bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Room-temperature dissolution and chemical modification of cellulose in aqueous tetraethylammonium hydroxide–carbamide solutions
Authors: Sirviö Juho Antti , Heiskanen Juha P.
Published: December 2019

The room-temperature dissolution of cellulose in aqueous tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH) in the presence of carbamides (ureas) was investigated. Without carbamide, 35 wt% TEAOH was able to dissolve cellulose (microcrystalline cellulose) up to 3 wt%, whereas carbamides—such as urea, N-methylurea, N-ethylurea, 1,3-dimethylurea, and imidazolidone—were able to improve the dissolution of cellulose. At 5 wt% cellulose concentration, the highest carbamide contents in the solvent still able to dissolve cellulose within 1 h were 56 and 55 wt% of 1,3-dimethylurea and N-methylurea, respectively. When using urea, up to 15% of cellulose could be dissolved in a solution containing 22 wt% of urea. To demonstrate the possibility of the use of a carbamide-based solvent in cellulose modification, cationic cellulose was produced using glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride (GTAC). At a molar ratio of 1:3 of cellulose and GTAC, all the studied TEAOH–carbamide solvents produce cationic cellulose with higher charge density compared to the reference NaOH–urea solvent.
Facile synthesis of ZnS–Ag2S core–shell nanospheres with enhanced nonlinear refraction
Authors: Haghighatzadeh Azadeh , Kiani Mitra , Mazinani Babak , Dutta Joydeep
Published: December 2019

ZnS–Ag2S core–shell nano/hetero-junctions have been synthesized by a two-step co-precipitation technique, in which thin layers of Ag2S have been successfully coated on the surface of ZnS nanospheres. Structural studies and elemental analysis have been performed using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy have been employed to investigate linear optical characteristics. Nanosecond laser pulsed-based single-beam Z-scan analysis has been used to examine the magnitude and the sign of the third-order nonlinear refractive indices. Samples show negative values of nonlinear refractive indices indicating self-defocusing optical nonlinearity under 1064 nm excitation. The results have shown that the third-order nonlinear refractive index in ZnS nanospheres can reach the magnitude of $$61.0 \times 10^{ - 12} {\text{m}}^{2} /{\text{W}}$$61.0×10-12m2/W by encapsulating such a nanostructure within nanometer shells of Ag2S. The enhanced nonlinearity for ZnS–Ag2S core–shells has been found to be 9 times higher than sole ZnS nanoparticles, which was estimated to be about $$6.4 \times 10^{ - 12} {\text{m}}^{2} /{\text{W}}$$6.4×10-12m2/W.
Boric Acid Cross-linked 3D Polyvinyl Alcohol Gel Beads by NaOH-Titration Method as a Suitable Biomass Immobilization Matrix
Authors: Sun Li , Wang Jinxing , Liang Jidong , Li Gaigai
Published: December 2019

Granule-base immobilization of biomass is a potential method for a decent quality granular sludge cultivation. In this study, 3D polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel beads were chemically cross-linked via a simple NaOH-titration method. The PVA gel beads’ porous morphology was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Brunauer–Emmette–Teller (BET), and their mechanical properties were evaluated by swelling rate and compressive stress tests. When cross-linking time was 10 min, high quality gel beads (P10) were synthesized, which demonstrated a homogeneous porous structure, good swelling rate, and high compressive strength. A mechanism for synthesis of the gel beads was proposed based on the results of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis. Briefly, the intermolecular hydrogen bonds of PVA were firstly broken by NaOH to generate active bond of O–Na, which easily reacted with B(OH)4− to produce the PVA-boric acid gel beads. P10 showed excellent biocompatibility for anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) biomass’ immobilization. After incubation for three months, well granule-base immobilized sludge on P10 was developed in up-flow reactor. The sludge had high abundance of anammox biomass and was in balance with other functional bacteria. This work provides a simple method for the rapid preparation of 3D PVA gel beads and verifies their potential in granule-base immobilization of biomass.
High-Order Sequential Simulation via Statistical Learning in Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Space
Authors: Yao Lingqing , Dimitrakopoulos Roussos , Gamache Michel
Published: December 2019

The present work proposes a new high-order simulation framework based on statistical learning. The training data consist of the sample data together with a training image, and the learning target is the underlying random field model of spatial attributes of interest. The learning process attempts to find a model with expected high-order spatial statistics that coincide with those observed in the available data, while the learning problem is approached within the statistical learning framework in a reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS). More specifically, the required RKHS is constructed via a spatial Legendre moment (SLM) reproducing kernel that systematically incorporates the high-order spatial statistics. The target distributions of the random field are mapped into the SLM-RKHS to start the learning process, where solutions of the random field model amount to solving a quadratic programming problem. Case studies with a known data set in different initial settings show that sequential simulation under the new framework reproduces the high-order spatial statistics of the available data and resolves the potential conflicts between the training image and the sample data. This is due to the characteristics of the spatial Legendre moment kernel and the generalization capability of the proposed statistical learning framework. A three-dimensional case study at a gold deposit shows practical aspects of the proposed method in real-life applications.
Evaluation of genomic selection and marker-assisted selection in Miscanthus and energycane
Authors: Olatoye Marcus O. , Clark Lindsay V. , Wang Jianping , Yang Xiping , Yamada Toshihiko , Sacks Erik J. , Lipka Alexander E.
Published: December 2019

