bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subdomain cryo-EM structure of nodaviral replication protein A crown complex provides mechanistic insights into RNA genome replication
Authors: Unchwaniwala Nuruddin , Zhan Hong , Pennington Janice , Horswill Mark , den Boon Johan A. , Ahlquist Paul
Published: July 2020

Significance

Positive-strand RNA [(+)RNA] viruses constitute the largest genetic class of viruses and include many high-impact pathogens, such as SARS–CoV-2 (COVID-19 pandemic coronavirus), MERS CoV, Zika, chikungunya, dengue, and hepatitis C viruses. (+)RNA virus genome replication invariably occurs on virus-induced, membrane-bound organelles called RNA replication complexes, an attractive potential target for broadly active antivirals. To better understand, control and beneficially employ (+)RNA viruses, urgent needs exist to define RNA replication complex structure and function at a molecular level. This study uses cryoelectron microscopy and complementary approaches to provide previously inaccessible native, near atomic-resolution views of the well-characterized nodavirus RNA replication complex, advancing fundamental understanding of (+)RNA virus genome replication complex structure, organization, stability, and function.
Exoplanet secondary atmosphere loss and revival
Authors: Kite Edwin S. , Barnett Megan N.
Published: July 2020

Significance

Earth and Venus have significant atmospheres, but Mercury does not. Thousands of exoplanets are known, but we know almost nothing about rocky exoplanet atmospheres. Many rocky exoplanets were formed by a sub-Neptune-to-super-Earth conversion process during which planets lose most of their H2-rich (primary) atmospheres and are reduced in volume by a factor of >2. Does such a gas-rich adolescence increase or decrease the likelihood that super-Earths will subsequently exhibit a H2-poor (secondary) atmosphere? We show that secondary atmospheres exsolved from the magma ocean are unlikely to be retained by super-Earths, but it is possible for volcanic outgassing to revive super-Earth atmospheres. For M-dwarf planetary systems, super-Earths that have atmospheres close to the star likely were formed with abundant volatiles.
Relating size and functionality in human social networks through complexity
Authors: West B. J. , Massari G. F. , Culbreth G. , Failla R. , Bologna M. , Dunbar R. I. M. , Grigolini P.
Published: July 2020

Significance

Dunbar hypothesized, on the basis of empirical evidence, that a typical individual can have a stable relation with at most 150 other people. We establish that this number results from the internal dynamics of a complex network. Two network models having phase transitions are used to determine the optimal size for the most efficient information exchange. Such criticality generates intermittent events, with time intervals between successive events being independent (renewal) and scaling. The scaling index depends nonmonotonically on network size and direct calculations show that the index is maximum for networks the size of the Dunbar number and provides maximal information exchange efficiency. This result provides a theory-based bridge to span the conceptual gap between psychology and sociology.
Variability in French word-final schwa
Authors: Athanasopoulou Angeliki , Vogel Irene
Published: July 2020

The production of schwa in French is highly variable. Some of this variability is predictable based on sociolinguistic (e.g., dialects), phonological (e.g., segments, word position), and stylistic (e.g., reading) factors. We investigate the effect of prosodic structure on the production of word-final schwa in Parisian French, while controlling for the other factors. We also investigate variability in schwa production within and between speakers of the same variety. Our findings show that prosody does affect the production of schwa: the stronger the prosodic boundary, the more probable schwa production is. While this is true for all the speakers, we also found considerable variation in the rates of schwa production, despite our controlling for dialect and style.
French causal puisque-clauses in the light of (not)-at-issueness
Authors: Charnavel Isabelle
Published: July 2020

This paper examines the discourse status of French causal clauses introduced by puisque ‘since’. Puisque-clauses are associated with two implications: the relation expressed by puisque and the content of their clause. Several diagnostics show that neither implication is at-issue and that the two implications belong to two different types of projective content (cf. Tonhauser et al. 2013). This is due to syntactic and lexical reasons: the relation expressed by puisque is not at-issue because puisque-clauses modify high (evidential and speech act) phrases that are not at-issue; the content of the puisque-clause is not at-issue because puisque is lexically factive, i.e. selects true facts. Puisque thus exemplifies an unrecognized type of double presuppositional trigger.
Geminates and vowel laxing in Quebec French
Authors: Cuerrier Anaële , Reiss Charles
Published: July 2020

Laxing and harmony in Quebec French (QF) high vowels shows dialectal, register and perhaps even lexical variation. A recent proposal to handle some of the data (Poliquin 2006) contains a radical innovation to phonological theory concerning long-distance segment interactions. We question the necessity of such an account by pointing out that recognition of geminate sonorants in QF can explain some puzzling forms without recourse to new devices. Our account is supported by phonetic considerations, as well as by recognizing that the alternative both under and overgenerates lax vowels in surface forms.
Number as an adjunct in Romance
Authors: Cyrino Sonia M. L. , Espinal M. Teresa
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we argue that Spanish (and other Romance languages such as Catalan), contrary to what has been believed up to now, patterns with languages such as Brazilian Portuguese and French. We present several different arguments to support our proposal that in the Romance languages we investigate plural marking is specified and interpreted on functional categories, namely on Determiners. We propose that in these languages plural marking is a syntactic adjunct to D (i.e., a categorized d root) by default, and to a categorized n root in marked cases. Manifestations of (plural) Number on other constituents within the nominal domain are to be considered solely as the output of morphophonological agreement or concord.
Articles in an article-less language
Authors: Petroj Vanessa
Published: July 2020

