bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dotinurad versus benzbromarone in Japanese hyperuricemic patient with or without gout: a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, phase 3 study
Authors: Hosoya Tatsuo , Sano Takafumi , Sasaki Tomomitsu , Fushimi Masahiko , Ohashi Tetsuo
Published: January 2020

Background

Dotinurad is a novel selective urate reabsorption inhibitor that reduces serum urate levels in hyperuricemic patients with or without gout by selectively inhibiting urate transporter 1. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of dotinurad with those of benzbromarone.

Methods

In this 14-week, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group, dose escalation, benzbromarone-controlled, phase 3 study, hyperuricemic patients with or without gout were randomized to two groups that received either dotinurad 2 mg or benzbromarone 50 mg. Dotinurad or benzbromarone was administered once a day for 14 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percent change in serum uric acid level from the baseline to the final visit.

Results

A total of 201 Japanese hyperuricemic patients with or without gout (dotinurad: 102, benzbromarone: 99) received at least one dose of the study drug. The mean percent change in serum uric acid level from the baseline to the final visit in the dotinurad and benzbromarone groups was 45.9% and 43.8%, respectively. Non-inferiority of dotinurad 2 mg to benzbromarone 50 mg in lowering serum uric acid was verified by the predefined non-inferiority margin (95% CI − 1.27 to 5.37%). The incidence of adverse events and adverse drug reactions was comparable between the two groups.

Conclusion

Dotinurad 2 mg was verified to have a non-inferior serum uric acid lowering effect compared with benzbromarone 50 mg, in Japanese hyperuricemic patients with or without gout.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier

NCT03100318.
Antezedenzien und Wirkmechanismen arbeitsbezogener erweiterter Erreichbarkeit – Wenn die Arbeitszeit nicht ausreicht
Authors: Thörel Eberhard , Pauls Nina , Göritz Anja S.
Published: January 2020

Dieser Beitrag der Zeitschrift Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO) beschäftigt sich mit Antezedenzien von arbeitsbezogener erweiterter Erreichbarkeit und der Rolle des Zeitaufwandes für Erreichbarkeit. Erreichbarkeit für Arbeitsbelange im Privatleben hat negative Folgen für das Wohlbefinden. Während mögliche Auswirkungen relativ gut untersucht sind, trifft dies auf Wirkmechanismen und Antezedenzien nicht zu. Bei 150 Bankangestellten untersuchten wir daher die Rolle des Zeitaufwands für Erreichbarkeit sowie mögliche Ursachen von Erreichbarkeit. Wir gingen davon aus, dass der Zeitaufwand für Erreichbarkeit Konflikte zwischen Arbeit und Privatleben sowie das Abschalten von der Arbeit vorhersagt, und dass diese Zusammenhänge durch eine Erhöhung der Gesamtarbeitszeit vermittelt werden. Ferner nahmen wir an, dass der Zeitaufwand mit Antezedenzien auf der individuellen und der arbeitsbezogenen Ebene zusammenhängt. Regressionsanalysen zeigen, dass der Zeitaufwand für Erreichbarkeit Konflikte zwischen Arbeit und Privatleben, nicht jedoch das Abschalten von der Arbeit vorhersagt. Die Gesamtarbeitszeit wirkt in beiden Fällen vermittelnd. Das Ausmaß von Erreichbarkeit (i. S. v. Zeitaufwand) wird auf der individuellen Ebene durch den (geringen) Wunsch nach einer Trennung von privaten und arbeitsbezogenen Lebensbereichen vorhergesagt (Segmentationspräferenz); auf der arbeitsbezogenen Ebene sind Beschäftigte je mehr erreichbar, desto stärker sie die das Gefühl haben, ihre Arbeit nicht in der verfügbaren Arbeitszeit erledigen zu können (Überlastung). Aus praktischer Sicht empfiehlt sich aus der Studie, den Zeitaufwand für Erreichbarkeit zu begrenzen: Auf individueller Ebene kann man Beschäftigte, die eine Integration der Lebensbereiche bevorzugen, auf mögliche Gefahren der Erreichbarkeit hinweisen und hinsichtlich der Arbeitsbedingungen an der Überlastung ansetzen.
GIAnT: A Group Interaction Annotation Tool to simplify psychological interaction analysis
Authors: Meyer Patrick , Thiele Lisa , Kauffeld Simone , Fingscheidt Tim
Published: January 2020

In this article of the journal Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO), we introduce the freely available tool , which was developed to accelerate the time-consuming annotation process of long group meetings. Although the systematic observation and analysis of interaction processes in group and dyadic contexts contributes to our understanding of how people actually behave in interactions, it is only rarely used in research and practice due to the immense amount of time involved in data preparation. To change this circumstance, provides a method for automated segmentation of the spoken utterances of all persons involved and displays them clearly in a temporal context. The tool is provided on Github (https://github.com/ifnspaml/GIAnT).
Remote monitoring for better management of LVAD patients: the potential benefits of CardioMEMS
Authors: Veenis Jesse F. , Brugts Jasper J.
Published: January 2020

Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are frequently used in the treatment of end-stage heart failure (HF), and due to the shortage of heart donors and destination programs, it is likely to keep on growing. Still, LVAD therapy is not without complications and morbidity and rehospitalization rates are high. New ways to improve LVAD care both from the side of the patient and the physician are warranted. Remote monitoring could be a tool to tailor treatment in these patients, as no feedback exists at all about patient functioning on top of the static pump parameters. We aim to provide an overview and evaluation of the novel remote monitoring strategies to optimize LVAD management and elaborate on the opportunities of remote hemodynamic monitoring with CardioMEMS, at home in these patients as the next step to improve care.
SEOM clinical guideline of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and cancer (2019)
Authors: Muñoz Martín A. J. , Gallardo Díaz E. , García Escobar I. , Macías Montero R. , Martínez-Marín V. , Pachón Olmos V. , Pérez Segura P. , Quintanar Verdúguez T. , Salgado Fernández M.
Published: January 2020

In 2011, the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) first published a clinical guideline of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and cancer. This guideline was updated in 2014, and since then, multiple studies and clinical trials have changed the landscape of the treatment and prophylaxis of VTE in cancer patients. To incorporate the most recent evidence, including data from direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) randomized clinical trials, SEOM presents a new update of the guideline.
Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: a case diagnosed via repeated biopsies
Authors: Ikeda Chisaki , Makino Naohiko , Matsuda Akiko , Kakizaki Yasuharu , Ishizawa Tetsuya , Kobayashi Toshikazu , Sugahara Shinpei , Nishiduka Mayo , Tsunoda Michihiko , Haga Junichiroh , Tsunoda Rikiya , Ueno Yoshiyuki
Published: January 2020

Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater is a rare tumor. A 74-year-old woman presented with epigastric pain and was diagnosed with cholangitis. Her liver enzyme levels were elevated. Computed tomography showed an enhanced area in the periampullary region and marked common bile duct dilatation. On endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the ampulla exhibited a normal appearance without ulcer or mass. Histological biopsy confirmed the absence of malignancy. During follow-up, the patient again presented with acute cholangitis multiple times and underwent ERCP each time. The ampulla had the appearance of a reddish and erosive mucosa. Although biopsy was repeated, histological examination did not show any malignancy. After a total of 13 biopsies, the patient was diagnosed with ampullary carcinoma of non-exposed protruded type following the third ERC-guided biopsy. Careful follow-up and frequent endoscopic biopsies are important in cases of papillary carcinoma of non-exposed protruded type with normal ampullary mucosa on initial endoscopy because this condition is challenging to diagnose with a single biopsy.
Evaluation efficiency of Iranian natural zeolites and synthetic resin to removal of lead ions from aqueous solutions
Authors: Moazeni Malihe , Parastar Saeed , Mahdavi Mokhtar , Ebrahimi Afshin
Published: January 2020

Heavy metal such as Pb2+ (lead ions) has high toxicity potential, and it can be dangerous for public health and environment. The ion exchange process is one of the methods that can be used for Pb2+ removal from aqueous solutions. The aim of this study was to investigate the removal efficiency of Pb2+ from the synthetic aqueous solutions using Iranian natural zeolite (INZ) (Clinoptilolite) in comparison with a synthetic resin (SR). In this study, the removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solution investigated by INZ and synthetic resin under different experimental conditions. Parameters like initial Pb2+ concentration, contact times, adsorbent dosage, pH and size particles of INZ, and best-fitted isotherm were studied. The results showed that the most removal efficiency of Pb2+ with INZ was obtained at pH 3–5, contact time 15–60 min, adsorbent dosage 20–50 g/L, Pb2+ initial concentration 25 mg/L, and the removal efficiency was increased with decreasing INZ particle size. The high removal of Pb2+ with SR was at pH 4–6, for 25 mg/L initial Pb2+ concentration at 15–60 min and 5–10 g/L SR. Isotherms study with ISOFT software indicates that the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms expression provides the best fit for Pb2+ sorption by INZ and SR, respectively. This study indicated that for Pb2+ ion removal, the SR was more efficient than INZ for high concentration solutions; however, in low concentration of Pb2+, the removal efficiency was approximately equal.
Recreation of Voltage Fluctuation Using Basic Parameters Measured in the Power Grid
Authors: Kuwalek Piotr , Jesko Waldemar
Published: January 2020

The article presents the preliminary research results on recreating the envelope using the basic parameters measured in the power grid. Six novel algorithms were presented. The quality of proposed algorithms was verified based on the short-term flicker indicator Pst and instantaneous flicker Pinst. Probability theory was used in some of the presented algorithms, considering the random operation of real sources of voltage fluctuations. At the beginning of the article an introduction containing the essence of the discussed issues is presented. Next, description of the basic measured parameters in the power grid are presented, being the input data of the tested algorithms. The subsequent part presents the operation of individual algorithms, the correctness of which was verified by laboratory studies and numerical simulations. In addition, the operation of the proposed algorithms for real measurements made for the wastewater pumping station supply circuit is also presented. The metrological interpretation of the results obtained from the numerical simulation and experimental research is discussed, and the conclusions are presented.
The double burden of overnutrition and undernutrition in mother−child dyads in Kenya: demographic and health survey data, 2014
Authors: Masibo Peninah Kinya , Humwa Felix , Macharia Teresia Njoki
Published: January 2020

