bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histories of law and economic life in the Islamic world
Authors: Bishara Fahad Ahmad
Published: April 2020

In this article, I survey the long‐standing debate on the place of Islamic law in the history of capitalism. I first mark out a literature that has thought, either explicitly or implicitly, in comparative terms about the capitalist trajectories of the Islamic world and “the West,” and has grappled with the place of Islamic law in shaping that trajectory; I then explore a parallel literature that sidestepped the question of capitalist development altogether in favor of a more textually grounded approach to the study of Islamic law and Muslim economic life. I end with a set of reflections on how to better situate the study of Islamic law and capitalism in a more textured historical context, drawing on a nuanced literature on colonial legal history. Rather than studying Islamic law and capitalism within a sealed‐off civilizational container, as many had done in the past, I suggest that a more fruitful approach might involve embracing a broader world of connections, circulations, and historical entanglements.
Réglementation et avenir du travail: la relation de travail facilite l'innovation
Authors: ALOISI Antonio , DE STEFANO Valerio
Published: April 2020

La transformation numérique et la réorganisation des entreprises font apparaître de nouvelles modalités de travail fort éloignées de la relation de travail typique. Selon les partisans de la rupture numérique, le cadre juridique actuel n'est pas adapté aux formes de travail et modèles d'entreprises «innovants». Pourtant, la réglementation du travail peut faciliter l'innovation et la flexibilité, comme l'emploi typique peut être un moyen d'améliorer l'efficacité et de réduire les coûts. En effet, la relation de travail permet le plein exercice des prérogatives de l'employeur et le déploiement interne de la main‐d'œuvre; c'est aussi un bon moyen d'assurer formation et montée des compétences.
Observation of yttrium oxide segregation in a ZrO2‐SiO2 glass‐ceramic at nanometer dimensions
Authors: Fu Le , Wang Yiren , Riekehr Lars , Räthel Jan , Engqvist Håkan , Xia Wei
Published: April 2020

Dopant segregation at grain boundaries (GBs) in ceramics has been widely reported, while whether similar segregation behavior occurs in glass‐ceramics remains unknown. The distribution of dopant in glass‐ceramics may be totally different due to the existence of glass phase. This study examines the distribution of Y3+ ions in a ZrO2‐SiO2 glass‐ceramic. Two samples were prepared by hot pressing, yttrium oxide‐doped, and undoped 65 mol% ZrO2‐35 mol% SiO2 nanocrystalline glass‐ceramics (NCGCs). The NCGCs had the same microstructure, that is, ZrO2 nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in an amorphous SiO2 matrix. XRD results showed that the undoped NCGC was composed of 20.9 wt% (weight percentage) monoclinic ZrO2 (m‐ZrO2) and 79.1 wt% tetragonal ZrO2 (t‐ZrO2), while the yttrium oxide‐doped NCGC was composed of 9.6 wt% m‐ZrO2 and 90.4 wt% t‐ZrO2. X‐ray energy‐dispersive spectrometry (EDS) results in scanning electron transmission microscopy (STEM) mode demonstrated that Y3+ ions segregated both on the surface of ZrO2 NPs and within the thin intergranular glass film (with a thickness of approximately 7 Å) between ZrO2 NPs in the yttrium oxide‐doped NCGC. Interestingly, no obvious Y signals were detected in the amorphous SiO2 matrix. Density functional theory calculation results showed that Y3+ ions had a strong segregation tendency in the GB area and the segregation of Y3+ ions increased the work of separation of GB layer. These findings provide new understanding of the segregation behavior of dopant in glass‐ceramics, which may offer useful guidance for other researchers to tailor the properties of glass‐ceramics through GB engineering.
New insight into the formation and oxygen barrier mechanism of carbonaceous oxide interlayer in a multicomponent carbide
Authors: Ye Ziming , Zeng Yi , Xiong Xiang , Qian Tianxiao , Lun Huilin , Wang Yalei , Sun Wei , Chen Zhaoke , Zhang Lijun , Xiao Ping
Published: April 2020

Early transition metal carbides are considered to be superior candidate materials for oxidizing environments at temperatures exceeding 2000°C. Generally, the remarkable oxidation resistance is largely attributed to a carbonaceous oxide interlayer (eg, Hf–O–C, Zr–O–C, and Ta–O–C), located at the interface between the external oxide layer and internal carbide (eg, HfC, ZrC, and TaC), acting as the primary oxygen barrier. However, the oxygen barrier mechanism of the carbonaceous oxide interlayer remains unclear. Herein, through studying the oxidation behavior of a novel multicomponent carbide Hf0.5Zr0.3Ti0.2C in oxidizing environments up to 2500°C, the oxygen barrier mechanism of the carbonaceous oxide was recently revealed. We found that the oxygen barrier resulted from the slow oxygen diffusion through the inner grains of Hf‐Zr–Ti–O due to the presence of carbon formed at the grain boundaries because of the existence of compact external oxide layer, beneath which the Hf–Zr–Ti–O–C interlayer possesses much lower oxygen activity and temperature that allow carbon to exist stably. This as‐formed carbon strongly retarded the fast diffusion of oxygen along the grain boundaries of oxides. Additionally, desirable synergisms of the designed multicomponent system, particularly, the outward short‐circuit diffusion of Ti, lead to the self‐healing of the external oxide layer, evidently enhancing integral protection performance against oxidizing environments.
Onychomycosis: a review
Authors: Gupta A.K. , Stec N. , Summerbell R.C. , Shear N.H. , Piguet V. , Tosti A. , Piraccini B.M.
Published: April 2020

