bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exogenous proline enhances antioxidant enzyme activities but does not mitigate growth inhibition by selenate stress in tobacco BY-2 cells
Authors: Khatun Mousumi , Matsushima Daiki , Rhaman Mohammad Saidur , Okuma Eiji , Nakamura Toshiyuki , Nakamura Yoshimasa , Munemasa Shintaro , Murata Yoshiyuki 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Selenium (Se) causes oxidative damage to plants. Proline is accumulated as a compatible solute in plants under stress conditions and mitigates stresses. Selenate at 250 µM increased cell death and inhibited the growth of tobacco BY-2 cells while exogenous proline at 10 mM did not mitigate the inhibition by selenate. Selenate increased accumulation of Se and ROS and activities of antioxidant enzymes but not lipid peroxidation in the BY-2 cells. Proline increased Se accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activities but not either ROS accumulation or lipid peroxidation in the selenate-stressed cells. Glutathione (GSH) rather than ascorbic acid (AsA) mitigated the growth inhibition although both reduced the accumulation of ROS induced by selenate. These results indicate that proline increases both antioxidant enzyme activities and Se accumulation, which overall fails to ameliorate the growth inhibition by selenate and that the growth inhibition is not accounted for only by ROS accumulation.
Abbreviations: APX: ascorbate peroxidase; AsA: ascorbic acid; BY-2: Bright Yellow-2; CAT: catalase; DAI: days after inoculation; DW: dry weight; FW: fresh weight; GSH: glutathione; ROS: reactive oxygen species
Role of defect saturation in improving optical response from InGaN nanowires in higher wavelength regime
Authors: Nag Dhiman , Sarkar Ritam , Bhunia Swagata , Aggarwal Tarni , Ghosh Kankat , Sinha Shreekant , Ganguly Swaroop , Saha Dipankar , Horng Ray-Hua , Laha Apurba 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Growth of InGaN, having high Indium composition without compromising crystal quality has always been a great challenge to obtain efficient optical devices. In this work, we extensively study the impact of non-radiative defects on optical response of the plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE) grown InGaN nanowires, emitting in the higher wavelength regime (

