bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Unstable Colles’ Fracture
Authors: JENKINS N. H.
Published: December 2021

One hundred and twenty-one displaced Colles’ fractures were assessed radiographically until union. An acute loss of position occurred during the first week of splintage, necessitating re-manipulation in six fractures. In the remaining 115 fractures whose position had been retained after one week, chronic instability led to a mean increase of 8.22° dorsal angulation, a mean loss of 5.61° radial angle, and 3.26 mm radial shortening. The extent to which the chronic collapse of radial angle and length occurred was determined solely by the initial deformity and was not related to either intra-articular involvement or the presence of radiographically visible comminution. However, the absence of radiographically visible comminution of the dorsal radius did confer stability against mal-union in dorsal angulation.
Combined Intramedullary Kirschner Wire and Intra-Osseous Wire Loop for Fixation of Finger Fractures
Authors: HUNG L. K. , SO W. S. , LEUNG P. C.
Published: December 2021

An intramedullary Kirschner wire was combined with an intra-osseous wire loop for fixing finger fractures. The mechanical stability of this technique to resist a bending moment in the sagittal plane was compared with four other conventional methods: single loop, loop and an oblique Kirschner wire, crossed Kirschner wires and dorsal plating. It was found that when the applied force was small, the technique was much more stable than the crossed Kirschner wires and was similar to the others. The ability to withstand mechanical failure was much better than most of the methods except the dorsal plate. This technique is recommended for replantations, transverse fractures and short oblique fractures with little comminution.
Long-Term Outcome of Articular Fractures of the Phalanges: An Eleven Year Follow Up
Authors: O’ROURKE S. K. , GAUR S. , BARTON N. J.
Published: December 2021

Fifty-four patients with fifty-nine intra-articular fractures of the phalanges have been followed prospectively for eleven years, at the end of which time only four had significant pain and sixteen others discomfort in cold weather. Improvement in the symptoms and in the range of motion often continued for more than a year after injury. Although 17% of joints developed minor osteophytes or cysts, only one had both radiological evidence of arthritis and persistent pain.
Syndactyly: A Review of the Factors which Influence Surgical Treatment
Authors: PERCIVAL N. J. , SYKES P. J.
Published: December 2021

A review was undertaken of 100 patients with 218 surgically-treated syndactylies operated upon over a ten year period. The pre-operative factors which influenced the result of surgical treatment were the complexity of the syndactyly and the presence of other congenital abnormalities in the hand. The operative factor which most influenced outcome was the type of skin-graft used. 42 patients required at least one secondary operation to obtain an acceptable result, comprising 22% who developed web creep and 26% a significant flexion contracture; five patients developed both a contracture and web creep. In contrast, the type of flap used to reconstruct the web floor had little influence on the result.
Full Thickness Grafts Taken from the Plantar Instep for Syndactyly Release
Authors: ZOLTIE N. , VERLENDE P. , LOGAN A.
Published: December 2021

Thirteen digital clefts (eight patients) were reviewed in which full-thickness plantar instep skin was used in syndactyly release. The results are presented, emphasising the good colour match of plantar instep skin with digital skin. There was a surprising lack of morbidity in the thirteen donor sites.
Revascularisation of an Index Finger after Twenty-Three Hours of Warm Ischaemia Time
Authors: DE SMET L.
Published: December 2021

In a five-year-old girl, successful revascularisation of her right index finger was achieved after a 23-hour ischaemia period. The short-term result was satisfactory, with complete survival, protective sensibility and recovering mobility.
On-Site Work Evaluations: Desensitisation for Avoidance Reactions Following Severe Hand Injuries
Authors: GRUNERT B. K. , DEVINE C. A. , McCALLUM-BURKE S. , MATLOUB H. S. , SANGER J. R. , YOUSIF N. J.
Published: December 2021

This study examined on-site work evaluations as an environmental exposure strategy to promote return to work in 15 recalcitrant patients who had failed to benefit from established methods of reducing post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Following the on-site work evaluation, 87% of these patients were able to use visualisation of the work setting to further desensitize themselves and returned to work within the next eight weeks. All 87% have continued to be employed at six and twelve month follow-ups. This approach holds promise for assisting patients with hand injuries who develop post-traumatic stress disorder and fail to respond to traditional psychological strategies.
Early Active Mobilisation Following Flexor Tendon Repair in Zone 2
Authors: SMALL J. O. , BRENNEN M. D. , COLVILLE J.
Published: December 2021

In a prospective study, 114 patients with 138 zone 2 flexor tendon injuries were treated over a three-year period. Early active mobilisation of the injured fingers was commenced within 48 hours of surgery. 98 patients (86%) were reviewed at least six months after operation. Using the grading system recommended by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the active range of motion recovered was graded excellent or good in 77% of digits, fair in 14% and poor in 9%. Dehisence of the repair occurred in 11 digits (9.4%) and in these an immediate re-repair followed by a similar programme of early active mobilisation resulted in an excellent or good outcome in seven digits.
Proximal Coiling of the Profundus Tendon After Laceration of the Finger
Authors: GAINOR B. J.
Published: December 2021

