bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microwave hybrid fast sintering of red clay ceramics
Authors: Pitolli Lyra Gabriela , Santos Valdemir , Maria de Jesus Agnolon Pallone Eliria , Herta Goldschmidt Aliaga Kiminami Ruth , Carlos De Santis Bruno , Adriano Rossignolo João
Published: December 2020

This work aimed to examine the performance of the hybrid sintering of clay ceramic in a microwave furnace, compared to the sintering process in a conventional furnace. The raw materials were subjected to X‐ray fluorescence, loss on ignition (LOI), X‐ray diffraction, particle size distribution, real specific mass, and thermogravimetric analyses. The red clay ceramic mass was prepared, extruded, pre‐sintered in a conventional furnace at 600°C/60 min, and sintered at temperatures between 700 °C and 1100 °C. The sintering conventional (resistive oven) was carried out for 60 min with a heating rate of 10°C/min. In the microwave furnace, the sintering times were 5, 10, and 15 min, with a heating rate of 50°C/min, with a sintering chamber coated with silicon carbide (susceptor). The sintered specimens were characterized according to linear shrinkage, water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent specific mass, X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy analysis, spectroscopy analysis in the ultraviolet and visible regions, microhardness, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that microwave sintering promoted an increase in the microhardness and apparent specific mass, and reduction in water absorption and apparent porosity values, due to greater densification in the microstructure. The best results occurred for specimens sintered at 1100°C.
Nanoparticle‐mediated targeting of autoantigen peptide to cross‐presenting liver sinusoidal endothelial cells protects from CD8 T‐cell‐driven autoimmune cholangitis
Authors: Carambia Antonella , Gottwick Cornelia , Schwinge Dorothee , Stein Stephanie , Digigow Reinaldo , Şeleci Muharrem , Mungalpara Disha , Heine Markus , Schuran Fenja A. , Corban Carlotta , Lohse Ansgar W. , Schramm Christoph , Heeren Joerg , Herkel Johannes
Published: December 2020

Autoimmune diseases are caused by adaptive immune responses to self‐antigens. The development of antigen‐specific therapies that suppress disease‐related, but not unrelated immune responses in general, is an important goal of biomedical research. We have previously shown that delivery of myelin peptides to liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) using LSEC‐targeting nanoparticles provides effective protection from CD4 T‐cell‐driven autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Here, we investigated whether this methodology might also serve antigen‐specific treatment of a CD8 T‐cell‐driven autoimmune disease. As a model for CD8 T‐cell‐mediated autoimmunity, we used OT‐1 T‐cell‐driven cholangitis in K14‐OVAp mice expressing the cognate MHC I‐restricted SIINFEKL peptide in cholangiocytes. To study whether peptide delivery to LSECs could modulate cholangitis, SIINFEKL peptide‐conjugated nanoparticles were administered intravenously one day before transfer of OT‐1 T cells; five days after cell transfer, liver pathology and hepatic infiltrates were analysed. SIINFEKL peptide‐conjugated nanoparticles were rapidly taken up by LSECs in vivo, which effectively cross‐presented the delivered peptide on MHC I molecules. Intriguingly, K14‐OVAp mice receiving SIINFEKL‐loaded nanoparticles manifested significantly reduced liver damage compared with vehicle‐treated K14‐OVAp mice. Mechanistically, treatment with LSEC‐targeting SIINFEKL‐loaded nanoparticles significantly reduced the number of liver‐infiltrating OT‐1 T cells, which up‐regulated expression of the co‐inhibitory receptor PD‐1 and down‐regulated cytotoxic effector function and inflammatory cytokine production. These findings show that tolerogenic LSECs can effectively internalize circulating nanoparticles and cross‐present nanoparticle‐bound peptides on MHC I molecules. Therefore, nanoparticle‐mediated autoantigen peptide delivery to LSECs might serve the antigen‐specific treatment of CD8 T‐cell‐driven autoimmune disease.
An exploration of lifestyle/obesity programmes for adults with intellectual disabilities through a realist lens: Impact of a ‘context, mechanism and outcome’ evaluation
Authors: Taggart Laurence , Doherty Alison Jayne , Chauhan Umesh , Hassiotis Angela
Published: December 2020

Background

Obesity is higher in people with intellectual disabilities.

Aims

There are two aims of this explorative paper. Firstly, using a realist lens, to go beyond ‘what works’ and examine the ‘context, mechanisms and outcomes’ (CMO) of lifestyle/obesity programmes for this population. Second, using a logic model framework to inform how these programmes could be implemented within practice.

Method

We explored six‐review papers and the individual lifestyle/obesity programmes that these papers reviewed using the CMO framework.

Results

There were few theoretically underpinned, multi‐component programmes that were effective in the short to long‐term and many failed to explore the ‘context and mechanisms’. We developed a logic model and engaged in two co‐production workshops to refine this model.

