bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unravelled Dreams
Authors: Marsh Ben
Published: April 2020

One of the greatest hopes and expectations that accompanied American colonialism – from its earliest incarnation – was that Atlantic settlers would be able to locate new sources of raw silk, with which to satiate the boundless desire for luxurious fabrics in European markets. However, in spite of the great upheavals and achievements of Atlantic plantation, this ambition would never be fulfilled. By taking the commercial failure of silk seriously and examining numerous experiments across New Spain, New France, British North America and the early United States, Ben Marsh reveals new insights into aspiration, labour, environment, and economy in these societies. Each devised its own dreams and plans of cultivation, framed by the particularities of cultures and landscapes. Writ large, these dreams would unravel one by one: the attempts to introduce silkworms across the Atlantic world ultimately constituted a step too far, marking out the limits of Europeans' seemingly unbounded power.
Assessment of invasive Gypsophila paniculata control methods in the northwest Michigan dunes
Authors: Rice Emma K. , Leimbach-Maus Hailee , Partridge Charlyn , McNair James N.
Published: April 2020

Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata L.) is an invasive species in Michigan’s northern lower peninsula and is a problem in much of northern North America. It is of particular concern in coastal dune habitats of northwest Michigan, because the areas where it is most dense are also populated by several endemic and threatened species. Current removal methods include manual removal with a spade and directed spray-to-wet foliar application of glyphosate to individual plants using backpack sprayers. We assessed these methods by measuring G. paniculata density and presence–absence frequency before and after treatment using a point-intercept grid, establishing how type and timing of treatment within the growing season influences treatment efficacy and determining the proportion of plants that resprout after treatment. Our results show a consistent reduction in G. paniculata density after treatment with herbicide or manual removal (P < 0.001) but minimal impact on presence–absence frequency. These results indicate a need for quantitative data in the assessment of management efficacy to show a clearer picture of density reduction when extirpation is no longer a viable outcome of management. Through the assessment of treatment timing of manual removal and glyphosate treatments over time, we found no evidence that either treatment type was effective at reducing density when applied before plants flowered, but there was evidence that both treatments were effective when applied later in the growing season when plants were flowering. Resprouting of marked plants occurred in 14% of manually removed plants and 2% of herbicide-treated plants. Our results suggest that managers should treat G. paniculata infestations for consecutive years to remove regrowth and focus treatment during flowering for best control.
Utility of published skinfold thickness equations for prediction of body composition in very young New Zealand children
Authors: Asadi Sharin , Bloomfield Frank H. , Alexander Tanith , McKinlay Chris J. D. , Rush Elaine C. , Harding Jane E. ,   for the hPOD, HUMBA and DIAMOND Study Teams
Published: April 2020

Measurement of body composition is increasingly important in research and clinical settings but is difficult in very young children. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and air displacement plethysmography (ADP) are well-established but require specialist equipment so are not always feasible. Our aim was to determine if anthropometry and skinfold thickness measurements can be used as a substitute for BIA or ADP for assessing body composition in very young New Zealand children. We used three multi-ethnic cohorts: 217 children at a mean age of 24·2 months with skinfold and BIA measurements; seventy-nine infants at a mean age of 20·9 weeks and seventy-three infants at a mean age of 16·2 weeks, both with skinfold and ADP measurements. We used Bland–Altman plots to compare fat and fat-free mass calculated using all potentially relevant equations with measurements using BIA or ADP. We also calculated the proportion of children in the same tertile for measured fat or fat-free mass and tertiles (i) calculated using each equation, (ii) each absolute skinfold, and (iii) sum of skinfold thicknesses. We found that even for the best equation for each cohort, the 95 % limits of agreement with standard measures were wide (25–200 % of the mean) and the proportion of children whose standard measures fell in the same tertile as the skinfold estimates was ≤69 %. We conclude that none of the available published skinfold thickness equations provides good prediction of body composition in multi-ethnic cohorts of very young New Zealand children with different birth history and growth patterns.
Jewish Capitalists, Jewish Bolsheviks: Conspiracy Thinking and Modern Judeophobia
Authors: Judaken Jonathan
Published: April 2020

We live in dark times, as Hannah Arendt might have said. Just open the Jewish or general press on any given day and you will read about swastikas scrawled on buildings. Or hear about the reiteration of anti-Jewish tropes by members of Congress or by the president of the United States or by any number of European prime ministers. You might discover the latest instance of the desecration of Jewish cemeteries or the burning of synagogues. Or perhaps you will linger on the most recent incident of the beating of Jews in New York or Paris or Berlin. Most spectacularly, white Christian nationalists or militant jihadi terrorists have slain Jews en masse in several horrific events, most famously at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and in the linked attacks on Charlie Hebdo and Hyper Cacher in Paris.
Integrative phenotypic and gene expression data identify myostatin as a muscle growth inhibitor in Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis
Authors: Kong Jie , Yan Yunjun , Lu Xia , Luan Sheng , Meng Xianhong , Dai Ping , Chen Baolong , Cao Baoxiang , Qiang Guangfeng , Luo Kun
Published: April 2020

