bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of target temperature on H alpha line of laser-induced silicon plasma in air
Authors: Zhang Dan , Chen Anmin , Wang Qiuyun , Wang Ying , Qi Hongxia , Li Suyu , Jiang Yuanfei , Jin Mingxing
Published: August 2018

This study mainly discusses the effect of target temperature on the emission intensity of the H alpha line in laser-induced silicon plasma in an atmospheric environment. The sample was uniformly heated to temperatures ranging from room temperature (22 °C) to a high temperature (300 °C) with laser energy ranging from 5.5 mJ to 11.5 mJ. Emission lines of Si (I), Si (II), and H (I) were observed. The H alpha line was attributable to a small amount of water vapor derived from natural humidity in the surrounding air. The H alpha line was widely used to measure electron density in laser-induced plasma. The results show that an increase in the sample temperature improved the spectral intensity of the Si line, whereas the emission intensity of the H alpha line declined. The reduction in the H alpha line was due to lower air density near the heated target surface. This investigation enhances the understanding of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy applications at higher sample temperatures.
Contactless exploration of graphene properties using millimeter wave response of WGM resonator
Authors: Barannik A. A. , Cherpak N. T. , Protsenko I. A. , Gubin A. I. , Kireev D. , Vitusevich S.
Published: August 2018

The response of a sapphire whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator to a single-layer graphene film was studied in the millimeter wave band (frequency of about 40 GHz) at different distances of graphene from the resonator. In the resonator, the HE141δ WGM was excited, in which the longitudinal component of the electric field is predominant. Based on the fitting results of both the response measurement and the numerical simulation of the resonator, the conductivity value was obtained for a known film thickness. The conductivity of our CVD-grown and transferred graphene was found to be (1.02 ± 0.06) × 106 S/m. This deviates slightly from the values obtained through our DC conductivity measurements, reflecting the real parameters of the graphene material after transfer from copper to a quartz substrate. A significant difference was demonstrated between the conductivity values obtained by the fitting procedure and those calculated using the perturbation method. In explanation for the discrepancy, we propose a possible inapplicability of the perturbation method for the cases of both the resonator and mode polarization used in this work. The results of this work show that a WGM resonator technique allows contactless exploration of graphene parameters, such as conductivity or sheet resistance, in the millimeter wave band.
On the heat transfer effects of nanofluids within rotor-stator cavities
Authors: Fernando D. , Gao S. , Garrett S. J.
Published: August 2018

Owing to the rapid development of a number of technological and industrial sectors, high-performance electronic devices are now ubiquitous in modern engineering and industrial applications. Effective heat management is crucial to the smooth operation of such devices, and sometimes conventional methods of heat transfer fail to deliver the required performance. Recent advances in the field of nanofluids are a promising route to improve heat-transfer performance, and this is our motivation. We propose two computational fluid dynamics models for a rotor-stator cavity operating at Reω = 1.0 × 105 and filled with a fluid that consists of different volume fractions of Al2O3 nanoparticles. The first model simulates the nanofluid mixture using a single-phase transport model, and the second approach uses a two-phase transport model that allows for the relative velocity between the particle and fluid phases. All simulations are conducted using the second-order accurate solver, OpenFOAM®, that is based on the finite volume method and using Large eddy simulation methods. Our results show that the higher volume fractions of Al2O3 nanoparticles can achieve higher heat transfer rates, and at the same time, dilute nanoparticle concentrations have subtle effects on the momentum transport of the system. This is an advantage over micro-particle dispersion. Furthermore, we consider the effects of particle forces in the two-phase model, such as Brownian and thermophoresis forces, and suggest that the thermophoresis forces are the dominant effect within the cavity geometry.
Response to “Comment on ‘Structural, electronic, and optical properties of the C-C complex in bulk silicon from first principles’” [J. Appl. Phys. 124, 086101 (2018)]
Authors: Timerkaeva Dilyara , Attaccalite Claudio , Brenet Gilles , Caliste Damien , Pochet Pascal
Published: August 2018

In this reply, we discuss the relative stability of different forms of CiCs complexes. Based on the extended sections of IR absorption spectra reported by Lavrov [J. Appl. Phys. 124, 086101 (2018)] in his comment, we identify that the C form is stabilized transiently in Float-Zone (FZ)-silicon during and just after electron irradiation. For a longer time at room temperature, the C form disappears at the expense of the B form. Nonetheless, the C form was found to be stable up to 280 °C in Czochralski (Cz)-silicon after neutron irradiation [E. N. Sgourou et al., J. Appl. Phys. 113, 113506 (2013)]. We attribute this apparent discrepancy to a vacancy-induced CiCs dissolution mechanism that drives the electron irradiated sample in a non-equilibrium state that differs from the equilibrium state predicted by density functional theory (DFT) calculations [D. Timerkaeva et al., J. Appl. Phys. 123, 161421 (2018)]. In the neutron irradiation experiment, the generated vacancies are trapped by oxygen interstitial allowing the thermodynamics equilibrium to be preserved.
Recovery of rough surface in ducting medium from grazing angle scattered wave
Authors: Chen Y. , Rath Spivack O. , Spivack M.
Published: August 2018

