bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discussion on Printing and Dyeing Wastewater Treatment Methods
Authors: Sun Wen , Yang Ke
Published: July 2020

With the rapid development of the printing and dyeing industry, a large amount of industrial wastewater will be produced in the production process of the printing and dyeing industry. If these wastewaters are not treated, they will pose a serious threat to the ecological environment and human health. This article summarizes the characteristics and research progress of the physical, chemical, and biological methods currently used in the treatment of printing and dyeing wastewater, and provides a good basis for future research and development.
Study on the influence factors of the release characteristics of IQOS cigarette smoke
Authors: Tong Yuxing , Xiong Zhe , Gao Song , Yan Qunshan , Liu Zhichang , Wang Ziwei , Le Xi , Shu Hao , Tang Xiangbin , Li Pengfei , Xiong Yimin , Wang Yi
Published: July 2020

In order to clarify the reasons for the good smoke release characteristics of IQOS, the factors that are beneficial to the smoke release characteristics of IQOS were studied by comparing the K (the amount of released smoke was less) and IQOS. The components of IQOS and K which were easy to be released were characterized by the GC-MS. The thermal release characteristics of IQOS, K and the original tobacco powders of K were characterized by the thermogravimetric analyzer (TG). The main compounds of the released smoke of IQOS and K were characterized by Py/GC-MS at two typical heating temperatures (260 and 330°C). The results show that: 1) the actual heating temperature of the IQOS was higher (330°C), which could promote the release of smoke. 2) IQOS tobacco stick has a porous structure with higher specific surface area, which was beneficial to the release of smoke. 3) IQOS contains more components which were easy to be released, thus the high concentration of smoke could be formed. 4) Though the content of the atomization agent in IQOS was lower than that in K, more atomization agent in IQOS could be released at the tobacco cracking temperature (330°C), thus the atomization property of IQOS was better.
Relationship between the particle size and nutrient distribution of feces and nutrients in pigs and dairy cows and the efficiency of solid-liquid separation
Authors: Wu Junwei , Zhong Xianjin
Published: July 2020

In this paper, pig and dairy manure were used as materials, and the particle size distribution of pig and dairy manure was analyzed according to different particle sizes of <0.15, 0.15-0.5, 0.5-1.0 and> 1.0mm. At the same time, NPK in four different particle sizes were analyzed. The nutrient content was solid-liquid separated by using XY-type spiral livestock and poultry manure solid-liquid separators under 0.5 and 1.0mm sieve screens. The mechanical solid-liquid separation was used to analyze the solids and nutrients of the corresponding particle size feces. Recovery efficiency. The results show that the particle size distribution of pig and cow manure is mainly <0.15mm small particles. Such small particles account for 57.99% -68.34% of the weight of the manure. The particle size of dairy manure particles is larger than that of pig manure. Less than fattening pigs and lactating cow feces. Nearly 80% of N, P, and K nutrients in pig and dairy manure are water-soluble or exist in small particles <0.15mm. The percentage of N and P nutrient recovery from solids and solids obtained from mechanical solid-liquid separation of feces is higher than the proportion of fecal particles and nutrients from the corresponding screen pore size. %, N, P nutrient recovery rates were 7.14-19.71, 7.38-21.18%, respectively.
Application and Improvement of Wet Oxidation Technology
Authors: Zhang Yongxun , Wang Yibo
Published: July 2020

The common treatment methods for industrial biodegradable industrial waste-water are physical, chemical and biological methods, but the conventional methods have complicated and inefficient treatment processes. Wet air Oxidation (WAO) technology can effectively treat industrial biodegradable industrial waste-water. WAO has achieved good results in the treatment of pesticide waste-water, dye waste-water, activated sludge and phenol-containing waste-water. The CODCr removal rate of waste-water reaches 72.3 %∼95.3 %. In order to further improve the application effect of WAO technology, three improvement approaches have been developed: Catalytic Wet Air Oxidation, Catalytic Wet Supercritical Oxidation, and Catalytic Wet Peroxide Oxidation.
Classical information theory of networks
Authors: Radicchi Filippo , Krioukov Dmitri , Hartle Harrison , Bianconi Ginestra
Published: July 2020

Existing information-theoretic frameworks based on maximum entropy network ensembles are not able to explain the emergence of heterogeneity in complex networks. Here, we fill this gap of knowledge by developing a classical framework for networks based on finding an optimal trade-off between the information content of a compressed representation of the ensemble and the information content of the actual network ensemble. We introduce a novel classical network ensemble satisfying a set of soft constraints and we find the optimal distribution of the constraints for this ensemble. We show that for the classical network ensemble in which the only constraints are the expected degrees a power-law degree distribution is optimal. Also, we study spatially embedded networks finding that the interactions between nodes naturally lead to non-uniform spread of nodes in the embedding space, leading in some cases to a fractal distribution of nodes. This result is consistent with the so called `blessing of non-uniformity' of data, i.e. the fact that real world data typically do not obey uniform distributions. The pertinent features of real-world air transportation networks are well described by the proposed framework.
Sex effects on brain structure in de novo Parkinson’s disease: a multimodal neuroimaging study
Authors: Tremblay Christina , Abbasi Nooshin , Zeighami Yashar , Yau Yvonne , Dadar Mahsa , Rahayel Shady , Dagher Alain
Published: July 2020