Growth traits, largely determined by muscle growth, are the most critical economic traits in shrimp breeding. Myostatin (Mstn) is a conserved inhibitor of muscle growth in vertebrates, but until now solid evidence supporting a similar function of Mstn in invertebrates has been lacking. In the present study, we examined the Mstn expression along with growth trait data in a Fenneropenaeus chinensis population, to establish a potential correlation between Mstn and growth. The heritabilities of FcMstn expression, body weight at 190 days of culture, body weight and length at 230 days of culture, and average daily gain were estimated using 773 individuals and a thirteen-generation pedigree. The results showed FcMstn expression was negatively correlated with the growth traits, and the mean FcMstn expression in females was significantly lower than that of males, indicating Mstn negatively regulates muscle growth in shrimp, and its lower expression may underscore the faster growth of females. Low heritabilities were detected for FcMstn expression, suggesting that the expression of Mstn might be heritable in shrimp. These results provide strong support for a growth inhibitory function of Mstn in F. chinensis, and suggest a potential method for selective breeding of this species without substantial experimental resources and labor force.
Screening of Natural Products and Approved Oncology Drug Libraries for Activity against Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Pal Rusha , Seleem Mohamed N.
Published: April 2020

Clostridioides difficile is the most common cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea. Infection of the gastrointestinal tract with this Gram-positive, obligate anaerobe can lead to potentially life-threatening conditions in the antibiotic-treated populace. New therapeutics are urgently needed to treat this infection and prevent its recurrence. Here, we screened two libraries from the National Cancer Institute, namely, the natural product set III library (117 compounds) and the approved oncology drugs set V library (114 compounds), against C. difficile. In the two libraries screened, 17 compounds from the natural product set III library and 7 compounds from the approved oncology drugs set V library were found to exhibit anticlostridial activity. The most potent FDA-approved drugs (mitomycin C and mithramycin A) and a promising natural product (aureomycin) were further screened against 20 clinical isolates of C. difficile. The anticancer drugs, mitomycin C (MIC50 = 0.25 μg/ml) and mithramycin A (MIC50 = 0.015 μg/ml), and the naturally derived tetracycline derivative, aureomycin (MIC50 = 0.06 μg/ml), exhibited potent activity against C. difficile strains. Mithramycin A and aureomycin were further found to inhibit toxin production by this pathogen. Given their efficacy, these compounds can provide a quick supplement to current treatment to address the unmet needs in treating C. difficile infection and preventing its recurrence.
Isothermal cross-boosting extension–nicking reaction mediated exponential signal amplification for ultrasensitive detection of polynucleotide kinase
Authors: Li Xiao-Yu , Cui Yun-Xi , Du Yi-Chen , Tang An-Na , Kong De-Ming
Published: April 2020

A novel nucleic acid-based isothermal signal amplification strategy, named cross-boosting extension–nicking reaction (CBENR) is developed and successfully used for rapid and ultrasensitive detection of polynucleotide kinase (PNK) activity.
Anion polarizabilities in oxynitride glasses. Establishing a common optical basicity scale
Authors: Möncke Doris , Ali Sharafat , Jonson Bo , Kamitsos Efstratios I.
Published: April 2020

For oxynitrides, oxygen and nitrogen polarizabilities were separated. The optical basicity of the isoelectronic anions F−:O2−:N3− varies as follows: Λ(MFm) = 1/2Λ(M2Om) = 1/3Λ(M3Nm).
The biomimetic detection of progesterone by novel bifunctional group monomer based molecularly imprinted polymers prepared in UV light
Authors: Nawaz Tehseen , Ahmad Muhammad , Yu Jieying , Wang Shiqi , Wei Tianxin
Published: April 2020

A novel itaconic acid based progesterone imprinted biosensor was prepared via a reversible addition chain transfer mechanism and surface plasmon resonance.
Development of a lateral flow test for rapid pyrethroid detection using antibody-gated indicator-releasing hybrid materials
Authors: Costa Elena , Climent Estela , Ast Sandra , Weller Michael G. , Canning John , Rurack Knut
Published: April 2020

The employment of type-I pyrethroids for airplane disinfection in recent years underlines the necessity to develop sensing schemes for the rapid detection of these pesticides directly at the point-of-use.
Organic “receptor” fully covered few-layer organic–metal chalcogenides for high-performance chemiresistive gas sensing at room temperature
Authors: Jiang Huijie , Cao Linan , Li Yanzhou , Li Wenhua , Ye Xiaoliang , Deng Weihua , Jiang Xiaoming , Wang Guane , Xu Gang
Published: April 2020

2D organic–metal chalcogenides (OMCs) were developed as a new type of material for high-performance RT gas sensing.
Yellow fluorescent protein-based label-free tension sensors for monitoring integrin tension
Authors: Wang Yongliang , Wang Han , Tran Michael V. , Algar W. Russ , Li Hongbin
Published: April 2020

Yellow fluorescent protein serves as a label-free tension sensor to monitor integrin tension.
A robust thermal-energy-storage property associated with electronic phase transitions for quadruple perovskite oxides
Authors: Uchimura Tasuku , Yamada Ikuya
Published: April 2020

Quadruple perovskites RCu3Fe4O12 (R: rare-earth metals) exhibit large latent-heat capacities with almost constant transition entropies at various operating temperatures.
Spherical lignin particles: a review on their sustainability and applications
Authors: Österberg Monika , Sipponen Mika H. , Mattos Bruno D. , Rojas Orlando J.
Published: April 2020