A method is developed for rough surface reconstruction using fields scattered at grazing angles in a medium with a linearly varying refractive index and Neumann boundary condition. This regime represents a ducting medium, bounded by a perfectly conducting surface with a TM incident field or an acoustically hard surface. This significantly extends the iterated marching method, based upon the parabolic integral equation for forward-scattered field components [Chen and Spivack, J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 35, 504–513 (2018)]. The approach, which uses a fixed frequency, is able to accurately recover multiscale surfaces and is found to be robust with respect to measurement noise and localized perturbations.
Ubiquity of collective irregular dynamics in balanced networks of spiking neurons
Authors: Ullner Ekkehard , Politi Antonio , Torcini Alessandro
Published: August 2018

We revisit the dynamics of a prototypical model of balanced activity in networks of spiking neurons. A detailed investigation of the thermodynamic limit for fixed density of connections (massive coupling) shows that, when inhibition prevails, the asymptotic regime is not asynchronous but rather characterized by a self-sustained irregular, macroscopic (collective) dynamics. So long as the connectivity is massive, this regime is found in many different setups: leaky as well as quadratic integrate-and-fire neurons; large and small coupling strength; and weak and strong external currents.
Floquet quantum criticality
Authors: Berdanier William , Kolodrubetz Michael , Parameswaran S. A. , Vasseur Romain
Published: August 2018

Significance

Periodically driven “Floquet” systems are nonequilibrium systems whose time translation symmetry can give rise to a rich dynamical phase structure. In the presence of quenched disorder, they can avoid thermalizing to a bland infinite temperature state through a phenomenon known as many-body localization (MBL). The ability of these driven MBL phases to host phenomena forbidden in equilibrium, such as “time crystallinity,” has gained widespread interest in recent years. In this work, we consider the question of the criticality that emerges at the transitions between distinct Floquet MBL phases. By providing a universally applicable picture and applying it to a prototypical driven system, the driven Ising chain, we identify critical points and give an understanding of Floquet criticality in general.
Expansion of cancer stem cell pool initiates lung cancer recurrence before angiogenesis
Authors: Li Lei , Li Jiang-Chao , Yang Hong , Zhang Xu , Liu Lu-Lu , Li Yan , Zeng Ting-Ting , Zhu Ying-Hui , Li Xiao-Dong , Li Yan , Xie Dan , Fu Li , Guan Xin-Yuan
Published: August 2018

Significance

Latent tumor cells are the crucial reason of tumor recurrence and the death of cancer patients. Preventing latent tumor relapse can prolong patients’ survival and have a long time surviving with latent tumor cells. Here, we describe a lung cancer suspensive tumor model in mouse and find that a high level of cancer stem cells undergoing asymmetric cell division in latent tumor is the key issue to reactivate a suspensive tumor. The results clearly delineate the state of latent tumor in vivo. A high level of serum IGF-1 can induce the suspensive-to-progressive tumor transition though promoting CSCs symmetric division, which illuminate a key checkpoint of cancer relapse before angiogenesis, highlighting a potential therapeutic target for preventing tumor recurrence.
TLR5 decoy receptor as a novel anti-amyloid therapeutic for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Chakrabarty Paramita , Li Andrew , Ladd Thomas B. , Strickland Michael R. , Koller Emily J. , Burgess Jeremy D. , Funk Cory C. , Cruz Pedro E. , Allen Mariet , Yaroshenko Mariya , Wang Xue , Younkin Curtis , Reddy Joseph , Lohrer Benjamin , Mehrke Leonie , Moore Brenda D. , Liu Xuefei , Ceballos-Diaz Carolina , Rosario Awilda M. , Medway Christopher , Janus Christopher , Li Hong-Dong , Dickson Dennis W. , Giasson Benoit I. , Price Nathan D. , Younkin Steven G. , Ertekin-Taner Nilüfer , Golde Todd E.
Published: August 2018

There is considerable interest in harnessing innate immunity to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we explore whether a decoy receptor strategy using the ectodomain of select TLRs has therapeutic potential in AD. AAV-mediated expression of human TLR5 ectodomain (sTLR5) alone or fused to human IgG4 Fc (sTLR5Fc) results in robust attenuation of amyloid β (Aβ) accumulation in a mouse model of Alzheimer-type Aβ pathology. sTLR5Fc binds to oligomeric and fibrillar Aβ with high affinity, forms complexes with Aβ, and blocks Aβ toxicity. Oligomeric and fibrillar Aβ modulates flagellin-mediated activation of human TLR5 but does not, by itself, activate TLR5 signaling. Genetic analysis shows that rare protein coding variants in human TLR5 may be associated with a reduced risk of AD. Further, transcriptome analysis shows altered TLR gene expression in human AD. Collectively, our data suggest that TLR5 decoy receptor–based biologics represent a novel and safe Aβ-selective class of biotherapy in AD.
RETRACTED: Survey on Encryption Approaches for Secure Face Biometrics
Authors: Kavya R , George Angitha
Published: August 2018

