bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Random-based networks with dropout for embedded systems
Authors: Ragusa Edoardo , Gianoglio Christian , Zunino Rodolfo , Gastaldo Paolo
Published: October 2020

Random-based learning paradigms exhibit efficient training algorithms and remarkable generalization performances. However, the computational cost of the training procedure scales with the cube of the number of hidden neurons. The paper presents a novel training procedure for random-based neural networks, which combines ensemble techniques and dropout regularization. This limits the computational complexity of the training phase without affecting classification performance significantly; the method best fits Internet of Things (IoT) applications. In the training algorithm, one first generates a pool of random neurons; then, an ensemble of independent sub-networks (each including a fraction of the original pool) is trained; finally, the sub-networks are integrated into one classifier. The experimental validation compared the proposed approach with state-of-the-art solutions, by taking into account both generalization performance and computational complexity. To verify the effectiveness in IoT applications, the training procedures were deployed on a pair of commercially available embedded devices. The results showed that the proposed approach overall improved accuracy, with a minor degradation in performance in a few cases. When considering embedded implementations as compared with conventional architectures, the speedup of the proposed method scored up to 20× in IoT devices.
Das ambulante Borderline-Netzwerk in Berlin
Authors: Stiglmayr Christian
Published: October 2020

Bei der Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörung (BPS) handelt es sich um eine schwerwiegende psychische Störung mit weitreichenden Folgen für das Gesundheitssystem. Als Behandlungsmethode der Wahl wird Psychotherapie empfohlen, wobei die Dialektisch-Behaviorale Therapie (DBT) aufgrund ihrer vergleichsweise vielen Wirksamkeitsnachweise in den S2-Leitlinien für Persönlichkeitsstörungen deutscher Fachgesellschaften mit dem höchsten Evidenzgrad geführt wird. Trotzdem ist es für Patient_innen mit BPS schwierig, adäquate ambulante Hilfe zu erhalten. Aus diesem Grund haben sich in Städten und Gemeinden spezifische Netzwerke gegründet, mit dem Ziel eines verbesserten Versorgungsangebots für Patient_innen mit BPS. Der Artikel beschreibt exemplarisch das 2002 gegründete Berliner Borderline-Netzwerk, welches schwerpunktmäßig mit DBT arbeitet. Von 2007 bis 2010 fand eine umfangreiche Evaluation dieses Netzwerkes statt, die Ergebnisse werden zusammenfassend präsentiert. Der Artikel schließt mit einer abschließenden Würdigung der Vor- und Nachteile eines solchen Netzwerkes sowie einem Ausblick, was für eine noch bessere Versorgung von Patient_innen mit BPS wünschenswert ist.
Augenbefall und Systemerkrankung – periokuläre und intraokuläre Lymphome
Authors: Zschoche Marco , Emmert Steffen , von Bubnoff Nikolas , Ranjbar Mahdy , Grisanti Salvatore , Heindl Ludwig M. , Fend Falko , Adamietz Irenäus A. , Kakkassery Vinodh
Published: October 2020

Hintergrund

Das okuläre Lymphom wird anhand seiner anatomischen Lokalisation in die intraokulären und periokulären Lymphome eingeteilt. Intraokulär kann die Uvea mit ihren Strukturen betroffen sein oder die Retina in Verbindung mit dem Glaskörper. Die periokulären Lymphome treten in Orbita, Bindehaut, Tränenapparat oder Lid auf. Von großer Bedeutung ist die Unterscheidung zwischen primären Lymphomen der Region oder systemischem Befall. Über die letzten Jahrzehnte konnte in den westlichen Ländern eine konstant steigende Inzidenz okulärer Lymphome nachgewiesen werden.

Ziel

Dieser Beitrag soll einen Überblick über die vielfältigen Manifestationen, Diagnostik, Therapie sowie Prognose und Nachsorge geben.

Material und Methoden

Der Beitrag basiert auf einer selektiven Literaturrecherche über die MEDLINE-Datenbank zum Thema okuläre Lymphome sowie den persönlichen Erfahrungen der Autoren.

Ergebnisse

Je nach Lokalisation können die Symptome sehr unterschiedlich sein. Die Diagnose erfolgt über eine Probebiopsie und anschließende zytologische/histologische und ggf. molekularpathologische Untersuchung. Strahlentherapeutische sowie systemische Verfahren stellen die am häufigsten angewendeten Therapieverfahren dar. Die Prognose hängt sehr stark von der Lokalisation, dem Subtyp des Lymphoms sowie dem Ausmaß des Tumorbefalls ab.

