bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting the Potential Effects of Climate Change on Malaria in the Lake Victoria Basin Using Regionalized Climate Projections
Authors: Ototo Ednah N. , Ogutu Joseph O. , Githeko Andrew , Said Mohammed Y. , Kamau Lucy , Namanya Didacus , Simiyu Stella , Mutimba Stephen
Published: August 2022

Background

Malaria epidemics are increasing in East Africa since the 1980s, coincident with rising temperature and widening climate variability. A projected 1–3.5 °C rise in average global temperatures by 2100 could exacerbate the epidemics by modifying disease transmission thresholds. Future malaria scenarios for the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) are quantified for projected climate scenarios spanning 2006–2100.

Methods

Regression relationships are established between historical (1995–2010) clinical malaria and anaemia cases and rainfall and temperature for four East African malaria hotspots. The vector autoregressive moving average processes model, VARMAX (p,q,s), is then used to forecast malaria and anaemia responses to rainfall and temperatures projected with an ensemble of eight General Circulation Models (GCMs) for climate change scenarios defined by three Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs 2.6, 4.5 and 8.5).

Results

Maximum temperatures in the long rainy (March–May) and dry (June–September) seasons will likely increase by over 2.0 °C by 2070, relative to 1971–2000, under RCPs 4.5 and 8.5. Minimum temperatures (June–September) will likely increase by over 1.5–3.0 °C under RCPs 2.6, 4.5 and 8.5. The short rains (OND) will likely increase more than the long rains (MAM) by the 2050s and 2070s under RCPs 4.5 and 8.5. Historical malaria cases are positively and linearly related to the 3–6-month running means of monthly rainfall and maximum temperature. Marked variation characterizes the patterns projected for each of the three scenarios across the eight General Circulation Models, reaffirming the importance of using an ensemble of models for projections.

Conclusions

The short rains (OND), wet season (MAM) temperatures and clinical malaria cases will likely increase in the Lake Victoria Basin. Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, including malaria control interventions could reduce the projected epidemics and cases. Interventions should reduce emerging risks, human vulnerability and environmental suitability for malaria transmission.
Long-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Gastric Plication for Treatment of Morbid Obesity: a Single-Center Experience
Authors: Abdelgawad Mohamed , Elgeidie Ahmed , Sorogy Mohamed El , Elrefai Mohamed , Hamed Hosam , El-Magd El-Sayed Abou
Published: August 2022

Background

Although laparoscopic gastric plication (LGP) has been mentioned in many studies, its practice has not yet been standardized. In addition, the outcomes remain conflicting, especially long-term ones. This study was conducted to elucidate the long-term consequences of LGP.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of patients with obesity underwent LGP at our institution between March 2010 and September 2014. Data were prospectively collected from our database.

Results

Of the 88 consecutive patients in the study period between 2010 and 2014, follow-up data out to 6 years was available in 60 LGP patients (68.18%). The mean age of the included patients was 41.3 ± 10 years. A total of 81.7% were females. We observed a significant BMI reduction out to 2 years (p < 0.001), a plateau at 3 and 4 years, and a significant BMI increase at 6 years (p < 0.01). %TWL at 2 years was 21.14% and 12.08% at 6 years. Weight regain was observed in 35 patients at 6 years to reach a rate of 58.3%. Predictors for weight regain at 6 years were disrupted plication fold, increased hunger, and non-adherence to regular exercise. The diabetes improvement rate was 66.6% at 6 years. There were 14 re-operations (23.3%): 1 emergency (1.6%) and 13 (21.6%) elective. There was no mortality.

Conclusion

At the 6-year follow-up visit, LGP has a much less durable effect on weight loss with a % EWL of 32% and a weight regain of 58.3% resulting in a high rate of revisions.

Graphical abstract
Long-Term Clinical Trajectory of Patients with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Linking Acute Care and Neurorehabilitation
Authors: Lindner Anna , Brunelli Luca , Rass Verena , Ianosi Bogdan-Andrei , Gaasch Max , Kofler Mario , Limmert Victoria , Schiefecker Alois J. , Pfausler Bettina , Beer Ronny , Pucks-Faes Elke , Helbok Raimund
Published: August 2022

Background

Despite improvements in the critical care management of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), a substantial number of patients still suffer from disabilities. In most areas of the world, longitudinal follow-up is not routinely performed, and the patient’s trajectory remains unknown.

Methods

We prospectively collected data of 298 consecutive patients with spontaneous SAH and evaluated clinical trajectories at discharge, 3 months, and 1 year after SAH. In a subgroup of patients transferred to a local neurorehabilitation center (Rehab-Hochzirl), we studied the effects of rehabilitation intensity on clinical trajectories. Any decrease in the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was defined as an improvement, with mRS ≤ 2 indicating good outcome. We used multivariate generalized linear models to investigate associations with clinical trajectories.