Biometric system is twisting up logically basic since they give strong moreover, compelling techniques for character affirmations. The face recognition is the most trademark methods for biometric conspicuous verification and give versatile biometric affirmation and is a development prepared for serving an extensive variety of security application. This paper deals with the examination of different encryption approaches like AES, DES, and RSA that can be used for go up against face recognition security suggests and moreover analyze DNA cryptography. With the examination of these systems, AES gives sublime security while considering face affirmation.
No occurrence obstructions in geometric complexity theory
Authors: Bürgisser Peter , Ikenmeyer Christian , Panova Greta
Published: August 2018

The permanent versus determinant conjecture is a major problem in complexity theory that is equivalent to the separation of the complexity classesVPws\mathrm {VP}_{\mathrm {ws}}andVNP\mathrm {VNP}. In 2001 Mulmuley and Sohoni suggested studying a strengthened version of this conjecture over complex numbers that amounts to separating the orbit closures of the determinant and padded permanent polynomials. In that paper it was also proposed to separate these orbit closures by exhibitingoccurrence obstructions, which are irreducible representations ofGLn2(C)\mathrm {GL}_{n^2}(\mathbb {C}), which occur in one coordinate ring of the orbit closure, but not in the other. We prove that this approach is impossible. However, we do not rule out the general approach to the permanent versus determinant problem viamultiplicity obstructionsas proposed by Mulmuley and Sohoni in 2001.
Improving protein function prediction using protein sequence and GO-term similarities
Authors: Makrodimitris Stavros , van Ham Roeland C H J , Reinders Marcel J T
Published: August 2018

Motivation

Most automatic functional annotation methods assign Gene Ontology (GO) terms to proteins based on annotations of highly similar proteins. We advocate that proteins that are less similar are still informative. Also, despite their simplicity and structure, GO terms seem to be hard for computers to learn, in particular the Biological Process ontology, which has the most terms (>29 000). We propose to use Label-Space Dimensionality Reduction (LSDR) techniques to exploit the redundancy of GO terms and transform them into a more compact latent representation that is easier to predict.

Results

We compare proteins using a sequence similarity profile (SSP) to a set of annotated training proteins. We introduce two new LSDR methods, one based on the structure of the GO, and one based on semantic similarity of terms. We show that these LSDR methods, as well as three existing ones, improve the Critical Assessment of Functional Annotation performance of several function prediction algorithms. Cross-validation experiments on Arabidopsis thaliana proteins pinpoint the superiority of our GO-aware LSDR over generic LSDR. Our experiments on A.thaliana proteins show that the SSP representation in combination with a kNN classifier outperforms state-of-the-art and baseline methods in terms of cross-validated F-measure.

Availability and implementation

Source code for the experiments is available at https://github.com/stamakro/SSP-LSDR.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Improving the prediction of protein–nucleic acids binding residues via multiple sequence profiles and the consensus of complementary methods
Authors: Su Hong , Liu Mengchen , Sun Saisai , Peng Zhenling , Yang Jianyi
Published: August 2018

Motivation

The interactions between protein and nucleic acids play a key role in various biological processes. Accurate recognition of the residues that bind nucleic acids can facilitate the study of uncharacterized protein–nucleic acids interactions. The accuracy of existing nucleic acids-binding residues prediction methods is relatively low.

Results

In this work, we introduce NucBind, a novel method for the prediction of nucleic acids-binding residues. NucBind combines the predictions from a support vector machine-based ab-initio method SVMnuc and a template-based method COACH-D. SVMnuc was trained with features from three complementary sequence profiles. COACH-D predicts the binding residues based on homologous templates identified from a nucleic acids-binding library. The proposed methods were assessed and compared with other peering methods on three benchmark datasets. Experimental results show that NucBind consistently outperforms other state-of-the-art methods. Though with higher accuracy, similar to many other ab-initio methods, cross prediction between DNA and RNA-binding residues was also observed in SVMnuc and NucBind. We attribute the success of NucBind to two folds. The first is the utilization of improved features extracted from three complementary sequence profiles in SVMnuc. The second is the combination of two complementary methods: the ab-initio method SVMnuc and the template-based method COACH-D.

Availability and implementation

http://yanglab.nankai.edu.cn/NucBind

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Resolution-exchanged structural modeling and simulations jointly unravel that subunit rolling underlies the mechanism of programmed ribosomal frameshifting
Authors: Chang Kai-Chun , Salawu Emmanuel Oluwatobi , Chang Yuan-Yu , Wen Jin-Der , Yang Lee-Wei
Published: August 2018

Motivation

Programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) is widely used by viruses and bacteria to produce different proteins from a single mRNA template. How steric hindrance of a PRF-stimulatory mRNA structure transiently modifies the conformational dynamics of the ribosome, and thereby allows tRNA slippage, remains elusive.

Results

Here, we leverage linear response theories and resolution-exchanged simulations to construct a structural/dynamics model that connects and rationalizes existing structural, single-molecule and mutagenesis data by resolution-exchanged structural modelling and simulations. Our combined theoretical techniques provide a temporal and spatial description of PRF with unprecedented mechanistic details. We discover that ribosomal unfolding of the PRF-stimulating pseudoknot exerts resistant forces on the mRNA entrance of the ribosome, and thereby drives 30S subunit rolling. Such motion distorts tRNAs, leads to tRNA slippage, and in turn serves as a delicate control of cis-element’s unwinding forces over PRF.

