mixed lead iodide perovskite integral microcrystals with low trap density and high photo-responsivity
Authors: Wu Guangbao , Zhou Jiyu , Meng Rui , Xue Baoda , Zhou Huiqiong , Tang Zhiyong , Zhang Yuan
Published: January 2019

Here based on integral microcrystals (IMC) of halide perovskites containing formamidinium (FA)/methylammonium (MA) mixed cations, we investigate the impact of the addition of MAPbBr3 on the stability and optoelectronic properties in FA-based IMC films.
Design of hierarchical comb hydrophilic polymer brush (HCHPB) surfaces inspired by fish mucus for anti-biofouling
Authors: Su Xin , Hao Dezhao , Li Zhengning , Guo Xinglin , Jiang Lei
Published: January 2019

Rationally designing anti-biofouling surfaces using grafted hierarchical comb hydrophilic polymer brushes (HCHPBs).
A flexible memory with low-voltage and high-operation speed using an Al2O3/poly(α-methylstyrene) gate stack on a muscovite substrate
Authors: He Huixin , He Waner , Mai Jiaying , Wang Jiali , Zou Zhengmiao , Wang Dao , Feng Jiajun , Zhang Aihua , Fan Zhen , Wu Sujuan , Zeng Min , Gao Jinwei , Zhou Guofu , Lu Xubing , Liu J.-M.
Published: January 2019

A clear technical demonstration of the critical role of the blocking layers, which has never been addressed sufficiently in previous work.
Development of a new approach to core quality assessment of modern electrical machines
Authors: Hamzehbahmani Hamed
Published: January 2019

Hysteresis behaviour of the magnetic materials is an interesting physical concept and has important practical applications in physics and engineering. In this study, a new approach is developed to evaluate the quality of magnetic cores, based on the measured dynamic hysteresis loop. In this study, artificial inter‐laminar faults of different configurations were applied on stacks of four standard Epstein size laminations of 3% grain oriented silicon steel. Dynamic hysteresis loop of the samples was measured and analysed over a range of magnetising frequency and flux density, to calculate the extra power losses caused by the artificial faults. The results show an accurate evaluation of the extra power loss compared to the bulk measurement, with a maximum difference of <4%.
Estimating benefits of C‐ITS deployment, when legacy roadside systems are present
Authors: Malone Kerry M. , Soekroella Aroen M.G.
Published: January 2019

Cooperative systems which rely on vehicle‐to‐infrastructure communications are designed to tackle important road transport issues, such as safety, traffic efficiency and pollution. Since the associated monetary commitment to invest is substantial, a clear understanding of the likely costs, impacts and benefits is necessary before investment decisions can be made. A tool for estimating the costs and benefits, from both business and the societal point of view, was developed in the ANACONDA project, ‘assessment of user needs for adapting COBRA including online database’, to assist National Road Authorities (NRAs) during their decision processes. This study presents an approach for determining societal benefits by taking into account the presence of legacy roadside systems, which affect the size of the benefit reaped when cooperative intelligent transport systems (C‐ITS) services are deployed. This study develops closed‐form solutions for determining benefits to NRAs, taking into account the presence of legacy roadside systems. The COBRA + Tool incorporates these aspects, enabling NRAs to carry out ‘what‐if’ scenarios for C‐ITS deployment. The study provides examples of application of the Tool.
Spatial–temporal traffic outlier detection by coupling road level of service
Authors: Yujun Chen , Juhua Pu , Jiahong Du , Yue Wang , Zhang Xiong
Published: January 2019

Traffic outlier detection is an essential topic in city management and data mining. Most traffic outliers are caused by accidents, control, protests, disasters, and many other events. Recently, traffic outlier detection methods are based on counting traffic flow, where the detection is inherited from the periodical changes of road flow. However, these approaches fail to detect the impact from upstream roads. Furthermore, the mappings between traffic congestion level and traffic flow are distinct from road to road. In this study, a Poisson mixture model (PMM) – coupled hidden Markov model (CHMM) outlier detection method would be introduced for detecting traffic anomalies which are from taxi global positioning system data. To make a finer‐grained outlier detection method, road traffic congestion estimation, as well as the impact from upstream roads, are considered. PMM serves as an estimator to determine the congestion level for every road and CHMM is used to couple the road's impact. The experiment applies both semi‐synthetic and real outlier data from the Beijing map, and the results reveal the advantages of both datasets.
CFD study of blockage ratio and boundary proximity effects on the performance of a tidal turbine
Authors: Badshah Mujahid , VanZwieten James , Badshah Saeed , Jan Sakhi
Published: January 2019