Parkinson’s disease varies in severity and age of onset. One source of this variability is sex. Males are twice as likely as females to develop Parkinson’s disease, and tend to have more severe symptoms and greater speed of progression. However, to date, there is little information in large cohorts on sex differences in the patterns of neurodegeneration. Here we used MRI and clinical information from the Parkinson Progression Markers Initiative to measure structural brain differences between sexes in Parkinson’s disease after regressing out the expected effect of age and sex. We derived atrophy maps from deformation-based morphometry of T1-weighted MRI and connectivity from diffusion-weighted MRI in de novo Parkinson’s disease patients (149 males: 83 females) with comparable clinical severity, and healthy control participants (78 males: 39 females). Overall, even though the two patient groups were matched for disease duration and severity, males demonstrated generally greater brain atrophy and disrupted connectivity. Males with Parkinson’s disease had significantly greater tissue loss than females in 11 cortical regions including bilateral frontal and left insular lobe, right postcentral gyrus, left inferior temporal and cingulate gyrus and left thalamus, while females had greater atrophy in six cortical regions, including regions in the left frontal lobe, right parietal lobe, left insular gyrus and right occipital cortex. Local efficiency of white matter connectivity showed greater disruption in males in multiple regions such as basal ganglia, hippocampus, amygdala and thalamus. These findings support the idea that development of Parkinson’s disease may involve different pathological mechanisms and yield distinct prognosis in males and females, which may have implications for research into neuroprotection, and stratification for clinical trials.
Nucleic Acid Testing for Diagnosis of Perinatally Acquired Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Early Infancy
Authors: Gowda Charitha , Smith Stephanie , Crim Linda , Moyer Katherine , Sánchez Pablo J , Honegger Jonathan R
Published: July 2020

Background

Most US children with perinatal hepatitis C virus (HCV) exposure fail to receive the recommended anti-HCV antibody test at age ≥18 months. Earlier testing for viral RNA might facilitate increased screening, but sensitivity of this approach has not been established. We hypothesized that modern HCV-RNA RT-PCR platforms would adequately detect infected infants.

Methods

Nationwide Children’s Hospital electronic health records from 1/1/2008 to 30/6/2018 were reviewed to identify perinatally exposed infants tested by HCV-RNA RT-PCR at age 2–6 months. Diagnostic performance was determined using a composite case definition: (1) infected children had positive repeat HCV-RNA testing or positive anti-HCV at age ≥24 months; (2) uninfected children lacked these criteria and had negative anti-HCV at age ≥18 months.

Results

770 perinatally exposed infants underwent HCV-RNA testing at age 2–6 months. Of these, 28 (3.6%) tested positive; viremia was confirmed in all who underwent repeat testing (n = 27). Among 742 infants with negative HCV-RNA results, 226 received follow-up anti-HCV testing at age ≥18 months, of whom 223 tested negative. Three children had low-positive anti-HCV results at age 18–24 months that were negative upon retesting after age 24 months, possibly indicating waning maternal antibodies. Using the composite case definitions, early HCV-RNA screening demonstrated sensitivity of 100% (87.5–100%, Wilson-Brown 95% CI) and specificity of 100% (98.3–100%).

Conclusions

Modern HCV-RNA RT-PCR assays have excellent sensitivity for early diagnosis of perinatally acquired infection and could aid HCV surveillance given the substantial loss to follow-up at ≥18 months of age.
Additive protective effects of sacubitril/valsartan and bosentan on vascular remodelling in experimental pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Chaumais Marie-Camille , Djessas Mohamed Reda Amar , Thuillet Raphaël , Cumont Amélie , Tu Ly , Hebert Guillaume , Gaignard Pauline , Huertas Alice , Savale Laurent , Humbert Marc , Guignabert Christophe
Published: July 2020

Aims

Although right ventricular (RV) function is an important determinant of morbidity and mortality in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), there is no treatment targeting directly the RV. We evaluate the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ 696) as add-on therapy to bosentan in rats with severe pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Methods and results

Combination therapy of LCZ 696 and bosentan has additive vascular protective effects against the pulmonary vascular remodelling and PH in two preclinical models of severe PH. Compared with monotherapy, co-treatment of LCZ 696 (30 or 68 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks, per os) and bosentan (100 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks, per os) started 7 days after monocrotaline (MCT) injection substantially reduces pulmonary pressures, vascular remodelling, and RV hypertrophy and fibrosis in rats. Consistent with these observations, co-treatment of rats with established PH induced by sugen/hypoxia (SuHx) with LCZ 696 (30 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks, per os) and bosentan (100 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks, per os) started 5 weeks after Sugen injection partially attenuate total pulmonary vascular resistance and cardiovascular structures. We also obtained evidence showing that LCZ 696 has anti-proliferative effect on cultured human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells derived from patients with idiopathic PAH, an effect that is more pronounced in presence of bosentan. Finally, we found that the plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) are higher in rats co-treated with LCZ 696 (30 mg/kg/day) and bosentan (100 mg/kg/day) than in MCT and SuHx rats treated with vehicle.