Although energycane (Saccharum spp.hybrids) is widely used as a source of lignocellulosic biomass for bioethanol, breeding this crop for disease resistance is challenging due to its narrow genetic base. Therefore, efforts are underway to introgress novel sources of genetic resistance fromMiscanthusinto energycane. Given that disease resistance in energycane could be either qualitative or quantitative in nature, careful examination of a wide variety of genomic-enabled breeding approaches will be crucial to the success of such an undertaking. Here we examined the efficiency of both genomic selection (GS) and marker-assisted selection (MAS) for traits simulated under different genetic architectures in F1and BC1populations ofMiscanthus×Miscanthusand sugarcane × sugarcane crosses. We observed that the performance of MAS was comparable and sometimes superior to GS for traits simulated with four quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs). In contrast, as the number of simulated QTN increased, all four GS models that were evaluated tended to outperform MAS, select more phenotypically optimal F1individuals, and accurately predict simulated trait values in subsequent BC1generations. We therefore conclude that GS is preferable to MAS for introgressing genetic sources of horizontal disease resistance fromMiscanthusto energycane, while MAS remains a suitable option for introgressing vertical disease resistance.
Kant and the forms of realism
Authors: Heidemann Dietmar
Published: December 2019

Realism takes many forms. The aim of this paper is to show that the “Critique of pure Reason” is the founding document of realism and that to the present-day Kant’s discussion of realism has shaped the theoretical landscape of the debates over realism. Kant not only invents the now common philosophical term ‘realism’. He also lays out the theoretical topography of the forms of realism that still frames our understanding of philosophical questions concerning reality. The paper explores this by analysis of Kant’s methodological procedure to distinguish between empirical (i.e. nonmetaphysical) and transcendental (metaphysical) realism. This methodological procedure is still of great help in contemporary philosophy, although it has its limits.
The Truth of Dharma and the Dharma of Truth: Reflections on Hinduism as a Dharmic Faith
Authors: Lipner Julius
Published: December 2019

This article discusses what it might mean to characterize traditional Hinduism as a dharmic faith in relation to the concepts of truth (satyam) and its opposite (anṛtam), without however expatiating on supposed contrasts between Hinduism and the “Abrahamic” faiths. The argument is conducted by recognizing two senses toanṛtam, namely, “non-truth” and “falsehood,” in contrast tosatyam; and the method used is inductive in that a historically well-known episode of theMahābhārata—the story of Kauśika and the bandits—and its authoritative interpretation by the deity Kṛṣṇa in terms ofsatyamandanṛtam(in theKarṇaparvan, Book 8, of the text) are analyzed heuristically to indicate howdharmais viewed in the traditionquaethical concept. The conclusion is drawn that Hindudharmais understood as that whose objective is ultimately to bring about the welfare of the world (lokasaṅgraha). In relation to truth (and its opposite),materially,dharmais invariably contextual in connotation (in contrast to what might be a Kantian or absolutist reading of moral imperatives), whereasformally, at the hands of one commentator or other, not least in modern times,dharmais that which defines what it means to be Hindu. The material and formal connotations ofdharmathus analyzed and taken together set Hinduism apartquadharmic faith.
Biomass Recalcitrance in Willow Under Two Biological Conversion Paradigms: Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Anaerobic Digestion
Authors: Ohlsson Jonas A. , Harman-Ware Anne E. , Sandgren Mats , Schnürer Anna
Published: December 2019

Biomass recalcitrance, the inherent resistance of plants towards deconstruction, negatively affects the viability of biorefineries. This trait is not only dictated by the properties of the biomass but also by the conversion system used and its interactions with specific features of the biomass. Here, biomass recalcitrance to anaerobic digestion (AD) was assessed using a biomethanation potential (BMP) assay. Plant material (n = 94) was selected from a large population of natural Salix viminalis accessions, previously evaluated for biomass recalcitrance using hydrothermal pretreatment–enzymatic hydrolysis. Correlations between yields from the two biological conversion systems were evaluated, as well as the influence of biomass compositional features, analyzed by pyrolysis-molecular beam mass spectrometry (py-MBMS), and other biomass physical properties on conversion performance. BMP values averaged 198.0 Nml CH4/g biomass after 94 days, ranging from 28.6 to 245.9. S lignin and carbohydrate-derived spectral features were positively correlated with performance under both systems, whereas G lignin, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid-derived ions were negatively correlated with yields and rates. Most spectral features were more strongly correlated with enzymatic hydrolysis yields compared to methane production. For early-stage methane production and rate, recalcitrance factors were similar compared to enzymatic hydrolysis, with weaker correlations observed at later timepoints. The results suggest that although variation in methane potential was considerably lower than enzymatic hydrolysis yields, a reduced recalcitrance under this system will still be of importance to improve early conversion rates. Spectral features of low methane-producing samples indicate the presence of inhibitory substances, warranting further study.
CanAssist Breast Impacting Clinical Treatment Decisions in Early-Stage HR+ Breast Cancer Patients: Indian Scenario
Authors: Sankaran Satish , Dikshit Jyoti Bajpai , Prakash SV Chandra , Mallikarjuna SE , Somashekhar SP , Patil Shekhar , Kumar Rajeev , Prasad Krishna , Shet Dinesh , Bakre Manjiri M.
Published: December 2019