A critical review on spherical lignin nanoparticles highlighting aspects associated to their shape, performance in applications, sustainability, stability and degradation.
Osmotic pressure effects identify dehydration upon cytochrome c–cytochrome c oxidase complex formation contributing to a specific electron pathway formation
Authors: Sato Wataru , Hitaoka Seiji , Uchida Takeshi , Shinzawa-Itoh Kyoko , Yoshizawa Kazunari , Yoshikawa Shinya , Ishimori Koichiro
Published: April 2020

In the electron transfer (ET) reaction from cytochrome c (Cyt c) to cytochrome c oxidase (CcO), we determined the number and sites of the hydration water released from the protein surface upon the formation of the ET complex by evaluating the osmotic pressure dependence of kinetics for the ET from Cyt c to CcO. We identified that ∼20 water molecules were dehydrated in complex formation under turnover conditions, and systematic Cyt c mutations in the interaction site for CcO revealed that nearly half of the released hydration water during the complexation were located around Ile81, one of the hydrophobic amino acid residues near the exposed heme periphery of Cyt c. Such a dehydration dominantly compensates for the entropy decrease due to the association of Cyt c with CcO, resulting in the entropy-driven ET reaction. The energetic analysis of the interprotein interactions in the ET complex predicted by the docking simulation suggested the formation of hydrophobic interaction sites surrounding the exposed heme periphery of Cyt c in the Cyt c–CcO interface (a ‘molecular breakwater'). Such sites would contribute to the formation of the hydrophobic ET pathway from Cyt c to CcO by blocking water access from the bulk water phase.
Modelling and observations: Comparison of the magnetic field properties in a prominence
Authors: Mackay D. H. , Schmieder B. , López Ariste A. , Su Y.
Published: April 2020

Context. Direct magnetic field measurements in solar prominences occur infrequently and are difficult to make and interpret. As a consequence, alternative methods are needed to derive the main properties of the magnetic field that supports the prominence mass. This is important for our understanding of solar prominences, but also for understanding how eruptive prominences may affect space weather.

Aims. We present the first direct comparison of the magnetic field strength derived from spectro-polarimetric observations of a solar prominence, with corresponding results from a theoretical flux rope model constructed from on-disc normal component magnetograms.

Methods. We first used spectro-polarimetric observations of a prominence obtained with the magnetograph THEMIS operating in the Canary Islands to derive the magnetic field of the observed prominence by inverting the Stokes parameters measured in the He D3 line. Next, we constructed two data-constrained non-linear force-free field (NLFFF) models of the same prominence. In one model we assumed a strongly twisted flux rope solution, and in the other a weakly twisted flux rope solution.

Results. The physical extent of the prominence at the limb (height and length) is best reproduced with the strongly twisted flux rope solution. The line-of-sight average of the magnetic field for the strongly twisted solution results in a magnetic field that has a magnitude of within a factor of 1−2 of the observed magnetic field strength. For the peak field strength along the line of sight, an agreement to within 20% of the observations is obtained for the strongly twisted solution. The weakly twisted solution produces significantly lower magnetic field strengths and gives a poor agreement with the observations.

Conclusions. The results of this first comparison are promising. We found that the flux rope insertion method of producing a NLFFF is able to deduce the overall properties of the magnetic field in an observed prominence.
Optical and X-ray discovery of the changing-look AGN IRAS 23226-3843 showing extremely broad and double-peaked Balmer profiles
Authors: Kollatschny W. , Grupe D. , Parker M. L. , Ochmann M. W. , Schartel N. , Herwig E. , Komossa S. , Romero-Colmenero E. , Santos-Lleo M.
Published: April 2020

Aims.We detected a very strong X-ray decline in the galaxy IRAS 23226-3843 within theXMM-Newtonslew survey in 2017. Subsequently, we carried out multi-band follow-up studies to investigate this fading galaxy in more detail.

Methods.We took deep follow-upSwift,XMM-Newton, andNuSTARobservations in combination with optical SALT spectra of IRAS 23226-3843 in 2017. In addition, we reinspected optical, UV, and X-ray data that were taken in the past.

Results.IRAS 23226-3843 decreased in X-rays by a factor of more than 30 with respect to ROSAT andSwiftdata taken 10 to 27 years before. The broadbandXMM-Newton/NuSTARspectrum is power-law dominated, with a contribution from photoionized emission from cold gas, likely the outer accretion disk or torus. The optical continuum decreased by 60% and the Balmer line intensities decreased by 50% between 1999 and 2017. The optical Seyfert spectral type changed simultaneously with the X-ray flux from a clear broad-line Seyfert 1 type in 1999 to a Seyfert 1.9 type in 2017. The Balmer line profiles in IRAS 23226-3843 are extremely broad. The profiles during the minimum state indicate that they originate in an accretion disk. The unusual flat Balmer decrement Hα/ Hβwith a value of 2 indicates a very high hydrogen density ofnH >  1011cm−3at the center of the accretion disk. IRAS 23226-3843 shows unusually strong FeII blends with respect to the broad line widths, in contrast to what is known from Eigenvector 1 studies.
Acoustic demultiplexer based on Fano and induced transparency resonances in slender tubes
Authors: Mouadili Abdelkader , El Boudouti El Houssaine , Djafari-Rouhani Bahram
Published: April 2020