The effects of blockage ratio and boundary proximity on tidal turbine performance are quantified in this study using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Reynold averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations are solved using the commercial CFD code ANSYS CFX. Steady‐state analyses are performed using a rotating frame of reference technique, and a shear stress transport turbulence model is used. Results from the numerical model are validated with experimental data. RANS CFD simulations are performed over tip speed ratios (TSRs) from 1 to 9. The simulation‐based performance curve approximately match the experimental performance curve, with errors ranging from 4 to 9%. Blockage ratios from 0.02 to 0.19 are evaluated for a constant depth of two rotor diameters to study the effect of blockage on turbine performance. Results show that shaft power increased by 13 and 47% for TSRs of 5.11 and 9.05, respectively, when the blockage ratio increased from 0.02 to 0.19. Additionally, for these TSRs and blockage ratios the turbine thrust increased by 7 and 10%. The presence of a boundary layer resulted in a calculated thrust increases between 1.6 and 2.3% and power between 2.7 and 3.5% for the entire range of evaluated blockage ratios.
Simulation and partial discharge detection for typical defects of 10 kV cable the joint
Authors: Xia Yunfeng , Song Xinming , He Jianzong , Jia Zhidong , Wang Xilin
Published: January 2019

In order to explore the partial discharge characteristics of 10 kV XLPE insulated cable (hereinafter referred to as ‘XLPE cable’), first six typical defects are made on the main insulation according to the requirements of the installation process and the key process in which quality problem easily occur. They are: The main insulation has a dent, the main insulation has a knife wound, the main insulation has a metal tip, the main insulation surface has impurities, the high voltage end has a metal tip, and the stripping of the semi‐conductive fracture is irregular. Then, the voltage step up test is carried out, and the test is monitored by the local discharge detection system. The test results show that the typical defects caused by the installation of 10 kV XLPE cable joint will produce serious local discharge phenomenon, and the initial discharge voltage is low and the stable discharge quantity is large.
Ageing condition assessment of oil‐paper insulation using near infrared spectroscopy detection and analytical technique
Authors: Tang Feng , Zhang Yin , Yuan Bin , Li Yuan , Zhang Wen‐Bo , Zhang Guan‐Jun
Published: January 2019

Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), as one of analysis technologies, has shown promisingly industrial applications for significant properties for recent decades such as fast response, preciseness, non‐intrusion etc. Here, the authors employed NIRS coupled with a series of physical and chemical tests to assess the ageing condition of oil‐paper insulation, which is responsible for the main insulation type of high‐voltage power transformer. Among these procedures, the data analytic algorithms are of utmost importance to determine the evaluation precision. After plenty of trial‐and‐error, Savitzky‐Golay (S‐G) convolution was finally utilised to de‐noise samples and improve the spectral data quality. The competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) was used to select the optimal wavelength combination of NIRS, which is found able to fully extract the effectively spectral information and reduce dimensions of spectral data. Based on the above‐mentioned techniques, the quantitative analysis model of NIRS was established by partial least squares (PLS), which could synthetically process the spectral data and the degree of polymerisation (DP) of paper samples. The results indicated that compared with the traditional detection methods, the NIRS analysis is a powerful and informative tool to characterise the condition of oil‐paper insulation without intrusion or damage to transformers.
Optimal control strategy for a wind power hybrid energy storage system considering output power amendment
Authors: Wu Guannan , Xu Jianyuan , Xu Jun , Song Yi , Yu Gaole , Wang Yuxiao , Kong Xiangguo
Published: January 2019

Aiming at meeting the requirement of balancing the fluctuating wind power, this study proposed an optimal control strategy for wind power hybrid energy storage system considering output power amendment. Firstly, fluctuant wind power is decomposed into low‐frequency, sub‐high frequency and high‐frequency components. Low‐frequency part is used as the expected value of wind power integration. Sub‐high frequency and high‐frequency components are used as the target value of output power of storage batteries and ultra‐capacitor energy storage system. Secondly, a double power amendment is proposed. In the first‐time power amendment, the amendment coefficient is calculated by fuzzy controller whose inputs are the target value of power and state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage system. On the other hand, complement of batteries and super‐capacitors are utilised in the second amendment. Through simulation analysis, it can be indicated that the configuration of the hybrid energy storage system and the control system design are feasible. This system can be widely used in wind farm, undertaking the task of balancing the fluctuating wind power.
Analysis of the residual flux influence on inrush current and electromagnetic force in large power transformer
Authors: Ge Wenqi , Zhao Jianhai , Wang Youhua
Published: January 2019