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail, causing discoloration and thickening of the affected nail plate, and is the most common nail infection worldwide. Onychomycosis was initially thought to be predominantly caused by dermatophytes; however, new research has revealed that mixed infections and those caused by non‐dermatophyte moulds (NDMs) are more prevalent than previously thought, especially in warmer climates. Microscopy and fungal culture are the gold standard techniques for onychomycosis diagnosis, but high false‐negative rates have pushed for more accurate methods, such as histology and PCR. As NDMs are skin and laboratory contaminants, their presence as an infectious agent requires multiple confirmations and repeated sampling. There are several treatment options available, including oral antifungals, topicals and devices. Oral antifungals have higher cure rates and shorter treatment periods than topical treatments, but have adverse side effects such as hepatotoxicity and drug interactions. Terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconazole are most commonly used, with new oral antifungals such as fosravuconazole being evaluated. Topical treatments, such as efinaconazole, tavaborole, ciclopirox and amorolfine have less serious side effects, but also have generally lower cure rates and much longer treatment regimens. New topical formulations are being investigated as faster‐acting alternatives to the currently available topical treatments. Devices such as lasers have shown promise in improving the cosmetic appearance of the nail, but due to a high variation of study methods and definitions of cure, their effectiveness for onychomycosis has yet to be sufficiently proven. Recurrence rates for onychomycosis are high; once infected, patients should seek medical treatment as soon as possible and sanitize their shoes and socks. Prophylactic application of topicals and avoiding walking barefoot in public places may help prevent recurrence.
Using videoconsultations to deliver dietary advice to children with chronic kidney disease: a qualitative study of parent and child perspectives
Authors: Trace S. L. , Collinson A. , Searle A. J. , Lithander F. E.
Published: April 2020

Background

Children with chronic kidney disease require specialist renal paediatric dietetic care, regardless of disease severity or geographical location; however, under‐resourcing makes this challenging. Videoconsultation may offer a solution but research exploring its acceptability is limited. The present study explored parent/carer and child perspectives of videoconsultation as an alternative or supplement to existing regional dietetic care.

Methods

Children and families using a regional paediatric nephrology service were recruited through purposeful sampling techniques. Renal paediatric dietitians used existing hospital software to host videoconsultations with families. Perspectives were subsequently explored in telephone interviews with the children, their parents and separately with the renal dietitians. Data were transcribed verbatim and an inductive framework analysis conducted.

Results

Twelve families took part in the study, comprising 13 parents and five children (aged 9 months to 14 years). Two renal dietitians were also interviewed. Six themes emerged which were ‘Logistics’, ‘Understanding Information’, ‘Family Engagement’, ‘Establishing Trust’, ‘Willingness to Change’ and ‘Preferences’. Satisfaction with the videoconsultations was high, with no data security fears and only minor privacy concerns. Parents reported that screen‐sharing software enhanced their understanding, generating greater discussion and engagement compared to clinic and telephone contacts. Parents praised efficiencies and  improved access to specialist advice, requesting that videoconsultations supplement care. Children preferred videoconsultations outright.

Conclusions

Dietetic videoconsultations were acceptable to families and perceived to be a feasible, high‐quality complement to regional specialist dietetic care. Enhanced understanding and engagement might improve self‐care in adolescents. The acceptability and feasibility of videoconsultations could address inequitable regional service provision.
Association between nursing care delivery models and patients' health outcomes in a university hospital: A retrospective cohort study based on the Diagnostic Procedure Combination database
Authors: Higaonna Miki , Morimoto Takeshi , Ueda Shinichiro
Published: April 2020

Aim

This study aims to examine the association between nursing delivery models (fixed‐team nursing model and Partnership Nursing System® [PNS®]) and patients' health outcomes (30‐day in‐hospital mortality and functional decline, indicated by a decline in Barthel Index or in‐hospital mortality).

Methods

This study used a retrospective cohort design based on the data from the Diagnostic Procedure Combination database, which included routinely collected health data for Japanese administrative claims. Participants were inpatients aged 20–99 years admitted between July 2010 and August 2012 (fixed‐team nursing period) and July 2014 and August 2017 (PNS® period) to an academic teaching hospital in Japan. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using multivariable logistic models.

Results

We included 24,108 and 23,872 patients for the analyses of 30‐day in‐hospital mortality and functional decline, respectively (median age: 62 years; 52% women). The 30‐day mortalities in both fixed‐team nursing and PNS® groups were 0.5%. There was no significant association between the nursing delivery models and 30‐day in‐hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio = 1.15, 95% confidence interval = 0.78–1.70). However, the PNS® group was found to have a higher proportion of patients with functional decline (2.7%) than the fixed‐team nursing group (2.2%; p = .030). The adjusted odds ratio of declined function in the PNS® group, compared to the fixed‐team nursing group, was 1.40 (95% confidence interval = 1.17–1.68, p < .001).