Discussion

Using a realist approach, programmes need to be underpinned by both individual and systems change theories, be multi‐component, have a closer understanding of the interplay of the ‘context and mechanisms’, and co‐designed using a logic model framework.
Hyaluronidase inhibition accelerates functional recovery from stroke in the mouse brain
Authors: Katarzyna Greda Anna , Nowicka Dorota
Published: December 2020

Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are presumed to limit plasticity in adult animals. Ischaemic stroke results in the massive breakdown of PNNs resulting in rejuvenating states of neuronal plasticity, but the mechanisms of this phenomenon are largely unknown. As hyaluronic acid (HA) is the structural backbone of PNNs, we hypothesized that these changes are a consequence of the altered expression of HA metabolism enzymes. Additionally, we investigated whether early hyaluronidase inhibition interferes with post‐stroke PNN reduction and behavioural recovery. We investigated the mRNA/protein expression of these enzymes in the perilesional, remote and contralateral cortical regions in mice at different time points after photothrombosis, using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence. A skilled reaching test was employed to test hyaluronidase inhibitor L‐ascorbic acid 6‐hexadecanoate influence on post‐stroke recovery. We found the simultaneous up‐regulation of mRNA of HA synthesizing and degrading enzymes in the perilesional area early after stroke, suggesting an acceleration of HA turnover in ischaemic animals. Immunostaining revealed differential cellular localization of enzymes, with hyaluronidase 1 in astrocytes and hyaluronan synthase 2 in astrocytes and neurons, and post‐stroke up‐regulation of both of them in astrocytes. β‐glucuronidase was observed in neurons but post‐stroke up‐regulation occurred in microglia. Inhibition of hyaluronidase activity early after stroke resulted in improved performance in skilled reaching test, without affecting the numbers of PNNs. These results suggest that after stroke, a substantial reorganization of polysaccharide content occurs, and interfering with this process at early time has a beneficial effect on recovery.

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Trimester‐specific reference intervals of TAT, TM, tPAI‐C and PIC for healthy Chinese pregnant women
Authors: Wu Yufeng , Qiao Yan , Zhang Yinmei , Li Qingsong , Zhang Wenjing
Published: December 2020

Aim

Pregnancy is a hypercoagulability state, the aim of this study was to observe the changes of thrombin–antithrombin complex (TAT), thrombomodulin (TM), tissue plasminogen activator‐inhibitor complex (tPAI‐C) and plasmin‐α2–antiplasmin complex (PIC) during pregnancy and establish trimester‐specific reference intervals for Chinese healthy pregnant women.

Methods

In total 190 Chinese healthy pregnant women (first trimester 59 cases, second trimester 60 cases and third trimester 71 cases) were recruited in North China. TAT, TM, tPAI‐C and PIC were processed on Sysmex HISCL 5000 automated chemiluminescence immune detection system. Trimester‐specific reference intervals were established with the 2.5th and 97.5th percentile of the distribution.

Results

The reference intervals for TAT, TM, tPAI‐C, PIC at trimester 1 were 0.40–3.65 ng/mL, 4.85–8.80 TU/mL, 1.75–6.40 ng/mL, 0.25–1.05 μg/mL, respectively. At trimester 2, the reference intervals were 1.65–8.61 ng/mL, 5.70–9.93 TU/mL, 2.91–7.71 ng/mL, 0.33–2.02 μg/mL, respectively. At trimester 3, the reference intervals were 3.16–12.68 ng/mL, 5.50–14.24 TU/mL, 2.70–10.69 ng/mL, 0.24–1.54 μg/mL, respectively.

Conclusions

The changes of TAT, TM, tPAI‐C, PIC during pregnancy are presented, and trimester‐specific reference intervals for healthy pregnant women are described. The levels of TAT, TM, tPAI‐C were increased gradually from trimester 1 to trimester 3, while the PIC level remains stable during all trimesters.
Retrospective study of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs
Authors: Freid Kimberly J. , Freeman Lisa M. , Rush John E. , Cunningham Suzanne M. , Davis Megan S. , Karlin Emily T. , Yang Vicky K.
Published: December 2020

Background

The United States Food and Drug Administration is investigating possible diet‐associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs and cats.

Objectives

To retrospectively review DCM cases for signalment, diet information, echocardiographic changes, and survival.

Animals

Client‐owned dogs (n = 71).

Methods

Medical records of dogs diagnosed with DCM between January 1, 2014 and September 30, 2018 were reviewed. Dogs were grouped into “traditional” or “nontraditional” diet categories and whether or not diet was changed after diagnosis.

Results

For dogs eating nontraditional diets, those that had their diets changed had a larger percentage decrease in normalized systolic left ventricular internal dimension (P = .03) and left atrial:aorta ratio (P < .001) compared to those that did not have their diets changed. Survival time was significantly longer for dogs with DCM eating nontraditional diets that had their diets changed (median survival, 337 days; range, 9‐1307 days) compared to dogs eating nontraditional diets that did not have their diets changed (median survival, 215 days; range, 1‐852 days; P = .002).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Dogs with DCM eating nontraditional diets can experience improvement in cardiac function after diet change but additional research is needed to examine possible associations between diet and DCM.
Meritocratic and fair? The discourse of UK and Australia's widening participation policies
Authors: Coyle Maeve , Sandover Sally , Poobalan Amudha , Bullen Jonathan , Cleland Jennifer
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Globally, people with the academic and personal attributes to successfully study medicine experience disadvantages associated with sociodemographic factors. Governments have attempted to address this issue via macrolevel policies aimed at widening participation (WP) to medicine. These policies differ by country, suggesting much can be learned from examining and comparing international policy discourses of WP. Our question was: How are discourses of WP to higher and medical education positioned in the UK and Australia?