Diskussion

Das okuläre Lymphom berührt in Diagnostik, Therapie und Nachsorge die Schnittstellen zwischen Ophthalmologie, (Hämato‑)Onkologie, Strahlentherapie, Neurologie, Neurochirurgie, Mund-Kiefer-Gesichts-Chirurgie, Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Dermatologie, Radiologie, Pathologie und Psychoonkologie. Dabei spielt der Augenarzt als Eingangsarzt bei dieser Systemerkrankung eine wesentliche Rolle.
Editorial
Authors: Ruprecht Daniel , Jülich Robert Speck , Schöps Sebastian
Published: October 2020

No abstract
On the Radical of a Hecke–Kiselman Algebra
Authors: Okniński Jan , Wiertel Magdalena
Published: October 2020

The Hecke-Kiselman algebra of a finite oriented graph Θ over a field K is studied. If Θ is an oriented cycle, it is shown that the algebra is semiprime and its central localization is a finite direct product of matrix algebras over the field of rational functions K(x). More generally, the radical is described in the case of PI-algebras, and it is shown that it comes from an explicitly described congruence on the underlying Hecke-Kiselman monoid. Moreover, the algebra modulo the radical is again a Hecke-Kiselman algebra and it is a finite module over its center.
Rejecting epiphobia
Authors: Baysan Umut
Published: October 2020

Epiphenomenalism denies some or all putative cases of mental causation. The view is widely taken to be absurd: if a theory can be shown to entail epiphenomenalism, many see that as areductioof that theory. Opponents take epiphenomenalism to be absurd because they regard the view as undermining the evident agency we have in action and precluding substantial self-knowledge. In this paper, I defend epiphenomenalism against these objections, and thus against the negative dialectical role that the view plays in philosophy of mind. I argue that nearly in all cases where a theory implies one kind of epiphenomenalism, it is an epiphenomenalism of a non-problematic kind, at least as far as issues about agency and self-knowledge are concerned. There is indeed a problematic version of epiphenomenalism, but that version is not relevant to the debates where its apparent absurdity is invoked.
Progressive Collapse Analysis of an FPSO Vessel Hull Girder Under Vertical Bending Considering Different Corrosion Models
Authors: Nouri Zorareh , Khedmati Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2020

Nowadays, with the increasing operational life of ships, the aging effects on their structural behavior need to be investigated precisely. With the corrosive marine environment taken into consideration, one of the important effects of aging that must be studied is thickness degradation. In this paper, with the use of previously proposed equivalent thickness formulations for corroded plates, the progressive collapse analysis software HULLST is enhanced, and then, the effects of different corrosion models of uniform, random, pitting, and tanker pattern types on the ultimate and residual strengths of a floating production, storage, and offloading vessel hull girder are evaluated for the ages of 0 to 25 years. Results reveal that the uniform corrosion and random corrosion models have close outcomes. The value of relative reduction in the ultimate strength of ship hull girder (compared with the intact condition) ranges roughly from 6% for the age of 5 years to 17% for the age of 25 years in the hogging mode. The relative reduction in the ultimate strength ranges from 4% to 16% in the sagging mode. Pitting corrosion and tanker pattern (random) corrosion models lead to higher relative reductions in ultimate strength. The pitting corrosion model leads to a 16%–32% relative reduction in the ultimate strength for the ages of 5–25 years of the ship in either hogging or sagging. The tanker pattern (random) corrosion model leads to a 6%–37% relative reduction in the ultimate strength in the hogging mode and 3%–31% in the sagging mode at ship ages of 5 to 25 years.
New Magnetic Fabric Data from Almora Crystalline Rocks around Rameshwar, Near North Almora Thrust
Authors: Katiyar Vibha , Patil S. K. , Srivastava Hari B.
Published: October 2020

In this paper, Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) data from the rocks of Almora crystalline in the vicinity of Rameshwar is presented. The study integrates field, microstructural and Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) studies. Field foliation strike shows NW-SE orientation with moderate to high dip in rocks of Almora Crystalline, whereas near North Almora Thrust rocks of Almora Crystalline are steeply dipping and litho-units are intensely mylonitized due to NE-SW regional compression. The magnetic foliations are recorded to be parallel to the field foliation of the study area. Variation in orientation of magnetic lineation is inferred to imply superposed deformation in the study area. AMS study also reveals that the shape of susceptibility ellipsoid is oblate which is inferred to be due to compression.
Petrogenesis of Neoarchean Mangikhuta Volcanic Complex, Dongargarh Supergroup, Central India: Insights from Relict Clinopyroxene Chemistry
Authors: Khare Sunil Kumar , Asthana Deepanker
Published: October 2020

Clinopyroxene relict magmatic phases in Neoarchean Mangikhuta volcanics are described in detail in terms of their geochemistry for the first time, and their petrogenetic insights obtained. EPMA study indicates their restricted compositional range. Elemental variation diagrams show progressive variation of Al, Ca, Si, Fe+3, Ti, Cr, Aly and Aly/Alz, Ti/Al, Fe+2/Fe+3 elemental ratios with fractionation, which establishes their equilibrium conditions during crystallization differentiation. On pyroxene quadrilateral, they plot along fractionation trend of augite. Ca-Al Tschermak, esseneite and Tp are the “other components” in these clinopyroxenes. Progressive variation of other components indicates decrease of pH2O and fO2 of the magma during fractionation. Other components of clinopyroxenes and chondrite normalized whole rock REE patterns indicate minor fractionation of plagioclase in primitive magma. However, plagioclase became a major precipitating phase in later stage of fractionation. Clinopyroxene geobarometer and geothermometer indicate 0-3 kb pressure and 1100-12500 C temperature of crystallization of Mangikhuta clinopyroxenes. Mangikhuta complex have typically high normative orthopyroxene content (35–45 vol. %) now altered to Mg-Al-Fe chlorite. The Mangikhuta magma was highly aqueous and after genesis, it ascended rapidly giving rise to silica-aluminacalc-alkaline series rocks. In the late magmatic history, there was reaction between orthopyroxene and water and plagioclase and water so that Mg(Al, Fe)SiO3 pyroxene converted to Mg(Fe, Al) chlorite and prehnite.
Hydrochemical Characterization for Groundwater Suitability in a Semi-Arid Area in Sanganer Block, Jaipur District, Rajasthan
Authors: Rahman Abdur , Tiwari K. K. , Mondal N. C.
Published: October 2020

