bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Centric Allometry: Studying Growth Using Landmark Data
Authors: Bookstein Fred L.
Published: February 2021

The geometric morphometric (GMM) construction of Procrustes shape coordinates from a data set of homologous landmark configurations puts exact algebraic constraints on position, orientation, and geometric scale. While position as digitized is not ordinarily a biologically meaningful quantity, and orientation is relevant mainly when some organismal function interacts with a Cartesian positional gradient such as horizontality, size per se is a crucially important biometric concept, especially in contexts like growth, biomechanics, or bioenergetics. “Normalizing” or “standardizing” size (usually by dividing the square root of the summed squared distances from the centroid out of all the Cartesian coordinates specimen by specimen), while associated with the elegant symmetries of the Mardia–Dryden distribution in shape space, nevertheless can substantially impeach the validity of any organismal inferences that ensue. This paper adapts two variants of standard morphometric least-squares, principal components and uniform strains, to circumvent size standardization while still accommodating an analytic toolkit for studies of differential growth that supports landmark-by-landmark graphics and thin-plate splines. Standardization of position and orientation but not size yields the coordinates Franz Boas first discussed in 1905. In studies of growth, a first principal component of these coordinates often appears to involve most landmarks shifting almost directly away from their centroid, hence the proposed model’s name, “centric allometry.” There is also a joint standardization of shear and dilation resulting in a variant of standard GMM’s “nonaffine shape coordinates” where scale information is subsumed in the affine term. Studies of growth allometry should go better in the Boas system than in the Procrustes shape space that is the current conventional workbench for GMM analyses. I demonstrate two examples of this revised approach (one developmental, one phylogenetic) that retrieve all the findings of a conventional shape-space-based approach while focusing much more closely on the phenomenon of allometric growth per se. A three-part Appendix provides an overview of the algebra, highlighting both similarities to the Procrustes approach and contrasts with it.
Patient Reported Outcomes in Large Vessel Vasculitides
Authors: Robson Joanna , Mackie Sarah , Hill Catherine
Published: February 2021

Purpose of Review

The goal of this paper is to review current and future uses of patient-reported outcomes in large vessel vasculitis. The large vessel vasculitides comprise Giant Cell Arteritis and Takayasu arteritis; both are types of systemic vasculitis which affect the larger blood vessels. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) capture the impact of these diseases on health-related quality of life.

Recent Findings

Generic PROs such as the SF-36 are currently used to compare HRQOL of people with GCA and TAK within clinical trials and observational studies and to make comparisons with the general population and HRQoL in other diseases. The development of a disease-specific PRO for GCA is currently underway. Beyond clinical trials, there is much interest in the use of PROs within routine clinical care, particularly E-PROs for remote use.

Further work will be needed to complete the development of disease-specific PROs for people with large vessel vasculitis and to establish feasibility, acceptability, and utility of E-PROs.
Neighbourhoods and Workplaces: Are They Related to the Fertility of Immigrants and Their Descendants? A Register-Based Study of Finland, 1999–2014
Authors: Puur Allan , Rahnu Leen , Tammaru Tiit
Published: February 2021

An increasing number of studies point to the existence of fertility differences between immigrants and those who are native to the receiving countries. However, despite a large body of literature covering a wide range of settings, there is a lack of research into the factors that may underlie the observed differentials. In this article, we focus on the role of population composition in residential neighbourhoods and workplaces, which are assumed to influence the convergence of the fertility patterns of immigrants with those of the host country. The study is based on individual-based register data for the residential population of Finland from 1999 to 2014. We use discrete-time event history models to analyse transitions to first, second, and third births among immigrant women and their descendants of African and Middle Eastern origin whose fertility patterns are markedly different from those of the host society. We investigate whether the proportion of co-ethnic immigrants in residential neighbourhoods and workplaces is related with the fertility adaptation among that high-fertility group. Our results suggest that among them, a higher concentration of co-ethnic immigrants in the neighbourhood is associated with an elevated propensity of having a second and third child. The association persists among child migrants and the second generation. However, a similar association is not observed between fertility and the workplace context.
Fear of missing out and self-esteem as mediators of the relationship between maximization and problematic smartphone use
Authors: Servidio Rocco
Published: February 2021

Problematic smartphone use (PSU), which involves an excessive and uncontrolled use of smartphones, thereby causing daily-life disturbance, has been associated with a range of negative outcomes including anxiety, depression, and deficits in social relationships. However, the relationship between PSU and maximization, which could be an explanatory factor, has not yet been thoroughly studied. Drawing on the Interaction-Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model, the current study aimed to investigate the association between PSU and maximization with the assumption that fear of missing out (FoMO) and self-esteem could mediate this relationship. Empirical data were gathered from 277 Italian university students who completed an online survey. Correlation analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used to investigate the relationships among the variables. The results showed that PSU, maximization, and FoMO were positively correlated; whereas maximization and self-esteem were negatively correlated. Furthermore, FoMO and self-esteem partially mediated that relationship, suggesting that participant maximizers experience more FoMO, especially when the participants have fear of missing out on potentially “better” alternatives to social experiences and exhibit low self-esteem. Thus, higher FoMO and low self-esteem can be a driver of PSU. Finally, this study provides new insights about how maximization may have an impact on the development of addictive behaviour such as PSU.
Occupational exposure of health care personnel to SARS-CoV-2 particles in the intensive care unit of Tehran hospital
Authors: Yarahmadi R. , Bokharaei-Salim F. , Soleimani-Alyar S. , Moridi P. , Moradi-Moghaddam O. , Niakan-Lahiji M. , Darvishi M.-M. , Golmahammadi S. , Mousavi S. A. J. , Ebrahimi H. , Ashtarinezad A. , Farshad A.-A. , Jonidi-Jafari A. , Kiani S. J. , Garshasbi S. , Mehrzadi S.
Published: February 2021