Methods

A systematic search strategy was guided by five a priori themes inspired by United Nations Sustainability Goals (2015). Seventeen policy documents (UK n = 9, Australia n = 8) published between 2008 and 2018 were identified. Analysis involved two over‐arching, iterative stages: a document analysis then a Foucauldian critical discourse analysis, the latter with the aim of unveiling the power dynamics at play within policy‐related discourses.

Results

Discourses of social mobility and individual responsibility within a meritocracy are still paramount in the UK. In contrast, the dominant discourse in Australia is social accountability in achieving equity and workforce diversity, prioritising affirmative action and community values. Similarities between the two countries in terms of WP policy and policy levers have changed over time, linked to the divergence of internal drivers for societal change. Both nations recognise tensions inherent in striving to achieve both local and global goals, but Australia appears to prioritise community values in working towards ‘nation building’ whereas in the UK the focus on individuality and meritocracy at times seems at odds with achieving parity for disadvantaged individuals.

Discussion

WP policies and practices are situated and contextual so caution must be taken when extrapolating lessons from one context to another. The history of a country and the nature of marginalisation in that country must be scrutinised when trying to understand what drives WP policy.
Three‐dimensional mixed longitudinal study of facial growth changes and variability of facial form in preschool children using stereophotogrammetry
Authors: Kočandrlová Karolina , Dupej Ján , Hoffmannová Eva , Velemínská Jana
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Since the normal, non‐pathological facial growth in preschool children is not sufficiently reported, the aim was to follow growth changes of facial surface, sex differences and facial variability in preschool children using 3D stereophotogrammetry.

Settings and Sample Population

Mixed longitudinal sample of healthy Caucasian preschool children without head and facial trauma or craniofacial anomalies from 3.4 to 6.7 years of age consisted of 25 girls and 17 boys.

Materials and Methods

136 3D facial models from optical scanner Vectra 3D were evaluated by geometric morphometrics (CPC‐DCA, PCA, per‐vertex t test).

Results

In both sexes, the lower face was widened and elongated, and the prominences of the superciliary arches, lower orbital region, nose, lips and chin increased. Facial surface increments were more even in girls with a maximum between the fourth and fifth year of age, while in boys, there was the most intensive growth between fifth and sixth year of age. Sexual dimorphism was very stable during investigated period, only less statistically significant at the age of 3 years. Boys had more prominent lateral lower part of forehead, nose and lips than girls in every age category.

Conclusions

The longitudinal growth of the face between third and sixth year of age was similar in both sexes, facial sex differences were found in terms of intensity, size and timing. Variability of facial form showed that boys' faces were larger on average and facial shape did not differ. The knowledge of facial growth is essential for diagnostics and clinical practice.
The use of Lean Methodology to reduce personal protective equipment wastage in children undergoing congenital cardiac surgery, during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Sheehan John Robert , Lyons Barry , Holt Francesca
Published: December 2020

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has compounded many existing healthcare delivery challenges including long waiting lists and cost containment. New challenges have arisen, such as demand on supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the implications of social distancing on staff, patients, and their families. Despite the pandemic, the need to deliver safe, urgent congenital cardiac surgery has remained.

Objective

To demonstrate how Lean methodology can improve PPE supply chain demand and reduce staff exposure to children with unknown SARS‐CoV‐2 status undergoing congenital cardiac surgery, during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

We implemented the define, measure, analyze, improve, and control method (DMAIC) and Value Stream Maps to eliminate waste steps during testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 for children undergoing congenital cardiac surgery.

Results

Following a 3‐week period of implementation of this new value stream map, we reduced PPE set usage from 13 to 1 per patient, resulting in an annual saving of over €36,000 and reducing single‐use plastic waste by nearly 70 000 pieces per annum. We reduced numbers of staff exposed to patients with an unknown SARS‐CoV‐2 status from 13 to 1.

Conclusion

The use of Lean methodology can reduce waste of PPE and plastic, resulting in cost savings, while reducing staff exposure when testing patients with congenital cardiac disease for SARS‐CoV‐2. By preventing admission of SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive patients, we can reduce use of isolation beds and prevent cancellation of surgery, improving patient flow and departmental efficiency. Other departments in our institution are implementing similar admission pathways to allow surgical services to restart during the ongoing pandemic.
Survival after heart transplantation for Chagas cardiomyopathy using a conventional protocol: A 10‐year experience in a single center
Authors: Echeverría Luis E. , Figueredo Antonio , Rodriguez María J. , Salazar Leonardo , Pizarro Camilo , Morillo Carlos A. , Rojas Lyda Z. , Gómez‐Ochoa Sergio A. , Castillo Victor R.
Published: December 2020

Background

Heart transplant (HT) remains the most frequently indicated therapy for patients with end‐stage heart failure that improves prognosis in Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCM). However, the lack of benznidazole therapy and availability of RT‐PCR follow‐up in many centers is a major limitation to perform this life‐saving intervention, as there are concerns related with the risk of reactivation. We aimed to describe the outcomes of a cohort of patients with CCM who underwent HT using a conventional protocol with mycophenolate mofetil, without benznidazole prophylaxis or RT‐PCR follow‐up.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study. Between 2008 and 2018, 43 patients with CCM underwent HT. A descriptive analysis to characterize outcomes as rejection, infectious and neoplastic complications and a survival analysis was carried out.

