bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long non‐coding RNA MALAT1 and its target microRNA‐125b associate with disease risk, severity, and major adverse cardiovascular event of coronary heart disease
Authors: Lv Fanqin , Liu Liang , Feng Qiang , Yang Xuefeng
Published: March 2021

Background

This study aimed to explore the correlation of long non‐coding RNA metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (lncRNA MALAT1) with microRNA (miR)‐125b and further investigated their associations with disease risk, severity, and prognosis of coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods

Totally, 230 patients who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography were recruited; meanwhile, 140 of them were diagnosed as CHD and the remaining 90 non‐CHD patients served as controls. Plasma sample was collected from each participant for lncRNA MALAT1 and miR‐125b mRNA expression detection by reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The extent of coronary stenosis was evaluated by the Gensini score, and major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) occurrence during the follow‐up was documented in CHD patients.

Results

Long non‐coding RNA metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 relative expression was increased, but miR‐125b relative expression was decreased in CHD patients compared with controls. ROC curve exhibited that lncRNA MALAT1 and miR‐125b were of good value in differentiating CHD patients from controls, and further logistic regression analysis verified their independent correlation with CHD risk. Furthermore, lncRNA MALAT1 presented a closely negative correlation with miR‐125b in CHD patients, while it presented a weakly negative association with miR‐125b in controls. In CHD patients, lncRNA MALAT1 was positively correlated with Gensini score, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, C‐reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐17, and accumulating MACE occurrence; reversely, miR‐125b presented a opposite trend.

Conclusion

Long non‐coding RNA metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 might be associated with increased CHD risk, severity, and accumulating MACE incidence via negative interaction with miR‐125b, suggesting their possible clinical application as biomarkers in the CHD screening and surveillance.
International differences in employee silence motives: Scale validation, prevalence, and relationships with culture characteristics across 33 countries
Authors: Knoll Michael , Götz Martin , Adriasola Elisa , Al‐Atwi Amer Ali , Arenas Alicia , Atitsogbe Kokou A. , Barrett Stephen , Bhattacharjee Anindo , Blanco Norman D. , Bogilović Sabina , Bollmann Grégoire , Bosak Janine , Bulut Cagri , Carter Madeline , Černe Matej , Chui Susanna L. M. , Di Marco Donatella , Duden Gesa S. , Elsey Vicki , Fujimura Makoto , Gatti Paola , Ghislieri Chiara , Giessner Steffen R. , Hino Kenta , Hofmans Joeri , Jønsson Thomas S. , Kazimna Pazambadi , Lowe Kevin B. , Malagón Juliana , Mohebbi Hassan , Montgomery Anthony , Monzani Lucas , Pieterse Anne Nederveen , Ngoma Muhammed , Ozeren Emir , O'Shea Deirdre , Ottsen Christina Lundsgaard , Pickett Jennifer , Rangkuti Anna A. , Retowski Sylwiusz , Ardabili Farzad Sattari , Shaukat Razia , Silva Silvia A. , Šimunić Ana , Steffens Niklas K. , Sultanova Faniya , Szücs Daria , Tavares Susana M. , Tipandjan Arun , van Dick Rolf , Vasiljevic Dimitri , Wong Sut I. , Zacher Hannes
Published: March 2021

Employee silence, the withholding of work‐related ideas, questions, or concerns from someone who could effect change, has been proposed to hamper individual and collective learning as well as the detection of errors and unethical behaviors in many areas of the world. To facilitate cross‐cultural research, we validated an instrument measuring four employee silence motives (i.e., silence based on fear, resignation, prosocial, and selfish motives) in 21 languages. Across 33 countries (N = 8,222) representing diverse cultural clusters, the instrument shows good psychometric properties (i.e., internal reliabilities, factor structure, and measurement invariance). Results further revealed similarities and differences in the prevalence of silence motives between countries, but did not necessarily support cultural stereotypes. To explore the role of culture for silence, we examined relationships of silence motives with the societal practices cultural dimensions from the GLOBE Program. We found relationships between silence motives and power distance, institutional collectivism, and uncertainty avoidance. Overall, the findings suggest that relationships between silence and cultural dimensions are more complex than commonly assumed. We discuss the explanatory power of nations as (cultural) units of analysis, our social scientific approach, the predictive value of cultural dimensions, and opportunities to extend silence research geographically, methodologically, and conceptually.
Successful bronchial arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy for an endobronchial metastasis after resection of small cell lung cancer
Authors: Horio Yoshitsugu , Sato Yozo , Tachibana Hiroyuki , Hosoda Waki , Shimizu Junichi , Hida Toyoaki
Published: March 2021

Bronchial arterial infusion (BAI) chemotherapy has been reported to be an effective treatment option for centrally located early‐stage squamous cell lung cancer (SCC) and has a favourable response rates for patients with stage III or IV or recurrent non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without distant metastases who cannot tolerate standard chemotherapy. Here, we report a case of an 83‐year‐old male with a solitary polypoid endobronchial metastatic tumour in the left main bronchus one year and 10 months after video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) combined segmentectomy (left S6 + S8a) for small cell lung cancer (SCLC), pT1bN0. He was treated with BAI of 100 mg of cis‐Diamminedichloroplatinum/cisplatin (CDDP), followed by thoracic radiotherapy (56 Gy in 28 fractions). There was no recurrence for 2.5 years. BAI chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy seemed to be an effective salvage option for the treatment of solitary endobronchial metastases of SCLC in patients unfit for standard chemoradiotherapy.
10‐4: Invited Paper: Taking High Dynamic Range Further: Apple Pro Display XDR
Authors: Gu Mingxia (Vincent) , Liu Ron , Albrecht Marc , Qi Jun , Yin Victor
Published: March 2021

