bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Saudi pediatric residents' confidence in handling ethical situations and factors influencing it
Authors: Al Qadrah Bedoor H. , Al-Saleh Abdullah M. , Al-Sayyari Abdulla
Published: April 2020

Background:

During their residency program, pediatric residents frequently face ethical challenges. The aim of the study is to evaluate the pediatric residents' knowledge and confidence to handle common ethical dilemmas during their training.

Methods:

This is a survey-based cross-sectional study on all pediatric residents in the largest pediatric training center in Saudi Arabia. The survey had six sections: a) Demographics and self-assessment of religiosity, b) Sources of ethics education, c) Degree of confidence in dealing with ethical challenges in clinical practice, d) Rating of the quality of ethics education during residency, e) Agreement or disagreement regarding ten ethical scenarios, and f) Confidence level in handling 21 different ethical situations.

The response to the survey questions was based on a Likert scale; the survey was electronically distributed to all pediatrics residents. Mean knowledge scores and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each independent variable to test for associations. Comparisons were made using an independent t-test or an ANOVA test when there were more than two groups.

Result:

Eighty residents responded to the study (85.1% response rate). Over 60% reported that the best source of ethical education for them was through discussions with a senior physician and it was through formal lecturers in 13.8%. One-fifth felt confident in dealing with ethical challenges. Only 2.5% rated the ethics education as “very good/excellent” and 12.5% rated the “support from residency program for ethics education” as being “very good/excellent.” Agreement of more than 80% was only noted for 4 of 10 of the ethical scenarios. Overall, only 16.4% felt “confident/extremely confident” in handling different ethical situations while 38.5% felt “not confident/a little confident” with more confidence among male residents (35.3% versus 18.7% p = 0.01). Marital status, year of residency, religiosity, and source of ethics knowledge had no impact on the level of confidence.

Conclusion:

Overall, the ethics education was considered inadequate. Only one fifth had the confidence in dealing with ethical situations. Gender but not marital status, year of residency, religiosity, or source of ethics knowledge had an impact on the level of confidence in handling ethical situations.
Adaptation of the National Plan for the Prevention and Fight Against Pandemic Influenza to the 2020 COVID-19 Epidemic in France
Authors: Ghanchi Ali
Published: April 2020

On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at noon, France became the third European country to impose a nationwide containment policy in the fight against epidemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) viral infection. Announcing that the country was at “war,” President Macron called upon all to play a role in mitigating against further development of contagion. This extreme measure never seen before during peace time was the result of adapting not only the French Pandemic Influenza Plan (PIP) being applied to the national context but also real-time clinical, epidemiological, and scientific information about the evolution of COVID-19 infection in the country. The situation was further complicated by local municipal elections and political agendas by populist opinions. Despite mass communication about the importance of individual behavioral attitudes to counter disease propagation, few heeded government advice. Consequently, the situation rapidly deteriorated with increasing number of cases that started to overwhelm health services. As a result, decisive and immediate action was taken by the State for the national public health interest. This report from the field details the timely events that contributed to this extreme policy decision taken by France. A policy decision that other Western democracies have since applied as the pandemic disseminated across the globe.
ACT for adolescents: Impact of a pilot group intervention on psychological wellbeing
Authors: Smith Kylie J. , Oxman Lisa N. , Hayes Louise
Published: April 2020

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has substantial support in adult populations but less among adolescents. To date, very little research has evaluated whether it can be delivered in a highly accessible school context. This study examined a 6-hour, weekly ACT-informed school-based group intervention for adolescent girls, focusing on anxiety, depression and building psychological flexibility. Participants ( N = 10) who completed the intervention experienced significantly lowered levels of anxiety and increased psychological flexibility, with postintervention scores for all variables trending in the expected directions. Findings provide preliminary support for the efficacy of the intervention and encourages further evaluation of ACT delivered in schools.
ANNIHILATOR-STABILITY AND TWO QUESTIONS OF NICHOLSON
Authors: XIA GUOLI , ZHOU YIQIANG
Published: April 2020

An element a in a ring R is left annihilator-stable (or left AS) if, whenever
$Ra+{\rm l}(b)=R$
with
$b\in R$
,
$a-u\in {\rm l}(b)$
for a unit u in R, and the ring R is a left AS ring if each of its elements is left AS. In this paper, we show that the left AS elements in a ring form a multiplicatively closed set, giving an affirmative answer to a question of Nicholson [J. Pure Appl. Alg.221 (2017), 2557–2572.]. This result is used to obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for a formal triangular matrix ring to be left AS. As an application, we provide examples of left AS rings R over which the triangular matrix rings
${\mathbb T}_n(R)$
are not left AS for all
$n\ge 2$
. These examples give a negative answer to another question of Nicholson [J. Pure Appl. Alg.221 (2017), 2557–2572.] whether R/J(R) being left AS implies that R is left AS.
Alterations in neural circuits underlying emotion regulation following child maltreatment: a mechanism underlying trauma-related psychopathology
Authors: Jenness Jessica L. , Peverill Matthew , Miller Adam Bryant , Heleniak Charlotte , Robertson Madeline M. , Sambrook Kelly A. , Sheridan Margaret A. , McLaughlin Katie A.
Published: April 2020

Background

Disruptions in neural circuits underlying emotion regulation (ER) may be a mechanism linking child maltreatment with psychopathology. We examined the associations of maltreatment with neural responses during passive viewing of negative emotional stimuli and attempts to modulate emotional responses. We investigated whether the influence of maltreatment on neural activation during ER differed across development and whether alterations in brain function mediated the association between maltreatment and a latent general psychopathology (‘p’) factor.