Conclusion

Dual therapy with LCZ 696 plus bosentan proved significantly superior beneficial effect to LCZ 696 or bosentan alone on vascular remodelling and severity of experimental PH.
2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for management of dyslipidaemia: strengths and limitations
Authors: Zeitouni Michel , Sabouret Pierre , Kerneis Mathieu , Silvain Johanne , Collet Jean-Philippe , Bruckert Eric , Montalescot Gilles
Published: July 2020

In 2019, the European Society of Cardiology and European Atherosclerosis Society released a new guideline document with substantial changes regarding the assessment of cardiovascular risk and treatments. The update of high-risk criteria and categories led to a better detection and primary prevention of patients at risk of a first cardiovascular event. Nonetheless, additional efforts are needed for a better inclusion of risk modifiers, especially specific to women, to improve risk stratification and direct primary prevention. Eventually, we discuss how these new guidelines implement PCSK9 inhibitors for very high-risk individuals and the evidence supporting new low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals below, such as 55 and 40 mg/dL.
Evolution of Mutation Rate in Astronomically Large Phytoplankton Populations
Authors: Krasovec Marc , Rickaby Rosalind E M , Filatov Dmitry A
Published: July 2020

Genetic diversity is expected to be proportional to population size, yet, there is a well-known, but unexplained lack of genetic diversity in large populations—the “Lewontin’s paradox.” Larger populations are expected to evolve lower mutation rates, which may help to explain this paradox. Here, we test this conjecture by measuring the spontaneous mutation rate in a ubiquitous unicellular marine phytoplankton species Emiliania huxleyi (Haptophyta) that has modest genetic diversity despite an astronomically large population size. Genome sequencing of E. huxleyi mutation accumulation lines revealed 455 mutations, with an unusual GC-biased mutation spectrum. This yielded an estimate of the per site mutation rate µ = 5.55×10−10 (CI 95%: 5.05×10−10 – 6.09×10−10), which corresponds to an effective population size Ne ∼ 2.7×106. Such a modest Ne is surprising for a ubiquitous and abundant species that accounts for up to 10% of global primary productivity in the oceans. Our results indicate that even exceptionally large populations do not evolve mutation rates lower than ∼10−10 per nucleotide per cell division. Consequently, the extreme disparity between modest genetic diversity and astronomically large population size in the plankton species cannot be explained by an unusually low mutation rate.
PRE-1 Revealed Previous Unknown Introgression Events in Eurasian Boars during the Middle Pleistocene
Authors: Zhao Pengju , Du Heng , Jiang Lin , Zheng Xianrui , Feng Wen , Diao Chenguang , Zhou Lei , Liu George E , Zhang Hao , Chamba Yangzom , Zhang Qin , Li Bugao , Liu Jian-Feng
Published: July 2020

Introgression events and population admixture occurred among Sus species across the Eurasian mainland in the Middle Pleistocene, which reflects the local adaption of different populations and contributes to evolutionary novelty. Previous findings on these population introgressions were largely based on extensive genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism information, ignoring structural variants (SVs) as an important alternative resource of genetic variations. Here, we profiled the genome-wide SVs and explored the formation of pattern-related SVs, indicating that PRE1-SS is a recently active subfamily that was strongly associated with introgression events in multiple Asian and European pig populations. As reflected by the three different combination haplotypes from two specific patterns and known phylogenetic relationships in Eurasian boars, we identified the Asian Northern wild pigs as having experienced introgression from European wild boars around 0.5–0.2 Ma and having received latitude-related selection. During further exploration of the influence of pattern-related SVs on gene functions, we found substantial sequence changes in 199 intron regions of 54 genes and 3 exon regions of 3 genes (HDX, TRO, and SMIM1), implying that the pattern-related SVs were highly related to positive selection and adaption of pigs. Our findings revealed novel introgression events in Eurasian wild boars, providing a timeline of population admixture and divergence across the Eurasian mainland in the Middle Pleistocene.
Inhibition of APE1/Ref-1 Redox Signaling Alleviates Intestinal Dysfunction and Damage to Myenteric Neurons in a Mouse Model of Spontaneous Chronic Colitis
Authors: Sahakian Lauren , Filippone Rhiannon T , Stavely Rhian , Robinson Ainsley M , Yan Xu Sean , Abalo Raquel , Eri Rajaraman , Bornstein Joel C , Kelley Mark R , Nurgali Kulmira
Published: July 2020

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) associates with damage to the enteric nervous system (ENS), leading to gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction. Oxidative stress is important for the pathophysiology of inflammation-induced enteric neuropathy and GI dysfunction. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) is a dual functioning protein that is an essential regulator of the cellular response to oxidative stress. In this study, we aimed to determine whether an APE1/Ref-1 redox domain inhibitor, APX3330, alleviates inflammation-induced oxidative stress that leads to enteric neuropathy in the Winnie murine model of spontaneous chronic colitis.