Availability and implementation

All the simulation scripts and computational implementations of our methods/analyses (including linear response theory) are included in the bioStructureM suite, provided through GitHub at https://github.com/Yuan-Yu/bioStructureM.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A generalized framework for controlling FDR in gene regulatory network inference
Authors: Morgan Daniel , Tjärnberg Andreas , Nordling Torbjörn E M , Sonnhammer Erik L L
Published: August 2018

Motivation

Inference of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) from perturbation data can give detailed mechanistic insights of a biological system. Many inference methods exist, but the resulting GRN is generally sensitive to the choice of method-specific parameters. Even though the inferred GRN is optimal given the parameters, many links may be wrong or missing if the data is not informative. To make GRN inference reliable, a method is needed to estimate the support of each predicted link as the method parameters are varied.

Results

To achieve this we have developed a method called nested bootstrapping, which applies a bootstrapping protocol to GRN inference, and by repeated bootstrap runs assesses the stability of the estimated support values. To translate bootstrap support values to false discovery rates we run the same pipeline with shuffled data as input. This provides a general method to control the false discovery rate of GRN inference that can be applied to any setting of inference parameters, noise level, or data properties. We evaluated nested bootstrapping on a simulated dataset spanning a range of such properties, using the LASSO, Least Squares, RNI, GENIE3 and CLR inference methods. An improved inference accuracy was observed in almost all situations. Nested bootstrapping was incorporated into the GeneSPIDER package, which was also used for generating the simulated networks and data, as well as running and analyzing the inferences.

Availability and implementation

https://bitbucket.org/sonnhammergrni/genespider/src/NB/%2B Methods/NestBoot.m
Combining planned and discovered comparisons in observational studies
Authors: Rosenbaum Paul R
Published: August 2018

In observational studies of treatment effects, it is common to have several outcomes, perhaps of uncertain quality and relevance, each purporting to measure the effect of the treatment. A single planned combination of several outcomes may increase both power and insensitivity to unmeasured bias when the plan is wisely chosen, but it may miss opportunities in other cases. A method is proposed that uses one planned combination with only a mild correction for multiple testing and exhaustive consideration of all possible combinations fully correcting for multiple testing. The method works with the joint distribution of $\kappa^{T}\left( \mathbf{T}-\boldsymbol{\mu}\right) /\sqrt {\boldsymbol{\kappa}^{T}\boldsymbol{\Sigma\boldsymbol{\kappa}}}$ and $max_{\boldsymbol{\lambda}\neq\mathbf{0}}$$\,\lambda^{T}\left( \mathbf{T} -\boldsymbol{\mu}\right) /$$\sqrt{\boldsymbol{\lambda}^{T}\boldsymbol{\Sigma \lambda}}$ where $\kappa$ is chosen a priori and the test statistic $\mathbf{T}$ is asymptotically $N_{L}\left( \boldsymbol{\mu},\boldsymbol{\Sigma}\right) $. The correction for multiple testing has a smaller effect on the power of $\kappa^{T}\left( \mathbf{T}-\boldsymbol{\mu }\right) /\sqrt{\boldsymbol{\kappa}^{T}\boldsymbol{\Sigma\boldsymbol{\kappa} }}$ than does switching to a two-tailed test, even though the opposite tail does receive consideration when $\lambda=-\kappa$. In the application, there are three measures of cognitive decline, and the a priori comparison $\kappa$ is their first principal component, computed without reference to treatment assignments. The method is implemented in an R package sensitivitymult.
The Shared Genetic Basis of Educational Attainment and Cerebral Cortical Morphology
Authors: Ge Tian , Chen Chia-Yen , Doyle Alysa E , Vettermann Richard , Tuominen Lauri J , Holt Daphne J , Sabuncu Mert R , Smoller Jordan W
Published: August 2018

Individual differences in educational attainment are linked to differences in intelligence, and predict important social, economic, and health outcomes. Previous studies have found common genetic factors that influence educational achievement, cognitive performance and total brain volume (i.e., brain size). Here, in a large sample of participants from the UK Biobank, we investigate the shared genetic basis between educational attainment and fine-grained cerebral cortical morphological features, and associate this genetic variation with a related aspect of cognitive ability. Importantly, we execute novel statistical methods that enable high-dimensional genetic correlation analysis, and compute high-resolution surface maps for the genetic correlations between educational attainment and vertex-wise morphological measurements. We conduct secondary analyses, using the UK Biobank verbal–numerical reasoning score, to confirm that variation in educational attainment that is genetically correlated with cortical morphology is related to differences in cognitive performance. Our analyses relate the genetic overlap between cognitive ability and cortical thickness measurements to bilateral primary motor cortex as well as predominantly left superior temporal cortex and proximal regions. These findings extend our understanding of the neurobiology that connects genetic variation to individual differences in educational attainment and cognitive performance.
NFIX-Mediated Inhibition of Neuroblast Branching Regulates Migration Within the Adult Mouse Ventricular–Subventricular Zone
Authors: Zalucki Oressia , Harris Lachlan , Harvey Tracey J , Harkins Danyon , Widagdo Jocelyn , Oishi Sabrina , Matuzelski Elise , Yong Xuan Ling Hilary , Schmidt Hannes , Anggono Victor , Burne Thomas H J , Gronostajski Richard M , Piper Michael
Published: August 2018

