bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards a transferable design of solid-state embedding models on the example of a rutile TiO2 (110) surface
Authors: Kick M. , Oberhofer H.
Published: November 2019

In this work, we present general and robust transferable principles for the construction of quantum-mechanically treated clusters in a solid-state embedding (SSE) approach, beyond the still prevalent trial and error approach. Thereby, we probe the quality of different cluster shapes on the accuracy of chemisorption energies of small molecules and small polaron formation energies at the rutile TiO2 (110) surface as test cases. Our analyses show that at least the binding energies and electronic structures in the form of the density of states tend to be quite robust already for small, nonoptimal cluster shapes. In contrast to that, the description of polaron formation can be dramatically influenced by the employed cluster geometry possibly leading to an erroneous energetic ordering or even to a wrong prediction of the polaronic states themselves. Our findings show that this is mainly caused by an inaccurate description of the Hartree potential at boundary and surrounding atoms, which are insufficiently compensated by the embedding environment. This stresses the importance of the cluster size and shape for the accuracy of general-purpose SSE models that do not have to be refitted for each new chemical question. Based on these observations, we derive some general design criteria for solid state embedded clusters.
Tuning electrical properties and phase transitions through strain engineering in lead-free ferroelectric K0.5Na0.5NbO3-LiTaO3-CaZrO3 thin films
Authors: Xu Liqiang , Chen Feng , Jin Feng , Lan Da , Qu Lili , Zhang Kexuan , Zhang Zixun , Gao Guanyin , Huang Haoliang , Li Tian , Zhang Fapei , Wang Ke , Zhou Zhen , Wu Wenbin
Published: November 2019

The effects of epitaxial strain on the properties of 0.95(K0.49Na0.49Li0.02)(Ta0.2Nb0.8)O3-0.05CaZrO3 (KNNLT-CZ) thin films are investigated. La0.07Sr0.93SnO3 and SrRuO3 are used as bottom electrodes to provide in-plane tensile and compressive stress, respectively. Our results show that the La0.07Sr0.93SnO3-buffered KNNLT-CZ films are mostly strain-relaxed with an orthorhombic (O) and tetragonal (T) mixed phase and a tetragonality of 1.002, which have a twice remnant polarization (2Pr) of 14.29 μC/cm2, an effective piezoelectric strain coefficient (d33*) of ∼60 pm/V, and an O to T phase transition temperature (TO-T) of 140 °C, while the SrRuO3-buffered KNNLT-CZ films are only partially strain-relaxed with a pure O phase and a larger tetragonality of 1.011, resulting in an increased 2Pr value of 33.63 μC/cm2, an improved d33* value of ∼80 pm/V, and an enhanced TO-T value of 200 °C. Both films show a high Curie temperature above 380 °C and stable hysteresis loops from room temperature to 225 °C. These results highlight the feasibility to improve the performance of KNN-based materials via epitaxial strain.
Is CH3NC isomerization an intrinsic non-RRKM unimolecular reaction?
Authors: Jayee Bhumika , Malpathak Shreyas , Ma Xinyou , Hase William L.
Published: November 2019

Direct dynamics simulations, using B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) theory, were used to study the unimolecular and intramolecular dynamics of vibrationally excited CH3NC. Microcanonical ensembles of CH3NC, excited with 150, 120, and 100 kcal/mol of vibrational energy, isomerized to CH3CN nonexponentially, indicative of intrinsic non-Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) dynamics. The distribution of surviving CH3NC molecules vs time, i.e., N(t)/N(0), was described by two separate functions, valid above and below a time limit, a single exponential for the former and a biexponential for the latter. The dynamics for the short-time component are consistent with a separable phase space model. The importance of this component decreases with vibrational energy and may be unimportant for energies relevant to experimental studies of CH3NC isomerization. Classical power spectra calculated for vibrationally excited CH3NC, at the experimental average energy of isomerizing molecules, show that the intramolecular dynamics of CH3NC are not chaotic and the C—N≡C and CH3 units are weakly coupled. The biexponential N(t)/N(0) at 100 kcal/mol is used as a model to study CH3NC → CH3CN isomerization with biexponential dynamics. The Hinshelwood-Lindemann rate constant kuni(ω,E) found from the biexponential N(t)/N(0) agrees with the Hinshelwood-Lindemann-RRKM kuni(ω,E) at the high and low pressure limits, but is lower at intermediate pressures. As found from previous work [S. Malpathak and W. L. Hase, J. Phys. Chem. A 123, 1923 (2019)], the two kuni(ω,E) curves may be brought into agreement by scaling ω in the Hinshelwood-Lindemann-RRKM kuni(ω,E) by a collisional energy transfer efficiency factor βc. The interplay between the value of βc, for the actual intermolecular energy transfer, and the ways the treatment of the rotational quantum number K and nonexponential unimolecular dynamics affect βc suggests that the ability to fit an experimental kuni(ω,T) with Hinshelwood-Lindemann-RRKM theory does not identify a unimolecular reactant as an intrinsic RRKM molecule.
Formation, growth, and saturation of dry holes in thick liquid films under vapor-mediated Marangoni effect
Authors: Kim Seungho , Kim Joonoh , Kim Ho-Young
Published: November 2019

