bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A simple treatment of chemical equilibrium
Authors: Nelson Peter G.
Published: June 2021

A simple treatment of chemical equilibrium is given, based on Boltzmann’s distribution law. The results are compared with those obtained by using thermodynamics.
Quantum Violation of the Suppes-Zanotti Inequalities and “Contextuality”
Authors: Svozil Karl
Published: June 2021

The Suppes-Zanotti inequalities involving the joint expectations of just three binary quantum observables are (re-)derived by the hull computation of the respective correlation polytope. A min-max calculation reveals its maximal quantum violations correspond to a generalized Tsirelson bound. Notions of “contextuality” motivated by such violations are critically reviewed.
Economic burden of age-related macular degeneration in routine clinical practice: the RAMDEBURS study
Authors: Ruiz-Moreno José M. , Arias Luís , Abraldes Maximino J. , Montero Javier , Udaondo Patricia ,   The RAMDEBURS study group
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To describe and evaluate the main direct health costs, in routine clinical practice, of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients, from hospital perspective, in Spain.

Methods

Retrospective, multicenter, and observational study conducted on five third-level Spanish hospitals, between December 2018 and December 2019. The study included patients who were diagnosed of AMD before December 2018. Direct healthcare costs were obtained from a Spanish database. Study variables included demographic and clinical variables, and resources, such as treatment, diagnostic tests, medical examination, and surgery. Among the 1414 screened AMD patients, 1164 patients were included. In the overall study patients, the total cost was €5,386,511.0, with a mean cost per patient of €4627.6 ± 2383.9. The largest cost items were diagnostic examinations (€2.832.902,0) and vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (anti-VEGF) treatment (€2.038.257,2). Bevacizumab was administered to 325 (27.9%) patients, ranibizumab to 328 (28.2%), and aflibercept to 626 (53.8%); 115 (10.7%) patients received two anti-VEGF treatments, while 90 (7.7%) did not receive any. Over the course of the study, a total of 6,057 anti-VEGF injections were administered, with a mean (95% confidence interval) of 4.8 (4.4–5.2) injections per patient. Regarding safety, 29 patients experience injection-related adverse events, among them 12 patients had cataract and 11 ones elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). The incidence of endophthalmitis was 0.5% (6/1164).

Conclusions

AMD was associated with considerable healthcare costs for regional healthcare systems. Diagnostic examinations, particularly OCT examinations, and anti-VEGF treatment represented the largest cost items.
miR-34c inhibits PDGF-BB-induced HAVSMCs phenotypic transformation and proliferation via PDGFR-β/SIRT1 pathway
Authors: Wan Wei-feng , Zhang Xin , Huang Chang-ren , Chen Li-gang , Yang Xiao-bo , Bao Kun-yang , Peng Tang-ming
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of miR-34c on PDGF-BB-induced HAVSMCs phenotypic transformation and proliferation via PDGFR-β/SIRT1 pathway, so as to find a new method for early diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. HA-VSMCs were treated with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) at 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h or 36 h to explore the optimal time for phenotypic transformation of VSMCs. And then, PDGF-BB-induced HA-VSMCs were transfected with miR-34c mimics/mimics NC and pcDNA3.1-PDGFR-β/pcDNA3.1-NC to observe cell biological behaviour. CCK8 was used to detect cell proliferation activity. Transwell chamber assay was used to detect cell invasion. Early apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of α-SMA and Smemb was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The expressions of PDGFR-β, IRF9, Acetyl-NF-κB/p65, Acetyl-p53 and CyclinD1 were analyzed by Western blot analysis. The expression of miR-34a, miR-34b and miR-34c was detected by RT-PCR, and the targeting relationship between miR-34c and PDGFR-β was detected by luciferase reporting assay. The results indicated the proliferation and migration of PDGF-BB-induced HA-VSMCs significantly increased, and apoptosis significantly decreased. Besides, α-SMA decreased significantly, while Smemb increased significantly. Furthermore, expressions of PDGFR-β, IRF9, Acetyl-NF-κB/p65, Acetyl-p53 and CyclinD1 increased significantly, and SIRT1 decreased significantly. Experimental results showed that, miR-34c mimics significantly inhibited cell proliferation and migration, and promoted cell apoptosis, and miR-34c inhibitor had the opposite effects. MiR-34c mimics significantly increased α-SMA expression and decreased Smemb expression, while the opposite effects were reflected after transfection with miR-34c inhibitor. Moreover, miR-34c mimics significantly decreased the expressions of PDGFR-β, IRF9, Acetyl-NF-κB/p65, Acetyl-p53 and CyclinD1, and significantly increased the expression of SIRT1, while miR-34c inhibitor had the opposite effects. Luciferase assay confirmed that PDGFR-β was a potential target of miR-34c. Subsequently, PDGF-BB-induced HA-VSMCs were co-transfected with miR-34c mimics and pcDNA3.1-PDGFR-β. The results indicated that PDGFR-β reversed the biological function of miR-34c mimic. The results revealed the potential application value of miR-34c as a marker molecule of phenotypic transformation, providing a potential target for improving phenotypic transformation.
Supply chain movement risk in the sneaker industry: an empirical study
Authors: Chang Che-Wei
Published: June 2021