Apple Pro Display XDR, with its industry‐leading high dynamic range performance, is presented. Several optical, mechanical and electrical components of the 2D backlight sub‐system, which is key to enabling HDR, will be reviewed, along with algorithm features implemented within a custom‐designed Timing Controller.
Inverse probability weighted estimation for recurrent events data with missing category
Authors: Lin Feng‐Chang , Cai Jianwen , Deng Yu , Esther Jr Charles R.
Published: March 2021

Modeling recurrent event data with multiple event types has drawn interest in recent biomedical studies due to its flexibility for understanding different risk factors for multiple recurrent event processes. However, in such data type, missing event type appears frequently because of various reasons such as recording ignorance or resource limitation. In this study, we aim to propose an inverse probability weighted estimation that is commonly used in the missing data literature to correct possibly biased estimation by a complete‐case analysis. This approach is not limited to a specific form of the recurrent event model. We derive the large sample theory in a general form. We demonstrate that our approach can be applied to either multiplicative or additive rates model with practical sample size via comprehensive simulations. Nonmucoid and mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections of 14 888 patients in 2016 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry data are analyzed to show that, without including 12% events with missing event type in the analysis, several factors may be misidentified as risk factors for the nonmucoid type of infections.
Anti‐Tubercular Insights of Carbolines – A Decade Critique
Authors: Tewari Upasana , Sharma Divya , Srivastava Shrey , Kumar Banoth Karan , Faheem  , Murugesan Sankaranarayanan
Published: March 2021

Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 leading causes of death worldwide and is caused by the bacteria “Mycobacterium tuberculosis.” The medications used to treat tuberculosis have many deficiencies, including long‐term treatment, expensive medications, etc. The continuing emergence of multidrug resistance (MTR) remains a critical health issue that needs to be tackled urgently. Increased HIV/AIDS co‐infection with tuberculosis has also worsened the condition. Carbolines, nitrogen‐containing tricyclic Compounds have a significant role in medicinal chemistry because of their broad pharmacological properties, such as anti‐tubercular, anti‐bacterial, anti‐leishmanial, anti‐cancer, anti‐viral, etc. A brief description of the anti‐tubercular ability of a diverse set of carbolines collected from the past ten years focused on synthetic procedures, structural‐activity relationship studies, and their molecular mechanism of action was clearly described in the current review.
Boric Acid Mediated Formation and Doping of NiOx Layers for Perovskite Solar Cells with Efficiency over 21%
Authors: Ge Bing , Lin Ze Qing , Zhou Zi Ren , Qiao Hong Wei , Chen Ai Ping , Hou Yu , Yang Shuang , Yang Hua Gui
Published: March 2021

Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as one of the most promising photovoltaic technologies. For inverted planar PSCs, nickel oxide (NiOx) layers, as inorganic p‐type semiconductors, are competitive hole transport layers (HTLs) because of their low cost, chemical stability, and easy preparation. However, their inferior device performance still lags behind the devices using organic HTLs. Herein, a boric acid‐assisted strategy for NiOx HTLs is reported that enables compact film deposition and electronic modulation. Boron doping can enhance conductivity and deepen the valence band edge, leading to efficient hole extraction and transport. A methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) photovoltaic device based on our strategy achieves an optimized efficiency of 21.40% with a high open voltage of 1.131 V and a high fill factor of 80.9% with negligible hysteresis, as well as excellent stability.
Scheduling Model of Power System Based on Forecasting Error of Wind Power Plant Output
Authors: Sun Kai , Dou Zhenhai , Zhu Yaling , Liao Qingling , Si Shuqian , Dong Jun , Wang Zichen , Wang Chen
Published: March 2021

Aiming at the problem of unnecessary waste of power resources in the power system caused by the uncertainty of wind farm output, and then affecting the economics of the system. This paper proposes a power system scheduling model based on wind power output forecasting errors. In the forecasting stage, in view of the defect that the Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm (FOA) is easy to fall into the local optimal value, an Adaptive Mutation Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm (AMFOA) based on the flavor concentration variance is proposed. And then, the parameters of Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) are optimized by AMFOA to predict the wind power output. In the scheduling phase, a limit scenario is established based on the obtained prediction error to reduce the fluctuation of the wind farm output. When modeling, the influence of the prediction error is considered in the power balance equation, and it is constructed to maximize the probability of its establishment. And then, incorporate it into the objective function. Based on this, a scheduling model is established and solved by AMFOA. Finally, an example is used to verify the accuracy of the proposed forecasting model and the economics of the scheduling model. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Disciplinary Literacies in K–2 Classrooms: A Curriculum Exploration
Authors: Isidro Elizabeth I.
Published: March 2021