I will explore the interaction between Romanian and Serbian elements within the Traditional Noun Phrase (TNP) that participate in code-switching, including Romanian definite articles (D), Romanian and Serbian adjectives (A), and Serbian nouns (N), focusing on the definite article affixation. Following Bošković (2008, 2012), I assume Serbian to be an NP language (lacking definite articles) and Romanian a DP language (having definite articles), leading to semantic and syntactic consequences for the rest of the structure. Finally, I argue against CS-specific constraints such as Free Morpheme Constraint (Poplack 1980), Functional Head Constraint (Belazi, Rubin, & Toribio 1994), and PF Disjunction Theorem (MacSwan 1999), and in support of Bandi-Rao and den Dikken (2014) reformulated PF Disjunction Theorem.
Opportunities to Boost Naloxone Awareness among People who Misuse Opioid Analgesics who have not used Illegal Opioids
Authors: Gicquelais Rachel E. , Bohnert Amy S.B. , Fernandez Anne C.
Published: July 2020

Background

Increasing naloxone awareness and carrying among individuals who misuse opioid analgesic medications (OAs) could reduce opioid overdose mortality.

Methods

Self-report surveys were completed by 322 adults receiving residential addiction treatment who misused OAs in the past year. Descriptive analyses and prevalence ratios (using Poisson generalized estimating equations) examined whether illegal opioid (e.g., heroin) initiation was associated with naloxone awareness.

Results

Among this sample of participants who misused OAs, naloxone awareness was lowest among those who never used illegal opioids (26%) and highest among those who transitioned from OAs to illegal opioid use over time (83%). Naloxone awareness remained higher among participants who had used illegal opioids after adjustment for sociodemographic and substance use characteristics. Those who used OAs before initiating illegal opioids were 2.3-fold (95% CI: 1.5–3.3) more likely to have naloxone awareness than those who had only misused OAs after adjustment. Half of participants who had only used OAs had experienced an overdose, 75% had witnessed an overdose, and 61% were prescribed OAs to treat pain in the past 6 months.

Conclusions

Implementing overdose education and naloxone distribution programs during addiction treatment could bolster naloxone awareness among people who misuse OAs but who have not used illegal opioids.
Weak magnetic field corrections to light vector or axial mesons mixings and vector meson dominance
Authors: Braghin F L
Published: July 2020

Weak magnetic-field-induced corrections to effective coupling constants describing light vector meson mixing and vector meson dominance (VMD) are derived. The magnetic field must be weak with respect to an effective quark mass M* such that:

e

B

0

/

M

*

2

<
1

or

e

B

0

/

M

*

2

≪
1

. On that basis, a flavor SU(2) quark–quark interaction due to a non-perturbative one gluon exchange is considered. By means of methods usually applied to the Nambu—Jona-Lasinio and global color models, the equations for leading light vector/axial meson coupling to a background electromagnetic field are derived. The corresponding effective coupling constants are resolved in structureless mesons and long-wavelength limits. Some of the resulting coupling constants are redefined, so as to become magnetic-field-induced corrections to vector or axial meson couplings. Due to the approximated chiral symmetry of the model, light axial meson mixing induced by the magnetic field is also obtained. Numerical estimates are presented for the coupling constants and some of the corresponding momentum-dependent form factors. The contributions of the induced VMD and vector meson mixing couplings for the low-momentum pion electromagnetic form factor and for the (off-shell) charge symmetry violation potential at the constituent quark level are estimated. The relative overall weak magnetic-field-induced anisotropic corrections are of the order of

(

e

B

0

/

M

*

2

)

n

, where n = 2 or n = 1, respectively.
Virtual reality, video screen shots and sensor data for a large drop tower ride
Authors: Burt Malcolm , Pendrill Ann-Marie
Published: July 2020

Large drop towers let you experience a couple of seconds of nearly free fall before stopping gracefully in magnetic brakes or bouncing a number of times on compressed air, as in the Turbo Drop tower considered in this work, where many complementary representations are used. An accelerometer taken along on the ride captured the forces experienced by the body, and a pressure sensor provided a simultaneous proxy measurement of elevation. These data can be treated numerically: integration of the accelerometer data gives a velocity graph which can be compared to derivatives of the elevation data obtained from the pressure sensor. Plotting elevation versus velocity gives a phase portrait for the damped oscillations of the gondola before it comes to a stop. These abstract mathematical and graphical representations are complemented by screen shots from a video as well as from a virtual reality movie offering the view from the point of a rider. Forces and acceleration overlaid in a 2D version of the VR movie give a geometric illustration of Newton’s second law, in addition to the mathematical treatment. This work thus provides a wide range of representations, aimed to support student representational fluency and conceptual understanding of important force and motion concepts.
Setup for studying Fresnel diffraction by photographing diffraction patterns
using a smartphone
Authors: Mayer V V , Varaksina E I
Published: July 2020