Films and drops of liquids can change their shapes and move under the spatial gradient of surface tension. A remote volatile liquid of relatively low surface tension can induce such flows because its vapor locally lowers the surface tension of the films and drops. Here, we show that aqueous liquid films thicker than approximately 100 µm can be punctured to immediately expose a dry hole by an overhanging isopropyl alcohol drop, which is attributed to the vapor-mediated Marangoni effect. We construct and corroborate scaling laws to predict the film dynamics, considering the balance of the driving capillary force and resisting viscous and hydrostatic forces as well as the contact angle of the alcohol-adsorbed solid surface. This remote scheme to induce and sustain changes of liquid morphology can be applied for fluid sculpture and patterning for industrial and artistic practices.
Reference Correlation for the Viscosity of Cyclopentane from the Triple Point to 460 K and up to 380 MPa
Authors: Tasidou K. A. , Huber M. L. , Assael M. J.
Published: November 2019

This paper presents a new wide-ranging correlation for the viscosity of cyclopentane based on critically evaluated experimental data. The correlation is designed to be used with a recently developed equation of state, and it is valid from the triple point to 360 K in the liquid range up to 380 MPa and 460 K in the low-pressure vapor range. The average absolute percent deviation of the fit for all primary data is 0.8% with a bias of −0.3%. The estimated expanded uncertainty of the whole fit is 2.7% (at the 95% confidence level), while the uncertainty near atmospheric pressure from 298 K to 460 K increases to 4%. The correlation behaves in a physically reasonable manner when extrapolated to 500 MPa; however, care should be taken when using the correlations outside of the validated range.
Polarization of fluorescence radiation following electron impact excitation of ions immersed in strongly coupled plasmas
Authors: Chen Zhan-Bin , Sun Hua-Yang , Liu Peng-Fei
Published: November 2019

An investigation on the electron impact excitation and subsequent radiative decay process of He-like Fe24+ ions immersed in strongly coupled plasmas is made, using the 1s2p P3,11 → 1s2 S10 characteristic lines as an example. The shielded nuclear potential of the uniform electron gas model (UEGM) type experienced by the electron is parameterized by the ion-sphere radius. For the target structure, accuracies of wave functions are justified by evaluating the energies of the relevant states. To serve as an independent check of the results, self-consistent calculations are carried out using the multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock relativistic configuration interaction method incorporating the same potential. For the impact excitation process, the UEGM potential is also employed to screen the projectile electron from the nucleus and target electrons. A distorted-wave method in the framework of the relativistic theory is developed to include the effect of plasma background, in which the continuum wave function of the projectile electron is evaluated by solving numerically the modified Dirac equations. The plasma effects on the total excitation cross section, magnetic sublevel cross section, and linear polarization of fluorescence radiation are investigated. The comparison with the available theoretical and experimental results is satisfactory.
Blind scolopendrid centipedes of the genus
Authors: Edgecombe Gregory D. , Huey Joel A. , Humphreys William F. , Hillyer Mia , Burger Mieke A. , Volschenk Erich S. , Waldock Julianne M.
Published: November 2019

Only a single blind species is known in the centipede family Scolopendridae, representing the monotypic genus Tonkinodentus Schileyko, 1992, from Vietnam. All of more than 400 other species have four ocelli on each side of the cephalic plate. A complex of three new blind species of the genus Cormocephalus Newport, 1844, is described from the subterranean fauna of the central Pilbara region of Western Australia. Phylogenies based on sequence data for the barcode region of COI and a concatenated matrix that also includes 12S rRNA, 28S rRNA and ITS2 unite the blind Pilbara species as a monophyletic group, albeit with moderate bootstrap support, informally named the C. sagmus species group. Cormocephalus sagmus, C. pyropygus and C. delta spp. nov. supplement 17 epigean congeners previously described from Australia. The new species are all morphologically similar, but can be distinguished using the shape and spinulation of the ultimate leg prefemur. Two additional genetically distinct lineages were recovered that are not described, owing to the specimens being immature or lacking diagnostic morphological characters. The subterranean radiation in the Pilbara is more closely related to species from forests in the south-west of Western Australia than to congeners from the arid zone. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6F67FD31-A373-4DC5-A5FD-374D32DEE02C
Hippocampal theta codes for distances in semantic and temporal spaces
Authors: Solomon Ethan A. , Lega Bradley C. , Sperling Michael R. , Kahana Michael J.
Published: November 2019

The medial temporal lobe (MTL) is known to support episodic memory and spatial navigation, raising the possibility that its true function is to form “cognitive maps” of any kind of information. Studies in humans and animals support the idea that the hippocampal theta rhythm (4 to 8 Hz) is key to this mapping function, as it has been repeatedly observed during spatial navigation tasks. If episodic memory and spatial navigation are 2 sides of the same coin, we hypothesized that theta oscillations might reflect relations between explicitly nonspatial items, such as words. We asked 189 neurosurgical patients to perform a verbal free-recall task, of which 96 had indwelling electrodes placed in the MTL. Subjects were instructed to remember short lists of sequentially presented nouns. We found that hippocampal theta power and connectivity during item retrieval coded for semantic distances between words, as measured using word2vec-derived subspaces. Additionally, hippocampal theta indexed temporal distances between words after filtering lists on recall performance, to ensure adequate dynamic range in time. Theta effects were noted only for semantic subspaces of 1 dimension, indicating a substantial compression of the possible semantic feature space. These results lend further support to our growing confidence that the MTL forms cognitive maps of arbitrary representational spaces, helping to reconcile longstanding differences between the spatial and episodic memory literatures.
A calcium message for Niemann-Pick type C
Authors: Cologna Stephanie M.
Published: November 2019