The double burden of overnutrition and undernutrition is rapidly becoming a public health concern in low- and middle-income countries. We explored the occurrence of mother−child pairs of over- and undernutrition and the contributing factors using the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey data. A weighted sample of 7830 mother−child pairs was analysed. The children's nutritional status was determined using the WHO 2006 reference standards while maternal nutritional status was determined with BMI. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted. The proportion of overweight and obese mothers was 26 % (18·8 % overweight and 7·2 % obese). The prevalence of child stunting, underweight and wasting was 26·3, 12·8 and 5·1 %, respectively. Out of the overweight/obese mothers (weightedn2034), 20 % had stunted children, 5·4 % underweight children and 3·1 % wasted children. Overweight/obese mother−stunted child pairs and overweight/obese mother−underweight child pairs were less likely to occur in the rural areas (adjusted OR (aOR) = 0·43;P< 0·01) in comparison with those residing in the urban areas (aOR = 0·54;P= 0·01). Children aged more than 6 months were more likely to be in the double burden dyads compared with children below 6 months of age (P< 0·01). The double burden mother−child dyads were more likely to be observed in wealthier households. Mother−child double burden is a notable public health problem in Kenya. Household wealth and urban residence are determinants of the double burden. There is need for target-specific interventions to simultaneously address child undernutrition and maternal overweight/obesity.
Ukraine’s First Ethnographic Map: Made in the Russian Empire
Authors: Kotenko Anton
Published: January 2020

This article examines the first published ethnographic map of Ukraine, which appeared in Lviv in 1861. While carefully analyzing new archival and published sources from both the Habsburg and Romanov empires, it puts this map into the wider context of a contemporary Ukrainian national movement. I argue that Russian Ukrainian activists of 1860s were unquestionably interested in the extent of Ukrainian national territory and had handwritten maps of Ukrainian national territory in their possession. Contrary to the conventional narratives that the 1861 map was drawn in Lviv by Mykhailo Kossak, I argue instead that the map could have been produced by the Russian Ukrainian activist, Mykhailo Levchenko, and was later transferred to Galicia for publication. Stipulating the need to account for sources from both the Romanov and Habsburg empires—studying both cartographic and textual sources—I argue that similar studies should necessarily be located at the juncture of history of cartography and the intellectual history of mental mapping. Only such approach will provide an undistorted picture of a process of national territorialization.
A General Model of Author “Style” with Application to the UK House of Commons, 1935–2018
Authors: Huang Leslie , Perry Patrick O. , Spirling Arthur
Published: January 2020

We consider evidence for the assertion that backbench members of parliament (MPs) in the UK have become less distinctive from one another in terms of their speech. Noting that this claim has considerable normative and substantive implications, we review theory and findings in the area, which are ultimately ambiguous on this question. We then provide a new statistical model of distinctiveness that extends traditional efforts to statistically characterize the “style” of authors and apply it to a corpus of Hansard speeches from 1935 to 2018. In the aggregate, we find no evidence for the claim of more homogeneity. But this hides intriguing covariate effects: at the MP-level, panel regression results demonstrate that on average, more senior backbenchers tend to be less “different” in speech terms. We also show, however, that this pattern is changing: in recent times, it is more experienced MPs who speak most distinctively.
Bounding the maximal size of independent generating sets of finite groups
Authors: Lucchini Andrea , Moscatiello Mariapia , Spiga Pablo
Published: January 2020

Denote by m(G) the largest size of a minimal generating set of a finite group G. We estimate m(G) in terms of $\sum _{p\in \pi (G)}d_p(G),$ where we are denoting by dp(G) the minimal number of generators of a Sylow p-subgroup of G and by π(G) the set of prime numbers dividing the order of G.
A Late Cretaceous felsic magmatic suite from the Tengchong Block, western Yunnan: integrated geochemical and isotopic investigation and implications for Sn mineralization
Authors: Sun Zhuanrong , Dong Guochen , Santosh M , Mo Xuanxue , Dong Pengsheng , Wang Weiqing , Fu Bin
Published: January 2020

The Tengchong Block within the Sanjiang Tethys belt in the southeastern part of the Tibetan plateau experienced a widespread intrusion of a felsic magmatic suite of granites in its central domain during Late Cretaceous times. Here, we investigate the Guyong and Xiaolonghe plutons from this suite in terms of their petrological, geochemical, and Sr–Nd, zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf–O isotopic features to gain insights into the evolution of the Neo-Tethys. The Guyong pluton (76 Ma) is composed of metaluminous monzogranites, and the Xiaolonghe pluton (76 Ma) is composed of metaluminous to peraluminous medium- and fine-grained syenogranite. A systematic decrease in Eu, Ba, Sr, P and Ti concentrations; a decrease in Zr/Hf and LREE/HREE ratios; and an increase in the Rb/Ba and Ta/Nb ratios from the Guyong to Xiaolonghe plutons suggest fractional crystallization of biotite, plagioclase, K-feldspar, apatite, ilmenite and titanite. They also show the characteristics of I-type granites. The negative zircon εHf(t) isotopic values (−10.04 to −5.22) and high δ18O values (6.69 to 8.58 ‰) and the negative whole-rock εNd(t) isotopic values (−9.7 to −10.1) and high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7098–0.7099) of the Guyong monzogranite suggest that these rocks were generated by partial melting of the Precambrian basement without mantle input. The zircon εHf(t) isotopic values (−10.63 to −3.04) and δ18O values (6.54 to 8.69 ‰) of the Xiaolonghe syenogranite are similar to the features of the Guyong monzogranite, and this similarity suggests a cogenetic nature and magma derivation from the lower crust that is composed of both metasedimentary and meta-igneous rocks. The Xiaolonghe fine-grained syenogranite shows an obvious rare earth element tetrad effect and lower Nb/Ta ratios, which indicate its productive nature with respect to ore formation. In fact, we discuss that the Sn mineralization in the region was possible due to Sn being scavenged from these rocks by exsolved hydrothermal fluids. We correlate the Late Cretaceous magmatism in the central Tengchong Block with the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys beneath the Burma–Tengchong Block.
How to Be Visible in Student Politics: Performativity and the Digital Public Space in Bangladesh
Authors: Kuttig Julian , Suykens Bert
Published: January 2020