Methods

Youth aged 8–16 years with (n = 79) and without (n = 72) exposure to maltreatment completed an ER task assessing neural responses during passive viewing of negative and neutral images and effortful attempts to regulate emotional responses to negative stimuli. P-factor scores were defined by a bi-factor model encompassing internalizing and externalizing psychopathology.

Results

Maltreated youth had greater activation in left amygdala and salience processing regions and reduced activation in multiple regions involved in cognitive control (bilateral superior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex) when viewing negative v. neutral images than youth without maltreatment exposure. Reduced neural recruitment in cognitive control regions mediated the association of maltreatment with p-factor in whole-brain analysis. Maltreated youth exhibited increasing recruitment with age in ventrolateral prefrontal cortex during reappraisal while control participants exhibited decreasing recruitment with age. Findings were similar after adjusting for co-occurring neglect.

Conclusions

Child maltreatment influences the development of regions associated with salience processing and cognitive control during ER in ways that contribute to psychopathology.
ELICITED IMITATION: A TEST FOR ALL LEARNERS?
Authors: Deygers Bart
Published: April 2020

Elicited imitation (EI) is a much-used measurement instrument in applied linguistics, and it is considered a reliable and quick assessment of holistic speaking ability and implicit grammar knowledge. To date, however, EI research has overwhelmingly relied on highly educated participants. Only a few small-scale EI studies in applied linguistics have considered low-literate learners. Using Item Response Theory (IRT) and inferential parametric and nonparametric statistics, this study examined the EI performance of 113 L2 learners of Dutch with diverging educational backgrounds. All participants were enrolled in A1 and A2 Dutch L2 courses. Additionally, this study examined to what extent EI performances align with standardized tests of speaking and receptive vocabulary. The results indicate that EI can be used with both highly literate and low-educated participants, who will—however—be outperformed by higher educated learners. Especially the repetition of sentences containing pseudowords appears to result in substantial performance differences between the two groups.
‘Flying High in a Plane’ Appellate Body Report, European Communities and Certain Member States – Measures Affecting Trade in Large Civil Aircraft
Authors: Crivelli Pramila , Rubini Luca
Published: April 2020

This article reviews the Appellate Body decision in the implementation phase of the EC–Aircraft dispute. Focusing on some of the key findings, we assess whether they are legally and economically correct. We conclude that (a) though still unclear, the test for establishing de facto contingency on import substitution subsidies is probably too demanding; (b) though legitimate, the interpretation of the remedy of removal of the adverse effects for actionable subsidies is the weakest and most deferential possible; (c) the hesitation in confirming that quantitative methods are the key tool to define the relevant market is unwelcome; and (d) the Appellate Body correctly recognize the importance for Panels to consider, in the context of the serious prejudice analysis, whether the like product of the complainant has been subsidized. Most importantly, the analysis of this case, set within the broader jurisprudence and practice, has led us to conclude that WTO subsidy disciplines are not particularly strong. The review of the main economic theories justifying subsidy control (strategic trade policy, terms of trade, private information, commitment theory) has shown that no single theory is able to fully account for subsidies and the need to control them. The key question is the definition of what we want to achieve by controlling subsidies, which is the main message sent to the policy-makers and negotiators that are currently considering law reform.
Indonesia – Safeguard on Certain Iron or Steel Products
Authors: Prusa Thomas J. , Vermulst Edwin A.
Published: April 2020

In July 2014, Indonesia implemented a safeguard tariff on galvalume, a type of galvanized flat-rolled steel. Chinese Taipei and Viet Nam challenged the measure, mainly claiming that Indonesia's administering authority failed to satisfy various substantive and procedural requirements of the GATT 1994 and the Safeguards Agreement. The Panel and AB found that the tariff was not a safeguard measure but rather was a simple increase in Indonesia's applied rate. Interestingly, Viet Nam, the largest import supplier, is a member of a free trade area with Indonesia, meaning Viet Nam is not subject to the MFN rate. Viet Nam's preferential tariff treatment likely influenced Indonesia's decision to claim the action was a safeguard. Ironically, even though the Appellate Body essentially rejected its claims, the ruling benefits Viet Nam.
Molecular gas filamentary structures in galaxy clusters
Authors: Combes Francoise
Published: April 2020

