bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The use of electrohydropulse treatment of waste solutions in refining production for the recovery of platinum group metals
Authors: Yu Parfenov D , Ratushnyak V S , Ilyin E S , Yuryev A V , Kolmakov V O
Published: February 2020

The high cost of precious metals and environmental requirements lead to the need for the completeness of their extraction from primary and secondary raw materials.

During the processing of primary raw materials, waste solutions are produced that contain low-concentration precious metals, which must be removed from the process. To prevent losses and comply with environmental protection requirements, it is necessary to extract precious metals from waste solutions. The complexity of this task lies in the low concentration and chemical forms of the presence of precious metals in aqueous systems. The cementation method, currently used for the extraction of precious metals, has several disadvantages: the duration of the process, high-energy consumption, etc. To increase the efficiency of the method used, it is necessary to pre-treat the solution with the goal of labilizing the noble metal complexes. The purpose of the experiment: determination of the optimal modes of the electrohydropulse (EHP) method for intensifying the process of additional extraction of platinum group metals (PGM) and heavy non-ferrous metals from industrial solutions of refining production. As a result of the study, the necessary materials were selected to create the reactor and electrode systems, the volume of the laboratory reactor was determined. Trial launches of the installation were carried out, according to the results of which a pulse current generator (PCG) was configured. A series of tests was carried out, based on the results of which conclusions were drawn about the possibility of using this method to activate stock solutions.
Rationalization of parameters of hydraulic dampers of a carriage
Authors: Tarmaev A A , Petrov G I , Filippov V N
Published: February 2020

The possibility of the car dynamic performance improvement is studied through structural changes (modernization) of the passenger bogie. Based on the calculations of the natural oscillations of the car, the critical values were determined and rational values of the damper resistance coefficient were chosen for vertical and lateral vibrations. It was concluded that with the forced spatial fluctuations of a carriages on KCCW-CRI bogies the required damping value of the vertical oscillations should be twice as large as for the lateral ones; important factors in damping of the car oscillations are the central suspension dampers. The rational angle of installation of the hydraulic damper in the central suspension and the use of separate action in the central suspension of hydraulic dampers are justified. The proposed version of the modernization of the bogie can improve the smoothness indicators of the car by 25-30%.
Improved dielectric properties of Na1/2Y1/2Cu3Ti4O12 ceramics synthesized by ball-milling and reactive sintering
Authors: Kotb H Mahfoz , Ahmad Mohamad M , Alshoaibi Adil , Khater Hassan A , Aljaafari Abdullah
Published: February 2020

Na1/2Y1/2Cu3Ti4O12 (NYCTO) ceramics with giant dielectric constant (ε′) were synthesized by simple reactive sintering. NYCTO nanopowder was first synthesized using high energy ball-mill. Then the pelletized powder was sintered in air at temperatures in the range 975 °C to 1050 °C for 10–20 h. The obtained ceramics showed pure CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO)-like cubic phase as revealed by x-ray diffraction measurements. Field effect-SEM observations showed that the grain size increases from 2 μm to 5 μm with increasing sintering temperature. NYCTO samples sintered at temperatures higher than 975 °C showed giant dielectric constant (103–104) over most of the frequency range. The minimum dielectric loss (tanδ) of ∼0.055 at 300 K has been approved for the ceramic sample sintered at 1050 °C. Impedance and modulus spectra of the current samples showed two relaxations related to semiconductor (grain) and high resistance (grain-boundaries) elements. The activation energy for conduction located in the range 0.1–0.5 eV highlighted the role of single ionized oxygen vacancies in the dielectric properties of the investigated NYCTO ceramics.
Preparation of cellulose film in ionic liquid by high shearing and application in pineapple preservation
Authors: Wei Xiaoyi , Zhang Lixiu , Wang Junhai , Li Jihua , Zhou Wei
Published: February 2020

In this study, the pineapple leaf cellulose film was prepared in ionic liquid by high shearing force and used for fresh-cut pineapple preservation. First, cellulose was dissolved in ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl)) using a high shear mixer. The regenerated cellulose was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transformed infrared spectra (FT-IR), and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). Results showed that the cellulose was dissolved in ionic liquid at room temperature with a high regeneration rate of more than 95% and for less than 2 min. It was suggested that the network of cellulose was destroyed by high shearing force. Then the cellulose film was obtained by casting on the glass plates. The mechanical properties of the films were evaluated by extension test with the tensile strength of 34 MPa. The proposed film was used for fresh-cut pineapple packaging. Results showed that it could significantly decrease weight loss and maintain the firmness of the pineapple, and thus, improve the quality of the fruit during storage. The findings demonstrate a facile biodegradable packaging route to improve food sustainability and reduce waste.
Structural response of A286 superalloy to rotary friction welding at different rotation speed
Authors: Jin Feng , Li Jinglong , Chen Dan , Liao Zhongxiang , Shi Junmiao , Xiong Jiangtao , Zhang Fusheng
Published: February 2020