The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has attracted much attention to study its possible presence and airborne transmission. The possibility of COVID-19 airborne transmission in indoor environments is debatable. The present study examined the concentration of viral RNA-containing particles produced directly or indirectly by breathing or coughing of confirmed COVID-19 patients or by carriers without symptoms. Some studies do not accept this method of transmission (COVID-19 airborne transmission). The present study aimed to measure the possible exposure of health care personnel to SARS-CoV-2 particles that may have been suspended in the air to respond to the hypothesis of COVID-19 airborne transmission. Airborne particle sampling was performed using impingement method based on NIOSH (chapter BA) and ASHRAE. Selection of sampling sections was in line with the WHO guidelines. The samples were analyzed using RT-PCR technique. Based on the given results, airborne particles of COVID-19 may present in the air and affect the health of hospital personnel. In fact, the analysis of gene expression in ambient conditions and thereby aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through air is possible and may lead to occupational exposure of health care personnel. Furthermore, it was found that airborne emission of COVID-19 through the breathing zone of patients, particularly in ICU wards with confirmed cases of COVID-19, may be higher than in other ICU wards. Also, the demonstrated results showed that there is a possibility of reaerosolization (reintroduction) of previously airborne SARS-CoV-2 particles into the atmosphere due to health care personnel frequently walking between different wards and stations of ICU.
Impact of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program-bundled initiative utilizing Accelerate Pheno™ system in the management of patients with aerobic Gram-negative bacilli bacteremia
Authors: Walsh Thomas L. , Bremmer Derek N. , Moffa Matthew A. , Trienski Tamara L. , Buchanan Carley , Stefano Kelly , Hand Catharine , Taylor Tricia , Kasarda Karen , Shively Nathan R. , Bhanot Nitin , Cheronis Nicholas , DiSilvio Briana E. , Cho Christian Y. , Carr Dustin R.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) are a leading cause of bloodstream infections (BSI) and management is complicated by antibiotic resistance. The Accelerate Pheno™ system (ACC) can provide rapid organism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST).

Methods

A retrospective, pre-intervention/post-intervention study was conducted to compare management of non-critically ill patients with GNB BSI before and after implementation of a bundled initiative. This bundled initiative included dissemination of a clinical decision algorithm, ACC testing on all GNB isolated from blood cultures, real-time communication of results to the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP), and prospective audit with feedback by the ASP. The pre-intervention period was January 2018 through December 2018, and the post-intervention period was May 2019 through February 2020.

Results

Seventy-seven and 129 patients were included in the pre-intervention and post-intervention cohorts, respectively. When compared with the pre-intervention group, the time from Gram stain to AST decreased from 46.1 to 6.9 h (p < 0.001), and the time to definitive therapy (TTDT) improved from 32.6 to 10.5 h (p < 0.001). Implementation led to shorter median total duration of antibiotic therapy (14.2 vs 9.5 days; p < 0.001) and mean hospital length of stay (7.9 vs 5.3 days; p = 0.047) without an increase in 30-day readmissions (22.1% vs 14%; p = 0.13).

Conclusion

Implementation of an ASP-bundled approach incorporating the ACC aimed at optimizing antibiotic therapy in the management GNB BSI in non-critically ill patients led to reduced TTDT, shorter duration of antibiotic therapy, and shorter hospital length of stay without adversely affecting readmission rates.
Effect of cyclic wetting–drying on tensile mechanical behavior and microstructure of clay-bearing sandstone
Authors: Guo Pingye , Gu Juan , Su Yi , Wang Jiong , Ding Zhanwen
Published: February 2021

The understanding of the weakening mechanism of tensile strength of rock subjected to cyclic wetting-drying is critical for rock engineering. Tensile strength tests were conducted on a total of 35 sandstone specimens with different wetting-drying cycles. The crack propagation process and acoustic emission characteristics of the tested samples were obtained through a high-speed camera and acoustic emission system. The results indicate that the tensile strength is observably reduced after cyclic wetting-drying, and the extent of the reduction is not only related to the number of wetting-drying cycle, but also closely related to the clay mineral content of the sample. In addition, as the cycles of wetting-drying increase, the effect of each single cycle on tensile strength get reduced until it becomes constant. Moreover, the crack initiation and penetration time is prolonged as the number of wetting-drying cycle increases, which indicates that cyclic wetting-drying weakens the rock stiffness and enhances the ductility of sandstone. Meanwhile, the acoustic emission characteristics of the tested samples further confirmed the ductile behaviour of the sandstone samples with increasing wetting-drying cycle. Furthermore, through the analysis of the microstructure and mineral composition of the samples with different wetting-drying cycles, it is concluded that the main weakening mechanisms of sandstones containing clay minerals are frictional reduction, chemical and corrosive deterioration.
The Viability of Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) in the UK: The Impact on Global Anti-Bribery Compliance
Authors: Bu Qingxiu
Published: February 2021

Deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs) provide an alternative enforcement tool to tackle economic crime. Prosecutors tailor punishment and remediation measures more accurately to satisfy the principles of prosecution. The companies in question can avoid criminal charges, provided that they comply with agreed terms and conditions. The use of DPAs is conducive to relieving collateral consequences, while being able to deter, punish and reshape corporate behaviour. In principle, enforcement authorities can maximise the leverage with criminal liability over companies to cultivate a robust corporate culture against bribery. It is argued that an effective global anti-bribery regime rests with not only transnational cooperation, but also adequate governance and rigorous compliance. With the DPAs having increased in prominence as a mainstay of the US enforcement regime, it remains to be seen whether the potent tool will be viable and further reshape the future enforcement landscape of the anti-bribery regime in the UK and even on a global basis.
Actual Precipitation Index (API) for Drought Classification
Authors: Şen Zekâi , Almazroui Mansour
Published: February 2021

The Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) is a widely used statistical technique for the characterization of droughts. It is based on a probabilistic standardization procedure, which converts a Gamma-type probability distribution function (PDF) into a normal (Gaussian) standard series with zero mean and unit standard deviation. Drought classification based on SPI indicates dry and wet spell characteristics, provided that the hydro-meteorological records abide by normal (Gaussian) PDF only, otherwise the results will be biased. Therefore, in this paper, the actual precipitation index (API) method is presented, which provides drought classification and information regardless of the underlying PDFs. The main purpose of this paper is to explain the main differences between SPI and API and to prove that the use of API is the more reliable solution for classification of droughts into five categories described as “Normal dry”, “Slightly dry”, “Medium dry”, “Very dry” and “Extremely dry”. The application of the methodology is presented for two sets of precipitation data; one with exponential PDF monthly precipitation records from Istanbul City, Turkey and one for New Jersey, USA with almost normal (Gaussian) PDF based on annual precipitation records. The comparisons indicate that API is applicable regardless of the underlying PDF of the hydro-meteorology data. It produces real drought classification from the original data without recourse to standard normal PDF conversion.
Physical and Psychological Effects of Gender-Affirming Hormonal Treatment Using Intramuscular Testosterone Enanthate in Japanese Transgender Men
Authors: Kirisawa Takahiro , Ichihara Koji , Sakai Yasuyuki , Morooka Daichi , Iyoki Takaya , Masumori Naoya
Published: February 2021

Introduction

The evidence on gender-affirming hormonal treatment (HT) for transgender persons is still insufficient.

Aim

To characterize the physical and psychological effects of HT using testosterone enanthate in transgender men, and to validate the safety of this treatment.

Methods

A total of 85 Japanese transgender men who were followed up for at least 1 year at our gender clinic from 2004 to 2017 were included in this study. All self-reported effects that they recognized and regularly acquired laboratory data were investigated after initiation of HT.

Main Outcome Measure

HT mainly using testosterone enanthate 250 mg every 2 weeks caused the most desired physical effects to appear promptly and effectively, whereas small but not negligible numbers of undesired physical and psychological effects were also confirmed.

Results

The initial dose of testosterone enanthate was 250 mg for 72 (84.7%) subjects, and the injection interval was maintained every 2 weeks for 70 (82.3%). Most physical effects appeared within 6 months. A deepened voice (87.1%), cessation of menses (78.8%), acne (69.4%), and facial (52.9%)/body (37.6%) hair growth occurred within 3 months. Although recognition of psychological effects was rare, emotional instability (9.4%) and increased libido (7.1%) appeared in the relatively early phase after beginning HT. The mean values for red blood cells, hemoglobin, uric acid, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly increased for 2 year. During the observation period, there were no life-threatening adverse effects in any subjects.

Conclusion

The present HT strategy is effective and safe for Japanese transgender men.

The information from self-reported effects and objective data from blood tests can help both physicians and transgender men to understand testosterone HT.
Toray's US subsidiary enters into partnership that focuses on MBR retrofit applications
Authors: Atkinson Simon
Published: February 2021

Toray Industries Inc's subsidiary in San Diego, California, USA, has entered into a partnership that aims to deliver membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems to municipal and industrial markets. It is focusing on upgrading older membrane-based systems and on MBR retrofit applications, as this brief article reveals.
Combined RO and CEDI unit produces high-grade deionised water for use in the laboratory and general industry
Authors: Atkinson Simon
Published: February 2021

Towards the beginning of 2020 Veolia Water Technologies launched the TERION™ system for producing demineralised water for a range of applications. It recently extended this product line by developing the smaller, but powerful, TERION S which, like its predecessor, combines single-pass reverse osmosis and continuous electrodeionisation processes on a single skid. This article briefly looks at the technology and its capabilities.
The Iron Speciation Paleoredox Proxy
Authors: Poulton Simon W.
Published: February 2021