Results

Out of the 250 surviving patients, 35% were transferred directly to Rehab-Hochzirl (n = 87 of 250; mRS at discharge = 4), 11% were transferred to another rehabilitation center (n = 27 of 250; mRS = 1), 1% were transferred to a nursing home (n = 3 of 250; mRS = 5), 21% were transferred to their country of origin (n = 52 of 250; mRS = 4), and 32% (n = 79 of 250; mRS = 1) were discharged home. Functional outcome improved in 57% (n = 122 of 215) of patients during the first 3 months, with an additional 16% (35 of 215) improving between 3 and 12 months, resulting in an overall improvement in 73% (n = 157 of 215) of survivors. After 1 year, 60% (n = 179 of 250) of patients were functionally independent. A lower Hunt and Hess scale score at intensive care unit admission, younger age, a lower mRS at intensive care unit discharge, fewer days on mechanical ventilation, and male sex were independently associated with better functional recovery. Although the subgroup of patients transferred to Rehab-Hochzirl were more severely affected, 60% (52 of 87) improved during inpatient neurorehabilitation.

Conclusions

Our results indicate ongoing functional improvement in a substantial number of patients with SAH throughout a follow-up period of 12 months. This effect was also observed in patients with severe disability receiving inpatient neurorehabilitation.
Mitofusin 2 Integrates Mitochondrial Network Remodelling, Mitophagy and Renewal of Respiratory Chain Proteins in Neurons after Oxygen and Glucose Deprivation
Authors: Wojtyniak Piotr , Boratynska-Jasinska Anna , Serwach Karolina , Gruszczynska-Biegala Joanna , Zablocka Barbara , Jaworski Jacek , Kawalec Maria
Published: August 2022

In attempts to develop effective therapeutic strategies to limit post-ischemic injury, mitochondria emerge as a key element determining neuronal fate. Mitochondrial damage can be alleviated by various mechanisms including mitochondrial network remodelling, mitochondrial elimination and mitochondrial protein biogenesis. However, the mechanisms regulating relationships between these phenomena are poorly understood. We hypothesized that mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), a mitochondrial GTPase involved in mitochondrial fusion, mitochondria trafficking and mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) tethering, may act as one of linking and regulatory factors in neurons following ischemic insult. To verify this assumption, we performed temporal oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD/R) on rat cortical primary culture to determine whether Mfn2 protein reduction affected the onset of mitophagy, subsequent mitochondrial biogenesis and thus neuronal survival. We found that Mfn2 knockdown increased neuronal susceptibility to OGD/R, prevented mitochondrial network remodelling and resulted in prolonged mitophagosomes formation in response to the insult. Next, Mfn2 knockdown was observed to be accompanied by reduced Parkin protein levels and increased Parkin accumulation on mitochondria. As for wild-type neurons, OGD/R insult was followed by an elevated mtDNA content and an increase in respiratory chain proteins. Neither of these phenomena were observed for Mfn2 knockdown neurons. Collectively, our findings showed that Mfn2 in neurons affected their response to mild and transient OGD stress, balancing the extent of defective mitochondria elimination and positively influencing mitochondrial respiratory protein levels. Our study suggests that Mfn2 is one of essential elements for neuronal response to ischemic insult, necessary for neuronal survival.
Superior bias in trust-related decisions
Authors: Li Siying , Huang Gaojie , Ma Zhenling , Qu Chen
Published: August 2022

Trust is conditional. Many studies have revealed its relative conditions in different situations, but when social status is characteristic of the person who receives trust (the “trustee”), our knowledge of how social status affects trust still remains limited. In this study, we used the trust game in order to: (1) characterize the effect of trustees’ social hierarchy on trust-related decisions in different trustworthiness situations and (2) explore the underlying computational process regarding the impact that social status has on trust-related decisions by using the computational modeling approach to integrate social status into trust-related situations. In Experiment 1, using a one-shot trust game with no feedback of information about reciprocity, we found that compared with inferiors, superiors gained more trust-related behaviors (investments) in spite of the fact that they were not rated as having higher trustworthiness. Then, in Experiment 2, when we controlled the trustworthiness of different social status partners by providing the same neutral reciprocity rate (50%) in a repeated trust game, the high-status partner gained more trust than the low-status partner. This superior bias extended to Experiment 3a and 3b, in which we set different levels of trustworthiness to match the different social statuses of partners. With respect to modeling results, we found that higher status holds an additional social value independent of trust profit, resulting in superior bias. Ultimately, this study has shed light on the superior bias that commonly leads people to grant high-status individuals goodwill in social interactions.
Plutonium distribution in sequentially extracted phases of arable and uncultivated soils
Authors: Orzeł J. , Komosa A. , Grządka E.
Published: August 2022