Disciplinary literacy approaches recently have been finding their way into early elementary classrooms (K‐2) and preschool, but this idea still needs more careful study, discussion, and operationalizing before determining its value and place in the early grades curriculum. The purpose of this article is to describe a case of curriculum exploration by two teachers (using specific texts and developmentally appropriate practice) within an integrated disciplinary literacy–engineering unit and to identify any emerging disciplinary literacy skills among the K‐2 students. The results of this exploration serve as evidence of emerging disciplinary literacy skills among the young learners with teacher scaffolding and developmentally appropriate materials and tasks. Additionally, the study shows concrete literacy outcomes related to comprehension in discussion during and after read‐alouds, as well as particular disciplinary literacy skills based on the engineering design process (i.e., ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve).
Coupled effect of curved surface and interface on stress state of wrinkled thin film coating at the nanoscale
Authors: Kostyrko Sergey , Grekov Mikhail , Altenbach Holm
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we present the model of continuum mechanics for an analysis of the size‐dependent elastic state of the wrinkled thin film coating with the nanosized thickness. For this purpose, we formulate the two‐dimensional boundary value problem for the film‐on‐substrate system under plane strain conditions in terms of the complex variable. To analyse the effect of surface and interface elasticity, the surface and interphase domains are modelled as negligibly thin layers adhering to the bulk phases without slipping. The algorithm of deriving the expressions for the stress tensor components in the first‐order approximation of the boundary perturbation method is described. Based on this algorithm, the influence of the size of the wrinkles, film‐to‐substrate stiffness ratio and film thickness on the stress concentration in the film is examined.
Artifacts and affordances: from designed properties to possibilities for action
Authors: Tollon Fabio
Published: March 2021

In this paper I critically evaluate the value neutrality thesis regarding technology, and find it wanting. I then introduce the various ways in which artifacts can come to influence moral value, and our evaluation of moral situations and actions. Here, following van de Poel and Kroes, I introduce the idea of value sensitive design. Specifically, I show how by virtue of their designed properties, artifacts may come to embody values. Such accounts, however, have several shortcomings. In agreement with Michael Klenk, I raise epistemic and metaphysical issues with respect to designed properties embodying value. The concept of an affordance, borrowed from ecological psychology, provides a more philosophically fruitful grounding to the potential way(s) in which artifacts might embody values. This is due to the way in which it incorporates key insights from perception more generally, and how we go about determining possibilities for action in our environment specifically. The affordance account as it is presented by Klenk, however, is insufficient. I therefore argue that we understand affordances based on whether they are meaningful, and, secondly, that we grade them based on their force.
Risk of Poor Outcomes with COVID-19 Among U.S. Detained Immigrants: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Patler Caitlin , Saadi Altaf
Published: March 2021

Conditions in immigrant detention centers facilitate the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19. However, there is no publicly-available data on detainees’ health characteristics, making it difficult to estimate the prevalence of risk among detained people. We use cross-sectional survey data from the only survey of detained immigrants, conducted in California in 2013–2014, to assess the prevalence and health-related correlates of health conditions among detained immigrants. We calculated the proportion of detained immigrants with chronic conditions, their interruptions in care, and stratified by sociodemographic characteristics, evaluating differences using two-tailed tests. Among 529 detained immigrants, 42.5% had at least one chronic health condition; 15.5% had multiple chronic conditions. 20.9% experienced disruption in care upon entering detention. 95.6% had access to stable housing in the U.S. Many detained people face health conditions that confer greater risk for poor outcomes with COVID-19. Stable residence can facilitate release of detainees via Alternatives to Detention programs.
Creating leadership collectives for sustainability transformations
Authors: Care O. , Bernstein M. J. , Chapman M. , Diaz Reviriego I. , Dressler G. , Felipe-Lucia M. R. , Friis C. , Graham S. , Hänke H. , Haider L. J. , Hernández-Morcillo M. , Hoffmann H. , Kernecker M. , Nicol P. , Piñeiro C. , Pitt H. , Schill C. , Seufert V. , Shu K. , Valencia V. , Zaehringer J. G.
Published: March 2021

Enduring sustainability challenges requires a new model of collective leadership that embraces critical reflection, inclusivity and care. Leadership collectives can support a move in academia from metrics to merits, from a focus on career to care, and enact a shift from disciplinary to inter- and trans-disciplinary research. Academic organisations need to reorient their training programs, work ethics and reward systems to encourage collective excellence and to allow space for future leaders to develop and enact a radically re-imagined vision of how to lead as a collective with care for people and the planet.
Alternative and additive arthroscopic soft-tissue procedures for anterior shoulder instability
Authors: Trellopoulos Angelos , Brilakis Emmanouil , Antonogiannakis Emmanouil
Published: March 2021