In one form or another, iron speciation has had a long history as a paleoredox proxy. The technique has been refined considerably over the years, and the most recent scheme is unique in its potential to distinguish three major oceanic redox states - oxygenated, ferruginous and euxinic. This Element covers the theory behind the proxy, methods involved in applying the technique, and potential complications in interpreting Fe speciation data. A series of case studies are also provided, which highlight how more advanced consideration of the data, often in concert with other techniques, can provide unprecedented insight into the redox state of ancient oceans.
Functional Micromorphology of the Echinoderm Skeleton
Authors: Gorzelak Przemyslaw
Published: February 2021

Echinoderms elaborate a calcite skeleton composed of numerous plates with a distinct microstructure (stereom) that can be modelled into different shapes thanks to the use of a transient amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) precursor phase and the incorporation of an intraorganic matrix during biomineralization. A variety of different types of stereom microarchitecture have been distinguished, each of them optimized for a specific function. For instance, a regular, galleried stereom typically houses collagenous ligaments, whereas an irregular, fine labyrinthic stereom commonly bears muscles. Epithelial tissues, in turn, are usually associated with coarse and dense stereom microfabrics. Stereom can be preserved in fossil echinoderms and a wide array of investigating methods are available. As many case studies have shown, a great deal of important paleobiological and paleoecological information can be decoded by studying the stereom microstructure of extinct echinoderms.
Bede
Authors: Biggs Fred , Brown George
Published: February 2021

Bede is the inaugural volume in the Sources of Anglo-Saxon Literary Culture series, which seeks to comprehensively map British literary culture from 500 to 1100 CE. This volume presents four texts, or fascicles, dedicated to the Venerable Bede (d. 735), theologian and author of the Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum. Articles provide a wealth of information on Bede through manuscript evidence, medieval library catalogs, citations, and quotations. Using discussions of source relationships, the entries weigh and consider different interpretations of Bede's works and suggest possibilities for future research. Part of an exciting new reference series, this book”and those that follow”will be indispensable to anyone interested in the history and literature of the period.
The Fonte Gaia from Renaissance to Modern Times
Authors: Boffa David , Scappini Chiara E.
Published: February 2021

The Fonte Gaia from Renaissance to Modern Times examines the history of Siena's famous public fountain, from its fifteenth-century origins to its eventual replacement by a copy in the nineteenth century (and the modern fate of both). The book explores how both the Risorgimento and the Symbolist movements have shaped our perceptions of the Italian Renaissance, as the Quattrocento was filtered through the lens of contemporary art and politics.
The symplectic geometry of higher Auslander algebras: Symmetric products of disks
Authors: Dyckerhoff Tobias , Jasso Gustavo , Lekili Yankι
Published: February 2021

We show that the perfect derived categories of Iyama’sd-dimensional Auslander algebras of type${\mathbb {A}}$are equivalent to the partially wrapped Fukaya categories of thed-fold symmetric product of the$2$-dimensional unit disk with finitely many stops on its boundary. Furthermore, we observe that Koszul duality provides an equivalence between the partially wrapped Fukaya categories associated to thed-fold symmetric product of the disk and those of its$(n-d)$-fold symmetric product; this observation leads to a symplectic proof of a theorem of Beckert concerning the derived Morita equivalence between the corresponding higher Auslander algebras of type${\mathbb {A}}$. As a by-product of our results, we deduce that the partially wrapped Fukaya categories associated to thed-fold symmetric product of the disk organise into a paracyclic object equivalent to thed-dimensional Waldhausen$\text {S}_{\bullet }$-construction, a simplicial space whose geometric realisation provides thed-fold delooping of the connective algebraicK-theory space of the ring of coefficients.
Justice for All Without Exception: Julia Ward Howe's 1886 Lecture “The Position of Women in Plato'sRepublic”
Authors: Townsend Mary
Published: February 2021

Julia Ward Howe, author of the lyrics to “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” remains known as a poet, abolitionist, and founding member of the antiracist organization American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA), but her work on political philosophy and her foundational sense of the necessity for justice and suffrage for all without exception are still unexplored. Howe's speech, “The Position of Women in Plato'sRepublic” provides a window into the philosophy that shaped the second half of her life and her political organizing. Howe explores problems feminist scholars have often had with Socrates's plans to educate and enfranchise women of the ruling class, analyzes the rhetoric behind Socrates's successful persuasion of reluctant interlocutors, and transforms Plato's arguments into overwhelming rhetorical support for universal suffrage. Howe's intellectual conversion to the cause of suffrage, which occurred later in life and after her support for the 15thAmendment, comes into focus as she wrestles with the questions fundamental to her change of heart: women's moral relationship to human excellence, whether suffrage would destabilize family life, the relationship of gender to divine genderless unity, and the relationship of the Platonic principle of the Good to practical political policy.
The Crown in National Disguises: The Uses of Monarchy’s Historical Past in Spanish Nation-Building, 1833–1868
Authors: San Narciso David
Published: February 2021