Calcium is a ubiquitous secondary messenger that is critical for cellular function. In the highlighted article, Tiscione et al. (2019. J. Cell. Biol. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201903018) describe a link between lysosomal cholesterol storage, calcium distribution alterations, and neuronal morphology in the neurodegenerative disorder Niemann-Pick type C.
Targeting the interleukin-17 immune axis for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Vitiello Gerardo A. , Miller George
Published: November 2019

The role of IL-17 in cancer remains controversial. Emerging evidence suggests that during early oncogenesis IL-17 supports tumor growth, whereas in established tumors IL-17 production by γδ and Th17 cells potentiates antitumor immunity. Consequently, γδ and Th17 cells are attractive targets for immunotherapy in the IL-17 immune axis. To optimize IL-17–based immunotherapy, a deeper understanding of the cytokines dictating IL-17 production and the polarity of γδ and Th17 cells is critical. Here, we delve into the dichotomous roles of IL-17 in cancer and provide insight into the tumor microenvironment conducive for successful IL-17–based γδ and Th17 cell immunotherapy.
Interleukin-17 cytokines: Effectors and targets in psoriasis—A breakthrough in understanding and treatment
Authors: Prinz Immo , Sandrock Inga , Mrowietz Ulrich
Published: November 2019

The IL-17 cytokine family comprising IL-17A to IL-17F and receptor subunits IL-17RA to IL-17RE represents a genetically ancient intercellular network regulating local tissue homeostasis. Its pivotal role in antifungal defense and its central position in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases including psoriasis were discovered only relatively late in the early 2000s. Since the connection of dysregulated IL-17 and psoriasis pathogenesis turned out to be particularly evident, a number of monoclonal antibodies targeting IL-17 pathways have been approved and are used as first line treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and further agents are currently in clinical development.
Effects of non-equilibrium excitation on methane oxidation in a low-temperature RF discharge
Authors: Sun Jintao , Chen Qi , Yang Xiaofang , Koel Bruce E
Published: November 2019

The kinetic effects of non-equilibrium excitation by direct electron impact on low-temperature oxidation of CH4 were investigated by experiment and simulation. We focused on the vibrational-electronic-chemistry coupling of methane and oxygen molecules under conditions of immediate reduced electric field strengths of 30–100 Td in an RF dielectric barrier discharge. A detailed plasma chemistry mechanism governing the oxidation processes in an He/CH4/O2 combustible mixture was proposed and studied by including a set of electron impact reactions, dissociative recombination reactions, reactions involving vibrationally- and electronically- excited species, and important three-body recombination reactions. A linear increase in reactant consumption with an increase in plasma power was observed experimentally. This suggested the presence of decoupling between the molecular excitation by plasma and the low-temperature chemistry. However, CO formation showed a non-linear trend, with its formation increasing with lower energy inputs and decreasing at higher energy inputs. By modelling the chemical kinetic sensitivity and reaction pathways, we found that the formation of radicals via the chain propagation reactions CH4  +  O(1D)  →  CH3  +  OH, and O2(a1Δg)  +  H  →  O  +  OH was mainly accelerated by the electronically excited species O(1D) and O2(a1Δg). The numerical simulation also revealed that under conditions of incomplete relaxation, the vibrational species CH4(v) and O2(v) enhanced chain propagating reactions, such as CH4(v)  +  O  →  CH3  +  OH, CH4(v)  +  OH  →  CH3  +  H2O, O2(v)  +  H  →  O  +  OH, thus stimulating the production of active radicals and final products. Specifically, for an E/N value of 68.2 Td in a stoichiometric mixture (0.05 CH4/0.1 O2/0.85 He), O(1D), CH4(v13), and O2(v) were estimated to contribute to 12.7%, 3.6%, and 3.8% of the production of OH radicals respectively. The reaction channel CH4(v13)  +  OH  →  H2O  +  CH3 was estimated to be responsible for 1.6% of the H2O formation. These results highlight the strong roles of vibrational states in a complex plasma chemistry system and provide new insights into the roles of excited species in the low-temperature oxidation kinetics of methane.
Concepts of geoparks establishment in Bulgaria and their geothermal resources
Authors: Sinnyovsky Dimitar , Kalutskova Natalia , Dronin Nikolai , Sinnyovska Dimka , Medvedev Andrey , Telnova Natalia
Published: November 2019