Conclusions

Further studies are needed to examine how the PNS® model influences patient outcomes, especially nurse‐sensitive patient outcomes.
Factors associated with core competencies of emergency‐room nurses in tertiary hospitals in China
Authors: Li Xinxia , Zhou Mei , Wang Hui , Hao Wennv
Published: April 2020

Aim

Quantitative studies using validated questionnaires on core competencies of emergency nurses in China are rare and the baseline core competencies must first be evaluated before improvizations to the competencies can be implemented. This study aimed to investigate the factors potentially involved in the level of core competencies of emergency nurses from tertiary hospitals in northwest China.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, male and female emergency nurses (n = 277) from tertiary hospitals of northwest China were enrolled to complete the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses (CIRN) questionnaire comprising of a total of seven dimensions with 58 items. General self‐efficacy and perceived stress were also evaluated. Pearson correlation test and multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis were performed to assess the association between various factors associated with core competencies.

Results

Senior nurses had higher CIRN scores than junior nurses (p < .001). Married and widowed nurses had higher CIRN scores than unmarried and divorced nurses (p = .008). Nurses satisfied with their career had better CIRN scores than those who were dissatisfied (p < .001). CIRN scores were correlated with age (r = .356, p < .001), working years (r = .374, p < .001), and the general self‐efficacy scale (r = .547, p < .001). Multivariable stepwise linear regression analysis showed that higher professional titles and job satisfaction were independently associated with higher CIRN scores (both p < .001).

Conclusions

Emergency nurses from tertiary hospitals of northwest China with senior titles and job satisfaction had high CIRN scores which necessitates empowering the junior nurses by way of education and training programs to gain higher core competencies in order to deliver better nursing care to patients.
Dysfunction of serotonergic activity and emotional responses across the light‐dark cycle in mice lacking melatonin MT2 receptors
Authors: Comai Stefano , De Gregorio Danilo , Posa Luca , Ochoa‐Sanchez Rafael , Bedini Annalida , Gobbi Gabriella
Published: April 2020

Melatonin (MLT) levels fluctuate according to the external light/dark cycle in both diurnal and nocturnal mammals. We previously demonstrated that melatonin MT2 receptor knockout (MT2−/−) mice show a decreased nonrapid eye movement sleep over 24 hours and increased wakefulness during the inactive (light) phase. Here, we investigated the role of MT2 receptors in physiological light/dark cycle fluctuations in the activity of dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) serotonin (5‐HT) neurons and anxiety‐ and depression‐like behavior. We found that the 5‐HT burst‐firing activity was tonically reduced across the whole 24 hours in MT2−/− mice compared with MT2+/+ mice.  Importantly, the physiological changes in the spontaneous firing activity of DRN 5‐HT neurons during the light/dark cycle were nullified in MT2−/− mice, with a higher DRN 5‐HT neural firing activity during the light phase in MT2−/− than in MT2+/+ mice. The role of MT2 receptors over DRN 5‐HT neurons was confirmed by acute pharmacological studies in which the selective MT2 receptors agonist UCM1014 dose dependently inhibited DRN 5‐HT activity, mostly during the dark phase. Compared with MT2+/+, MT2−/− mice displayed an anxiety‐like phenotype in the novelty‐suppressed feeding and in the light/dark box tests; while anxiety levels in the light/dark box test were lower during the dark than during the light phase in MT2+/+ mice, the opposite was seen in MT2−/− mice. No differences between MT2+/+ and MT2−/− mice were observed for depression‐like behavior in the forced swim and in the sucrose preference tests. These results suggest that MT2 receptor genetic inactivation impacts 5‐HT neurotransmission and interferes with anxiety levels by perturbing the physiologic light/dark pattern.
Identifying the Dynamic Effects of Income Inequality on Crime
Authors: Atems Bebonchu
Published: April 2020

What happens to crime after an increase in income inequality? The microeconomics literature that attempts to answer this question often employs identification strategies that exploit external sources of variation that provide quasi‐experiments to identify causal effects. In contrast, this paper tackles this question by using structural vector autoregressions (SVAR), a methodology typically employed in modern empirical macroeconomics to identify and estimate dynamic causal effects of exogenous shocks. Unlike the macroeconomic SVAR models that are often applied to time‐series data, we exploit the time series and cross‐sectional dimensions of our data, leading to the estimation of panel SVAR models. Using U.S. state‐level data for the period 1960–2015, our results indicate that structural shocks to inequality increase both violent and property crime. Variance decomposition analyses show that inequality has little explanatory power for movements in crime.
Assessment of the anatomical course of the canalis sinuosus using cone beam computed tomography
Authors: Lello R.I.E. , Bornstein M.M. , Suter V.G.A. , Bischof F.M. , von Arx T.
Published: April 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to analyse the course of the canalis sinuosus (CS) until its termination in the anterior maxilla and chart its anatomical relationship with surrounding structures using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods

This study retrospectively analysed 100 CBCT scans (Accuitomo 170, Morita Corp., Kyoto, Japan) of the maxillary sinuses of patients at the Department of Oral Surgery and Stomatology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern. Vertical and horizontal distances between various anatomical structures and the CS were recorded.