Major hydrochemical ionic concentrations in groundwater has been analyzed during dry and wet periods (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods, respectively) in a semi-arid Sanganer block, Jaipur district, Rajasthan, India. The standard methods were utilized for evaluating its appropriateness for irrigation and drinking uses. Results indicate that groundwater is moderately alkaline and predominantly Ca-Na-HCO3-type. About 38.8, 33.3, 33.3 and 22.2% samples for TDS, Cl–, NO3– and F– concentrations, respectively, have exceeded the guidelines of drinking water standards in the dry period whereas in the wet period, about 44.4, 33.3, 44.4 and 16.6%, respectively. The EC, SAR, RSC, Na%, KR, and MAR parameters indicate that the majority of samples are unsuitable for irrigation. Gibbs diagram suggests that the hydrochemistry is dominatingly impacted by the evaporation mechanism. Chloro-alkaline indices adapted show that the study area mostly belong to the discharge areas. The corrosivity ratio indicates that only PVC pipes could be utilized in an area of 280 km2 for the groundwater based water supply. Further percentage of pollution index shows that groundwater is adversely impacted partially by the anthropogenic activities. But the Na++K+ vs. Cl– plot illustrates that the combined Na+-K+ contribution is from the silicate weathering.
BIM-based LCA and energy analysis for optimised sustainable building design in Ghana
Authors: Asare Kofi A. B. , Ruikar Kirti D. , Zanni Mariangela , Soetanto Robby
Published: October 2020

Integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is regarded as useful for making design decisions regarding the environmental and health impacts of building products and materials. This research aimed at studying the process of BIM-LCA integration to assist designers in making sustainable material and product selection decisions in Ghana. A guidance framework for implementation of BIM-LCA supported by energy analysis has been developed to aid optimisation of sustainable design solutions based on simulations using Autodesk Revit as a BIM authoring tool, Green Building Studio and Tally to perform energy and LCA simulations on a hypothetical two-bedroom single-family house. The research considers both operational and embodied carbon effects of the design solution. The framework aligns with the RIBA Plan of Work 2013 Stages 0–2 (i.e. Strategic definition, Preparation and briefing, and Concept design) and presents a systematic approach for BIM-based LCA estimation for the early design stages using the Business Process Modelling Notation. The paper proposes a generic approach which has the potential to incorporate LCA as an integral part to the BIM-enabled design development process. This assists designers in decision-making that consider environmental impacts of materials and energy consumption as part of sustainable building design considerations.
Shakespearean Futures
Authors: Cook Amy
Published: October 2020

Casting is the process by which directors assign parts to actors, creating the idea of the character for the audience. Casting is how we rehearse change, as we come to see an expanded repertoire of the kinds of bodies that are selected to play the lead, the hero, and the villain. This Element focuses on the casting in productions of Shakespeare from 2017–2020 to demonstrate how casting functions affectively and cognitively to reimagine who can be what. The central argument is that directors are using casting as the central mode of meaning-making in productions of Shakespeare.
Primary aeromedical retrieval crew composition: Do different teams impact clinical outcomes? A descriptive systematic review
Authors: Laverty Colin , Tien Homer , Beckett Andrew , Nathens Avery , Rivest-Caissy JP , da Luz Luis Teodoro
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Military Forward Aeromedical Evacuation and civilian Helicopter Emergency Medical Services are widely used to conduct Primary Aeromedical Retrieval. Crew composition in Primary Aeromedical Retrieval missions varies considerably. The ideal composition is unknown. Thus, we conducted a descriptive systematic review on mortality and other outcomes for different Primary Aeromedical Retrieval crew compositions.

Methods

Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched up to January 2020. Results were reported per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Studies of adult trauma air transported by different crews were included. Population, injury severity, crew composition, procedures, and outcomes, including mortality, were abstracted. Risk of bias was assessed using previously validated tools. A lack of reported effect measures precluded a quantitative analysis.

Results

Sixteen studies met inclusion criteria (3 prospective studies, 1 case-control, and 12 retrospective). Overall, studies reported a mortality benefit associated with advanced health care providers. This was most apparent in patients with severe but survivable injuries. In this population, early rapid sequence induction, endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, thoracostomies, blood products transfusion, and treatment of hemorrhagic shock are better performed by advanced providers and may improve outcomes. The quality of evidence reported a moderate risk of bias in the included studies.