Bulgaria is the third country in the world by number of mineral springs after Japan and Iceland. The Bulgarian-Russian collaboration in geological, environmental and landscape conservation provided a new development of the methodology for identification, evaluation and characterization of geodiversity including their geotermal resources. Individual approach to the concepts of the national geoparks stressed on their scientific and geodiversity features, environmental conditions and economic premises by defining one major geopark theme and many minor topics. Regardless of their radically different themes, the geothermal activity in geoparks is the common feature, which provides them with a great balneological potential. The concept of Geopark “Iskar Canyon” is based on the remarkable geodiversity of the Iskar River Canyon with a number of wonderful landscapes and scenic outcrops of various rock types ranging from Precambrian to Quaternary. The concept of Geopark “Belogradchik Rocks” lies on the famous Lower Triassic sandstone pinnacles. Geopark “Rila” is based on its remarkable glacial landscapes - glacier valleys, cirques, moraines, arêtes and horns. The major theme of Geopark “Burgas Lakes” is related with the ancient sea-level changes and balneo-healing properties of their humus mud. The unifying theme of these geoparks is the high spa potential of their thermal springs that have been used since the Roman Age.
Geological field investigation for the assessment of the low-grade geothermal resources from volcanic terrains of the Island of Salina (Aeolian Islands, Italy)
Authors: Floridia G , Viccaro M
Published: November 2019

The subsoil as a “thermal reservoir” is a modern concept that is leading to continuous developments of innovative methods of energy production. If volcanic areas have been so far considered suitable for exploitation of medium-to-high enthalpy resources, it is also true that an incredible potential confined to low grade resources is available. The geological background of Sicily makes the island as one of the most suitable contexts of southern Italy where geothermal resources could have great potential to increase their whole usage. Several active volcanic zones or areas at high hydrothermalism offer advantageous exploitation from low to high enthalpy geothermal resources. Here we present a case study from Santa Marina Salina (Aeolian Island Arc) with a detailed field survey providing information on lithostratigraphic features and on hydrogeological conditions of the area. The study is aimed at testing the thermal conductivity distribution at various depths by means of a theoretical model. Such an approach allowed the definition of the most suitable areas and their low-grade geothermal potential through different thematic maps for thermal conductivity in the shallow subsurface (0-150 m). Collected data become crucial for correct sizing of low-enthalpy geothermal installations, leading to optimization of the final planned technical solutions efficiency.
Advanced techniques for determining thermal properties on rock samples and cuttings and indirect estimating for atmospheric and formation conditions
Authors: Popov E , Goncharov A , Popov Yu , Spasennykh M , Chekhonin E , Shakirov A , Gabova A
Published: November 2019

A set of advanced methods and instruments was developed to improve essentially quality of experimental data on reservoir thermal properties (thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, volumetric heat capacity, coefficient of linear thermal expansion) at atmospheric and reservoir thermobaric conditions. The new thermal core logging technique provides continuous high-resolution profiling rock thermal properties along wells accounting for rock anisotropy and multi-scale heterogeneity. Integration of the technique application results with standard well logging data leads to possibilities of high resolution profiling porosity, rock matrix thermal properties, elastic wave velocities and modulus, rock density, etc. New approaches are described that allow indirect determination of the reservoir thermal properties from standard petrophysical logging data accounting for formation anisotropy. A new laser optical scanning instrument, enhanced theoretical modeling of effective thermal properties and special workflow opened a way to determination of combination for rock thermal properties on rock cuttings at formation temperatures. The new experimental basis improves reliability of data on physical properties of reservoirs, results of specific heat flow determination and reservoir thermal regime modeling within prospecting, exploration and development of geothermal energy fields.
Assessment of geothermal reservoir temperature and energy fields based on resistivity data
Authors: Jha Shibani K , Puppala Harish
Published: November 2019

Geothermal is a consistent and reliable source of renewable energy for various scale exploitation. However, harnessing geothermal energy is limited to small-scale direct heat applications in many countries, primarily due to various technical and economic reasons. One among the many reasons is a meager amount of field studies available for the reliable prediction of reservoir potential, especially in India. Assessment of temperature field depends on proper information of subsurface field properties. The assessed temperature field further determines the stored heat energy. The accurate assessment of reservoir potential depends on temperature field. Reasonable reservoir potential information would encourage policymakers to plan developmental works at various scales. Since the information on subsurface characteristics is limited in the absence of deep exploration data, assessment of reservoir potential is associated with uncertainties. In this regard, this study presents a methodology for preliminary assessment of reservoir potential in terms of temperature and thermo-hydro-geological features, which also predicts the stored heat energy. The study considers the geothermal status of India, where the developmental activities and exploration are still at nascent stages, and predicts the temperature and energy distribution of Puga geothermal reservoir based on the available resistivity data.
Collocated geothermal resources of the South of Western Siberia (Russia) and prospects of their use
Authors: Shevchenko A A , Skrobot O V , Bord E G , Shiganova O V
Published: November 2019

Low-temperature geothermal resources are widely distributed in the sedimentary cover of Western Siberia. In the southern part of the region the aquifer of the Pokur formation (K1-2), with temperatures up to 47° C at well heads, has the best prospects for direct heating. The energy extracted from this kind of geothermal resources must be used near the reservoir, that’s why collocation of the resource and a user is required. A new approach to the issue of using this energy potential is integrated use of existing water wells, drilled for domestic and drinking purposes, for heating of premises (including hot water supply) and water supply at rural communities in the south of Western Siberia. The research was aimed at the estimation of effectiveness of ground-source heat pump (GSHP) systems for extraction of energy from low-temperature groundwater, and their use for space heating of commercial buildings under the climatic conditions of the region. The computations were made by using NIBE AB (Sweden) software. It states that GSHP systems are very competitive with coal boilers, mostly used for hot water supply and space heating at domestic communities. The use of GSHP systems will also improve the ecological situation in the region.
Kernel theorems in coorbit theory
Authors: Balazs Peter , Gröchenig Karlheinz , Speckbacher Michael
Published: November 2019