Results

The study included 62 females and 38 males with 45 right‐ and 55 left‐sided CBCTs selected by randomization. The mean age was 55.9 years (range 21–82 years). When comparing right‐ and left‐sided scans, there were statistically significant differences between a number of measurements. These included the most inferior point of the orbital rim and the floor of the nasal cavity (P = 0.04), the origin of the CS and the anterior loop of the descending CS (P = 0.034), and the origin of the CS and floor of the nasal cavity (P = 0.025).

Conclusions

The use of CBCT allowed investigation of the course of the CS as it progresses across the anterolateral wall of the maxillary sinus to be more accurately defined radiographically than has been previously described. There were some statistically significant differences between vertical measurements comparing left and right side, but none for age or gender. The rate of the identification of the CS using CBCT was 100%.
Thiol–disulfide homeostasis in children with celiac disease
Authors: Comba Atakan , Güreser Ayşe Semra , Karasartova Djursun , Şenat Almila , Erel Özcan , Taylan Özkan Ayşegül
Published: April 2020

Background

Toxic gliadin peptide damages enterocytes in celiac disease by causing oxidative stress. Thiols are organic compounds that defend against oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the changes in thiol–disulfide homeostasis in children with celiac disease.

Methods

The study included patients with celiac disease, children diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorders, and healthy children. Patients’ serum native and total thiol–disulfide amounts, disulfide/total thiol percentage ratios, disulfide / native thiol percentage ratios, and native thiol/total thiol percentage ratios were measured.

Results

The study involved 172 children, of whom 90 (52.3%) were girls. The mean participant age was 8.6 ± 4.2 years. A total of 59 (34.3%) children had celiac disease, 56 (32.6%) had functional gastrointestinal disorders, and 57 (33.1%) were healthy. The total thiol and disulfide levels of patients with celiac disease (305 ± 87 μmol/L and 25 ± 15 μmol/L, respectively) were significantly lower than those of healthy children (349 ± 82 μmol/L and 40 ± 15 μmol/L, respectively) (P = 0.006 and P < 0.001, respectively). Native and total thiol levels (226 ± 85 μmol/L and 279 ± 99 μmol/L, respectively) in patients with celiac disease who consumed a gluten‐containing diet were significantly lower than those of patients who consumed a gluten‐free diet (278 ± 64 μmol/L and 327 ± 69 μmol/L, respectively) (P = 0.017 and P = 0.041, respectively).

Conclusions

Thiol–disulfide homeostasis, an important antioxidant defense component of the gastrointestinal system, is disrupted in children with celiac disease. A gluten‐free diet helped partially ameliorate this decline.
Acute effects of e‐cigarette vaping on pulmonary function and airway inflammation in healthy individuals and in patients with asthma
Authors: Kotoulas Serafeim‐Chrysovalantis , Pataka Athanasia , Domvri Kalliopi , Spyratos Dionisios , Katsaounou Paraskevi , Porpodis Konstantinos , Fouka Evangelia , Markopoulou Aikaterini , Passa‐Fekete Katalin , Grigoriou Ioanna , Kontakiotis Theodoros , Argyropoulou Paraskevi , Papakosta Despoina
Published: April 2020

Background and objective

The acute effects of e‐cigarettes have not been scientifically demonstrated yet. The aim of this study was to assess the acute changes in pulmonary function and airway inflammation in patients with asthma after vaping one e‐cigarette.

Methods

Twenty‐five smokers suffering from stable moderate asthma according to GINA guidelines with no other comorbidities and 25 healthy smokers matched with the baseline characteristics of the asthmatic patients were recruited. PFT, IOS, FeNO and EBC were performed before and after vaping one e‐cigarette with nicotine. pH and concentrations of IL‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐13, IL‐17A, TNF‐α, ISO8 and LTB4 were measured in EBC.

Results

FFEV1/FVC ratio and PEF were reduced in asthmatic patients after e‐cigarette. Z5Hz and R5Hz, R10Hz and R20Hz increased in both groups. FeNO and EBC pH increased by 3.60 ppb (P = 0.001) and 0.15 (P = 0.014) in asthmatic patients after e‐cigarette, whereas they decreased in control group by 3.28 ppb (P < 0.001) and 0.12 (P = 0.064), respectively. The concentrations of IL‐10, TNF‐α and ISO8 in EBC increased in asthmatic patients after e‐cigarette and the changes in concentrations of IL‐1β and IL‐4 differed significantly between the two groups.

Conclusion

E‐cigarette vaping resulted in acute alteration of both pulmonary function and airway inflammation in stable moderate asthmatic patients.
The personalised discharge letter: the experience of patients and parents from the Filadelfia Epilepsy Hospital
Authors: Lindhardt Christina Louise , Mærkedahl Marielouise , Brandt Conny Elisa , Madsen Signe Rubjerg
Published: April 2020

Objective

To examine the experience of a discharge letter received by patients suffering from epilepsy and parents with children who suffer from epilepsy.

Design

Qualitative research inspired by a phenomenological methodology approach.

Setting

Face‐to‐face interviews with patients and parents of epileptic children in their own homes.

Sample

Participants (total n = 11).

Methods

In‐depth interviews were recorded verbatim, transcribed and analysed.

Results

Two themes were identified: (i) it was written about me and (ii) a sense of feeling secure. By being discharged with a personalised letter, the participants felt seen and heard. The discharge letter enabled them to contact their doctor and the Filadelfia hospital more efficiently if needed. Parents indicated that the discharge letter bridged the uncertainty that they often experienced when dealing with the child's school or authorities in general.