For conducting laboratory experiments on Fresnel diffraction, the use of a simple point light
source from an LED and the application of a modern smartphone for photographing the diffraction
patterns are proposed. The developed devices allow the experiments to be carried out under
normal laboratory lighting.
The first CREDO registration of extensive air shower
Authors: Karbowiak Michał , Wibig Tadeusz , Alvarez-Castillo David , Beznosko Dmitriy , Duffy Alan R , Góra Dariusz , Homola Piotr , Kasztelan Marcin , Niedźwiecki Michał
Published: July 2020

The Cosmic-Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory (CREDO) is the project to search and study ultra high-energy cosmic ray particles from deep space producing simultaneous extensive air showers over the entire exposed surface of the Earth. The concept of the CREDO infrastructure assumes absorbing all kinds of cosmic ray data from any apparatus all over the world, including professional instruments, educational detectors and arrays, and popular devices such as smartphones. We discuss here the usefulness and possibilities of using the last one and present the educational CREDO-Maze mini array comprised of four CosmicWatch detectors. This simple and affordable apparatus is shown to be able to register the extensive air showers and can be used to study cosmic rays much more effectively than the simple two-detector CosmicWatch muon telescope station. The further development direction is indicated.
Experimental validation of a coincidence time resolution metric including depth-of-interaction bias for TOF-PET
Authors: Loignon-Houle Francis , Toussaint Maxime , Sun Lee Min , Cates Joshua W. , Lecomte Roger
Published: July 2020

Depth-of-interaction (DOI) variability of annihilation photons is known to be a source of coincidence time resolution (CTR) degradation for fast time-of-flight–positron emission tomography detectors. An analytical model was recently proposed to explicitly include the DOI time bias separately from variance-related statistical factors, such as scintillation photon emission and photosensor jitter, in the CTR evaluation. In the present work, an experimental validation of this new model is provided. An unconventional signal readout configuration was used to magnify the DOI bias with 20 mm long LYSO:Ce crystals. In a head-to-head orientation of the crystals, simulations performed using the metric with DOI bias exhibited a much better agreement (within 21 ps) with the experimentally measured CTR of 413 ± 8 ps full-width at half maximum, whereas simulations without DOI bias underestimated the CTR by 138 ps. The metric including DOI bias was shown to also be effective at predicting the CTR of the head-to-head setup (without DOI information) using data from a DOI-collimated experimental setup (with partial DOI information). With the development of new low-variance ultra-fast detectors, the DOI timing blur will become increasingly important and will need to be taken into account in analytical predictions and in some experimental measurements through the proposed metric.
Comprehensive data set to include interference effects in Monte Carlo models of x-ray coherent scattering inside biological tissues
Authors: Paternò G , Cardarelli P , Gambaccini M , Taibi A
Published: July 2020

Interference effects are included in the x-ray coherent scattering models used in Monte Carlo codes by modifying each material form factor through a proper interference function, which is obtained directly from the measured scattering pattern. This approach is effective for non-biological materials, but it is impractical for biological tissues, due the wide composition variability they can feature. Instead, a given biological sample can be considered as a proper mixture of four basis materials: fat, water, collagen and calcium hydroxyapatite. The sample form factor can then be obtained through a weighted mean of the form factors of the basis materials, which include interference effects. Here, we fully demonstrate the validity of the proposed segmentation method by applying it to 31 biological tissue samples whose form factors are available in the literature. The segmentation, namely the determination of the optimal weight of the basis components, was carried out through a multiple linear regression or, in some cases, by using a controlled trial and error sequence. The form factors of the basis materials were extracted from previous works and elaborated to include more scattering features. In particular, they were interpolated at a denser grid. Furthermore, the data measured separately in wide angle and small angle regimes, for fat and collagen, were merged. In general, a very good agreement was obtained between the original sample and the calculated mixture, being the mean relative difference of their scattering profiles and their attenuation coefficients ∼10%. The segmentation method is fully supported by our extension to the Geant4 model of x-ray coherent scattering, which was used to compare simulated scatter distributions with known experimental data. The developed Geant4 code and a series of molecular form factors, including those of the basis materials, are freely downloadable from a dedicated web repository.
Control of higher-silane generation by dilution gases in SiH4 plasmas
Authors: Zhang Bin , Zhang Xiaobing
Published: July 2020