The power transformer is the major electrical equipment in the power system and should be able to resist the damage that caused by the abnormal conditions, like the influence of the inrush current and the electromagnetic force. However, the residual flux, which is the most common influence factor of the inrush, can result in large current magnitude. This paper is to analyse inrush current and the electromagnetic force that as the result of inrush current for the impact of the safe operation of the large power transformer. The research of the inrush current under various factors has practical significance. In order to study the electromechanical forces influenced by the residual flux, the inrush current was analysed by Jiles‐Atherton (J‐A) hysteresis model. During transient switching process, electromechanical forces under the different residual fluxes were calculated, using the finite‐element method coupled to the external circuit. The studies presented in this paper would be used in the design of the power transformer and power network protection.
An optimal reactive power control scheme for rectifying station considering the coordination control of low‐voltage reactor and AC system
Authors: Hui Zijia , Hao Zhiguo , Zhang Ya , Zou Hongsen , Yu Xiaojun , Liu Zhiyuan
Published: January 2019

When rectifier station of line‐commutated converter based high‐voltage direct transmission current has power fluctuations running at large load, reactive power compensator controlled in groups at rectifying station are switched frequently. That problem potentially has impact on service life of corresponding circuit breaker and threatens the safe operation of the DC system. In this study, in view of the characteristic of close connection between rectifier station and AC system, combined with the existing reactive power control scheme, in order to reduce the number of switching times of reactive power compensator, an optimal reactive power control scheme is proposed when rectifier station running at large load. When the converter station absorbs reactive power, the presented strategy takes converter bus voltage as the main control quantity with the starting point of taking full account of the reactive power support capacity of available generators near the station. When the converter station produces excess reactive power, the strategy takes the reactive power exchange of AC and DC system as the main control quantity, with the starting point of taking full account of reactive power absorption capacity of low‐voltage reactor. The simulation results in power system analysis and synthesis program show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Study on the reliability of new kind of ±1 100 Kv DC voltage divider under the action of impulse voltage
Authors: Shipu Wu , Wenlong Pang , Zhining Yang , Kejie Zhang , Xixiu Wu
Published: January 2019

To meet the special insulation demand of the DC transmission system with the highest voltage in the world, a new kind of ±1 100 kV DC voltage divider is designed. The reliability of the new structure voltage divider under the action of lightning impulse is studied. To achieve the voltage and electric field strength distribution of the voltage divider, a 3D transient electric field calculation model is established and a lightning impulse test for the prototype is carried out. The results reveal that (1)The voltage and electric field strength distributing on the voltage divider changing with time show a cumulative effect. (2)The maximum electric field strength occurs at the junction where the first grading ring connecting to the internal bushing. (3)The maximum current of resistance occurs at the peak voltage of lightning impulse with the corresponding time is 1.2 µs. (4)The voltage distributing on the capacitance imply that the capacitance really does play the role of equalisation voltage when the voltage divider suffering lightning impulse. (5)The prototype of HVDC voltage divider passing through the lightning impulse test successfully strongly demonstrates the correctness and reliability of the new structure ±1 100 kV voltage divider voltage.
Detection and Doppler monitoring of K2-285 (EPIC 246471491), a system of four transiting planets smaller than Neptune
Authors: Palle E. , Nowak G. , Luque R. , Hidalgo D. , Barragán O. , Prieto-Arranz J. , Hirano T. , Fridlund M. , Gandolfi D. , Livingston J. , Dai F. , Morales J. C. , Lafarga M. , Albrecht S. , Alonso R. , Amado P. J. , Caballero J. A. , Cabrera J. , Cochran W. D. , Csizmadia Sz. , Deeg H. , Eigmüller Ph. , Endl M. , Erikson A. , Fukui A. , Guenther E. W. , Grziwa S. , Hatzes A. P. , Korth J. , Kürster M. , Kuzuhara M. , Rodríguez P. Montañes , Murgas F. , Narita N. , Nespral D. , Pätzold M. , Persson C. M. , Quirrenbach A. , Rauer H. , Redfield S. , Reiners A. , Ribas I. , Smith A. M. S. , Van Eylen V. , Winn J. N. , Zechmeister M.
Published: January 2019

