bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation guided by fragmented late‐gadolinium enhancement areas
Authors: Kiuchi Kunihiko , Fukuzawa Koji , Takami Mitsuru , Watanabe Yoshiaki , Izawa Yu , Shigeru Mayumi , Oonishi Hiroyuki , Suehiro Hideya , Akita Tomomi , Takemoto Makoto , Yatomi Atsusuke , Nakamura Toshihiro , Sakai Jun , Nakasone Kazutaka , Sonoda Yusuke , Yamamoto Kyoko , Takahara Hiroyuki , Negi Noriyuki , Kyotani Katsusuke , Kono Atsushi , Hirata Ken‐ichi
Published: February 2021

Background

A computer simulation model has demonstrated that atrial fibrillation (AF) driver can be attached to heterogeneous fibrosis assessed by late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE‐MRI). However, it has not been well elucidated in patients with persistent AF. The aim of this study was to investigate whether radiofrequency (RF) applications in the fragmented LGE area (FLA) could terminate AF or convert it to atrial tachycardia (AT) and improve the rhythm outcome.

Methods

A total of 31 consecutive persistent AF patients with FLAs were enrolled (FLA ablation group, mean age: 69 ± 8 years, mean left atrial diameter: 42 ± 6 mm). A favorable response was defined as direct AF termination or AT conversion during RF applications at the FLA. The rhythm outcome was compared between the FLA ablation group and FLA burden‐matched pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) group.

Results

Favorable responses were found in 15 (48%) of 31 patients in the FLA group (AF termination in seven, AT conversion in eight patients), but not in the PVI group. AF recurrence at 12 months follow‐up was significantly less in the FLA ablation group than in the PVI group (4 [13%] vs. 12 [39%] of 31 patients, log‐rank p = .023). In patients with a favorable response, AT recurred in 1 (7%) of 15 patients, but AF did not.

Conclusions

FLA ablation could terminate AF or convert it to AT in half of the patients. No AF recurrence was documented in patients with a favorable response.
Unequal but essential: How subsistence consumer–entrepreneurs negotiate unprecedented shock with extraordinary resilience during COVID‐19
Authors: Viswanathan Madhubalan , Faruque Aly Hussein , Duncan Ronald , Mandhan Namrata
Published: February 2021

We use qualitative interviews to study subsistence consumers confronting the global, pervasive and extended challenges of COVID‐19, encompassing literally all realms of daily life. For subsistence consumers whose circumstances are filled with day‐to‐day uncertainty and a small margin of error to begin with, the pandemic has led to manifold uncertainties and a disappearing margin of error, with potentially lethal consequences. Their constraints to thinking and lack of self‐confidence arising from both low income and low literacy are magnified in the face of the complex, invisible pandemic and the fear and panic it has caused. Characteristic relational strengths are weakened with social distancing and fear of infection. Yet, subsistence consumers display humanity in catastrophe, and confront the uncontrollable by reiterating a higher power. Consumption is reduced to the very bare essentials and income generation involves staying the course versus finding any viable alternative. We derive implications for consumer affairs.
Begomoviruses affecting pulse and vegetable crops are unevenly distributed in distinct agroecological zones of the eastern India
Authors: Sahu Bhimeshwari , Dokka Narasimham , Mahajan Mahesh M , Sharma Kailash Chander , Singh Harvinder Kumar , Marathe Ashish , Dewangan Bhagwat P , Mooventhan Palanisamy , Yele Yogesh , Sridhar Jandrajupalli , Kumar Vinay , Sivalingam Palaiyur Nanjappan , Kumar Jagdish , Kaushal Pankaj , Kumar Ghosh Probir
Published: February 2021

Intensive cultivation, climate change and host–pathogen dynamics/interaction had led to emergence of viral diseases and vector population, thereby causing significant economic losses. In the present study, extensive surveys were conducted (during 2016–2017) followed with field experiments (2017 and 2019 kharif and 2018 rabi seasons) in the state of Chhattisgarh, India, comprising of three diverse agroecological zones, viz., northern hill zone, central plain zone and southern Bastar plateau zone, for understanding the distribution pattern of viruses and vector populations in prominent pulses and vegetable crops. Field experiments revealed that more than 90% incidence of yellow mosaic disease (YMD) was recorded in mungbean and urdbean, followed by YMD of ridge gourd and bitter gourd, leaf curl disease of tomato (ToLCD) and chilli and yellow vein mosaic disease of bhendi; however, only five per cent YMD was recorded in cow pea. Molecular and sequence analysis of viral genomic components revealed ToLCD in central plain zone of Chhattisgarh was caused by a consortium of begomoviruses, including Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV), Tomato leaf curl Karnataka virus (ToLCKV), and Tomato leaf curl Kerala virus associated with satellite molecules. YMD of mungbean, cow pea and soybean was caused by Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV), while YMD of ridge gourd was caused by ToLCNDV. PCR analysis, using species‐specific primers, of samples representing the three different regions revealed that YMD of mungbean, urdbean and cowpea was positive only for MYMIV and was unevenly distributed, while YMD of ridge gourd, bitter gourd, pumpkin and sponge gourd was positive only for ToLCNDV; however, ToLCD was positive for either ToLCNDV or ToLCKV or both, and some samples were also found associated with betasatellite molecules. Amaranthus and rice bean were identified as non‐host species for the begomoviruses infecting tomato and MYMIV, as observed by surveys in the hot‐spot‐like areas, controlled whitefly transmission as well as agroinoculation. Compilation and analysis of available information on begomoviruses affecting these crops in India suggest that they are unevenly distributed in India. This is the first report of the begomovirus occurrence in pulses and vegetable crops in this agroecologically diverse region.
The effect of attenuating dietary phosphate restriction on blood ionized calcium concentrations in cats with chronic kidney disease and ionized hypercalcemia
Authors: Geddes Rebecca F. , van den Broek D. Hendrik N. , Chang Yu‐Mei , Biourge Vincent , Elliott Jonathan , Jepson Rosanne E.
Published: February 2021