The competing ideologies of nation and monarchy had a troubled beginning in the 19th century, insomuch as they derived partly from two opposing sources of legitimacy. However, from the 1830s on, their supporters achieved the establishment of an interspecific and mutually advantageous relationship. The nation gradually managed to prevail over the monarchy, justifying its presence in national terms. However, the monarchy possessed something longed for by liberal nationalists: historical legitimacy. Thus, the crown served Romantic nationalism in its search for national foundations and to generate national emotions of a collective sense of belonging. This article analyses this process by focusing on the Spanish case and using a vast range of cultural sources. I reason that the monarchy’s history was intensively used in Isabel II’s reign (1833–1868), both by the monarch herself as well as nationalist elites, to legitimate and justify their presence in the liberal world. The article is divided into three sections. The first part locates the problem into a general process that touched all the crowned heads of Europe. The second section studies the appeal of exemplary medieval monarchs in the liberal hunt for national roots. The final one focuses on the particular case of Isabel the Catholic because of the remarkable prominence it acquired.
Patterns and correlates of ownership and utilization of insecticide-treated bed-nets for malaria control among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in Malawi
Authors: Forty James , Keetile Mpho
Published: February 2021

Malaria is a major public health concern in Malawi. This study explored the patterns and correlates of ownership and utilization of ITNs for malaria control among women of reproductive age in Malawi. Data were derived from the multi-stage cross-sectional Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) conducted in 2017, which followed ITN distribution in 2012 and 2015. Of the 3860 sampled women aged 15–49 years, 88% (3398/3860) and 64% (2473/3860) reported that they owned and utilized ITNs, respectively. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of ownership of ITNs were significantly low among women with no education (AOR = 0.36, CI = 0.18–0.72), those with primary education (AOR = 0.50, CI = 0.27–0.94) and poor women (AOR = 0.70, CI = 0.51–0.97). Similarly, the odds of utilization of ITNs were significantly low among women with no education, (AOR = 0.40, CI = 0.26–0.63), primary education (AOR = 0.53, CI = 0.36–0.78) and poor women (AOR = 0.70, CI = 0.51–0.97). Furthermore, the odds of utilization of ITNs were significantly low among women living in households without a radio (AOR = 0.79, CI = 0.67–0.93) and those who have not seen or heard a malaria message in the last 6 months (AOR = 0.74, CI = 0.64–0.87). In order to prevent malaria morbidity and mortality among women of reproductive age, especially those from poor households, the Malawi government and relevant stakeholders need to continue the free distribution of ITNs to the poor and encourage social behaviours that promote the ownership and utilization of ITNs.
Turbulent impurity transport simulations in Wendelstein 7-X plasmas
Authors: García-Regaña J. M. , Barnes M. , Calvo I. , Parra F. I. , Alcusón J. A. , Davies R. , González-Jerez A. , Mollén A. , Sánchez E. , Velasco J. L. , Zocco A.
Published: February 2021

A study of turbulent impurity transport by means of quasilinear and nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations is presented for Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X). The calculations have been carried out with the recently developed gyrokinetic code stella. Different impurity species are considered in the presence of various types of background instabilities: ion temperature gradient (ITG), trapped electron mode (TEM) and electron temperature gradient (ETG) modes for the quasilinear part of the work; ITG and TEM for the nonlinear results. While the quasilinear approach allows one to draw qualitative conclusions about the sign or relative importance of the various contributions to the flux, the nonlinear simulations quantitatively determine the size of the turbulent flux and check the extent to which the quasilinear conclusions hold. Although the bulk of the nonlinear simulations are performed at trace impurity concentration, nonlinear simulations are also carried out at realistic effective charge values, in order to know to what degree the conclusions based on the simulations performed for trace impurities can be extrapolated to realistic impurity concentrations. The presented results conclude that the turbulent radial impurity transport in W7-X is mainly dominated by ordinary diffusion, which is close to that measured during the recent W7-X experimental campaigns. It is also confirmed that thermodiffusion adds a weak inward flux contribution and that, in the absence of impurity temperature and density gradients, ITG- and TEM-driven turbulence push the impurities inwards and outwards, respectively.
KODAIRA DIMENSION OF UNIVERSAL HOLOMORPHIC SYMPLECTIC VARIETIES
Authors: Ma Shouhei
Published: February 2021

We prove that the Kodaira dimension of then-fold universal family of lattice-polarised holomorphic symplectic varieties with dominant and generically finite period map stabilises to the moduli number whennis sufficiently large. Then we study the transition of Kodaira dimension explicitly, from negative to nonnegative, for known explicit families of polarised symplectic varieties. In particular, we determine the exact transition point in the Beauville–Donagi and Debarre–Voisin cases, where the Borcherds$\Phi _{12}$form plays a crucial role.
Survey of various bandwidth enhancement techniques used for 5G antennas
Authors: Nahar Tapan , Rawat Sanyog
Published: February 2021