Anterior glenohumeral instability is a widespread pathological condition, not only in athletes but also in the general population. The variations in the lesions (soft tissue and bone defects) that occur after traumatic dislocation or recurrence, combined with the degree of ligamentous laxity and activity, have led to numerous surgical techniques. Following the introduction of arthroscopy in the treatment of shoulder pathology, several new procedures and modifications of old methods were introduced to treat anterior instability. Despite this, there is still controversy regarding the proper management of instability cases combined with bone loss or insufficient anterior soft tissue wall or laxity. Additional soft tissue procedures, along with the simple Bankart repair, strengthen the stability of the repair and can fill the gap in the transition from the classic Bankart repair to the potential overtreatment of bony procedures. This literature review attempts to summarize all the critical studies referring to soft tissue techniques and highlight the most crucial points of their conclusions.
A preliminary study on changes in heat shock protein 70 levels induced by Fusarium mycotoxins in rats: in vivo study
Authors: Kócsó Dániel J. , Ali Omeralfaroug , Kovács Melinda , Mézes Miklós , Balogh Krisztián , Kachlek Mariam L. , Bóta Brigitta , Zeebone Yarsmin Y. , Szabó András
Published: March 2021

The heat shock protein (Hsp70) level was assessed after 14 days of oral gavage-exposure to fumonisin B1 (FB1: 150 µg/animal/day), deoxynivalenol (DON: 30 µg/animal/day) and zearalenone (ZEN: 150 µg/animal/day), alone or in combinations (in additive manner: FD = FB1 + DON, FZ = FB1 + ZEN, DZ = DON + ZEN and FDZ = FB1 + DON + ZEN) in the liver, kidneys and lung of 24 adult male Wistar rats (n = 3/group). The liver was the most responsive tissue, as compared with kidney and lung. Except of DZ-treatment, mycotoxins elevated the Hsp70 levels in livers. The highest Hsp70-levels (≈ twofold) were in the DON, FD, FZ and FDZ treatments (additive effects). In the kidney, alterations (↑ ≈ twofold) were detected in ZEN, FD, FZ and DZ treatments. The least responsive organ was the lung (↑ only in FDZ, antagonistic effect). DON and ZEA exposures have altered the reduced glutathione concentration (↓) and glutathione peroxidase activity (↓) in the blood serum. The serum malondialdehyde level increased only after exposure to FD (synergistic effect), as compared with the DZ group (antagonistic effect). When the blood clinical chemistry was assessed, significant alterations were in alanine aminotransferase (80% increase in FDZ, antagonistic effect) and total protein (↓ ZEN). Results varied according to the organ, toxin type and interactions. Furthermore, oxidative stress was not the only key player behind the Hsp70 increase, in which another mechanism is suggested.
Triangles of nearly equal area
Authors: Swanepoel Konrad J.
Published: March 2021

Given anynpoints in the plane, not all on the same line, there exist two non-collinear triples such that the ratio of the areas of the triangles they determine, differs from 1 by at most$$O(\log n/n^2)$$O(logn/n2). If we furthermore insist that the two triangles have a common edge, then there are two with area ratios differing from 1 by at mostO(1/n). This improves some results of Ophir and Pinchasi (Discrete Appl. Math.174(2014), 122–127). We also give some constructions for these and related problems.
Fault diagnosis under uncertain situations within a Bayesian knowledge-intensive CBR system
Authors: Nikpour Hoda , Aamodt Agnar
Published: March 2021

This paper presents fault diagnosis and problem solving under uncertainty by a Bayesian supported knowledge-intensive case-based reasoning (CBR) system called BNCreek. In this system, the main goal is to diagnose the causal failures behind the symptoms in complex and uncertain domains. The system’s architecture is described in three aspects: the general, structural, and functional architectures. The domain knowledge is represented by formally defined methods. An integration of semantic networks, Bayesian networks, and CBR is employed to deal with the domain uncertainty. An experiment is conducted from the oil well drilling domain, which is a complex and uncertain area as an application domain. The system is evaluated against the expert estimations to find the most efficient solutions for the problems. The obtained results reveal the capability of the system in diagnosing causal failures.
Interpreting academic integrity transgressions among learning communities
Authors: Mathrani Anuradha , Han Binglan , Mathrani Sanjay , Jha Meena , Scogings Chris
Published: March 2021

Educational institutions rely on academic citizenship behaviors to construct knowledge in a responsible manner. However, they often struggle to contain the unlawful reuse of knowledge (or academic citizenship transgressions) by some learning communities. This study draws upon secondary data from two televised episodes describing contract cheating (or ghostwriting) practices prevalent among international student communities. Against this background, we have investigated emergent teaching and learning structures that have been extended to formal and informal spaces with the use of mediating technologies. Learners’ interactions in formal spaces are influenced by ongoing informal social experiences within a shared cultural context to influence learners’ agency. Building upon existing theories, we have developed an analytical lens to understand the rationale behind cheating behaviors. Citizenship behaviors are based on individual and collective perceptions of what constitutes as acceptable or unacceptable behavior. That is, learners who are low in motivation and are less engaged with learning may collude; more so, if cheating is not condemned by members belonging to their informal social spaces. Our analytical lens describes institutional, cultural, technological, social and behavioral contexts that influence learner agency.
Neurofibromatose Typ 1 – State of the art
Authors: Baumgartner Alicia-Christina , Azizi Amedeo A.
Published: March 2021