In Bangladeshi student politics, political performances in public spaces play an essential role in establishing patronage relationships and determining local authority structures. As Thomas Blom Hansen has famously argued, “visibility means everything” in such a context. With the emergence of social networking sites like Facebook, new digital public spaces have appeared. Focusing on ruling-party student activists at Rajshahi University, this article examines how student politicians in Bangladesh utilize Facebook to become visible in their everyday politicking. It shows how longstanding performative repertoires in the nondigital public space have gained a new salience through performances in the digital public space. It is those digital spaces that allow the performer to rearticulate even mundane everyday events as political performances. As these new digital public spaces impact the politics of visibility, it is crucial to integrate them in our efforts to understand local politics in South Asia and beyond.
Short closed geodesics with self-intersections
Authors: ERLANDSSON VIVEKA , PARLIER HUGO
Published: January 2020

Our main point of focus is the set of closed geodesics on hyperbolic surfaces. For any fixed integer k, we are interested in the set of all closed geodesics with at least k (but possibly more) self-intersections. Among these, we consider those of minimal length and investigate their self-intersection numbers. We prove that their intersection numbers are upper bounded by a universal linear function in k (which holds for any hyperbolic surface). Moreover, in the presence of cusps, we get bounds which imply that the self-intersection numbers behave asymptotically like k for growing k.
Sexual Expression in Alberta’s Continuing Care Homes: Capacity, Consent, and Co-decision-making
Authors: Brassolotto Julia , Howard Lisa , Manduca-Barone Alessandro
Published: January 2020

In this article, we explore the role of substitute decision-makers (SDMs) in matters of sexual expression for continuing care residents with diminished cognitive capacity. We examine how Alberta’s current use of SDMs can enable an “all-or-none” approach to competence, wherein a person either has capacity to make all decisions or is incapable of making any. Three factors facilitate an environment in which this approach can influence residents’ sexual expression. These include the wording of current legislation, lack of resources for SDMs, and relational dynamics between SDMs and care staff. We provide a critical review of existing legislation and empirical evidence of its challenges in practice. Though we focus on the Alberta context, there is reason to believe that similar issues persist in other Western jurisdictions. We offer several recommendations for how we can better support residents’ sexual autonomy in continuing care and avoid pitfalls of the “all-or-none” approach to competence.
Differential Item Functioning of the Everyday Cognition (ECog) Scales in Relation to Racial/Ethnic Groups
Authors: Filshtein Teresa , Chan Michelle , Mungas Dan , Whitmer Rachel , Fletcher Evan , DeCarli Charles , Farias Sarah
Published: January 2020

Objective:

The Everyday Cognition (ECog) scales measure cognitively based across domains of everyday abilities that are affected early in the course of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. However, the degree to which the ECog may be differentially influenced by ethnic/racial background is unknown. This study evaluates measurement invariance of the ECog across non-Hispanic White (NHW), Black, and Hispanic individuals.

Methods:

Participants included 1177 NHW, 243 Black, and 216 Hispanic older adults from the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center Cohort who had an ECog. Differential item functioning (DIF) for each ECog domain was evaluated separately for Black and Hispanic participants compared to NHW participants. An iterative multiple group confirmatory factor analysis approach for ordinal scores was used to identify items whose measurement properties differed across groups and to adjust scores for DIF. Adjusted scores were then evaluated to test whether they were more strongly associated with cognitive function (concurrent and longitudinal change in cognition) and brain volumes (measured by brain imaging).

Results:

Varying levels, patterns, and impacts of DIF were found across domains and groups. However, the impact of DIF was relatively small, and DIF effects on scores generally were less than one-half standard error of measurement. There were no meaningful differences in associations with cognition and brain injury between DIF adjusted and unadjusted scores.

Conclusions:

Varying patterns of DIF were observed across the Black and Hispanic participants across select ECog domains. Overall, DIF effects were relatively small and did not change the relationship between the ECog and other indicators of disease.
Whole-blood PUFA and associations with markers of nutritional and health status in acutely malnourished children in Cambodia
Authors: Sigh Sanne , Lauritzen Lotte , Wieringa Frank T , Laillou Arnaud , Chamnan Chhoun , Angkeabos Nheb , Moniboth Duch , Berger Jacques , Stark Ken D , Roos Nanna
Published: January 2020

Objective:

To measure fatty acid composition, particularly whole-blood PUFA content, in acutely malnourished children and identify associations with markers of nutritional and health status.

Design:

PUFA were assessed in dried blood spots obtained from a cross-sectional study. Nutritional and health status were assessed by anthropometry, haemoglobinopathies, inflammation and blood counts.

Setting:

Cambodia.

Participants:

The study was conducted with 174 children aged 0·5–18 years with acute malnutrition.