Recent molecular line observations with ALMA and NOEMA in several Brightest Cluster Galaxies (BCG) have revealed the large-scale filamentary structure at the center of cool core clusters. These filaments extend over 20-100kpc, they are tightly correlated with ionized gas (Hα, [NII]) emission, and have characteristic shapes: either radial and straight, or also showing a U-turn, like a horse-shoe structure. The kinematics is quite regular and laminar, and the derived infall time is much longer than the free-fall time. The filaments extend up to the radius where the cooling time becomes larger than the infall time. Filaments can be perturbed by the sloshing of the BCG in its cluster, and spectacular cooling wakes have been observed. Filaments tend to occur at the border of cavities driven in the X-ray gas by the AGN radio jets. Observations of cool core clusters support the thermal instability scenario, which accounts for the multiphase medium in the upper atmospheres of BCG, where the right balance between heating and cooling is reached, and a chaotic cold gas accretion occurs. Molecular filaments are also seen associated to ram-pressure stripped spiral galaxies in rich galaxy clusters, and in jet-induced star formation, suggesting a very efficient molecular cloud formation even in hostile cluster environments.
AGN Jets, Bubbles, and Heat Pumps
Authors: Chen Yi-Hao , Heinz Sebastian
Published: April 2020

Radio-mode feedback from relativistic jets is one of the prominent heating mechanisms in clusters of galaxies. We present a long-term evolution of high-resolution MHD simulation of jets interacting with an environment modeled to represent the Perseus cluster. We investigate the thermodynamics of the ICM due to the gas motion triggered by the action of the jets and show that low-entropy gas is lifted efficiently in the wake of the inflating radio lobe. We look into the uplift mechanism and estimate the energy budget and the rate of thermal conduction. The redistribution of entropy suggests that heat conduction can play a more significant role in the thermal evolution of the cluster core in the presence of jets, which act effectively as a heat pump, thus heating the ICM more efficiently than jets would by themselves in an isentropic cluster.
Hints of radio sources evolution
Authors: Cassaro Pietro
Published: April 2020

An understanding of the mechanisms that regulate the Active Galactic Nuclei passes through the study of their early life stages, observable in Compact Symmetric Objects. To this purpose, a study was carried out on two compact radio sources, based on data from the VLBA archive at different times and frequencies. The results are compatible with an intermediate scenario between the two main theories about these objects: frustration and youth.
On the prospects of imaging Sagittarius A* from space
Authors: Roelofs Freek , Falcke Heino , Brinkerink Christiaan , Moscibrodzka Monika , Gurvits Leonid I. , Martin-Neira Manuel , Kudriashov Volodymyr , Klein-Wolt Marc , Tilanus Remo , Kramer Michael , Rezzolla Luciano
Published: April 2020

Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) at sub-millimeter waves has the potential to image the shadow of the black hole in the Galactic Center, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), and thereby test basic predictions of the theory of general relativity. We investigate the imaging prospects of a new Space VLBI mission concept. The setup consists of two satellites in polar or equatorial circular Medium-Earth Orbits with slightly different radii, resulting in a dense spiral-shaped uv-coverage with long baselines, allowing for extremely high-resolution and high-fidelity imaging of radio sources. We simulate observations of a general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics model of Sgr A* for this configuration with noise calculated from model system parameters. After gridding the uv-plane and averaging visibilities accumulated over multiple months of integration, images of Sgr A* with a resolution of up to 4 μ as could be reconstructed, allowing for stronger tests of general relativity and accretion models than with ground-based VLBI.
Gamma-ray emission in radio galaxies, from MeV to TeV
Authors: Torresi Eleonora
Published: April 2020

Thanks to the Fermi λ-ray satellite and the current Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes, radio galaxies have arisen as a new class of high- and very-high energy emitters. The favourable orientation of their jets makes radio galaxies extremely relevant in addressing important issues such as: (i) revealing the jet structure complexity; (ii) localising the emitting region(s) of high- and very-high energy radiation; (iii) understanding the physical processes producing these photons. In this review the main results on the λ-ray emission studies of radio galaxies from the MeV to TeV regimes will be presented, and the impact of future Cherenkov Telescope Array observations will be discussed.
Progress in Simulating the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation in CMIP Models
Authors: Richter Jadwiga H. , Anstey James A. , Butchart Neal , Kawatani Yoshio , Meehl Gerald A. , Osprey Scott , Simpson Isla R.
Published: April 2020

The quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO) of the zonal mean zonal wind is the primary mode of variability in the tropical lower stratosphere. The QBO is characterized by alternating easterly westerly shear layers that descend down from ∼10 to 100 hPa. The QBO is also seen in lower stratospheric tropical temperature, water vapor, and ozone and affects tropospheric variability through various teleconnections. We examine here the progress in simulating the QBO in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) models, more specifically in CMIP3, CMIP5, and CMIP6 models. We show that the number of models that are able to simulate the QBO has increased from 0 in CMIP3, to 5 in CMIP5, to 15 in CMIP6. While the number of models with an internally generated QBO has tripled from CMIP5 to CMIP6, the fidelity of the simulation averaged over the CMIP models has not improved. We show that CMIP5 and CMIP6 models represent the QBO period and latitudinal extent quite well; however the QBO amplitude is shifted upwards relative to observations resulting in large underestimation of QBO amplitude at all levels below 20 hPa. The underestimation of QBO amplitude in the lowermost stratosphere and lack of variations downward to the tropopause and below will likely impact the quality of teleconnections seen in the current generation Earth system models.
Podcast: Paradise Lost
Authors: Lipuma Lauren
Published: April 2020