Three patients who had delayed primary repair of a severed flexor digitorum profundus in the finger were found to have proximal coiling of the tendon in the palm. These patients’ hands had been inadequately immobilised during the interval between injury and surgery. The most likely pathomechanics of this unusual finding is secondary retraction and coiling of the severed tendon from unrestrained muscle contraction after division of the tendon. Precautions should be taken when retrieving the tendon stump for tenorrhaphy.
The Second Dorsal Metacarpal Artery Neurovascular Island Flap
Authors: EARLEY M. J.
Published: December 2021

Eleven patients have had second dorsal metacarpal sensate island flaps used to cover local skin defects in the hand. The arterial supply is reliable but if the flap is extended beyond the proximal interphalangeal joint, distal flap necrosis or donor site difficulties may occur. Possible applications for this flap are demonstrated and some untried variations to increase its range are suggested. Its main use appears to be in the release of first web contractures and for resurfacing radio-palmar and thumb defects.
Herpes of a Digit
Authors: GANG R. K.
Published: December 2021

Herpetic digital infection is being diagnosed increasingly by hand surgeons. A case of herpetic infection of a digit in an eight months old child is described.
Brachioradialis Transfer for Digital Palsy
Authors: FAILLA J. M. , PEIMER C. A. , SHERWIN F. S.
Published: December 2021

Although brachioradialis tendon transfer is thought to offer limited tendon excursion and finger motion, we have used it to restore active thumb and digital function in eight patients. Three had Volkmann’s contracture, one avulsion of forearm muscles and four had tetraplegia resulting in inability to perform activities of daily living and loss of pinch or grasp and extrinsic extension. The brachioradialis was transferred to the flexor pollicis longus, to the flexor digitorum profundus or to the common digital extensors. Except for one patient who had unremitting pain, all were pleased with their improved motion, pinch, grip, and independence. Function, however, remained abnormal in all but one.
Is the Treatment of Enchondroma in the Hand by Simple Curettage a Rewarding Method?
Authors: TORDAI P. , HOGLUND M. , LUGNEGÅRD H.
Published: December 2021

46 enchondromata of the hand have been treated by simple curettage without bone grafting. 82% healed and 16% were left with only small bone defects. Only one patient had a clear-cut recurrence requiring re-operation. This simple method, performed on out-patient basis, is recommended.
The Volar Wrist Ganglion: Just a Simple Cyst?
Authors: JACOBS L. G. H. , GOVAERS K. J. M.
Published: December 2021

The results of operation on 71 volar wrist ganglia are reported. The recurrence rate was 28%, occurring between 1 and 144 months (median: 5 months). The highest risk of recurrence is in a male patient, under 30 years of age, in a manual occupation, operated on by a junior surgeon. The use of a post-operative plaster slab seemed to be followed by significant wrist stiffness. 28% of the patients had evidence of damage to the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve. It is suggested that this could be avoided by positive identification of this nerve at operation.
Intramuscular Haemangioma of the Forearm
Authors: SHAJRAWI I. , DREYFUSS U. Y. , STAHL S. , BOSS J. H.
Published: December 2021

Intramuscular haemangioma, though benign, may be a serious disorder, because its large size can cause functional impairment, pain and disfigurement, which may require surgical excision. These, as well as the baffling histopathological aspects, are exemplified by this report of an intramuscular haemangioma of the forearm in an adolescent girl. Clinical recognition of a cutaneous angioma overlying a deeply-situated soft tissue tumour may aid the diagnosis of an intramuscular haemangioma.
Isolated Dorsal Dislocation of the Scaphoid
Authors: INOUE G. , MAEDA N.
Published: December 2021

A case of isolated dorsal dislocation of the scaphoid is reported. The patient was treated surgically with a good result.
Fibroma of Tendon Sheath with Bone Involvement
Authors: SOUTHWICK G. J. , KARAMOSKOS P.
Published: December 2021

The case is reported of a 62-year-old man presenting with a fibroma of tendon sheath of the left little finger with bone involvement. This is only the third such case reported. A brief discussion of this benign soft tissue tumour follows.
The Neurone and Its Response to Peripheral Nerve Compression
Authors: DAHLIN L. B. , LUNDBORG G.
Published: December 2021

In all types of peripheral nerve injury, it is important to realize that the lesion affects one extended cell, the neurone, which extends from the central nervous system down to the target tissue in the extremity. Compression of a peripheral nerve can disturb the intraneural transport (axonal transport) of a large variety of substances. This may be followed by morphological and biochemical changes in the nerve cell body. These central changes may effect the axon as a whole and confer on the nerve an increased susceptibility to trauma. Studies concerning the reaction of neurones to compression, relevant when discussing the double crush syndrome, are reviewed.
Excessive Radial Shortening in Kienböck’s Disease
Authors: NAKAMURA R. , HORII E. , IMAEDA T.
Published: December 2021