CanAssist Breast (CAB) has thus far been validated on a retrospective cohort of 1123 patients who are mostly Indians. Distant metastasis–free survival (DMFS) of more than 95% was observed with significant separation (P < 0.0001) between low-risk and high-risk groups. In this study, we demonstrate the usefulness of CAB in guiding physicians to assess risk of cancer recurrence and to make informed treatment decisions for patients. Of more than 500 patients who have undergone CAB test, detailed analysis of 455 patients who were treated based on CAB-based risk predictions by more than 140 doctors across India is presented here. Majority of patients tested had node negative, T2, and grade 2 disease. Age and luminal subtypes did not affect the performance of CAB. On comparison with Adjuvant! Online (AOL), CAB categorized twice the number of patients into low risk indicating potential of overtreatment by AOL-based risk categorization. We assessed the impact of CAB testing on treatment decisions for 254 patients and observed that 92% low-risk patients were not given chemotherapy. Overall, we observed that 88% patients were either given or not given chemotherapy based on whether they were stratified as high risk or low risk for distant recurrence respectively. Based on these results, we conclude that CAB has been accepted by physicians to make treatment planning and provides a cost-effective alternative to other similar multigene prognostic tests currently available.
D-Lactic acid fermentation performance and the enzyme activity of a novel bacterium Terrilactibacillus laevilacticus SK5–6
Authors: Prasirtsak Budsabathip , Thitiprasert Sitanan , Tolieng Vasana , Assabumrungrat Suttichai , Tanasupawat Somboon , Thongchul Nuttha
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The aim of this study was to prove that Terrilactibacillus laevilacticus SK5-6, a novel D-lactate producer, exhibited a good fermentation performance comparing to the reference D-lactate producer Sporolactobacillus sp.

Methods

Glucose bioconversion for D-lactate production and the activity of five key enzymes including phosphofructokinase (PFK), pyruvate kinase (PYK), D-lactate dehydrogenase (D-LDH), L-lactate dehydrogenase (L-LDH), and lactate isomerase (LI) were investigated in the cultivation of T. laevilacticus SK5–6 and S. laevolacticus 0361T.

Results

T. laevilacticus SK5–6 produced D-lactate at higher yield, productivity, and optical purity compared with S. laevolacticus 0361T. T. laevilacticus SK5–6, the catalase-positive isolate, simultaneously grew and produced D-lactate without lag phase while delayed growth and D-lactate production were observed in the culture of S. laevolacticus 0361T. The higher production of D-lactate in T. laevilacticus SK5–6 was due to the higher growth rate and the higher specific activities of the key enzymes observed at the early stage of the fermentation. The low isomerization activity was responsible for the high optical purity of D-lactate in the cultivation of T. laevilacticus SK5–6.

Conclusion

The lowest specific activity of PFK following by PYK and D/L-LDHs, respectively, indicated that the conversion of fructose-6-phosphate was the rate limiting step. Under the well-optimized conditions, the activation of D/L-LDHs by fructose-1,6-phosphate and ATP regeneration by PYK drove glucose bioconversion toward D-lactate. The optical purity of D-lactate was controlled by D/L-LDHs and the activation of isomerases. High D-LDH with limited isomerase activity was preferable during the fermentation as it assured the high optical purity.
Identification and probiotic properties of lactobacilli isolated from two different fermented beverages
Authors: Angelescu Iulia-Roxana , Zamfir Medana , Stancu Mihaela-Marilena , Grosu-Tudor Silvia-Simona
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Scientific information regarding the microbial content and functional aspects of fermented beverages traditionally produced in certain parts of Europe are scarce. However, such products are believed to have some health benefits and might contain functional bacterial strains, such as probiotics. The aim of the study was to identify such lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from water kefir and, for the first time, from braga, a Romanian fermented beverage made of cereals.

Methods

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were identified to species level based on (GTG)5-PCR fingerprinting and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Selected strains were screened for their antibacterial activity and probiotic potential.

Results

Eight isolates belonging to seven Lactobacillus species were recovered from the two drinks. The identification of LAB involved in the fermentation of braga (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii) is firstly reported here. Five of the Lactobacillus isolates showed antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enterica. Moreover, most of them showed a good resistance to pH 2.5 and some survived at high concentrations of bile salts (up to 2%). Two L. plantarum isolates were able to inhibit all the indicator strains, and showed the best viability (about 70%) after a sequential treatment simulating the passage through the gastrointestinal tract.