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Sino–US trade war, this study proposes a grey sharing decision-making evaluation model for production base movement and the sustainable operation of enterprises in the footwear industry. First, a focus group technique was employed; personnel from the footwear industry, corresponding government agencies, and the academic community were invited to jointly identify the most important criteria when considering a production base movement. The group listed seven criteria: labor cost, materials, exchange rate fluctuation, tariff, supply chain, transfer cost, and the government. The grey situation decision-making algorithm based on group knowledge and entropy were used to identify the most suitable country for production base movement.
A Lucas–Lehmer approach to generalised Lebesgue–Ramanujan–Nagell equations
Authors: Patel Vandita
Published: June 2021

We describe a computationally efficient approach to resolving equations of the form $$C_1x^2 + C_2 = y^n$$

C
1

x
2

+

C
2

=

y
n

in coprime integers, for fixed values of $$C_1$$

C
1

, $$C_2$$

C
2

subject to further conditions. We make use of a factorisation argument and the Primitive Divisor Theorem due to Bilu, Hanrot and Voutier.
Clubs of autocrats: Regional organizations and authoritarian survival
Authors: Debre Maria J.
Published: June 2021

While scholars have argued that membership in Regional Organizations (ROs) can increase the likelihood of democratization, we see many autocratic regimes surviving in power albeit being members of several ROs. This article argues that this is the case because these regimes are often members in “Clubs of Autocrats” that supply material and ideational resources to strengthen domestic survival politics and shield members from external interference during moments of political turmoil. The argument is supported by survival analysis testing the effect of membership in autocratic ROs on regime survival between 1946 to 2010. It finds that membership in ROs composed of more autocratic member states does in fact raise the likelihood of regime survival by protecting incumbents against democratic challenges such as civil unrest or political dissent. However, autocratic RO membership does not help to prevent regime breakdown due to autocratic challenges like military coups, potentially because these types of threats are less likely to diffuse to other member states. The article thereby adds to our understanding of the limits of democratization and potential reverse effects of international cooperation, and contributes to the literature addressing interdependences of international and domestic politics in autocratic regimes.
Analyzing joint brand purchases by conditional restricted Boltzmann machines
Authors: Hruschka Harald
Published: June 2021

We introduce the conditional restricted Boltzmann machine as method to analyze brand-level market basket data of individual households. The conditional restricted Boltzmann machine includes marketing variables and household attributes as independent variables. To our knowledge this is the first study comparing the conditional restricted Boltzmann machine to homogeneous and heterogeneous multivariate logit models for brand-level market basket data across several product categories. We explain how to estimate the conditional restricted Boltzmann machine starting from a restricted Boltzmann machine without independent variables. The conditional restricted Boltzmann machine turns out to excel all the other investigated models in terms of log pseudo-likelihood for holdout data. We interpret the selected conditional restricted Boltzmann machine based on coefficients linking purchases to hidden variables, interdependences between brand pairs as well as own and cross effects of marketing variables. The conditional restricted Boltzmann machine indicates pairwise relationships between brands that are more varied than those of the multivariate logit model are. Based on the pairwise interdependences inferred from the restricted Boltzmann machine we determine the competitive structure of brands by means of cluster analysis. Using counterfactual simulations, we investigate what three different models (independent logit, heterogeneous multivariate logit, conditional restricted Boltzmann machine) imply with respect to the retailer’s revenue if each brand is put on display. Finally, we mention possibilities for further research, such as applying the conditional restricted Boltzmann machine to other areas in marketing or retailing.
Systemic Treatment of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Authors: Mollazadegan Kazhan , Welin Staffan , Crona Joakim
Published: June 2021

Opinion statement

Treatment recommendations for advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (GEP-NEC) are based on uncontrolled, mainly retrospective data. Chemotherapy can offer palliative relief, but long-lasting complete responses or cures are rare. The European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) and European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) recommend platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment. This has been the golden standard since the late 1980s and has been evaluated in mostly retrospective clinical studies. However, progression is inevitable for most patients. Unfortunately, data on effective second-line treatment options are scant, and ENETS and ESMO recommendations propose fluorouracil- or temozolomide-based chemotherapy schedules. As such, there is a huge unmet need for improved care. Improved knowledge on GEP-NEC biology may provide a pathway towards more effective interventions including chemotherapy, targeted gene therapy, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors. The review summarises this current state of the art as well as the most promising developments for systemic therapy in GEP-NEC patients.
My company is green, so am I: the relationship between perceived environmental responsibility of organisations and government, environmental self-identity, and pro-environmental behaviours
Authors: van der Werff Ellen , Steg Linda , Ruepert Angela
Published: June 2021