Context. The Kepler extended mission, also known as K2, has provided the community with a wealth of planetary candidates that orbit stars typically much brighter than the targets of the original mission. These planet candidates are suitable for further spectroscopic follow-up and precise mass determinations, leading ultimately to the construction of empirical mass-radius diagrams. Particularly interesting is to constrain the properties of planets that are between Earth and Neptune in size, the most abundant type of planet orbiting Sun-like stars with periods of less than a few years.

Aims. Among many other K2 candidates, we discovered a multi-planetary system around EPIC 246471491, referred to henceforth as K2-285, which contains four planets, ranging in size from twice the size of Earth to nearly the size of Neptune. We aim here at confirming their planetary nature and characterizing the properties of this system.

Methods. We measure the mass of the planets of the K2-285 system by means of precise radial-velocity measurements using the CARMENES spectrograph and the HARPS-N spectrograph.

Results. With our data we are able to determine the mass of the two inner planets of the system with a precision better than 15%, and place upper limits on the masses of the two outer planets.

Conclusions. We find that K2-285b has a mass of Mb = 9.68−1.37+1.21 M⊕ and a radius of Rb = 2.59−0.06+0.06 R⊕, yielding a mean density of ρb = 3.07−0.45+0.45 g cm−3, while K2-285c has a mass of Mc = 15.68−2.13+2.28 M⊕, radius of Rc = 3.53−0.08+0.08 R⊕, and a mean density of ρc = 1.95−0.28+0.32 g cm−3. For K2-285d (Rd = 2.48−0.06+0.06 R⊕) and K2-285e (Re = 1.95−0.05+0.05 R⊕), the upper limits for the masses are 6.5 M⊕ and 10.7 M⊕, respectively. The system is thus composed of an (almost) Neptune-twin planet (in mass and radius), two sub-Neptunes with very different densities and presumably bulk composition, and a fourth planet in the outermost orbit that resides right in the middle of the super-Earth/sub-Neptune radius gap. Future comparative planetology studies of this system would provide useful insights into planetary formation, and also a good test of atmospheric escape and evolution theories.
Upper limits on CH3OH in the HD 163296 protoplanetary disk
Authors: Carney M. T. , Hogerheijde M. R. , Guzmán V. V. , Walsh C. , Öberg K. I. , Fayolle E. C. , Cleeves L. I. , Carpenter J. M. , Qi C.
Published: January 2019

Context. Methanol (CH3OH) is at the root of organic ice chemistry in protoplanetary disks. Its connection to prebiotic chemistry and its role in the chemical environment of the disk midplane make it an important target for disk chemistry studies. However, its weak emission has made detections difficult. To date, gas-phase CH3OH is detected in only one Class II disk, TW Hya.

Aims. We aim to constrain the methanol content of the HD 163296 protoplanetary disk.

Methods. We used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to search for a total of four CH3OH emission lines in bands six and seven toward the disk around the young Herbig Ae star HD 163296. The disk-averaged column density of methanol and its related species formaldehyde (H2CO) were estimated assuming optically thin emission in local thermodynamic equilibrium. We compared these results to the gas-phase column densities of the TW Hya disk.

Results. No targeted methanol lines were detected with Keplerian masking in the image plane nor with matched filter analysis in the uv plane individually nor after line stacking. The 3σ disk-integrated intensity upper limits are <51 mJy km s−1 for the band six lines and <26 mJy km s−1 for the band seven lines. The band seven lines provide the strictest 3σ upper limit on disk-averaged column density with Navg < 5.0 × 1011 cm−2. The methanol-to-formaldehyde ratio is CH3OH∕H2CO<0.24 in the HD 163296 disk compared to a ratio of 1.27 in the TW Hya disk.