Conclusion

Based on the results, the most promising candidates for designing new probiotic products are: L. plantarum BR9 from braga and L. plantarum CR1 from water kefir.
Differential methylation analysis for bisulfite sequencing using DSS
Authors: Feng Hao , Wu Hao
Published: December 2019

Bisulfite sequencing (BS‐seq) technology measures DNA methylation at single nucleotide resolution. A key task in BS‐seq data analysis is to identify differentially methylation (DM) under different conditions. Here we provide a tutorial for BS‐seq DM analysis using Bioconductor package DSS. DSS uses a beta‐binomial model to characterize the sequence counts from BS‐seq, and implements rigorous statistical method for hypothesis testing. It provides flexible functionalities for a variety of DM analyses.
WEDeepT3: predicting type III secreted effectors based on word embedding and deep learning
Authors: Fu Xiaofeng , Yang Yang
Published: December 2019

Background

The type III secreted effectors (T3SEs) are one of the indispensable proteins in the growth and reproduction of Gram‐negative bacteria. In particular, the pathogenesis of Gram‐negative bacteria depends on the type III secreted effectors, and by injecting T3SEs into a host cell, the host cell’s immunity can be destroyed. The high diversity of T3SE sequences and the lack of defined secretion signals make it difficult to identify and predict. Moreover, the related study of the pathological system associated with T3SE remains a hot topic in bioinformatics. Some computational tools have been developed to meet the growing demand for the recognition of T3SEs and the studies of type III secretion systems (T3SS). Although these tools can help biological experiments in certain procedures, there is still room for improvement, even for the current best model, as the existing methods adopt hand‐designed feature and traditional machine learning methods.

Methods

In this study, we propose a powerful predictor based on deep learning methods, called WEDeepT3. Our work consists mainly of three key steps. First, we train word embedding vectors for protein sequences in a large‐scale amino acid sequence database. Second, we combine the word vectors with traditional features extracted from protein sequences, like PSSM, to construct a more comprehensive feature representation. Finally, we construct a deep neural network model in the prediction of type III secreted effectors.

Results

The feature representation of WEDeepT3 consists of both word embedding and position‐specific features. Working together with convolutional neural networks, the new model achieves superior performance to the state‐of‐the‐art methods, demonstrating the effectiveness of the new feature representation and the powerful learning ability of deep models.

Conclusion

WEDeepT3 exploits both semantic information of k‐mer fragments and evolutional information of protein sequences to accurately differentiate between T3SEs and non‐T3SEs. WEDeepT3 is available at bcmi.sjtu.edu.cn/~yangyang/WEDeepT3.html.
Neonatal Outcome After Hexoprenaline Compared with Atosiban After Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes
Authors: Ulrich Daniela , Schneider Verena , Pichler Gerhard , Haas Josef , Culea Valeriu , Joksch Maike , Mager Corinna , Schmied Christian , Lakovschek Ioana-Claudia , Lang Uwe , Reif Philipp
Published: December 2019

Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) occurs in up to 3% of all pregnancies. Only few comparative studies have investigated potential risks and benefits between different tocolytic substances in women with PPROM. The aim of this study was to compare the neonatal short term outcome after tocolysis with Atosiban or Hexoprenaline in women with PPROM. This is a retrospective observational cohort study of women with PPROM between 24 and 32 weeks of gestation comparing neonatal and maternal outcome after tocolysis with atosiban or hexoprenaline. Outcome parameters were short term neonatal outcome, maternal tocolytic efficacy, effectiveness and tolerability and neonatal neurodevelopmental long-term outcome. Continuous variables were compared using t-Test or Mann–Whitney U test, as appropriate. For categorical variables Chi-square after Pearson and Fisher exact-test were used to compare the two groups. 93 women were included into this study with 42 women receiving hexoprenaline and 51 women receiving atosiban as primary tocolytic treatment. Mean gestational age was 29 weeks in both groups at the time PPROM. No differences were found for any short term neonatal outcome parameters, tocolytic efficacy, effectiveness and tolerability and neonatal neurodevelopmental long-term outcome. Both hexoprenaline and atosiban do not affect the short and long term neonatal outcome in women with PPROM for the time of lung maturation.
Improved method for correcting sample Mahalanobis distance without estimating population eigenvalues or eigenvectors of covariance matrix
Authors: Kobayashi Yasuyuki
Published: December 2019

The recognition performance of the sample Mahalanobis distance (SMD) deteriorates as the number of learning samples decreases. Therefore, it is important to correct the SMD for a population Mahalanobis distance (PMD) such that it becomes equivalent to the case of infinite learning samples. In order to reduce the computation time and cost for this main purpose, this paper presents a correction method that does not require the estimation of the population eigenvalues or eigenvectors of the covariance matrix. In short, this method only requires the sample eigenvalues of the covariance matrix, number of learning samples, and dimensionality to correct the SMD for the PMD. This method involves the summation of the SMD’s principal components (each of which is divided by its expectation obtained using the delta method), Lawley’s bias estimation, and the variances of the sample eigenvectors. A numerical experiment demonstrates that this method works well for various cases of learning sample number, dimensionality, population eigenvalues sequence, and non-centrality. The application of this method also shows improved performance of estimating a Gaussian mixture model using the expectation–maximization algorithm.
Distress in delirium: causes, assessment and management
Authors: Williams Sophie T. , Dhesi Jugdeep K. , Partridge Judith S. L.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Delirium is a common clinical syndrome associated with increased physical and psychological morbidity, mortality, inpatient stay and healthcare costs. There is growing interest in understanding the delirium experience and its psychological impact, including distress, for patients and their relatives, carers and healthcare providers.