Conclusions

The discharge letter enables the participants to make the transition into everyday life with the best and most up‐to‐date information about themselves and their current condition as an epilepsy patient. The discharge letter empowers the patient or parents to face everyday life. The discharge becomes a kind of passport to the outside world when encountering the general practitioner, the school or other circumstances where the patient engages. The discharge letter becomes a patient‐centred tool proving that enhanced communication and understanding between healthcare professionals, patients and parents succeeds. This example could be transferable to other hospitals to heighten the patient's self‐efficacy and quality of life after being discharged from the hospital.
The Complexity Inherent in Researching Migrant Identification: The Case of Hungarian Jews in Israel
Authors: Surányi Ráchel
Published: April 2020

Identity is a heavily researched topic because of its fluid nature. One's identity is constantly changing; thus, it is hard to study. This paper presents the results of research conducted among Hungarian immigrants in Israel. The self‐identification of Hungarian Jews living in Israel is incoherent and complex. The interviewees wanted to present themselves as having different degrees of Hungarian identity (sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker) than they actually seem to have. As the results of this research suggest, self‐identification should be studied using qualitative methods in particular.
Knockout of MD1 contributes to sympathetic hyperactivity and exacerbates ventricular arrhythmias following heart failure with preserved ejection fraction via NLRP3 inflammasome activation
Authors: Yang Hong‐Jie , Kong Bin , Shuai Wei , Zhang Jing‐jing , Huang He
Published: April 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

In this study, we investigated whether MD1 interacted with the sympathetic nerves in ventricular arrhythmia (VA) during heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

What is the main finding and its importance?

Mice with HFpEF showed increased susceptibility to VA, adverse electrical remodelling, impaired heart rate variability, enhanced sympathetic hyperactivity, activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and increased interleukin‐1β release. These changes induced by HFpEF were exacerbated by MD1 deficiency.

Sympathetic hyperactivity can promote malignant ventricular arrhythmia (VA), and myeloid differentiation 1 (MD1) has been reported to play an important role in obesity‐induced VA. However, it is not known whether an interaction of MD1 with sympathetic hyperactivity contributes to the VA induced by heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The aim of this study was to investigate the potential interaction between MD1 and sympathetic hyperactivity in HFpEF‐induced VA and the underlying mechanism. Eight‐week‐old MD1‐knockout (MD1‐KO) and wild‐type (WT) mice were subjected to a model of HFpEF induced by uninephrectomy, a continuous saline or d‐aldosterone infusion and provision of drinking water containing 1.0% sodium chloride for 4 weeks. Echocardiography and haemodynamics were used to verify the model of HFpEF. An isolated electrophysiological study was performed to assess the susceptibility to VA. Four weeks later, the mice with HFpEF showed an increased heart weight to tibia length ratio, decreased left ventricular minimum rates of pressure rise (dP/dtmin), increased τ, lung weight to tibia length ratio and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction compared with WT mice. The mice with HFpEF exhibited increased susceptibility to VA, as shown by the shortened effective refractory period, prolonged action potential duration (APD), increased APD alternans threshold and higher incidence of VA. Moreover, we also found that mice with HFpEF showed impaired heart rate variability, sympathetic hyperactivity, activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and increased interleukin‐1β release. These changes induced by HFpEF were exacerbated by MD1 deficiency. We conclude that MD1‐KO contributes to sympathetic hyperactivity and facilitates VA in HFpEF via activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Treatment targeting MD1 and NLRP3 might decrease the risk of HFpEF‐induced VA.
A Study of Nonlinear Behavior of Flexible Tool and Workpiece in Turning Operation With Regenerative Effect Under Internal and Primary Resonance Conditions
Authors: Chanda Arnab , Dwivedy Santosha K.
Published: April 2020

In this work, the nonlinear dynamic behavior of turning operation has been studied considering flexible tool and thin cylindrical workpiece. The system is taken as a two-degree-of-freedom system with nonlinear stiffness and is subjected to self-excited vibration because of the regenerative effect. The cutting force is considered to be a combination of a constant and periodic force in addition to the force due to the regenerative effect. The regenerative effect during turning operation is included in the mathematical model, resulting in a nonlinear delay differential equation. Here, the natural frequency of the workpiece is assumed to be closed to that of the tool, leading to 1:1 internal resonance. Further, the frequency of the time-varying cutting force is assumed to be closed to the natural frequency of the workpiece giving rise to primary resonance condition. The nonlinear responses and the stability of the tool and the workpiece have been determined using a higher-order method of multiple scales (MMS) under internal and primary resonance conditions. The solution of the equation of motion using the MMS is validated by comparing the solution obtained using the numerical method. The effect of the tool and workpiece stiffness nonlinearities on steady-state frequency responses and stability is investigated, and system parameters are also identified to have stable turning operation. This work will find applications in estimating the system parameters for chatter-free turning operation with a flexible tool and workpiece when their dynamic compliances are comparable.
Effects of nonlinear parameter of fluid-solid coupling on acoustic field in porous media
Authors: Liu Jinxia , Jiang Yue , Cui Zhiwen , Wang Kexie
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this Letter to the Editor is to demonstrate the effects of the nonlinear parameter of fluid-solid coupling on the acoustic field in porous media. The nonlinear acoustic field excited by a one-dimensional finite-amplitude shear wave propagating in the uniform and infinite saturated porous media is studied. Researchers use the complete strain energy formula with third-order terms of strain in saturated porous media. The formula for calculating the fluid-solid coupling nonlinear parameter γ from the dynamic compatibility condition is given. To illustrate the effect of the fluid-solid coupling nonlinear term on the nonlinear acoustic field excited by the longitudinal and transverse waves, this study compares nonlinear acoustic fields excited by a finite amplitude wave with and without nonlinear parameter γ. The results show that the nonlinear parameter γ has an influence on the nonlinear acoustic field excited by the one-dimensional shear wave, but it has no influence on the nonlinear acoustic field excited by the one-dimensional longitudinal wave.
How women at NIH's Clinical Center lost childbearing chances
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: April 2020