Understanding the migration of newborn neurons within the brain presents a major challenge in contemporary biology. Neuronal migration is widespread within the developing brain but is also important within the adult brain. For instance, stem cells within the ventricular–subventricular zone (V-SVZ) and the subgranular zone of dentate gyrus of the adult rodent brain produce neuroblasts that migrate to the olfactory bulb and granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus, respectively, where they regulate key brain functions including innate olfactory responses, learning, and memory. Critically, our understanding of the factors mediating neuroblast migration remains limited. The transcription factor nuclear factor I X (NFIX) has previously been implicated in embryonic cortical development. Here, we employed conditional ablation of Nfix from the adult mouse brain and demonstrated that the removal of this gene from either neural stem and progenitor cells, or neuroblasts, within the V-SVZ culminated in neuroblast migration defects. Mechanistically, we identified aberrant neuroblast branching, due in part to increased expression of the guanylyl cyclase natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (Npr2), as a factor contributing to abnormal migration in Nfix-deficient adult mice. Collectively, these data provide new insights into how neuroblast migration is regulated at a transcriptional level within the adult brain.
Modelling inherited cardiac disease using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes: progress, pitfalls, and potential
Authors: van Mil Alain , Balk Geerthe Margriet , Neef Klaus , Buikema Jan Willem , Asselbergs Folkert W , Wu Sean M , Doevendans Pieter A , Sluijter Joost P G
Published: August 2018

In the past few years, the use of specific cell types derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has developed into a powerful approach to investigate the cellular pathophysiology of numerous diseases. Despite advances in therapy, heart disease continues to be one of the leading causes of death in the developed world. A major difficulty in unravelling the underlying cellular processes of heart disease is the extremely limited availability of viable human cardiac cells reflecting the pathological phenotype of the disease at various stages. Thus, the development of methods for directed differentiation of iPSCs to cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) has provided an intriguing option for the generation of patient-specific cardiac cells. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the currently published iPSC-CM models for hereditary heart disease is compiled and analysed. Besides the major findings of individual studies, detailed methodological information on iPSC generation, iPSC-CM differentiation, characterization, and maturation is included. Both, current advances in the field and challenges yet to overcome emphasize the potential of using patient-derived cell models to mimic genetic cardiac diseases.
Ecology and management of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L. syn. Q. borealis F. Michx.) in Europe: a review
Authors: Nicolescu Valeriu-Norocel , Vor Torsten , Mason William L , Bastien Jean-Charles , Brus Robert , Henin Jean-Marc , Kupka Ivo , Lavnyy Vasyl , La Porta Nicola , Mohren Frits , Petkova Krasimira , Rédei Károly , Štefančik Igor , Wąsik Radosław , Perić Sanja , Hernea Cornelia
Published: August 2018

Northern red oak (Quercus rubra L. syn. Q. borealis F. Michx.) is a valuable broadleaved tree species originating from the eastern half of the USA and Canada. It was introduced to Europe in 1691 and currently covers over 350 000 ha, being found all over the continent, except the coldest part of Scandinavia. It is a fast-growing and valuable broadleaved tree due to its ecological characteristics, good wood properties and high economic value. Northern red oak prefers deep, loose, moderately humid and acid soils, without compact horizons and of at least moderate fertility. It does not grow well on dry, calcareous soils as well as waterlogged or poorly drained soils. It is either naturally regenerated using a group shelterwood system or planted using seedlings of European provenance, collected in certified seed stands. As northern red oak is light-demanding, its management should be ‘dynamic’ and includes heavy interventions (cleaning–respacing and thinning from above), in order to minimize crown competition between the final crop trees. These should produce large diameter trees for valuable end uses (e.g. veneer, solid furniture, lumber, etc.) within a rotation period generally of 80–100 years. The necessity for pruning (both formative and high) depends on the stand stocking at establishment, the subsequent silvicultural interventions as well as the occurrence of forking. The adaptation potential of northern red oak to predicted climate change, especially drought, seems to be higher than for European native oaks, the importance of the species is expected to increase in the future.
Respiratory Pathogens in Children 1 Month to 5 Years of Age Presenting With Undifferentiated Acute Respiratory Distress in 2 District-Level Hospitals in Ghana
Authors: Wilson Patrick T , Baiden Frank , Brooks Joshua C , Giessler Katie M , Apio Gavin , Punguyire Damien , Moresky Rachel T , Sylverken Justice , Nyarko-Jectey Kwadwo , Tagbor Harry , LaRussa Philip S
Published: August 2018

Ghanaian children (2176) aged <5 years who presented with undifferentiated acute respiratory distress were tested for respiratory pathogens using a BioFire FilmArray polymerase chain reaction assay. Rhinovirus and/or enterovirus was detected in 36% of the assays, respiratory syncytial virus in 11%, and parainfluenza in 7%. Respiratory syncytial virus and metapneumovirus were detected more frequently in the rainy season than in the dry season.
COach2Quit: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Personal Carbon Monoxide Monitor for Smoking Cessation
Authors: Krishnan Nandita , Elf Jessica L , Chon Sandy , Golub Jonathan E
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Mobile phone–based messaging support and biomarker feedback independently show evidence of increasing an individual’s likelihood of quitting smoking. However, the combination of these two strategies to facilitate smoking cessation has not been adequately explored.