Methods

Winnie mice received APX3330 or vehicle via intraperitoneal injections over 2 weeks and were compared with C57BL/6 controls. In vivo disease activity and GI transit were evaluated. Ex vivo experiments were performed to assess functional parameters of colonic motility, immune cell infiltration, and changes to the ENS.

Results

Targeting APE1/Ref-1 redox activity with APX3330 improved disease severity, reduced immune cell infiltration, restored GI function ,and provided neuroprotective effects to the enteric nervous system. Inhibition of APE1/Ref-1 redox signaling leading to reduced mitochondrial superoxide production, oxidative DNA damage, and translocation of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) was involved in neuroprotective effects of APX3330 in enteric neurons.

Conclusions

This study is the first to investigate inhibition of APE1/Ref-1’s redox activity via APX3330 in an animal model of chronic intestinal inflammation. Inhibition of the redox function of APE1/Ref-1 is a novel strategy that might lead to a possible application of APX3330 for the treatment of IBD.
Exploring the Potential of 3D-printing in Biological Education: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Hansen Alexandria K , Langdon Taylor R , Mendrin Lukyon W , Peters Kaylin , Ramos Jose , Lent David D
Published: July 2020

Synopsis

Science education is most effective when it provides authentic experiences that reflect professional practices and approaches that address issues relevant to students’ lives and communities. Such educational experiences are becoming increasingly interdisciplinary and can be enhanced using digital fabrication. Digital fabrication is the process of designing objects for the purpose of fabricating with machinery such as 3D-printers, laser cutters, and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. Historically, these types of tools have been exceptionally costly and difficult to access; however, recent advancements in technological design have been accompanied by decreasing prices. In this review, we first establish the historical and theoretical foundations that support the use of digital fabrication as a pedagogical strategy to enhance learning. We specifically chose to focus attention on 3D-printing because this type of technology is becoming increasingly advanced, affordable, and widely available. We systematically reviewed the last 20 years of literature that characterized the use of 3D-printing in biological education, only finding a total of 13 articles that attempted to investigate the benefits for student learning. While the pedagogical value of student-driven creation is strongly supported by educational literature, it was challenging to make broad claims about student learning in relation to using or creating 3D-printed models in the context of biological education. Additional studies are needed to systematically investigate the impact of student-driven creation at the intersection of biology and engineering or computer science education.
Global synchronization of coupled reaction–diffusion neural networks with general couplings via an iterative approach
Authors: Tseng Jui-Pin
Published: July 2020

We establish a framework to investigate the global synchronization of coupled reaction–diffusion neural networks with time delays. The coupled networks under consideration can incorporate both the internal delays in each individual network and the transmission delays across different networks. The coupling scheme for the coupled networks is rather general, and its performance is not adversely affected by the restrictions commonly imposed by existing relevant investigations. Based on the proposed iterative approach, the problem of global synchronization is transformed into that of solving the corresponding homogeneous linear system of algebraic equations. The synchronization criterion is subsequently derived and can be verified with simple computations. Three numerical examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the synchronization theory presented in this paper.
Facing a dilemma in the treatment of an internal mammary artery mycotic pseudoaneurysm: coil embolization or surgery? A case report and brief literature review
Authors: Spiliopoulos Kyriakos , Magouliotis Dimitrios E , Spanos Konstantinos , Salemis Nikolaos S , Tsantsaridou Angeliki , Karagiorgas Georgios , Giannoukas Athanasios D , Rountas Christos
Published: July 2020

While aneurysms of the internal mammary artery (IMA) complicate occasionally surgical procedures employing median sternotomy, or are associated with direct thoracic trauma, mycotic pseudoaneurysms of the vessel are rarely reported in the literature. We herein report a case of a 22-year-old man who developed a mycotic internal mammary artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to staphylococcal chest wall abscesses and was effectively treated by coil embolization. Additionally, the report provides a brief review focusing on the current state of treatment options for internal mammary artery aneurysms.
Examining and Improving Provider Adherence to the Primary Care Mental Health Integration Model
Authors: Possis Elizabeth , Skroch Beret , Hintz Samuel , Bronars Carrie , Mallen Michael , Crowl Haley , Moore Kelly , Bemmels Heather , Olson Douglas
Published: July 2020

Introduction

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is a national leader in integrated care, known in the VHA as the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) model. This model is associated with improved quality of services and same-day access for veterans. There has been some recent development of PCMHI/integrated care competencies within VHA and across the nation. To fully implement these competencies, however, PCMHI providers must not only be trained, but their adherence to the PCMHI model must also be assessed. While there have been recent advances, there has been little research that has examined the adherence of PCMHI providers to the model or methods to improve adherence.

Materials and Methods

The present study sought to examine and improve the clinical practice of a team of eight PCMHI providers to make practice more adherent to the PCMHI model. This study was conducted at a large Midwestern VA Medical Center using interventions based in assessment, feedback, and training—measured at three points in time. The Primary Care Behavioral Health Provider Adherence Questionnaire (PPAQ; Beehler GP, Funderburk JS, Possemato K, et al.: Psychometric assessment of the primary care behavioral health provider adherence questionnaire (PPAQ). Transl Behav Med 2013; 3: 379–91.) was used to assess provider adherence and the PPAQ toolkit was used to provide tailored recommendations for improving provider practice. In addition, the VHA “Foundations Manual” and Functional Tool outlined essential behavioral targets that are consistent with the PCMHI model and the “essential provider behaviors” from the PPAQ. A combination of individual and group interventions was presented and adherence, pre and post, was assessed with the PPAQ and with evaluation of clinical practice data.