Rotary friction welding was conducted on A286 with a diameter of ϕ25 mm under 300, 900 and 2100 rpm to understand the structural response of the joint welded at different rotation speeds. Joint morphologies, grain structures inside the morphologies and the corresponding mechanism that governs its formation were characterized and investigated using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), which focused on three featured zones located at the center, 1/2R and periphery of the joint. The influence of structural response on joint properties was also investigated. Results show that the morphology of the joint evolves from ‘disk shape’ to ‘near-line shape’ and ‘scissors shape’ as the rotation speed increases from 300 rpm to 2100 rpm. At low rotation speed, refined and recrystallized grains were formed inside disk shape morphologies. Whereas, sub-grains and deformed grains were evolved at the middle (900 rpm) and high (2100 rpm) rotation speed. The recrystallized grains surrounded by the ‘disk shape’ morphology have a positive effect on the joint strength compared with the sub-grains and deformed grains confined by the ‘near-line shape’ and ‘scissors shape’ morphologies.
Study the influence of silver and cobalt on the photocatalytic activity of copper oxide nanoparticles for the degradation of methyl orange and real wastewater dyes
Authors: Zeid E F Abo , Ibrahem I A , Mohamed Walied A A , Ali Atif Mossad
Published: February 2020

CuO (S1) Single pure component nanoparticles (SPCNPs), Ag/CuO (S2) binary component hybrid nanoparticles (BCHNPS), Co1/Ag/CuO (S3), and Co2/Ag/CuO (S4) ternary component hybrid nanoparticles (TCHNPS) were synthesized via co-precipitation method. Several spectroscopic methods investigated the characterization of the prepared catalysts. Based on Crystal properties, CuO exhibit a monoclinic phase (tenorite); the grain size of the prepared samples was 28.15 nm, 29.42 nm, 27.86 nm, and 26.67 nm for S1, S2, S3, and S4 respectively. The addition of different content from Co as a dopant to silver decorated CuO gives a clear change to a flake shape. The presence of the IR absorption peaks in the region 400–600 cm−1 matched to the distinctive stretching vibrations of Cu–O bonds in the monoclinic phase structure of CuO. Disappearance of the Raman peaks of CuO and appearing of the new characteristic peaks of cobalt oxide confirms the doping process. Using DRS analysis, arrange of the bandgap values were S1 > S2 > S3 > S4. For the synthetic methyl orange and raw industrial dye, the photodegradation parameters were measured. The results show the excellent activity of Co2/Ag/CuO NPS compared with other samples. Electrical studies of the catalysts show a higher value for the dielectric constant in the higher and lower frequency regions for the sample S4. The hopping process of the charge carrier’s improving as a result of the increase of applied field frequency which leads to an increase in the material conductivity.
Female chemists face 'significant' publishing bias
Authors: Banks Michael
Published: February 2020

Gender biases exist at each step of the publication process in chemistry publishing. That is according to a 30-page report – Is Publishing in the Chemical Sciences Gender Biased? – released on 5 November by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).
A decade of success
Authors: Durrani Matin
Published: February 2020

As another decade draws to a close, it’s amazing how much has – and sometimes has not – changed in physics over the last 10 years.
Empowering new scientific voices
Authors: Mutiso Rose , Fairfield Jessamyn
Published: February 2020

Rose Mutiso and Jessamyn Fairfield say that public engagement not only makes science more accessible but also helps it to be more diverse and collaborative
Mind the gaffe
Authors: Bowden Paul
Published: February 2020

In reply to the feature “The fictional science of science fiction” by Rhett Allain about scientific bloopers in movies (November pp49–51).
Time troubles
Authors: Austin Jim
Published: February 2020

In response to the review by Tushna Commissariat of the new sci-fi film Ad Astra (November pp55–56)
Muons: probing the depths of nuclear waste
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: February 2020

Having used them to look through rock, physicists are now exploiting muons to peer inside canisters of radioactive waste. The ability could prove very handy for nuclear inspectors, as Edwin Cartlidge reports
Occult arts and sceptical sciences
Authors: Ball Philip
Published: February 2020

As Richard Noakes explains in his new book, Physics and Psychics: the Occult and the Sciences in Modern Britain, professional magicians of the Victorian theatre often challenged the claims made by psychics, mediums and spiritualists. You might expect such exposure of fraud to have been welcomed by the scientists of the time, but an interest in psychical phenomena was shared by many prominent physicists.
A mathematical mindset
Authors: Durrani Matin
Published: February 2020

For the last 40 years, a dedicated group of theoretical physicists has been beavering away on an ambitious project to create a quantum theory of gravity and unify the four forces of nature. In an attempt to explain just why physicists should pay heed to mathematical deliberations of theorists, the veteran science writer Graham Farmelo has now published The Universe Speaks in Numbers: How Modern Maths Reveals Nature's Deepest Secrets.
Extremely absurd and incredibly fun
Authors: Kakalios James
Published: February 2020

In the 1993 Stephen Spielberg directed film Jurassic Park, scientists clone dinosaurs using prehistoric DNA, secured from ancient mosquitoes that have been trapped in amber for 65 million years. Randall Monroe, whose latest book is How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems, would no doubt consider the Jurassic Park scientists to be timid amateurs.
The tempestuous genius of Fritz Zwicky
Authors: Robinson Andrew
Published: February 2020