To reduce environmental problems, citizens, governments, and organisations need to take action to reduce their environmental impact. In the current paper, we tested if and how perceived environmental responsibility of organisations and government is related to pro-environmental behaviour and acceptability of pro-environmental policies among employees, customers, and citizens. We hypothesised that the stronger perceived environmental responsibility of organisations and government, the stronger the environmental self-identity of employees, customers, and citizens because they are a part of that organisation. We hypothesised that a stronger environmental self-identity, in turn, is positively related to a range of pro-environmental actions as well as acceptability of pro-environmental policies. We tested our hypotheses in three studies. We found that a stronger perceived environmental responsibility of organisations is indeed related to a stronger environmental self-identity among employees and customers of the organisation. A stronger environmental self-identity was in turn related to a range of pro-environmental actions. An alternative explanation for our findings is that those with a stronger environmental self-identity are more likely to become a customer at an organisation with a strong perceived environmental responsibility. However, we found support for our hypotheses among those who chose and among those who did not freely choose to be a customer of the organisation, suggesting that the alternative explanation does not fully explain our findings. Furthermore, we found that citizens report a stronger environmental self-identity when perceived environmental responsibility of their government is stronger. A stronger environmental self-identity was in turn related to a higher acceptability of policies aiming to promote energy savings. Our findings are in line with social identity theory, which states that people partly infer how they see themselves based on the groups to which they belong. Furthermore, our findings have important practical implications for organisations and governments aiming to promote pro-environmental behaviour. Specifically, if organisations and government reduce their environmental impact and clearly communicate this, citizens, employees, and customers may also be more likely to do so.
Point-of-care ultrasound to assess volume status and pulmonary oedema in malaria patients
Authors: Pugliese Christina M. , Adegbite Bayode R. , Edoa Jean R. , Mombo-Ngoma Ghyslain , Obone-Atome Fridia A. , Heuvelings Charlotte C. , Bélard Sabine , Kalkman Laura C. , Leopold Stije J. , Hänscheid Thomas , Adegnika Ayola A. , Huson Mischa A. , Grobusch Martin P.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Fluid management is challenging in malaria patients given the risks associated with intravascular fluid depletion and iatrogenic fluid overload leading to pulmonary oedema. Given the limitations of the physical examination in guiding fluid therapy, we evaluated point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and lungs as a novel tool to assess volume status and detect early oedema in malaria patients.

Methods

To assess the correlation between IVC and lung ultrasound (LUS) indices and clinical signs of hypovolaemia and pulmonary oedema, respectively, concurrent clinical and sonographic examinations were performed in an observational study of 48 malaria patients and 62 healthy participants across age groups in Gabon.

Results

IVC collapsibility index (CI) ≥ 50% on enrolment reflecting intravascular fluid depletion was associated with an increased number of clinical signs of hypovolaemia in severe and uncomplicated malaria. With exception of dry mucous membranes, IVC-CI correlated with most clinical signs of hypovolaemia, most notably sunken eyes (r = 0.35, p = 0.0001) and prolonged capillary refill (r = 0.35, p = 0.001). IVC-to-aorta ratio ≤ 0.8 was not associated with any clinical signs of hypovolaemia on enrolment. Among malaria patients, a B-pattern on enrolment reflecting interstitial fluid was associated with dyspnoea (p = 0.0003), crepitations and SpO2 ≤ 94% (both p < 0.0001), but not tachypnoea (p = 0.069). Severe malaria patients had increased IVC-CI (p < 0.0001) and more B-patterns (p = 0.004) on enrolment relative to uncomplicated malaria and controls.

Conclusion

In malaria patients, POCUS of the IVC and lungs may improve the assessment of volume status and detect early oedema, which could help to manage fluids in these patients.
CVTree: A Parallel Alignment-Free Phylogeny and Taxonomy Tool Based on Composition Vectors of Genomes
Authors: Zuo Guanghong
Published: June 2021

Composition Vector Tree (CVTree) is an alignment-free algorithm to infer phylogenetic relationships from genome sequences. It has been successfully applied to study phylogeny and taxonomy of viruses, prokaryotes, and fungi based on the whole genomes, as well as chloroplast genomes, mitochondrial genomes, and metagenomes. Here we presented the standalone software for the CVTree algorithm. In the software, an extensible parallel workflow for the CVTree algorithm was designed. Based on the workflow, new alignment-free methods were also implemented. And by examining the phylogeny and taxonomy of 13,903 prokaryotes based on 16S rRNA sequences, we showed that CVTree software is an efficient and effective tool for studying phylogeny and taxonomy based on genome sequences. The code of CVTree software can be available at https://github.com/ghzuo/cvtree.
The Gifted Language Learner
Authors: Moyer Alene
Published: June 2021

Language learners beyond early childhood are scarcely expected to reach native-like abilities in their new language, yet some do. Are these individuals uniquely gifted? If so, are such gifts innate, or the result of intense drive, optimal experience, opportunity, or something else altogether? Bringing together theory and empirical work from across disciplines, this ground-breaking book aims to better understand the perennial mystery of giftedness in language learning (GLL). Incorporating quantitative, qualitative, and case study data, this analysis demonstrates the need to reach across cognitive, neural, emotional, psychological, and social lines to understand native-likeness in a second language. All such 'outliers' face limits, potentials, and choices. What they do in the face of these is key. With this complexity in mind, specific recommendations are provided to re-orient the research toward an appreciation of the individual's role, and a clearer understanding of the inherent balance of nature and nurture in GLL.
125 Problems in Text Algorithms
Authors: Crochemore Maxime , Lecroq Thierry , Rytter Wojciech
Published: June 2021