Conclusions. The HD 163296 protoplanetary disk is less abundant in methanol with respect to formaldehyde compared to the disk around TW Hya. Differences in the stellar irradiation in this Herbig Ae disk as compared to that of a disk around a T Tauri star likely influence the gaseous methanol and formaldehyde content. Possible reasons for the lower HD 163296 methanol-to-formaldehyde ratio include: a higher than expected gas-phase formation of H2CO in the HD 163296 disk, uncertainties in the grain surface formation efficiency of CH3OH and H2CO, and differences in the disk structure and/or CH3OH and H2CO desorption processes that drive the release of the molecules from ice mantles back into the gas phase. These results provide observational evidence that the gas-phase chemical complexity found in disks may be strongly influenced by the spectral type of the host star.
Wind Roche lobe overflow in high-mass X-ray binaries
Authors: El Mellah I. , Sundqvist J. O. , Keppens R.
Published: January 2019

Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) have such high X-ray luminosities that they were long thought to be accreting intermediate-mass black holes. Yet, some ULXs have been shown to display periodic modulations and coherent pulsations suggestive of a neutron star in orbit around a stellar companion and accreting at super-Eddington rates. In this Letter, we propose that the mass transfer in ULXs could be qualitatively the same as in supergiant X-ray binaries (SgXBs), with a wind from the donor star highly beamed towards the compact object. Since the star does not fill its Roche lobe, this mass transfer mechanism known as “wind Roche lobe overflow” can remain stable even for large donor-star-to-accretor mass ratios. Based on realistic acceleration profiles derived from spectral observations and modeling of the stellar wind, we compute the bulk motion of the wind to evaluate the fraction of the stellar mass outflow entering the region of gravitational predominance of the compact object. The density enhancement towards the accretor leads to mass-transfer rates systematically much larger than the mass-accretion rates derived by the Bondi-Hoyle-Lyttleton formula. We identify orbital and stellar conditions for a SgXBs to transfer mass at rates necessary to reach the ULX luminosity level. These results indicate that Roche-lobe overflow is not the only way to funnel large quantities of material into the Roche lobe of the accretor. With the stellar mass-loss rates and parameters of M101 ULX-1 and NGC 7793 P13, wind Roche-lobe overflow can reproduce mass-transfer rates that qualify an object as an ULX.
Niche adaptation limits bacteriophage predation of
Vibrio cholerae
in a nutrient-poor aquatic environment
Authors: Silva-Valenzuela Cecilia A. , Camilli Andrew
Published: January 2019

Significance

Virulent phages can reduce populations of bacteria and help shape bacterial evolution. Here, we used three virulent phages to understand their equilibrium with
V. cholerae
in nutrient-limiting aquatic microcosms. It has been proposed that phages quench cholera outbreaks, but no direct evidence of phage predation in aquatic environments had been established. Here, we show that different phages possess varied abilities to infect in certain niches or stages of the host bacterial life cycle. Unveiling the phage/bacterial interactions in their natural setting is important to the understanding of cholera outbreaks and could be ultimately used to help develop a method for outbreak prediction and/or control.
Extinction learning with social support depends on protein synthesis in prefrontal cortex but not hippocampus
Authors: Penha Farias Clarissa , Guerino Furini Cristiane Regina , Godfried Nachtigall Eduarda , Kielbovicz Behling Jonny Anderson , Silva de Assis Brasil Eduardo , Bühler Letícia , Izquierdo Ivan , de Carvalho Myskiw Jociane
Published: January 2019

Significance

The presence of a familiar nonfearful conspecific during the extinction training session inhibits the retrieval but not the consolidation of the extinction of contextual fear conditioning. This effect relies on ventromedial prefrontal cortex rather than hippocampal gene expression and on ribosomal- and mTOR-dependent protein synthesis. These results provide knowledge about the cellular mechanisms and brain structures involved on the effect of social support in changing behavior and fear extinction memory.
Symbiotic organs shaped by distinct modes of genome evolution in cephalopods
Authors: Belcaid Mahdi , Casaburi Giorgio , McAnulty Sarah J. , Schmidbaur Hannah , Suria Andrea M. , Moriano-Gutierrez Silvia , Pankey M. Sabrina , Oakley Todd H. , Kremer Natacha , Koch Eric J. , Collins Andrew J. , Nguyen Hoan , Lek Sai , Goncharenko-Foster Irina , Minx Patrick , Sodergren Erica , Weinstock George , Rokhsar Daniel S. , McFall-Ngai Margaret , Simakov Oleg , Foster Jamie S. , Nyholm Spencer V.
Published: January 2019