Results

Median of follow‐up was 4.3 (IR 4.28) years. Survival at 1 month, 1 year, and 5 years was 95%, 85%, and 75%, respectively, infections being the main cause of death (60%). Reactivations occurred in only three patients (7.34%) and were not related to mortality.

Conclusion

This cohort showed a favorable survival and a low reactivation rate without an impact on mortality. Our results suggest that performing HT in patients with CCM following conventional guidelines and recommendations for other etiologies is a safe approach.
Tomato protein Rx4 mediates the hypersensitive response to Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. perforans race T3
Authors: Zhang Xiaofei , Li Ning , Liu Xin , Wang Jiajing , Zhang Yaxian , Liu Dong , Wang Yuqing , Cao Haipeng , Zhao Baimei , Yang Wencai
Published: December 2020

Bacterial spot, which is caused by several Xanthomonas species, is an economically important disease in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Great efforts have been made for the identification of resistant sources and the genetic analysis of resistance. However, the development of resistant commercial varieties is slow due to the existence of multiple species of the pathogen and a poor understanding of the resistance mechanism in tomato. The current study revealed that the Rx4 gene encodes a nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat protein in the wild tomato species Solanum pimpinellifolium and specifically recognizes and confers a hypersensitive response (HR) to Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. perforans race T3 expressing the AvrXv3 avirulence protein. Complementation of the Rx4 gene in the susceptible tomato line Ohio 88119 using a transgenic approach resulted in HR, whereas knockout of the gene through CRISPR/Cas9 editing in resistant lines Hawaii 7981 and PI 128216 led to non‐HR to race T3. Transcription of Rx4 was not induced by the presence of race T3. Furthermore, the Rx4 protein did not show physical interaction with AvrXv3 but interacted with SGT1‐1 and RAR1. Virus‐induced gene silencing of SGT1‐1 and RAR1 in the resistant line PI128216 suppressed the HR to race T3. Taken together, our study confirms Rx4 is the gene conferring the HR to bacterial spot race T3 and reveals the potential roles of SGT1‐1 and RAR1 as signals in the Rx4‐mediated HR. This discovery represents a step forward in our understanding of the mechanism of resistance to bacterial spot in tomato and may have important implications for understanding plant–bacterial interactions.
GORI, encoding the WD40 domain protein, is required for pollen tube germination and elongation in rice
Authors: Kim Yu‐Jin , Kim Myung‐Hee , Hong Woo‐Jong , Moon Sunok , Kim Eui‐Jung , Silva Jeniffer , Lee Jinwon , Lee Sangho , Kim Sun Tae , Park Soon Ki , Jung Ki‐Hong
Published: December 2020

Successful delivery of sperm cells to the embryo sac in higher plants is mediated by pollen tube growth. The molecular mechanisms underlying pollen germination and tube growth in crop plants remain rather unclear, although these mechanisms are crucial to plant reproduction and seed formation. By screening pollen‐specific gene mutants in rice (Oryza sativa), we identified a T‐DNA insertional mutant of Germinating modulator of rice pollen (GORI) that showed a one‐to‐one segregation ratio for wild type (WT) to heterozygous. GORI encodes a seven‐WD40‐motif protein that is homologous to JINGUBANG/REN4 in Arabidopsis. GORI is specifically expressed in rice pollen, and its protein is localized in the nucleus, cytosol and plasma membrane. Furthermore, a homozygous mutant, gori‐2, created through CRISPR‐Cas9 clearly exhibited male sterility with disruption of pollen tube germination and elongation. The germinated pollen tube of gori‐2 exhibited decreased actin filaments and altered pectin distribution. Transcriptome analysis revealed that 852 pollen‐specific genes were downregulated in gori‐2 compared with the WT, and Gene Ontology enrichment analysis indicated that these genes are strongly associated with cell wall modification and clathrin coat assembly. Based on the molecular features of GORI, phenotypical observation of the gori mutant and its interaction with endocytic proteins and Rac GTPase, we propose that GORI plays key roles in forming endo‐/exocytosis complexes that could mediate pollen tube growth in rice.
Kinetic variation in grass phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylases provides opportunity to enhance C4 photosynthetic efficiency
Authors: DiMario Robert J. , Kophs Ashley N. , Pathare Varsha S. , Schnable James C. , Cousins Asaph B.
Published: December 2020