Higher-silane related reactive species (HSRS) is considered as a key factor in increasing the degree of photo-induced degradation, which is a serious problem for hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) film. Dilution gases (H2, He, Ar) are used to control the generation of HSRS. A global model for SiH4-containing discharge is developed to investigate the concentration of HSRS. The model calculations are compared with the available measurements, presenting a reasonable agreement. Increasing pressure contributes to more power loss via volumetric processes, which brings about the decline in the electron density and temperature with the same absorbed power. The average electronegativity rises with the silane content or pressure log-linearly, but decreases with the power log-linearly. As the main precursor of the anion formation,

S
i
H

3

−

is the starting point for the formation of large silyl anions (

S
i

n

H

2
n
+
1

−

). The HSRS density rises first and then falls with the increase of the absorbed power, which can be explained by the decomposition of SiH4. The dilution of H2 promotes the generation of H atomics, enhancing the production of SiH2 with abstraction reaction (H + SiH3 ⇒ H2 + SiH2). However, due to the declined content of SiH4, the insertion reaction (SiH2 + SiH4 ⇒ Si2H6) is inhibited. A higher Ar fraction results in more total ionization and a larger ion density. Due to the high threshold energies of He for both excitation and ionization, the dilution of He does not contribute much to the variation of the neutral radical density.
Mode transition of air surface micro-discharge and its effect on the water activation and antibacterial activity
Authors: Xi Wang , Wang Wei , Liu Zhijie , Wang Zifeng , Guo Li , Wang Xiaohua , Rong Mingzhe , Liu Dingxin
Published: July 2020

The chemical characteristics of atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge plasma generated in air are very sensitive to some factors, such as environment temperature and discharge power. There are two typical modes, namely the ozone mode and nitrogen oxides mode. In this paper, the air surface micro-discharge plasma in the ozone mode and nitrogen oxides mode are respectively generated at environment temperatures of 5 °C and 50 °C when discharge power is almost kept at 6 W, and the plasma-activated water (PAW) is prepared by means of passing the plasma exhaust gases into deionized water. By comparing the reactive species in PAW under these two modes and their sterilization effects, it is found that the concentrations of H+, H2O2, NO2
−, NO3
− and ONOO− in PAW for the nitrogen oxides mode are about 2–3 fold over those for the ozone mode, while the concentration of O3 in PAW for the ozone mode is more than 28 times that in the nitrogen oxides mode. The sterilization effect under the nitrogen oxides mode is two orders of magnitude higher than that in the ozone mode. For the biological effects, it is found that treatment of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus suspension by PAW leads to approximately a four-log reduction in the nitrogen oxides mode, which is higher than that in the ozone mode, leading to speculations that the reactive nitrogen species represented by ONOO− in PAW may be the critical species in sterilization. Furthermore, the transition between ozone mode and nitrogen oxides mode can be achieved by adjusting the discharge power. Interestingly, both of the compositions and concentrations of the reactive species in gas and liquid phases under 5 °C & 9.5 W and 50 °C & 6 W conditions are roughly identical, indicating that the effect of environment temperature on the mode transition is consistent with that of discharge power.
Growth of films with seven-coordinated diorganotin(IV) complexes and PEDOT:PSS structurally modified for electronic applications
Authors: Sánchez-Vergara María Elena , Motomochi-Lozano José David , Cosme Ismael , Hamui Leon , Olivares Antonio J , Galván-Hidalgo José Miguel , Gómez Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

This work refers to the manufacture and characterization of organic electronic devices made from seven-coordinated diorganotin(IV) complexes and the polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedyoxithiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). In order to obtain the best electronic behavior, the devices were manufactured by spin-coating with seven-coordinated diorganotin(IV) complexes, synthetized with different peripheral substituents. The modification of the polarity in the molecule, from the presence of the different functional groups, is used as a way to enhance the charge transport inside the devices. Additionally, the devices received a post-treatment with isopropyl alcohol, in order to change the structure of PEDOT:PSS from benzoid form to quinoid form. The electric charge transport was evaluated from the current density–voltage characteristics, under dark and illuminated conditions. The devices present a mobility of ∼10−9 cm2/Vs decreasing to values of ∼10−11–10−10 cm2/Vs. They display a photocurrent of ∼10−7–10−8 A cm−2 and a reduction is observed after the treatment. It is mainly the presence of the peripheral substituents in the diorganotin(IV) complexes, and not the polymer structure, that causes the electrical behavior of the device. The films made from seven-coordinated diorganotin(IV) complex particles deposited on the PEDOT:PSS, as well as their post-treatment, were characterized by Raman, ultraviolet-vis spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscopy and atomic force microscopy.
Prethermalization of quantum systems interacting with non-equilibrium environments
Authors: Anglés-Castillo Andreu , Bañuls Mari Carmen , Pérez Armando , De Vega Inés
Published: July 2020