The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of alpha-emitting plutonium isotopes from arable and uncultivated soils. The effect of soils cultivation on plutonium fractionation and mobility was studied using the sequential extraction technique (modified Tessier’s method). Soil samples were collected from the surface layer in the selected points. By means of reagents with increasing leaching power, the fractions were separated: readily available, carbonate bound, sesquioxide (Fe/Mn) bound and organically bound as well as residual. The content of 239+240Pu in the fractions was determined by alpha spectrometry. The sequential analysis showed that in the case of uncultivated soils, 67% of Pu was combined with organic matter, 15% was permanently bound to the matrix, but only 4% was associated with the available fraction, and 2% with the carbonate one. Arable soils revealed a different distribution: 36% of Pu was combined with the organic fraction, only 7% was bound permanently but as much as 9% was bound with the available fraction, and 11% with the carbonate one. It was proved that plutonium is bound mostly by organic matter (67% Pu—uncultivated and 36%—arable soils), however, the amounts of Pu combined with the labile fractions (ion-exchange and carbonate) are approximately 4 times higher for the arable soils than for uncultivated ones. This proves that soil cultivation can lead to the launch of plutonium in soil and its transition to more accessible forms which can cause a radiological risk.
Clinical factors associated with outcome in solid tumor patients treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors: a single institution retrospective analysis
Authors: Qin Qian , Jun Tomi , Wang Bo , Patel Vaibhav G. , Mellgard George , Zhong Xiaobo , Gogerly-Moragoda Mahalya , Parikh Anish B. , Leiter Amanda , Gallagher Emily J. , Alerasool Parissa , Garcia Philip , Joshi Himanshu , MBBS  , Galsky Matthew , Oh William K. , Tsao Che-Kai
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) remains limited to a subset of patients and predictive biomarkers of response remains an unmet need, limiting our ability to provide precision medicine. Using real-world data, we aimed to identify potential clinical prognosticators of ICI response in solid tumor patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of all solid tumor patients treated with ICIs at the Mount Sinai Hospital between January 2011 and April 2017. Predictors assessed included demographics, performance status, co-morbidities, family history of cancer, smoking status, cancer type, metastatic pattern, and type of ICI. Outcomes evaluated include progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR). Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to test the association of predictors with outcomes.

Results

We identified 297 ICI-treated patients with diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (N = 81, 27.3%), melanoma (N = 73, 24.6%), hepatocellular carcinoma (N = 51, 17.2%), urothelial carcinoma (N = 51, 17.2%), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (N = 23, 7.7%), and renal cell carcinoma (N = 18, 6.1%). In multivariable analysis, good performance status of ECOG ≤ 2 (PFS, ORR, DCR and OS) and family history of cancer (ORR and DCR) associated with improved ICI response. Bone metastasis was associated with worse outcomes (PFS, ORR, and DCR).

Conclusions

Mechanisms underlying the clinical predictors of response observed in this real-world analysis, such as genetic variants and bone metastasis-tumor microenvironment, warrant further exploration in larger studies incorporating translational endpoints. Consistently positive clinical correlates may help inform patient stratification when considering ICI therapy.
Contextual Integrity as a General Conceptual Tool for Evaluating Technological Change
Authors: O’Neill Elizabeth
Published: August 2022

The fast pace of technological change necessitates new evaluative and deliberative tools. This article develops a general, functional approach to evaluating technological change, inspired by Nissenbaum’s theory of contextual integrity. Nissenbaum (2009) introduced the concept of contextual integrity to help analyze how technological changes can produce privacy problems. Reinterpreted, the concept of contextual integrity can aid our thinking about how technological changes affect the full range of human concerns and values—not only privacy. I propose a generalized concept of contextual integrity that is applicable to a broader variety of circumstances, and I outline a new, general procedure for technological evaluation. Among the attractive features of the proposed approach to evaluating technological change are its context-sensitivity, adaptability, and principled presumptive conservatism, enabled by the mechanism the approach supplies for reevaluating existing practices, norms, and values.
Toward Enhancing Room Layout Estimation by Feature Pyramid Networks
Authors: Wang Aopeng , Wen Shiting , Gao Yunjun , Li Qing , Deng Ke , Pang Chaoyi
Published: August 2022

As a fundamental part of indoor scene understanding, the research of indoor room layout estimation has attracted much attention recently. The task is to predict the structure of a room from a single image. In this paper, we illustrate that this task can be well solved even without sophisticated post-processing program, by adopting Feature Pyramid Networks (FPN) to solve this problem with adaptive changes. The proposed model employs two strategies to deliver quality output. First, it can predicts the coarse positions of key points correctly by preserving the order of these key points in the data augmentation stage. Then the coordinate of each corner point is refined by moving each corner point to its nearest image boundary as output. Our method has demonstrated great performance on the benchmark LSUN dataset on both processing efficiency and accuracy. Compared with the state-of-the-art end-to-end method, our method is two times faster at processing speed (32 ms) than its speed (86 ms), with 0.71% lower key point error and 0.2% higher pixel error respectively. Besides, the advanced two-step method is only 0.02% better than our result on key point error. Both the high efficiency and accuracy make our method a good choice for some real-time room layout estimation tasks.
Computational Aerodynamics
Authors: Jameson Antony
Published: August 2022