String matching is one of the oldest algorithmic techniques, yet still one of the most pervasive in computer science. The past 20 years have seen technological leaps in applications as diverse as information retrieval and compression. This copiously illustrated collection of puzzles and exercises in key areas of text algorithms and combinatorics on words offers graduate students and researchers a pleasant and direct way to learn and practice with advanced concepts. The problems are drawn from a large range of scientific publications, both classic and new. Building up from the basics, the book goes on to showcase problems in combinatorics on words (including Fibonacci or Thue-Morse words), pattern matching (including Knuth-Morris-Pratt and Boyer-Moore like algorithms), efficient text data structures (including suffix trees and suffix arrays), regularities in words (including periods and runs) and text compression (including Huffman, Lempel-Ziv and Burrows-Wheeler based methods).
Investigation of a cold-based ice apron on a high-mountain permafrost rock wall using ice texture analysis and micro-14C dating: a case study of the Triangle du Tacul ice apron (Mont Blanc massif, France)
Authors: Guillet Grégoire , Preunkert Susanne , Ravanel Ludovic , Montagnat Maurine , Friedrich Ronny
Published: June 2021

The current paper studies the dynamics and age of the Triangle du Tacul (TDT) ice apron, a massive ice volume lying on a steep high-mountain rock wall in the French side of the Mont-Blanc massif at an altitude close to 3640 m a.s.l. Three 60 cm long ice cores were drilled to bedrock (i.e. the rock wall) in 2018 and 2019 at the TDT ice apron. Texture (microstructure and lattice-preferred orientation, LPO) analyses were performed on one core. The two remaining cores were used for radiocarbon dating of the particulate organic carbon fraction (three samples in total). Microstructure and LPO do not substantially vary with along the axis of the ice core. Throughout the core, irregularly shaped grains, associated with strain-induced grain boundary migration and strong single maximum LPO, were observed. Measurements indicate that at the TDT ice deforms under a low strain-rate simple shear regime, with a shear plane parallel to the surface slope of the ice apron. Dynamic recrystallization stands out as the major mechanism for grain growth. Micro-radiocarbon dating indicates that the TDT ice becomes older with depth perpendicular to the ice surface. We observed ice ages older than 600 year BP and at the base of the lowest 30 cm older than 3000 years.
THE POSET OF ALL LOGICS I: INTERPRETATIONS AND LATTICE STRUCTURE
Authors: JANSANA R. , MORASCHINI T.
Published: June 2021

A notion of interpretation between arbitrary logics is introduced, and the poset$\mathsf {Log}$of all logics ordered under interpretability is studied. It is shown that in$\mathsf {Log}$infima of arbitrarily large sets exist, but binary suprema in general do not. On the other hand, the existence of suprema of sets of equivalential logics is established. The relations between$\mathsf {Log}$and the lattice of interpretability types of varieties are investigated.
There's More to the Story: Comment on Ebert and Colleagues
Authors: Horn Sherman W.
Published: June 2021

To understand Middle Preclassic social processes at Cahal Pech, we must consider the dynamic and complex record of architectural development in its entirety.
Comparing Preclassic Sequences at Cahal Pech, Belize: Reply to Horn
Authors: Ebert Claire E. , Awe Jaime J.
Published: June 2021

We thank our colleague for his comment, address concerns raised, and encourage future collaborative research to answer important questions about the Middle Preclassic at Cahal Pech.
Risk assessment for the transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) on aircraft: a systematic review
Authors: Berruga-Fernández T. , Robesyn E. , Korhonen T. , Penttinen P. , Jansa J. M.
Published: June 2021

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes a potentially fatal respiratory disease. Although it is most common in the Arabian Peninsula, it has been exported to 17 countries outside the Middle East, mostly through air travel. The Risk Assessment Guidelines for Infectious Diseases transmitted on Aircraft (RAGIDA) advise authorities on measures to take when an infected individual travelled by air. The aim of this systematic review was to gather all available information on documented MERS-CoV cases that had travelled by air, to update RAGIDA. The databases used were PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Global Index Medicus; Google was searched for grey literature and hand searching was performed on the EU Early Warning and Response System and the WHO Disease Outbreak News. Forty-seven records were identified, describing 21 cases of MERS that had travelled on 31 flights. Contact tracing was performed for 17 cases. Most countries traced passengers sitting in the same row and the two rows in front and behind the case. Only one country decided to trace all passengers and crew. No cases of in-flight transmission were observed; thus, considering the resources it requires, a conservative approach may be appropriate when contact tracing passengers and crew where a case of MERS has travelled by air.
Artificial Moral Responsibility: How We Can and Cannot Hold Machines Responsible
Authors: Tigard Daniel W.
Published: June 2021

Our ability to locate moral responsibility is often thought to be a necessary condition for conducting morally permissible medical practice, engaging in a just war, and other high-stakes endeavors. Yet, with increasing reliance upon artificially intelligent systems, we may be facing a wideningresponsibility gap, which, some argue, cannot be bridged by traditional concepts of responsibility. How then, if at all, can we make use of crucial emerging technologies? According to Colin Allen and Wendell Wallach, the advent of so-called ‘artificial moral agents’ (AMAs) is inevitable. Still, this notion may seem to push back the problem, leaving those who have an interest in developing autonomous technology with a dilemma. We may need to scale-back our efforts at deploying AMAs (or at least maintain human oversight); otherwise, we must rapidly and drastically update our moral and legal norms in a way that ensures responsibility for potentially avoidable harms. This paper invokes contemporary accounts of responsibility in order to show how artificially intelligent systems might be held responsible. Although many theorists are concerned enough to develop artificial conceptions ofagencyor to exploit our present inability to regulate valuable innovations, the proposal here highlights the importance of—and outlines a plausible foundation for—a workable notion ofartificial moral responsibility.
Novel Beings and Assisted Nonexistence
Authors: Black Isra
Published: June 2021