λ
>
520

nm). Our analysis focuses into the effect of defect saturation on the optical output, manifested by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Defect saturation has not so far been thoroughly investigated in InGaN based systems at such a high wavelength, where defects play a key role in restraining efficient optical performance. We argue that with saturation of defect states by photo-generated carriers, the advantages of carrier localization can be employed to enhance the optical output. Carrier localization arises because of Indium phase segregation, which is confirmed from wide PL spectrum and analysis from transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A theoretical model has been proposed and solved using coupled differential rate equations in steady state to undertake different phenomena, occurred during PL measurements. Analysis of the model helps us understand the impact of non-radiative defects on PL response and identifying the origin of enhanced radiative recombination.
Design of 1178 nm diode laser with step waveguide layers for reduced voltage and low vertical divergence
Authors: Ma Xiaolong , Xu Kun , Yang Peng , Duan Xiangyang , Tian Ximin , Liu Anjin 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
A 1178 nm diode laser with step waveguide layers (SWGLs) into the optical cavity is designed for frequency doubling. It is found that the mode field of the fundamental mode can be modulated easily for this kind of diode laser. A strong confinement for the fundamental mode can also be achieved by adopting a low Al content in the optical cavity. Diode lasers with SWGLs can deliver a high output power. Compared with diode lasers based on the conventional large optical cavity, the low Al content results in a reduced voltage, which is helpful to improve the electro-optical conversion efficiency. Based on an asymmetric large optical cavity with SWGLs, a beam divergence of 15.5° in the vertical direction is obtained for the designed diode laser.
Search for transient variations of the fine structure constant and dark matter using fiber-linked optical atomic clocks
Authors: Roberts B M , Delva P , Al-Masoudi A , Amy-Klein A , Bærentsen C , Baynham C F A , Benkler E , Bilicki S , Bize S , Bowden W , Calvert J , Cambier V , Cantin E , Curtis E A , Dörscher S , Favier M , Frank F , Gill P , Godun R M , Grosche G , Guo C , Hees A , Hill I R , Hobson R , Huntemann N , Kronjäger J , Koke S , Kuhl A , Lange R , Legero T , Lipphardt B , Lisdat C , Lodewyck J , Lopez O , Margolis H S , Álvarez-Martínez H , Meynadier F , Ozimek F , Peik E , Pottie P-E , Quintin N , Sanner C , De Sarlo L , Schioppo M , Schwarz R , Silva A , Sterr U , Tamm Chr , Le Targat R , Tuckey P , Vallet G , Waterholter T , Xu D , Wolf P 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
We search for transient variations of the fine structure constant using data from a European network of fiber-linked optical atomic clocks. By searching for coherent variations in the recorded clock frequency comparisons across the network, we significantly improve the constraints on transient variations of the fine structure constant. For example, we constrain the variation to |δα/α| < 5 × 10−17 for transients of duration 103 s. This analysis also presents a possibility to search for dark matter, the mysterious substance hypothesised to explain galaxy dynamics and other astrophysical phenomena that is thought to dominate the matter density of the universe. At the current sensitivity level, we find no evidence for dark matter in the form of topological defects (or, more generally, any macroscopic objects), and we thus place constraints on certain potential couplings between the dark matter and standard model particles, substantially improving upon the existing constraints, particularly for large (≳104 km) objects.
Alignment of tree phenology and climate seasonality influences the runoff response to forest cover loss
Authors: Knighton James , Vijay Varsha , Palmer Margaret 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Trees shape the critical zone and modulate terrestrial water storage yet observed streamflow responses to forest cover change vary. Differences in catchment area, soil water storage, management practices, tree species, and climate are among the many explanations proposed for heterogeneous hydrologic responses. We addressed evidence for the hypothesis that mean annual temperature (MAT) and the phase shift between precipitation and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) peaks, θ, explain a significant amount of the variation in hydrologic response to forest cover loss. We selected 50 catchments with daily streamflow records spanning eight nations and seven climate regions. Categorical clustering of catchments was performed with MAT, θ, minimum EVI, catchment area, and percentage forest loss. Similar storm event runoff ratio responses to deforestation were best clustered by MAT and θ. High MAT tropical monsoonal catchments (Brazil, Myanmar, and Liberia) exhibited minimal evidence of increasing runoff ratios (increases observed in 9% of catchments). Low MAT subarctic, cold semi-arid, and humid continental catchments (US, Canada, and Estonia) showed consistent runoff increases around the time of snowmelt (94%). The deforestation runoff responses of temperate and subtropical catchments with Mediterranean, humid, and oceanic climates depended strongly on θ. We observe increased runoff following forest loss in a majority of catchments (90%) where precipitation peaks followed peak growing season (max EVI) (US). In contrast, where precipitation peaks preceded the growing season (South Africa and Australia) there was less evidence of increased runoff (25% of catchments). This research supports the strategic implementation of native forest conservation or restoration for simultaneously mitigating the effects of global climate change and regional or local surface runoff.
Effect of surfactant SDS on the morphology and photocatalytic performance of Zn2GeO4 nanorods
Authors: Li Jun , Diao Xuemei , Xiao Yumin , Qin Lizhao , Lin Hua , Li Qing , Liao Bin 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The continuous discharge of organic dye effluents from textile industries causes severe global water pollution. A sustainable and effective route needs to be developed for the treatment of textile effluent in order to enable environmental protection and water recycling. In particular, the nanomaterials-based photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds is a promising approach to minimize water pollution. Herein, a facile hydrothermal method was reported for the preparation of Zn2GeO4 nanorods (NDs) with unique size, shape, and surface chemistry using sodium lauryl sulfate (SDS) as the surfactant. The crystal structure, size, and shape of the synthesized NDs were characterized by x-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Initially, the XRD pattern revealed that SDS plays a crucial role in the formation of highly pure Zn2GeO4 NDs with rhombohedral crystalline nature. It was clearly noticed that increasing SDS concentration results in the formation of Zn2GeO4 NDs with decreased size ranges (100 nm). Conversely, the size of Zn2GeO4 NDs increased at higher SDS concentrations. The photocatalytic activity of Zn2GeO4 NDs was evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) in aqueous solution. Under light irradiation, the Zn2GeO4 NDs prepared by using different concentrations of SDS exhibited varied photocatalytic performance. Among the tested samples, Zn2GeO4 NDs prepared with 0.1 g of SDS showed the best photocatalytic activity with a MO decomposition rate of 94.6% within 60 min. This study suggests that SDS can be used to modulate the morphology and photocatalytic performance of Zn2GeO4 NDs, and the resultant Zn2GeO4 NDs can serve as a photocatalyst in wastewater treatment.
Prediction of wear properties of graphene-Si3N4 reinforced titanium hybrid composites by artificial neural network
Authors: Mutuk Tuğba , Gürbüz Mevlüt , Mutuk Halil 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
In this study, we have employed artificial neural network (ANN) method to predict wear properties of titanium hybrid composites produced by powder metallurgy (PM) method. Titanium (Ti) was used as a matrix materials and graphene nano-platelets (GNPs)-Si3N4 were used as reinforcement materials in hybrid composites. A back-propagation neural network with 3-6-1 architecture was developed to predict wear rates by considering weight fraction reinforcements, load and density as model variables. The well trained ANN system predicted the experimental results in a good agreement with the experimental data. This refers that ANN can be used to evaluate wear rate of samples in a cost effective way.
Studies on mechanical property of squeeze cast and heat treated AA6061-ZrO2 composite
Authors: Annamalai A Raja , James Johny , Kuppan P , Hemakumar S , Jen Chun-Ping 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
This work deals with processing, characterization, and study of the mechanical property of AA6061-ZrO2 composite by stir casting unit combined with squeeze casting setup. Morphology study of the refined composite was measured with the help of Optical Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The Energy Dispersive x-ray spectroscopy was performed to observe the desirable elements present in the processed composite. The EDX investigation endorses the presence of Aluminum, Zirconium, and Oxygen, are the elements of the desirability. The processed composite displayed increased hardness value when related to the base aluminum alloy AA6061 at test conditions. The tensile tests have been performed for the refined specimen both in cast and heat treated conditions. 20%–63% improvement in tensile strength as an outcome of the inclusion of ZrO2 particles and heat treatment process was recorded, and the fashion was analyzed. Finally, all the three composite specimens were tested for wear resistance property for the support of pin on disc wear test kit. The wear trend due to the addition of ZrO2 particles was discussed in a detailed manner.
Intranasal esketamine: A novel drug for treatment-resistant depression
Authors: Khorassani Farah , Talreja Om 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Purpose
To review the efficacy, safety, and place in therapy of intranasal esketamine, a treatment modality for treatment-resistant depression.