We give an analytical demonstration of the possibility to realize a simple phononic demultiplexer based on Fano and acoustic induced transparency resonances. The demultiplexer consists of a Y-shaped waveguide with an input line and two output lines. Each output line contains two stubs grafted either at a given position or at two positions far from the input line. We derive in closed form the expressions for a selective transfer of a single propagating mode through one line keeping the other line unaffected.
Evidence for shape coexistence in 52Cr through conversion-electron and pair-conversion spectroscopy
Authors: Dowie J. T. H. , Kibédi T. , Stuchbery A. E. , Akber A. , Avaa A. , Bignell L. J. , Chisapi M. V. , Coombes B. J. , Eriksen T. K. , Gerathy M. S. M. , Gray T. J. , Hoang T. H. , Ideguchi E. , Jones P. , Kumar Raju M. , Lane G. J. , McCormick B. P. , Mitchell A. J. , Tee B. P. E.
Published: April 2020

Electric monopole (E0) transitions are a highly sensitive probe of the charge distribution of an atomic nucleus. A large E0 transition strength (ρ2(E0)) is a clear indicator of nuclear shape coexistence. In the region between doubly magic 40Ca and 56Ni, E0 transitions have never been observed in the Ti or Cr isotopes, nor in the heavier iron isotopes (56,58Fe). We have performed the first measurements of the E0 transitions in 52Cr via conversion-electron and pair-conversion spectroscopy using the Super-e spectrometer at the Australian National University Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility. We present the first spectra obtained for 52Cr, including the first observation of the E0 transition from the first-excited 0+ state in 52Cr, in both electron-positron pairs and conversion-electron spectroscopy. The preliminary values for the E0 strength in the 1531keV 2+ → 2+ transition in 52Cr is ρ2(E0) × 103 = 470(190), and for the 1728-keV 23+ → 21+ transition, it is ρ2(E0) 103 = 1800(1200). The large E0 strengths observed are consistent with shape coexistence in this region. However, despite the relatively precise observation of the conversion-electron and electron-positron pair intensities, the E0 strengths have large uncertainties. More precise determinations of relevant spectroscopic quantities, such as the state lifetimes and transition mixing ratios for mixed M1 + E2 transitions, are needed to determine the E0 strength more precisely.
Realistic shell model and nuclei around 132Sn
Authors: Gargano A. , De Gregorio G.
Published: April 2020

This contribution reports on a shell-model study of nuclei in the 132Sn region employing a realistic effective interaction derived from the CD-Bonn nucleon-nucleon potential renormalized through the use of the Vlow−k approach. We shall focus on some selected results for nuclei with a few valence particles and/or holes with respect to 132Sn, namely Sn isotopes with N > 82 and 130Te, which have, in part, been discussed in previous papers. Results are compared with experiments, and predictions that may provide guidance to future experiments are also discussed. It is the aim of this contribution to underline the importance of studying 132Sn neighbours to acquire a deep understanding of nuclear structure, that may be very useful also in other physics fields, and to show that the realistic shell model is a very effective tool to conduct these studies.
Management of Wounds with Exposed Bones or Tendons in Children by Vacuum-Assisted Closure Therapy: A Prospective Study
Authors: Rasool Altaf , Bashir Sheikh Adil , Ahmad Prince Ajaz , Bijli Akram Hussain , Baba Umer Farooq , Yasir Mir , Wani Adil Hafeez
Published: April 2020

Background The management of complex soft tissue defects with exposed bones/tendons is always a challenging task for the surgeon and the problem becomes more pronounced when it comes to the management of these wounds in children. Though flap procedures are considered the standard for managing the complex soft tissue defects with exposed bones/tendons yet small blood vessels for anastomosis, long operative period, increased chances of perioperative thrombosis, and difficult perioperative management in children add to the difficulty in performing flap procedures in children. The vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy has emerged as a novel modality for the management of the difficult wounds with added advantages, especially in children.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of VAC in the management of wounds with exposed bones/tendons in children.

Patients and Method Forty-six children of complex wounds with exposed bones/tendons were included in the study from July 2016 to June 2018.

Results Out of 46 patients, 31 were male; the patients had a mean age of 8.4 years. Road traffic accident was the most common mode of injury (54%), with most of the wounds located over extremities. The mean duration of VAC therapy was 12 days. More than 90% coverage of the exposed structure was seen in 89% of patients. The wounds were definitively managed by split-thickness skin graft in 89% of patients and flap cover in 6.5% of patients. The mean cost of the VAC therapy at our government run hospital was 187 Indian rupees per day. No significant major complications were seen during the treatment.