“I have read every paper you ever wrote, I have listened to every presentation you have ever given, and I can tell you quite categorically that I have never found a single original idea that you could honestly call your own.” That's what Swiss physicist Fritz Zwicky once said when he was just 32, to Nobel laureate Robert Millikan. So writes John Johnson Jr in his new book Zwicky: the Outcast Genius Who Unmasked the Universe, a detailed and insightful biography.
Making a difference
Authors: Dineley Jude
Published: February 2020

Jude Dineley catches up with three early-career scientists whose work outside the lab is helping improve the academic environment for others
Ice-water interface stays slippery
Authors: Dumé Belle
Published: February 2020

Ice and snow have exceptionally low friction coefficients, making them good for skiing, skating and sledging, but dangerous for drivers on icy winter roads.
Clingfish inspires suction cups for underwater robots
Authors: Cockbill Louisa
Published: February 2020

By mimicking how a tiny fish known as the northern clingfish (Gobiesox maeandricus) clings to rocks, a team of soft-robotics researchers – led by Michael Tolley at the University of California, San Diego – has made silicon suction cups that can adhere to rough surfaces.
A pediatric desensitization protocol for etoposide
Authors: Martinez Nicole , Miyasaki Ashley , Roh Lucy , Koole William , Fernandez Karen S
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The implementation of a pediatric desensitization protocol specific to etoposide in an adolescent with Hodgkin lymphoma is described.

Etoposide is part of many chemotherapy regimens used to treat malignancies in children and adults, and it is also part of the backbone of many regimens used in clinical trials. Etoposide is known to produce hypersensitivity reactions during administration. Substitution with etoposide phosphate, which has less potential for hypersensitivity reactions, is used in place of etoposide after severe hypersensitivity reactions. Etoposide desensitization protocols (EDPs) have been reported in adult patients.

Conclusion

The implementation of an etoposide desensitization protocol for pediatric patients is safe and helpful to prevent the elimination of etoposide from treatment protocols. The use of an EDP allowed the patient to remain on clinical trial and complete the prescribed treatment.
The Hidden Impacts of Phosphorus Pollution to Streams and Rivers
Authors: Mallin Michael A , Cahoon Lawrence B
Published: February 2020

Phosphorus (P) enrichment to streams, lakes, and estuaries is increasing throughout the United States. P loading is typically viewed from a harmful algal bloom perspective; if added P causes excess growths of phytoplankton or macroalgae, it may become targeted for control. However, P loading also contributes to two other non–algae-based aquatic problems. Field and experimental evidence shows that P loading directly stimulates growth of aquatic bacteria, which can increase to concentrations that exert a significant biochemical oxygen demand on water bodies, contributing to hypoxia, a widespread impairment. Experimental evidence also demonstrates that fecal bacterial growth can be significantly stimulated by P loading, increasing health risks through exposure or the consumption of contaminated shellfish and causing economic losses from beach and shellfish area closures. Resource managers need to look beyond algal bloom stimulation and should consider the broader roles that excess P loading can have on ecosystem function and microbiological safety for humans.
High Prevalence of Male Sexual Dysfunction in a Prospective Multicenter VA Inflammatory Bowel Disease Population
Authors: Gaidos Jill K J , Naik Katrina , Dave Jenny , Yao Michael , Hou Jason K , Cipher Daisha J , Smith Andrew D , Feagins Linda A
Published: February 2020

Background

Aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for sexual dysfunction (SD) in male veterans with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods

We collected IBD history, quality of life (QOL), and sexual function surveys.

Results

One hundred seventy-one men enrolled, mean age 50 years, 85% had SD, 92% had erectile dysfunction (ED). More severe ED (P = 0.0001), decreased sexual desire (P = 0.004), and decreased satisfaction (P = 0.001) were associated with poorer QOL. Biologic use was associated with increased SD; hypertension with a decrease in sexual desire.

Conclusions

SD and ED are highly prevalent and associated with poorer QOL.
Should China’s Competition Model be Exported?: A Reply to Wendy Ng
Authors: Fox Eleanor M
Published: February 2020

The Chinese competition model is primarily distinguished by its Chinese characteristics: a baseline that closely resembles US/EU law and an overlay of ‘state over market’ to do what is strategically good for China. Replying to Wendy Ng’s suggestion that the Chinese competition model might be usefully exported to developing countries, this article disagrees. The Chinese law does have some outstanding characteristics, and developing countries might need a state/market balance different from the laissez-faire West. But a more appropriate alternative vision for developing democracies is the state as enabler of the market rather than the state as controller of the market, along with emphasis on the inclusiveness value in controlling the power of the giant corporations.
First Draft Genome of the Sable, Martes zibellina
Authors: Liu Guangshuai , Zhao Chao , Xu Dongming , Zhang Huanxin , Monakhov Vladimir , Shang Shuai , Gao Xiaodong , Sha Weilai , Ma Jianzhang , Zhang Wei , Tang Xuexi , Li Bo , Hua Yan , Cao Xiaofang , Liu Zhen , Zhang Honghai
Published: February 2020