Computational aerodynamics is a relatively new field in engineering that investigates aircraft flow fields via the simulation of fluid motion and sophisticated numerical algorithms. This book provides an excellent reference to the subject for a wide audience, from graduate students to experienced researchers and professionals in the aerospace engineering field. Opening with the essential elements of computational aerodynamics, the relevant mathematical methods of fluid flow and numerical methods for partial differential equations are presented. Stability theory and shock capturing schemes, and vicious flow and time integration methods are then comprehensively outlined. The final chapters treat more advanced material, including energy stability for nonlinear problems, and higher order methods for unstructured and structured meshes. Presenting over 150 illustrations, including representative calculations on unstructured meshes in color. This book is a rich source of information that will be of interest and importance in this pioneering field.
Buoyancy segregation suppresses viscous fingering in horizontal displacements in a porous layer
Authors: Hinton Edward M. , Jyoti Apoorv
Published: August 2022

We consider the axisymmetric displacement of an ambient fluid by a second input fluid of lower density and lower viscosity in a horizontal porous layer. If the two fluids have been segregated vertically by buoyancy, then the flow becomes self-similar with the input fluid preferentially flowing near the upper boundary. We show that this axisymmetric self-similar flow is stable to angular-dependent perturbations for any viscosity ratio. The Saffman–Taylor instability is suppressed due to the buoyancy segregation of the fluids. The radial extent of the segregated flow is inversely proportional to the viscosity ratio. This horizontal extension of the intrusion eliminates the discontinuity in the pressure gradient between the fluids associated with the viscosity contrast. Hence at late times, viscous fingering is shut down even for arbitrarily small density differences. The stability is confirmed through numerical integration of a coupled problem for the interface shape and the pressure gradient, and through complementary asymptotic analysis, which predicts the decay rate for each mode. The results are extended to anisotropic and vertically heterogeneous layers. The interface may have relatively steep shock-like regions, but the flow is always stable when the fluids have been segregated by buoyancy, as in a uniform layer.
The Economics of Supranational Bank Supervision
Authors: Beck Thorsten , Silva-Buston Consuelo , Wagner Wolf
Published: August 2022

This article examines the effectiveness of cooperation among bank supervisors using novel data on supranational agreements signed by 93 countries. Exploiting that globally operating banks are differently covered by these agreements, we show that supervisory cooperation generally improves bank stability. The magnitude of the effect is higher for smaller global banks, and when supervisors are more stringent and have access to higher quality information. We also show that actual supervisory cooperation varies across countries consistent with differences in economic costs and benefits of cooperation. This suggests that cooperation is not always desirable, despite being effective in reducing bank risk.
ESG Preference, Institutional Trading, and Stock Return Patterns
Authors: Cao Jie , Titman Sheridan , Zhan Xintong , Zhang Weiming
Published: August 2022

Socially responsible (SR) institutions tend to focus more on the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and less on quantitative signals of value. Consistent with this difference in focus, we find that SR institutions react less to quantitative mispricing signals. Our evidence suggests that the increased focus on ESG may have influenced stock return patterns. Specifically, abnormal returns associated with these mispricing signals are greater for stocks held more by SR institutions. The link between SR ownership and the efficacy of mispricing signals only emerges in recent years with the rise of ESG investing, and is significant only when there are arbitrage-related funding constraints.
Bidirectional spillover between maladaptive parenting and peer victimization and the mediating roles of internalizing and externalizing problems: A within-person analysis among Chinese early adolescents
Authors: Zhou Jianhua , Gong Xue , Lu Guangying , Xu Xiangrong , Zhao Haiyan , Yang Xiaoli
Published: August 2022

Parenting practices and relationships with peers are crucial aspects of youth socialization. Although theoretically expected reciprocal associations between changes in maladaptive parenting and adolescent peer victimization exist, there is a lack of studies that examine this link and address the mediating mechanisms at the within-person level. This longitudinal study examined reciprocal relations between peer victimization and two types of maladaptive parenting including harsh punishment and psychological control, and the potential mediating roles of internalizing and externalizing problems within these relations, by disentangling between- and within-person effects. A total of 4,731 Chinese early adolescents (44.9% girls;Mage= 10.91 years,SD= 0.72) participated in a four-wave longitudinal study with 6-month intervals. The results of random intercept cross-lagged panel modeling showed: (a) harsh punishment did not directly predict peer victimization, and vice versa; (b) psychological control directly predicted peer victimization, and vice versa; (c) psychological control indirectly predicted peer victimization via internalizing problems, and peer victimization also indirectly predicted psychological control via internalizing problems. These findings provide evidence of a bidirectional spillover effect between psychological control and peer victimization at the within-person level, suggesting Chinese early adolescents may become caught in a vicious cycle directly or indirectly via their internalizing problems.
Needle Cricothyroidotomy by Intensive Care Paramedics
Authors: Bye Rembrandt , St Clair Toby , Delorenzo Ashleigh , Bowles Kelly-Ann , Smith Karen
Published: August 2022

Objective:

Cricothyroidotomy is an advanced airway procedure for critically ill or injured patients. In Victoria, Australia, intensive care paramedics (ICPs) perform needle cricothyroidotomy utilizing the proprietary QuickTrach II (QTII) device. Recently, an Ambulance Victoria (AV) institutional change in workflow included pre-puncture surgical incision to assist in successful placement. This review aims to explore whether a surgical pre-incision prior to the insertion of the device improved overall procedural success rates of needle cricothyroidotomy using the QTII.