Nuclear bomb tests conducted during the Cold War turned an idyllic tropical isle into a radioactive ship graveyard.
Interference with ERK-dimerization at the nucleocytosolic interface targets pathological ERK1/2 signaling without cardiotoxic side-effects
Authors: Tomasovic Angela , Brand Theresa , Schanbacher Constanze , Kramer Sofia , Hümmert Martin W. , Godoy Patricio , Schmidt-Heck Wolfgang , Nordbeck Peter , Ludwig Jonas , Homann Susanne , Wiegering Armin , Shaykhutdinov Timur , Kratz Christoph , Knüchel Ruth , Müller-Hermelink Hans-Konrad , Rosenwald Andreas , Frey Norbert , Eichler Jutta , Dobrev Dobromir , El-Armouche Ali , Hengstler Jan G. , Müller Oliver J. , Hinrichs Karsten , Cuello Friederike , Zernecke Alma , Lorenz Kristina
Published: April 2020

Dysregulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) is linked to several diseases including heart failure, genetic syndromes and cancer. Inhibition of ERK1/2, however, can cause severe cardiac side-effects, precluding its wide therapeutic application. ERKT188-autophosphorylation was identified to cause pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Here we report that interference with ERK-dimerization, a prerequisite for ERKT188-phosphorylation, minimizes cardiac hypertrophy without inducing cardiac adverse effects: an ERK-dimerization inhibitory peptide (EDI) prevents ERKT188-phosphorylation, nuclear ERK1/2-signaling and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, protecting from pressure-overload-induced heart failure in mice whilst preserving ERK1/2-activity and cytosolic survival signaling. We also examine this alternative ERK1/2-targeting strategy in cancer: indeed, ERKT188-phosphorylation is strongly upregulated in cancer and EDI efficiently suppresses cancer cell proliferation without causing cardiotoxicity. This powerful cardio-safe strategy of interfering with ERK-dimerization thus combats pathological ERK1/2-signaling in heart and cancer, and may potentially expand therapeutic options for ERK1/2-related diseases, such as heart failure and genetic syndromes.
TrkB-expressing paraventricular hypothalamic neurons suppress appetite through multiple neurocircuits
Authors: An Juan Ji , Kinney Clint E. , Tan Ji-Wei , Liao Guey-Ying , Kremer Eric J. , Xu Baoji
Published: April 2020

The TrkB receptor is critical for the control of energy balance, as mutations in its gene (NTRK2) lead to hyperphagia and severe obesity. The main neural substrate mediating the appetite-suppressing activity of TrkB, however, remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that selective Ntrk2 deletion within paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH) leads to severe hyperphagic obesity. Furthermore, chemogenetic activation or inhibition of TrkB-expressing PVH (PVHTrkB) neurons suppresses or increases food intake, respectively. PVHTrkB neurons project to multiple brain regions, including ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN). We find that PVHTrkB neurons projecting to LPBN are distinct from those to VMH, yet Ntrk2 deletion in PVH neurons projecting to either VMH or LPBN results in hyperphagia and obesity. Additionally, TrkB activation with BDNF increases firing of these PVH neurons. Therefore, TrkB signaling is a key regulator of a previously uncharacterized neuronal population within the PVH that impinges upon multiple circuits to govern appetite.
Wireless optogenetics protects against obesity via stimulation of non-canonical fat thermogenesis
Authors: Tajima Kazuki , Ikeda Kenji , Tanabe Yuji , Thomson Ella A. , Yoneshiro Takeshi , Oguri Yasuo , Ferro Marc D. , Poon Ada S. Y. , Kajimura Shingo
Published: April 2020

Cold stimuli and the subsequent activation of β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) potently stimulate adipose tissue thermogenesis and increase whole-body energy expenditure. However, systemic activation of the β3-AR pathway inevitably increases blood pressure, a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and, thus, limits its application for the treatment of obesity. To activate fat thermogenesis under tight spatiotemporal control without external stimuli, here, we report an implantable wireless optogenetic device that bypasses the β-AR pathway and triggers Ca2+ cycling selectively in adipocytes. The wireless optogenetics stimulation in the subcutaneous adipose tissue potently activates Ca2+ cycling fat thermogenesis and increases whole-body energy expenditure without cold stimuli. Significantly, the light-induced fat thermogenesis was sufficient to protect mice from diet-induced body-weight gain. The present study provides the first proof-of-concept that fat-specific cold mimetics via activating non-canonical thermogenesis protect against obesity.
Author Correction: Molecular basis for heat desensitization of TRPV1 ion channels
Authors: Luo Lei , Wang Yunfei , Li Bowen , Xu Lizhen , Kamau Peter Muiruri , Zheng Jie , Yang Fan , Yang Shilong , Lai Ren
Published: April 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Gene silencing of Diaphorina citri candidate effectors promotes changes in feeding behaviors
Authors: Pacheco Inaiara de Souza , Galdeano Diogo Manzano , Maluta Nathalie Kristine Prado , Lopes Joao Roberto Spotti , Machado Marcos Antonio
Published: April 2020