Conclusions

Overall, findings were divergent but showed a trend to decreased mortality in patients treated by advanced providers with interventions beyond the basic paramedic level. This trend was most significant in patients with severe but survivable injuries. These results should be cautiously interpreted because most studies were observational, had small sample sizes, and had a high potential for confounding factors.
Reading Modern Art in the Arab World from Morocco and Qatar
Authors: Powers Holiday
Published: October 2020

Modern Art in the Arab World is a collection of approximately 125 primary documents dealing with the debates around modernism in the Arab world dating between 1882 to 1987. This essay responds to the book from two perspectives: first, as an academic researching modernism in Morocco, and second, as a Qatar-based professor that teaches undergraduate courses about modern and contemporary Arab art. The book highlights a broadly defined and heterogeneous Arab world that extends from Morocco to the Gulf, and the selected texts create new conversations between these varied movements. It is evidence of the changing nature of this field of study. As a tool for teaching, the book offers signposts about what the editors consider to be the most significant debates and events in a given place while also creating the possibility for reading these movements transnationally.
Effect of supplementing palmitic acid and altering the dietary ratio of n-6:n-3 fatty acids in low-fibre diets on production responses of dairy cows
Authors: Ghasemi E. , Golabadi D. , Piadeh A.
Published: October 2020

Supplementing palmitic acid (C16 : 0) in combination with modifying the dietary n-6:n-3 fatty acid (FA) ratio may benefit energy metabolism and milk responses of dairy cows. Twelve Holstein cows (70 (sd 11) days in milk) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square and allocated to four low-fibre diets (18·5 % forage neutral-detergent fibre) supplemented with no FA (CON), or 2·4 % C16 : 0-enriched supplement (PAL), 2·4 % mixture (2:1) of C16 : 0 and n-6 FA (PW6), and mixture (2:1) of C16 : 0 and n-3 FA (PW3). The dietary ratio of n-6:n-3 was increased with PW6 (10:1) and decreased with PW3 (2·8:1), whereas PAL alone made no change in the ratio (about 7:1). Compared with CON, all FA-supplemented treatments increased milk yield. However, feed and energy intakes were higher in PAL than PW3 or PW6, resulting in greater feed efficiency for PW3 and PW6 than PAL. Dietary FA supplements decreased milk protein concentration but tended to increase protein yield. Compared with CON and FA mixtures, PAL increased milk fat content and tended to increase milk SFA and atherosclerotic index. The concentration of milk n-3 FA was similar between CON and PW3. Feeding PAL increased milk energy output and decreased energy partitioning towards body reserves (−4·2 %), while this measure was positive for other treatments. Blood TAG and NEFA concentrations, but not β-hydroxybutyrate, were increased by FA-supplemented treatments. Feeding C16 : 0 combined with either n-6 or n-3 FA enhanced feed efficiency, alleviated the negative impacts on body energy reserves, but lowering the dietary n-6:n-3 ratio improved the FA profile of milk.
A Second Front: Canon Garland, Chaplain Maitland Woods and Anglo-Catholicism in the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War
Authors: REYNAUD DANIEL
Published: October 2020

This article explores the work and influence of Anglo-Catholicism in the Australian Imperial Force during the Great War, based on reading the wartime correspondence of key AIF Anglo-Catholics, especially that of Canon David Garland and Chaplain William Maitland Woods. Anglo-Catholics were enthusiastic in support of the war, but simultaneously used it to promote Anglo-Catholicism and combat what they perceived to be the errors of non-Anglo-Catholic Anglicanism and the various Protestant groups, opening what might be considered a second front against these religions.
Lockdown measures and relative changes in the age-specific incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Spain
Authors: De Salazar P.M. , Gómez-Barroso D. , Pampaka D. , Gil J.M. , Peñalver B. , Fernández-Escobar C. , Lipsitch M. , Larrauri A. , Goldstein E. , Hernán M.A.
Published: October 2020

During the first months of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in 2020, Spain implemented an initial lockdown period on 15 March followed by a strengthened lockdown period on 30 March when only essential workers continued to commute to work. However, little is known about the epidemic dynamics in different age groups during these periods.

We used the daily number of coronavirus 2019 cases (by date of symptom onset) reported to the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network among individuals aged 15–19 years through 65–69 years. For each age groupg, we computed the proportion PrE(g) of individuals in age groupgamong all reported cases aged 15–69 years during the pre-lockdown period (1−10 March 2020) and the corresponding proportion PrL(g) during two lockdown periods (initial: 25 March−3 April; strengthened: 8–17 April 2020). For each lockdown period, we computed the proportion ratios PR(g) = PrL(g)/PrE(g). For each pair of age groupsg1,g2, PR(g1)>PR(g2) implies a relative increase in the incidence of detected SARS-CoV-2 infection in the age groupg1compared withg2for the lockdown periodvs.the pre-lockdown period.

For the initial lockdown period, the highest PR values were in age groups 50–54 years (PR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.12,1.30) and 55–59 years (PR = 1.19; 1.11,1.27). For the second lockdown period, the highest PR values were in age groups 15–19 years (PR = 1.26; 0.95,1.68) and 50–54 years (PR = 1.20; 1.09,1.31).