We prove general kernel theorems for operators acting between coorbit spaces. These are Banach spaces associated to an integrable representation of a locally compact group and contain most of the usual function spaces (Besov spaces, modulation spaces, etc.). A kernel theorem describes the form of every bounded operator between a coorbit space of test functions and distributions by means of a kernel in a coorbit space associated to the tensor product representation. As special cases we recover Feichtinger’s kernel theorem for modulation spaces and the recent generalizations by Cordero and Nicola. We also obtain a kernel theorem for operators between the Besov spaces

B
˙

1
,
1

0

\dot {B}^0_{1,1}

and

B
˙

∞
,
∞

0

\dot {B}^{0}_{\infty , \infty }

.
Identification of Alcohol Risk Drinking Behaviour in Pregnancy Using a Web-Based Questionnaire: Large-Scale Implementation in Antenatal Care
Authors: Weile Louise Katrine Kjaer , Wu Chunsen , Hegaard Hanne Kristine , Kesmodel Ulrik Schiøler , Henriksen Tine Brink , Ibsen Inge Olga , Nohr Ellen Aagaard
Published: November 2019

Aims

This study aimed to examine the feasibility of a web-based questionnaire when collecting information on alcohol consumption in pregnancy to identify women with risk drinking behaviour, and to describe factors associated with risk drinking behaviour, and the use of specialized care for prenatal risk drinking.

Methods

In 2413 women referred to antenatal care at Odense University Hospital, Denmark, April–October 2018, self-reported alcohol intake was retrieved from a web-based questionnaire. Replies were screened for risk drinking behaviour: current intake of ≥7 drinks/week, ≥3 binge drinking episodes (intake of ≥5 drinks on a single occasion) in pregnancy, binge drinking after recognition of pregnancy and/or a TWEAK-score ≥ 2 points. Women with risk drinking behaviour were called to clarify the need for specialized care. A summary of the interview was obtained from the medical records.

Results

Overall, 2168 (90%) completed the questionnaire. Of 2097 women providing information on alcohol intake, 77 (4%) had risk drinking behaviour. Risk drinking was associated with higher alcohol intake prior to pregnancy, spontaneous conception, younger age, nulliparity and higher level of physical activity in pregnancy. Amongst 47 women with risk drinking behaviour reached by phone, five (11%, 95% CI 4–23%) accepted examinations of the child by paediatrician and child psychologist, and <3 (not further specified due to small numbers) were referred to specialized antenatal care.

Conclusions

A web-based questionnaire was feasible when collecting information on alcohol consumption in pregnancy to identify risk drinking behaviour. Women with risk drinking behaviour had a low acceptance of referral to specialized care.
Epistemological Siblings: Seven Reasons to Teach Ethnography in Social Work Education
Authors: Gillingham Philip , Smith Yvonne
Published: November 2019

Ethnographic studies of people at the margins of society, struggling with complex and intertwined personal and social problems, have provided useful insights to social work students and practitioners. Similarly, ethnographic studies of social work practice have provided deeper understandings of how professionals work with individuals, groups and organizations. It has been argued that, given the similarities in the skills required to be an ethnographer and a professional social worker, ethnography should be included in social work curricula, both as an approach to research and as a way to enhance practice skills. The main contribution of this article is to extend this argument using the novel approach of exploring the similarities and divergences between the epistemological approaches of ethnography and social work, in terms of how knowledge is sought, constructed and critically questioned.
Alzheimer-like amyloid and tau alterations associated with cognitive deficit in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Gourmaud Sarah , Shou Haochang , Irwin David J , Sansalone Kimberly , Jacobs Leah M , Lucas Timothy H , Marsh Eric D , Davis Kathryn A , Jensen Frances E , Talos Delia M
Published: November 2019

Temporal lobe epilepsy represents a major cause of drug-resistant epilepsy. Cognitive impairment is a frequent comorbidity, but the mechanisms are not fully elucidated. We hypothesized that the cognitive impairment in drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy could be due to perturbations of amyloid and tau signalling pathways related to activation of stress kinases, similar to those observed in Alzheimer’s disease. We examined these pathways, as well as amyloid-β and tau pathologies in the hippocampus and temporal lobe cortex of drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy patients who underwent temporal lobe resection (n = 19), in comparison with age- and region-matched samples from neurologically normal autopsy cases (n = 22). Post-mortem temporal cortex samples from Alzheimer’s disease patients (n = 9) were used as positive controls to validate many of the neurodegeneration-related antibodies. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis of tissue from temporal lobe epilepsy cases revealed increased phosphorylation of full-length amyloid precursor protein and its associated neurotoxic cleavage product amyloid-β*56. Pathological phosphorylation of two distinct tau species was also increased in both regions, but increases in amyloid-β1-42 peptide, the main component of amyloid plaques, were restricted to the hippocampus. Furthermore, several major stress kinases involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease pathology were significantly activated in temporal lobe epilepsy brain samples, including the c-Jun N-terminal kinase and the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase. In temporal lobe epilepsy cases, hippocampal levels of phosphorylated amyloid precursor protein, its pro-amyloidogenic processing enzyme beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1, and both total and hyperphosphorylated tau expression, correlated with impaired preoperative executive function. Our study suggests that neurodegenerative and stress-related processes common to those observed in Alzheimer’s disease may contribute to cognitive impairment in drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. In particular, we identified several stress pathways that may represent potential novel therapeutic targets.
Dietary fiber intake and the risk of bladder cancer in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) cohort
Authors: Luo Jindan , Xu Xin
Published: November 2019