Background

Hypercalcemia is commonly observed in cats with azotemic chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dietary phosphate restriction is considered standard of care but may contribute to the development of hypercalcemia. The optimal dietary management strategy for these cats is unclear.

Objectives

To describe the effect of feeding a moderately phosphate‐restricted diet (MP; 1.5 g/Mcal phosphorus; Ca : P ratio, 1.3) to cats with concurrent azotemic CKD and ionized hypercalcemia.

Animals

Client‐owned cats with ionized hypercalcemia (ionized calcium [iCa] concentration >1.4 mmol/L) at diagnosis of CKD (n = 11; baseline hypercalcemics) or after CKD diagnosis while eating a phosphate‐restricted clinical renal diet (0.8 g/Mcal phosphorus; Ca : P ratio, 1.9; n = 10; RD hypercalcemics).

Methods

Changes in variables over time, after starting MP at visit 1, were assessed using linear mixed model analysis within each group of cats. Data are reporte as median [25th, 75th percentiles].

Results

At visit 1, iCa was 1.47 [1.42, 1.55] mmol/L for baseline hypercalcemics and 1.53 [1.5, 1.67] mmol/L for RD hypercalcemics. Blood iCa decreased (P < .001) when RD hypercalcemics were fed MP, with iCa <1.4 mmol/L in 8/10 cats after 2.2 [1.8, 3.7] months. Plasma phosphate concentrations did not change. In contrast, the baseline hypercalcemic group overall showed no change in iCa but a decrease in plasma phosphate concentration during 8.8 [5.5, 10.6] months on the MP diet, although 4/11 individual cats achieved iCa <1.4 mmol/L by 3.4 [1.0, 6.2] months.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Attenuation of dietary phosphate restriction could result in normalization of iCa in cats that develop hypercalcemia while eating a clinical renal diet.
Writing, grammar and the body: a cognitive stylistics framework for teaching upper primary narrative writing
Authors: Healey Brett , Gardner Paul
Published: February 2021

This paper synthesises aspects of functional grammar and cognitive stylistics to posit a theoretical approach to the teaching of the grammar of narrative writing to upper primary and lower secondary students. It is argued the development of students' metalinguistic understanding is essential if they are to make informed language choices as they write. Cognitive stylistics is an embodied theory of grammar derived from literary studies, which is used here to construct a theoretical framework for teaching metalinguistic understanding in writing. The proposed framework includes concepts to support the way writers might focus their ‘readerly’ attention via devices such as ‘figure’ and ‘ground’, ‘scope’, ‘attentional windowing’ and ‘deixis’, to create narrative perspectives and interactions between narrative participants, by means of ‘clausal action chains’. The theory is premised on the idea that students can be taught to ‘embody’ the imagined narrative world, and make specific grammatical choices to effectively capture, for the reader, each element of their story. The framework outlines the role of the teacher, when supporting the student, in both the ‘embodiment’ of their narrative, and their grammatical decision‐making.
Lymphovenous shunts: from development to clinical applications
Authors: Tucker A. Blake , Krishnan Pranav , Agarwal Shailesh
Published: February 2021

The lymphatic system is a vast network of vessels that functions to return excess fluid from the interstitial space to the blood stream. Lymphovenous shunts are anastomoses, either natural or surgical, that connect the lymphatic and venous systems. Connections between the thoracic duct and venous system or between the right lymphatic duct and venous system are prime examples of anatomic lymphovenous shunts. Lymphovenous shunts are also present peripherally in tissues such as lymph nodes. Furthermore, pathologic lymphovenous shunts are observed in conditions such as lymphedema, malignancy, and lymphovenous malformations. Surgically, lymphovenous shunts may be constructed as an approach to treat lymphedema. Here, we discuss anatomic and surgical lymphovenous shunts in the context of normal development and disease. This perspective is intended to give an understanding of the role of lymphovenous shunts in health and disease and to show how they can be leveraged to treat disease surgically.
Deep learning for post‐hurricane aerial damage assessment of buildings
Authors: Cheng Chih‐Shen , Behzadan Amir H. , Noshadravan Arash
Published: February 2021

This study aims to improve post‐disaster preliminary damage assessment (PDA) using artificial intelligence (AI) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery. In particular, a stacked convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture is introduced and trained on an in‐house visual dataset from Hurricane Dorian. To account for the ordinality of damage level classes, the cross‐entropy classification loss function is replaced with the square of earth mover's distance (EMD2) loss. The trained model achieves 65.6% building localization precision and 61% (90% considering ±1 class deviation from ground‐truth) classification accuracy. It also exhibits a positive accuracy–confidence correlation, which is valuable for model assessment in situations where ground‐truth information is not readily available. Finally, the outcome of damage assessment is compared with the literature by examining the relationship between building size and number of stories, and severity of induced disaster damage.
Implementation at‐scale of school‐based physical activity interventions: A systematic review utilizing the RE‐AIM framework
Authors: Kennedy Sarah G. , Sanders Taren , Estabrooks Paul A. , Smith Jordan J. , Lonsdale Chris , Foster Charlie , Lubans David R.
Published: February 2021