Insect effectors are mainly secreted by salivary glands, modulate plant physiology and favor the establishment and transmission of pathogens. Feeding is the principal vehicle of transmission of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Ca. Las) by the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri. This study aimed to predict putative ACP effectors that may act on the Huanglongbing (HLB) pathosystem. Bioinformatics analysis led to the identification of 131 candidate effectors. Gene expression investigations were performed to select genes that were overexpressed in the ACP head and modulated by Ca. Las. To evaluate the actions of candidate effectors on D. citri feeding, six effectors were selected for gene silencing bioassays. Double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) of the target genes were delivered to D. citri adults via artificial diets for five days. RNAi silencing caused a reduction in the ACP lifespan and decreased the salivary sheath size and honeydew production. Moreover, after dsRNA delivery of the target genes using artificial diet, the feeding behaviors of the insects were evaluated on young leaves from citrus seedlings. These analyses proved that knockdown of D. citri effectors also interfered with ACP feeding abilities in planta, causing a decrease in honeydew production and reducing ACP survival. Electrical penetration graph (EPG) analysis confirmed the actions of the effectors on D. citri feeding behaviors. These results indicate that gene silencing of D. citri effectors may cause changes in D. citri feeding behaviors and could potentially be used for ACP control.
Teriparatide Associated with Fewer Refractures and Higher Body Heights of Cemented Vertebrae after Vertebroplasty: A Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Yang Yi-Shan , Tsou Yi-Syue , Lo Wen-Cheng , Chiang Yung-Hsiao , Lin Jiann-Her
Published: April 2020

Refracture of cemented vertebrae occurs commonly after vertebroplasty (VP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). It can result in severe pain or neurological deficit, but no preventive medication is available. Owing to the bone anabolic benefits of teriparatide (TP), this study was aimed to compare the outcomes of cemented vertebrae with TP to those without TP. Patients who received VP for OVCF with at least 1 year follow-up were included. The anterior body height (ABH) and middle body height (MBH) and kyphotic angle (KA) were measured before VP and 1 week and at least 1 year after VP. Refracture was defined as a 15% decrease in ABH or MBH and 8° decrease in KA compared with those at postoperative 1 week. The clinical outcomes were evaluated. 35 VP procedures in 21 patients treated with TP (TP group), and, matched to that, 29 out of 133 patients treated with VP alone (VP group) were included. One year after VP, ABH and MBH were significantly greater, except KA, in the TP group (VP group vs. TP group: KA − 4.97° ± 12.1 vs. −2.85° ± 12.21°, p = 0.462, ABH 1.56 ± 0.48 cm vs. 1.84 ± 0.56 cm, p = 0.027, MBH 1.49 ± 0.39 cm vs. 1.73 ± 0.41 cm, p = 0.017). The refracture rates of KA, ABH, and MBH were significantly lower in the TP group (VP group vs. TP group: KA 42.11% vs.8.57%, p < 0.001; ABH 76.32% vs. 28.57%, p < 0.0001; MBH 76.32% vs. 28.57%, p < 0.0001). In single-level subgroup comparison, TP was associated with better improvement of pain VAS and better radiological outcomes. TP was associated with higher BHs and fewer refractures than VP alone, with comparable clinical outcomes 1 year after VP. TP may be associated with better improvement of pain VAS in those with single-level VP procedure. Higher BH was due to the better maintenance effect of TP.
Optimizing clozapine for chemogenetic neuromodulation of somatosensory cortex
Authors: Cho Jongwook , Ryu Seungjun , Lee Sunwoo , Kim Junsoo , Kim Hyoung-Ihl
Published: April 2020

Clozapine (CLZ) has been proposed as an agonist for Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs), to replace Clozapine-N-oxide (CNO); however, there are no reliable guidelines for the use of CLZ for chemogenetic neuromodulation. We titrated the optimal dose of CLZ required to evoke changes in neural activity whilst avoiding off-target effects. We also performed [18F]Fluoro-deoxy-glucose micro positron emission tomography (FDG-microPET) scans to determine the global effect of CLZ-induced hM3D(Gq) DREADD activation in the rat brain. Our results show that low doses of CLZ (0.1 and 0.01 mg/kg) successfully induced neural responses without off-target effects. CLZ at 1 mg/kg evoked a stronger and longer-lasting neural response but produced off-target effects, observed as changes in locomotor behavior and FDG-microPET imaging. Unexpectedly, FDG-microPET imaging failed to demonstrate an increase in regional glucose metabolism in the stimulated cortex during CLZ chemogenetic neuromodulation. Therefore, caution should be used when interpreting FDG-PET images in the context of cortical chemogenetic activation.
Author Correction: Pesticide pollution in freshwater paves the way for schistosomiasis transmission
Authors: Becker Jeremias M. , Ganatra Akbar A. , Kandie Faith , Mühlbauer Lina , Ahlheim Jörg , Brack Werner , Torto Baldwyn , Agola Eric L. , McOdimba Francis , Hollert Henner , Fillinger Ulrike , Liess Matthias
Published: April 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
DeepMicro: deep representation learning for disease prediction based on microbiome data
Authors: Oh Min , Zhang Liqing
Published: April 2020