Members of genus Martes provide early warning signals about forest ecosystem health and are designated as a Management Indicator Species. As one of the most widespread members in Martes, the sable (Martes zibellina) is a circumboreal small predator found throughout all taiga zoogeographical zones of Eurasia and shows distinct population differentiation and morphological variations. To support further studies on striking local adaptation and population evolution, we present the first sable genome, assembled de novo from an individual originating in the Great Khingan Mountains (China). The assembled genome is 2.42 Gb, consisting of 15,814 scaffolds with a scaffold N50 of 5.20 Mb. Searches for complete Mammalia BUSCO (Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Ortholog) gene groups found that 95.15% of the curated single-copy orthologs were assembled as complete, suggesting a high level of completeness of the genome. We totally predicted 19,413 protein-coding genes, and 0.82 Gb of repeat sequences was annotated. We also detected 1,257 olfactory receptor genes and found more functional olfactory receptor genes in sable than in other Mustelidae species, which provide a possible genetic explanation for the acute sense of smell of the sable for searching the preys under deep snow. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the ferret (Mustela putorius furo) and sea otter (Enhydra lutris) form a clade that is sister to the sable, which was dated ∼16.4 Ma. Overall, our study provided the first reference genome for research in a broad range of areas including local adaptations, population evolution, conservation, and management for sable.
Micro-econometric analysis of innovative start-ups: the role of firm-specific factors and industry context in innovation propensity
Authors: Capozza Claudia , Salomone Sergio , Somma Ernesto
Published: February 2020

We explore the innovation-enabling factors in young innovative companies (YICs) considering different elements of firm-specific absorptive capacity along with factors related to the industrial structure. Evidence from Italian YICs, known as innovative start-ups whose creation was prompted by the Start-up Act in 2012, shows that absorptive capacity factors matter with differences for product and process innovation. Moreover, the configuration of the industry context remarkably shape innovation, providing implications for policy-makers seeking to improve the national competitiveness by sustaining new ventures of high technological value.
Ecological engineering approaches in coral reef restoration
Authors: Rinkevich Baruch
Published: February 2020

The combined accelerated footprint of climate change and enhanced anthropogenic pressures and the poor outcomes of many traditional management activities raise the needs for active reef restoration tactics (targeting coral mariculture/transplantation), backed by ecological engineering approaches. These approaches include, among others, the use of ecosystem engineer species, which, through modifications in their physical or biological properties, they create new habitats characterized by novel biodiversity (through either autogeny or allogeny engineering acts). Only a small number of studies on coral reef restoration have discussed/mentioned “ecological engineering” or “coral reef engineering”. Examining reef restoration publications (2016–2019; 145 publications) reveals only 39 (26.9%) dealing with ecological engineering aspects, with 10 classes of “applications” (26 publications) and 4 classes of “properties” (n = 13). Ecological engineering “applications” incorporate all aspects of reef restoration, while the ecological engineering “properties” deal with assisted genetics, coral chimerism, aqua-culturing reef-dwelling organisms, and the consideration of life history parameters of maricultured/transplanted key species. Yet, many ecological engineering applications focus on particular coral species, addressing their specific community issues, while only few address the needs of the entire ecosystem/landscape restoration. It is concluded that rather than trying to return ecosystems to historic states, ecological engineering should shift towards creating novel ecosystems not existed before.
Commentary on the study of Roy et al. Amygdala Based Altered mir-128-3p in Conferring Susceptibility to Depression-like Behavior via Wnt Signalling
Authors: Serafini Gianluca , Trabucco Alice , Amerio Andrea , Aguglia Andrea , Amore Mario
Published: February 2020

The study of Roy and colleagues recently accepted for publication in International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology is a very interesting report investigating the role of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in vulnerability or resistance to major depressive disorder in a specific brain region (e.g., amygdala). MiRNAs may act as a mega-controller of gene expression being involved in the pathogenesis of major neuropsychiatric conditions. Interestingly, some of the altered miRNAs (e.g., hsa-miR-425-3p, miR-425, miR-674-3p, and miR-873-3p) identified in this study were found to be dysregulated even in existing studies, but several methodological issues may hamper the translation of basic research findings in clinical studies. MiRNAs are proposed as possible biomarkers of disease and treatment response to disentangle the biological complexity underlying major affective disorders. The main implications regarding the present findings are discussed.
Uniqueness of Polarization for the Autonomous 4-dimensional Painlevé-type Systems
Authors: Nakamura Akane , Rains Eric
Published: February 2020

We prove that for any autonomous 4-dimensional integral system of Painlevé type, the Jacobian of the generic spectral curve has a unique polarization, and thus by Torelli’s theorem cannot be isomorphic as an unpolarized abelian surface to any other Jacobian. This enables us to identify the spectral curve and any irreducible genus 2 component of the boundary of an affine patch of the Liouville torus.
IFN-α Suppresses Myeloid Cytokine Production, Impairing IL-12 Production and the Ability to Support T-Cell Proliferation
Authors: Mehrotra Aman , D’Angelo June Ann , Romney-Vanterpool Amanda , Chu Tom , Bertoletti Antonio , Janssen Harry L A , Gehring Adam J
Published: February 2020

Background

Interferon-α (IFN-α) can suppress production of T-cell polarizing cytokines or induce inhibitory antigen-presenting cells that suppress T-cell activation. Previous studies showed that IFN-α therapy fails to boost virus-specific T-cell immunity in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Our aim was to determine whether IFN-α exposure alters human antigen-presenting cell function in vivo.