Dietary fiber intake has been implicated as a protective factor for several human cancers in multiple epidemiologic studies. However, little is known about the effect of fiber intake on bladder cancer. This study examines the association between dietary fiber intake and bladder cancer risk among participants in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. A total of 101 721 participants were included in this study as they completed both the baseline questionnaire and the diet history questionnaire (cancer free before completion of the diet history questionnaire). Hazard ratios (HRs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. After a median of 12.5 years of follow-up, 776 new cases of bladder cancer were identified. Higher intake of total fiber, insoluble fiber and soluble fiber were not significantly associated with a reduced risk of bladder cancer. The multi-adjusted HRs (95 CIs) of highest versus lowest tertile of intake were 0.83 (0.66–1.04) for total fiber (P for trend = 0.098), 0.83 (95% CI: 0.67–1.03) for insoluble fiber (P for trend = 0.092) and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.68–1.08) for soluble fiber (P for trend = 0.168), respectively. There was no significant interaction of potential confounders, including education, body mass index and smoking status, with total fiber intake on bladder cancer risk. In summary, the findings of this prospective study show that there is no obvious evidence for a link between dietary fiber consumption and bladder cancer risk. Further large cohort studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
Polynomial Silent Self-Stabilizing p-Star Decomposition†
Authors: Haddad Mohammed , Johnen Colette , Köhler Sven
Published: November 2019

We present a silent self-stabilizing distributed algorithm computing a maximal $\ p$-star decomposition of the underlying communication network. Under the unfair distributed scheduler, the most general scheduler model, the algorithm converges in at most $12\Delta m + \mathcal{O}(m+n)$ moves, where $m$ is the number of edges, $n$ is the number of nodes and $\Delta $ is the maximum node degree. Regarding the time complexity, we obtain the following results: our algorithm outperforms the previously known best algorithm by a factor of $\Delta $ with respect to the move complexity. While the round complexity for the previous algorithm was unknown, we show a $5\big \lfloor \frac{n}{p+1} \big \rfloor +5$ bound for our algorithm.
Fish from a polluted lake (Lake Chivero, Zimbabwe): a food safety issue of concern
Authors: Manjengwa Francis , Nhiwatiwa Tamuka , Nyakudya Elijah , Banda Petronella
Published: November 2019

Objectives

A study to determine food safety hazard status of fish products from Lake Chivero was conducted in selected high density suburbs of Harare. Lake water and fish were tested for E. coli O157:H7, total bacterial, fungal counts, mercury (Hg) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) to determine contamination levels and assessing human health hazard exposure.

Materials and Methods

Membrane filtration method was used to determine E. coli O157:H7 viable counts using CHROM agar. Plate count and Potato dextrose agar were used for determination of total viable bacterial and fungal counts. Concentrations of Hg and AFB1 in fish and water were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 136 adult fish consumers to determine the fish consumption patterns to assess hazard exposure against international standards.

Results

Significant levels of microbial contamination above international standards in both fish and water were recorded. Mean E. coli O157:H7 counts were 106 ± 10 (cfu/cm2) in fish and 52 ± 14 (cfu/100ml) in water. Mean Log10 TBC were 8.98 ± 0.26 (cfu/cm2) in fish and 9.05 ± 0.05 (cfu/ml) in water. Mean Log10 TFC were 4.83 ± 0.02 (cfu/cm2) in fish and 4.56 ± 0.03 (cfu/ml) in water. Hg and AFB1 were 0.018 (µg/kg) and 0.025 (µg/kg) in fish and 0.008 (µg/kg) and 0.005 (µg/kg) in water, both with a hazard quotient (HQ) <1 using CODEX STAN 193-1995 of 2015.

Conclusion

Fish and water are contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, contain bacterial and fungal loads above international food safety guidance levels. Fish were caught already contaminated with pathogens together with toxigenic Hg and carcinogenic AFB1 although their concentration levels are within international food safety toxicological levels. Levels of Hg and AFB1 in water were almost double that of fish, implying bio-accumulation occurred in fish. Thus, fish consumers are exposed to food safety hazards and are at risk of contracting foodborne illnesses from consuming contaminated fish.
The impact of the obstetrical risk insurance scheme in Mauritania on maternal healthcare utilization: a propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Ravit Marion , Ravalihasy Andrainolo , Audibert Martine , Ridde Valéry , Bonnet Emmanuel , Raffalli Bertille , Roy Flore-Apolline , N’Landu Anais , Dumont Alexandre
Published: November 2019