Human microbiota plays a key role in human health and growing evidence supports the potential use of microbiome as a predictor of various diseases. However, the high-dimensionality of microbiome data, often in the order of hundreds of thousands, yet low sample sizes, poses great challenge for machine learning-based prediction algorithms. This imbalance induces the data to be highly sparse, preventing from learning a better prediction model. Also, there has been little work on deep learning applications to microbiome data with a rigorous evaluation scheme. To address these challenges, we propose DeepMicro, a deep representation learning framework allowing for an effective representation of microbiome profiles. DeepMicro successfully transforms high-dimensional microbiome data into a robust low-dimensional representation using various autoencoders and applies machine learning classification algorithms on the learned representation. In disease prediction, DeepMicro outperforms the current best approaches based on the strain-level marker profile in five different datasets. In addition, by significantly reducing the dimensionality of the marker profile, DeepMicro accelerates the model training and hyperparameter optimization procedure with 8X–30X speedup over the basic approach. DeepMicro is freely available at https://github.com/minoh0201/DeepMicro.
Determination of the concentration range for 267 proteins from 21 lots of commercial human plasma using highly multiplexed multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry
Authors: Gaither Claudia , Popp Robert , Mohammed Yassene , Borchers Christoph H.
Published: April 2020

Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) is a key tool for biomarker validation and the translation of potential biomarkers into the clinic.
The co-reactant role during plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition of palladium
Authors: Feng Ji-Yu , Minjauw Matthias M. , Ramachandran Ranjith K. , Van Daele Michiel , Poelman Hilde , Sajavaara Timo , Dendooven Jolien , Detavernier Christophe
Published: April 2020

A thorough investigation on the role of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen surface species during palladium atomic layer deposition process.
Hollow-structure engineering of a silicon–carbon anode for ultra-stable lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Hongbin , Chen Yun , Jiang Bo , Zhao Yue , Guo Xiaolin , Ma Tingli
Published: April 2020

Hollow silicon nanotubes were successfully synthesized in situ on a carbon substrate, which effectively accommodate the volume expansion of silicon and exhibit ultra-stable performance as the anode of lithium-ion batteries.
Modular continuous flow synthesis of orthogonally protected 6-deoxy glucose glycals
Authors: Yalamanchili Subbarao , Nguyen Tu-Anh V. , Pohl Nicola L. B. , Bennett Clay S.
Published: April 2020

The use of a continuous flow platform for the rapid and highly efficient construction of differentially protected glycals from commercial sources is described.
Synthesis, thermoresponsivity and multi-tunable hierarchical self-assembly of multi-responsive (AB)mC miktobrush-coil terpolymers
Authors: Zhu Xiaomin , Zhang Jian , Miao Cheng , Li Siyu , Zhao Youliang
Published: April 2020

Stimuli-responsive miktobrush-coil terpolymers can exhibit unique physical properties and hierarchical self-assembly behaviors dependent on composition, concentration and external stimuli.
Tetrazine as a general phototrigger to turn on fluorophores
Authors: Loredo Axel , Tang Juan , Wang Lushun , Wu Kuan-Lin , Peng Zane , Xiao Han
Published: April 2020

Tetrazine was demonstrated for the first time as a general phototrigger to design photoactivatable fluorophore probes.
Fluorinated oligothiophene donors for high-performance nonfullerene small-molecule organic solar cells
Authors: Xu Tongle , Chang Yuying , Yan Cenqi , Yang Qianguang , Kan Zhipeng , Singh Ranbir , Kumar Manish , Li Gang , Lu Shirong , Duan Tainan
Published: April 2020

Two oligothiophenes were synthesized and used as electron donors in organic solar cells. The devices with a fluorinated donor (2FDC5T) achieved power conversion efficiencies of up to ca. 9.02% (vs. ca. 7.03% for the non-halogenated donor DC5T).
ACE2 the Janus-faced protein – from cardiovascular protection to severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus and COVID-19
Authors: Touyz Rhian M. , Li Hongliang , Delles Christian
Published: April 2020

Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the major enzyme responsible for conversion of Ang II into Ang-(1-7). It also acts as the receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV)-2, which causes Coronavirus Disease (COVID)-19. In recognition of the importance of ACE2 and to celebrate 20 years since its discovery, the journal will publish a focused issue on the basic science and (patho)physiological role of this multifunctional protein.
Using Computerized Language Analysis to Evaluate Grammatical Skills
Authors: Finestack Lizbeth H. , Rohwer Bobbi , Hilliard Lisa , Abbeduto Leonard
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Conducting in-depth grammatical analyses based on language samples can be time consuming. Developmental Sentence Scoring (DSS) and the Index of Productive Syntax (IPSyn) analyses provide detailed information regarding the grammatical profiles of children and can be conducted using free computer-based software. Here, we provide a tutorial to support clinicians' use of computer-based analyses to aid diagnosis and develop and monitor treatment goals.

Method

We analyzed language samples of a 5-year-old with developmental language disorder and an adolescent with Down syndrome using computer-based software, Computerized Language Analysis. We focused on DSS and IPSyn analyses. The tutorial includes step-by-step procedures for conducting the analyses. We also illustrate how the analyses may be used to assist in diagnosis, develop treatment goals focused on grammatical targets, and monitor progress on these treatment goals.