School‐based interventions can increase young people's physical activity levels, but few are implemented at‐scale (i.e., the expanded delivery of efficacious interventions under real‐world conditions into new/broader populations). The Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE‐AIM) framework can be used to describe the extent to which interventions have been implemented at‐scale. The aim of our review was to determine the extent to which studies of school‐based physical activity interventions implemented at‐scale reported information across the RE‐AIM dimensions. We conducted a systematic search of seven electronic databases to identify studies published up to June 2019. A total of 26 articles (representing 14 individual studies) met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Eleven studies reported actual or estimated number of students exposed to the intervention; however, the representativeness of these students was rarely reported. Nine studies reported the intervention effect on the primary outcome during scale‐up. Ten studies reported the rate of participating schools/teachers; however, none reported on the characteristics of adopters/nonadopters. Eight studies reported intervention fidelity. Eleven studies described the extent to which the intervention was sustained in schools. There was considerable variability in the reporting of RE‐AIM outcomes across studies. There is a need for greater consistency in the evaluation, and reporting of, school‐based physical activity interventions implemented at‐scale.
Therapeutic drug monitoring of flucytosine in a cardiac transplant patient receiving continuous veno‐venous hemofiltration and intermittent hemodialysis: A case report
Authors: Williams Kelsey N. , Bidell Monique R. , Adamsick Meagan L. , Elshaboury Ramy H. , Roberts Matthew B. , Kotton Camille N. , Gandhi Ronak G.
Published: February 2021

Invasive candidiasis is one of the common infections in solid organ transplant recipients. Guidelines recommend echinocandins or liposomal amphotericin with consideration of flucytosine (5‐fluorocytosine; 5‐FC) as synergistic therapy for treatment of select deep‐seated Candida infections, including complex endovascular infections. Flucytosine undergoes extensive renal elimination; however, optimal dosing in patients with renal impairment, or those requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), is not well‐established. We describe a case of a 60‐year old female who underwent orthotopic heart transplant complicated by Candida parapsilosis complex fungemia with mediastinitis and development of end‐stage renal disease requiring RRT. Flucytosine therapeutic drug monitoring was performed on continuous veno‐venous hemofiltration (CVVH) and intermittent hemodialysis (iHD) to guide appropriate dosing. Our results support 5‐FC doses of 25 mg/kg daily while undergoing CVVH with a low fluid replacement rate and 21 mg/kg post‐iHD or 17 mg/kg daily while receiving thrice weekly iHD.
Prediction of donation return rate in young donors using machine‐learning models
Authors: Cloutier Marc , Grégoire Yves , Choucha Karine , Amja Anne‐Marie , Lewin Antoine
Published: February 2021

Background and objectives

The identification of factors leading to high or low return rates among volunteer blood donors is increasingly important to maintain sufficient blood supply. A particular focus on young donors is an essential component of blood bank donor retention strategy. By means of large databases, our aim was to predict the donation frequency pattern of young donors using a random forest model, to potentially improve donor retention and increase donation frequency.

Materials and methods

Random forests are an ensemble learning method for classification and regression designed to produce accurate predictions that do not overfit the data. They consist of a large number of independent decision trees that operate as an ensemble and classify data into groups in a sequential manner, using time‐specific cut‐offs to differentiate groups into branches. Since a large number of trees are grown, prediction of donation behaviour in young donors will be made with limited generalization errors.

Results

The final dataset analysed was composed of 81 986 donors aged 18–24 at the last donation. The model correctly predicts more than 91% of the donation frequencies, with an overall error rate of 8·16% and specific error rates of 4·6% and 12·3% for ‘unreturned donor’ and ‘returned donor’ groups, respectively. The best predictive variables used in the model appear to be the number of contacts used by the marketing department, the donors’ age, the number of adverse effects during donation, the donors’ status and the ethnicity.

Conclusion

Our results provide relevant information for interpreting donor behaviour and could contribute to the improvement of initiatives by blood services to increase donation return rate.
Role of miR‐211 in a PC12 cell model of Alzheimer's disease via regulation of neurogenin 2
Authors: Liu Xin‐Hong , Ning Fang‐Bo , Zhao Da‐Peng , Chang Yan‐Yan , Wu Hua‐Min , Zhang Wen‐Hiu , Yu Ai‐Ling
Published: February 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What is the mechanism of miR‐211 in an Alzheimer's disease cell model?

What is the main finding and its importance?

miR‐211 was upregulated in an Alzheimer's disease cell model. It targeted neurogenin 2, reduced the activation of the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase–Akt signalling pathway, inhibited the proliferation of the Alzheimer's disease cell model and promoted apoptosis.