The high rates of photosynthesis and the carbon‐concentrating mechanism (CCM) in C4 plants are initiated by the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase (PEPC). The flow of inorganic carbon into the CCM of C4 plants is driven by PEPC’s affinity for bicarbonate (KHCO3), which can be rate limiting when atmospheric CO2 availability is restricted due to low stomatal conductance. We hypothesize that natural variation in KHCO3 across C4 plants is driven by specific amino acid substitutions to impact rates of C4 photosynthesis under environments such as drought that restrict stomatal conductance. To test this hypothesis, we measured KHCO3 from 20 C4 grasses to compare kinetic properties with specific amino acid substitutions. There was nearly a twofold range in KHCO3 across these C4 grasses (24.3 ± 1.5 to 46.3 ± 2.4 μm), which significantly impacts modeled rates of C4 photosynthesis. Additionally, molecular engineering of a low‐HCO3− affinity PEPC identified key domains that confer variation in KHCO3. This study advances our understanding of PEPC kinetics and builds the foundation for engineering increased‐HCO3− affinity and C4 photosynthetic efficiency in important C4 crops.
Diverse Populations of Extracellular Vesicles with Opposite Functions during Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Infection
Authors: Dogrammatzis Christos , Saleh Shadia , Deighan Clayton , Kalamvoki Maria
Published: December 2020

Extracellular vesicles mediate cell-to-cell communication and convey messages important for cell homeostasis. Pathways of EV biogenesis are often hijacked by pathogens to facilitate their dissemination and to establish a favorable microenvironment for the infection.
Emergence of the Novel Aminoglycoside Acetyltransferase Variant
aac(6′)-Ib-D179Y
and Acquisition of Colistin Heteroresistance in Carbapenem-Resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Due to a Disrupting Mutation in the DNA Repair Enzyme MutS
Authors: Sato Toyotaka , Wada Takayuki , Nishijima Suguru , Fukushima Yukari , Nakajima Chie , Suzuki Yasuhiko , Takahashi Satoshi , Yokota Shin-ichi
Published: December 2020

The emergence of multidrug resistance in pathogens such as
Klebsiella pneumoniae
is of great clinical concern. Antimicrobial resistance sometimes arises during the course of an infection.
Designing the Next Generation of Vaccines: Relevance for Future Pandemics
Authors: Domínguez-Andrés Jorge , van Crevel Reinout , Divangahi Maziar , Netea Mihai G.
Published: December 2020

The development of vaccines is one of the greatest medical interventions in the history of global infectious diseases and has contributed to the annual saving of at least 2 to 3 million lives worldwide. However, many diseases are not preventable through currently available vaccines, and the potential of modulating the immune response during vaccination has not been fully exploited.
Isolation of SAR11 Marine Bacteria from Cryopreserved Seawater
Authors: Monaghan Elizabeth A. , Freel Kelle C. , Rappé Michael S.
Published: December 2020

High-throughput dilution culture has proved to be a successful approach to bring some difficult-to-isolate planktonic microorganisms into culture, including the highly abundant SAR11 lineage of marine bacteria. While the long-term preservation of bacterial isolates by freezing them in the presence of cryoprotectants, such as glycerol, has been shown to be an effective method of storing viable cells over long time periods (i.e., years), to our knowledge it had not previously been tested for its efficacy in preserving raw seawater for later use as an inoculum for high-throughput cultivation experiments.
Distinct Community Assembly Processes of Abundant and Rare Soil Bacteria in Coastal Wetlands along an Inundation Gradient
Authors: Gao Gui-Feng , Peng Dan , Tripathi Binu M. , Zhang Yihui , Chu Haiyan
Published: December 2020

Coastal wetlands are one of the important ecosystems that play a crucial role in the regulation of climate change. Rare taxa (RT) exist in one habitat along with abundant taxa (AT).
An ∼1100 yr record of human and seabird occupation in the High Arctic inferred from pond sediments
Authors: Cheng Wenhan , Kimpe Linda E. , Mallory Mark L. , Smol John P. , Blais Jules M.
Published: December 2020

Seabirds in the Canadian Arctic congregate in large colonies, producing oases of biological productivity and diversity in coastal regions. Here, we examined sterols, stanols, and stable isotopes (δ15N and δ13C) in three 14C-dated pond sediment cores near a large seabird colony and archaeological site on Devon Island (Nunavut, Canada), showing historical occupation by the seabirds and an ancient human (Thule or Norse) settlement over an ∼1100 yr time period. Coprostanol in the sediment records captures the presence of humans at ca. 1150 CE, followed by their abandonment of the site by ca. 1300 CE. Increased seabird presence at this site after ca.1200 CE is indicated by increases in δ15N and cholesterol/sitosterol. Seabird population expansion is observed after ca. 1600 CE in δ15N and cholesterol/sitosterol profiles, coinciding with European whaling activities that expanded in the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries. Our study provides insights into human and seabird occupation in the High Arctic to inform archaeological and conservation efforts.
The global distribution of depositional rivers on early Mars
Authors: Dickson J.L. , Lamb M.P. , Williams R.M.E. , Hayden A.T. , Fischer W.W.
Published: December 2020