Three-and-a-half-year suspension of egg freezing angers infertility experts.
Granular technologies to accelerate decarbonization
Authors: Wilson C. , Grubler A. , Bento N. , Healey S. , De Stercke S. , Zimm C.
Published: April 2020

Smaller, modular energy technologies have advantages
All who wander are not lost
Authors: Antón Susan C.
Published: April 2020

New hominin cranial fossils highlight the early exploits of
Homo erectus
Emerging from AI utopia
Authors: Santow Edward
Published: April 2020

A future driven by artificial intelligence (AI) is often depicted as one paved with improvements across every aspect of life—from health, to jobs, to how we connect. But cracks in this utopia are starting to appear, particularly as we glimpse how AI can also be used to surveil, discriminate, and cause other harms. What existing legal frameworks can protect us from the dark side of this brave new world of technology?
Fenbendazole Controls
In Vitro
Growth, Virulence Potential, and Animal Infection in the
Cryptococcus
Model
Authors: de Oliveira Haroldo C. , Joffe Luna S. , Simon Karina S. , Castelli Rafael F. , Reis Flavia C. G. , Bryan Arielle M. , Borges Beatriz S. , Medeiros Lia C. Soares , Bocca Anamelia L. , Del Poeta Maurizio , Rodrigues Marcio L.
Published: April 2020

The human diseases caused by the fungal pathogens
Cryptococcus neoformans
and
Cryptococcus gattii
are associated with high indices of mortality and toxic and/or cost-prohibitive therapeutic protocols. The need for affordable antifungals to combat cryptococcal disease is unquestionable. Previous studies suggested benzimidazoles as promising anticryptococcal agents combining low cost and high antifungal efficacy, but their therapeutic potential has not been demonstrated so far.
Development of Probiotic Formulations for Oral Candidiasis Prevention: Gellan Gum as a Carrier To Deliver Lactobacillus paracasei 28.4
Authors: Ribeiro Felipe de Camargo , Junqueira Juliana Campos , dos Santos Jéssica Diane , de Barros Patrícia Pimentel , Rossoni Rodnei Dennis , Shukla Shashank , Fuchs Beth Burgwyn , Shukla Anita , Mylonakis Eleftherios
Published: April 2020

Probiotics might provide an alternative approach for the control of oral candidiasis. However, studies on the antifungal activity of probiotics in the oral cavity are based on the consumption of yogurt or other dietary products, and it is necessary to use appropriate biomaterials and specific strains to obtain probiotic formulations targeted for local oral administration. In this study, we impregnated gellan gum, a natural biopolymer used as a food additive, with a probiotic and investigated its antifungal activity against
Candida albicans
.
Loss of Filamentous Multicellularity in Cyanobacteria: the Extremophile Gloeocapsopsis sp. Strain UTEX B3054 Retained Multicellular Features at the Genomic and Behavioral Levels
Authors: Urrejola Catalina , von Dassow Peter , van den Engh Ger , Salas Loreto , Mullineaux Conrad W. , Vicuña Rafael , Sánchez-Baracaldo Patricia
Published: April 2020

Multicellularity in Cyanobacteria played a key role in their habitat expansion, contributing to the Great Oxidation Event around 2.45 billion to 2.32 billion years ago. Evolutionary studies have indicated that some unicellular cyanobacteria emerged from multicellular ancestors, yet little is known about how the emergence of new unicellular morphotypes from multicellular ancestors occurred. Our results give new insights into the evolutionary reversion from which the Gloeocapsopsis lineage emerged. Flow cytometry and microscopy results revealed morphological plasticity involving the patterned formation of multicellular morphotypes sensitive to environmental stimuli. Genomic analyses unveiled the presence of multicellularity-associated genes in its genome. Calcein-fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) experiments confirmed that Gloeocapsopsis sp. strain UTEX B3054 carries out cell-to-cell communication in multicellular morphotypes but at slower time scales than filamentous cyanobacteria. Although traditionally classified as unicellular, our results suggest that Gloeocapsopsis displays facultative multicellularity, a condition that may have conferred ecological advantages for thriving as an extremophile for more than 1.6 billion years.