MicroRNAs (miRs) are aberrantly expressed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. This study was intended to investigate the effect of miR‐211 on an AD cell model and the involvement of neurogenin 2 (Ngn2). The appropriate dose and time for the effect of Aβ1–42 on PC12 cells were determined to establish an AD cell model. An effect of miR‐211 expression on cell viability, proliferation and apoptosis was detected after cell transfection. Online prediction and a dual luciferase reporter gene assay were utilized to confirm the binding sequence of miR‐211 and Ngn2. qRT‐PCR and western blot analysis were applied to measure Ngn2 expression. A gain and loss of function assay of miR‐211 and Ngn2 was performed, and activation of the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)–Akt signaling pathway was detected. The AD cell model was induced by Aβ1–42 treatment. miR‐211 expression was significantly enhanced after miR‐211 transfection, leading to suppressed proliferation and promotion of apoptosis in Aβ1–42‐treated PC12 cells. In addition, miR‐211 could downregulate Ngn2 mRNA and protein expression, while overexpression of Ngn2 could reverse the effects of miR‐211 on Aβ1–42‐treated PC12 cells and significantly enhance the phosphorylated Akt and PI3K protein levels. miR‐211 could inhibit growth of PC12 cells by suppressing Ngn2 expression and inactivating the PI3K–Akt signalling pathway.
An Improved Model of Height Profile for Drop-On-Demand Print of Ultraviolet Curable Ink
Authors: Wu Yumeng , Chiu George
Published: February 2021

This paper proposes an improved model of height profile for drop-on-demand printing of ultraviolet curable ink. Unlike previous model, the proposed model propagates volume and covered area based on height difference between adjacent drops. Height profile is then calculated from the propagated volume and area. Measurements of two-drop and three-drop patterns are used to experimentally compute model parameters. The parameters are used to predict and validate height profiles of four and more drops in a straight line. Using the same root-mean-square (RMS) error as benchmark, this model achieves 5.9% RMS height profile error on four-drop lines. This represents more than 60% reduction from graph-based model and an improvement from our previous effort.
INFORM: INFrared-based ORganizational Measurements of tumor and its microenvironment to predict patient survival
Authors: Tiwari Saumya , Kajdacsy-Balla Andre , Whiteley Joshua , Cheng Georgina , Jirstrom Karin , Birgisson Helgi , Hewitt Stephen M. , Bhargava Rohit
Published: February 2021

All-digital infrared spectroscopic imaging of tumors and their microenvironments predicts colon cancer patient survival.
Immune synapse instructs epigenomic and transcriptomic functional reprogramming in dendritic cells
Authors: Alcaraz-Serna Ana , Bustos-Morán Eugenio , Fernández-Delgado Irene , Calzada-Fraile Diego , Torralba Daniel , Marina-Zárate Ester , Lorenzo-Vivas Erika , Vázquez Enrique , Barreto de Albuquerque Juliana , Ruef Nora , Gómez Manuel José , Sánchez-Cabo Fátima , Dopazo Ana , Stein Jens V. , Ramiro Almudena , Sánchez-Madrid Francisco
Published: February 2021

Antigen-driven immune synaptic T cell contacts reprogram gene expression, epigenetics, and functions of dendritic cells.
Autism-linked gene FoxP1 selectively regulates the cultural transmission of learned vocalizations
Authors: Garcia-Oscos F. , Koch T. M. I. , Pancholi H. , Trusel M. , Daliparthi V. , Co M. , Park S. E. , Ayhan F. , Alam D. H. , Holdway J. E. , Konopka G. , Roberts T. F.
Published: February 2021

Disrupted expression of the autism gene, FoxP1, blocks the ability of young birds to form memories used to learn their adult song.
Self-powered electro-tactile system for virtual tactile experiences
Authors: Shi Yuxiang , Wang Fan , Tian Jingwen , Li Shuyao , Fu Engang , Nie Jinhui , Lei Rui , Ding Yafei , Chen Xiangyu , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: February 2021

TENG-based electro-tactile system has the advantages of simple system, low cost, and zero power consumption.
A diagnostic host response biosignature for COVID-19 from RNA profiling of nasal swabs and blood
Authors: Ng Dianna L. , Granados Andrea C. , Santos Yale A. , Servellita Venice , Goldgof Gregory M. , Meydan Cem , Sotomayor-Gonzalez Alicia , Levine Andrew G. , Balcerek Joanna , Han Lucy M. , Akagi Naomi , Truong Kent , Neumann Neil M. , Nguyen David N. , Bapat Sagar P. , Cheng Jing , Martin Claudia Sanchez-San , Federman Scot , Foox Jonathan , Gopez Allan , Li Tony , Chan Ray , Chu Cynthia S. , Wabl Chiara A. , Gliwa Amelia S. , Reyes Kevin , Pan Chao-Yang , Guevara Hugo , Wadford Debra , Miller Steve , Mason Christopher E. , Chiu Charles Y.
Published: February 2021

SARS-CoV-2 infection elicits a distinct host response in nasal swabs and blood that can be used to diagnose COVID-19.
High-performance combinatorial optimization based on classical mechanics
Authors: Goto Hayato , Endo Kotaro , Suzuki Masaru , Sakai Yoshisato , Kanao Taro , Hamakawa Yohei , Hidaka Ryo , Yamasaki Masaya , Tatsumura Kosuke
Published: February 2021

Massively parallel implementations of algorithms based on classical mechanics realize high-performance combinatorial optimization.
Vaccine optimization for COVID-19: Who to vaccinate first?
Authors: Matrajt Laura , Eaton Julia , Leung Tiffany , Brown Elizabeth R.
Published: February 2021