Methods

We conducted a randomized controlled trial in Baltimore, Maryland, to assess the efficacy of COach2Quit, a smartphone application that provides exhaled carbon monoxide readings with message support. The primary outcome was self-reported and biochemically verified smoking cessation at 30-day follow-up. Secondary outcomes were reduction in smoking, motivation to quit, and engagement and satisfaction with COach2Quit. An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted.

Results

Adult smokers were randomized 1:1 to receive brief advice and COach2Quit (intervention, n = 50) or brief advice only (control, n = 52). Thirteen participants were lost to follow-up. At 30-day follow-up, one participant in each arm quit smoking. Median change in carbon monoxide levels (in parts per million (ppm)) (intervention: −3.0 [interquartile range (IQR) −12.0, 2.0]; control: −2.5 [IQR −9.0, 2.0]) and median change in number of cigarettes smoked per day (intervention: −5.5 [IQR −14.0, −1.0]; control: −6.0 [IQR −10.0, −2.0]) was similar between study arms. There was no significant difference in mean percent change in the Reasons for Quitting scale score (intervention: 6.3 [95% confidence interval = −2.2% to 14.8%]; control: −3.6 [95% confidence interval = −9.2% to 2.1%]). A majority (n = 32, 91%) of participants liked having COach2Quit to help them quit smoking.

Conclusions

There were no significant differences in smoking cessation, smoking reduction, and motivation to quit between study arms. However, high satisfaction with the COach2Quit application indicates its feasibility and acceptability as a smoking cessation tool.

Implications

Smoking is the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Although counseling and pharmacotherapy are efficacious for smoking cessation, they are not easily accessible or desirable to all smokers, highlighting the need for identifying other interventions. There is evidence for the efficacy of mobile phone–based messaging support for smoking cessation. However, there is limited research on the efficacy of biomarker feedback, much less interventions that combine these two approaches. This research contributes to filling this gap and identifying novel interventions to facilitate smoking cessation.
Network Analysis Reveals the Latent Structure of Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia
Authors: Strauss Gregory P , Esfahlani Farnaz Zamani , Galderisi Silvana , Mucci Armida , Rossi Alessandro , Bucci Paola , Rocca Paola , Maj Mario , Kirkpatrick Brian , Ruiz Ivan , Sayama Hiroki
Published: August 2018

Prior studies using exploratory factor analysis provide evidence that negative symptoms are best conceptualized as 2 dimensions reflecting diminished motivation and expression. However, the 2-dimensional model has yet to be evaluated using more complex mathematical techniques capable of testing structure. In the current study, network analysis was applied to evaluate the latent structure of negative symptoms using a community-detection algorithm. Two studies were conducted that included outpatients with schizophrenia (SZ; Study 1: n = 201; Study 2: n = 912) who were rated on the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS). In both studies, network analysis indicated that the 13 BNSS items divided into 6 negative symptom domains consisting of anhedonia, avolition, asociality, blunted affect, alogia, and lack of normal distress. Separation of these domains was statistically significant with reference to a null model of randomized networks. There has been a recent trend toward conceptualizing the latent structure of negative symptoms in relation to 2 distinct dimensions reflecting diminished expression and motivation. However, the current results obtained using network analysis suggest that the 2-dimensional conceptualization is not complex enough to capture the nature of the negative symptom construct. Similar to recent confirmatory factor analysis studies, network analysis revealed that the latent structure of negative symptom is best conceptualized in relation to the 5 domains identified in the 2005 National Institute of Mental Health consensus development conference (anhedonia, avolition, asociality, blunted affect, and alogia) and potentially a sixth domain consisting of lack of normal distress. Findings have implications for identifying pathophysiological mechanisms and targeted treatments.
Between-School Ability Tracking and Ethnic Segregation in Secondary Schooling
Authors: Kruse Hanno
Published: August 2018

Between-school ability tracking—the assignment of students to different school types based on their prior achievement—is usually associated with increased ethnic segregation across schools. This article argues that stronger between-school ability tracking is not only associated with stronger ethnic sorting into school types, thus increasing segregation. At the same time, it hampers majority flight, majority members’ avoidance of exposure to minority members, thus decreasing segregation. To identify the two-fold effect of tracking the article exploits a unique feature of the German secondary school system: regional variation in the strength of between-school ability tracking. Analyses rely on administrative data entailing geocoded information on all secondary schools in Germany in 2008/2009. Results corroborate expectations of a two-fold effect: there is indication that between-school ability tracking increases segregation via more sorting into tracks while at the same time decreasing it via less school sorting within each track and via less spatial sorting. This suggests that school reforms changing tracked school systems into more comprehensive school systems may have a weaker desegregating impact than expected.
Left Partisanship and Top Management Pay in Affluent Capitalist Democracies
Authors: Huo Jingjing
Published: August 2018