Microbes have been critical drivers of evolutionary innovation in animals. To understand the processes that influence the origin of specialized symbiotic organs, we report the sequencing and analysis of the genome of
Euprymna scolopes
, a model cephalopod with richly characterized host–microbe interactions. We identified large-scale genomic reorganization shared between
E. scolopes
and
Octopus bimaculoides
and posit that this reorganization has contributed to the evolution of cephalopod complexity. To reveal genomic signatures of host–symbiont interactions, we focused on two specialized organs of
E. scolopes
: the light organ, which harbors a monoculture of
Vibrio fischeri
, and the accessory nidamental gland (ANG), a reproductive organ containing a bacterial consortium. Our findings suggest that the two symbiotic organs within
E. scolopes
originated by different evolutionary mechanisms. Transcripts expressed in these microbe-associated tissues displayed their own unique signatures in both coding sequences and the surrounding regulatory regions. Compared with other tissues, the light organ showed an abundance of genes associated with immunity and mediating light, whereas the ANG was enriched in orphan genes known only from
E. scolopes
. Together, these analyses provide evidence for different patterns of genomic evolution of symbiotic organs within a single host.
Comparison of thresholds estimation in adults with conductive hearing loss and normal hearing adults using auditory steady state response evoked by narrow band CE-chirps
Authors: Dabbous Abeir Osman , Koura Rabab Ahmed , Hamdy Mona Mohamed
Published: January 2019

Background:

Narrowband CE Chirps (NB CE-chirps) were used to provide the characteristics of compensation for the cochlear traveling wave delay and frequency specificity.

Aim:

The aim was to compare the objective frequency-specific hearing thresholds estimation by the use of NB CE-chirps ASSR and behavioural thresholds in normal hearing subjects and patients with the conductive hearing loss.

Subjects and methods:

The cases group comprised 35 ears of 25 patients with the conductive hearing loss with varying degree from mild to severe in severity and their age ranging from 15 to 60 years. They were compared with 20 ears of 10 adult control subjects with normal hearing thresholds, whose age ranged from 19 to 42 years. All cases and controls were subjected to pure-tone audiometry (PTA), tympanometry and auditory steady-state response (ASSR), using 4 NB CE-chirp for air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) threshold estimation.

Results:

AC-ASSR estimated thresholds were statistically significantly higher than AC PTA thresholds at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz in both the cases and the control groups. BC ASSR estimated thresholds were statistically significantly lower than BC PTA thresholds only at 500 Hz in the cases and statistically significantly higher than BC PTA thresholds only at 2000 Hz in the controls. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between AC-ASSR and AC PTA, and between ABG-ASSR and ABG PTA in the cases group.

Conclusions:

Auditory steady-state responses with NB CE-chirps is suitable tool for objective frequency-specific hearing threshold detection, that can be used for estimation of behavioural bone conduction thresholds in adults with conductive hearing loss, with more accuracy in the mid frequencies, and can estimate behavioural air conduction thresholds and air-bone gap more accurately in the higher frequencies 2000, 4000 Hz more than at 500 and 1000 Hz.
The Association of Maternal Perceived Stress With Changes in Their Children’s Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010) Scores Over Time
Authors: O’Connor Sydney G , Huh Jimi , Schembre Susan M , Lopez Nanette V , Dunton Genevieve F
Published: January 2019

Background

Few studies have examined the role of maternal stress in relation to their children’s dietary quality and its trajectory over time.

Purpose

The objective of this longitudinal study was to examine the effect of baseline maternal stress on the change in their 8- to 12-year-old children’s dietary quality over 1 year.

Methods

Mother–child dyads (N = 189) from the greater Los Angeles area participating in the Mothers’ and their Children’s Health (MATCH) study in 2014–2016 completed assessments at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. At baseline, mothers (mean age = 41.0 years, standard deviation [SD] = 6.1) completed the 10-item Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). At each time point, children (51% female, mean age = 9.6 years, SD = 0.9) completed up to two 24-hr dietary recalls. Dietary data were used to calculate each child’s Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010) score at each time point. Multilevel models examined the effect of time on the patterns of change in children’s HEI-2010 scores over 1 year and the cross-level interaction between baseline maternal PSS score and time on the change in children’s HEI-2010 scores.