Neurofibromatose Typ 1 (NF1) ist ein autosomal dominantes Tumorprädispositionssyndrom, dessen Verlauf nicht vorhersagbar ist und das in Abhängigkeit der Schwere der Symptome vom Kindesalter an eine lebenslange Betreuung durch SpezialistInnen erfordert. Neben harmlosen Hautmanifestationen (u. a. Café-au-lait-Flecken) kann es auch zu Tumoren (Neurofibrome, Optikusgliome, plexiforme Neurofibrome), zu Störungen der Knochenentwicklung, kardiovaskulären sowie endokrinologischen Problemen, aber auch zu Lern- und Entwicklungsstörungen kommen. Aufgrund des heterogenen Verlaufs und der Vielfältigkeit möglicher Symptome kann das Diagnose- und Therapiemanagement herausfordernd sein, wobei ein 2017 gegründetes NF1-Expertisezentrum (in Kooperation zwischen der Patientenorganisation NF-Kinder und der Univ.-Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde an der Medizinischen Universität Wien, AKH Wien) Hilfestellung für Betroffene aller Altersstufen im medizinischen wie auch psychosozialen Bereich anbietet.
Lead extraction as metallic phase from waste lead oxide-containing glass by redox reaction in hydrothermal treatment
Authors: Suzuki Masanori , Ukisu Yuma , Murayama Norihiro
Published: March 2021

A new low-energy and eco-friendly method for extracting lead from waste PbO-containing funnel glass is required. Conventional methods use either energy intensive smelting reduction at temperatures higher than 1273 K or involve phase separation of the glass, requiring an acid treatment to extract elemental Pb partitioned in one of the decomposed phases as Pb2+ ion. In this study, the mechanism of a unique phenomenon is investigated, involving spontaneous precipitation of metallic lead when PbO-containing glass is subjected to a hydrothermal water environment in a stainless-steel container. The roles of the hydrothermal environment and container materials on the metallic lead precipitation were investigated. The synthesized PbO-containing glass was placed in a container made of stainless steel or pure iron and set in a sealed autoclave with water, which was held at 613 K to provide the hydrothermal conditions. As a result, metallic lead droplets precipitated either on the surface of the glass or the container, whereas an iron oxide (Fe3O4) phase was detected on the surface of the container. Conversely, no metallic lead was observed when the glass and stainless-steel container were heated in dry air. The above results indicate that a hydrothermal environment is necessary for metallic lead precipitation because subcritical water or steam leaches Pb2+ from the glass. In addition, a redox reaction was suggested between the Pb2+ ions transported to the surface of the container and metallic iron in the container to explain metallic lead droplets precipitation.
Exponential Tail Bounds for Chisquared Random Variables
Authors: Ghosh Malay
Published: March 2021

The paper derives some exponential tail bounds for central and non-central chisquared random variables. The bounds are simple and can easily be applied in statistical analysis. Especially relevant are the tail bounds for non-central chisquares, which are different from some of the other exponential bounds available in the literature, for example the one given in [1].
Ghana muntie: from Station ZOY to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation
Authors: Gadzekpo Bernard Senedzi (B. S.)
Published: March 2021

The excerpts below are from two of the sixteen chapters in B. S. Gadzekpo's radio memoir. In ‘Battles at the microphone’, Gadzekpo describes the diverse ways in which he and other Vernacular Announcers made their mark on wartime programming during World War Two, including how they carefully selected what could be aired as news and rallied local support for the war effort. The chapter ‘The music talent hunt’ details his tireless efforts at identifying and recording indigenous music to play on air in order to keep local audiences glued to the radio, especially after the war. The full text of the manuscript is available with the supplementary material published with Audrey Gadzekpo's article introducing this work at .
The Lawless Demand of Judgements of Taste: Response to Dunn
Authors: Harbin R. Kathleen
Published: March 2021

I respond to Dunn's claim that aesthetic judgements must be normative for Kant by (I) clarifying my position: it is not the case that on my account the strength of the feeling of pleasure implies that others should agree with my judgement; instead, the disinterestedness of the feeling is the basis for agreement, (II) arguing against the claim that Kant's broader system requires normative judgements of taste, and (III) arguing against the suggestion that any operation of a faculty in accordance with a principle is normative.
Impaired Recognition of Facial and Vocal Emotions in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Moreira Helena S. , Costa Ana Sofia , Machado Álvaro , Castro São Luís , Vicente Selene G. , Lima César F.
Published: March 2021

Objective:

The ability to recognize others’ emotions is a central aspect of socioemotional functioning. Emotion recognition impairments are well documented in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, but it is less understood whether they are also present in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Results on facial emotion recognition are mixed, and crucially, it remains unclear whether the potential impairments are specific to faces or extend across sensory modalities,

Method:

In the current study, 32 MCI patients and 33 cognitively intact controls completed a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and two forced-choice emotion recognition tasks, including visual and auditory stimuli. The emotion recognition tasks required participants to categorize emotions in facial expressions and in nonverbal vocalizations (e.g., laughter, crying) expressing neutrality, anger, disgust, fear, happiness, pleasure, surprise, or sadness.

Results:

MCI patients performed worse than controls for both facial expressions and vocalizations. The effect was large, similar across tasks and individual emotions, and it was not explained by sensory losses or affective symptomatology. Emotion recognition impairments were more pronounced among patients with lower global cognitive performance, but they did not correlate with the ability to perform activities of daily living.