Results

Results indicated that the behavior of PCMHI providers changed over time, with providers exhibiting more PCMHI consistent behaviors and fewer inconsistent behaviors. Adherence to the PCMHI model increased.

Conclusion

Providing assessment, feedback, and training in the PCMHI model changed the clinical practice of PCMHI providers and resulted in improved adherence. Clinical and research implications are discussed.
Ionized and hot molecular outflows in the inner 500 pc of NGC 1275
Authors: Riffel Rogemar A , Storchi-Bergmann Thaisa , Zakamska Nadia L , Riffel Rogério
Published: July 2020

The role of feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in the evolution of galaxies is still not fully understood, mostly due to the lack of observational constraints in the multiphase gas kinematics on the 10–100 pc scales. We have used the Gemini Near-Infrared Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS) to map the molecular and ionized gas kinematics in the inner 900 × 900 pc2 of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 1275 at a spatial resolution of ∼70 pc. From the fitting of the CO absorption bandheads in the K band, we derive a stellar velocity dispersion of 265 ± 26 km s−1, which implies a black hole mass of $M_{\rm SMBH}=1.1^{+0.9}_{-0.5}\times 10^9$ M⊙. We find hot (T ≳ 1000 K) molecular and ionized outflows with velocities of up to 2000 km s−1 and mass outflow rates of $2.7\times 10^{-2}$  and $1.6\, {\rm M_\odot }$ yr−1, respectively, in each of these gas phases. The kinetic power of the ionized outflows corresponds to only 0.05 per cent of the luminosity of the AGN of NGC 1275, indicating that they are not powerful enough to provide significant AGN feedback, but may be effective in redistributing the gas in the central region of the galaxy. The AGN-driven outflows seem to be responsible for the shocks necessary to produce the observed H2 and [Fe ii] line emission.
Implications of the search for optical counterparts during the second part of the Advanced LIGO’s and Advanced Virgo’s third observing run: lessons learned for future follow-up observations
Authors: Coughlin Michael W , Dietrich Tim , Antier Sarah , Almualla Mouza , Anand Shreya , Bulla Mattia , Foucart Francois , Guessoum Nidhal , Hotokezaka Kenta , Kumar Vishwesh , Raaijmakers Geert , Nissanke Samaya
Published: July 2020

Joint multimessenger observations with gravitational waves and electromagnetic (EM) data offer new insights into the astrophysical studies of compact objects. The third Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo observing run began on 2019 April 1; during the 11 months of observation, there have been 14 compact binary systems candidates for which at least one component is potentially a neutron star. Although intensive follow-up campaigns involving tens of ground and space-based observatories searched for counterparts, no EM counterpart has been detected. Following on a previous study of the first six months of the campaign, we present in this paper the next five months of the campaign from 2019 October to 2020 March. We highlight two neutron star–black hole candidates (S191205ah and S200105ae), two binary neutron star candidates (S191213g and S200213t), and a binary merger with a possible neutron star and a ‘MassGap’ component, S200115j. Assuming that the gravitational-wave (GW) candidates are of astrophysical origin and their location was covered by optical telescopes, we derive possible constraints on the matter ejected during the events based on the non-detection of counterparts. We find that the follow-up observations during the second half of the third observing run did not meet the necessary sensitivity to constrain the source properties of the potential GW candidate. Consequently, we suggest that different strategies have to be used to allow a better usage of the available telescope time. We examine different choices for follow-up surveys to optimize sky localization coverage versus observational depth to understand the likelihood of counterpart detection.
The importance of magnetic fields for the initial mass function of the first stars
Authors: Sharda Piyush , Federrath Christoph , Krumholz Mark R
Published: July 2020

Magnetic fields play an important role for the formation of stars in both local and high-redshift galaxies. Recent studies of dynamo amplification in the first dark matter haloes suggest that significant magnetic fields were likely present during the formation of the first stars in the Universe at redshifts of 15 and above. In this work, we study how these magnetic fields potentially impact the initial mass function (IMF) of the first stars. We perform 200 high-resolution, three-dimensional (3D), magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of the collapse of primordial clouds with different initial turbulent magnetic field strengths as predicted from turbulent dynamo theory in the early Universe, forming more than 1100 first stars in total. We detect a strong statistical signature of suppressed fragmentation in the presence of strong magnetic fields, leading to a dramatic reduction in the number of first stars with masses low enough that they might be expected to survive to the present-day. Additionally, strong fields shift the transition point where stars go from being mostly single to mostly multiple to higher masses. However, irrespective of the field strength, individual simulations are highly chaotic, show different levels of fragmentation and clustering, and the outcome depends on the exact realization of the turbulence in the primordial clouds. While these are still idealized simulations that do not start from cosmological initial conditions, our work shows that magnetic fields play a key role for the primordial IMF, potentially even more so than for the present-day IMF.
Relaxation of viscoelastic tumblers with application to 1I/2017 (‘Oumuamua) and 4179 Toutatis
Authors: Kwiecinski James A
Published: July 2020