Methods

This narrative review focuses on distress in delirium (DID) with an emphasis on its effect on older patients. It draws on qualitative and quantitative research to describe patient and environmental risk factors and variations in DID across a number of clinical settings, including medical and surgical inpatient wards and end of life care. The article provides an overview of the available distress assessment tools, both for clinical and research practice, and outlines their use in the context of delirium. This review also outlines established and emerging management strategies, focusing primarily on prevention and limitation of distress in delirium.

Results

Both significant illness and delirium cause distress. Patients who recall the episode of delirium describe common experiential features of delirium and distress. Relatives who witness delirium also experience distress, at levels suggested to be greater than that experienced by patients themselves. DID results in long-term psychological sequelae that can last months and years. Preventative actions, such pre-episode educational information for patients and their families in those at risk may reduce distress and psychological morbidity.

Conclusions

Improving clinicians’ understanding of the experience and long term psychological harm of delirium will enable the development of targeted support and information to patients at risk of delirium, and their families or carers.
Superconvergence and the Numerical Flux: a Study Using the Upwind-Biased Flux in Discontinuous Galerkin Methods
Authors: Frean Daniel J. , Ryan Jennifer K.
Published: December 2019

One of the beneficial properties of the discontinuous Galerkin method is the accurate wave propagation properties. That is, the semi-discrete error has dissipation errors of order $$2k+1$$2k+1 ($$\le Ch^{2k+1}$$≤Ch2k+1) and order $$2k+2$$2k+2 for dispersion ($$\le Ch^{2k+2}$$≤Ch2k+2). Previous studies have concentrated on the order of accuracy, and neglected the important role that the error constant, C,  plays in these estimates. In this article, we show the important role of the error constant in the dispersion and dissipation error for discontinuous Galerkin approximation of polynomial degree k,  where $$k=0,1,2,3.$$k=0,1,2,3. This gives insight into why one may want a more centred flux for a piecewise constant or quadratic approximation than for a piecewise linear or cubic approximation. We provide an explicit formula for these error constants. This is illustrated through one particular flux, the upwind-biased flux introduced by Meng et al., as it is a convex combination of the upwind and downwind fluxes. The studies of wave propagation are typically done through a Fourier ansatz. This higher order Fourier information can be extracted using the smoothness-increasing accuracy-conserving (SIAC) filter. The SIAC filter ties the higher order Fourier information to the negative-order norm in physical space. We show that both the proofs of the ability of the SIAC filter to extract extra accuracy and numerical results are unaffected by the choice of flux.
Evaluating Pornography Problems Due to Moral Incongruence Model
Authors: Lewczuk Karol , Glica Agnieszka , Nowakowska Iwona , Gola Mateusz , Grubbs Joshua B.
Published: December 2019

Introduction

To date, multiple models of problematic pornography use have been proposed, but attempts to validate them have been scarce.

Aim

In our study, we aimed to evaluate the Pornography Problems due to Moral Incongruence model proposing that self-appraisals of pornography addiction stem from (i) general dysregulation, (ii) habits of use, and (iii) moral incongruence between internalized norms and behavior. We investigated whether the model can be used to adequately explain the self-perceptions of addiction to pornography (model 1) and a broader phenomenon of problematic pornography use (model 2).

Methods

An online, nationally representative study was conducted on a sample of 1036 Polish adult participants, of whom, 880 declared a lifetime history of viewing pornography.

Main Outcome Measure

The outcomes were self-perceived pornography addiction, problematic pornography use, avoidant coping, frequency of pornography use, religiosity, moral disapproval of pornography, and related variables.

Results

Our results indicated that avoidant coping (an indicator of general dysregulation), frequency of pornography use (indicator of habits of use), and the distress connected with incongruence between own sexual behavior and internalized norms, attitudes and beliefs positively contributed to self-perceived addiction (model 1) as well as problematic pornography use (model 2). This broadly confirms the basic shape of the PPMI model. There were, however, notable differences between the models. Moral incongruence related distress was only weakly related to self-perceived addiction (β = 0.15, P < .001), with a stronger relation for problematic pornography use (β = 0.31, P < .001). When controlling for other factors, religiosity weakly predicted problematic pornography use (β = 0.13, P < .001), but not self-perceived addiction to pornography (β = 0.03, P = .368). Frequency of pornography use was the strongest predictor of both self-perceived addiction (β = 0.52, P < .001) and problematic pornography use (β = 0.43, P < .001).

Clinical Implications

Factors proposed within the PPMI model are distinctly relevant intervention targets, and they should be considered in the process of diagnosis and treatment.

Strengths & Limitations

The presented study is the first to evaluate PPMI model. Its main limitation is that it has a cross-sectional design.