Conclusion

Clinicians should consider using Computerized Language Analysis's IPSyn and DSS analyses to support grammatical language assessments used to aid diagnosis, develop treatment goals, and monitor progress on these treatment goals.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12021141
Joint resource optimisation in cell‐free massive MIMO with low‐resolution ADCs
Authors: Zhang Yao , Zhou Meng , Cao Haotong , Liu Yun , Yang Longxiang , Zhu Hongbo
Published: April 2020

In this study, the uplink performance of cell‐free massive multi‐input multi‐output (mMIMO) system with multi‐antenna access points (APs) and users is investigated, assuming low‐resolution analogue–digital converters (ADCs) are employed at the APs. By exploiting the additive quantisation noise model, a tight closed‐form rate expression is derived. This tractable finding characterises the impacts of the multi‐antenna APs and users, the imperfect quantisation error and the channel estimation error. In order to maximise the uplink sum‐rate, a joint quantisation bit and power control problem is formulated, subjecting to the backhaul capacity and each user power constraints. The original resource optimisation problem is non‐convex and it is decomposed into two sub‐problems, namely quantisation bit design and power allocation problem, to alleviate the difficulties. In particular, the resultant two sub‐problems can be efficiently determined by utilising the Lagrange Multiplier and sequential convex approximation methods, respectively. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to examine the analytical findings and evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Accurate landslide detection leveraging UAV‐based aerial remote sensing
Authors: Chen Shanjing , Xiang Chaocan , Kang Qing , Zhong Wei , Zhou Yanlin , Liu Kai
Published: April 2020

Remote sensing by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is significantly important in emergency rescue applications and operations. Particularly, the on‐site images from UAVs can provide valuable information for hazard identification and disaster assessment. In this study, the authors propose a novel method by using back propagation neural networks with feature fusion to detect landslides from UAV images. Specifically, the authors first construct a fundamental shape model of landslides and devise a scale‐invariant feature transform algorithm for feature matching and transformation. By fusing the spatial shape features and spectral features of the landslide, the suspected landslide object from UAV images can be detected initially. Next, the change features of a pre/post‐landslide object are extracted by using the satellite sensing images (before landslide) and the UAV image (after landslide). The authors further feed the change features into the proposed model to enhance the precision and accuracy of landslide detection. They conduct numerous experimental studies with aerospace remote sensing data in two real‐world landslide scenarios. The evaluation results show that the proposed method outperforms baseline algorithms by achieving over 91% accuracy in landslide detection.
General, compact and easy‐to‐compute winding factor formulation
Authors: Scuiller Franck
Published: April 2020

With the use of the discrete Fourier transform (DFT), the study provides a compact relation to calculate the winding factor of any winding distribution among regularly space‐shifted slots. The new expression is general, meaningful and particularly easy‐to‐compute. The phase winding layout is represented with a distribution vector whose length equals the slot number: each component corresponds to a slot and indicates the proportion of conductor allocated to the considered phase (forward turns positively counted and backward turns negatively counted). From winding factor definition, mathematical developments allow to demonstrate that, in any case, the winding factors simply relate to the DFT of the distribution vector: each component of the DFT vector corresponds to a space harmonic order and equals the so‐called complex winding factor. The module of the complex winding factor is the usual winding factor while the angle of the complex winding factor reveals the magnetic axis position for the considered space harmonic.
New 20 GHz push–push common‐collector Colpitts VCO
Authors: Huang Guochi , Dai Yixuan , Fu Yu , Yao Hao , Wu Yi
Published: April 2020

A wide‐band push–push common‐collector Colpitts voltage‐controlled oscillator (VCO) usingimpedance peaking network and gain enhancing technique is proposed in this work.The impedance peaking network is introduced to increase the coupling factor ofthe differential inductor in the inductorcapacitor (LC) tank without sacrificing the quality factor. The impedancepeaking technique could guarantee the push–push VCO unconditionally oscillatingin a differential mode without degrading the phase noise performance. The gainenhancing technique employs an LC resonator in series with the emitterdegeneration resistor in the common‐collector amplifier in the VCO core toimprove the VCO oscillating amplitude and then improve the phase noiseperformance. The proposed VCO oscillates at around 20 GHz with >10.5%frequency tuning range from 18.9 to 21.4 GHz across temperature from −40 to125°C. The measured phase noise is lower than −107 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset acrossthe entire working temperature (−40 125°C). The whole VCO dissipates 45 mA under3.3 V power supply, and the typical figure of merit is around −177.92.
Full‐duplex radio with two receivers for self‐interference cancellation
Authors: Deo Prafulla , Mirshekar‐Syahkal Dariush , Mehta Amit
Published: April 2020