Methods:

This was a retrospective review of all patients who received a needle cricothyroidotomy by ICPs from May 1, 2015 through September 15, 2020. Data and patient care records were sourced from the AV data warehouse.

Results:

A total of 27 patients underwent a needle cricothyroidotomy with the mean age of patients being 50.2 years. Most cricothyroidotomies were performed using the QuickTrach II kit (92.6%). Prior to modification of the QTII procedure, front-of-neck access (FONA) success was 50.0%; however, this improved to 82.4% after the procedures recent update. The overall success rate of all paramedic-performed needle cricothyroidotomy during the study period was 74.1% (n = 20).

Conclusions:

This review demonstrates that propriety devices such as the QTII device achieve a low success rate for a FONA intervention. Despite the low frequency of this procedure, ICPs with extensive training and regular maintenance can perform needle cricothyroidotomy using scalpel assistance with a reasonable success rate. But when compared to the broader literature, success rate using a more straightforward technique such as a surgical cricothyroidotomy technique is likely going to be higher.
Shepherding at Mărginimea Sibiului (Romania); Past, Present and Future
Authors: Săgeată Radu , Persu Mihaela , Mitrică Bianca , Damian Nicoleta , Mocanu Irena
Published: August 2022

This article aims to highlight the impact on local development of traditional economic activities. The case study that the authors consider concerns an area in the Romanian Carpathians developed through transhumant grazing and forestry activities: Mărginimea Sibiului. As shepherding kept developing, forest-cutting intensified to make room for pastures and hayfields, thus stimulating activities connected with the processing of wood. As trade on the Danube was liberalized under the Peace Treaty of Adrianople and cultivated lands in the south of the country kept extending, transhumance steadily lost in importance, especially in the twentieth century, in the wake of the Second World War. This process was intensified by the collectivization practised in the socialist-type centralized economy period. Currently, transhumance at Mărginimea Sibiului is practised only in four villages: Poiana Sibiului, Tilişca, Jina and Răşinari. Sheep flocks and the herd of cattle are moved from the village to the mountain pastures, along age-old pastoral paths, strictly observed and known by the rural communities. Most pasture-lands lie far from the village hearths, in the highlands. The future development of Mărginimea Sibiului involves the revival of traditional economic activities, as well as the development of tourism as a representative economic branch for this region.
Searching for biosignatures by their rotational spectrum: global fit and methyl group internal rotation features of dimethylsulphoxide up to 116 GHz
Authors: Maris Assimo , Favero Laura B. , Song Wentao , Lv Dingding , Evangelisti Luca , Melandri Sonia
Published: August 2022

The identification and quantification of molecules in interstellar space and atmospheres of planets in the solar systems and in exoplanets rely on spectroscopic methods and laboratory work is essential to provide the community with the spectral features needed to analyse cosmological observations. Rotational spectroscopy in particular, with its intrinsic high resolution, allows the unambiguous identification of biomolecular building blocks and biosignature gases which can be correlated with the origin of life or the identification of habitable planets. We report the extension of the measured rotational transition frequencies of dimethylsulphoxide and its 34S and 13C isotopologues in the millimetre wave range (59.6–78.4 GHz) by use of an absorption spectrometer based on the supersonic expansion technique. Hyperfine patterns related to the methyl group internal rotation were analysed in the microwave range region (6–18 GHz) with a Pulsed Jet Fourier Transform spectrometer at extremely high resolution (2 kHz) and reliable predictions up to 116 GHz are provided. The focus on sulphur-bearing molecules is motivated by the fact that sulphur is largely involved in the intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen bonds in proteins and although it is the 10th most abundant element in the known Universe, understanding its chemistry is still a matter of debate. Moreover, sulphur-bearing molecules, in particular dimethylsulphoxide, have been indicated as possible biosignature gases to be monitored in the search of habitable exoplanets.
The international trade of U.S. organic agri-food products: export opportunities, import competition and policy impacts
Authors: Boys Kathryn A. , Zhang Siqi , Hooker Neal H.
Published: August 2022