Motivated by the observation of comets and asteroids rotating in non-principal axis (NPA) states, we investigate the relaxation of a freely precessing triaxial ellipsoidal rotator towards its lowest energy spin state. Relaxation of the precession arises from internal dissipative stresses generated by self-gravitation and inertial forces from spin. We develop a general theory to determine the viscoelastic stresses in the rotator, under any linear rheology, for both long-axis (LAM) and short-axis (SAM) modes. By the methods of continuum mechanics, we calculate the power dissipated by the stress field and the viscoelastic material strain, which enables us to determine the time-scale of the precession dampening. To illustrate how the theory is used, we apply our framework to a triaxial 1I/2017 (‘Oumuamua) and 4179 Toutatis under the Maxwell regime. For the former, employing viscoelastic parameters typical of very cold monolithic asteroids renders a dampening time-scale longer by a factor of 1010 and higher than the time-scales found in the works relying on the $\, Q$-factor approach, while the latter yields a time-scale shorter by 107 as a consequence of including self-gravitation. We further reduce our triaxial theory to bodies of an oblate geometry and derive a family of relatively simple analytic approximations determining the NPA dampening times for Maxwell rotators, as well as a criterion determining whether self-gravitation is negligible in the relaxation process. Our approximations exhibit a relative error no larger than $0.2{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$, when compared to numerical integration, for close to non-dissipative bodies and $0.003{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ for moderately to highly energy dissipating rotators.
Coupling of dual mass-transferring white dwarf binaries as a variable gravitational-wave emitter
Authors: Seto Naoki
Published: July 2020

We study evolution of a hierarchical four-body (2 + 2) system composed by a pair of mass-transferring white dwarf binaries. Applying a simplified model around the synchronous state of two inner orbital periods, we newly find that the four-body system could settle down to a limit cycle with a small period gap. The period gap generates an amplitude variation of emitted gravitational waves as a beat effect. Depending on model parameters, the beat period could be 1–10 yr and a large amplitude variation might be observed by space gravitational-wave detectors.
Perturbation theory approach to predict the covariance matrices of the galaxy power spectrum and bispectrum in redshift space
Authors: Sugiyama Naonori S , Saito Shun , Beutler Florian , Seo Hee-Jong
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we predict the covariance matrices of both the power spectrum and the bispectrum, including full non-Gaussian contributions, redshift space distortions, linear bias effects, and shot-noise corrections, using perturbation theory (PT). To quantify the redshift-space distortion effect, we focus mainly on the monopole and quadrupole components of both the power and bispectra. We, for the first time, compute the 5- and 6-point spectra to predict the cross-covariance between the power and bispectra, and the autocovariance of the bispectrum in redshift space. We test the validity of our calculations by comparing them with the covariance matrices measured from the MultiDark-Patchy mock catalogues that are designed to reproduce the galaxy clustering measured from the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey Data Release 12. We argue that the simple, leading-order PT works because the shot-noise corrections for the Patchy mocks are more dominant than other higher order terms we ignore. In the meantime, we confirm some discrepancies in the comparison, especially of the cross-covariance. We discuss potential sources of such discrepancies. We also show that our PT model reproduces well the cumulative signal-to-noise ratio of the power spectrum and the bispectrum as a function of maximum wavenumber, implying that our PT model captures successfully essential contributions to the covariance matrices.
On the seismic emission in sunspots associated with Lorentz force changes accompanying major solar flares
Authors: Kumar Hirdesh , Kumar Brajesh
Published: July 2020

Solar flares are known to generate seismic waves in the Sun. We present a detailed analysis of seismic emission in sunspots accompanying M- and X-class solar flares. For this purpose, we have used high-resolution Dopplergrams and line-of-sight magnetograms at a cadence of 45 s, along with vector magnetograms at a cadence of 135 s obtained from Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager instrument aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory space mission. In order to identify the location of flare ribbons and hard X-ray footpoints, we have also used Hα chromospheric intensity observations obtained from Global Oscillation Network Group instruments and hard X-ray images in 12–25 keV band from the Reuvan Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager spacecraft. The fast Fourier transform technique is applied to construct the acoustic velocity power map in 2.5–4 mHz band for pre-flare, spanning flare, and post-flare epochs for the identification of seismic emission locations in the sunspots. In the power maps, we have selected only those locations which are away from the flare ribbons and hard X-ray footpoints. These regions are believed to be free from any flare related artefacts in the observational data. We have identified concentrated locations of acoustic power enhancements in sunspots accompanying major flares. Our investigation provides evidence that abrupt changes in the magnetic fields and associated impulsive changes in the Lorentz force could be the driving source for these seismic emissions in the sunspots during solar flares.
The RNA exosome shapes the expression of key protein-coding genes
Authors: Wu Mengjun , Karadoulama Evdoxia , Lloret-Llinares Marta , Rouviere Jerome Olivier , Vaagensø Christian Skov , Moravec Martin , Li Bingnan , Wang Jingwen , Wu Guifen , Gockert Maria , Pelechano Vicent , Jensen Torben Heick , Sandelin Albin
Published: July 2020