IMPORTANCE Cyanobacteria are among the few prokaryotes that evolved multicellularity. The early emergence of multicellularity in Cyanobacteria (2.5 billion years ago) entails that some unicellular cyanobacteria reverted from multicellular ancestors. We tested this evolutionary hypothesis by studying the unicellular strain Gloeocapsopsis sp. UTEX B3054 using flow cytometry, genomics, and cell-to-cell communication experiments. We demonstrate the existence of a well-defined patterned organization of cells in clusters during growth, which might change triggered by environmental stimuli. Moreover, we found genomic signatures of multicellularity in the Gloeocapsopsis genome, giving new insights into the evolutionary history of a cyanobacterial lineage that has thrived in extreme environments since the early Earth. The potential benefits in terms of resource acquisition and the ecological relevance of this transient behavior are discussed.
Antiviral Activity and Adaptive Evolution of Avian Tetherins
Authors: Krchlíková Veronika , Fábryová Helena , Hron Tomáš , Young Janet M. , Koslová Anna , Hejnar Jiří , Strebel Klaus , Elleder Daniel
Published: April 2020

Birds are important hosts of viruses that have the potential to cause zoonotic infections in humans. However, only a few antiviral genes (called viral restriction factors) have been described in birds, mostly because birds lack counterparts of highly studied mammalian restriction factors. Tetherin/BST-2 is a restriction factor, originally described in humans, that blocks the release of newly formed virus particles from infected cells. Recent work identified BST-2 in nonmammalian vertebrate species, including birds. Here, we report the BST-2 sequence in domestic chicken and describe its antiviral activity against a prototypical avian retrovirus, avian sarcoma and leukosis virus (ASLV). We also identify BST-2 genes in multiple avian species and show that they evolve rapidly in birds, which is an important indication of their relevance for antiviral defense. Analysis of avian BST-2 genes will shed light on defense mechanisms against avian viral pathogens.
Early syn-rift igneous dike patterns, northern Kenya Rift (Turkana, Kenya): Implications for local and regional stresses, tectonics, and magma-structure interactions
Authors: Morley C.K.
Published: April 2020

Four areas (Loriu, Lojamei, Muranachok-Muruangapoi, Kamutile Hills) of well-developed Miocene-age dikes in the northern Kenya Rift (Turkana, Kenya) have been identified from fieldwork and satellite images; in total, >3500 dikes were mapped. Three areas display NNW-SSE– to N-S–oriented dike swarms, with straight, radial, and concentric patterns in zones <15 km long, and indicate NNW-SSE to N-S regional maximum horizontal principal stress (SHmax) directions in the early to middle Miocene. Individual dikes are typically <2 m wide and tens to hundreds of meters long and have accommodated <2% extension. In places (Loriu, Lojamei, Lokhone high), dikes trend at a high angle to the rift trend, suggesting some local influence (e.g., overpressured magma chamber, cracked lid–style dike intrusions over a sill or laccolith, preexisting fabric in basement) on orientation, in addition to the influence from regional stresses. Only a minor influence by basement fabrics is seen on dike orientation. The early- to middle-Miocene dikes and extrusive activity ended a long phase (up to 25 m.y.) of amagmatic half-graben development in central Kenya and southern Turkana, which lay on the southern edge of the early (Eocene–Oligocene) plume activity. The Miocene dike sets and extension on major border faults in Turkana contrast with larger, more extensive arrays of dikes in evolved systems in the Main Ethiopian Rift that are critical for accommodating crustal extension. By the Pliocene–Holocene, magmatism and intrusion along dikes had become more important for accommodating extension, and the tectonic characteristics began to resemble those of rift basins elsewhere in the eastern branch of the East African Rift.
Detrital zircons and sediment dispersal in the eastern Midcontinent of North America
Authors: Thomas William A. , Gehrels George E. , Sundell Kurt E. , Greb Stephen F. , Finzel Emily S. , Clark Ryan J. , Malone David H. , Hampton Brian A. , Romero Mariah C.
Published: April 2020

Results of detrital-zircon analyses (U-Pb ages and initial Hf values, εHft) of Mississippian–Pennsylvanian sandstones in the Michigan, Illinois, and Forest City basins are remarkably similar to data for coeval sandstones in the Appalachian basin, indicating dispersal of sediment from the Appalachian orogen through the Appalachian basin to the eastern Midcontinent during the late Paleozoic. The similarities of results include matches of the two most prominent age groups (1300–950 Ma and 490–350 Ma), as well as matches of the less abundant age groups. Comparisons of the data are from observations of probability density plots and multidimensional scaling of U-Pb age data and of εHft values. Despite the dominance of an Appalachian signature in all samples, some samples contain grains with ages that suggest intermittent additional sources.

Four samples (three ranging in depositional age from Morrowan to Atokan–Desmoinesian in the Illinois basin, and one of Desmoinesian age in the Forest City basin), in addition to typical Appalachian age distributions, have prominent age modes between 768 and 525 Ma, corresponding in age to Pan-African/Brasiliano rocks in Gondwanan accreted terranes in the Appalachian orogen, suggesting intermittent dispersal from the Moretown terrane of the northern Appalachians.

Sandstones in the Appalachian basin and those in the Midcontinent basins have very few grains with ages that correspond to the Alleghanian orogeny in the Appalachian orogen. Nevertheless, three sandstones each in the Illinois basin and Forest City basin with depositional ages of 312–308 Ma have a few zircon grains in the age range of 321 ± 5 to 307 ± 4 Ma. The nearly identical crystallization and depositional ages suggest reworking at the depositional sites of air-fall volcanic ash from the Alleghanian orogen, rather than fluvial transport from the orogen.