Conclusion

The PPMI model is a promising framework for investigating the factors related to self-perceived addiction and problematic pornography use. Despite the differences between the models and in the strength of specific predictors, (i) dysregulation, (ii) habits of use, and (iii) moral incongruence all uniquely contribute to self-perceived addiction and problematic pornography use.
Dominant symbiotic bacteria associated with wild medfly populations reveal a bacteriocin-like killing phenotype: a ‘cold-case’ study
Authors: Ciolfi Silvia , Marri Laura
Published: December 2019

The gut of the agricultural pest Ceratitis capitata hosts a varied community of bacteria, mainly Enterobacteriaceae, that were implicated in several processes that increase the fitness of the insect. In this study, we investigated the antagonistic activity in vitro of Klebsiella oxytoca strains isolated in the 1990s from the alimentary tract of wild medflies collected from different varieties of fruit trees at diverse localities. Assays were carried out against reference strains (representative of Gram-negative and -positive bacterial species) of the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). Eight Klebsiella, out of 11, expressed a killing activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 23739, and Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047; among the eight strains, at least one showed activity against Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 23853. Genomic DNA derived from all Klebsiella strains was then subjected to PCR amplification using specific primer pairs designed from each of the four bacteriocin (KlebB, C, D, CCL) sequences found so far in Klebsiella. KlebD primer pairs were the only to produce a single product for all strains expressing the killing phenotype in vitro. One of the amplicons was cloned and sequenced; the DNA sequence shows 93% identity with a plasmid-carried colicin-D gene of a strain of Klebsiella michiganensis, and 86% identity with the sequence encoding for the klebicin D activity protein in K. oxytoca. Our work provides the first evidence that dominant symbiotic bacteria associated with wild medfly populations express a killing phenotype that may mediate inter and intraspecies competition among bacterial populations in the insect gut in vivo.
Beyond Othello: Juan Latino in Black America
Authors: WEISSBOURD EMILY
Published: December 2019

This essay focusses on references to the sixteenth-century black poet and scholar Juan Latino in African American journals in the 1920s–1940s. Although Juan Latino is largely forgotten in the present day, publications such as the Journal of Negro History and the New Negro referred to the poet as an important figure in the intellectual history of the African diaspora. My essay posits Juan Latino (both the historical figure and an early modern play about him) as an alternative exemplar of blackness in early modern Europe to that found in Othello. By turning to Juan Latino instead of to Othello, scholars in the 1920s–1940s were able to suggest a transnational and transhistorical black diasporic identity linked with African American solidarity with the Republican cause in the Spanish Civil War.
An outbreak of monophasicSalmonellaTyphimurium associated with raw pork sausage and other pork products, Denmark 2018–19
Authors: Helmuth I. G. , Espenhain L. , Ethelberg S. , Jensen T. , Kjeldgaard J. , Litrup E. , Schjørring S. , Müller L.
Published: December 2019

In Denmark, outbreaks of salmonella with more than 20 cases have become rare. In November 2018, an outbreak of monophasicSalmonellaTyphimurium was detected and an investigation initiated with the aim of identifying the source and controlling the outbreak. Outbreak cases were defined based on core genome multilocus sequence types. We conducted hypothesis-generating interviews, a matched case-control study, food sampling and trace-back investigations. We identified 49 cases distributed across Denmark. In univariable analyses a traditional form of raw Danish pork sausage (medister sausage), pork chops and ground veal/pork showed matched odds ratio of 26 (95% CI 3–207), 4 (95% CI 1–13) and 4 (95% CI 1–10), respectively. In a multivariable analysis, only medister sausage remained significant. Several patients described tasting or eating the sausage raw or undercooked. Samples of medister sausage analysed were negative for salmonella and investigations at the production site did not reveal the mechanism of contamination. In conclusion, in spite of having eliminated salmonella in the egg and broiler industry, Denmark is still at risk of major salmonella outbreaks. We identified a raw pork sausage as a particular risk product that needs to be thoroughly cooked before consumption. Tasting raw meat or eating undercooked pork should be discouraged.
The Layered Legacy of Clyde Wahrhaftig
Authors: Howley Korena
Published: December 2019

As the geologist’s beloved guidebook gets a digital makeover, his personal contributions to the field shed light on who he was as a scientist.
Commentary on “Insights into the Major Processes Driving the Global Distribution of Copper in the Ocean From a Global 3‐D Model” by Camille Richon and Alessandro Tagliabue
Authors: Moffett James W.
Published: December 2019

The distribution of copper in the oceanic water column is simple but surprisingly difficult to explain. It is biologically active, but its distribution is remarkably similar to thorium‐ 230, whose removal is dominated by reversible scavenging throughout the water column. In this issue, Richon and Tagliabue present results of a global three‐dimensional physical biogeochemical model that shows that reversible scavenging is indeed the major mechanism responsible for Cu distribution. The model provides a high degree of resolution, revealing regional differences in Cu distribution. Model predictions compared remarkably well to the large database from the international GEOTRACES. That success highlights the value of detailed sectional surveys in understanding the controls on trace element distributions in the oceans. The model shows that Cu diverges from true nutrient‐like elements like zinc because organic complexation limits biological uptake by phytoplankton. However, their model also shows that some fraction of organic complexes are biologically available. Perhaps the most provocative outcome of the study is their claim that riverine fluxes of copper are much higher than previous estimates, resulting in a tenfold decrease in Cu residence time. The difference arises from a different way of estimating Cu fluxes than previous workers. They calculated Cu fluxes from estimates of Fe fluxes in a previous model study by applying a universal Cu:Fe ratio. This assumption may prove controversial but demonstrates that more information is required to decrease uncertainties in river flux data to model trace metals in the oceans and to exploit the opportunities created by GEOTRACES.
The Seismic Signature of Upper‐Mantle Plumes: Application to the Northern East African Rift
Authors: Civiero Chiara , Armitage John J. , Goes Saskia , Hammond James O. S.
Published: December 2019