Results:

Among total fatty acids (FA), the relative percentage of total PUFA was 20 % FA, with 14 % of the children having very low PUFA (mead acid (MA):arachidonic acid (AA) >0·02,n-6 docosapentaenoic acid:DHA >0·2 and totaln-6:n-3 PUFA >10·5). Wasting was not associated with any PUFA. Stunting and low height were consistently positively associated with total PUFA and positively withn-6 PUFA. Height was positively associated withn-3 long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA). The presence of haemoglobinopathies or inflammation was positively associated with MA:AA, but not total PUFA. Elevated blood platelet counts were positively correlated with linoleic acid and appeared to be influenced by anaemia (P= 0·010) and inflammation (P= 0·002). Monocyte counts were high during inflammation (P= 0·052) and correlated positively withn-6 LCPUFA andn-3 LCPUFA.

Conclusions:

Children with acute malnutrition or stunting had low PUFA, while elevated platelets and monocytes were associated with high PUFA. In acutely malnourished children, inflammation could lead to elevated blood cell counts resulting in increased whole-blood PUFA which does not reflect dietary intake or nutritional status.
UNEQUAL RETURNS TO CHILDREN’S EFFORTS
Authors: Zimmermann Calvin Rashaud , Kao Grace
Published: January 2020

Research demonstrates the importance of noncognitive skills for educational achievement and attainment. Scholars argue that gender differences in noncognitive skills contribute to the gender gap in education. However, the intersection of student race/ethnicity and gender remains underexplored. Studies that examine how noncognitive skills affect gender or racial disparities in teachers’ perceptions of academic skills often assume that children’s noncognitive skills have the same benefit for all children. This is questionable given that research suggests that racial biases affect teachers’ perceptions of children’s noncognitive skills. Using national data, our paper examines how first-grade teachers’ ratings of approaches to learning affect their ratings of children’s academic skills. We also test if teachers’ ratings of children’s noncognitive skills have similar benefits across racial/ethnic and gender categories. We use two unidimensional approaches and an intersectional approach to gauge whether an intersectional approach gives us additional leverage that the unidimensional approaches obscure. The two unidimensional approaches reveal important results that suggest that children are differentially penalized by race/ethnicity or gender. Our race/ethnicity findings suggest that, in comparison to White children with identical noncognitive skills and test scores, teachers penalize Black children in math and advantage Asian children in literacy. Findings from our gender analyses suggest that teachers penalize girls in both math and literacy. Our intersectional findings indicate that an intersectional approach gives us additional leverage obscured by both unidimensional approaches. First, we find that Black girls and Black boys are differentially penalized in math. Secondly, for teachers’ ratings of literacy, our results suggest that teachers penalize Asian girls but not Asian boys in comparison to White boys. We discuss the implications of our study for understanding the complex relationship between noncognitive skills and social stratification.
Private adaptation in semi-arid lands: a tailored approach to ‘leave no one behind’
Authors: Gannon Kate Elizabeth , Crick Florence , Atela Joanes , Babagaliyeva Zhanna , Batool Samavia , Bedelian Claire , Carabine Elizabeth , Conway Declan , Diop Mamadou , Fankhauser Sam , Jobbins Guy , Ludi Eva , Qaisrani Ayesha , Rouhaud Estelle , Simonet Catherine , Suleri Abid , Wade Cheikh Tidiane
Published: January 2020

Non-technical abstract

Globally, semi-arid lands (SALs) are home to approximately one billion people, including some of the poorest and least food secure. These regions will be among the hardest hit by the impacts of climate change. This article urges governments and their development partners to put SAL inhabitants and their activities at the heart of efforts to support adaptation and climate resilient development, identifying opportunities to capitalize on the knowledge, institutions, resources and practices of SAL populations in adaptation action.
Reconstruction of Paleofire Emissions Over the Past Millennium From Measurements of Ice Core Acetylene
Authors: Nicewonger Melinda R. , Aydin Murat , Prather Michael J. , Saltzman Eric S.
Published: January 2020

Acetylene is a short‐lived trace gas produced during combustion of fossil fuels, biomass, and biofuels. Biomass burning is likely the only major source of acetylene in the preindustrial atmosphere, making ice core acetylene a powerful tool for reconstructing paleofire emissions. Here we present a 2,000‐year atmospheric record of acetylene reconstructed from analysis of air bubbles trapped in Greenland and Antarctic ice cores and infer pyrogenic acetylene emissions using a chemistry transport model. From 0 to 1500 CE, Antarctic acetylene averages 36 ± 1 pmol mol−1 (mean ± 1 SE), roughly double the annual mean over Antarctica today. Antarctic acetylene declines during the Little Ice Age by over 50% to 17 ± 2 pmol mol−1 from 1650 to 1750 CE. Acetylene over Greenland declines less dramatically over the same period. Modeling results suggest that pyrogenic acetylene emissions during 1000–1500 CE were sustained at rates significantly greater than modern day and declined by over 50% during the 1650–1750 CE period.
A Long‐Term View of Episodic Tremor and Slip in Cascadia
Authors: Bartlow Noel M.
Published: January 2020