International markets are an important destination and source of U.S. organic agri-food products. This paper offers new insights concerning the current status and trends of U.S. organic imports and exports U.S. policies relevant to the international trade of U.S. organic agri-food products are described, characterizing specific products and partners. In addition, the impact of organic equivalency agreements (OEAs), which the U.S. has signed with Canada, the EU, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland, are examined to determine the extent to which they facilitate trade. Using highly disaggregated international trade data (HS-10) from the U.S. International Trade Commission and Statistics Canada, this analysis finds that fresh agricultural products dominate both U.S. exports and imports. Between 2017 and 2019, apples grapes, strawberries and spinach were the predominant fresh exports, while tomato sauces, vinegar and roasted coffee are the most exported processed food products. A significant majority of these exports are destined for Canada and Mexico. The most imported organic agri-food products include unroasted coffee, bananas, olive oil and soybeans. There is much more diversity in the country of origin of these imports with Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Spain and Argentina among the major organic food suppliers to the U.S. OEAs allow for mutual recognition of national organic standards between countries. This analysis finds that, while, in aggregate, OEAs were not found to impact U.S. organic imports or exports, results evaluating individual agreements do suggest that they can be effective trade policy instruments. In particular, the U.S.–Canada and the U.S.–Switzerland OEAs were found to be effective in facilitating U.S. exports. Taken together these findings offer important insights into current trade patterns, and U.S. international market and organic policy opportunities.
Forcing for Multidecadal Surface Solar Radiation Trends Over Northern Hemisphere Continents
Authors: Augustine John A. , Capotondi Antonietta
Published: August 2022

The long‐term variation of North Pacific and North Atlantic sea surface temperatures (SSTs) is shown to be associated with multidecadal trends of surface solar radiation in North America, Europe, and Asia. Long‐term, large‐scale warm SST anomalies lead to a mid‐level planetary wave anomaly pattern of geopotential height ridges over the warm water and dynamically‐induced lower heights on either side, sometimes extending over adjacent continents. Geopotential height troughs over the continents encourage more cloud cover and dimming of surface solar radiation. Conversely, cool SST anomalies correspond to a pattern of lower mid‐level geopotential heights over the cool water and compensating high pressure on either side that encourages decreasing cloud cover and brightening over the continents, if the wave positioning is favorable. Additionally, these effects are observed to be latitude dependent, showing stronger SST‐geopotential height associations in the northern half of the Northern Hemisphere. The change from continental dimming to brightening and the reversal of North Pacific SST trends are nearly simultaneous. A similar SST‐geopotential height association is seen in the North Atlantic and leads to brightening and dimming in Europe and North America, but there is a ∼12‐year lag between the transition of dimming to brightening and SST reversals there, which is yet unexplained. The next step is to support these connections and their latitudinal dependence with carefully designed numerical experiments that consider variable greenhouse gas and aerosol concentrations.
Earth’s Lower Mantle Is Drier Than Previously Thought
Authors: Sidik Saima
Published: August 2022

Scientists have long known that the two layers of Earth’s mantle have different chemical compositions. Now, modeling shows that different water concentrations may keep them from mixing.
Quasi‐Universal Length Scale of River Anabranches
Authors: Ragno Niccolò , Redolfi Marco , Tubino Marco
Published: August 2022

Looping patterns, where channels divide and reconnect further downstream, are widespread in natural rivers. Here, we build an extensive dataset of different gravel‐bed and sand‐bed rivers around the world encompassing a wide range of physiographic and sedimentological conditions. Field data show the existence of quasi‐universal relations for the anabranches length when scaled with bankfull hydraulic geometry variables of the main upstream channel. The dimensionless length is found to be nearly slope‐invariant, identifying a clear difference with respect to deltaic systems. This scaling relationship is explained by interpreting the dynamics of river loops as basically controlled by a two‐way interaction between their constitutive elements, bifurcations and confluences. The identification of a quasi‐universal length scale provides insight on the morphological evolution of multi‐thread networks and constitutes a key information for the design of self‐sustaining river restoration interventions.
The unique role of innate lymphoid cells in cancer and the hepatic microenvironment
Authors: Curio Sophie , Belz Gabrielle T.
Published: August 2022

Cancer is a complex disease, and despite incredible progress over the last decade, it remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Liver cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver metastases are distinct from other cancers in that they typically emerge as a consequence of long-term low-grade inflammation. Understanding the mechanisms that underpin inflammation-driven tissue remodeling of the hepatic immune environment is likely to provide new insights into much needed treatments for this devastating disease. Group 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), which include natural killer (NK) cells and ILC1s, are particularly enriched in the liver and thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of a number of liver diseases, including cancer. NK cells are an attractive, but underexplored, therapeutic target in hepatic disease due to their role in immunosurveillance and their ability to recognize and eliminate malignant cells. ILC1s are closely related to and share many phenotypic features with NK cells but are less well studied. Thus, their utility in immunotherapeutic approaches is not yet well understood. Here, we review our current understanding of ILCs in cancer with a particular focus on liver and liver-related diseases.
Protection of COVID-19 vaccination and previous infection against Omicron BA.1, BA.2 and Delta SARS-CoV-2 infections
Authors: Andeweg Stijn P. , de Gier Brechje , Eggink Dirk , van den Ende Caroline , van Maarseveen Noortje , Ali Lubna , Vlaemynck Boris , Schepers Raf , Hahné Susan J. M. , Reusken Chantal B. E. M. , de Melker Hester E. , van den Hof Susan , Knol Mirjam J.
Published: August 2022