The usual paradigm of open quantum systems falls short when the environment is actually coupled to additional fields or components that drive it out of equilibrium. Here we explore the simplest such scenario, by considering a two level system coupled to a first thermal reservoir that in turn couples to a second thermal bath at a different temperature. We derive a master equation description for the system and show that, in this situation, the dynamics can be especially rich. In particular, we observe prethermalization, a transitory phenomenon in which the system initially approaches thermal equilibrium with respect to the first reservoir, but after a longer time converges to the thermal state dictated by the temperature of the second environment. Using analytical arguments and numerical simulations, we analyze the occurrence of this phenomenon, and how it depends on temperatures and coupling strengths. The phenomenology gets even richer if the system is placed between two such non-equilibrium environments. In this case, the energy current through the system may exhibit transient features and even switch direction, before the system eventually reaches a non-equilibrium steady state.
Controlled local release of PPARγ agonists from biomaterials to treat peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Rayner M L D , Grillo A , Williams G R , Tawfik E , Zhang T , Volitaki C , Craig D Q M , Healy J , Phillips J B
Published: July 2020

Objective. Poor clinical outcomes following peripheral nerve injury (PNI) are partly attributable to the limited rate of neuronal regeneration. Despite numerous potential drug candidates demonstrating positive effects on nerve regeneration rate in preclinical models, no drugs are routinely used to improve restoration of function in clinical practice. A key challenge associated with clinical adoption of drug treatments in nerve injured patients is the requirement for sustained administration of doses associated with undesirable systemic sideeffects. Local controlled-release drug delivery systems could potentially address this challenge, particularly through the use of biomaterials that can be implanted at the repair site during the microsurgical repair procedure. Approach. In order to test this concept, this study used various biomaterials to deliver ibuprofen sodium or sulindac sulfide locally in a controlled manner in a rat sciatic nerve injury model. Following characterisation of release parameters in vitro, ethylene vinyl acetate tubes or polylactic-co-glycolic acid wraps, loaded with ibuprofen sodium or sulindac sulfide, were placed around directly-repaired nerve transection or nerve crush injuries in rats. Main results. Ibuprofen sodium, but not sulindac sulfide caused an increase in neurites in distal nerve segments and improvements in functional recovery in comparison to controls with no drug treatment. Significance. This study showed for the first time that local delivery of ibuprofen sodium using biomaterials improves neurite growth and functional recovery following PNI and provides the basis for future development of drug-loaded biomaterials suitable for clinical translation.
Wannier–Mott excitons in GaSe single crystals
Authors: Zalamai V V , Syrbu N N , Stamov I G , Beril S I
Published: July 2020

The absorption, reflection and photoluminescence spectra of GaSe crystals with different thicknesses (100 nm–1 mm) were investigated in a wide temperature interval (300 K–10 K). Features due to excitonic states in the spectra were recognized. The contours of the excitonic reflection spectra measured at 10 K were calculated by dispersion equations. On the basis of these calculations, the parameters of the observed excitons were determined. Photoluminescence spectra from the cleaved surface and from the uncleaved facet of a sample were measured at low temperatures.
Enhanced NH3 sensing properties of carboxyl functionalized carbon nanocoil
Authors: Wang Luyu , Song Jia
Published: July 2020

Based on Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) sensing platform, modifying functional groups was usually used to improve the performance of sensing materials. In this work, we reported a novel sensing material, carboxyl functionalized carbon nanocoil by acidification treatment. It was found that carboxyl functionalized carbon nanocoil had excellent reversible response to ammonia (NH3), and the response to 50 ppm NH3 was as high as 8.1 Hz. As a contrast, pristine carbon nanocoil had only 2 Hz response to 50 ppm NH3. The enhanced response should be ascribed to the hydrogen bond adsorption between carboxyl gropus and NH3 molecules. These results demonstrated that carboxyl functionalization could improve the NH3 sensing performance of carbon nanocoil, which has potential in monitoring NH3 in the future.
SCC behavior and susceptibility prediction mode of SMA490BW weathering steel under cathodic potential
Authors: Zeng Qiang , Fu Zhenghong , Yang Bangjian , Gou Guoqing , Chen Hui , Zhu ShaoWei
Published: July 2020

SMA490BW weathering steel has been used to manufacture high speed train bogie structures. However, its stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior was not very clearly, let alone the prediction mode. In this work, combined with fracture surface analysis by SEM, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization analysis, the SCC behavior of SMA490BW steel in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution under cathodic potentials from open circuit potential (OCP) to −1200 mVSCE (SCE = saturated calomel electrode) was studied using slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) method at 25 °C. The results indicated that the SCC susceptibility index (I

SSRT
) decreased with the applied potential negative shift from OCP (I

SSRT
= 0.31) to −800 mVSCE (I

SSRT
= 0.11) by anodic dissolution (AD) mechanism, and then sharply increased with the potential negatively increasing (I

SSRT
= 0.41 at −1200 mVSCE) by hydrogen embrittlement (HE) mechanism. The SCC susceptibility could be preliminarily predicted using the mode founded as a function of charge transfer resistance (R

t
):

I

S
S
R
T

=
0.329
×
exp

−

R

t

2840.965

+
0.086
.