Summary
An electronic literature search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and the ClinicalTrials.gov and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) websites covering the period April 2015 through June 2020 was performed using the following search terms: esketamine, intranasal esketamine, depression, and treatment-resistant depression. Other resources included review articles and the manufacturer’s product labeling. All relevant English-language articles and reports on clinical trials conducted in humans were included. Esketamine (Spravato, Janssen Pharmaceuticals) is an intranasal antidepressant approved by FDA for management of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in patients with inadequate response to traditional antidepressant therapy. Esketamine is self-administered under the supervision of a healthcare provider and is used as an adjunct to oral antidepressant therapy. Patients are supervised for 2 hours after self-administering the medication to monitor for sedation, dizziness, dissociation reactions, and increased blood pressure. Esketamine has a favorable risk-to-benefit profile, with demonstrated efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms more rapidly than monotherapy with traditional oral antidepressants. Reported adverse effects include sedation, dizziness, dissociation reactions, and blood pressure elevations, but these effects are primarily confined to the 2-hour postdose monitoring window.

Conclusion
Patients with moderate to severe depression who are not sufficiently responsive to traditional strategies for managing TRD may benefit from adjunctive esketamine therapy.
A case report of unusually long episodes of asystole in a severe COVID-19 patient treated with a leadless pacemaker
Authors: Cakulev Ivan , Sahadevan Jayakumar , Osman Mohammed Najeeb 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background
Experience has been emerging about cardiac manifestations of COVID-19-positive patients. The full cardiac spectrum is still unknown, and management of these patients is challenging.