Complementing the existing partisanship and income distribution literature that focuses on the earnings of all employees, this paper examines the effect of left government partisanship on top managers. Drawing on firm-level top executive compensation data across thirteen advanced industrialized countries, the paper shows that left government partisanship principally leads to lower CEO compensation, either through laws that enhance workers’ collective bargaining power vis-à-vis management or laws that allow shareholders to cast proxy votes on executive compensation (i.e., say-on-pay laws). Furthermore, I show that left government partisanship reduces CEO pay more heavily in those firms that more strongly favor labor’s competing stakeholders. In particular, left partisanship reduces executive compensation more heavily in firms that set aside more revenue for shareholders, managers, or creditors, that is, firms with higher asset return, stock return, or debt. These findings highlight how the macro-politics of rising top income inequality at the national level interacts with the micro-distributive conflicts at the firm level. In particular, financialization, such as the rise of the shareholder value revolution, may accentuate the impact of partisan politics against top income inequality.
A Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for Rapid and Specific Detection of Airborne Inoculum of Uromyces betae (Sugar Beet Rust)
Authors: Kaczmarek Agata M. , King Kevin M. , West Jonathan S. , Stevens Mark , Sparkes Debbie , Dickinson Matthew J.
Published: August 2018

Sugar beet rust disease (causal agent Uromyces betae) represents a serious threat to worldwide sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) crops, causing yield losses of up to 10% in the United Kingdom. Currently, the disease is managed mainly by application of fungicides after rust disease symptoms appear. Development of a future forecasting system, incorporating data on environmental factors and U. betae inoculum levels, would enable better disease control by more targeted application of fungicides. In this study, we developed a first molecular diagnostic, targeted to cytochrome b DNA sequences and based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology, for rapid (<30 min) and specific detection of U. betae. The new assay only detected U. betae strains (collected from across eastern England, the main sugar beet growing region in the United Kingdom) and Denmark; it did not detect other closely related pathogens (e.g., Puccinia sp., U. fabae) or others that are commonly found on sugar beet (Cercospora beticola, Erysiphe betae, Ramularia beticola). The assay could consistently detect down to small amounts of U. betae DNA (10 pg). Application of the new LAMP diagnostic to air spore tape samples collected between mid-June and mid-September from a single U.K. sugar beet field site revealed differences in temporal patterns of pathogen inoculum between the 2015 and 2016 seasons. The described LAMP assay could now be used as a component of a future automated inoculum-based forecasting system, enabling more targeted control of sugar beet rust disease.
Historical Perspectives, Management, and Current Research of Citrus HLB in Guangdong Province of China, Where the Disease has been Endemic for Over a Hundred Years
Authors: Zheng Zheng , Chen Jianchi , Deng Xiaoling
Published: August 2018

Citrus huanglongbing (HLB) is a highly destructive disease currently threatening citrus production worldwide. In China, the disease is exclusively associated with ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’, a nonculturable proteobacterium. HLB was observed in Guangdong of China over a hundred years ago. Researchers and citrus growers have been battling with the disease through vigorous research and have exercised various control practices. Much of the early work was not well known outside China. This review is intended to fill in gaps of historical information by reviewing selected literature records. Along the way, the HLB system within southern China was evaluated. Emphases were on comparison of symptomatology, evolution of etiology, control practices, and impacts of using next-generation sequencing technology for ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ research and detection.
A Bacterial Endophyte from Apoplast Fluids Protects Canola Plants from Different Phytopathogens via Antibiosis and Induction of Host Resistance
Authors: Romero Fernando M. , Rossi Franco R. , Gárriz Andrés , Carrasco Pedro , Ruíz Oscar A.
Published: August 2018

Endophytic bacteria colonize inner plant tissues and thrive at the apoplast, which is considered its main reservoir. Because this niche is the place where the main molecular events take place between beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms, the aim of this work was to characterize culturable endophytic bacteria from apoplastic fluids obtained from field-grown canola leaves and analyze their potential for biological control of diseases caused by Xanthomonas campestris, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Leptosphaeria maculans. Dual-culture analysis indicated that three isolates (Apo8, Apo11, and Apo12) were able to inhibit the growth of all three phytopathogens. Sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA and rpoD genes of these isolates revealed that they are closely related to Pseudomonas viridiflava. One of the isolates, Apo11, was able to diminish the propagation of X. campestris in whole-plant assays. At the same time, Apo11 inoculation reduced the necrotic lesions provoked by S. sclerotiorum on canola leaves. This protective effect might be due to the induction of resistance in the host mediated by salicylic and jasmonic acid signaling pathways or the production of compounds with antimicrobial activity. At the same time, Apo11 inoculation promoted canola plant growth. Thus, the isolate characterized in this work has several desirable characteristics, which make it a potential candidate for the formulation of biotechnological products to control plant diseases or promote plant growth.
Effects of high‐ and low‐dose aspirin on adaptive immunity and hypertension in the stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rat
Authors: Khan Shanzana I. , Shihata Waled A. , Andrews Karen L. , Lee Man K. S. , Moore Xiao-Lei , Jefferis Ann-Maree , Vinh Antony , Gaspari Tracey , Dragoljevic Dragana , Jennings Garry L. , Murphy Andrew J. , Chin-Dusting Jaye P. F.
Published: August 2018