Our results suggest that different outbreak control measures led to different changes in the relative incidence by age group. During the initial lockdown period, when non-essential work was allowed, individuals aged 40–64 years, particularly those aged 50–59 years, had a higher relative incidence compared with the pre-lockdown period. Younger adults/older adolescents had an increased relative incidence during the later, strengthened lockdown. The role of different age groups during the epidemic should be considered when implementing future mitigation efforts.
Obsessive–compulsive disorder—contamination fears, features, and treatment: novel smartphone therapies in light of global mental health and pandemics (COVID-19)
Authors: Jalal Baland , Chamberlain Samuel R. , Robbins Trevor W. , Sahakian Barbara J.
Published: October 2020

This review aims to shed light on the symptoms of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) with a focus on contamination fears. In addition, we will briefly review the current therapies for OCD and detail what their limitations are. A key focus will be on discussing how smartphone solutions may provide approaches to novel treatments, especially when considering global mental health and the challenges imposed by rural environments and limited resources; as well as restrictions imposed by world-wide pandemics such as COVID-19. In brief, research that questions this review will seek to address include: (1) What are the symptoms of contamination-related OCD? (2) How effective are current OCD therapies and what are their limitations? (3) How can novel technologies help mitigate challenges imposed by global mental health and pandemics/COVID-19.
The impact of including babies on the effectiveness of dialectical behaviour therapy skills groups in a community perinatal service
Authors: Greaves Adele E. , McKenzie Hannah , O’Brien Rachel , Roberts Anna , Alexander Kate
Published: October 2020

Background:

Perinatal mental illnesses are a major public health issue, which untreated can have devastating impacts on women and their families. Problems with emotion regulation are a common feature across perinatal mental illnesses.

Aims:

This study sought to evaluate the impacts of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) skills groups for mothers and babies in a community perinatal service. We hypothesised that community perinatal DBT skills groups that included babies would reduce distress and improve emotional regulation.

Method:

A mixed-methods within-subjects design was utilised with outcome measures collected pre- and post-intervention. Qualitative interviews exploring mothers’ experiences of bringing their baby to group were also conducted.

Results:

Results indicated that DBT skills groups significantly improved levels of psychological distress and emotional regulation.

Conclusions:

Community perinatal DBT skills groups are effective when babies are present. Moreover, benefits of including babies were identified, under the themes of Self as Mother, Shared Experience, and Impact of Babies.
DOING WITHOUT ACTION TYPES
Authors: DUIJF HEIN , BROERSEN JAN , KUNCOVÁ ALEXANDRA , RAMÍREZ ABARCA ALDO IVÁN
Published: October 2020

This paper explores the analysis of ability, where ability is to be understood in the epistemic sense—in contrast to what might be called a causal sense. There are plenty of cases where an agent is able to perform an action that guarantees a given result even though she does not know which of her actions guarantees that result. Such an agent possesses the causal ability but lacks the epistemic ability. The standard analysis of such epistemic abilities relies on the notion of action types—as opposed to action tokens—and then posits that an agent has the epistemic ability to do something if and only if there is an action type available to her that she knows guarantees it. We show that these action types are not needed: we present a formalism without action types that can simulate analyzes of epistemic ability that rely on action types. Our formalism is a standard epistemic extension of the theory of “seeing to it that”, which arose from a modal tradition in the logic of action.
Evaluating the Potential of Legumes to Mitigate N2O Emissions From Permanent Grassland Using Process‐Based Models
Authors: Fuchs Kathrin , Merbold Lutz , Buchmann Nina , Bellocchi Gianni , Bindi Marco , Brilli Lorenzo , Conant Richard T. , Dorich Christopher D. , Ehrhardt Fiona , Fitton Nuala , Grace Peter , Klumpp Katja , Liebig Mark , Lieffering Mark , Martin Raphaël , McAuliffe Russell , Newton Paul C. D. , Rees Robert M. , Recous Sylvie , Smith Pete , Soussana Jean‐François , Topp Cairistiona F. E. , Snow Val
Published: October 2020

A potential strategy for mitigating nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from permanent grasslands is the partial substitution of fertilizer nitrogen (Nfert) with symbiotically fixed nitrogen (Nsymb) from legumes. The input of Nsymb reduces the energy costs of producing fertilizer and provides a supply of nitrogen (N) for plants that is more synchronous to plant demand than occasional fertilizer applications. Legumes have been promoted as a potential N2O mitigation strategy for grasslands, but evidence to support their efficacy is limited, partly due to the difficulty in conducting experiments across the large range of potential combinations of legume proportions and fertilizer N inputs. These experimental constraints can be overcome by biogeochemical models that can vary legume‐fertilizer combinations and subsequently aid the design of targeted experiments. Using two variants each of two biogeochemical models (APSIM and DayCent), we tested the N2O mitigation potential and productivity of full factorial combinations of legume proportions and fertilizer rates for five temperate grassland sites across the globe. Both models showed that replacing fertilizer with legumes reduced N2O emissions without reducing productivity across a broad range of legume‐fertilizer combinations. Although the models were consistent with the relative changes of N2O emissions compared to the baseline scenario (200 kg N ha−1 yr−1; no legumes), they predicted different levels of absolute N2O emissions and thus also of absolute N2O emission reductions; both were greater in DayCent than in APSIM. We recommend confirming these results with experimental studies assessing the effect of clover proportions in the range 30–50% and ≤150 kg N ha−1 yr−1 input as these were identified as best‐bet climate smart agricultural practices.
Interaction of Fire, Vegetation, and Climate in Tropical Ecosystems: A Multiproxy Study Over the Past 22,000 Years
Authors: Ruan Y. , Mohtadi M. , Dupont L. M. , Hebbeln D. , van der Kaars S. , Hopmans E. C. , Schouten S. , Hyer E. J. , Schefuß E.
Published: October 2020