Sedimentary basins are the archives of ancient environmental conditions on planetary surfaces, and on Mars they may contain the best record of surface water and habitable conditions. While erosional valley networks have been mapped, the global distribution of fluvial sedimentary deposits on Mars has been unknown. Here we generated an eight-trillion-pixel global map of Mars using data from the NASA Context Camera (CTX), aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft, to perform the first systematic global survey of fluvial ridges—exhumed ancient deposits that have the planform shape of river channels or channel belts, but stand in positive relief due to preferential erosion of neighboring terrain. We used large fluvial ridges (>70 m width) as a conservative proxy for the occurrence of depositional rivers or river-influenced depositional areas. Results showed that fluvial ridges are as much as 100 km long, common across the southern highlands, occur primarily in networks within intercrater plains, and are not confined to impact basins. Ridges were dominantly found in Noachian through Late Hesperian units, consistent with cessation of valley network activity, and occurred downstream from valley networks, indicating regional source-to-sink transport systems. These depositional areas mark a globally distributed class of sedimentary deposits that contain a rich archive of Mars history, including fluvial activity on early Mars.
Expression of interest for the CODEX-b detector
Authors: Aielli Giulio , Ben-Haim Eli , Cardarelli Roberto , Charles Matthew John , Cid Vidal Xabier , Coco Victor , Dey Biplab , Dumps Raphael , Evans Jared A. , Gibbons George , Dortz Olivier Le , Gligorov Vladimir V. , Ilten Philip , Knapen Simon , Lee Jongho , López Soliño Saul , Nachman Benjamin , Papucci Michele , Polci Francesco , Quessard Robin , Ramani Harikrishnan , Robinson Dean J. , Schindler Heinrich , Sokoloff Michael D. , Swallow Paul , Vari Riccardo , Watson Nigel , Williams Mike
Published: December 2020

This document presents the physics case and ancillary studies for the proposed CODEX-b long-lived particle (LLP) detector, as well as for a smaller proof-of-concept demonstrator detector, CODEX-$$\beta $$
β
, to be operated during Run 3 of the LHC. Our development of the CODEX-b physics case synthesizes ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ theoretical approaches, providing a detailed survey of both minimal and complete models featuring LLPs. Several of these models have not been studied previously, and for some others we amend studies from previous literature: In particular, for gluon and fermion-coupled axion-like particles. We moreover present updated simulations of expected backgrounds in CODEX-b’s actively shielded environment, including the effects of shielding propagation uncertainties, high-energy tails and variation in the shielding design. Initial results are also included from a background measurement and calibration campaign. A design overview is presented for the CODEX-$$\beta $$
β
demonstrator detector, which will enable background calibration and detector design studies. Finally, we lay out brief studies of various design drivers of the CODEX-b experiment and potential extensions of the baseline design, including the physics case for a calorimeter element, precision timing, event tagging within LHCb, and precision low-momentum tracking.
Generalized absurdly benign traversable wormholes powered by Casimir energy
Authors: Garattini Remo
Published: December 2020

In this work, we explore the connection between Casimir energy and an Absurdly Benign Traversable Wormhole, which in the literature has been considered only in the pioneering paper of Morris and Thorne. To have consistency with the Casimir source, we need to generalize the idea of an Absurdly Benign Traversable Wormhole into a Generalized Absurdly Benign Traversable Wormhole. With this generalization, we have found that the wormhole throat is not more Planckian, but huge. Three profiles have been studied: one of them is directly connected with the Casimir source, while the other two have been obtained approximating the first one close to the throat. In all profiles the wormhole throat size is predicted to be of the order of $$10^{17}~\text {m}$$

10
17

m

. This huge size can be fine tuned by modulating the original Casimir energy source size. We have also found that the traceless and divergenceless property of the original Casimir stress energy tensor is here partially reproduced.
Model-independent approach for incorporating interference effects in collider searches for new resonances
Authors: Frixione Stefano , Roos Lydia , Ting Edmund , Vryonidou Eleni , White Martin , Williams Anthony G.
Published: December 2020

The presence of large-mass resonances in the data collected at the Large Hadron Collider would provide direct evidence of physics beyond the Standard Model. A key challenge in current resonance searches at the LHC is the modelling of signal–background interference effects, which can severely distort the shape of the reconstructed invariant mass distribution relative to the case where there is no interference. Such effects are strongly dependent on the beyond the Standard Model theory that must be considered as unknown if one aims to minimise any theoretical bias on the search results. In this paper, we describe a procedure which employs a physically-motivated, model-independent template functional form that can be used to model interference effects, both for the characterisation of positive discoveries, and in the presentation of null results. We illustrate the approach with the example of a scalar resonance decaying into a pair of photons.
Precision protection through cosmic string in quantum metrology
Authors: Jin Yao
Published: December 2020