Methods

We investigated the immunomodulatory effects using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors exposed to IFN-α and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients starting IFN-α therapy.

Results

IFN-α increased HLA-DR, CD80, CD86, and PD-L1 expression on healthy donor monocytes. In contrast to the activated phenotype, IFN-α inhibited Toll-like receptor-induced cytokine production and monocyte-induced T-cell proliferation. In CHB patients, peg-IFN treatment induced an interferon-stimulated gene signature in monocytes and increased HLA-DR, CD80, CD86, and PD-L1 expression. As early as 3 days after CHB patients started treatment, IFN-α inhibited monocyte cytokine production and T-cell stimulation ex vivo. IFN-α-mediated inhibition of IL-12 production, rather than inhibitory receptor expression, was responsible for inhibition of T-cell proliferation. Addition of IL-12 restored T-cell proliferation to baseline levels.

Conclusions

Understanding how professional antigen-presenting cells respond to immunomodulation is important for both new innate and adaptive-targeted immunotherapies.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT00962871.
World Patient Safety Day: the Tuscany region at the forefront of quality of care
Authors: Albolino Sara , Dagliana Giulia
Published: February 2020

Echoing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) request, the Patient Safety Declaration, launched by Health First Europe at the European Parliament, calls on policymakers, authorities and health professionals, patients and citizens to come together to build health systems that can help health professionals work better for patient-centred outcomes. The objective is to prevent the occurrence of adverse events arising from clinical care activities to focus resources on reducing the impact of the disease by promoting safer health systems and higher quality standards for patient safety in Europe. The Declaration intends to promote a European patient safety culture, starting with safety practices and exchanging effective practices to reduce adverse events arising from health activities. Tuscany, the fifth largest region of Italy, is strongly committed to make this happen. Its Regional Centre for Clinical Risk Management and Patient Safety and WHO Collaborating Centre (GRC Centre—Centro Gestione Rischio Clinico e Sicurezza del Paziente) aims at developing and promoting practices for safety, awareness raising and the analysis of adverse events for the constant improvement of care delivery.
The Value of All-Cause Mortality as a Metric for Assessing Breast Cancer Screening
Authors: Yaffe Martin J , Mainprize James G
Published: February 2020

Although screening mammography has been demonstrated to contribute to reducing mortality due to breast cancer, some have suggested that reduced all-cause mortality should constitute the burden of proof for effectiveness. Using a microsimulation model of the development, detection, and treatment of breast cancer, it is straightforward to demonstrate that this is an unrealistic expectation for trials of practical size and period of observation, even where the reduction of breast cancer mortality is substantial. Estimates of all-cause mortality will depend not only on the efficacy of the screening intervention but also on the alignment between the age distribution of the effect of screening on reduction of deaths and that of the other major causes of death. The size of a randomized trial required to demonstrate a reduction in all-cause mortality will, therefore, depend on the length and timing of the observation period and will typically be at least 10 times larger than the size of a trial powered to test for a reduction in deaths due to breast cancer. For breast cancer, which represents a small fraction of overall deaths, all-cause mortality is neither a practical nor informative metric for assessing the effectiveness of screening.
Comparative Effectiveness of Different Radical Radiotherapy Treatment Regimens for Prostate Cancer: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Pettersson Andreas , Alm Daniel , Garmo Hans , Hjelm Eriksson Marie , Castellanos Enrique , Åström Lennart , Kindblom Jon , Widmark Anders , Gunnlaugsson Adalsteinn , Franck Lissbrant Ingela , Nilsson Per , Stattin Pär
Published: February 2020

Background

It is unclear which radiotherapy technique and dose fractionation scheme is most effective in decreasing the risk of prostate cancer death.

Methods

We conducted a population-based cohort study among 15 164 men in the Prostate Cancer database Sweden (version 4.0) treated with primary radical radiotherapy for prostate cancer in Sweden from 1998 to 2016. We calculated hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the association between the following exposure groups and outcome: conventionally fractionated external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to 78 Gy (39 × 2 Gy), EBRT combined with high dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) (25 × 2 Gy + 2 × 10 Gy), conventionally fractionated EBRT to 70 Gy (35 × 2 Gy), and moderately hypofractionated (M-HF) dose-escalated EBRT (29 × 2.5 Gy or 22 × 3 Gy).

Results

Of the men, 7296 received conventionally fractionated EBRT to 78 Gy, 4657 EBRT combined with HDR-BT, 1672 conventionally fractionated EBRT to 70 Gy, and 1539 M-HF EBRT. Using EBRT to 78 Gy as the reference, the multivariable hazard ratios (95% CIs) of prostate cancer death was 0.64 (0.53 to 0.78) for EBRT combined with HDR-BT, 1.00 (0.80 to 1.27) for EBRT to 70 Gy, and 1.51 (0.99 to 2.32) for M-HF EBRT. The multivariable hazard ratios (95% CIs) for death from any cause were 0.79 (0.71 to 0.88), 0.99 (0.87 to 1.14), and 1.12 (0.88 to 1.42), respectively. The lower risk of prostate cancer death comparing EBRT combined with HDR-BT with conventionally fractionated EBRT to 78 Gy was more pronounced for men with high-risk or poorly differentiated tumors.