The ribonucleolytic exosome complex is central for nuclear RNA degradation, primarily targeting non-coding RNAs. Still, the nuclear exosome could have protein-coding (pc) gene-specific regulatory activities. By depleting an exosome core component, or components of exosome adaptor complexes, we identify ∼2900 transcription start sites (TSSs) from within pc genes that produce exosome-sensitive transcripts. At least 1000 of these overlap with annotated mRNA TSSs and a considerable portion of their transcripts share the annotated mRNA 3′ end. We identify two types of pc-genes, both employing a single, annotated TSS across cells, but the first type primarily produces full-length, exosome-sensitive transcripts, whereas the second primarily produces prematurely terminated transcripts. Genes within the former type often belong to immediate early response transcription factors, while genes within the latter are likely transcribed as a consequence of their proximity to upstream TSSs on the opposite strand. Conversely, when genes have multiple active TSSs, alternative TSSs that produce exosome-sensitive transcripts typically do not contribute substantially to overall gene expression, and most such transcripts are prematurely terminated. Our results display a complex landscape of sense transcription within pc-genes and imply a direct role for nuclear RNA turnover in the regulation of a subset of pc-genes.
Microstructures and Late-Stage Magmatic Processes in Layered Mafic Intrusions: Symplectites from the Sept Iles Intrusion, Quebec, Canada
Authors: Keevil Halley A , Namur Olivier , Holness Marian B
Published: July 2020

Replacive symplectites (vermicular intergrowths of two or more minerals) are an important feature of layered igneous intrusions, recording evidence of late-stage reactions between interstitial liquid and crystals. They are common throughout the Layered Series of the 564 Ma Sept Iles layered intrusion in Quebec, Canada, and fall into three types: oxy-symplectites, ‘Type I’ symplectites, and ‘Type II’ symplectites. Oxy-symplectites are comprised of magnetite and orthopyroxene, nucleate on olivine primocrysts, and form via the reaction Olivine + O2 → Orthopyroxene + Magnetite; Type I symplectites (of which there are 3 distinct categories) are comprised of anorthitic plagioclase with pyroxene, amphibole, or olivine vermicules, grow from primocryst oxide grains, and replace primocryst plagioclase; and Type II symplectites (of which there are 2 distinct categories) are comprised of anorthitic plagioclase with orthopyroxene ± amphibole vermicules, grow from primocryst olivine grains, and replace primocryst plagioclase. Rare symplectites composed of biotite and plagioclase are also present. Symplectite growth occurred at 700–1030°C with pressure constraints of 1–2 kbar. We propose that Type I symplectites, and some Type II symplectites, formed from the interaction of primocrysts with residual Fe-rich liquid as a consequence of differential loss of an immiscible Si-rich liquid conjugate from the crystal mush. However, redistribution and concentration of hydrous fluids in incompletely solidified rock, or an increase in water activity of the interstitial melt, may be more plausible processes responsible for the formation of replacive symplectites comprising abundant hydrous mineral assemblages.
Lymphoma risks in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with biological drugs—a Swedish cohort study of risks by time, drug and lymphoma subtype
Authors: Hellgren Karin , Di Giuseppe Daniela , Smedby Karin E , Sundström Christer , Askling Johan , Baecklund Eva ,   for the ARTIS study group
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To estimate the association between biological DMARDs (bDMARDs; overall and by drug) as used in RA and the risk of malignant lymphomas including subtypes.

Methods

By linking nationwide Swedish registers we identified cohorts of patients with RA initiating treatment with a bDMARD (n = 16 392), bDMARD-naïve (n = 55 253), an age- and sex-matched general population comparator cohort (n = 229 047), and all incident lymphomas 2001–16. We used Cox regression to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) of lymphoma taking calendar period and other factors into account.

Results

There were 82 lymphomas among the bDMARD-treated patients with RA, crude incidence rate 76/100 000 person-years, and 310 lymphomas among the bDMARD-naïve patients with RA, crude incidence rate 90/100 000 person-years. This resulted in an adjusted HR (aHR) associated with bDMARD treatment (vs not) of 1.08 (95% CI: 0.83, 1.41). The corresponding aHR for bDMARD-treated and bDMARD-naïve vs the general population was 1.65 (95% CI: 1.31, 2.08) and 1.56 (95% CI: 1.37, 1.78) respectively. Restricting follow-up period to after 2006, the aHR of lymphoma for patients with RA starting a first bDMARD vs bDMARD-naïve was 0.69 (95% CI: 0.47, 1.00), and for bDMARD treated vs patients with RA switching from one conventional synthetic DMARDs to another, aHR was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.28, 0.73). There were no signals of different risks with any particular TNF inhibitor (TNFi) agent. We found no different lymphoma subtype pattern following bDMARD therapy.