Conclusion VAC therapy is an efficient, safe, and cost-effective modality of treatment for the management of complex wounds in the pediatric population.
Recent Advances in Decarboxylative Reactions of Alkynoic Acids
Authors: Lee Sunwoo , Idris Muhammad Aliyu
Published: April 2020

Alkynoic acids have been widely employed as alkyne and alkene sources in decarboxylative reactions. Alkynoic acid coupling leads to the formation of direct coupling products and cyclized products through sequential reactions. Moreover, homocoupling and multicomponent reactions have been developed. The decarboxylative addition of alkynoic acids generates the corresponding alkene products. A number of synthetic methods are utilized for the preparation of arylpropynoic acids including the Sonogashira coupling and the carboxylation of terminal alkynes. Recently, the use of decarboxylative halogenations has also been reported. This review covers decarboxylative reactions of alkynoic acids reported between 2013 and 2019; further, it is divided into several sections according to the type of reaction.

1 Introduction

2 Direct Coupling

3 Sequential Reactions

4 Homocoupling

5 Multicomponent Reactions

6 Addition

7 Halogenations

8 Synthesis of Alkynoic Acids

9 Conclusion
Topography-induced locking of drifting Rossby–Haurwitz waves
Authors: Ciro D. , Raphaldini B. , Raupp C. F. M.
Published: April 2020

Atmospheric blockings are persistent large-scale climate patterns that lock in a geographic position for days and even weeks. In principle, blockings might involve a large number of waves interacting non-linearly, and a conclusive description for their onset and duration is still elusive. In this paper, we introduce a simplified account for this phenomenon by means of a single-triad of Rossby–Haurwitz waves perturbed by one topographic mode. It is shown that the dynamical features of persistent flow patterns have zero measure in the phase space for an unperturbed triad, but such a measure becomes finite for the perturbed dynamics. By this account, we suggest that static inhomogeneities in the two-dimensional atmospheric layer are required for locking the flow patterns to the planetary rotation.
A cantilever torque magnetometry method for the measurement of Hall conductivity of highly resistive samples
Authors: Mumford Samuel , Paul Tiffany , Lee Seung Hwan , Yacoby Amir , Kapitulnik Aharon
Published: April 2020

We present the first measurements of Hall conductivity utilizing a torque magnetometry method. A Corbino disk exhibits a magnetic dipole moment proportional to Hall conductivity when voltage is applied across a test material. This magnetic dipole moment can be measured through torque magnetometry. The symmetry of this contactless technique allows for the measurement of Hall conductivity in previously inaccessible materials. Finally, we calculate a low-temperature noise bound, demonstrate the lack of systematic errors, and measure the Hall conductivity of sputtered indium tin oxide.
In situ polymerization and polymer grafting to stabilize polymer-functionalized nanoparticles in polymer matrices
Authors: LaNasa Jacob A. , Torres Vincent M. , Hickey Robert J.
Published: April 2020

Control of nanoparticle dispersion within a polymer matrix is a critical consideration when designing solid state hybrid polymer/inorganic nanoparticle materials. Polymer-functionalized nanoparticles are effective hybrid components for increasing particle miscibility in polymer matrices. Entropic and enthalpic contributions to the dispersion state of polymer-functionalized nanoparticles are well-understood and have been used extensively to enhance nanoparticle miscibility in polymer matrices. However, systems of immiscible graft and matrix chains remain understudied, in part due to the challenges associated with mixing unlike components. Here, a new method for stabilizing polymer-functionalized nanoparticles in an immiscible matrix is reported. Poly(cyclooctadiene) (PCOD) functionalized nanoparticles are dispersed within poly(styrene) and poly(methyl methacrylate) matrices by an in situ polymerization and polymer grafting process in which polymer-grafted nanoparticles are initially well-solubilized in a monomer solution prior to monomer polymerization. The in situ polymerization arrests particle mobility as the matrix increases in chain length, and thermodynamic penalties to mixing are reduced by the in situ grafting of matrix chains from the PCOD segments on the nanoparticle surfaces. This method adapts commercially relevant free-radical polymerization processes for the development of well-dispersed hybrid polymer/inorganic nanoparticle materials. The reported method is a potential avenue to improve particle dispersion needed for solid state material reinforcement without relying on miscible particle and polymer components.
Experimental and numerical investigations on interface coupling of coaxial liquid jets in co-flow focusing
Authors: Mu Kai , Ding Hang , Si Ting
Published: April 2020

The rupture of coaxial liquid jets in co-flow focusing is studied experimentally and numerically, aiming to deepen the understanding of interface coupling and its effect on the morphology of the generated compound droplets. The weak, transitional, and strong coupling regimes of interface instabilities are identified in experiments by varying the flow rate ratio of the inner jet to the coaxial jets (denoted by rQ). The dynamics of coaxial liquid jets are further resolved by direct numerical simulations after being validated against experiments. The flow structures and pressure contours for the coaxial jets can be given under different coupling conditions. Moreover, scaling laws are proposed to correlate the breakup length of coaxial jets and the sizes of compound droplets and encapsulated cores with rQ, and a good agreement is obtained. It can be found that the transition from weak, transitional and strong coupling occurs approximately at rQ = 0.15 and rQ = 0.4, respectively. This work provides underlying insight into the interface coupling of coaxial liquid jets, which would provide theoretical guidance for microcapsule generation in various potential applications.
Efficient generation of multi-gigawatt power by an X-band dual-mode relativistic backward wave oscillator operating at low magnetic field
Authors: Xiao Renzhen , Shi Yanchao , Wang Huida , Zhang Guangshuai , Gui Youyou , Song Zhimin , Bai Xianchen , Zhang Yuchuan , Sun Jun
Published: April 2020