Fifth-generation technology is not fully deployed in the world wireless communication till date. Millimeter-wave (mm-wave) band needs to be used due to plenty of available bandwidth and for achieving the goals of 5G such as greater data rate, ultra-high-speed video broadcasting, low latency services, and many more. Wideband antenna is required for 5G applications to access the high speed, low latency Internet services, and ultra-high-definition video streaming. Various bandwidth enhancement techniques have been reported by the researchers for microstrip antennas operating at microwave bands. High link losses, small wavelength, limited coverage, and environmental losses are the major challenges of mm-wave band. To mitigate these issues and satisfy 5G standard, an antenna with wide bandwidth, high gain, narrow steerable beam, high isolation, low side lobe levels, and multiband characteristics is required. Modifications in conventional antenna design techniques are required to achieve broader bandwidth along with stable radiation characteristics, improved gain, and low side lobe levels at mm-wave frequencies. This paper presents the survey of various bandwidth enhancement techniques which has been used in the 5G antennas designed by researchers. Reviews of some wideband 5G antennas with their performance comparisons are also discussed.
Health and social care service utilisation and associated expenditure among community-dwelling older adults with depressive symptoms
Authors: Lu Shiyu , Liu Tianyin , Wong Gloria H. Y. , Leung Dara K. Y. , Sze Lesley C. Y. , Kwok Wai-Wai , Knapp Martin , Lou Vivian W. Q. , Tse Samson , Ng Siu-Man , Wong Paul W. C. , Tang Jennifer Y. M. , Lum Terry Y. S.
Published: February 2021

Aims

Late-life depression has substantial impacts on individuals, families and society. Knowledge gaps remain in estimating the economic impacts associated with late-life depression by symptom severity, which has implications for resource prioritisation and research design (such as in modelling). This study examined the incremental health and social care expenditure of depressive symptoms by severity.

Methods

We analysed data collected from 2707 older adults aged 60 years and over in Hong Kong. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Client Service Receipt Inventory were used, respectively, to measure depressive symptoms and service utilisation as a basis for calculating care expenditure. Two-part models were used to estimate the incremental expenditure associated with symptom severity over 1 year.

Results

The average PHQ-9 score was 6.3 (standard deviation, s.d. = 4.0). The percentages of respondents with mild, moderate and moderately severe symptoms and non-depressed were 51.8%, 13.5%, 3.7% and 31.0%, respectively. Overall, the moderately severe group generated the largest average incremental expenditure (US$5886; 95% CI 1126–10 647 or a 272% increase), followed by the mild group (US$3849; 95% CI 2520–5177 or a 176% increase) and the moderate group (US$1843; 95% CI 854–2831, or 85% increase). Non-psychiatric healthcare was the main cost component in a mild symptom group, after controlling for other chronic conditions and covariates. The average incremental association between PHQ-9 score and overall care expenditure peaked at PHQ-9 score of 4 (US$691; 95% CI 444–939), then gradually fell to negative between scores of 12 (US$ - 35; 95% CI - 530 to 460) and 19 (US$ -171; 95% CI - 417 to 76) and soared to positive and rebounded at the score of 23 (US$601; 95% CI -1652 to 2854).

Conclusions

The association between depressive symptoms and care expenditure is stronger among older adults with mild and moderately severe symptoms. Older adults with the same symptom severity have different care utilisation and expenditure patterns. Non-psychiatric healthcare is the major cost element. These findings inform ways to optimise policy efforts to improve the financial sustainability of health and long-term care systems, including the involvement of primary care physicians and other geriatric healthcare providers in preventing and treating depression among older adults and related budgeting and accounting issues across services.
Geophysical Observations of Taliks Below Drained Lake Basins on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska
Authors: Rangel R. C. , Parsekian A. D. , Farquharson L. M. , Jones B. M. , Ohara N. , Creighton A. L. , Gaglioti B. V. , Kanevskiy M. , Breen A. L. , Bergstedt H. , Romanovsky V. E. , Hinkel K. M.
Published: February 2021

Lakes and drained lake basins (DLBs) together cover up to ∼80% of the western Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. The formation and drainage of lakes in this continuous permafrost region drive spatial and temporal landscape dynamics. Postdrainage processes including vegetation succession and permafrost aggradation have implications for hydrology, carbon cycling, and landscape evolution. Here, we used surface nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and transient electromagnetic (TEM) measurements in conjunction with thermal modeling to investigate permafrost aggradation beneath eight DLBs on the western Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. We also surveyed two primary surface sites that served as nonlake affected control sites. Approximate timing of lake drainage was estimated based on historical aerial imagery. We interpreted the presence of taliks based on either unfrozen water estimated with surface NMR and/or TEM resistivities in DLBs compared to measurements on primary surface sites and borehole resistivity logs. Our results show evidence of taliks below several DLBs that drained before and after 1949 (oldest imagery). We observed depths to the top of taliks between 9 and 45 m. Thermal modeling and geophysical observations agree about the presence and extent of taliks at sites that drained after 1949. Lake drainage events will likely become more frequent in the future due to climate change and our modeling results suggest that warmer and wetter conditions will limit permafrost aggradation in DLBs. Our observations provide useful information to predict future evolution of permafrost in DLBs and its implications for the water and carbon cycles in the Arctic.
Deep‐Water Formation in the North Pacific During the Late Miocene Global Cooling
Authors: Zhai Lina , Wan Shiming , Colin Christophe , Zhao Debo , Ye Yuntao , Song Zhaojun , Yin Xuebo , Shi Xuefa , Li Anchun
Published: February 2021