This article engages with the legal regulation of end-of-existence decisionmaking for novel beings, specifically assisted nonexistence for such entities. The author explains the concept of a legal model for assisted death by reference to the substantive features of legal regimes in three jurisdictions in which assisted suicide or euthanasia is lawful. He considers how these models might fit novel beings who may require or prefer assistance to end their own existence by reference to the constituent features—abstract legal ingredients—that models for assisted death share. The author argues that extant models may block some novel beings’ access to end-of-existence assistance or fail to track what matters to them. He then examines the merits of adopting a universal model for assisted nonexistence, that is, a legal framework whose substantive features capture the end-of-existence concerns of both human and novel beings. Consideration of a unified legal framework may illuminate the discussion of assisted nonexistence for humans and novel beings. However, the paper proposes that whereas novel beings may have similar interests to humans, they may be relevantly different also. The prima facie case for adopting a one regime to rule us all approach to assisted nonexistence may be defeated by reasons for divergent regulation.
Responses of consumers with food allergy to the new allergen-labelling legislation in Saudi Arabia: a preliminary survey
Authors: Alghafari Wejdan T , Attar Atheer A , Alghanmi Afnan A , Alolayan Danah A , Alamri Nehal A , Alqarni Sara A , Alsahafi Athear M , Arfaoui Leila
Published: June 2021

Objective:

Preventing a food allergy reaction depends primarily on eliminating allergens from the diet. In October 2019, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) introduced new legislation requiring food establishments providing and selling non-prepacked foods to state the presence of the top fourteen food allergens on their menus. The current study aimed to assess the allergen-labelling knowledge, practices, preferences and perceptions towards the new SFDA allergen-labelling legislation among consumers with food allergy in Saudi Arabia.

Design:

Observational cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire.

Setting:

Saudi Arabia; February – March 2020.

Participants:

Residents of Saudi Arabia with food allergy (n 427), aged 18–70 years.

Results:

Among participants, only 28·1 % knew that there were governmental regulations in Saudi Arabia regarding food-allergen labelling and approximately two-thirds (67 %) check labels on prepacked food products for allergens. The majority of the participants preferred food products carrying safety statements (84·1 %) and symbols (80·1 %). A total of 47·1 % were aware that regulations in Saudi Arabia require allergens to be declared in ingredient lists, while 51·3 % were aware that advisory allergen labelling is not required by law. Only 26·2 % were aware of the new SFDA legislation regarding provision of allergen information by food establishments. However, the majority (94·4 %) were supportive of the new legislation, and most of them were more likely to eat at restaurants that reported allergen information for food items on the menu.

Conclusions:

The new SFDA food allergen-labelling legislation needs to be more widely and effectively disseminated to increase the level of awareness among adults with food allergy in Saudi Arabia.
Commodity frontiers: a view from economic history
Authors: Findlay Ronald , O’Rourke Kevin Hjortshøj
Published: June 2021

The history of frontiers is a fascinating topic for research, especially interdisciplinary research. We stress the need to engage with existing work on the topic by economists and economic historians, but we also highlight the need to engage with such topics as the history of inter-state conflict and violence, technological change, and the role of multiple interest groups in determining policy.
Spanish Adaptation of the Self- and Other-Interest Inventory in Academic Settings
Authors: Aguayo-Estremera Raimundo , Miragaya-Casillas Cristina , Correa Manuel , Ruiz-Villaverde Alberto
Published: June 2021

In the study of human motivations, self-interest is often seen as a determining factor and opposed to other-interest. Recently a new conceptualization has been proposed in which both interests can occur at the same time. In order to measure these constructs, the Self-and Other-Interest Inventory (SOII; Gerbasi & Prentice, 2013) was created, which has one version for adults and one for students. Due to the absence of similar measurement instruments in Spain, the aim of this work is to adapt the SOII to Spanish university students. Several studies were conducted. First, the construct was analyzed through rational-analytical procedures. Second, the items were translated following an iterative forward-translation design. Finally, evidence of validity was obtained through analytical procedures. Specifically, two pilot studies were carried out in which two independent samples of Spanish students participated (N1 = 119; N2 = 165). In both studies descriptive analyzes of the items were performed, reliability was estimated and the factor structure of the SOII was explored from an exploratory factor analysis. The results showed adequate reliability and a two-factor solution consistent with the original.
Assessment of WRF Model Parameter Sensitivity for High‐Intensity Precipitation Events During the Indian Summer Monsoon
Authors: Chinta Sandeep , Yaswanth Sai J. , Balaji C.
Published: June 2021