The design and implementation of a full‐duplex radio system capable of real‐time analogue self‐interference cancellation at radio frequency (RF) and baseband stages are presented. The system consists of a dual‐patch three‐port orthogonally linear polarised antenna system (without a circulator/duplexer), a homodyne dual receiver, and a differential amplifier at the baseband. The interference outputs from the two receivers are equalised using a fixed attenuator and when they are passed through the differential amplifier at the baseband they are effectively cancelled. For the system reported the antenna system provides 45.1 dB isolation between transmit and receive ports over 60 MHz bandwidth centred at the operating frequency of 3.2 GHz. Interference cancellation achieved by the differential amplifier at the baseband reduces the total self‐interference to 81.5 dB minimum at −5.6 dBm transmit power. Using the proposed system, the recovery of two different types of baseband signals in real time is demonstrated while the surrounding is multipath enabled. Since the self‐interference at baseband is removed by the differential amplifier instead of a complex digital signal processing unit, it makes the proposed system suitable for broad‐band millimetre‐wave full‐duplex transceivers where the use of analogue/digital converter is not an option.
Wear of elastic tube with nonuniform coating by rigid bush
Authors: Kazakov Kirill E.
Published: April 2020

This article is devoted to the statement and construction of analytical solution of the wearcontact problem for a rigid bush and elastic pipe with a coating in the case when the coating is nonuniform. The presence of nonuniformity leads us to the necessity of constructing a solution in a special form over special functions, since standard methods does not allow us to effectively take into account the complex properties of the coating. Analytical representation for contact stresses under the bush is presented in series with separate factor, which connect with complex properties of coating. This allows provide effective calculation even if these properties are described by rapidly changing or discontinuous functions. It is also shown that contact stresses will be negligible over time.
Effect of Drop Orientation on Structural Integrity of a Shipping Container for Nuclear Fresh Fuel
Authors: Ryu Supil , Chun Joohong , Park Namgyu , Lee Seungjae
Published: April 2020

A shipping container of fresh fuel in nuclear industry is used to prevent a leakage of unirradiated radioactive materials and to maintain an integrity of nuclear fuels during transportation. In this study, the drop behavior was predicted and the effect of drop orientation on structural integrity of a shipping container in case of 9 m free drop was studied. LS-DYNA which is a computer code designed to perform nonlinear dynamic analysis using explicit time integration was used in numerical analyses. The material properties were applied to the analysis model to predict the nonlinear transient behavior and three kinds of drop orientations were considered. The analysis results such as accelerations, reaction forces and internal assembly deformations were compared for each case in terms of the containment and confinement systems. Test results showed that a significant impact energy was absorbed by the polyurethane foam and shock absorbers. The drop orientations that have the greatest impact on the containment and confinement systems were Case 1 and Case 3, respectively. Through this study, these study results can be applicable to the container design modification and the shipping container development.
Optimization of manufacturing copper-graphite composite for electrical contact applications using grey relational analysis
Authors: Jaafar Alaa H. , Al-Ethari Haydar
Published: April 2020

Copper-graphite composite is one of the most important copper based composites, which is used, widely in electrical applications due to its excellent conductivity and high wear resistant. In this work, an attempt has been made to improve the multi-performance characteristics of copper graphite composite prepared by powder metallurgy and increase its expected life by optimizing the manufacturing process of this composite using statistical method. The experiments were carried out under various conditions of compacting pressure, sintering temperature and graphite content based on L9 orthogonal array. The experimental results indicated that multi-performance characteristics of the prepared composite such as electrical conductivity, densification and wear rate are influenced significantly by the studied parameters and the optimal process parameters level for optimum multi-performance characteristics was obtained in a compaction pressure of 750 MPa, sintering temperature of 950 °C and 10 Vol.-% of graphite content.
Optimal policies for a deterministic continuous-time inventory model with several suppliers
Authors: Benkherouf Lakdere , Gilding Brian H.
Published: April 2020

This paper is concerned with determining the optimal inventory policy for an infinitehorizon deterministic continuous-time continuous-state inventory model, where, in the absence of intervention, changes in inventory level are governed by a differential evolution equation. The decision maker has the option of ordering from several suppliers, each of which entails differing ordering and purchasing costs. The objective is to select the supplier and the size of the order that minimizes the discounted cost over an infinite planning horizon. The optimal policy is formulated as the solution of a quasi-variational inequality. It is shown that there are three possibilities regarding its solvability: it has a unique solution that corresponds to an (s, S) policy; it does not admit a solution corresponding to an (s, S) policy but does have a unique solution that corresponds to a generalized (s, S) policy; or, it does not admit a solution corresponding to an (s, S) policy or a generalized (s, S) policy. A necessary and sufficient condition for each possibility is obtained. Examples illustrate their occurrence.
Stammzellen in der Regenerativen Medizin – Translationale Hürden und Möglichkeiten zur Überwindung
Authors: Klietz Marie-Luise , Kückelhaus Maximilian , Kaiser Hans Wilhelm , Raschke Michael J. , Hirsch Tobias , Aitzetmüller Matthias
Published: April 2020

Der Einsatz von mesenchymalen Stammzellen in der regenerativen Medizin wird immer populärer. Nichtsdestotrotz ist ihre Anwendung im klinischen Alltag noch immer limitiert. Zahlreiche ethische, rechtliche und translationale Probleme sowie Ungewissheit bzgl. der Sicherheit hemmen noch immer die Entstehung von entsprechenden Therapien aus vielversprechenden wissenschaftlichen Ansätzen.

Diese Arbeit soll die Hauptprobleme bei der Translation von stammzellbasierten Therapien aus der Grundlagenforschung und Präklinik in den klinischen Alltag darstellen, sowie Ansätze aufzeigen, diese zu überwinden.