Episodic Tremor and Slip, or ETS, is a well‐recognized phenomenon in the Cascadia subduction zone. Constraining the precise location of geodetically measured slip during ETS is important for clarifying the relationship between slip and tremor during ETS, the location of ETS slip relative to the strongly locked zone, and the role of ETS in the overall slip budget. Here I present a new method for separating Global Navigation Satellite System time series in Cascadia into ETS and inter‐ETS components, deriving long‐term average ETS velocities for each site. These velocities are then inverted for a time‐averaged ETS slip rate on the plate interface. I find that ETS and its role in the slip budget are highly variable and segmented along strike. This inversion represents the highest‐resolution image of the ETS zone derived from geodetic data to date. Slip correlates well with tremor locations, and a possible second updip ETS zone is detected.
Impact of ENSO‐Like Tropical Pacific Decadal Variability on the Relative Frequency of El Niño and La Niña Events
Authors: Sun Tianyi , Okumura Yuko M.
Published: January 2020

Observational and modeling studies show that the relative frequency of El Niño and La Niña varies in association with El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)‐like tropical Pacific decadal variability (TPDV), but the causality of the linkage remains unclear. This study presents evidence that ENSO‐like TPDV affects the frequency of ENSO events, particularly of El Niño, through a set of climate model experiments. During the positive phase of TPDV, tropical Pacific warming relative to the Indian and Atlantic Oceans increases the occurrence of anomalous westerly winds over the western equatorial Pacific in late boreal winter‐spring, triggering more El Niño and fewer La Niña events. The opposite happens for the negative TPDV phase. The La Niña frequency is also influenced by oceanic adjustments following El Niño, which tends to counteract the effect of wind changes. The mean state control of ENSO offers a potential opportunity for decadal predictions of climate extremes.
Climate‐Dependent Sediment Composition and Transport of Mountainous Rivers in Tectonically Stable, Subtropical East Asia
Authors: Jian Xing , Zhang Wei , Yang Shouye , Kao Shuh‐Ji
Published: January 2020

While mountainous rivers in subtropical East Asia deliver a disproportionately large amount of sediments to the global ocean, the controlling mechanisms for sediment supply and transport remain understudied. Here we target a mesoscale tectonically stable mountainous river, the Minjiang River, in southeast China. We present petrography, heavy minerals, and Sr‐Nd isotopic data from suspended particulate matter (SPM) and riverbed sediments to characterize sediment‐climate feedback processes. Results show Sr‐Nd isotopic compositions of the SPM vary seasonally, corresponding well with the spatiotemporal variations of precipitation. River sands display low compositional and textural maturity and represent first cycle‐dominated and fast‐transported detritus. Provenance analysis suggests prominent contributions of upstream Proterozoic‐Paleozoic rocks to downstream SPM and riverbed sediments. We propose that climate‐induced hydrological variations exert a major control on sediment supply, transport, and compositions. Our study highlights the crucial role of climate in driving physical erosion of mountains in tectonically stable, subtropical East Asia.
Upper Plate Stress Controls the Distribution of Mariana Arc Volcanoes
Authors: Andikagumi Harisma , Macpherson Colin G. , McCaffrey Ken J. W.
Published: January 2020

We present a spatial analysis of volcano distribution and morphology in the young, intraoceanic Mariana Arc. Both the quality of fit to idealized models and the divergence from those ideals indicate that Mariana Arc volcanoes are arranged into five great circle segments, rather than a single small circle or multiple small circles. The alignment of magmatic centers suggests that magma transport is controlled by the stress regime in the deep crust and/or lithospheric mantle of the Philippine Sea Plate, into which the arc is emplaced, and that arc‐normal tension is the dominant process operating in the deep lithosphere along the whole arc. Volcano morphologies indicate that the stress regime in the shallow crust varies between arc‐normal tension and compression, which also implies that the stress field can vary with depth in the arc lithosphere. We show that this horizontal and vertical stress partitioning can be related to the changing dip of the subducting plate and the breadth of the zone where it is coupled with the overriding plate. The variation in stress regime is consistent with both the distribution of seismicity in the Philippine Sea Plate and with the structural fabrics of the nonvolcanic part of the plate margin to the south. Our analysis suggests that the upper plate exerts the principal control on the distribution of volcanoes in the Mariana Arc. Where tension in the deeper parts of arc lithosphere is sufficiently concentrated, then a distinct volcanic front is produced.
The Summer Heat Balance of the Oregon Inner Shelf Over Two Decades: Mean and Interannual Variability
Authors: Lemagie E. , Kirincich A. , Lentz S.
Published: January 2020

Summer temperature and velocity measurements from 14 years in 15 m of water over the inner shelf off Oregon were used to investigate interannual temperature variability and the capacity of the across‐shelf heat flux to buffer net surface warming. There was no observable trend in summer mean temperatures, and the standard deviation of interannual variability (0.5°C) was less than the standard deviation in daily temperatures each summer (1.6°C, on average). Yet net surface heat flux provided a nearly constant source of heat each year, with a standard deviation less than 15
of the interannual mean. The summer mean across‐shelf upwelling circulation advected warmer water offshore near the surface, cooling the inner shelf and buffering the surface warming. In most years (11 out of 14), this two‐dimensional heat budget roughly closed with a residual less than 20
of the leading term. Even in years when the heat budget did not balance, the observed temperature change was negligible, indicating that an additional source of cooling was needed to close the budget. A comparison of the residual to the interannual variability in fields such as along‐shelf wind stress, stratification, and along‐shelf currents found no significant correlation, and further investigation into the intraseasonal dynamics is recommended to explain the results. An improved understanding of the processes that contribute to warming or cooling of the coastal ocean has the potential to improve predictions of the impact of year‐to‐year changes in local winds and circulation, such as from marine heat waves or climate change, on coastal temperatures.
Amino acids in cancer
Authors: Lieu Elizabeth L. , Nguyen Tu , Rhyne Shawn , Kim Jiyeon
Published: January 2020