Default values for many parameters in Numerical Weather Prediction models are typically adopted based on theoretical or experimental investigations by scheme designers. Short‐range forecasts are substantially affected by the specification of parameters in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The presence of a multitude of parameters and several output variables in the WRF model renders appropriate parameter value identification quite challenging. This study aims to identify the parameters that most strongly influence the model output variables using a Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA) method. Morris One‐At‐a‐Time (MOAT), a GSA method, is used to identify the sensitivities of 23 chosen tunable parameters corresponding to seven physical parameterization schemes of the WRF model. The sensitivity measures (MOAT mean and standard deviation) are evaluated for 11 output variables simulated by the WRF model, corresponding to different parameters. Twelve high‐intensity 4‐day precipitation events during the Indian summer monsoon during 2015, 2016, and 2017 over India's monsoon core region are considered for the study. Though the parameter sensitivities vary depending on the model output variable, overall results suggest a general trend. The consistency of sensitivity analysis results with different initial and lateral boundary conditions is also assessed.
The Role of Spatial Averaging Scale in Leaf‐To‐Canopy Scaling of Non‐Linear Processes in Homogeneous Canopies
Authors: Kent Eric R. , Bailey Brian N.
Published: June 2021

In formulating canopy biophysical models of non‐linear processes like photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, it is necessary to average inputs over some representative spatial scale (sub‐leaf, leaf, sub‐crown, crown, whole‐canopy, etc.). The consequences of the choice of averaging scale is often unclear due to the inability of experiments to robustly quantify fluxes across the full range of relevant length scales. This study quantified errors in canopy‐level flux simulations due to input radiative flux averaging scale choice using a detailed leaf‐resolving biophysical model that represents three‐dimensional canopy geometry at the sub‐leaf level. Simulations were performed for an array of homogeneous canopies differing in leaf area index (LAI), canopy height, leaf inclination angle distribution, leaf size, leaf shape, and the size of leaf sub‐sections relative to total leaf size. Canopy fluxes based on a sub‐leaf averaging scale were compared with fluxes derived from averaging over single leaves, averaging sunlit and shaded portions of leaf area separately (i.e., two‐leaf model), and averaging multiple vertical layers and leaf angle classes separately (i.e., multi‐layer model). Canopy‐level fluxes were found to be influenced by the chosen averaging scale and other variables tested, especially LAI. Averaging approaches inherent in the two‐leaf and multi‐layer models currently used in most canopy models resulted in low or moderate over‐estimates of canopy‐level fluxes under many conditions tested. Surprisingly, averaging over entire leaves (i.e., leaf‐resolving model) had the potential to create the largest errors. This result underscored the need to sub‐divide leaves in leaf‐resolving models.
A Physically Based Definition of Convectively Generated Density Currents: Detection and Characterization in Convection‐Permitting Simulations
Authors: Rochetin Nicolas , Hohenegger Cathy , Touzé‐Peiffer Ludovic , Villefranque Najda
Published: June 2021

In this study, a conceptual model to define convective density currents is proposed. Based on theory, observations and modeling studies, we define convective density currents as 3D coherent structures with an anomalously cold core, an adjacent wind gust, and a vertical structure made of two layers: a well‐mixed one near the surface and a stratified one above. With this definition, a methodology is proposed to identify and label individual convective density currents in convection‐permitting simulations. The method is applied to four distinct cloud scenes taken from a convection‐permitting simulation. Our methodology reveals new dynamic, thermodynamic, and geometric features related to the density currents’ imprint on the planetary boundary layer. The method is found to be (i) relevant in distinct convective regimes, (ii) relevant in land and oceanic situations, and (iii) adapted to both Cloud Resolving Models and Large Eddy Simulations. It also provides proxies such as the number, the spatial coverage, the mean radius, and the mean velocity of convective density currents, from which a detailed analysis of their role in the life‐cycle and spatial organization of convection could be performed in the near future.
Siltation Threatens Historic North Indian Dam
Authors: Singh Gurpreet
Published: June 2021

Experts recommend reforestation campaigns to combat siltation at Bhakra Dam, one of the first infrastructure projects pursued by India after independence.
The Earth in Living Color: Monitoring Our Planet from Above
Authors: Schimel David , Poulter Benjamin
Published: June 2021

A new special collection invites papers on a new era of remote sensing missions and instruments that will provide insights into human and climate driven changes on planet Earth.
Macromineral and trace element requirements for Santa Ines sheep
Authors: Sousa Dayanne Lima , Marcondes Marcos Inácio , Silva Luciano Pinheiro , Lima Francisco Wellington Rodrigues , Herbster Caio Julio Lima , Souza Jocely Gomes , Rodrigues João Paulo Pacheco , Bezerra Leilson Rocha , Oliveira Ronaldo Lopes , Pereira Elzania Sales
Published: June 2021

Minerals play an important role in animal metabolism. Knowledge of mineral requirements allows well-formulated diets to be provided, which is the main factor that affects performance. To determine the macromineral and trace element requirements for growth and maintenance, thirty-eight 2-month-old Santa Ines lambs with initial body weight (BW) of 13.0 ± 1.49 kg were distributed in a factorial design with feeding levels (ad libitum, 30% and 60% feed restriction) and sex classes [castrated (CM) and intact males (IM)]. The net mineral requirements for gain were higher (P < 0.05) with increasing BW and average daily gain, except for Ca and Na, which remained constant as the empty BW (EBW) increased. The macromineral net requirement for maintenance (g/kg EBW0.75) and the true retention coefficient (k; %) were 0.0784 and 65.2 for Ca, 0.0926 and 80.0 for P, and 0.0379 and 59.0 for K, respectively. The k of Mg was higher (P < 0.05) for IM (11.3 for IM and 7.9 for CM). Sex did not affect (P > 0.05) the maintenance requirement of the trace elements Co, Cu, Zn and Cr which were 0.0015, 0.037, 0.698, and 0.0055 (mg/kg EBW0.75), respectively. Our study indicated that the Santa Ines net mineral requirements are different from the main nutritional requirements established by committees for sheep, which may result in unbalanced diets.
Evaluating machine learning methodologies for identification of cancer driver genes
Authors: Malebary Sharaf J. , Khan Yaser Daanial
Published: June 2021