The basal Pennsylvanian sandstones lap onto a regional unconformity around the northern rims of the Illinois and Forest City basins, suggesting sources for recycled grains. Along the northern edge of the Illinois basin, Ordovician sandstones beneath the unconformity may have contributed minor concentrations of Superior-age zircons in the basal Pennsylvanian sandstones. Basal Pennsylvanian sandstones in the Forest City basin lap onto Mississippian strata, suggesting possible recycling of zircons from eroded Mississippian sandstones.
Longitudinal cohort of HIV-negative transgender women of colour in New York City: protocol for the TURNNT (‘Trying to Understand Relationships, Networks and Neighbourhoods among Transgender women of colour’) study
Authors: Callander Denton , Schneider John A , Radix Asa , Chaix Basile , Scheinmann Roberta , Love Gia , Smith Jordyn , Regan Seann D , Kawachi Ichiro , St James Kiara , Ransome Yusuf , Herrera Cristina , Reisner Sari L , Doroshow Ceyenne , Poteat Tonia , Watson Kim , Bluebond-Langner Rachel , Toussaint Nala , Garofalo Robert , Sevelius Jae , Duncan Dustin T
Published: April 2020

Introduction

In the USA, transgender women are among the most vulnerable to HIV. In particular, transgender women of colour face high rates of infection and low uptake of important HIV prevention tools, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This paper describes the design, sampling methods, data collection and analyses of the TURNNT (‘Trying to Understand Relationships, Networks and Neighbourhoods among Transgender women of colour’) study. In collaboration with communities of transgender women of colour, TURNNT aims to explore the complex social and environmental (ie, neighbourhood) structures that affect HIV prevention and other aspects of health in order to identify avenues for intervention.

Methods and analyses

TURNNT is a prospective cohort study, which will recruit 300 transgender women of colour (150 Black/African American, 100 Latina and 50 Asian/Pacific Islander participants) in New York City. There will be three waves of data collection separated by 6 months. At each wave, participants will provide information on their relationships, social and sexual networks, and neighbourhoods. Global position system technology will be used to generate individual daily path areas in order to estimate neighbourhood-level exposures. Multivariate analyses will be conducted to assess cross-sectional and longitudinal, independent and synergistic associations of personal relationships (notably individual social capital), social and sexual networks, and neighbourhood factors (notably neighbourhood-level social cohesion) with PrEP uptake and discontinuation.

Ethics and dissemination

The TURNNT protocol was approved by the Columbia University Institutional Review Board (reference no. AAAS8164). This study will provide novel insights into the relationship, network and neighbourhood factors that influence HIV prevention behaviours among transgender women of colour and facilitate exploration of this population’s health and well-being more broadly. Through community-based dissemination events and consultation with policy makers, this foundational work will be used to guide the development and implementation of future interventions with and for transgender women of colour.
Birth incidence, deaths and hospitalisations of children and young people with Down syndrome, 1990–2015: birth cohort study
Authors: Hughes-McCormack Laura Anne , McGowan Ruth , Pell J P , Mackay Daniel , Henderson Angela , O'Leary Lisa , Cooper Sally-Ann
Published: April 2020

Objective

To investigate current Down syndrome live birth and death rates, and childhood hospitalisations, compared with peers.

Setting

General community.

Participants

All live births with Down syndrome, 1990–2015, identified via Scottish regional cytogenetic laboratories, each age–sex–neighbourhood deprivation matched with five non-Down syndrome controls. Record linkage to Scotland’s hospital admissions and death data.

Primary outcome

HRs comparing risk of first hospitalisation (any and emergency), readmission for children with Down syndrome and matched controls were calculated using stratified Cox proportional hazards (PH) model, and length of hospital stay was calculated using a conditional log-linear regression model.

Results

689/1479 (46.6%) female and 769/1479 (51.9%) male children/young people with Down syndrome were identified (1.0/1000 births, with no reduction over time); 1235 were matched. 92/1235 (7.4%) died during the period, 18.5 times more than controls. More of the Down syndrome group had at least one admission (incidence rate ratio(IRR) 72.89 (68.72–77.32) vs 40.51 (39.15–41.92); adjusted HR=1.84 (1.68, 2.01)) and readmissions (IRR 54.85 (51.46–58.46) vs 15.06 (14.36–15.80); adjusted HR=2.56 (2.08, 3.14)). More of their admissions were emergencies (IRR 56.78 (53.13–60.72) vs 28.88 (27.73–30.07); first emergency admission adjusted HR=2.87 (2.61, 3.15)). Children with Down syndrome had 28% longer first admission after birth. Admission rate increased from 1990–2003 to 2004–2014 for the Down syndrome group (from 90.7% to 92.2%) and decreased for controls (from 63.3% to 44.8%).

Conclusions

We provide contemporaneous statistics on the live birth rate of babies with Down syndrome, and their childhood death rate. They require more hospital admissions, readmissions emergency admissions and longer lengths of stays than their peers, which has received scant research attention in the past. This demonstrates the importance of statutory planning as well as informal support to families to avoid added problems in child development and family bonding over and above that brought by the intellectual disabilities associated with Down syndrome.