Conclusions:

These findings indicate that MCI is associated with emotion recognition difficulties and that such difficulties extend beyond vision, plausibly reflecting a failure at supramodal levels of emotional processing. This highlights the importance of considering emotion recognition abilities as part of standard neuropsychological testing in MCI, and as a target of interventions aimed at improving social cognition in these patients.
Theoretical and experimental investigation of two-layer circular patch antenna excited by a coaxial probe
Authors: Biswas Manotosh , Dam Mihir , Banik Sourav
Published: March 2021

In this article, we present two efficient closed-form models to examine thoroughly the dependence of resonant frequency, quality factor, probe reactance, input impedance, bandwidth, and gain on parameters such as patch radius, probe location, substrate electrical parameters, and air gap of a coax probe-fed circular patch antenna. The implementation of these models is very easy and the computation cost is very low. The proposed models show excellent agreements with experimental and simulation results. We have also investigated experimentally the gain patterns of a suspended substrate circular patch antenna.
How to Remember Something You Didn't Say
Authors: Schreckenbach Franziska , Sprengholz Philipp , Rothermund Klaus , Koranyi Nicolas
Published: March 2021

Abstract. When individuals suppress secret information, they should keep this omission in mind to not let this information slip out in future situations. Following recent findings about automatic memory retrieval of outright lies, we hypothesized that suppression tendencies are also automatically retrieved from memory when being confronted with a question to which one has previously omitted secret information. In an online study, participants first had to withhold information about a fictitious love affair during a simulated chat with their relationship partner. To assess automatic suppression tendencies, we developed an indirect response time measure wherein a key that had previously been established to indicate suppression now had to be pressed in response to word stimuli that were presented in a specific color. We found implicit suppression tendencies for words that had been withheld during the interview if they were presented following the prime that involved the question which the secret answer referred to. The question primes or the secret information alone did not elicit a suppression tendency, indicating that suppression responses were automatically retrieved from memory after re-encountering the combination of the question and the critical answer. The results are discussed regarding the theoretical implications for automatic memory processes.
Saharan Dust Transport Predictability Utilizing a Subseasonal Experiment (SubX) Model
Authors: Kramer S. J. , Kirtman B. P.
Published: March 2021

Prediction of Saharan dust customarily requires complex aerosols models and observations. A previous study of the Miami, Florida dust record in conjunction to reanalysis data discovered a possible source of subseasonal predictability using a dust‐transport‐efficiency (DTE) index. Development of the Subseasonal Forecast Experiment (SubX) has expanded global forecast products; producing multi‐model ensemble forecasts out to 45 days. Retrospective forecast data from the Community Climate System Model version 4.0 (CCSM4) is used in direct comparison to National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis to evaluate the CCSM4 subseasonal forecast and DTE index prediction skill of weekly dust variability. Successful prediction of weekly dust transport using the DTE index is variable year‐to‐year. The DTE most successfully predicts dust when there is high variability in the tropical winds, likely due to a fluctuating subtropical high, and is not dependent on the overall mean flow or total dust mass transported. The CCSM4 SubX retrospective forecast well represents North Atlantic meteorology out to week‐3 in both mean flow and variability. Dust transport can be predicted using the DTE index and CCSM4 SubX retrospective forecasts at week‐1 leads to the same success as contemporaneous NCEP reanalysis.
Sex differences in the neuroanatomy of alcohol dependence: hippocampus and amygdala subregions in a sample of 966 people from the ENIGMA Addiction Working Group
Authors: Grace Sally , Rossetti Maria Gloria , Allen Nicholas , Batalla Albert , Bellani Marcella , Brambilla Paolo , Chye Yann , Cousijn Janna , Goudriaan Anna E , Hester Robert , Hutchison Kent , Labuschagne Izelle , Momenan Reza , Martin-Santos Rocio , Rendell Peter , Solowij Nadia , Sinha Rajita , Li Chiang-shan Ray , Schmaal Lianne , Sjoerds Zsuzsika , Suo Chao , Terrett Gill , van Holst Ruth J. , Veltman Dick J. , Yücel Murat , Thompson Paul , Conrod Patricia , Mackey Scott , Garavan Hugh , Lorenzetti Valentina
Published: March 2021

Males and females with alcohol dependence have distinct mental health and cognitive problems. Animal models of addiction postulate that the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are partially distinct, but there is little evidence of sex differences in humans with alcohol dependence as most neuroimaging studies have been conducted in males. We examined hippocampal and amygdala subregions in a large sample of 966 people from the ENIGMA Addiction Working Group. This comprised 643 people with alcohol dependence (225 females), and a comparison group of 323 people without alcohol dependence (98 females). Males with alcohol dependence had smaller volumes of the total amygdala and its basolateral nucleus than male controls, that exacerbated with alcohol dose. Alcohol dependence was also associated with smaller volumes of the hippocampus and its CA1 and subiculum subfield volumes in both males and females. In summary, hippocampal and amygdalar subregions may be sensitive to both shared and distinct mechanisms in alcohol-dependent males and females.
Genome-wide gene expression changes in postpartum depression point towards an altered immune landscape
Authors: Mehta Divya , Grewen Karen , Pearson Brenda , Wani Shivangi , Wallace Leanne , Henders Anjali K. , Binder Elisabeth B. , Frokjaer Vibe G. , Meltzer-Brody Samantha , Wray Naomi R. , Stuebe Alison M.
Published: March 2021