Given the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants and the roll-out of booster COVID-19 vaccination, evidence is needed on protection conferred by primary vaccination, booster vaccination and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection by variant. We employed a test-negative design on S-gene target failure data from community PCR testing in the Netherlands from 22 November 2021 to 31 March 2022 (n = 671,763). Previous infection, primary vaccination or both protected well against Delta infection. Protection against Omicron BA.1 infection was much lower compared to Delta. Protection was similar against Omicron BA.1 compared to BA.2 infection after previous infection, primary and booster vaccination. Higher protection was observed against all variants in individuals with both vaccination and previous infection compared with either one. Protection against all variants decreased over time since last vaccination or infection. We found that primary vaccination with current COVID-19 vaccines and previous SARS-CoV-2 infections offered low protection against Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 infection. Booster vaccination considerably increased protection against Omicron infection, but decreased rapidly after vaccination.
Molecular engineering of dihydroxyanthraquinone-based electrolytes for high-capacity aqueous organic redox flow batteries
Authors: Huang Shiqiang , Zhang Hang , Salla Manohar , Zhuang Jiahao , Zhi Yongfeng , Wang Xun , Wang Qing
Published: August 2022

Aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs) are a promising technology for large-scale electricity energy storage to realize efficient utilization of intermittent renewable energy. In particular, organic molecules are a class of metal-free compounds that consist of earth-abundant elements with good synthetic tunability, electrochemical reversibility and reaction rates. However, the short cycle lifetime and low capacity of AORFBs act as stumbling blocks for their practical deployment. To circumvent these issues, here, we report molecular engineered dihydroxyanthraquinone (DHAQ)-based alkaline electrolytes. Via computational studies and operando measurements, we initially demonstrate the presence of a hydrogen bond-mediated degradation mechanism of DHAQ molecules during electrochemical reactions. Afterwards, we apply a molecular engineering strategy based on redox-active polymers to develop capacity-boosting composite electrolytes. Indeed, by coupling a 1,5-DHAQ/poly(anthraquinonyl sulfide)/carbon black anolyte and a [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− alkaline catholyte, we report an AORFB capable of delivering a stable cell discharge capacity of about 573 mAh at 20 mA/cm2 after 1100 h of cycling and an average cell discharge voltage of about 0.89 V at the same current density.
Conformational enantiodiscrimination for asymmetric construction of atropisomers
Authors: Cen Shouyi , Huang Nini , Lian Dongsheng , Shen Ahui , Zhao Mei-Xin , Zhang Zhipeng
Published: August 2022

Molecular conformations induced by the rotation about single bonds play a crucial role in chemical transformations. Revealing the relationship between the conformations of chiral catalysts and the enantiodiscrimination is a formidable challenge due to the great difficulty in isolating the conformers. Herein, we report a chiral catalytic system composed of an achiral catalytically active unit and an axially chiral 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL) unit which are connected via a C–O single bond. The two conformers of the catalyst induced by the rotation about the C–O bond, are determined via single-crystal X-ray diffraction and found to respectively lead to the formation of highly important axially chiral 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine (BINAM) and 2-amino-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (NOBIN) derivatives in high yields (up to 98%), with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98:2 e.r.) and opposite absolute configurations. The results highlight the importance of conformational dynamics of chiral catalysts in asymmetric catalysis.
Structural basis for receptor selectivity and inverse agonism in S1P5 receptors
Authors: Lyapina Elizaveta , Marin Egor , Gusach Anastasiia , Orekhov Philipp , Gerasimov Andrey , Luginina Aleksandra , Vakhrameev Daniil , Ergasheva Margarita , Kovaleva Margarita , Khusainov Georgii , Khorn Polina , Shevtsov Mikhail , Kovalev Kirill , Bukhdruker Sergey , Okhrimenko Ivan , Popov Petr , Hu Hao , Weierstall Uwe , Liu Wei , Cho Yunje , Gushchin Ivan , Rogachev Andrey , Bourenkov Gleb , Park Sehan , Park Gisu , Hyun Hyo Jung , Park Jaehyun , Gordeliy Valentin , Borshchevskiy Valentin , Mishin Alexey , Cherezov Vadim
Published: August 2022

The bioactive lysophospholipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) acts via five different subtypes of S1P receptors (S1PRs) - S1P1-5. S1P5 is predominantly expressed in nervous and immune systems, regulating the egress of natural killer cells from lymph nodes and playing a role in immune and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as carcinogenesis. Several S1PR therapeutic drugs have been developed to treat these diseases; however, they lack receptor subtype selectivity, which leads to side effects. In this article, we describe a 2.2 Å resolution room temperature crystal structure of the human S1P5 receptor in complex with a selective inverse agonist determined by serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) at the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory X-Ray Free Electron Laser (PAL-XFEL) and analyze its structure-activity relationship data. The structure demonstrates a unique ligand-binding mode, involving an allosteric sub-pocket, which clarifies the receptor subtype selectivity and provides a template for structure-based drug design. Together with previously published S1PR structures in complex with antagonists and agonists, our structure with S1P5-inverse agonist sheds light on the activation mechanism and reveals structural determinants of the inverse agonism in the S1PR family.
[3+2] Cycloaddition of alkyl aldehydes and alkynes enabled by photoinduced hydrogen atom transfer
Authors: Le Siya , Li Ji , Feng Jian , Zhang Zuxiao , Bai Yihui , Yuan Zheliang , Zhu Gangguo
Published: August 2022