Conclusions

In this study, EBRT combined with HDR-BT was the most effective radiotherapy treatment regimen, especially for poorly differentiated tumors. Randomized trials comparing EBRT combined with HDR-BT with dose-escalated EBRT should be a priority.
A case of high-grade mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma
Authors: Miura Koujin , Adachi Yasushi , Shirahase Toshiaki , Nagashima Yoji , Suemune Kazuki , Sakaida Noriko , Nakano Yorika , Sakai Yasuhiro , Shimizu Shigeki , Ikehara Susumu
Published: February 2020

Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC) is a rare renal cell carcinoma that initially presents as low-grade renal cell carcinoma. However, cases of MTSCC with high-grade histology and poor prognosis have been reported. Here, we report a case of MTSCC with high-grade histological features and metastasis. A 77-year-old woman consulted a hospital following frequent and painful micturition. Computed tomography scan revealed a tumor of the left kidney. First, chemotherapy was performed, with no effects. Therefore, nephrectomy was subsequently performed. Histologically, the tumor showed the features of MTSCC with sarcomatoid component. Metastasis of the tumor into the lymph node was also observed. Although adjuvant chemotherapy was performed after nephrectomy, metastasis to the lungs and bone and local recurrence was observed. The patient is still alive 2 years after nephrectomy with metastasis and recurrence of the tumor. High-grade MTSCC shows a relatively poor prognosis, specifically MTSCC with metastasis upon nephrectomy.
Characterization of M-stars in the LMC in the JWST era
Authors: Marini E , Dell’Agli F , Di Criscienzo M , García-Hernández D A , Ventura P , Groenewegen M A T , Mattsson L , Kamath D , Puccetti S , Tailo M , Villaver E
Published: February 2020

We study the M-type asymptotic giant branch (AGB) population of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) by characterizing the individual sources in terms of the main properties of the progenitors and of the dust present in the circumstellar envelope. To this aim we compare the combination of the spectroscopic and photometric data collected by Spitzer, complemented by additional photometric results available in the literature, with results from AGB modelling that include the description of dust formation in the wind. To allow the interpretation of a paucity stars likely evolving through the post-AGB phase, we extended the available evolutionary sequences to reach the PN phase. The main motivation of the present analysis is to prepare the future observations of the evolved stellar populations of Local Group galaxies that will be done by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), by identifying the combination of filters that will maximize the possibilities of characterizing the observed sources. The present results show that for the M-star case the best planes to be used for this purpose are the colour magnitude ([F770W]–[F2550W], [F770W]) and (KS–[F770W], [F770W]) planes. In these observational diagrams the sequences of low-mass stars evolving in the AGB phases before the achievement of the C-star stage and of massive AGBs experiencing hot bottom burning are clearly separated and peculiar sources, such as post-AGB, dual-dust chemistry, and iron-dust stars can be easily identified.
The redshift evolution of rest-UV spectroscopic properties to z ∼ 5
Authors: Pahl Anthony J , Shapley Alice , Faisst Andreas L , Capak Peter L , Du Xinnan , Reddy Naveen A , Laursen Peter , Topping Michael W
Published: February 2020

We perform a comprehensive analysis of the redshift evolution of the rest-UV spectra of star-forming galaxies out to z ∼ 5. We combine new z ∼ 5 measurements of H i Ly α and low- and high-ionization interstellar metal absorption features with comparable measurements at z ∼ 2–4. We measure the equivalent widths of interstellar absorption features using stacked spectra in bins of Ly α equivalent width, performing corrections to Ly α strengths based on a model for the transmission of the intergalactic medium. We find a strong correlation between decreasing low-ionization absorption strength and increasing Ly α emission strength over the redshift range z ∼ 2–5, suggesting that both of these quantities are fundamentally linked to neutral gas covering fraction. At the highest Ly α equivalent widths, we observe evolution at z ∼ 5 towards greater Ly α emission strength at fixed low-ionization absorption strength. If we interpret the non-evolving relationship of Ly α emission strength and low-ionization line strength at z ∼ 2−4 as primarily reflecting the radiative transfer of Ly α photons, this evolution at z ∼ 5 suggests a higher intrinsic production rate of Ly α photons than at lower redshift. Our conclusion is supported by the joint evolution of the relationships among Ly α emission strength, interstellar absorption strength, and dust reddening. We perform additional analysis in bins of stellar mass, star formation rate, UV luminosity, and age, examining how the relationships between galaxy properties and Ly α emission evolve towards higher redshift. We conclude that increasing intrinsic Ly α photon production and strong detection of nebular C iv emission (signalling lower metallicity) at z ∼ 5 indicate an elevated ionized photon production efficiency (ξion).
The missing dwarf galaxies of the Local Group
Authors: Fattahi Azadeh , Navarro Julio F , Frenk Carlos S
Published: February 2020