Over 90 years ago, Otto Warburg’s seminal discovery of aerobic glycolysis established metabolic reprogramming as one of the first distinguishing characteristics of cancer1. The field of cancer metabolism subsequently revealed additional metabolic alterations in cancer by focusing on central carbon metabolism, including the citric acid cycle and pentose phosphate pathway. Recent reports have, however, uncovered substantial non-carbon metabolism contributions to cancer cell viability and growth. Amino acids, nutrients vital to the survival of all cell types, experience reprogrammed metabolism in cancer. This review outlines the diverse roles of amino acids within the tumor and in the tumor microenvironment. Beyond their role in biosynthesis, they serve as energy sources and help maintain redox balance. In addition, amino acid derivatives contribute to epigenetic regulation and immune responses linked to tumorigenesis and metastasis. Furthermore, in discussing the transporters and transaminases that mediate amino acid uptake and synthesis, we identify potential metabolic liabilities as targets for therapeutic intervention.
GCAP neuronal calcium sensor proteins mediate photoreceptor cell death in the rd3 mouse model of LCA12 congenital blindness by involving endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Plana-Bonamaisó Anna , López-Begines Santiago , Andilla Jordi , Fidalgo María José , Loza-Alvarez Pablo , Estanyol Josep María , Villa Pedro de la , Méndez Ana
Published: January 2020

Loss-of-function mutations in the retinal degeneration 3 (RD3) gene cause inherited retinopathy with impaired rod and cone function and fast retinal degeneration in patients and in the natural strain of rd3 mice. The underlying physiopathology mechanisms are not well understood. We previously proposed that guanylate cyclase-activating proteins (GCAPs) might be key Ca2+-sensors mediating the physiopathology of this disorder, based on the demonstrated toxicity of GCAP2 when blocked in its Ca2+-free form at photoreceptor inner segments. We here show that the retinal degeneration in rd3 mice is substantially delayed by GCAPs ablation. While the number of retinal photoreceptor cells is halved in 6 weeks in rd3 mice, it takes 8 months to halve in rd3/rd3 GCAPs−/− mice. Although this substantial morphological rescue does not correlate with recovery of visual function due to very diminished guanylate cyclase activity in rd3 mice, it is very informative of the mechanisms underlying photoreceptor cell death. By showing that GCAP2 is mostly in its Ca2+-free-phosphorylated state in rd3 mice, we infer that the [Ca2+]i at rod inner segments is permanently low. GCAPs are therefore retained at the inner segment in their Ca2+-free, guanylate cyclase activator state. We show that in this conformational state GCAPs induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mitochondrial swelling, and cell death. ER stress and mitochondrial swelling are early hallmarks of rd3 retinas preceding photoreceptor cell death, that are substantially rescued by GCAPs ablation. By revealing the involvement of GCAPs-induced ER stress in the physiopathology of Leber’s congenital amaurosis 12 (LCA12), this work will aid to guide novel therapies to preserve retinal integrity in LCA12 patients to expand the window for gene therapy intervention to restore vision.
Artificially engineered nanostrain in FeSexTe1-x superconductor thin films for supercurrent enhancement
Authors: Seo Sehun , Noh Heesung , Li Ning , Jiang Jianyi , Tarantini Chiara , Shi Ruochen , Jung Soon-Gil , Jun Oh Myeong , Liu Mengchao , Lee Jongmin , Gu Genda , Jo Youn Jung , Park Tuson , Hellstrom Eric E. , Gao Peng , Lee Sanghan
Published: January 2020

Although nanoscale deformation, such as nanostrain in iron-chalcogenide (FeSexTe1−x, FST) thin films, has attracted attention owing to its enhancement of general superconducting properties, including critical current density (Jc) and critical transition temperature, the development of this technique has proven to be an extremely challenging and complex process thus far. Herein, we successfully fabricated an epitaxial FST thin film with uniformly distributed nanostrain by injection of a trace amount of CeO2 inside an FST matrix using sequential pulsed laser deposition. By means of transmission electron microscopy and geometric phase analysis, we verified that the injection of a trace amount of CeO2 forms nanoscale defects, with a nanostrained region of tensile strain (εzz ≅ 0.02) along the c-axis of the FST matrix. This nanostrained FST thin film achieves a remarkable Jc of 3.5 MA/cm2 under a self-field at 6 K and a highly enhanced Jc under the entire magnetic field with respect to those of a pristine FST thin film.
C60/Na4FeO3/Li3V2(PO4)3/soft carbon quaternary hybrid superstructure for high-performance battery-supercapacitor hybrid devices
Authors: Zhang Xudong , Xu Xiaolong , Hu Yuebo , Xu Guogang , He Wen , Zhu Jiefang
Published: January 2020