Maternal postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant public health concern due to the severe negative impact on maternal and child health and well-being. In this study, we aimed to identify genes associated with PPD. To do this, we investigated genome-wide gene expression profiles of pregnant women during their third trimester of pregnancy and tested the association of gene expression with perinatal depressive symptoms. A total of 137 women from a cohort from the University of North Carolina, USA were assessed. The main phenotypes analysed were Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores at 2 months postpartum and PPD (binary yes/no) based on an EPDS cutoff of 10. Illumina NextSeq500/550 transcriptomic sequencing from whole blood was analysed using the edgeR package. We identified 71 genes significantly associated with postpartum depression scores at 2 months, after correction for multiple testing at 5% FDR. These included several interesting candidates including TNFRSF17, previously reported to be significantly upregulated in women with PPD and MMP8, a matrix metalloproteinase gene, associated with depression in a genome-wide association study. Functional annotation of differentially expressed genes revealed an enrichment of immune response-related biological processes. Additional analysis of genes associated with changes in depressive symptoms from recruitment to 2 months postpartum identified 66 genes significant at an FDR of 5%. Of these genes, 33 genes were also associated with depressive symptoms at 2 months postpartum. Comparing the results with previous studies, we observed that 15.4% of genes associated with PPD in this study overlapped with 700 core maternal genes that showed significant gene expression changes across multiple brain regions (P = 7.9e-05) and 29–53% of the genes were also associated with estradiol changes in a pharmacological model of depression (P values range = 1.2e-4–2.1e-14). In conclusion, we identified novel genes and validated genes previously associated with oestrogen sensitivity in PPD. These results point towards the role of an altered immune transcriptomic landscape as a vulnerability factor for PPD.
Clodronate, an inhibitor of the vesicular nucleotide transporter, ameliorates steatohepatitis and acute liver injury
Authors: Hasuzawa Nao , Tatsushima Keita , Wang Lixiang , Kabashima Masaharu , Tokubuchi Rie , Nagayama Ayako , Ashida Kenji , Ogawa Yoshihiro , Moriyama Yoshinori , Nomura Masatoshi
Published: March 2021

The vesicular nucleotide transporter (VNUT) is responsible for the vesicular storage and release of ATP from various ATP-secreting cells, and it plays an essential role in purinergic signaling. Although extracellular ATP and its degradation products are known to mediate various inflammatory responses via purinoceptors, whether vesicular ATP release affects steatohepatitis and acute liver injury is far less understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of clodronate, a potent and selective VNUT inhibitor, on acute and chronic liver inflammation in mice. In a model of methionine/choline-deficient diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the administration of clodronate reduced hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and triglyceride accumulation. Clodronate also protected mice against high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-induced steatohepatitis. Moreover, prophylactic administration of clodronate prevented d-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide-induced acute liver injury by reducing inflammatory cytokines and hepatocellular apoptosis. In vitro, clodronate inhibited glucose-induced vesicular ATP release mediated by VNUT and reduced the intracellular level and secretion of triglycerides in isolated hepatocytes. These results suggest that VNUT-dependent vesicular ATP release plays a crucial role in the recruitment of immune cells, cytokine production, and the aggravation of steatosis in the liver. Pharmacological inhibition of VNUT may provide therapeutic benefits in liver inflammatory disorders, including NASH and acute toxin-induced injury.
TV viewing during childhood and adult type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Schmid Daniela , Willett Walter C. , Forman Michele R. , Ding Ming , Michels Karin B.
Published: March 2021

We examined whether regular television (TV) viewing at ages 3–5 and 5–10 years is related to the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) in adult women. We used data from 34,512 mother-nurse daughter dyads in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) II and the Nurses’ Mothers’ Cohort Study. Mothers of NHS II participants completed a questionnaire on their pregnancy with the nurse and her early life experience. During 391,442 person-years of follow-up from 2001 to 2013, 1515 nurses developed T2D. Increasing levels of TV viewing at 3–5 years of age retrospectively reported by the mothers were related to a greater risk of T2D in adulthood: multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for ≤ 1, 2, and ≥ 3 h/day vs. no TV viewing were 1.11 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96–1.28], 1.20 (95% CI 1.02–1.41), and 1.35 (95% CI 1.11–1.65), p trend = 0.002, respectively, after adjustment for early life variables, including childhood physical activity and adiposity. Retrospectively reported TV viewing for ≥ 3 h/day at 5–10 years of age was associated with a 34% greater risk of adult T2D (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.05–1.70, p trend < 0.001). Additional adjustments for adult variables, including adult TV viewing and current BMI attenuated the effect estimates (≥ 3 h/day TV viewing at 3–5 years: HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.99–1.49, p trend = 0.07; TV viewing at 5–10 years: 1.16, 95% CI 0.91–1.49, p trend = 0.09). The present study suggests that TV viewing during early childhood increases risk of T2D in adult women; adult BMI explains part of this association. Further research is required to confirm this observation and understand the mediating pathways.
Ultrafast spectroscopy reveals singlet fission, ionization and excimer formation in perylene film
Authors: Ni Wenjun , Sun Licheng , Gurzadyan Gagik G.
Published: March 2021