We study the Local Group (LG) dwarf galaxy population predicted by the APOSTLE ΛCDM cosmological hydrodynamics simulations. These indicate that: (i) the total mass within 3 Mpc of the Milky Way–Andromeda mid-point (M3Mpc) typically exceeds ∼3 times the sum of the virial masses (M200crit) of the two primaries and (ii) the dwarf galaxy formation efficiency per unit mass is uniform throughout the volume. This suggests that the satellite population within the virial radii of the Milky Way and Andromeda should make up fewer than one third of all LG dwarfs within 3 Mpc. This is consistent with the fraction of observed LG galaxies with stellar mass $M_*\gt 10^7\, {\rm M}_\odot$ that are satellites (12 out of 42; i.e. 28 per cent). For the APOSTLE galaxy mass–halo mass relation, the total number of such galaxies further suggests an LG mass of $M_{\rm 3 Mpc}\sim 10^{13}\, {\rm M}_\odot$. At lower galaxy masses, however, the observed satellite fraction is substantially higher (42 per cent for $M_*\gt 10^5\, { \mathrm{ M}}_\odot$). If this is due to incompleteness in the field sample, then ∼50 dwarf galaxies at least as massive as the Draco dwarf spheroidal must be missing from the current LG field dwarf inventory. The incompleteness interpretation is supported by the pronounced flattening of the LG luminosity function below $M_*\sim 10^7\, {\rm M}_\odot$, and by the scarcity of low surface brightness LG field galaxies compared to satellites. The simulations indicate that most missing dwarfs should lie near the virial boundaries of the two LG primaries, and predict a trove of nearby dwarfs that await discovery by upcoming wide-field imaging surveys.
Intermittent planet migration and the formation of multiple dust rings and gaps in protoplanetary discs
Authors: Wafflard-Fernandez Gaylor , Baruteau Clément
Published: February 2020

A key challenge for protoplanetary discs and planet formation models is to be able to make a reliable connection between observed structures in the discs emission, like bright and dark rings or asymmetries, and the supposed existence of planets triggering these structures. The observation of N dark rings of emission is often interpreted as evidence for the presence of N planets which clear dust gaps around their orbit and form dust-trapping pressure maxima in the disc. The vast majority of the models that studied the impact of planets on the dynamics of dust and gas in a protoplanetary disc assumed planets on fixed orbits. Here, we go a different route and examine how the large-scale inward migration of a single planet structures the dust content of a massive disc. In many circumstances, the migration of a partial gap-opening planet with a mass comparable to Saturn is found to run away intermittently. By means of 2D gas and dust hydrodynamical simulations, we show that intermittent runaway migration can form multiple dust rings and gaps across the disc. Each time migration slows down, a pressure maximum forms beyond the planet gap that traps the large dust. Post-processing of our simulations results with 3D dust radiative transfer calculations confirms that intermittent runaway migration can lead to the formation of multiple sets of bright and dark rings of continuum emission in the (sub)millimeter beyond the planet location.
Entropy-driven winds: Outflows and fountains lifted gently by buoyancy
Authors: Keller Benjamin W , Kruijssen J M Diederik , Wadsley James W
Published: February 2020

We present a new theoretical framework for using entropy to understand how outflows driven by supernovae are launched from disc galaxies: via continuous, buoyant acceleration through the circumgalactic medium (CGM). When young star clusters detonate supernovae in the interstellar medium (ISM) of a galaxy, they generate hot, diffuse bubbles that push on the surrounding ISM and evaporate that ISM into their interiors. As these bubbles reach the scale height of the ISM, they break out of the disc, rising into the CGM. Once these bubbles break out, if they have sufficiently high entropy, they will feel an upward acceleration, owing to a local buoyant force. This upward force will accelerate these bubbles, driving them to high galactocentric radii, keeping them in the CGM for > Gyr, even if their initial velocity is much lower than the local escape velocity. We derive an equation of motion for these entropy-driven winds that connects the ISM properties, halo mass, and CGM profile of galaxies to the ultimate evolution of feedback-driven winds. We explore the parameter space of these equations, and show how this novel framework can explain both self-consistent simulations of star formation and galactic outflows as well as the new wealth of observations of CGM kinematics. We show that these entropy-driven winds can produce long wind recycling times, while still carrying a significant amount of mass. Comparisons to simulations and observations show entropy-driven winds convincingly explain the kinematics of galactic outflows.
Field/isolated lenticular galaxies with high SN values: the case of NGC 4546 and its globular cluster system
Authors: Escudero Carlos G , Faifer Favio R , Smith Castelli Analía V , Norris Mark A , Forte Juan C
Published: February 2020

We present a photometric study of the field lenticular galaxy NGC 4546 using Gemini/GMOS imaging in g′r′i′z′. We perform a 2D image decomposition of the surface brightness distribution of the galaxy using galfit, finding that four components adequately describe it. The subtraction of this model from our images and the construction of a colour map allow us to examine in great detail the asymmetric dust structures around the galactic centre. In addition, we perform a detailed analysis of the globular cluster (GC) system of NGC 4546. Using a Gaussian Mixture Model algorithm in the colour–colour plane, we detected hints of multiple groups of GC candidates: the classic blue and red subpopulations, a group with intermediate colours that present a concentrated spatial distribution towards the galaxy, and an additional group towards the red end of the colour distribution. We estimate a total GC population for NGC 4546 of 390 ± 60 members and specific frequency SN = 3.3 ± 0.7, which is relatively high compared to the typical value for galaxies of similar masses and environment. We suggest that the unusual GC population substructures were possibly formed during the interaction that led to the formation of the young ultra-compact dwarf (NGC 4546-UCD1) found in this system. Finally, we estimate the distance modulus of NGC 4546 by analysing its luminosity function, resulting in (m − M) = 30.75 ± 0.12 mag (14.1 Mpc).
Real-time kinetics and high-resolution melt curves in single-molecule digital LAMP to differentiate and study specific and non-specific amplification
Authors: Rolando Justin C , Jue Erik , Barlow Jacob T , Ismagilov Rustem F
Published: February 2020