This study will be helpful for the service assessment of high speed train bogie structure and other structures manufactured by SMA490BW steel.
Centrosome–nuclear axis repositioning drives the assembly of a bipolar spindle scaffold to ensure mitotic fidelity
Authors: Nunes Vanessa , Dantas Margarida , Castro Domingos , Vitiello Elisa , Wang Irène , Carpi Nicolas , Balland Martial , Piel Matthieu , Aguiar Paulo , Maiato Helder , Ferreira Jorge G.
Published: July 2020

During prophase, centrosomes are positioned on the shortest nuclear axis. This process, which depends on Arp2/3 and nuclear envelope Dynein, is essential for efficient spindle assembly.
Editorial introduction
Authors: Yap Alpha S.
Published: July 2020

Welcome to this Fourth Special Issue of Molecular Biology of the Cell on Forces on and within Cells. As with our other Special Issues, the journal’s goal here is to focus attention on a major new direction in cell biology. In this case, it is the field of mechanobiology, which endeavours, broadly, to understand how mechanical forces are harnessed to drive cellular function and how force can also be a mode of biological information that regulates cell behavior. The collection of papers that we have in this issue reflects many current efforts to address these questions. While each of these papers is a distinct creative effort of its authors, I would like to draw your attention to a number of themes that emerge across these diverse studies.
Impact of Safety-Net Burden on In-Hospital Mortality and Hospitalization Costs Among Patients with Alcoholic Hepatitis and Alcoholic Cirrhosis
Authors: Ladhani Sanah , Hirode Grishma , Singal Ashwani K , Wong Robert J
Published: July 2020

Aims

Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) and alcoholic cirrhosis disproportionately affect ethnic minority and safety-net populations. We evaluate the impact of a hospital’s safety net burden (SNB) on in-hospital mortality and costs among patients with AH and alcoholic cirrhosis.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 2012–2016 National Inpatient Sample. SNB was calculated as percentage of hospitalizations with Medicaid or uninsured payer status. Associations between hospital SNB and in-hospital mortality and costs were evaluated with adjusted multivariable logistic regression and linear regression models.

Results

Among 21,898 AH-related hospitalizations, compared to low SNB hospitals (LBH), patients hospitalized in high SNB hospitals (HBH) were younger (44.4 y vs. 47.4 y, P < 0.001) and more likely to be African American (11.3% vs. 7.7%, P < 0.001) or Hispanic (15.4% vs. 8.4%, P < 0.001). AH-related hospitalizations in HBH had a non-significant trend towards higher odds of mortality (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.98–1.65, P = 0.07) and higher mean hospitalizations costs. Among 108,669 alcoholic cirrhosis-related hospitalizations, patients in HBH were younger (53.3 y vs. 55.8 y, P < 0.001) and more likely to be African American (8.2% vs. 7.3%, P < 0.001) or Hispanic (24.4% vs. 12.0%, P < 0.001) compared to LBH. Compared to alcoholic cirrhosis-related hospitalizations in LBH, mortality was higher among medium SNB (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.03–1.17, P = 0.007) and HBH (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00–1.15, P = 0.05). Mean hospitalization costs were not different by SNB status.

Conclusions

HBH hospitals predominantly serve ethnic minorities and underinsured/uninsured populations. The higher in-hospital mortality associated HBH particularly for alcoholic cirrhosis patients is alarming given its increasing burden in the USA.
Improvements in Parental Emotional Well-Being During Home Visiting Support: What Works for Whom?
Authors: Warner Nell
Published: July 2020

Home visitors can support parents who have low levels of emotional well-being. While support may be effective for some families, the circumstances in which it is effective are less well understood. Longitudinal administrative data from Home-Start UK were analysed to identify how the nature of support was related to changes in parental emotional well-being, and whether these effects were the same for families with different risk factors. Sub-groups were identified of people experiencing problems with various aspects of emotional well-being: mental ill health (n = 1,289), social isolation (n = 1,413) and low self-esteem (n = 1,400). Multiple linear regression models were used to explore the relationships between the nature of support and the rate of improvement. These effects were considered in subgroups of families with domestic violence problems, disabled parents, a disabled child, large family sizes or multiple risks. More frequent visits and support being provided by paid workers, as opposed to volunteers were related to faster improvements. Paid worker support was particularly related to faster improvements in families with domestic abuse, disabled parents and multiple risks. However, volunteer support seemed just as effective for large families and those with disabled children. These findings have implications for those providing and commissioning home visiting services.
Exploring white matter functional networks in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Bu Xuan , Liang Kaili , Lin Qingxia , Gao Yingxue , Qian Andan , Chen Hong , Chen Wanying , Wang Meihao , Yang Chuang , Huang Xiaoqi
Published: July 2020