Case summary
We report a COVID-19 patient who developed unusually long asystolic pauses associated with atriventricular block (AV) block and atrial fibrillation who underwent leadless pacemaker implantation.

Discussion
Asystole may be a manifestation of COVID-19 infection. A leadless pacemaker is a secure remedy, with limited requirements for follow-up, close interactions, and number of procedures in a COVID-19 patient.
Frequency of injuries associated with syncope in the prevention of syncope trials
Authors: Jorge Juliana G , Pournazari Payam , Raj Satish R , Maxey Connor , Sheldon Robert S 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimsSyncope can lead to injuries. We determined the frequency, severity, and predictors of injuries due to syncope in cohorts of syncope patients.Methods and resultsParticipants were enrolled in the POST2 (fludrocortisone) and POST4 (midodrine) vasovagal syncope (VVS) randomized trials, and POST3 enrolled patients with bifascicular block and syncope. Injury was defined as minor (bruising, abrasions), moderate (lacerations), and severe (fractures, burns, joint pain), and recorded up to 1 year after enrolment. A total of 459 patients (median 39 years) were analysed. There were 710 faints occurred in 186 patients during a 1-year follow-up. Fully 56/186 (30%) of patients were injured with syncope (12% of overall group). There were 102 injuries associated with the 710 faints (14%), of which 19% were moderate or severe injuries. Neither patient age, sex, nor the presence of prodromal symptoms associated with injury-free survival. Patients with bifascicular block were more prone to injury (relative risk 1.98, P = 0.018). Patients with ≥4 faints in the prior year had more injuries than those with fewer faints (relative risk 2.97, P &lt; 0.0001), but this was due to more frequent syncope, and not more injuries per faint. In VVS patients, pharmacological therapy significantly reduced the likelihood of an injury due to a syncopal spell (relative risk 0.64, P = 0.015). Injury severity did not associate with age, sex, or prior-year syncope frequency.ConclusionInjuries are frequent in syncope patients, but only 4% of injuries were severe. None of age, sex, and prodromal symptoms associate with injury.
Altruism and Risk Sharing in Networks
Authors: Bourlès Renaud , Bramoullé Yann , Perez-Richet Eduardo 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
We provide the first analysis of the risk-sharing implications of altruism networks. Agents are embedded in a fixed network and care about each other. We explore whether altruistic transfers help smooth consumption and how this depends on the shape of the network. We find that altruism networks have a first-order impact on risk. Altruistic transfers generate efficient insurance when the network of perfect altruistic ties is strongly connected. We uncover two specific empirical implications of altruism networks. First, bridges can generate good overall risk sharing, and, more generally, the quality of informal insurance depends on the average path length of the network. Second, large shocks are well-insured by connected altruism networks. By contrast, large shocks tend to be badly insured in models of informal insurance with frictions. We characterize what happens for shocks that leave the structure of giving relationships unchanged. We further explore the relationship between consumption variance and centrality, correlation in consumption streams across agents, and the impact of adding links.
A New Chinese Economic Order?
Authors: Shaffer Gregory , Gao Henry 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT
China is incrementally developing a new, decentralized model of trade governance through a web of finance, trade, and investment initiatives involving memorandum of understanding, contracts, and trade and investment treaties, supported by an indigenous innovation policy that is transnational in its reach. In this way, China could create a vast, Sino-centric, legal order in which the Chinese state plays the nodal role. It is a hub and spokes model, with China at the hub. In this article, we first examine China’s export of an infrastructure-based development model, implemented through Chinese state-owned and private enterprise investments and commercial contracts (Part B), before turning to China’s development of a complementary web of free trade and investment agreements (Part C), and an indigenous innovation policy (Part D). The paper theorizes and empirically traces how these Chinese initiatives shape the evolving ecology of the transnational legal order for trade.
Using an Adjunctive Treatment to Address Psychological Distress in a National Weight Management Program: Results of an Integrated Pilot Study
Authors: Evans-Hudnall Gina , Odafe Mary O , Johnson Adrienne , Armenti Nicholas , O’Neil Jennifer , Lawson Evan , Trahan Lisa H , Rassu Fenan S 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Obesity is highly comorbid with psychological symptoms in veterans, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Obese veterans with comorbid psychological symptoms often display suboptimal weight loss and poor physical functioning when participating in weight management programs. The MOVE! program aims to increase healthy eating and physical activity to promote weight loss in obese veterans. Adequately addressing psychological barriers is necessary to maximize outcomes in MOVE! for veterans with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. We examined the preliminary outcomes of administering the Healthy Emotions and Improving Health BehavioR Outcomes (HERO) intervention. HERO is adjunctive cognitive-behavioral therapy to MOVE! that addresses PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptom barriers to engagement in physical activity.