An X-band dual-mode relativistic backward wave oscillator (RBWO) operating at low magnetic field is presented in this paper. Three new design principles are introduced in the device. First, the electron beam interacts with TM01 mode and TM02 mode simultaneously, rather than with a fixed single mode. Second, the device outputs with mixed modes, rather than with a pure mode. Third, an internal reflector inserted into the annular cathode, rather than a long resonant reflector before the slow-wave structure, is adopted to reflect part of the backward wave. Accordingly, the beam–wave interaction efficiency is increased significantly and the whole device is very compact. The particle in cell simulation results reveal that at a magnetic field of 0.64 T, the output microwave power is 4.8 GW and the conversion efficiency is up to 44%. In the experiment, at a guiding magnetic field of 0.66 T, a microwave pulse with power of 4.6 GW, frequency of 9.96 GHz, pulse duration of 42 ns, and efficiency of 42% was generated when the diode voltage was 880 kV and beam current was 12.5 kA, which agree well with the simulation results. Furthermore, as the diode voltage was 1.17 MV, a highest microwave power of 7.6 GW was achieved. This is a record of high efficiency and high power of microwave generation in an X-band RBWO operating at low magnetic field.
Power matching to pulsed inductively coupled plasmas
Authors: Qu Chenhui , Lanham Steven J. , Shannon Steven C. , Nam Sang Ki , Kushner Mark J.
Published: April 2020

Matching of power delivery to nonlinear loads in plasma processing is a continuing challenge. Plasma reactors used in microelectronics fabrication are increasingly multi-frequency and/or pulsed, producing a non-linear and, in many cases, non-steady state electrical termination that can complicate efficient power coupling to the plasma. This is particularly the case for pulsed inductively coupled plasmas where the impedance of the plasma can significantly change during the start-up-transient and undergo an E–H (capacitive-to-inductive) transition. In this paper, we discuss the results from a computational investigation of the dynamics of power matching to pulsed inductively coupled plasmas (Ar/Cl2 mixtures of tens of mTorr pressure) using fixed component impedance matching networks and their consequences on plasma properties. In this investigation, we used set-point matching where the components of the matching network provide a best-case impedance match (relative to the characteristic impedance of the power supply) at a chosen time during the pulsed cycle. Matching impedance early during the pulse enables power to feed the E-mode, thereby emphasizing capacitive coupling and large excursions in the plasma potential. This early power coupling enables a more rapid ramp-up in plasma density while being mismatched during the H-mode later in the pulse. The early match also produces more energetic ion bombardment of surfaces. Matching late in the pulse diminishes power dissipated in the E-mode at the cost of also reducing the rate of increase in plasma density.
Neutron diffraction study on hydrostatic pressure regulated magnetostructural transition and magnetocaloric effect in MnNi1 – xFexSi1 – yGey alloys
Authors: Shen Fei-Ran , Hu Feng-Xia , Yu Zi-Bing , Zhou Hou-Bo , Wu Hui , Huang Qing-Zhen , Hao Jia-Zheng , Gao Yi-Hong , Qiao Kai-Ming , Li Jia , Zhang Cheng , Liang Wen-Hui , He Lun-Hua , Wang Jing , Liang Tian-Jiao , Sun Ji-Rong , Shen Bao-Gen
Published: April 2020

Ni2In-type hexagonal compounds MM′X (M, M′ = transition metals, X = main element) involving magnetostructural transition (MST) have attracted much attention due to their giant magnetocaloric effect (MCE). Physical pressure, as an effective method, has been used to adjust the MST and the resultant MCE. Enhanced and diminished MCEs by hydrostatic pressure were both reported previously, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, we report our neutron diffraction study on MST and MCE regulated by hydrostatic pressure in MnNi1 – xFexSi1 – yGey alloys. Careful refinements indicate that the martensitic phase shows a linear ferromagnetic structure with spin moment confined on Mn sites, which remains almost unchanged at pressures lower than 5 kbar even though slight compressions of Mn–Mn bond lengths can be identified. The MST keeps sharp under pressures lower than 5 kbar, while the derived volume change (ΔV/V) across MST reduces 7%, i.e., from 2.84% (0 kbar) to 2.63% (2.1 kbar), due to the effect of pressure on two-phase coexistence. Accordingly, the estimated lattice entropy change (ΔSLatt) based on the Debye approximation reduces by 10% from 37.1 J/kg K (0 kbar) to 33.5 J/kg K (2.1 kbar). These ΔSLatt values, driven by temperature, are all somewhat larger than the magnetic entropy change driven by a 5 T magnetic field. This result may imply that a magnetic field of 5 T is not sufficient for the MST to complete. As the pressure reaches 5 kbar, the MST notably slows down. This may originate from the extended temperature region of two-phase coexistence but not the decoupling of MST.
Reduction of the switching current in perpendicularly magnetized nanomagnets using an antiferromagnetic coupling structure
Authors: Yamada Keisuke , Kubota Keisuke , Nakatani Yoshinobu
Published: April 2020