A multiproxy study including organic carbon and bulk nitrogen isotopes along with major and trace element concentrations in sediments from Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Sites U1425 and U1430 in the Japan Sea have been conducted in order to trace deep‐water evolution in the Japan Sea and the North Pacific since the late Miocene. The high total organic carbon (TOC) flux, as well as other published geochemical and sedimentary evidence, indicates the occurrence of anoxic deep‐water in the Japan Sea before ∼7.4 Ma. The low‐nitrogen isotope values probably suggest nearly complete denitrification. In contrast, the sharply enhanced biological production but decreased burial of organic matter during ∼7.4–4 Ma, as shown by high enrichment factor of Ba (BaEF) values, together with low TOC flux, highlights enhanced deep‐water oxygenation in the Japan Sea during that time. We suggest that deep‐water formation in the North Pacific ventilated the deep Japan Sea via northern deep seaways before the sea became semi‐closed in the early Pliocene. The synchronously increased equator‐to‐pole temperature gradients driven by late Miocene global cooling may have caused southward shift of mid‐latitude storm tracks, coupled with the weakened East Asian summer monsoon and moisture transport, leading to decreased precipitation in mid‐latitude regions. The potential increases in surface salinity in the North Pacific may have broken the ocean stratification and favored deep‐water formation, and further caused deep‐water ventilation in the Japan Sea.
A Global Look at Surface Soil Organic Carbon
Authors: Shultz David
Published: February 2021

Soil organic carbon is an important element of ecosystem and climate health. Remote sensing can now give scientists a global look at this important piece of the carbon puzzle.
A comparative study of PCS and PAM50 prostate cancer classification schemes
Authors: Yoon Junhee , Kim Minhyung , Posadas Edwin M. , Freedland Stephen J. , Liu Yang , Davicioni Elai , Den Robert B. , Trock Bruce J. , Karnes R. Jeffrey , Klein Eric A. , Freeman Michael R. , You Sungyong
Published: February 2021

Background

Two prostate cancer (PC) classification methods based on transcriptome profiles, a de novo method referred to as the “Prostate Cancer Classification System” (PCS) and a variation of the established PAM50 breast cancer algorithm, were recently proposed. Both studies concluded that most human PC can be assigned to one of three tumor subtypes, two categorized as luminal and one as basal, suggesting the two methods reflect consistency in underlying biology. Despite the similarity, differences and commonalities between the two classification methods have not yet been reported.

Methods

Here, we describe a comparison of the PCS and PAM50 classification systems. PCS and PAM50 signatures consisting of 37 (PCS37) and 50 genes, respectively, were used to categorize 9,947 PC patients into PCS and PAM50 classes. Enrichment of hallmark gene sets and luminal and basal marker gene expression were assessed in the same datasets. Finally, survival analysis was performed to compare PCS and PAM50 subtypes in terms of clinical outcomes.

Results

PCS and PAM50 subtypes show clear differential expression of PCS37 and PAM50 genes. While only three genes are shared in common between the two systems, there is some consensus between three subtype pairs (PCS1 versus Luminal B, PCS2 versus Luminal A, and PCS3 versus Basal) with respect to gene expression, cellular processes, and clinical outcomes. PCS categories displayed better separation of cellular processes and luminal and basal marker gene expression compared to PAM50. Although both PCS1 and Luminal B tumors exhibited the worst clinical outcomes, outcomes between aggressive and less aggressive subtypes were better defined in the PCS system, based on larger hazard ratios observed.

Conclusion

The PCS and PAM50 classification systems are similar in terms of molecular profiles and clinical outcomes. However, the PCS system exhibits greater separation in multiple clinical outcomes and provides better separation of prostate luminal and basal characteristics.
Immunological surrogate endpoints of COVID-2019 vaccines: the evidence we have versus the evidence we need
Authors: Jin Pengfei , Li Jingxin , Pan Hongxing , Wu Yanfei , Zhu Fengcai
Published: February 2021

In response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, over 200 vaccine candidates against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) are under development and currently moving forward at an unparalleled speed. The availability of surrogate endpoints would help to avoid large-scale filed efficacy trials and facilitate the approval of vaccine candidates, which is crucial to control COVID-19 pandemic. Several phase 3 efficacy trials of COVID-19 vaccine candidates are under way, which provide opportunities for the determination of COVID-19 correlates of protection. In this paper, we review current knowledge for existence of COVID-19 correlates of protection, methods for assessment of immune correlates of protection and issues related to COVID-19 correlates of protection.
Chronic d-ribose and d-mannose overload induce depressive/anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory impairment in mice
Authors: Xu Ke , Wang Mingyang , Zhou Wei , Pu Juncai , Wang Haiyang , Xie Peng
Published: February 2021