The dynamics of the quantum Fisher information of the parameters of the initial atomic state and atomic transition frequency is studied, in the framework of open quantum systems, for a static polarizable two-level atom coupled in the multipolar scheme to a bath of fluctuating vacuum electromagnetic fields in cosmic string space-time. Our results show that with the presence of cosmic string, the quantum Fisher information becomes position and atomic polarization dependent. It may be enhanced or depressed as compared to that in flat space-time case. Remarkably, when the atom is extremely close to the cosmic string and the polarization direction of the atom is perpendicular to the direction of the cosmic string, the quantum Fisher information has been totally protected from the fluctuating vacuum electromagnetic fields. So on the one hand, near a cosmic string, precision of estimation can be enhanced by ranging the radial distance between the probe atom and the cosmic string; on the other hand, the cosmic string can be sensed by studying the distribution of parameter induced state-separation.
A Study on SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and Machine Learning Based Approach to Detect COVID-19 Through X-Ray Images
Authors: Gupta Anuj Kumar , Sharma Manvinder , Sharma Ankit , Menon Vikas
Published: December 2020

From origin in Wuhan city of China, a highly communicable and deadly virus is spreading in the entire world and is known as COVID-19. COVID-19 is a new species of coronavirus which is affecting respiratory system of human. The virus is known as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 abbreviated as SARS-CoV-2 and generally known as coronavirus disease COVID-19. This is growing day by day in countries. The symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. As there is no vaccine made for this virus and COVID-19 tests are not readily available, this is causing panic. Various Artificial Intelligence-based algorithms and frameworks are being developed to detect this virus, but it has not been tested. People are taking advantages of others by providing duplicate COVID-19 test kits. A work is carried out with deep learning to detect presence of COVID 19. With the use of Convolutional Neural networks, the model is trained with dataset of COVID-19 positive and negative X-Rays. The accuracy of training model is 99% and the confusion matrix shows 98% values that are predicted truly. Hence, the model is able to detect the presence of COVID-19.
Diosmetin Mitigates Cognitive and Memory Impairment Provoked by Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Mice
Authors: Saghaei Elham , Nasiri Boroujeni Shakiba , Safavi Parvin , Borjian Boroujeni Zeinab , Bijad Elham
Published: December 2020

Background and Aim. Numerous reports have indicated that dealing with stressors in life is a main risk factor for the occurrence and progression of cognitive and memory impairment. Available treatments such as benzodiazepine and antidepressants address only certain aspects of this stress disorder and have numerous side effects. The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of diosmetin, as a flavonoid compound with potent antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects, on cognitive impairment and chronic stress memory. Materials and Methods. In the present experimental study, male NMRI mice were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) paradigm for 35 days. Diosmetin (at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg. i.p.) or diosmetin solvent (normal saline + DMSO, 1 ml/kg; i.p.) was administered 30 min before stress induction. After 28 days, memory and cognitive performance were assessed by shuttle box and novel object recognition tests. Finally, antioxidant capacity (FRAP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level of serum and brain, and serum corticosterone level were evaluated. Results. Behavioral tests showed that CUMS significantly reduced the secondary latency in passive avoidance memory test and diagnosis index in novel object recognition test compared to the control group (P < 0.001), whereas treatment with diosmetin (20 and 40 mg/kg) significantly improved memory performance in the two tests (P < 0.001). In addition, diosmetin (40 mg/kg) could pronouncedly suppress increase in serum corticosterone levels, reduction in antioxidant capacity, and production of excess MDA caused by CUMS compared to the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion. Chronic stress can impair memory and cognition and treatment with diosmetin can partly improve this disorder in male mice by increasing the antioxidant capacity of brain tissue and serum and improving serum corticosterone levels.
Investigation of the Soan River Water Quality Using Multivariate Statistical Approach
Authors: Zakaullah  , Ejaz Naeem
Published: December 2020

Evaluating the quality of river water is a critical process due to pollution and variations of natural or anthropogenic origin. For the Soan River (Pakistan), seven sampling sites were selected in the urban area of Rawalpindi/Islamabad, and 18 major chemical parameters were examined over two seasons, i.e., premonsoon and postmonsoon 2019. Multivariate statistical approaches such as the Spearman correlation coefficient, cluster analysis (CA), and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to evaluate the water quality of the Soan River based on temporal and spatial patterns. Analytical results obtained by PCA show that 92.46% of the total variation in the premonsoon season and 93.11% in the postmonsoon season were observed by only two loading factors in both seasons. The PCA and CA made it possible to extract and recognize the origins of the factors responsible for water quality variations during the year 2019. The sampling stations were grouped into specific clusters on the basis of the spatiotemporal pattern of water quality data. The parameters dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, and total suspended solids (TSS) are among the prominent contributing variations in water quality, indicating that the water quality of the Soan River deteriorates gradually as it passes through the urban areas, receiving domestic and industrial wastewater from the outfalls. This study indicates that the adopted methodology can be utilized effectively for effective river water quality management.
Effects of Microbial Transglutaminase on Technological, Rheological, and Microstructural Indicators of Minced Meat with the Addition of Plant Raw Materials
Authors: Zinina Oksana , Merenkova Svetlana , Galimov Damir , Okuskhanova Eleonora , Rebezov Maksim , Khayrullin Mars , Anichkina Olga
Published: December 2020