The optimal use of COVID-19 vaccine depends mainly on how efficacious the vaccine is and how many doses are available.
NITD-688, a pan-serotype inhibitor of the dengue virus NS4B protein, shows favorable pharmacokinetics and efficacy in preclinical animal models
Authors: Moquin Stephanie A. , Simon Oliver , Karuna Ratna , Lakshminarayana Suresh B. , Yokokawa Fumiaki , Wang Feng , Saravanan Chandra , Zhang Jin , Day Craig W. , Chan Katherine , Wang Qing-Yin , Lu Siyan , Dong Hongping , Wan Kah Fei , Lim Siew Pheng , Liu Wei , Seh Cheah Chen , Chen Yen-Liang , Xu Haoying , Barkan David T. , Kounde Cyrille S. , Sim Wei Lin Sandra , Wang Gang , Yeo Hui-Quan , Zou Bin , Chan Wai Ling , Ding Mei , Song Jae-Geun , Li Min , Osborne Colin , Blasco Francesca , Sarko Christopher , Beer David , Bonamy Ghislain M. C. , Sasseville Vito G. , Shi Pei-Yong , Diagana Thierry T. , Yeung Bryan K. S. , Gu Feng
Published: February 2021

NITD-688, a pan-serotype dengue virus inhibitor, is effective in mice and is well tolerated with favorable pharmacokinetics in animal models.
Smartwatch inertial sensors continuously monitor real-world motor fluctuations in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Powers Rob , Etezadi-Amoli Maryam , Arnold Edith M. , Kianian Sara , Mance Irida , Gibiansky Maxsim , Trietsch Dan , Alvarado Alexander Singh , Kretlow James D. , Herrington Todd M. , Brillman Salima , Huang Nengchun , Lin Peter T. , Pham Hung A. , Ullal Adeeti V.
Published: February 2021

A smartwatch-based sensing system measures tremor and dyskinesia, enabling remote monitoring and aiding medication titration in Parkinson’s disease.
Angiomotin Counteracts the Negative Regulatory Effect of Host WWOX on Viral PPxY-Mediated Egress
Authors: Liang Jingjing , Ruthel Gordon , Sagum Cari A. , Bedford Mark T. , Sidhu Sachdev S. , Sudol Marius , Jaladanki Chaitanya K. , Fan Hao , Freedman Bruce D. , Harty Ronald N.
Published: February 2021

Filoviruses (EBOV and MARV) and arenavirus (LASV) are zoonotic, emerging pathogens that cause outbreaks of severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. A fundamental understanding of the virus-host interface is critical for understanding the biology of these viruses and for developing future strategies for therapeutic intervention.
High-latitude ice and climate control on sediment supply across SW Gondwana during the late Carboniferous and early Permian
Authors: Griffis N. , Montañez I. , Mundil R. , Heron D. Le , Dietrich P. , Kettler C. , Linol B. , Mottin T. , Vesely F. , Iannuzzi R. , Huyskens M. , Yin Q.-Z.
Published: February 2021

The response of sediment routing to climatic changes across icehouse-to-greenhouse turnovers is not well documented in Earth's pre-Cenozoic sedimentary record. Southwest Gondwana hosts one of the thickest and most laterally extensive records of Earth's penultimate icehouse, the late Paleozoic ice age. We present the first high-resolution U-Pb zircon chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry (CA-ID-TIMS) analysis of late Paleozoic ice age deposits in the Kalahari Basin of southern Africa, which, coupled with existing CA-ID-TIMS zircon records from the Paraná and Karoo Basins, we used to refine the late Paleozoic ice age glacial history of SW Gondwana. Key findings from this work suggest that subglacial evidence in the Kalahari region is restricted to the Carboniferous (older than 300 Ma), with glacially influenced deposits culminating in this region by the earliest Permian (296 Ma). The U-Pb detrital zircon geochronologic records from the Paraná Basin of South America, which was located downstream of the Kalahari Basin in the latest Carboniferous and Permian, indicate that large-scale changes in sediment supplied to the Paraná were contemporaneous with shifts in the SW Gondwana ice record. Gondwanan deglaciation events were associated with the delivery of far-field, African-sourced sediments into the Paraná Basin. In contrast, Gondwanan glacial periods were associated with the restriction of African-sourced sediments into the basin. We interpret the influx of far-field sediments into the Paraná Basin as an expansion of the catchment area for the Paraná Basin during the deglaciation events, which occurred in the latest Carboniferous (300–299 Ma), early Permian (296 Ma), and late early Permian (<284 Ma). The coupled ice and detrital zircon records for this region of Gondwana present opportunities to investigate climate feedbacks associated with changes in freshwater and nutrient delivery to late Paleozoic ocean basins across the turnover from icehouse to greenhouse conditions.
Effect of temperature on microbial residue dynamics in a temperate farmland soil
Authors: Zhang Wei , Dong Shuhan , Nie Ming , Liang Chao , Zhang Xiaochen , He Hongbo , Zhang Xudong
Published: February 2021

Microorganisms mediate soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover, and microbial residues contribute a significant portion to SOC storage in temperate agroecosystems. However, little is known about the direct effect of temperature on microbial residues associated with SOC sequestration/decomposition. We assessed microbial residue dynamics in a 28 d incubation conducted at four temperatures (5, 15, 25, and 35 °C). Microbial residues did not change with time from 5 to 25 °C. However, at 35 °C, fungal residues decomposed significantly with time, and the decomposition rate was higher than SOC. Considering the important contribution of fungal residues to stable-C pool, our findings indicated warming may be detrimental to C stability in this temperate soil.
Thermodynamics in new model of loop quantum cosmology
Authors: Zhang Xiangdong
Published: February 2021