The effects of different forms of monosaccharides on the brain remain unclear, though neuropsychiatric disorders undergo changes in glucose metabolism. This study assessed cell viability responses to five commonly consumed monosaccharides—D-ribose (RIB), D-glucose, D-mannose (MAN), D-xylose and L-arabinose—in cultured neuro-2a cells. Markedly decreased cell viability was observed in cells treated with RIB and MAN. We then showed that high-dose administration of RIB induced depressive- and anxiety-like behavior as well as spatial memory impairment in mice, while high-dose administration of MAN induced anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory impairment only. Moreover, significant pathological changes were observed in the hippocampus of high-dose RIB-treated mice by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Association analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome suggested that the anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory impairment induced by RIB and MAN may be attributed to the changes in four metabolites and 81 genes in the hippocampus, which is involved in amino acid metabolism and serotonin transport. In addition, combined with previous genome-wide association studies on depression, a correlation was found between the levels of Tnni3k and Tbx1 in the hippocampus and RIB induced depressive-like behavior. Finally, metabolite–gene network, qRT-PCR and western blot analysis showed that the insulin-POMC-MEK-TCF7L2 and MAPK-CREB-GRIN2A-CaMKII signaling pathways were respectively associated with RIB and MAN induced depressive/anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory impairment. Our findings clarified our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying RIB and MAN induced depressive/anxiety-like behavior and spatial memory impairment in mice and highlighted the deleterious effects of high-dose RIB and MAN as long-term energy sources.
Control of replication stress and mitosis in colorectal cancer stem cells through the interplay of PARP1, MRE11 and RAD51
Authors: Manic Gwenola , Musella Martina , Corradi Francesca , Sistigu Antonella , Vitale Sara , Soliman Abdel Rehim Sara , Mattiello Luca , Malacaria Eva , Galassi Claudia , Signore Michele , Pallocca Matteo , Scalera Stefano , Goeman Frauke , De Nicola Francesca , Guarracino Andrea , Pennisi Rosa , Antonangeli Fabrizio , Sperati Francesca , Baiocchi Marta , Biffoni Mauro , Fanciulli Maurizio , Maugeri-Saccà Marcello , Franchitto Annapaola , Pichierri Pietro , De Maria Ruggero , Vitale Ilio
Published: February 2021

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are tumor subpopulations driving disease development, progression, relapse and therapy resistance, and their targeting ensures tumor eradication. CSCs display heterogeneous replication stress (RS), but the functionality/relevance of the RS response (RSR) centered on the ATR-CHK1 axis is debated. Here, we show that the RSR is efficient in primary CSCs from colorectal cancer (CRC-SCs), and describe unique roles for PARP1 and MRE11/RAD51. First, we demonstrated that PARP1 is upregulated in CRC-SCs resistant to several replication poisons and RSR inhibitors (RSRi). In these cells, PARP1 modulates replication fork speed resulting in low constitutive RS. Second, we showed that MRE11 and RAD51 cooperate in the genoprotection and mitosis execution of PARP1-upregulated CRC-SCs. These roles represent therapeutic vulnerabilities for CSCs. Indeed, PARP1i sensitized CRC-SCs to ATRi/CHK1i, inducing replication catastrophe, and prevented the development of resistance to CHK1i. Also, MRE11i + RAD51i selectively killed PARP1-upregulated CRC-SCs via mitotic catastrophe. These results provide the rationale for biomarker-driven clinical trials in CRC using distinct RSRi combinations.
Human MiniPromoters for ocular-rAAV expression in ON bipolar, cone, corneal, endothelial, Müller glial, and PAX6 cells
Authors: Korecki Andrea J. , Cueva-Vargas Jorge L. , Fornes Oriol , Agostinone Jessica , Farkas Rachelle A. , Hickmott Jack W. , Lam Siu Ling , Mathelier Anthony , Zhou Michelle , Wasserman Wyeth W. , Di Polo Adriana , Simpson Elizabeth M.
Published: February 2021

Small and cell-type restricted promoters are important tools for basic and preclinical research, and clinical delivery of gene therapies. In clinical gene therapy, ophthalmic trials have been leading the field, with over 50% of ocular clinical trials using promoters that restrict expression based on cell type. Here, 19 human DNA MiniPromoters were bioinformatically designed for rAAV, tested by neonatal intravenous delivery in mouse, and successful MiniPromoters went on to be tested by intravitreal, subretinal, intrastromal, and/or intravenous delivery in adult mouse. We present promoter development as an overview for each cell type, but only show results in detail for the recommended MiniPromoters: Ple265 and Ple341 (PCP2) ON bipolar, Ple349 (PDE6H) cone, Ple253 (PITX3) corneal stroma, Ple32 (CLDN5) endothelial cells of the blood–retina barrier, Ple316 (NR2E1) Müller glia, and Ple331 (PAX6) PAX6 positive. Overall, we present a resource of new, redesigned, and improved MiniPromoters for ocular gene therapy that range in size from 784 to 2484 bp, and from weaker, equal, or stronger in strength relative to the ubiquitous control promoter smCBA. All MiniPromoters will be useful for therapies involving small regulatory RNA and DNA, and proteins ranging from 517 to 1084 amino acids, representing 62.9–90.2% of human proteins.