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder has been identified to involve the impairment of large-scale functional networks within grey matter, and recent studies have suggested that white matter, which also encodes neural activity, can manifest intrinsic functional organization similar to that of grey matter. However, the alterations in white matter functional networks in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder remain unknown. We recruited a total of 99 children, including 66 drug-naive patients and 33 typically developing controls aged from 6 to 14, to characterize the alterations in functional networks within white matter in drug-naive children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Using clustering analysis, resting-state functional MRI data in the white matter were parsed into different networks. Intrinsic activity within each network and connectivity between networks and the associations between network activity strength and clinical symptoms were assessed. We identified eight distinct white matter functional networks: the default mode network, the somatomotor network, the dorsal attention network, the ventral attention network, the visual network, the deep frontoparietal network, the deep frontal network and the inferior corticospinal-posterior cerebellum network. The default mode, somatomotor, dorsal attention and ventral attention networks showed lower spontaneous neural activity in patients. In particular, the default mode network and the somatomotor network largely showed higher connectivity with other networks, which correlated with more severe hyperactive behaviour, while the dorsal and ventral attention networks mainly had lower connectivity with other networks, which correlated with poor attention performance. In conclusion, there are two distinct patterns of white matter functional networks in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, with one being the hyperactivity-related hot networks including default mode network and somatomotor network and the other being inattention-related cold networks including dorsal attention and ventral attention network. These results extended upon our understanding of brain functional networks in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder from the perspective of white matter dysfunction.
Post-cardiac injury syndrome after transcatheter mitral valve repair using MitraClip system: a case report
Authors: Alachkar Mhd Nawar , Lehrke Michael , Marx Nikolaus , Almalla Mohammad
Published: July 2020

Background 

Post-cardiac injury syndrome (PCIS) is an inflammatory process that may occur after myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery, percutaneous cardiac interventions or chest trauma. To our knowledge, PCIS following transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) using the MitraClip system has not been reported.

Case summary 

A 79-year-old female with chronic heart failure and severe mitral regurgitation received TMVr using the MitraClip system. After the procedure she developed elevated inflammatory markers, pericardial and pleural effusion. Cardiac magnetic resonance provided signs of pericardial and pleural inflammation. After initiating an anti-inflammatory therapy with Aspirin and Colchicine, inflammatory markers decreased markedly, pleural and pericardial effusions were regressive, and the patient showed rapid clinical improvement.

Discussion 

Post-cardiac injury syndrome may occur after TMVr and should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients developing chest pain, signs of pericarditis with or without pericardial effusion and elevated inflammatory markers.
Referral Networks and Inequality
Authors: Galenianos Manolis
Published: July 2020

This is the first article to study the interaction between labour markets and endogenous referral networks in the context of worker heterogeneity. In equilibrium the structure of the referral network is hierarchical, which is different from the usual assumption of homophily but is consistent with the evidence. Hierarchy exacerbates inequality. The welfare effects of the use of referrals are subtle and depend on the nature of heterogeneity. If heterogeneity is due to productivity differences, referrals improve welfare. If workers face the different probability of forming a match despite having the same productivity, as in the case of discrimination, referrals reduce welfare.
Remaining Seized of the Matter: UN Resolutions and Peace Implementation
Authors: Hauenstein Matthew , Joshi Madhav
Published: July 2020

How can the United Nations support peace implementation efforts following civil conflict? Prior research shows that third parties can use a variety of conflict management approaches to prevent civil war recurrence and that peace agreement implementation improves peace duration and quality. However, little research connects these two aspects of postwar peace. We argue that United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions are an important tool that can be quickly used to support the peace. These resolutions can shame parties who do not comply with the agreement, deploy and coordinate resources needed for implementation, and empower local actors in postwar settings. Using implementation data for thirty-four Comprehensive Peace Agreements (CPAs) since 1989, as well as new data on the targets and language of UNSC resolutions, we show that language in a resolution that names and shames actors, connects stakeholders, or marshals resources is associated with better compliance with a CPA.
Head-to-Head Comparison of Two SARS-CoV-2 Serology Assays
Authors: Merrill Anna E , Jackson J Brooks , Ehlers Alexandra , Voss Dena , Krasowski Matthew D
Published: July 2020

Background

While molecular techniques remain the gold standard for diagnosis of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, serological tests have the unique potential to ascertain how much of the population has been exposed to the COVID-19 pathogen. There have been limited published studies to date documenting the performance of SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays.

Methods

We compared the DiaSorin Liaison SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG and Roche Diagnostics Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assays using 228 samples spanning patients with positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2, patients with compatible symptoms but negative PCR, pre-COVID specimens, and potential cross-reactives.

Results

Both assays detected antibodies in 18/19 samples collected at least one week after a positive PCR result. Neither method consistently detected antibodies in specimens collected within one week of a positive PCR result (sensitivity < 50%), but antibodies were detected by only Roche in four samples in this time frame. Using 139 pre-COVID and 35 PCR-negative samples, the Roche and DiaSorin assays demonstrated specificities of 100.0% and 98.9%, respectively. Neither assay demonstrated cross-reactivity from other coronaviruses (229E, HKU1, NL63, OC43), respiratory pathogens (adenovirus, metapneumovirus, rhinovirus/enterovirus), or antibodies to other viruses (HIV, EBV, CMV, HBV, HCV, HAV).