Singlet exciton fission (SF) is a spin-allowed process whereby two triplet excitons are created from one singlet exciton. This phenomenon can offset UV photon energy losses and enhance the overall efficiency in photovoltaic devices. For this purpose, it requires photostable commercially available SF materials. Excited state dynamics in pure perylene film, ease of commercial production, is studied by time-resolved fluorescence and femtosecond transient absorption techniques under different photoexcitation energies. In film, polycrystalline regions contain perylene in H-type aggregate form. SF takes place from higher excited states of these aggregates in ultrafast time scale < 30 fs, reaching a triplet formation quantum yield of 108%. Moreover, at λex = 450 nm singlet fission was detected as a result of two-quantum absorption. Other competing relaxation channels are excimer (1 ps) and dimer radical cation formation (< 30 fs). Excimer radiatively relaxes within 19 ns and radical cation recombines in 3.2 ns. Besides, exciton self-trapping by crystal lattice distortions occurs within hundreds of picosecond. Our results highlight potential of simple-fabricated perylene films with similar properties as high-cost single crystal in SF based photovoltaic applications.
Peripheral ERK modulates acupuncture-induced brain neural activity and its functional connectivity
Authors: Park Ji-Yeun , Cho Seong-Jin , Lee Soon-Ho , Ryu Yeonhee , Jang Jae-Hwan , Kim Seung-Nam , Park Hi-Joon
Published: March 2021

Acupuncture has been widely used as a therapeutic intervention, and the brain network plays a crucial role in its neural mechanism. This study aimed to investigate the acupuncture mechanism from peripheral to central by identifying how the peripheral molecular signals induced by acupuncture affect the brain neural responses and its functional connectivity. We confirmed that peripheral ERK activation by acupuncture plays a role in initiating acupuncture-induced peripheral proteomic changes in mice. The brain neural activities in the neocortex, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, periaqueductal grey, and nucleus of the solitary tract (Sol) were significantly changed after acupuncture, and these were altered by peripheral MEK/MAPK inhibition. The arcuate nucleus and lateral hypothalamus were the most affected by acupuncture and peripheral MEK/MAPK inhibition. The hypothalamic area was the most contributing brain region in contrast task PLS analysis. Acupuncture provoked extensive changes in brain functional connectivity, and the posterior hypothalamus showed the highest betweenness centrality after acupuncture. After brain hub identification, the Sol and cingulate cortex were selected as hub regions that reflect both degree and betweenness centrality after acupuncture. These results suggest that acupuncture activates brain functional connectivity and that peripheral ERK induced by acupuncture plays a role in initiating brain neural activation and its functional connectivity.
Synthesis of silver nanoparticles embedded with single-walled carbon nanotubes for printable elastic electrodes and sensors with high stability
Authors: Lee Jae-Won , Cho Joon Young , Kim Mi Jeong , Kim Jung Hoon , Park Jong Hwan , Jeong Seung Yol , Seo Seon Hee , Lee Geon-Woong , Jeong Hee Jin , Han Joong Tark
Published: March 2021

Soft electronic devices that are bendable and stretchable require stretchable electric or electronic components. Nanostructured conducting materials or soft conducting polymers are one of the most promising fillers to achieve high performance and durability. Here, we report silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) embedded with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) synthesized in aqueous solutions at room temperature, using NaBH4 as a reducing agent in the presence of highly oxidized SWCNTs as efficient nucleation agents. Elastic composite films composed of the AgNPs-embedded SWCNTs, Ag flake, and polydimethylsiloxane are irradiated with radiation from a Xenon flash lamp within a time interval of one second for efficient sintering of conductive fillers. Under high irradiation energy, the stretchable electrodes are created with a maximum conductivity of 4,907 S cm−1 and a highly stretchable stability of over 10,000 cycles under a 20% strain. Moreover, under a low irradiation energy, strain sensors with a gauge factor of 76 under a 20% strain and 5.4 under a 5% strain are fabricated. For practical demonstration, the fabricated stretchable electrode and strain sensor are attached to a human finger for detecting the motions of the finger.
Full range tuning of the composition of Au/Ag binary nanoparticles by spark discharge generation
Authors: Kohut Attila , Villy Lajos Péter , Kéri Albert , Bélteki Ádám , Megyeri Dániel , Hopp Béla , Galbács Gábor , Geretovszky Zsolt
Published: March 2021

Gold/silver bimetallic nanoparticles still attract extensive interest due to their favorable properties e.g. in plasmonics or catalysis. We present here a facile and robust way for the production of clean Au/Ag binary nanoparticles (BNPs) with a total control over the composition via the spark discharge nanoparticle generation technique. With the application of pure Ag and Au electrodes, a tuning range of 55 to 90% Au content was achieved, but this can be further extended to the full 0 to 100% range by using a couple of alloyed electrodes. An added benefit of the approach is that either the concentration or the mean particle size can be kept constant at every composition by adjusting the generator parameters. Based on the systematic experimental data collected, a semi-empirical model for the prediction of the Au/Ag BNP composition was also developed. This model was used to calculate the theoretically achievable Au/Ag composition at a given spark parameter set in the parameter range most commonly used in the literature.