Results

On average, there was no significant linear change in child HEI-2010 across 1 year (b = −0.410, p = .586). Controlling for covariates, the rate of change in HEI-2010 differed depending on mother’s baseline PSS (i.e., significant cross-level interaction effect) (b = −0.235, p = .035).

Conclusions

Our results showed that higher-than-average maternal stress at baseline was associated with greater decline in children’s dietary quality over 1 year. Family-based dietary interventions that incorporate maternal stress reduction could have positive effects on children’s dietary quality.
Unifying classification for transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia and other costal margin injuries
Authors: Gooseman Michael R , Rawashdeh Majd , Mattam Kavitha , Rao Jagan N , Vaughan Paul R , Edwards John G
Published: January 2019

OBJECTIVES

Taxonomy of injuries involving the costal margin is poorly described and surgical management varies. These injuries, though commonly caused by trauma, may also occur spontaneously, in association with coughing or sneezing, and can be severe. Our goal was to describe our experience using sequential segmental analysis of computed tomographic (CT) scans to perform accurate assessment of injuries around the costal margin. We propose a unifying classification for transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia and other injuries involving the costal margin. We identify the essential components and favoured techniques of surgical repair.

METHODS

Patients presenting with injuries to the diaphragm or to the costal margin or with chest wall herniation were included in the study. We performed sequential segmental analysis of CT scans, assessing individual injury patterns to the costal margin, diaphragm and intercostal muscles, to create 7 distinct logical categories of injuries. Management was tailored to each category, adapted to the individual case when required. Patients with simple traumatic diaphragmatic rupture were considered separately, to allow an estimation of the relative incidence of injuries to the costal margin compared to those of the diaphragm alone.

RESULTS

We identified 38 patients. Of these, 19 had injuries involving the costal margin and/or intercostal muscles (group 1). Sixteen patients in group 1 underwent surgery, 2 of whom had undergone prior surgery, with 4 requiring a novel double-layer mesh technique. Nineteen patients (group 2) with diaphragmatic rupture alone had a standard repair.

CONCLUSIONS

Sequential analysis of CT scans of the costal margin, diaphragm and intercostal muscles defines accurately the categories of injury. We propose a ‘Sheffield classification’ in order to guide the clinical team to the most appropriate surgical repair. A variety of surgical techniques may be required, including a single- or double-layer mesh reinforcement and plate and screw fixation.
The Lost World of the British Leisure Centre
Authors: Saumarez Smith Otto
Published: January 2019

This article presents the first historical account of the spectacular growth of British leisure centres throughout the 1970s. The first section explains why the concept of leisure became so prominent, and emphasizes the extent of the boom in construction of centres. The second section offers a tour of a pioneering leisure centre in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire. The third provides a history of a firm of architects, Gillinson, Barnett and Partners, who were particularly active in producing leisure centres. The article argues that leisure centres help us to revise a view of municipal government in this period as being sclerotic and moribund; instead the social democratic state is seen as expanding its purview and adapting in response to a range of issues.
Genetic analysis reveals historical and contemporary population dynamics in the longfin squid Doryteuthis gahi: implications for cephalopod management and conservation
Authors: McKeown Niall J , Arkhipkin Alexander I , Shaw Paul W
Published: January 2019

Population genetic structure of the Patagonian longfin squid Doryteuthis gahi was assessed across the Falkland Islands, central-southern Chile, and Peru. Microsatellite and mtDNA data partitioned samples into two groups: one consisting of the Peruvian samples, the other comprised the Chilean and Falklands samples, with no sub-structuring within either group. Recurrent demographic independence between groups can be linked to abrupt changes in continental shelf features between the Peruvian and central Chilean sites restricting adult dispersal. Phylogeographic analyses indicate a prolonged period of isolation between the Peruvian and Chilean–Falkland groups which may include divergence in allopatric glacial refugia. Both groups have experienced dissimilar historical population size dynamics with the Peruvian population exhibiting signals of size fluctuations, similar to other species in the area, that align with postglacial changes in the productivity of the Humboldt Current system. Genetic cohesion among central-southern Chilean and Falklands samples supports connectivity across current management boundaries and indicates that phenotypic differences between D. gahi from these areas reflect plastic responses to environmental heterogeneity. The study adds to evidence that loliginid squids typically display connected populations over large geographical areas unless specific oceanographic features restrict gene flow. Recognition of the Peruvian and Chilean–Falklands groups as distinct evolutionary significant units is recommended.