Despite its well‐known antithrombotic properties, the effect of aspirin on blood pressure (BP) and hypertension pathology is unclear. The hugely varying doses used clinically have contributed to this confusion, with high‐dose aspirin still commonly used due to concerns about the efficacy of low‐dose aspirin. Because prostaglandins have been shown to both promote and inhibit T‐cell activation, we also explored the immunomodulatory properties of aspirin in hypertension. Although the common preclinical high dose of 100 mg/kg/d improved vascular dysfunction and cardiac hypertrophy, this effect was accompanied by indices of elevated adaptive immunity, renal T‐cell infiltration, renal fibrosis, and BP elevation in stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats and in angiotensin II‐induced hypertensive mice. The cardioprotective effects of aspirin were conserved with a lower dose (10 mg/kg/d) while circumventing heightened adaptive immunity and elevated BP. We also show that low‐dose aspirin improves renal fibrosis. Differential inhibition of the COX‐2 isoform may underlie the disparate effects of the 2 doses. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of low‐dose aspirin in treating a vast array of cardiovascular parameters and suggest modulation of adaptive immunity as a novel mechanism underlying adverse cardiovascular profiles associated with COX‐2 inhibitors. Clinical studies should identify the dose of aspirin that achieves maximal cardioprotection with a new awareness that higher doses of aspirin could trigger undesired autoimmunity in hypertensive individuals. This work also warrants an evaluation of high‐dose aspirin and COX‐2 inhibitor therapy in sufferers of inflammatory conditions who are already at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.—Khan, S. I., Shihata, W. A., Andrews, K. L., Lee, M. K. S., Moore, X.‐L., Jefferis, A.‐M., Vinh, A., Gaspari, T., Dragoljevic, D., Jennings, G. L., Murphy, A. J., Chin‐Dusting, J. P. F. Effects of high‐ and low‐dose aspirin on adaptive immunity and hypertension in the stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rat. FASEB J. 33, 1510–1521 (2019). www.fasebj.org
The Use of Left Ventricular Assist Devices in End-Stage Heart Failure
Authors: Blair Ashley
Published: August 2018

Heart failure is one of the most common diagnoses in patients requiring multiple hospitalizations. The use of mechanical circulatory support (both temporary and durable), especially left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), in this patient population has evolved over the last decade. There are thousands of durable LVADs implanted in the United States annually as bridge to transplantation, destination therapy, or bridge to recovery. LVAD therapy, just like cardiac transplantation, takes a multidisciplinary team approach to achieve success. Appropriate patient selection is the key to good clinical outcomes. As the technology of LVAD therapy continues to evolve, it will be made available to an increasing number of patients in an attempt to improve their morbidity and mortality.
Common Postoperative Heart Transplant Complications
Authors: Hoy Samantha , Frisbee Jason
Published: August 2018

Heart failure or congestive heart failure remains a major public health concern on the global scale. End-stage heart failure is a severe disease where the heart is unable to pump enough oxygen and nutrients to other tissues and organs of the body. When the lines of treatment of heart failure such as lifestyle adjustments, medical management, and device therapy fail, a patient may be deemed a candidate for heart transplantation. This article reviews the history of heart transplantation, complications post–heart transplantation, and nursing management considerations for the immediate period after heart transplant surgery.
Blood Glucose Management for Reducing Cardiac Surgery Infections
Authors: Leininger Susan
Published: August 2018

Stress-induced hyperglycemia can occur after cardiac surgery unless the patient is carefully managed. Postoperative hyperglycemia is typically associated with surgical site infections and mediastinitis, resulting in a longer length of stay and escalated costs for the hospitalization. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommend keeping the intraoperative and postoperative blood glucose levels below 180 mg/dL to avoid postoperative infections. This article describes the effectiveness of a Glucose Management Team tasked with ensuring that blood glucose levels are maintained within these recommended guidelines, starting with day of admission and extending through the first postoperative day. Team members review blood glucose levels and provide clinical data relevant to regulating insulin infusions and nutritional intake, major factors in influencing positive patient outcomes. This article reports the successes of the Glucose Management Team in reducing cardiac surgery infections. The successes of the endeavor led other hospital surgical divisions to adopt the protocol for their patients.
Vulvodynia in adolescents: presentation, diagnosis and treatment options
Authors: Hersh Judith E.
Published: August 2018

Purpose of review

Vulvodynia in adults is a significant source of genital and sexual pain with far reaching negative repercussions. Well designed studies with sufficient power in adults are limited and there are even fewer in adolescents. This review will help the clinician understand, diagnose and treat vulvodynia in adolescents based on current knowledge.

Recent findings

Although research on vulvodynia in adolescents is lacking, studies suggest that it not only exists but also may negatively impact an adolescent's medical and sexual health. This review will look at both historical approaches to vulvodynia, as well as more current approaches. It is important to note that no treatment modalities have been specifically approved for use in vulvodynia.

Vulvodynia in women is known to have significant impact on general health and sexual wellbeing. How early vulvodynia presents is unknown, but it appears that in at least some cases, it can be found in adolescents. Providers of adolescent care should have knowledge of this pain disorder so that they may appropriately diagnose and manage this multifactorial problem.