This paper reports a current-induced magnetization switching with a nanosecond-scale pulse current in a nanomagnet using a perpendicularly magnetized synthetic antiferromagnetic coupling (p-AFC) structure. The results indicate that the magnetization switching current in the p-AFC structure is less than that in the single-nanomagnet structure with perpendicular anisotropy when the differences in thickness and saturation magnetization between the upper and lower layers of the p-AFC structure are small and the Gilbert damping constant is also small. The results also show that the p-AFC structure can reduce the switching current when the pulse duration is short and its structure is effective for a high-speed switching. The results of this study shall be useful in the design of spin-transfer torque random access memory.
Methodological issues in the study of phonetic symbolism
Authors: Tsur Reuven , Gafni Chen
Published: April 2020

There is a growing research literature on phonetic symbolism in poetry, sometimes with incongruent results.
Through a theoretical structural analysis we show that, (a) individual speech sounds have (sometimes conflicting) potentials to
suggest elementary percepts, such as abruptness, hardness, smoothness; and (b) from these elementary percepts some general
psychological atmosphere may be abstracted that may be individuated in specific emotions as ‘love,’ ‘joy,’ or ‘anger,’ by semantic
feature-addition. This proposal can reconcile incongruous research results. Sound-symbolic lexical entries are governed by similar
principles, but fossilized. Large-scale statistical investigation may reveal significant sound-symbolic effects only when the same
phonemes repeat throughout the poem. They may, however, miss conspicuous local sound effects, revealed only by local analysis.
Some sceptical conclusions in the research literature may be due to this phenomenon. The proposed method may account not only for
statistical correlations, but also for the perception of a pervasive emotional atmosphere in a poem.
Mitochondrial DNA mutations induce mitochondrial biogenesis and increase the tumorigenic potential of Hodgkin and Reed–Sternberg cells
Authors: Haumann Sophie , Boix Julia , Knuever Jana , Bieling Angela , Vila Sanjurjo Anton , Elson Joanna L , Blakely Emma L , Taylor Robert W , Riet Nicole , Abken Hinrich , Kashkar Hamid , Hornig-Do Hue-Tran , Wiesner Rudolf J
Published: April 2020

Functioning mitochondria are crucial for cancer metabolism, but aerobic glycolysis is still considered to be an important pathway for energy production in many tumor cells. Here we show that two well established, classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) cell lines harbor deleterious variants within mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and thus exhibit reduced steady-state levels of respiratory chain complexes. However, instead of resulting in the expected bioenergetic defect, these mtDNA variants evoke a retrograde signaling response that induces mitochondrial biogenesis and ultimately results in increased mitochondrial mass as well as function and enhances proliferation in vitro as well as tumor growth in mice in vivo. When complex I assembly was impaired by knockdown of one of its subunits, this led to further increased mitochondrial mass and function and, consequently, further accelerated tumor growth in vivo. In contrast, inhibition of mitochondrial respiration in vivo by the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor metformin efficiently slowed down growth. We conclude that, as a new mechanism, mildly deleterious mtDNA variants in cHL cancer cells cause an increase of mitochondrial mass and enhanced function as a compensatory effect using a retrograde signaling pathway, which provides an obvious advantage for tumor growth.
Left bundle branch pacing improved heart function in a 10-year-old child after a 3-month follow-up
Authors: Ji Wei , Chen Xueying , Shen Jie , Zhu Diqi , Chen Yiwei , Li Fen
Published: April 2020

Aims

As a physiological pacing strategy, left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) were used to correct left bundle branch block (LBBB), however, there is no relevant report in children. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of LBBP in children.

Methods and results

Left bundle branch pacing was performed in a 10-year-old girl with a second-degree atrioventricular and LBBB. Under the guide of fluoroscopy, the pacing lead was deeply screwed into the interventricular septum to gain right bundle branch block (RBBB) pattern of paced QRS. Selective LBBP was achieved with a typical RBBB pattern of paced morphology and a discrete component between stimulus and ventricular activation in intracardiac electrogram and reached the standard of the stimulus to left ventricular activation time of 56 ms. At a 3-month follow-up, the LBBP acquired the reduction of left ventricular size and enhancement of left ventricular ejection fraction.

Conclusion

The application of LBBP in a child was first achieved with inspiring preliminary results. The LBBP can be carried out in children by cautiousness under the premise of strict grasp of indications.
Canadian Noir: Consumer Culture, Colonial Nationalism and the Cardinal Series
Authors: Jones Manina
Published: April 2020

Giles Blunt’s Cardinal police-procedural novels and their recent television adaptations evidence the noir genre’s sombre aesthetic, focus on a morally tainted hero, are preoccupied with seemingly irrational violence, and fixate on unresolved past injustices. In doing so, they reflect Canada’s aesthetic and ethical relationship to questions of national and transnational culture, colonial territoriality, and the moral principles at stake in the representation of violence. This Canadian ‘re-branding’ of noir features is haunted by deep-seated historical dissension and the present-day repercussions that are at the heart of the country’s national identity. Focusing on the first season of Cardinal (2017) and the novel from which it was adapted, Forty Words for Sorrow (2002), this essay examines the series’ stylish – if conflicted – reworking of noir’s roots in American crime fiction and film, and its use of contemporary Nordic influences, which work to salvage a form of Canadian cultural authenticity from the cultural dominance of US television and film crime dramas.
Seeking support beyond alliance? Rethinking great power partner politics after the Cold War
Authors: Ding Lu , Sun Xuefeng
Published: April 2020