Fire causes dramatic energy and matter exchanges between biosphere and atmosphere on a regional to global scale. Predicting fires, however, is hindered by the complex interplay of fire, climate, and vegetation. Paleo‐fire records provide critical information beyond instrumental records that cover only the past few decades and may be used to assess the role of fire in large‐scale and long‐term environmental changes. Here we present a 22,000‐year multiproxy record of fire regime from a sediment core retrieved offshore South Java, Indonesia. We use microcharcoal in combination with two molecular markers of burning, levoglucosan and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, to reconstruct fire occurrence as well as fire intensity in the past. We show that fire occurrence and intensity were high during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; around 21,000 years ago) and low during the Heinrich Stadial 1 and the early Holocene. Both fire regime and vegetation in tropical regions with high annual rainfall were primarily controlled by rainfall seasonality. However, fire additionally stabilized the savannah (rainforest)‐dominated ecosystem during the LGM (early Holocene) but caused transitions between the two vegetation types during the deglaciation and the late Holocene.
Sex-specific associations between co-exposure to multiple metals and visuospatial learning in early adolescence
Authors: Rechtman Elza , Curtin Paul , Papazaharias Demetrios M. , Renzetti Stefano , Cagna Giuseppa , Peli Marco , Levin-Schwartz Yuri , Placidi Donatella , Smith Donald R. , Lucchini Roberto G. , Wright Robert O. , Horton Megan K.
Published: October 2020

The predisposition, severity, and progression of many diseases differ between males and females. Sex-related differences in susceptibility to neurotoxicant exposures may provide insight into the cause of the observed discrepancy. Early adolescence, a period of substantial structural and functional brain changes, may present a critical window of vulnerability to environmental exposures. This study aimed to examine sex-specific associations between co-exposure to multiple metals and visuospatial memory in early adolescence. Manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu) were measured in blood, urine, hair, nails, and saliva of 188 participants (88 girls; 10–14 years of age). Visuospatial memory skills were assessed using a computerized maze task, the virtual radial arm maze (VRAM). Using generalized weighted quantile sum regression, we investigated sex-specific associations between the combined effect of exposure to the metal mixture and visuospatial working memory and determined the contribution of each component to the outcome. The results suggest that sex moderates the association between the metal mixture and visuospatial learning for all outcomes measured. In girls, exposure was associated with slower visuospatial learning and driven by Mn and Cu. In boys, exposure was associated with faster visuospatial learning, and driven by Cr. These results suggest that (a) the effect of metal co-exposure on learning differs in magnitude, and in the direction between sexes, and (b) early adolescence may be a sensitive developmental period for metal exposure.
Surrounding vascular geometry associated with basilar tip aneurysm formation
Authors: Zhang Jian , Can Anil , Lai Pui Man Rosalind , Mukundan Srinivasan , Castro Victor M. , Dligach Dmitriy , Finan Sean , Gainer Vivian S. , Shadick Nancy A. , Savova Guergana , Murphy Shawn N. , Cai Tianxi , Weiss Scott T. , Du Rose
Published: October 2020

Hemodynamic stress is thought to play an important role in the formation of intracranial aneurysms, which is conditioned by the geometry of the surrounding vasculature. Our goal was to identify image-based morphological parameters that were associated with basilar artery tip aneurysms (BTA) in a location-specific manner. Three-dimensional morphological parameters obtained from CT-angiography (CTA) or digital subtraction angiography (DSA) from 207 patients with BTAs and a control group of 106 patients with aneurysms elsewhere to control for non-morphological factors, who were diagnosed at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital between 1990 and 2016, were evaluated. We examined the presence of hypoplastic, aplastic or fetal PCoAs, vertebral dominance, and diameters and angles of surrounding parent and daughter vessels. Univariable and multivariable statistical analyses were performed to determine statistical significance. Sensitivity analyses with small (≤ 3 mm) aneurysms only and with angles excluded, were also performed. In multivariable analysis, daughter–daughter angle was directly, and parent artery diameter and diameter size ratio were inversely associated with BTAs. These results remained significant in the subgroup analysis of small aneurysms (width ≤ 3 mm) and when angles were excluded. These easily measurable and robust parameters that are unlikely to be affected by aneurysm formation could aid in risk stratification for the formation of BTAs in high-risk patients.
Hidden Markov Models reveal a clear human footprint on the movements of highly mobile African wild dogs
Authors: Creel Scott , Merkle Johnathan , Mweetwa Thandiwe , Becker Matthew S. , Mwape Henry , Simpamba Twakundine , Simukonda Chuma
Published: October 2020

Large carnivores have experienced considerable range contraction, increasing the importance of movement across human-altered landscapes between small, isolated populations. African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are exceptionally wide-ranging, and recolonization is an important element of their persistence at broad scales. The competition-movement-connection hypothesis suggests that adaptations to move through areas that are unfavorable due to dominant competitors might promote the ability of subordinate competitors (like wild dogs) to move through areas that are unfavorable due to humans. Here, we used hidden Markov models to test how wild dog movements were affected by the Human Footprint Index in areas inside and outside of South Luangwa National Park. Movements were faster and more directed when outside the National Park, but slowed where the human footprint was stronger. Our results can be directly and quantitatively applied to connectivity planning, and we use them to identify ways to better understand differences between species in recent loss of connectivity.
NMDA receptor-dependent long-term depression in the lateral habenula: implications in physiology and depression
Authors: Kang Miseon , Noh Jihyun , Chung Jun-mo
Published: October 2020