Conclusion

Treatment with bDMARDs, including both TNFi and non-TNFi bDMARDs, does not further increase the lymphoma risk in RA; instead, bDMARD treatment may actually reduce the excess lymphoma risk in RA.
Treatment strategies in axial spondyloarthritis: what, when and how?
Authors: Fragoulis George E , Siebert Stefan
Published: July 2020

There have been major advances in the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) with the introduction of effective biologic agents targeting TNF and IL-17A. Clinicians now have more choice but, despite treatment recommendations, are still faced with significant uncertainty when deciding on the optimal treatment strategy for an individual patient in clinical practice. Management of axSpA typically requires both non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions. NSAIDs remain the first line drug therapies for axSpA with proven efficacy for symptomatic management but uncertainty remains regarding their optimal long-term use relating to radiographic progression and safety in axSpA. To-date there are no head-to-head trials of biologics in axSpA. Clinicians need to consider other factors, including extra-articular manifestations, comorbidities, safety and radiographic progression when deciding on which biologic to recommend for an individual patient. This article will explore the evidence relating to these factors and highlight areas of unmet need.
Variegated financialization and pension fund asset demand: the case of Colombia and Perú
Authors: Bonizzi Bruno , Churchill Jennifer , Guevara Diego
Published: July 2020

This article seeks to explain concretely how one ‘variegation’ of financialization in the emerging economy setting is being shaped by the growth of domestic pension funds. Taking Colombia and Perú as case studies, we explore the evolution of pension fund demand subsequent to substantial pension policy reforms in the 1990s. Drawing on comparative political economy and the recent literature on subordinate financialization in emerging economies, we present a three-tiered conjecture regarding what is shaping pension fund demand: (a) the particular institutional context of ‘hierarchical market economies’ and neoliberal market reforms, (b) the ‘extraverted’ growth regime and (c) subordinate financial integration. The resulting demand calls forth financial innovation and movement towards market-based financial mechanisms as seen with financialization elsewhere, yet in this instance occurring largely outside of domestic capital markets.
Cognitive effects of split and continuous sleep schedules in adolescents differ according to total sleep opportunity
Authors: Lo June C , Leong Ruth L F , Ng Alyssa S C , Jamaluddin S Azrin , Ong Ju Lynn , Ghorbani Shohreh , Lau TeYang , Chee Nicholas I Y N , Gooley Joshua J , Chee Michael W L
Published: July 2020

Study Objectives

We compared the basic cognitive functions of adolescents undergoing split (nocturnal sleep + daytime nap) and continuous nocturnal sleep schedules when total sleep opportunity was either below or within the recommended range (i.e. 6.5 or 8 h).

Methods

Adolescent participants (age: 15–19 year) in the 8-h split (n = 24) and continuous (n = 29) sleep groups were compared with 6.5-h split and continuous sleep groups from a previous study (n = 58). These protocols involved two baseline nights (9-h time-in-bed [TIB]), 5 nights of sleep manipulation, 2 recovery nights (9-h TIB), followed by a second cycle of sleep manipulation (3 nights) and recovery (2 nights). Cognitive performance, subjective sleepiness, and mood were evaluated daily; sleep was assessed using polysomnography.

Results

Splitting 6.5 h of sleep with a mid-afternoon nap offered a boost to cognitive function compared to continuous nocturnal sleep. However, when total TIB across 24 h increased to 8 h, the split and continuous sleep groups performed comparably in tests evaluating vigilance, working memory, executive function, processing speed, subjective sleepiness, and mood.

Conclusions

In adolescents, the effects of split sleep on basic cognitive functions vary by the amount of total sleep obtained. As long as the total sleep opportunity across 24 h is within the recommended range, students may fulfill sleep requirements by adopting a split sleep schedule consisting of a shorter period of nocturnal sleep combined with a mid-afternoon nap, without significant impact on basic cognitive functions.

Clinical trial registration

NCT04044885.
Three myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Brennan-Cook Jill
Published: July 2020

A group of rare hematologic cancers, myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) evolve when bone marrow dysfunction causes overproduction of one or more blood cell types. This article explores the diagnosis, treatment, and nursing care of patients diagnosed with one of three classic MPNs: essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera, and primary myelofibrosis.
An Incision-less Ultrasound-guided Carpal Tunnel Release Technique
Authors: Schrier Verena J.M.M. , Shin Alexander Y. , Brault Jeffrey S.
Published: July 2020

Ultrasound guidance in the operative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome is gaining in popularity as it noninvasively provides the surgeon with a real-time high-resolution overview of anatomic structures. A new incision-less approach to achieve a division of the transverse carpal ligament has been developed that combines ultrasound guidance with cannulated needles and a thread. Conceptually, an abrasive thread is looped percutaneously around the ligament while avoiding injury to neurovascular structures, the palmar aponeurosis, and skin. The thread is positioned using 2 puncture sites and a contoured Tuohy needle under ultrasound visualization. With a minimal injury to surrounding structures, this approach is designed to minimize recovery time and decrease pillar pain. This article will provide a step-by-step overview of the technique and includes a review of clinical outcomes published so far.