The thermodynamic properties of loop quantum cosmology (LQC) without considering the Lorentz term were established in Li and Zhu (Adv High Energy Phys 2009:905705, 2009). In this paper, we extend this result to the recent proposed new model of LQC with the Lorentz term. We investigate the thermodynamics of LQC on the apparent horizon of the Friedmann–Lematre–Robertson–Walker universe. The result shows that the effective density and effective pressure in the modified Friedmann equation of LQC not only determines the evolution of the universe but can also serve as the thermodynamic quantities. Moreover, with the help of the Misner–Sharp energy, the first law of thermodynamics of the LQC is still valid as expected. This in turn endows precise physical meaning to the effective matter density $$\rho _{eff}$$

ρ

eff

and the effective pressure $$P_{eff}$$

P

eff

.
Attention dynamics on the Chinese social media Sina Weibo during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Cui Hao , Kertész János
Published: February 2021

Understanding attention dynamics on social media during pandemics could help governments minimize the effects. We focus on how COVID-19 has influenced the attention dynamics on the biggest Chinese microblogging website Sina Weibo during the first four months of the pandemic. We study the real-time Hot Search List (HSL), which provides the ranking of the most popular 50 hashtags based on the amount of Sina Weibo searches. We show how the specific events, measures and developments during the epidemic affected the emergence of different kinds of hashtags and the ranking on the HSL. A significant increase of COVID-19 related hashtags started to occur on HSL around January 20, 2020, when the transmission of the disease between humans was announced. Then very rapidly a situation was reached where COVID-related hashtags occupied 30–70% of the HSL, however, with changing content. We give an analysis of how the hashtag topics changed during the investigated time span and conclude that there are three periods separated by February 12 and March 12. In period 1, we see strong topical correlations and clustering of hashtags; in period 2, the correlations are weakened, without clustering pattern; in period 3, we see a potential of clustering while not as strong as in period 1. We further explore the dynamics of HSL by measuring the ranking dynamics and the lifetimes of hashtags on the list. This way we can obtain information about the decay of attention, which is important for decisions about the temporal placement of governmental measures to achieve permanent awareness. Furthermore, our observations indicate abnormally higher rank diversity in the top 15 ranks on HSL due to the COVID-19 related hashtags, revealing the possibility of algorithmic intervention from the platform provider.
Polysilicon devices as a highly compatible ESD protection with modulable voltage and low capacitance
Authors: Jiang yibo , Bi Hui , Xu Zhihao , Zhao Wei , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Xiaolei
Published: February 2021

The electronic circuits fabricated in a variety of technologies for different applications are all vulnerable to the electrostatic discharge (ESD) event. In this paper, polysilicon devices are investigated as ESD protection because of the noticeable advantages such as compatibility with several technologies, low parasitical capacitance, and little noise coupling. By forming the p-i-n diode in the polysilicon layer and stacking them together, the single polysilicon diode (SPD) and cascaded polysilicon diode (CasPD) are implemented in the 0.35 [Formula: see text] high voltage diffusion process. Through DC IV/CV, transmission line pulse (TLP), and zipping test, the CasPD presents as ESD protection for an S-band RF power amplifier, with high process-compatibility, modulable voltage, low leakage current and parasitic capacitance.
Effect of ultrasonic power on wettability, porosity and mechanical properties of ultrasonic-aided laser reflow soldering
Authors: Wang Bo , Pan Kailin , Gong Yubing , Long Yuhong , Shi Kai
Published: February 2021

Wettability, porosity and mechanical properties of ultrasonic-aided laser reflow soldering lead-free solder Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) on Cu pad have been investigated at ultrasonic vibration (USV) of different power. The parameters of laser reflow soldering are determined by the wetting experiment, and the effects of different ultrasonic powers on the performance of the solder joint are studied. Results showed that USV can improve wettability without keyholes on top of the solder joint, and the contact angle between the solder joint and the substrate decreases first and then increases as the ultrasonic power increases. The cavitation effect caused by USV effectively reduces the porosity of the solder joints. When the ultrasonic power is 225 W, the porosity of the solder joint is reduced from the initial 13.2% to 5.2%. Through X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis of the solder joint matrix, all solder joints have diffraction peaks of [Formula: see text]-Sn, Cu6Sn5 and Ag3Sn, and the solder joints show higher diffraction peak intensity with USV treated. Furthermore, the solder joints prepared by ultrasonic-aided laser reflow soldering show better shear strength compared with laser reflow soldering.
Voltage-driven mutual phase locking of planar nano-oscillators
Authors: Liang Fang , Wang Hanbin , Pan Jintao , Li Jun , Xu Kunyuan , Luo Yi
Published: February 2021