Several seismic and numerical studies proposed that below some hotspots upper‐mantle plumelets rise from a thermal boundary layer below 660 km depth, fed by a deeper plume source. We recently found tomographic evidence of multiple upper‐mantle upwellings, spaced by several 100 km, rising through the transition zone below the northern East African Rift. To better test this interpretation, we run 3‐D numerical simulations of mantle convection for Newtonian and non‐Newtonian rheologies, for both thermal instabilities rising from a lower boundary layer, and the destabilization of a thermal anomaly placed at the base of the box (700–800 km depth). The thermal structures are converted to seismic velocities using a thermodynamic approach. Resolution tests are then conducted for the same P and S data distribution and inversion parameters as our traveltime tomography. The Rayleigh Taylor models predict simultaneous plumelets in different stages of evolution rising from a hot layer located below the transition zone, resulting in seismic structure that looks more complex than the simple vertical cylinders that are often anticipated. From the wide selection of models tested, we find that the destabilization of a 200 °C, 100 km thick thermal anomaly with a non‐Newtonian rheology, most closely matches the magnitude and the spatial and temporal distribution of the anomalies below the rift. Finally, we find that for reasonable upper‐mantle viscosities, the synthetic plume structures are similar in scale and shape to the actual low‐velocity anomalies, providing further support for the existence of upper‐mantle plumelets below the northern East African Rift.
Geodynamics of Anatolia: Lithosphere Thermal Structure and Thickness
Authors: Artemieva Irina M. , Shulgin Alexey
Published: December 2019

We present the first thermal model for the lithosphere in Turkey, which shows a highly heterogeneous pattern associated with mosaics of the Tethyan and modern subduction systems. We calculate a regionally average crustal density of 2.90 g/cm3 consistent with the presence of large volumes of mafic material. The Moho temperature with a regionally average value of 650–850 °C shows strong short‐wavelength variations. Lithosphere thinning to 50–75 km in most of western Anatolia may have developed in response to the Hellenic slab rollback, while the Neoproterozoic block in the Menderes Massif preserves a 150 km deep lithosphere root. In central Anatolia, the lithosphere thickness decreases southward from 100–150 to 50–60 km along a linear belt of young basaltic volcanism, followed by a belt of a 150 km thick lithosphere. We interpret this characteristic pattern by a SE dipping paleoslab beneath the western Taurides, which may cause the Cyprus subduction melting zone to deviate toward NW and NE. The Eastern Pontides‐Lesser Caucasus have 150–200 km thick lithosphere roots caused by collisional tectonics. The East Anatolian Plateau is underlain by a 80–140 km thick lithosphere, which suggests the presence of significant continental fragments; the patchy pattern of its thermal heterogeneity may be explained by teared and fragmented Tethyan slabs. A poor correlation between the lithosphere thermal structure, heat flux, the Neogene volcanic regions, and mantle seismic velocities implies that seismic anomalies are essentially controlled by heterogeneous mantle hydration by subduction systems of different ages and cannot be explained by temperature variations alone.
The rise and fall of MRI studies in major depressive disorder
Authors: Zhuo Chuanjun , Li Gongying , Lin Xiaodong , Jiang Deguo , Xu Yong , Tian Hongjun , Wang Wenqiang , Song Xueqin
Published: December 2019

Structural and functional brain alterations are common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). In this review, we assessed the recent literature (1995–2018) on the structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of MDD. Despite the growing number of MRI studies on MDD, reverse inference is not possible as MRI scans cannot be used to aid in the diagnosis or treatment planning of patients with MDD. Hence, researchers must develop “bridges” to overcome the reverse inference fallacy in order to build effective tools for MDD diagnostics. From our findings, we proposed that the “bridges” may be built using multidisciplinary technologies, such as artificial intelligence, multimodality imaging, and nanotheranostics, allowing for the further study of MDD at the biological level. In return, the “bridges” will aid in the development of future diagnostics for MDD and other mental disorders.
Quantum nanophotonics with group IV defects in diamond
Authors: Bradac Carlo , Gao Weibo , Forneris Jacopo , Trusheim Matthew E. , Aharonovich Igor
Published: December 2019

Diamond photonics is an ever-growing field of research driven by the prospects of harnessing diamond and its colour centres as suitable hardware for solid-state quantum applications. The last two decades have seen the field shaped by the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centre with both breakthrough fundamental physics demonstrations and practical realizations. Recently however, an entire suite of other diamond defects has emerged—group IV colour centres—namely the Si-, Ge-, Sn- and Pb-vacancies. In this perspective, we highlight the leading techniques for engineering and characterizing these diamond defects, discuss the current state-of-the-art group IV-based devices and provide an outlook of the future directions the field is taking towards the realisation of solid-state quantum photonics with diamond.
ASCL1 is a MYCN- and LMO1-dependent member of the adrenergic neuroblastoma core regulatory circuitry
Authors: Wang Lu , Tan Tze King , Durbin Adam D. , Zimmerman Mark W. , Abraham Brian J. , Tan Shi Hao , Ngoc Phuong Cao Thi , Weichert-Leahey Nina , Akahane Koshi , Lawton Lee N. , Rokita Jo Lynne , Maris John M. , Young Richard A. , Look A. Thomas , Sanda Takaomi
Published: December 2019