To develop battery-supercapacitor hybrid devices with high energy and power densities, we propose a rational design of a quaternary hybrid superstructure by using a high-energy biotemplate. This new superstructure is composed of stable fullerene C60 nanocages, electroactive Na4FeO3, high-energy Li3V2(PO4)3 and soft carbon as well as tubular ordered mesoporous channels. This design takes advantage of the unique properties of each component, resulting in nanocomposites with synergistic effects to improve the charge transfer and energy storage. We found that this quaternary hybrid electrode has both high energy and power densities as well as a long cycling life in a Li/Na mixed-ion electrolyte, outperforming a multitude of other battery-supercapacitor hybrid devices reported thus far. The charge storage mechanisms of this hybrid superstructure are proposed for optimizing the electrode design.
Multifunctional electrochromic energy storage devices by chemical cross-linking: impact of a WO3·H2O nanoparticle-embedded chitosan thin film on amorphous WO3 films
Authors: Koo Bon-Ryul , Jo Myeong-Hun , Kim Kue-Ho , Ahn Hyo-Jin
Published: January 2020

With the advent of multifunctional devices with electrochromic (EC) behavior and electrochemical energy storage, complementary design of film structures using inorganic–organic materials has shown great potential for developing EC energy storage devices. Herein, hybrid films consisting of WO3·H2O nanoparticle (WHNP)-embedded chitosan thin films on amorphous WO3 (a-WO3) films were designed. By exploiting the hybrid effect of chitosan and WHNPs to generate unique chemical cross-linking between them, the designed films exhibited attractive EC behaviors compared to bare a-WO3 films. These included fast switching speeds (4.0 s for coloration and 0.8 s for bleaching) due to enhanced electrical conductivity and Li-ion diffusivity, high coloration efficiency (62.4 cm2/C) as a result of increased electrochemical activity, and superb long-cycling retention (91.5%) after 1000 cycles due to improved electrochemical stability. In addition, hybrid films exhibited a noticeable energy storage performance with a high specific capacitance (154.0 F/g at a current density of 2 A/g) and a stable rate capability as a result of improved electrochemical activity and fast electrical conductivity, respectively. This resulted in brighter illumination intensity for the 1.5-V white-light-emitting diode due to improved energy density compared to a bare a-WO3 film. Therefore, the results suggest a new design strategy for materials to realize the coincident application of multifunctional devices with EC energy storage performance.
Impaired neuronal sodium channels cause intranodal conduction failure and reentrant arrhythmias in human sinoatrial node
Authors: Li Ning , Kalyanasundaram Anuradha , Hansen Brian J. , Artiga Esthela J. , Sharma Roshan , Abudulwahed Suhaib H. , Helfrich Katelynn M. , Rozenberg Galina , Wu Pei-Jung , Zakharkin Stanislav , Gyorke Sandor , Janssen Paul ML. , Whitson Bryan A. , Mokadam Nahush A. , Biesiadecki Brandon J. , Accornero Federica , Hummel John D. , Mohler Peter J. , Dobrzynski Halina , Zhao Jichao , Fedorov Vadim V.
Published: January 2020

Mechanisms for human sinoatrial node (SAN) dysfunction are poorly understood and whether human SAN excitability requires voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) remains controversial. Here, we report that neuronal (n)Nav blockade and selective nNav1.6 blockade during high-resolution optical mapping in explanted human hearts depress intranodal SAN conduction, which worsens during autonomic stimulation and overdrive suppression to conduction failure. Partial cardiac (c)Nav blockade further impairs automaticity and intranodal conduction, leading to beat-to-beat variability and reentry. Multiple nNav transcripts are higher in SAN vs atria; heterogeneous alterations of several isoforms, specifically nNav1.6, are associated with heart failure and chronic alcohol consumption. In silico simulations of Nav distributions suggest that INa is essential for SAN conduction, especially in fibrotic failing hearts. Our results reveal that not only cNav but nNav are also integral for preventing disease-induced failure in human SAN intranodal conduction. Disease-impaired nNav may underlie patient-specific SAN dysfunctions and should be considered to treat arrhythmias.
CD73 on cancer-associated fibroblasts enhanced by the A2B-mediated feedforward circuit enforces an immune checkpoint
Authors: Yu Miao , Guo Gang , Huang Lei , Deng Libin , Chang Chang-Sheng , Achyut Bhagelu R. , Canning Madison , Xu Ningchun , Arbab Ali S. , Bollag Roni J. , Rodriguez Paulo C. , Mellor Andrew L. , Shi Huidong , Munn David H. , Cui Yan
Published: January 2020

CD73, an ecto-5′-nucleotidase (NT5E), serves as an immune checkpoint by generating adenosine (ADO), which suppresses immune activation through the A2A receptor. Elevated CD73 levels in tumor tissues correlate with poor clinical outcomes. However, the crucial source of CD73 activity within the tumor microenvironment remains unspecified. Here, we demonstrate that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) constitute the prominent CD73hi population in human colorectal cancers (CRCs) and two CD73− murine tumor models, including a modified CRC. Clinically, high CAF abundancy in CRC tissues correlates strongly with elevated CD73 activity and poor prognosis. Mechanistically, CAF-CD73 expression is enhanced via an ADO-A2B receptor-mediated feedforward circuit triggered by tumor cell death, which enforces the CD73-checkpoint. Simultaneous inhibition of A2A and A2B pathways with CD73-neutralization synergistically enhances antitumor immunity in CAF-rich tumors. Therefore, the strategic and effective targeting of both the A2B-mediated ADO-CAF-CD73 feedforward circuit and A2A-mediated immune suppression is crucial for improving therapeutic outcomes.