[3+2] Cycloaddition is a step- and atom-economic method for the synthesis of five-membered rings. Despite the great success of 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions, the radical [3+2] annulation of alkynes remains a formidable challenge. Herein, a photoinduced decatungstate-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of various internal alkynes using abundant aliphatic aldehydes as a three-carbon synthon is developed, producing elaborate cyclopentanones in 100% atom economy with excellent site-, regio-, and diastereoselectivity under mild conditions. The catalytic cycle consists of hydrogen atom abstraction from aldehydes, radical addition, 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer, anti-Baldwin 5-endo-trig cyclization, and back hydrogen abstraction. The power of this method is showcased by the late-stage elaboration of medicinally relevant molecules and total or formal synthesis of (±)-β-cuparenone, (±)-laurokamurene B, and (±)-cuparene.
Laboratory evaluation of sugar alcohols for control of mosquitoes and other medically important flies
Authors: Rochlin Ilia , White Gregory , Reissen Nadja , Swanson Dustin , Cohnstaedt Lee , Chura Madeleine , Healy Kristen , Faraji Ary
Published: August 2022

Insecticide application for vector control is the most controversial component of a public health program due to concerns about environmental and human health safety. One approach to overcome this challenge is the use of environmentally benign active ingredients. Among the most promising emerging strategies are attractive toxic sugar baits. Sugar alcohols—naturally occurring molecules safe for human consumption but potentially toxic to insects when ingested, have received increased attention for use with this approach. For this study, we screened the toxicity of four different sugar alcohols on several mosquito species, a biting midge, and a filth fly. Sugar alcohol mortalities exceeded those in the sucrose (positive control) only group. However, only erythritol and highly concentrated xylitol induced mortalities exceeding those in the water only (negative control) treatment ranging from approximately 40–75%. Formulations containing erythritol and xylitol should be further investigated under field conditions for efficacy in reducing populations of biting flies and for assessing potential non-target impacts.
Identification of key interactions of benzimidazole resistance-associated amino acid mutations in Ascaris β-tubulins by molecular docking simulations
Authors: Jones Ben P. , van Vliet Arnoud H. M. , LaCourse E. James , Betson Martha
Published: August 2022

Ascarisspecies are soil-transmitted helminths that infect humans and livestock mainly in low and middle-income countries. Benzimidazole (BZ) class drugs have predominated for many years in the treatment ofAscarisinfections, but persistent use of BZs has already led to widespread resistance in other nematodes, and treatment failure is emerging forAscaris. Benzimidazoles act by binding to β-tubulin proteins and destabilising microtubules. Three mutations in the β-tubulin protein family are associated with BZ resistance. Seven shared β-tubulin isotypes were identified inAscaris lumbricoidesandA. suumgenomes. Benzimidazoles were predicted to bind to all β-tubulin isotypes using in silico docking, demonstrating that the selectivity of BZs to interact with one or two β-tubulin isotypes is likely the result of isotype expression levels affecting the frequency of interaction.Ascarisβ-tubulin isotype A clusters with helminth β-tubulins previously shown to interact with BZ. Molecular dynamics simulations using β-tubulin isotype A highlighted the key role of amino acid E198 in BZ-β-tubulin interactions. Simulations indicated that mutations at amino acids E198A and F200Y alter binding of BZ, whereas there was no obvious effect of the F167Y mutation. In conclusion, the key interactions vital for BZ binding with β-tubulins have been identified and show how mutations can lead to resistance in nematodes.
Probabilistic analysis of water-sealed performance in underground oil storage considering spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity
Authors: Zhang Huijie , Zhang Bin , Li Yajun , Wang Lei , Li Yutao , Shi Lei , Wang Hanxun
Published: August 2022

For underground water-sealed oil storage, the spatial variability of the surrounding rock has a significant impact on the water-sealed effect of a water curtain system. This study presents a methodology for the probabilistic analysis of water curtain performance in underground oil storage, considering the spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity of the surrounding rock based on field data. Anisotropic random fields representing the spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity were established through spatial statistical analysis of field data and introduced into the finite element model of underground oil storage for water-sealed reliability analysis. The water-sealed performance of different water curtain system schemes was studied using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). The results showed that the difference between the horizontal spatial correlation and the vertical spatial correlation of the surrounding rock has a significant impact on the water-sealed effect of the water curtain system. An excessively large pressure of water curtain boreholes provided a small contribution to improving water curtain performance. The distance between the water curtain holes and the caverns had the less significant affecting the water-sealed reliability of the storage cavern. Finally, the optimal design of the water curtain system is discussed. This study provides valuable insights and a theoretical basis for the optimisation of water curtain system design parameters for underground water-sealed oil storage.