A heritable polymorphism within regulatory sequences of the LMO1 gene is associated with its elevated expression and increased susceptibility to develop neuroblastoma, but the oncogenic pathways downstream of the LMO1 transcriptional co-regulatory protein are unknown. Our ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analyses reveal that a key gene directly regulated by LMO1 and MYCN is ASCL1, which encodes a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor. Regulatory elements controlling ASCL1 expression are bound by LMO1, MYCN and the transcription factors GATA3, HAND2, PHOX2B, TBX2 and ISL1—all members of the adrenergic (ADRN) neuroblastoma core regulatory circuitry (CRC). ASCL1 is required for neuroblastoma cell growth and arrest of differentiation. ASCL1 and LMO1 directly regulate the expression of CRC genes, indicating that ASCL1 is a member and LMO1 is a coregulator of the ADRN neuroblastoma CRC.
Direct observation of imploded core heating via fast electrons with super-penetration scheme
Authors: Gong T. , Habara H. , Sumioka K. , Yoshimoto M. , Hayashi Y. , Kawazu S. , Otsuki T. , Matsumoto T. , Minami T. , Abe K. , Aizawa K. , Enmei Y. , Fujita Y. , Ikegami A. , Makiyama H. , Okazaki K. , Okida K. , Tsukamoto T. , Arikawa Y. , Fujioka S. , Iwasa Y. , Lee S. , Nagatomo H. , Shiraga H. , Yamanoi K. , Wei M. S. , Tanaka K. A.
Published: December 2019

Fast ignition (FI) is a promising approach for high-energy-gain inertial confinement fusion in the laboratory. To achieve ignition, the energy of a short-pulse laser is required to be delivered efficiently to the pre-compressed fuel core via a high-energy electron beam. Therefore, understanding the transport and energy deposition of this electron beam inside the pre-compressed core is the key for FI. Here we report on the direct observation of the electron beam transport and deposition in a compressed core through the stimulated Cu Kα emission in the super-penetration scheme. Simulations reproducing the experimental measurements indicate that, at the time of peak compression, about 1% of the short-pulse energy is coupled to a relatively low-density core with a radius of 70 μm. Analysis with the support of 2D particle-in-cell simulations uncovers the key factors improving this coupling efficiency. Our findings are of critical importance for optimizing FI experiments in a super-penetration scheme.
Accentuated osseointegration in osteogenic nanofibrous coated titanium implants
Authors: Das Siddhartha , Dholam Kanchan , Gurav Sandeep , Bendale Kiran , Ingle Arvind , Mohanty Bhabani , Chaudhari Pradip , Bellare Jayesh R.
Published: December 2019

Anchoring of endosseous implant through osseointegration continues to be an important clinical need. Here, we describe the development of superior endosseous implant demonstrating enhance osseointegration, achieved through surface modification via coating of osteogenic nanofibres. The randomized bio-composite osteogenic nanofibres incorporating polycaprolactone, gelatin, hydroxyapatite, dexamethasone, beta-glycerophosphate and ascorbic acid were electrospun on titanium implants mimicking bone extracellular matrix and subsequently induced osteogenesis by targeting undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells present in the peri-implant niche to regenerate osseous tissue. In proof-of-concept experiment on rabbit study models (n = 6), micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT), histomorphometric analysis and biomechanical testing in relation to our novel osteogenic nanofibrous coated implants showed improved results when compared to uncoated controls. Further, no pathological changes were detected during gross examination and necropsy on peri-implant osseous tissues regenerated in response to such coated implants. The findings of the present study confirm that osteogenic nanofibrous coating significantly increases the magnitude of osteogenesis in the peri-implant zone and favours the dynamics of osseointegration.
Terahertz detection with an antenna-coupled highly-doped silicon quantum dot
Authors: Okamoto Takuya , Fujimura Naoki , Crespi Luca , Kodera Tetsuo , Kawano Yukio
Published: December 2019

Nanostructured dopant-based silicon (Si) transistors are promising candidates for high-performance photodetectors and quantum information devices. For highly doped Si with donor bands, the energy depth of donor levels and the energy required for tunneling processes between donor levels are typically on the order of millielectron volts, corresponding to terahertz (THz) photon energy. Owing to these properties, highly doped Si quantum dots (QDs) are highly attractive as THz photoconductive detectors. Here, we demonstrate THz detection with a lithographically defined and highly phosphorus-doped Si QD. We integrate a 40 nm-diameter QD with a micrometer-scale broadband logarithmic spiral antenna for the detection of THz photocurrent in a wide frequency range from 0.58 to 3.11 THz. Furthermore, we confirm that the detection sensitivity is enhanced by a factor of ~880 compared to a QD detector without an antenna. These results demonstrate the ability of a highly doped-Si QD coupled with an antenna to detect broadband THz waves. By optimizing the dopant distribution and levels, further performance improvements are feasible.