Cancer is driven by distinctive sorts of changes and basic variations in genes. Recognizing cancer driver genes is basic for accurate oncological analysis. Numerous methodologies to distinguish and identify drivers presently exist, but efficient tools to combine and optimize them on huge datasets are few. Most strategies for prioritizing transformations depend basically on frequency-based criteria. Strategies are required to dependably prioritize organically dynamic driver changes over inert passengers in high-throughput sequencing cancer information sets. This study proposes a model namely PCDG-Pred which works as a utility capable of distinguishing cancer driver and passenger attributes of genes based on sequencing data. Keeping in view the significance of the cancer driver genes an efficient method is proposed to identify the cancer driver genes. Further, various validation techniques are applied at different levels to establish the effectiveness of the model and to obtain metrics like accuracy, Mathew’s correlation coefficient, sensitivity, and specificity. The results of the study strongly indicate that the proposed strategy provides a fundamental functional advantage over other existing strategies for cancer driver genes identification. Subsequently, careful experiments exhibit that the accuracy metrics obtained for self-consistency, independent set, and cross-validation tests are 91.08%., 87.26%, and 92.48% respectively.
Polymer nanoparticles regulate macrophage repolarization for antitumor treatment
Authors: Fu Xuancheng , Yu Jiamu , Yuan Anran , Liu Libing , Zhao Hao , Huang Yiming , Shen Song , Lv Fengting , Wang Shu
Published: June 2021

Polymer nanoparticles regulate tumor-associated macrophage repolarization for imparting an antitumor effect and the combination with other therapies provides new ideas for drug delivery, macrophage regulation and immunotherapy in cancer treatment.
Reduced polyoxomolybdate immobilized on reduced graphene oxide for rapid catalytic decontamination of a sulfur mustard simulant
Authors: Wu Yanyan , Dong Jing , Liu Chengpeng , Jing Xiaoting , Liu Huifang , Guo Yue , Chi Yingnan , Hu Changwen
Published: June 2021

Reduced polyoxomolybdate has been immobilized on reduced graphene oxide exhibiting remarkable performance for sulfur mustard simulant detoxification.
Vegetable oil as a highly effective 100% bio-based alternative solvent for the one-pot multicomponent Biginelli reaction
Authors: Noppawan Pakin , Sangon Suwiwat , Supanchaiyamat Nontipa , Hunt Andrew J.
Published: June 2021

Multicomponent one-pot Biginelli reactions have been successfully performed using vegetable oil as bio-based, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly solvents.
Electrochemical NaI/NaCl-mediated one-pot synthesis of 2-aminobenzoxazoles in aqueous mediaviatandem addition–cyclization
Authors: Huynh Thao Nguyen Thanh , Tankam Theeranon , Koguchi Shinichi , Rerkrachaneekorn Tanawat , Sukwattanasinitt Mongkol , Wacharasindhu Sumrit
Published: June 2021

A benign electrochemical reaction for synthesis of 2-aminobenzoxazoles from 2-aminophenols and isothiocyanates was demonstrated in one-pot fashion utilizing catalytic NaI/NaCl in EtOH/H2O.
Enhanced production of phenol and debromination by co-pyrolysis of the non-metallic fraction of printed circuit boards and waste tires
Authors: Ma Chuan , Kumagai Shogo , Saito Yuko , Kameda Tomohito , Yoshioka Toshiaki
Published: June 2021

A clean way to recover high content phenol and low content bromine from the co-pyrolysis of PCB and waste tires.
Precise and accurate Lu–Hf isotope analysis of columbite-group minerals by MC-ICP-MS
Authors: Tang Zhi-Min , Che Xu-Dong , Yang Yue-Heng , Wu Fu-Yuan , Wang Ru-Cheng , Yang Jin-Hui , Gerdes Axel , Zhu Ze-Ying , Liu Feng , Zhang Chang
Published: June 2021

The Lu–Hf isotopic composition of CGMs provides a new geochemical tracer for rare-metal deposits.
Silica-supported Nb(iii)–CH3 species can act as an efficient catalyst for the non-oxidative coupling of methane
Authors: Lin Xufeng , Ma Lishuang , Zhao Shidong , Xi Yanyan , Shang Hongyan , An Gaojun , Lu Changbo
Published: June 2021

The Nb(iii)–CH3 catalyst lowers the energetic span of the whole catalytic cycle over its Ta and V analogues.
Unprecedented interplay of antiferro- and ferromagnetic exchange interactions through intermolecular hydrogen bonds in mononuclear Cu(ii) complexes
Authors: Tupolova Yulia P. , Levchenkov Sergey I. , Popov Leonid D. , Lebedev Vladimir E. , Minin Vadim V. , Efimov Nikolay N. , Lazarenko Vladimir A. , Zubavichus Yan V. , Zubenko Alexander A. , Shcherbakov Igor N.
Published: June 2021