Abnormally increased neuronal activity in the lateral habenula (LHb) is closely associated with depressive-like behavior. Despite the emphasis on the pathological importance of NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent long-term depression (LTD) and the involvement of calcium permeable AMPA receptor (CP-AMPAR) as major Ca2+ source, the functions of NMDAR and CP-AMPAR on LTD modulation in the LHb still have not been fully investigated. Here, we found that NMDAR-dependent LTD by low frequency stimulation was induced in both synaptic and extrasynaptic regions in the LHb. In addition, CP-AMPAR was necessary for the activation of NMDAR in the induction phase of NMDAR-dependent LTD. The acute stress, which induced depressive behavior, had a blocked effect on synaptic NMDAR-dependent LTD but left extrasynaptic NMDAR-dependent LTD intact. These findings show that NMDAR-dependent LTD in LHb plays an important role in regulating neuronal activity, which is probable to be excessively increased by repeated stress, via maintaining homeostasis in both synaptic and extrasynaptic regions of the LHb. Moreover, NMDAR and CP-AMPAR may serve as a depression-related modulator and be regarded as a promising therapeutic target for treatment of psychopathology such as depression.
Testis-specific peroxiredoxin 4 variant is not absolutely required for spermatogenesis and fertility in mice
Authors: Homma Takujiro , Kurahashi Toshihiro , Ishii Naoki , Shirasawa Nobuyuki , Fujii Junichi
Published: October 2020

PRDX4, a member of peroxiredoxin family, is largely concentrated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and plays a pivotal role in the redox relay during oxidative protein folding as well as in peroxidase reactions. A testis-specific PRDX4 variant transcript (PRDX4t) lacks the conventional exon 1, which encodes the signal peptide that is required for entry into the ER lumen, but instead carries alternative exon 1, which is transcribed from the upstream promoter in a testis-specific manner and results in the PRDX4t protein being localized in the cytosol. However, the potential roles of PRDX4t in male genital action remain unknown. Using a CRISPR/Cas9 system, we first disrupted the testis-specific promoter/exon 1 and generated mice that were specifically deficient in PRDX4t. The resulting PRDX4t knockout (KO) mice underwent normal spermatogenesis and showed no overt abnormalities in the testis. Mating PRDX4t KO male mice with wild-type (WT) female mice produced normal numbers of offspring, indicating that a PRDX4t deficiency alone had no effect on fertility in the male mice. We then generated mice lacking both PRDX4 and PRDX4t by disrupting exon 2, which is communal to these variants. The resulting double knockout (DKO) mice were again fertile, and mature sperm isolated from the epididymis of DKO mice exhibited a normal fertilizing ability in vitro. In the meantime, the protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), which plays an essential role in the disulfide bond formation during spermatogenesis, were significantly increased in the testis and caput epididymis of the DKO mice compared with the WT mice. Based on these results, we conclude that the disruption of the function of PRDX4t in the spermatogenic process appears to be compensated by other factors including GPX4.
Land subsidence contributions to relative sea level rise at tide gauge Galveston Pier 21, Texas
Authors: Liu Yi , Li Jiang , Fasullo John , Galloway Devin L.
Published: October 2020

Relative sea level rise at tide gauge Galveston Pier 21, Texas, is the combination of absolute sea level rise and land subsidence. We estimate subsidence rates of 3.53 mm/a during 1909–1937, 6.08 mm/a during 1937–1983, and 3.51 mm/a since 1983. Subsidence attributed to aquifer-system compaction accompanying groundwater extraction contributed as much as 85% of the 0.7 m relative sea level rise since 1909, and an additional 1.9 m is projected by 2100, with contributions from land subsidence declining from 30 to 10% over the projection interval. We estimate a uniform absolute sea level rise rate of 1.10 mm ± 0.19/a in the Gulf of Mexico during 1909–1992 and its acceleration of 0.270 mm/a2 at Galveston Pier 21 since 1992. This acceleration is 87% of the value for the highest scenario of global mean sea level rise. Results indicate that evaluating this extreme scenario would be valid for resource-management and flood-hazard-mitigation strategies for coastal communities in the Gulf of Mexico, especially those affected by subsidence.
A new electrochemical strategy for the synthesis of a new type of sulfonamide derivatives
Authors: Goljani Hamed , Tavakkoli Zahra , Sadatnabi Ali , Masoudi-khoram Mahmood , Nematollahi Davood
Published: October 2020

This study is the first report of electrochemical generation of hydroxyimino-cyclohexa-dien-ylidene haloniums and their application in the synthesis of new halo-N-hydroxysulfonamide derivatives. These compounds were obtained in a one-pot process based on the reaction of halonium acceptors with arylsulfinic acids. The method is easy to carry out, as it is performed using the carbon electrodes in a simple undivided cell. The protocol has a broad substrate scope with a tolerance for a variety of functional groups. The proposed mechanism is a ping-pong type reaction mechanism, which in its first stage the halonitroarene is reduced at the cathode to related hydroxylamine and in the second stage the cathodically generated hydroxylamine by oxidation at the anode and participating in disproportionation reaction is converted to the halonium acceptor.
Response of human melanoma cell lines to interferon-beta gene transfer mediated by a modified adenoviral vector
Authors: David Taynah I. P. , Cerqueira Otto L. D. , Lana Marlous G. , Medrano Ruan F. V. , Hunger Aline , Strauss Bryan E.
Published: October 2020