Phase locking is a common phenomenon related to coupled oscillators that play an important role in various natural and artificial systems. In this study, we analyzed the possibility of dynamically controlling such a phenomenon between Gunn-effect-based planar nanooscillators via an ensemble Monte Carlo (EMC) method. We found that between two oscillators in parallel with each other, there are two coupling paths, which could be opened or closed via structure determined inner-field effect. One of the paths results in in-phase locking, and whereas the other gives rise to anti-phase locking. Furthermore, by combining the inner-field effect and a top-gate effect, one could dynamically control the phase locking via the top gate’s bias. EMC results showed that the transition time from in-phase to anti-phase locking can be less than 0.2 ns. Accompanied by this was a signal-frequency doubling, from approximately 0.33 THz to approximately 0.66 THz. Based on Adler’s theory, we confirmed the phase locking and concluded that the phase-locking transition could not be properly modeled unless electron-scattering noise was included. Moreover, we obtained the locking range and the frequency fluctuation due to electron-transport noise. The proposed method is convenient and may be applied to other electronic oscillators, thereby aiding in developing high-speed beam-steerable THz sources.
An efficient resource allocation strategy for multilayer networks
Authors: Zhang Yongqiang , Li Yaming , Li Min , Ma Jinlong , Qi Zhaohui
Published: February 2021

The resource allocation strategy plays an important role in the improvement of network traffic capacity. In order to solve the problem of network congestion, an efficient resource allocation strategy is proposed for multilayer networks to optimize the utilization efficiency of network resources. With the proposed strategy, the network resources are allocated to nodes more reasonable and the network congestions are evidently reduced. Simulation experiments show that the proposed resource allocation strategy can greatly improve the traffic capacity of the multilayer networks compared with the average resource allocation strategy. The proposed strategy can give full play to the traffic resources of multilayer networks, which has guiding significance for optimizing the existing networks and building new networks.
Facile deposition of carbon-doped TiO2 films by two-electrode electrodeposition setup
Authors: Basman Necati , Gokcen Mehmet
Published: February 2021

This study presents a simple electrochemical deposition route to obtain carbon-doped TiO2 films. The deposition of the films is carried out on silicon substrates from a mixture of methanol (CH3OH) and Titanium (IV) isopropoxide (Ti[OCH(CH3)2]4) solution using a simple two-electrode electrodeposition setup. The obtained films are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and conductivity measurements. Depending on the deposition conditions, both amorphous and crystalline TiO2 films could be obtained. It is found that carbon is doped both substitutionally and interstitially. High carbon doping (up to 18.96%) enables to obtain TiO2 film with narrowed bandgap and high conductivity to about 2.3 eV and [Formula: see text] S cm[Formula: see text], respectively. This study suggests that the proposed electrodeposition route offers an easy way of obtaining conductive and narrowed bandgap TiO2 films on large surface areas.
Spin filtering and magnetically-controlled quantum switch in multiple triangular rings consisting of quantum dots
Authors: Bai Jiyuan , Li Xiaoyu , Peng Xiaofeng , Bai Yunfeng , Chen Kongfa , He Zelong
Published: February 2021

Electron transport characteristics through a system consisting of a series of triangular quantum dot rings are studied utilizing the non-equilibrium Green’s function. In the presence of a magnetic field, an additional anti-resonance point occurs in the conductance spectrum. As the number of triangular quantum dot rings increases, two anti-resonance points evolve into two well-defined insulating bands. The insulating band disappears as the magnetic flux takes an appropriate value, and therefore, an effective magnetically-controlled quantum switch can be achieved. If a Zeeman magnetic field is introduced, a spin-polarized window (SPW) can be formed, suggesting a physical scheme of a spin filtering. As the intradot Coulomb interactions are taken into consideration, more SPWs can be obtained. This work sheds lights onto the design of future quantum devices.
Breathers and multiple rogue waves solutions of the (3+1)-dimensional Jimbo–Miwa equation
Authors: Zhang Hong-Yi , Zhang Yu-Feng
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we construct the breathers of the (3+1)-dimensional Jimbo–Miwa (JM) equation by means of the Hirota bilinear method, then based on the Hirota bilinear method with a new ansatz form, the multiple rogue wave solutions are constructed. Here, we discuss the general breathers, first-order rogue waves, the second-order rogue waves and the third-order rogue waves. Then we draw the 3- and 2-dimensional plots to illustrate the dynamic characteristics of breathers and multiple rogue waves. These interesting results will help us better reveal (3+1)-dimensional JM equation evolution mechanism.
The Comparison between Magnetite Nanoparticles Co-Precipitated by Different Bases and Their Effects on Human Cells
Authors: Fekry Mohamed , Mazrouaa Azza M. , Mohamed Manal G. , Kishta Mohamed S. , Mansour N. A.
Published: February 2021

The superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized through co-precipitation method by using a strong base such as sodium hydroxide or a weak base such as ammonium hydroxide. The magnetite co-precipitated by ammonium hydroxide (MA) has different properties than the magnetite co-precipitated by sodium hydroxide (MS). The cytotoxicity effects of MA and MS on the breast cancer cells and normal hepatocytes cells were studied. The magnetite nanoparticles with two ways were characterized by using Vibrating Sample Magnetometer. X-ray fluorescence, Dynamic Light Scattering, Zeta Potential, pH changes, Wide-angle X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transforms Infrared spectroscopy, MTT assay test and High-Resolution Transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the final pH of MA and MS were 5 and 7.5, respectively. MA nanoparticles have salts which act as weak oxidizing agent and they were exposed to oxidation at high temperature and lost their magnetic property. They have a cytotoxic effect against breast cancer cells and normal hepatocytes cells more than the MS.
On Φ-variation for 1-d scalar conservation laws
Authors: Jenssen Helge Kristian , Ridder Johanna
Published: February 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be a convex function satisfying [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]. Consider the unique entropy admissible (i.e. Kružkov) solution [Formula: see text] of the scalar, 1-d Cauchy problem [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. For compactly supported data [Formula: see text] with bounded [Formula: see text]-variation, we realize the solution [Formula: see text] as a limit of front-tracking approximations and show that the [Formula: see text]-variation of (the right continuous version of) [Formula: see text] is non-increasing in time. We also establish the natural time-continuity estimate [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] depends on [Formula: see text]. Finally, according to a theorem of Goffman–Moran–Waterman, any regulated function of compact support has bounded [Formula: see text]-variation for some [Formula: see text]. As a corollary we thus have: if [Formula: see text] is a regulated function, so is [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text].
Carbonic anhydrase 8 (CAR8) negatively regulates GLP-1 secretion from enteroendocrine cells in response to long-chain fatty acids
Authors: Fujiwara Yuta , Yamane Shunsuke , Harada Norio , Ikeguchi-Ogura Eri , Usui Ryota , Nakamura Toshihiro , Iwasaki Kanako , Suzuki Kazuyo , Yabe Daisuke , Hayashi Yoshitaka , Inagaki Nobuya
Published: February 2021