A nontrivial case of a combination of ferro- and antiferromagnetic exchange interactions in mononuclear copper(ii) complexes, determined by HB networks, is reported.
Catalyst-free synthesis of substituted pyridin-2-yl, quinolin-2-yl, and isoquinolin-1-yl carbamates from the corresponding hetaryl ureas and alcohols
Authors: Kasatkina Svetlana O. , Geyl Kirill K. , Baykov Sergey V. , Boyarskaya Irina A. , Boyarskiy Vadim P.
Published: June 2021

A novel catalyst-free synthesis of N-pyridin-2-yl and N-quinolin-2-yl carbamates utilizes easily accessible N-hetaryl ureas and alcohols.
SMCHD1's ubiquitin-like domain is required for N-terminal dimerization and chromatin localization
Authors: Gurzau Alexandra D. , Horne Christopher R. , Mok Yee-Foong , Iminitoff Megan , Willson Tracy A. , Young Samuel N. , Blewitt Marnie E. , Murphy James M.
Published: June 2021

Structural maintenance of chromosomes flexible hinge domain-containing 1 (SMCHD1) is an epigenetic regulator that mediates gene expression silencing at targeted sites across the genome. Our current understanding of SMCHD1's molecular mechanism, and how substitutions within SMCHD1 lead to the diseases, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and Bosma arhinia microphthalmia syndrome (BAMS), are only emerging. Recent structural studies of its two component domains — the N-terminal ATPase and C-terminal SMC hinge — suggest that dimerization of each domain plays a central role in SMCHD1 function. Here, using biophysical techniques, we demonstrate that the SMCHD1 ATPase undergoes dimerization in a process that is dependent on both the N-terminal UBL (Ubiquitin-like) domain and ATP binding. We show that neither the dimerization event, nor the presence of a C-terminal extension past the transducer domain, affect SMCHD1's in vitro catalytic activity as the rate of ATP turnover remains comparable to the monomeric protein. We further examined the functional importance of the N-terminal UBL domain in cells, revealing that its targeted deletion disrupts the localization of full-length SMCHD1 to chromatin. These findings implicate UBL-mediated SMCHD1 dimerization as a crucial step for chromatin interaction, and thereby for promoting SMCHD1-mediated gene silencing.
Elucidation of rutin’s role in inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis via HPV-E6 and E7 down-regulation in cervical cancer HeLa cells
Authors: Pandey Pratibha , Khan Fahad , Farhan Mohd , Jafri Asif
Published: June 2021

Over the recent few years rutin has gained wider attention in exhibiting inhibitory potential against several oncotargets for inducing apoptotic and antiproliferative activity in several human cancer cells. Several deregulated signaling pathways are implicated in cancer pathogenesis. Therefore we have inclined our research towards exploring the anticancerous efficacy of a very potent phytocompound for modulating the incontinent expression of these two crucial E6 and E7 oncogenes. Further, inhibitory efficacy of rutin against human papillomavirus (HPV)-E6 and E7 oncoproteins in cervical cancer has not been elucidated yet. This research addresses the growth inhibitory efficacy of rutin against E6 and E7 oncoproteins in HeLa cells, which is known to inactivate several tumor suppressor proteins such as p53 and pRB. Rutin treatment exhibited reduced cell viability with increased cell accumulation in G0/G1 phase of cell cycle in HeLa cell lines. Additionally, rutin treatment has also led to down-regulation of E6 and E7 expression associated with an increased expression of p53 and pRB levels. This has further resulted in enhanced Bax expression and decreased Bcl-2 expression releasing cytochrome c into cytosol followed by caspase cascade activation with cleavage of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9. Further, in silico studies have also supported our in vitro findings by exhibiting significant binding energy against selected target oncoproteins. Therefore, our research findings might recommend rutin as one of the potent drug candidate in cervical cancer management via targeting two crucial oncoproteins associated with viral progression.
The expanding world of metabolic enzymes moonlighting as RNA binding proteins
Authors: Curtis Nicole J. , Jeffery Constance J.
Published: June 2021

RNA binding proteins play key roles in many aspects of RNA metabolism and function, including splicing, transport, translation, localization, stability and degradation. Within the past few years, proteomics studies have identified dozens of enzymes in intermediary metabolism that bind to RNA. The wide occurrence and conservation of RNA binding ability across distant branches of the evolutionary tree suggest that these moonlighting enzymes are involved in connections between intermediary metabolism and gene expression that comprise far more extensive regulatory networks than previously thought. There are many outstanding questions about the molecular structures and mechanisms involved, the effects of these interactions on enzyme and RNA functions, and the factors that regulate the interactions. The effects on RNA function are likely to be wider than regulation of translation, and some enzyme–RNA interactions have been found to regulate the enzyme's catalytic activity. Several enzyme–RNA interactions have been shown to be affected by cellular factors that change under different intracellular and environmental conditions, including concentrations of substrates and cofactors. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the interactions between the enzymes and RNA, the factors involved in regulation, and the effects of the enzyme–RNA interactions on both the enzyme and RNA functions will lead to a better understanding of the role of the many newly identified enzyme–RNA interactions in connecting intermediary metabolism and gene expression.