Isothermal amplification assays, such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), show great utility for the development of rapid diagnostics for infectious diseases because they have high sensitivity, pathogen-specificity and potential for implementation at the point of care. However, elimination of non-specific amplification remains a key challenge for the optimization of LAMP assays. Here, using chlamydia DNA as a clinically relevant target and high-throughput sequencing as an analytical tool, we investigate a potential mechanism of non-specific amplification. We then develop a real-time digital LAMP (dLAMP) with high-resolution melting temperature (HRM) analysis and use this single-molecule approach to analyze approximately 1.2 million amplification events. We show that single-molecule HRM provides insight into specific and non-specific amplification in LAMP that are difficult to deduce from bulk measurements. We use real-time dLAMP with HRM to evaluate differences between polymerase enzymes, the impact of assay parameters (e.g. time, rate or florescence intensity), and the effect background human DNA. By differentiating true and false positives, HRM enables determination of the optimal assay and analysis parameters that leads to the lowest limit of detection (LOD) in a digital isothermal amplification assay.
Tectono-magmatic Interplay and Related Metasomatism in Gabbros of the Chenaillet Ophiolite (Western Alps)
Authors: Tribuzio R , Manatschal G , Renna M R , Ottolini L , Zanetti A
Published: February 2020

The Jurassic Chenaillet ophiolite in the Western Alps consists of a gabbro–mantle association exhumed to the seafloor through detachment faulting and partly covered by basaltic lavas. One of the Chenaillet gabbroic bodies includes mylonites that are transected by a network of felsic veins, thereby testifying to the interplay of ductile shearing and magma emplacement. The deformed gabbros preserve clinopyroxene porphyroclasts of primary magmatic origin, which are typically mantled by amphibole (titanian edenite) and minor secondary clinopyroxene. Titanian edenite and secondary clinopyroxene also occur as fine-grained syn-kinematic phases locally associated with fine-grained plagioclase. The felsic veins are made up of anorthite-poor plagioclase and minor titanian edenite. Geothermometric investigations document that the ductile gabbro deformation and the crystallization of the felsic veins occurred at 765 ± 50 °C and 800 ± 55 °C, respectively. With respect to undeformed counterparts, the deformed gabbros are variably enriched in SiO2 and variably depleted in Mg/(Mg + Fetot2+) and Ca/(Ca + Na). In addition, the deformed gabbros show relatively high concentrations of incompatible trace elements such as rare earth elements (REE), Y, Zr and Nb. The felsic veins are characterized by low Mg/(Mg + Fetot2+) and Ca/(Ca + Na), high SiO2 and high concentrations of incompatible trace elements. Relict clinopyroxene porphyroclasts from the deformed gabbros display a rather primitive, mid-ocean ridge-type geochemical signature, which contrasts with the trace element fingerprint of titanian edenite from both the deformed gabbros and the felsic veins. For instance, titanian edenite typically has relatively high REE abundances, with chondrite-normalized REE patterns characterized by a pronounced negative Eu anomaly. A similar trace element signature is shown by secondary clinopyroxene from the deformed gabbros. Amphibole from both the deformed gabbros and the felsic veins displays high F/Cl values. We show that the SiO2-rich hydrous melts feeding the felsic veins were involved in the high-temperature gabbro deformation and that melt–gabbro reactions led to major and trace element metasomatism of the deforming gabbros.
Endless and Infinite
Authors: Malpass Alex , Morriston Wes
Published: February 2020

It is often said that time must have a beginning because otherwise the series of past events would have the paradoxical features of an actual infinite. In the present paper, we show that, even given a dynamic theory of time, the cardinality of an endless series of events, each of which will occur, is the same as that of a beginningless series of events, each of which has occurred. Both are denumerably infinite. So if (as we believe) an endless series of events is possible, then the possibility of a beginningless series of past events should not be rejected merely on the ground that it would be an actual infinite. What would be required to rebut our argument is a symmetry breaker – something that motivates treating the past relevantly differently to the future. We consider several attempts to provide a symmetry breaker and show that none of them is successful.
“How equity should assess a rate of interest against a defaulting trustee”: investment performance of express trustees considered in the light of Watson v Kea
Authors: Graham Toby , McPhail Tom
Published: February 2020

The Court of Appeal in Watson v Kea Investments [2019] EWCA Civ 1759 unanimously upheld an award of equitable interest of 6.5% compounded annually on the footing that the relevant inquiry for the Court was how equity should assess a rate of interest against a defaulting trustee. This article discusses how the Court determined the appropriate proxy basis for the award by reference to evidence adduced by the Claimant, Kea, and looks at potential ramifications for defaulting trustees in other contexts, including claims relating to poor investment performance of trust portfolios.