This study focused on the physiological significance of carbonic anhydrase 8 (CAR8) in GLP-1 secretion from enteroendocrine preproglucagon (PPG)-expressing cells. We found an inhibitory role of CAR8 in LCFA-induced GLP-1 secretion in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a novel therapeutic approach to diabetes and obesity through augmentation of postprandial GLP-1 secretion by CAR8 inhibition.
Individual magnitudes of neural variability quenching are associated with motion perception abilities
Authors: Daniel Edan , Dinstein Ilan
Published: February 2021

The current study demonstrates that better visual perception abilities in a motion discrimination task are associated with larger quenching of neural variability. In line with previous studies and signal detection theory principles, these findings support the hypothesis that cortical sensory neurons increase reproducibility to enhance detection and discrimination of sensory stimuli.
Examining the effects of ovarian hormone loss and diet-induced obesity on Alzheimer’s disease markers of amyloid-β production and degradation
Authors: Hayward Grant C. , Baranowski Bradley J. , Marko Daniel M. , MacPherson Rebecca E. K.
Published: February 2021

This study provides novel insight into the effect of peripheral insulin resistance and ovarian hormone loss in decreasing brain markers of amyloid-β degradation. Results demonstrate that ovarian hormone loss through ovariectomy increased the amyloidogenic marker, sAPPβ, while the high-fat diet in combination with ovariectomy led to lower IDE protein content and activity in the prefrontal cortex, indicative of decreased amyloid-β degradation. These original results provide important information for future targets in early AD pathogenesis.
α-Band activity tracks a two-dimensional spotlight of attention during spatial working memory maintenance
Authors: Sutterer David W. , Polyn Sean M. , Woodman Geoffrey F.
Published: February 2021

A substantial body of work has shown that patterns of EEG α-band activity track the angular coordinates of attended and remembered stimuli around fixation, but whether these patterns track the two-dimensional coordinates of stimuli presented within a visual hemifield remains an open question. Here, we demonstrate that α-band activity tracks the two-dimensional coordinates of remembered stimuli within a hemifield, showing that α-band activity reflects a spotlight of attention focused on locations maintained in working memory.
A Decomposability Property to the Weighted Myerson Value and the Weighted Position Value
Authors: Wang Guangming , Shan Erfang
Published: February 2021

Myerson value and position value are important values in a cooperative game with a graph structure. Usually, due to the differences of players in the game, the weighted Myerson value and weighted position value are more widely used in practical situations. This article offers a new calculation approach of the weighted Myerson value and weighted position value. Instead of using induced games (point game and edge game), we prove that the weighted Myerson value and weighted position value meet decomposability property.
Bixin Attenuates High‐Fat Diet‐Caused Liver Steatosis and Inflammatory Injury through Nrf2/PPARα Signals
Authors: Tao Shasha , Yang Youjing , Li Jianzhong , Wang Hongyan , Ma Yu
Published: February 2021

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common liver disease worldwide. Hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress are the main characteristics of NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease), which also affect its prognosis. Bixin acts as novel Nrf2 (NF‐E2 p45‐related factor 2) activator with the cytoprotection against oxidative stress and inflammation; this study mainly focused on the mechanism of Nrf2 activation by bixin and explored its potential feasibilities in long‐term high‐fat diet‐ (HFD‐) caused hepatic steatosis and inflammatory response in vitro and in vivo. Bixin was found to activate Nrf2 signals by the modification of critical Keap1 (Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1) cystine and competitive interaction with Keap1 with upregulating P62 mRNA and protein expression. In human liver cells exposed to FFA (free fatty acid), bixin displayed a pronounced cytoprotective activity with upregulation of Nrf2‐mediated gene expression, such as PPARα and its targets related with fatty acid oxidation. In HFD‐fed mice, systemic administration of bixin attenuated lipid accumulation, decreased oxidant inflammatory damage in the liver, and reduced circulating lipid levels through Nrf2. Different from most of other established inducers, bixin activated Nrf2 signals through two different mechanisms with safe administration for protection of oxidant inflammatory damage and attenuation of lipid accumulation in the in vivo long‐term HFD‐fed mice. Bixin represents a prototype Nrf2 activator that displays cytoprotective activity upon system administration targeting hepatic steatosis and oxidant inflammation originating from long‐term HFD‐fed mice. And bixin‐based Nrf2‐directed systemic intervention may also provide therapeutic benefit in protecting other organs in the process of metabolic syndrome.