The aim of the study was to analyse the effects of transglutaminase on the physicochemical, technological, rheological, and microstructural indicators of minced meat with the addition of plant raw materials. The formulations of minced meat from beef trimming, hemp protein, and flax flour were optimized in terms of biological value and optimal content of essential amino acids. The addition of plant components in amounts greater than 18% caused an increase in the content of protein, fat, and ash in the minced samples. The rheological properties of minced meat samples without enzyme treatment changed depending on the proportion of plant raw materials. When the content of the flax flour was increased, the minimum ultimate shear stress and viscosity were observed, while the maximum values for these indicators were achieved in samples containing about 15% hemp protein, as well as in samples without plant additives. When adding transglutaminase to the formulation, increases in the ultimate shear stress and viscosity were proven for all combined minced samples. The combined minces, containing flax flour, had a more plastic structure and the lowest modulus of elasticity, while minces including 14% hemp protein or more than 87% meat components were identical to the control samples in terms of deformation and elasticity. In enzyme-treated minces, the plasticity of the samples reduced while density and elasticity increased. Transglutaminase treatment contributed to the formation of optimal technological properties of combined minces. Microstructural analysis showed the intermolecular bonds between protein particles in combined minced samples with the addition of enzymes. The research results have demonstrated the effectiveness of using transglutaminase in the composition of combined minced meat for the formation of a homogeneous and dense system with the necessary technological and rheological properties.
Cost-Effectiveness of Initiating Pharmacological Treatment in Stage One Hypertension Based on 10-Year Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Authors: Constanti Margaret , Floyd Christopher N. , Glover Mark , Boffa Rebecca , Wierzbicki Anthony S. , McManus Richard J.
Published: December 2020

Antihypertensive drug treatment is cost-effective for adults at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the cost-effectiveness in people with stage 1 hypertension (140–159 mm Hg systolic blood pressure) at lower CVD risk remains unclear. The objective was to establish the 10-year CVD risk threshold where initiating antihypertensive drug treatment for primary prevention in adults, with stage 1 hypertension, becomes cost-effective. A lifetime horizon Markov model compared antihypertensive drug versus no treatment, using a UK National Health Service perspective. Analyses were conducted for groups ranging between 5% and 20% 10-year CVD risk. Health states included no CVD event, CVD and non-CVD death, and 6 nonfatal CVD morbidities. Interventions were compared using cost-per-quality-adjusted life-years. The base-case age was 60, with analyses repeated between ages 40 and 75. The model was run separately for men and women, and threshold CVD risk assessed against the minimum plausible risk for each group. Treatment was cost-effective at 10% CVD risk for both sexes (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio £10 017/quality-adjusted life-year [$14 542] men, £8635/QALY [$12 536] women) in the base-case. The result was robust in probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses but was sensitive to treatment effects. Treatment was cost-effective for men regardless of age and women aged >60. Initiating treatment in stage 1 hypertension for people aged 60 is cost-effective regardless of 10-year CVD risk. For other age groups, it is also cost-effective to treat regardless of risk, except in younger women.
Applicability of Blood Pressure–Lowering Drug Trials to Real-World Patients With Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Bonekamp Nadia E. , Spiering Wilko , Nathoe Hendrik M. , Kappelle L. Jaap , de Borst Gert J. , Visseren Frank L.J. , Westerink Jan ,   on behalf of the UCC-SMART Study Group
Published: December 2020

This study aimed to assess applicability of blood pressure–lowering drug trials to real-world secondary preventive care. We applied the eligibility criteria of the landmark blood pressure–lowering drug trials (EUROPA, PEACE, HOPE-peripheral arterial disease [PAD], PRoFESS, and PROGRESS) to patients with coronary artery disease (CAD; n=5155), peripheral arterial disease (PAD; n=1487), and cerebrovascular disease (n=2515) participating in the UCC-SMART cohort. Baseline differences according to trial eligibility were assessed. Differences in risk of all-cause mortality and a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke (major adverse cardiovascular event) were calculated using Cox proportional hazard models, adjusted for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors. Seventy-five percent of UCC-SMART patients with CAD would have been eligible for EUROPA, 84% for PEACE, 59% of patients with PAD for HOPE-PAD, 17% of patients with cerebrovascular disease for PRoFESS, and 100% for PROGRESS. Eligible patients were older (average difference ranging 1.4–14.6 years across trials). Eligible patients with CAD were at lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular event after adjustment for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors in PEACE (hazard ratio, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.53–0.79]) and of mortality in both EUROPA (hazard ratio, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.62–0.82]) and PEACE (0.63 [95% CI, 0.51–0.78]). Adjusted mortality and major adverse cardiovascular event risks were not different between eligible and ineligible patients with PAD and cerebrovascular disease in HOPE-PAD, PRoFESS, and PROGRESS. The majority of real-world patients with CAD, PAD, or cerebrovascular disease would be eligible for landmark trials on blood pressure–lowering drugs. Patients with CAD ineligible for the EUROPA and PEACE trials are at higher adjusted mortality and major adverse cardiovascular event risks, which may limit applicability of their results to ineligible patients.