Discussion

Overall, the qualitative interpretations afforded by the Roche and DiaSorin assays agreed for 97% of samples evaluated. Minor discrepancies in sensitivity and specificity were observed between methods, with the differences in specificity more clinically significant for our low-prevalence population. For the DiaSorin assay, all disagreements with the Roche assay occurred in samples with quantitative signals near the cut-off determining positivity.
Incorporating implicit knowledge into the Bayesian model of prior conviction evidence: some reality checks for the theory of comparative propensity
Authors: Robinson Peter M
Published: July 2020

The theory of comparative propensity, championed by the late Mike Redmayne, has been an influential theory underpinning normative models of the probative value of evidence of previous convictions in criminal trials. It purports to generalize an approximate probative value by means of a Bayesian model in which the likelihood of an innocent person having a criminal record is calculated by reference to general population statistics, and the hard evidence underpinning the prior probability is treated as unknown. The theory has been criticized on the ground that it fails to take account of bias against past offenders in the selection of cases for prosecution. This article analyses the model and these criticisms and concludes that both the model and the criticisms are flawed because they fail to address the evidence on which the prior odds are based. We find that, not only are such mathematical models unsound, but they can only be ‘repaired’ by making assumptions about the typical case which run counter to the legal presumption of innocence. Analysing the flaws in these models, however, does provide some insight into issues affecting the value of prior convictions evidence.
Resolving Disagreement: A Multi-Jurisdictional Comparative Analysis of Disputes About Children’s Medical Care
Authors: Auckland Cressida , Goold Imogen
Published: July 2020

Recently, the English courts have dealt with a number high-profile, emotive disputes over the care of very ill children, including Charlie Gard, Alfie Evans, and Tafida Raqeeb. It is perhaps fair to say such cases have become a regular feature of the courts in England. But is the situation similar in other jurisdictions? If not, are there lessons to be learned from these jurisdictions that do not seem to need to call on judges to resolve these otherwise intractable disputes? We argue that many of the differences we see between jurisdictions derive from cultural and social differences manifesting in both the legal rules in place, and how the various parties interact with, and defer to, one another. We further argue that while recourse to the courts is undesirable in many ways, it is also indicative of a society that permits difference of views and provides for these differences to be considered in a public manner following clear procedural and precedential rules. These are the hallmarks of a liberal democracy that allows for pluralism of values, while still remaining committed to protecting the most vulnerable parties in these disputes—children facing life-limiting conditions.
Going beyond the minimal texture of quark mass matrices in the era of precision measurements
Authors: Bagai Aakriti , Kaundal Shivali , Ahuja Gulsheen , Gupta Manmohan
Published: July 2020

An attempt has been made to carry out a detailed analysis of quark mass matrices having structure beyond the minimal texture. In particular, keeping in mind precision measurements of Cabibbo–Kobayashi–Maskawa parameters as well as refinements in the ranges of light quark masses, we have examined the viability of all possible combinations of Hermitian texture 5 zero quark mass matrices. Interestingly, one finds that all these possibilities are now excluded by the present quark mixing data, thereby having important implications for model building.
Sleep problems, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and domains of health-related quality of life: bidirectional associations from early childhood to early adolescence
Authors: Williamson Ariel A , Zendarski Nardia , Lange Katherine , Quach Jon , Molloy Carly , Clifford Susan A , Mulraney Melissa
Published: July 2020

Study Objectives

To examine longitudinal, bidirectional associations among behavioral sleep problems, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and domains of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) from early childhood to adolescence in a population sample of Australian children.

Method

Data were drawn from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, a national prospective cohort study with 4983 children participating in the Kindergarten cohort. Data were collected when children were aged 4–5, 6–7, 8–9, 10–11, and 12–13 years. At each study wave, the primary parent (97% mothers) reported on behavioral child sleep problems, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and HRQoL domains (psychosocial and physical). Cross-lagged structural equation models were used to evaluate bidirectional associations.

Results

At nearly every age, behavioral sleep problems were associated with worse subsequent psychosocial and physical HRQoL. Despite bidirectional associations between mental health and HRQoL at many waves, HRQoL domains more strongly predicted later internalizing symptoms, while externalizing symptoms more strongly predicted later HRQoL. Many of the bidirectional associations among sleep, mental health, and HRQoL were found earlier in childhood.

Conclusions

Behavioral sleep problems may forecast later HRQoL psychosocial and physical impairments. Attending to both sleep problems and HRQoL could prevent the progression of internalizing conditions, while a focus on externalizing concerns could prevent the worsening of these symptoms, sleep problems, and HRQoL, particularly during the transition to school.