In Mauritania, obstetrical risk insurance (ORI) has been progressively implemented at the health district level since 2002 and was available in 25% of public healthcare facilities in 2015. The ORI scheme is based on pre-payment scheme principles and focuses on increasing the quality of and access to both maternal and perinatal healthcare. Compared with many community-based health insurance schemes, the ORI scheme is original because it is not based on risk pooling. For a pre-payment of 16–18 USD, women are covered during their pregnancy for antenatal care, skilled delivery, emergency obstetrical care [including caesarean section (C-section) and transfer] and a postnatal visit. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of ORI enrolment on maternal and child health services using data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted in 2015. A total of 4172 women who delivered within the last 2 years before the interview were analysed. The effect of ORI enrolment on the outcomes was estimated using a propensity score matching estimation method. Fifty-eight per cent of the studied women were aware of ORI, and among these women, more than two-thirds were enrolled. ORI had a beneficial effect among the enrolled women by increasing the probability of having at least one prenatal visit by 13%, the probability of having four or more visits by 11% and the probability of giving birth at a healthcare facility by 15%. However, we found no effect on postnatal care (PNC), C-section rates or neonatal mortality. This study provides evidence that a voluntary pre-payment scheme focusing on pregnant women improves healthcare services utilization during pregnancy and delivery. However, no effect was found on PNC or neonatal mortality. Some efforts should be exerted to improve communication and accessibility to ORI.
Estimating stock status from relative abundance and resilience
Authors: Froese Rainer , Winker Henning , Coro Gianpaolo , Demirel Nazli , Tsikliras Athanassios C , Dimarchopoulou Donna , Scarcella Giuseppe , Palomares Maria Lourdes Deng , Dureuil Manuel , Pauly Daniel
Published: November 2019

The Law of the Sea and regional and national laws and agreements require exploited populations or stocks to be managed so that they can produce maximum sustainable yields. However, exploitation level and stock status are unknown for most stocks because the data required for full stock assessments are missing. This study presents a new method [abundance maximum sustainable yields (AMSY)] that estimates relative population size when no catch data are available using time series of catch-per-unit-effort or other relative abundance indices as the main input. AMSY predictions for relative stock size were not significantly different from the “true” values when compared with simulated data. Also, they were not significantly different from relative stock size estimated by data-rich models in 88% of the comparisons within 140 real stocks. Application of AMSY to 38 data-poor stocks showed the suitability of the method and led to the first assessments for 23 species. Given the lack of catch data as input, AMSY estimates of exploitation come with wide margins of uncertainty, which may not be suitable for management. However, AMSY seems to be well suited for estimating productivity as well as relative stock size and may, therefore, aid in the management of data-poor stocks.
Letermovir Resistance Analysis in a Clinical Trial of Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients
Authors: Douglas Cameron M , Barnard Richard , Holder Daniel , Leavitt Randi , Levitan Diane , Maguire Maureen , Nickle David , Teal Valerie , Wan Hong , van Alewijk Dirk C J G , van Doorn Leen-Jan , Chou Sunwen , Strizki Julie
Published: November 2019

Background

Letermovir (LET), a cytomegalovirus (CMV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) terminase inhibitor, was recently approved for prophylaxis of CMV infection in adult CMV-seropositive recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Cytomegalovirus genotyping was performed to identify LET-resistance-associated variants (RAVs) among subjects in a Phase 3 trial.

Methods

The CMV UL56 and UL89 genes, encoding subunits of CMV DNA terminase, were sequenced from plasma collected from subjects with clinically significant CMV infection (CS-CMVi). Novel variants were evaluated by recombinant phenotyping to assess their potential to confer resistance to LET.

Results

Genotyping was successful for 50 of 79 LET subjects with CS-CMVi. Resistance-associated variants (encoding pUL56 V236M and C325W) were detected independently in subjects 1 and 3 who experienced CS-CMVi while receiving LET prophylaxis, and 2 other variants (encoding pUL56 E237G and R369T) were detected >3 weeks after subjects 2 and 3, respectively, had discontinued LET prophylaxis and received preemptive therapy with ganciclovir.

Conclusions

The detected incidence of CMV resistance among subjects who received LET as prophylaxis in this Phase 3 trial was low. The LET RAVs that were detected mapped to the CMV UL56 gene at positions associated with reduced susceptibility to LET based on resistance selections in cell culture.
The Effects of Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine and Accelerated Dosing Scheduling on the Immunogenicity of the Chimeric Yellow Fever Derived Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine: A Phase II, Randomized, Open-Label, Single-Center Trial in Adults Aged 18 to 45 Years in the United States
Authors: Glass Aaron , Polhemus Mark , Wang Dongliang , Jarman Richard G , Thomas Stephen J , Friberg Heather , Currier Jeffrey R , Bonaparte Matthew , De La Barra Rafael , Princiotta Michael F , Abbott Mark , Cuzzo Brian , Machabert Tifany , Sridhar Saranya , Endy Timothy P
Published: November 2019

Background

Dengue is a global health problem requiring an effective, safe dengue vaccine.

Methods

We report the results of a phase II, randomized, open-label, single-center trial in adults aged 18 to 45 years in the United States designed to explore the effects of the Chimeric Yellow Fever Derived Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine (CYD-TDV, Dengvaxia) when administered on its designated schedule (months 0, 6, and 12) or on an accelerated dosing schedule (months 0, 2, and 6) and/or given before, or concomitantly with, a vaccine against Japanese encephalitis (JE).