Materials and Methods
All recruitment and study procedures were approved by the institutional review board and research and development committees of the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Participants gave written informed consent before enrollment. Thirty-four obese veterans with a diagnosis of PTSD, depression, and/or anxiety who were attending MOVE! were assigned to the 8-session HERO group or the usual care (UC) group. Veterans completed assessments of PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms, physical activity, physical functioning, and weight at baseline, 8 and 16 weeks post treatment. Changes from baseline to 8- and 16-week follow-up on the self-report and clinician-rated measures were assessed, using independent samples t-tests and analyses of covariance.

Results
At 8 weeks post treatment, participants in the HERO group had significantly higher step counts per day than participants in the UC group. Similarly, at 16 weeks post-treatment, participants in the HERO group continued to experience a significant increase in daily steps taken per day, as well as statistically and clinically significantly lower scores on the depression symptom and PTSD symptom severity. Participants in the HERO group also demonstrated significantly higher scores on the physical functioning inventory than participants in the UC group (44.1 ± 12.1 vs. 35.7 ± 10.7, P = 0.04) at 16 weeks post treatment.

Conclusions
Findings of this small trial have important implications pending replication in a more rigorously designed large-scale study. Providing an adjunctive treatment to MOVE! that addresses psychological distress has potential benefits for psychological symptom reduction, engagement in healthy dietary habits, and greater physical activity for individuals who traditionally experience barriers to making positive weight management changes.
Prescription and Prescriber Specialty Characteristics of Initial Opioid Prescriptions Associated with Chronic Use
Authors: Weiner Scott G , Chou Shih-Chuan , Chang Cindy Y , Garner Chad , El Ibrahimi Sanae , Hallvik Sara , Hendricks Michelle , Baker Olesya 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Objective
This study evaluated the characteristics of opioid prescriptions, including prescriber specialty, given to opioid-naïve patients and their association with chronic use.

Design
Cross-sectional analysis of the Ohio prescription drug monitoring program from January 2010 to November 2017.

Setting
Ohio, USA.

Subjects
Patients who had no opioid prescriptions from 2010 to 2012 and a first-time prescription from January 2013 to November 2016.

Methods
Chronic use was defined as at least six opioid prescriptions in one year and either one or more years between the first and last prescription or an average of ≤30 days not covered by an opioid during that year.

Results
A total of 4,252,809 opioid-naïve patients received their first opioid prescription between 2013 and 2016; 364,947 (8.6%) met the definition for chronic use. Those who developed chronic use were older (51.7 vs 45.6 years) and more likely to be female (53.6% vs 52.8%), and their first prescription had higher pill quantities (44.9 vs 30.2), higher morphine milligram equivalents (MME; 355.3 vs 200.0), and was more likely to be an extended-release formulation (2.9% vs 0.7%, all P &lt; 0.001). When compared with internal medicine, the adjusted odds of chronic use were highest with anesthesiology (odds ratio [OR] = 1.46) and neurology (OR = 1.43) and lowest with ophthalmology (OR = 0.33) and gynecology (OR = 0.37).

Conclusions
Eight point six percent of opioid-naïve individuals who received an opioid prescription developed chronic use. This rate varied depending on the specialty of the provider who wrote the prescription. The risk of chronic use increased with higher MME content of the initial prescription and use of extended-release opioids.