Since melanomas often retain wild type p53, we developed an adenoviral vector, AdRGD-PG, which provides robust transduction and transgene expression in response to p53. Previously, this vector was used for interferon-β gene transfer in mouse models of melanoma, resulting in control of tumor progression, but limited cell killing. Here, the AdRGD-PG-hIFNβ vector encoding the human interferon-β cDNA (hIFNβ) was used to transduce human melanoma cell lines SK-MEL-05 and SK-MEL-147 (both wild type p53). In vitro, cell death was induced in more than 80% of the cells and correlated with elevated annexinV staining and caspase 3/7 activity. Treatment with hIFNβ promoted cell killing in neighboring, non-transduced cells, thus revealing a bystander effect. In situ gene therapy resulted in complete inhibition of tumor progression for SK-MEL-147 when using nude mice with no evidence of hepatotoxicity. However, the response in Nod-Scid mice was less robust. For SK-MEL-05, tumor inhibition was similar in nude and Nod-Scid mice and was less efficient than seen for SK-MEL-147, indicating both cell type and host specific responses. The AdRGD-PG-hIFNβ vector provides extensive killing of human melanoma cells in vitro and a potent anti-tumor effect in vivo. This study provides a critical advance in the development of our melanoma gene therapy approach.
Low E2F2 activity is associated with high genomic instability and PARPi resistance
Authors: Rennhack Jonathan P. , Andrechek Eran R.
Published: October 2020

The E2F family, classically known for a central role in cell cycle, has a number of emerging roles in cancer including angiogenesis, metabolic reprogramming, metastasis and DNA repair. E2F1 specifically has been shown to be a critical mediator of DNA repair; however, little is known about DNA repair and other E2F family members. Here we present an integrative bioinformatic and high throughput drug screening study to define the role of E2F2 in maintaining genomic integrity in breast cancer. We utilized in vitro E2F2 ChIP-chip and over expression data to identify transcriptional targets of E2F2. This data was integrated with gene expression from E2F2 knockout tumors in an MMTV-Neu background. Finally, this data was compared to human datasets to identify conserved roles of E2F2 in human breast cancer through the TCGA breast cancer, Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, and CancerRx datasets. Through these methods we predict that E2F2 transcriptionally regulates mediators of DNA repair. Our gene expression data supports this hypothesis and low E2F2 activity is associated with a highly unstable tumor. In human breast cancer E2F2, status was also correlated with a patient’s response to PARP inhibition therapy. Taken together this manuscript defines a novel role of E2F2 in cancer progression beyond cell cycle and could impact patient treatment.
Long-term capture and handling effects on body condition, reproduction and survival in a semi-aquatic mammal
Authors: Mortensen Rasmus M. , Rosell Frank
Published: October 2020

In long-term individual-based field studies, several parameters need to be assessed repeatedly to fully understand the potential fitness effects on individuals. Often studies only evaluate capture stress that appears in the immediate weeks or breeding season and even long-term studies fail to evaluate the long-term effects of their capture procedures. We investigated effects of long-term repeated capture and handling of individuals in a large semi-aquatic rodent using more than 20 years of monitoring data from a beaver population in Norway. To investigate the effects, we corrected for ecological factors and analysed the importance of total capture and handling events, years of monitoring and deployment of telemetry devices on measures related to body condition, reproduction and survival of individual beavers. Body mass of dominant individuals decreased considerably with number of capture events (107 g per capture), but we found no statistically clear short or long-term effects of capture and handling on survival or other body condition indices. Annual litter size decreased with increasing number of captures among older individuals. Number of captures furthermore negatively affected reproduction in the beginning of the monitoring, but the effect decreased over the years, indicating habituation to repeated capture and handling. By assessing potential impacts on several fitness-related parameters at multiple times, we can secure the welfare of wild animal populations when planning and executing future conservation studies as well as ensure ecologically reliable research data.
Herding in human groups is related to high autistic traits
Authors: Marton-Alper I. Z. , Gvirts-Provolovski H. Z. , Nevat M. , Karklinsky M. , Shamay-Tsoory S. G.
Published: October 2020

Herding is ubiquitous throughout all social life forms, providing beneficial outcomes. Here, we examine whether herding emerges spontaneously in human groups and whether it adheres to the core principles of herding observed in the animal kingdom. Using a computerized paradigm involving the movements of circles, we tested the emergence of spontaneous and intentional herding of 136 participants assigned into groups of four participants. Herding was assessed by measuring directional synchrony in the movements of the circles, level of cohesion, and separation between circles. We found that human groups tend to spontaneously herd, particularly in terms of directional synchrony, supporting the notion of a human herding instinct. We further asked whether individuals with high traits of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) exhibit differences in their herding tendencies. Results indicated that individuals with high ASD traits showed greater social separation from the group, compared to individuals with low ASD traits. Moreover, we found diminished spontaneous synchrony, but intact instructed synchrony in the high vs. the low ASD traits group. We contend that humans spontaneously herd with their group and suggest that the spontaneous tendency to synchronize with others is diminished in individuals with high ASD traits, though it is recovered when synchronization is intentional.