Results

Based on dengue virus serotype-specific neutralizing antibody (NAb), the accelerated dosing schedule was comparable to the 0, 6, and 12-month schedule. Giving JE vaccine concurrently with CYD-TDV did not result in an increase in overall NAb titers. Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed an increase in activated CD8+ T cells after CYD-TDV vaccination, a phenomenon that was greatest for the JE vaccine primed.

Conclusions

We conclude that an accelerated dosing schedule of CYD-TDV results in essentially equivalent dengue serotype-specific NAb titers as the currently used schedule, and there may be an early benefit in antibody titers and activated CD8+ T cells by the administration of the JE vaccine before CYD-TDV vaccination.
Predictive value of cadherin-11 for subsequent recurrence and progression in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Chen Ming-kun , Chen Zi-jian , Xiao Kang-hua , Qin Zi-ke , Ye Yun-lin , Wen Wei-jie , Bian Jun , Xue Kang-yi , Zhou Qi-zhao , Guo Wen-bing , Zhou Jun-hao , Xia Ming , Li Xin , Liu Cun-dong
Published: November 2019

Background

Cadherin-11 (CDH11) is a type II cadherin and reported to function as an oncogene in various cancers. Our present study aims to investigate the role of CDH11 in bladder cancer (BCA).

Methods

Bioinformatics analysis was performed in four independent microarray data including 56 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and 132 muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) tissues from Gene Expression Omnibus to screen out differentially expressed genes. Next, we detected CDH11 expression in BCA specimens and cell lines by qPCR and western blotting assays. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed in 209 paraffin-embedded BCA samples and 30 adjacent normal bladder tissues.

Results

Bioinformatics analysis revealed that CDH11 had a higher expression level in MIBC tissues than in NMIBC, which was consistent with our clinical BCA specimens and cell lines at both mRNA and protein levels. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that over-expression of CDH11 was closely related to the histological grade, pT status, tumour size and poor outcomes of BCA patients. What’s more, CDH11 (area under curve (AUC) = 0.673 and 0.735) had a better predictive value than E-cadherin (AUC = 0.629 and 0.629) and a similar discrimination with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) score system (AUC = 0.719 and 0.667) in evaluating potential recurrence and progression of NMIBC. Moreover, combination of CDH11 and EORTC score system was the best predictive model in predicting recurrence of NMIBC (AUC = 0.779) among the three models.

Conclusions

CDH11 was a reliable therapeutic target in BCA and a useful index to predict the possibilities of recurrence and progression in NMIBC patients.
Prosocial Behaviors: A Matter of Altruism or Public Service Motivation?
Authors: Piatak Jaclyn S , Holt Stephen B
Published: November 2019

In recent years, public service motivation (PSM) research has grown substantially, but is still largely limited to the field of public administration. To be able to export the theory and measures of PSM to other disciplines, we need more conceptual clarity. Some suggest PSM is analogous to altruism, whereas others warn not to confound the two concepts. Is PSM separate from altruism? How does each motivational construct relate to prosocial behaviors? We use a nationally representative panel of respondents to the Cooperative Congressional Election Study (CCES) to measure both altruism and PSM among respondents before the 2016 election and measure respondents’ participation in prosocial behaviors after the 2016 election. Using linear probability models with state fixed effects, we find that although PSM and altruism predict prosocial behaviors separately, altruism has no effect after controlling for PSM. PSM is a more consistent predictor of some prosocial behaviors than altruism, particularly in more formal contexts such as volunteering with an organization.
Solar coronal heating by Alfvén waves in bi-kappa distributed plasma
Authors: Khan Imran A , Iqbal Z , Murtaza G
Published: November 2019

In solar physics, there is a decades-old conundrum that is still unsolved. Why is the temperature of the corona so much larger than that of the surface of the Sun? To solve this, various approaches have been adopted so far, but they have certain limitations. In the present analysis, we invoke the standard Vlasov model and the steady-state Poynting theorem to unlock the mysterious coronal heating mechanism in terms of inertial and kinetic Alfvén waves whose electromagnetic energies turn into heat during wave–particle interaction. The coronal plasmas that support these waves are modelled by a non-thermal bi-kappa velocity distribution function. The non-thermal distribution function, which is assumed to pre-exist in the system, strongly influences the wave-heating process. Particularly, during heating by the waves in the inertial limit, the non-thermal features of the distribution function give rise to a unique competition (which is entirely absent in the usual Maxwellian plasmas) between waves of different perpendicular wavenumbers (kx). For small kx, when either the non-thermal parameter κ or the electron parallel temperature T||e increases, the inertial Alfvén waves can efficiently heat the plasma in their immediate vicinity. However, for relatively large kx, an increase in either κ or T||e enables the inertial Alfvén waves to effectively heat the plasma in remote regions in the corona. Although such competition is not seen in the kinetic limit, the non-thermal features still seem to control the heating process. The possible explanations behind the above-mentioned cases are provided by the bi-kappa velocity distribution function, which holds vital clues as to how the non-thermal features, together with kx, dictate the resonance conditions that play a crucial role in the heating process.