Since the end of the Cold War, establishing partnerships has been part and parcel of the grand strategy of great powers. The partners that great powers seek fall under the two categories of security partners and political-economic partners. Statistics show a significant variation in the proportions of great powers’ security partners. The authors argue that such variation is mainly determined by two factors, namely, great powers’ strategic threats, and their ways of maintaining national security [self-help or security-dependent (on the United States)]. Specifically, both the security-dependent great powers that are under China’s strategic threat and the self-help great powers that are under the US’s strategic threat have a higher proportion of security partners than the security-dependent great powers that are not under China’s strategic threat and the self-help great powers that are under China’s strategic threat. These findings will help to refine the current theories of great power politics.
Efficacy of dalbavancin against MRSA biofilms in a rat model of orthopaedic implant-associated infection
Authors: Silva Vanessa , Antão H Sofia , Guimarães João , Prada Justina , Pires Isabel , Martins Ângela , Maltez Luís , Pereira José E , Capelo José L , Igrejas Gilberto , Poeta Patrícia
Published: April 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dalbavancin against MRSA biofilm-related infection in orthopaedic implants in vivo.

Methods

One MRSA strain isolated from human osteomyelitis was used to promote biofilm formation on the surface of screws. The implants were inserted in the proximal tibia under general anaesthesia. Thirty-nine Wistar rats were divided into three groups [control group (no treatment), Group 1 (7 days of treatment) and Group 2 (14 days of treatment)]; both treatment groups were administered dalbavancin intraperitoneally and euthanized after treatment. cfu of bacteria present in both the tibia and the implant were quantified. The infection severity was assessed by histopathology and scored from 0 (no infection) to 4 (severe infection).

Results

The high number of cfu/g and cfu/mL present in the control group indicated a well-established infection. There was a significant reduction in cfu in rats treated with dalbavancin both in the tibia (2.8 × 105 cfu/g) and the implant (1.1 × 106 cfu/mL) in Group 1 (1.8 × 103 cfu/g and 2.4 × 105 cfu/mL, respectively) and in Group 2 (8.2 cfu/g and 8.2 × 103 cfu/mL, respectively). Most animals from the control group presented an infection scored as 3 (severe). At the end of the experiment, most rats from Groups 1 and 2 presented an infection scored as 2 (moderate) and 0 (no infection), respectively.

Conclusions

Although there was a marked decrease in cfu number, signs of biofilm-induced infection prevailed after 14 days of treatment. Further studies should be carried out to evaluate the potential of dalbavancin in the treatment of bone and orthopaedic implant-associated MRSA infections.
Methyltransferase DnmA is responsible for genome-wide N6-methyladenosine modifications at non-palindromic recognition sites in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Nye Taylor M , van Gijtenbeek Lieke A , Stevens Amanda G , Schroeder Jeremy W , Randall Justin R , Matthews Lindsay A , Simmons Lyle A
Published: April 2020

The genomes of organisms from all three domains of life harbor endogenous base modifications in the form of DNA methylation. In bacterial genomes, methylation occurs on adenosine and cytidine residues to include N6-methyladenine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), and N4-methylcytosine (m4C). Bacterial DNA methylation has been well characterized in the context of restriction-modification (RM) systems, where methylation regulates DNA incision by the cognate restriction endonuclease. Relative to RM systems less is known about how m6A contributes to the epigenetic regulation of cellular functions in Gram-positive bacteria. Here, we characterize site-specific m6A modifications in the non-palindromic sequence GACGmAG within the genomes of Bacillus subtilis strains. We demonstrate that the yeeA gene is a methyltransferase responsible for the presence of m6A modifications. We show that methylation from YeeA does not function to limit DNA uptake during natural transformation. Instead, we identify a subset of promoters that contain the methylation consensus sequence and show that loss of methylation within promoter regions causes a decrease in reporter expression. Further, we identify a transcriptional repressor that preferentially binds an unmethylated promoter used in the reporter assays. With these results we suggest that m6A modifications in B. subtilis function to promote gene expression.
The consequences of altered microbiota in immune-related chronic kidney disease
Authors: Lau Wei Ling , Chang Yongen , Vaziri Nosratola D.
Published: April 2020

The normal gut microbiome modulates host enterocyte metabolism and shapes local and systemic immunity. Accumulation of urea and other waste products in chronic kidney disease induces gut dysbiosis and intestinal wall inflammation (leaky gut). There are decreased numbers of bacteria that generate short-chain fatty acids, which are an important nutrient source for host enterocytes and also contribute to regulation of the host immune system. Anaerobic proteolytic bacteria that express urease, uricase and indole and p-cresol enzymes, such as Enterobacteria and Enterococci, are increased. Microbial-derived uremic toxins such as indoxyl sulfate and trimethylamine N-oxide contribute to the pathophysiology of immune-related kidney diseases such as diabetic nephropathy, lupus nephritis and immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy. Animal and clinical studies suggest potential benefits of dietary and probiotic interventions in slowing the progression of immune-related kidney diseases.