Two patients with Kienböck’s disease who had been treated by radial shortening developed ulnar wrist pain post-operatively due to excessive radial shortening. In both cases, ulnar shortening was required to improve symptoms and function. Excessive radial shortening can cause ulnar wrist pain and compromise the improvement of grip strength and range of motion of the wrist.
Clinical and Microangiographic Studies on Rupture of the E.P.L. Tendon after Distal Radial Fractures
Authors: HIRASAWA Y. , KATSUMI Y. , AKIYOSHI T. , TAMAI K. , TOKIOKA T.
Published: December 2021

The authors have treated 14 cases of spontaneous rupture of extensor pollicis longus tendon after fractures of the distal end of the radius, most of which were undisplaced or only slightly displaced. A microvascular study on five cadavers revealed that this tendon is subject to mechanical bending and attrition, has no mesotenon and has a poorly vascularised portion about 5 mm in length, which may be a cause of spontaneous rupture of the tendon.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Pregnancy and Lactation
Authors: WAND J. S.
Published: December 2021

A retrospective study of 40 women with carpal tunnel syndrome developing in pregnancy and 18 women with carpal tunnel syndrome in the puerperium was undertaken. All the cases that developed in pregnancy occurred in the third trimester and resolved within two weeks of delivery. Those cases developing in the puerperium affected women who had breast-fed their infants and their symptoms lasted a mean of 5.8 months. These patients were older and more likely to be primiparous than if the condition occurred in pregnancy. All the pregnant women and none of the lactating women had symptoms of peripheral oedema. Spontaneous resolution with a good response to conservative measures occurred in both groups; only three cases were treated surgically. Residual clinical evidence of median nerve damage was present in 40% of all cases. Carpal tunnel syndrome which develops in pregnancy appears to be a separate clinical entity to that developing in the puerperium.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Black South Africans
Authors: GOGA I. E.
Published: December 2021

The incidence and the aetiology of chronic carpal tunnel syndrome in black South Africans was evaluated. This study showed that the incidence of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome was very low in this population group and that most patients who presented with symptoms and signs of chronic carpal tunnel syndrome had a specific pathology. A rare case of tumoral calcinosis causing carpal tunnel syndrome is presented. A case of perineural lipofibroma causing carpal tunnel syndrome is also described.
Mucous Cyst of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint: Treatment by Simple Excision or Excision and Rotation Flap
Authors: CRAWFORD R. J. , GUPTA A. , RISITANO G. , BURKE F. D.
Published: December 2021

Thirty-five patients who had thirty-seven mucous cysts excised from the distal interphalangeal joints were reviewed not less than one year later. Seven out of 25 which had been treated by simple excision recurred, whereas only one out of twelve treated by excision and skin closure with a rotation flap recurred.
Non-Union of Colles’ Fracture: Report of Two Cases
Authors: HARPER W. M. , JONES J. M.
Published: December 2021

There are few reports in the literature concerning non-union of Colles’ fractures or its treatment. We describe two cases in which the fractures had been treated in the standard manner by reduction and plaster immobilisation for six weeks. The wrists of both patients were mobilised free of external support for several months before the complication of non-union was diagnosed. A simple radiographic technique for the diagnosis of non-union is described, using flexion and extension views of the wrist, and a method of treatment is outlined.
Deep Palmo-Plantar Wart Causing Extensive Bone Erosion: Brief Report
Authors: McLOUGHLIN S. J. , SHAW S. J. , TURNER S. , SYLVESTER B. S.
Published: December 2021

A case is described in which a deep palmo-planar wart (myrmecia) caused erosion of the underlying phalanx.
Correction of Camptodactyly
Authors: GUPTA A. , BURKE F. D.
Published: December 2021

Extensor indicis proprius has been used as a transfer to overcome passively correctable camptodactyly. The transferred tendon is accessible, expendable and synchronous. Early results are encouraging.
Management of Simple Camptodactyly
Authors: SIEGERT J. J. , COONEY W. P. , DOBYNS J. H.
Published: December 2021

From a review of 57 patients with flexion deformity of the fingers (camptodactyly), 21 patients with 38 digits treated operatively had 18% good or excellent results, whereas 14 patients (41 digits) treated conservatively had 66% good or excellent results. Mild deformities responded well to splints and stretching. Moderate deformities treated operatively gained extension but at the loss of finger flexion. Severe deformities had improvement in extension (averaging 19° in operative cases and 27° in conservative), but there was significant loss of flexion in the operative group. Overall, 16 of 21 patients had loss of flexion after operative treatment. Conservative treatment of camptodactyly is recommended for digits with less than 60° lack of extension. Operative treatment should be reserved for failed conservative treatment. Early joint motion post-operatively appears essential and surgical procedures that immobilise the P.I.P. joints should be avoided.
Teratogenic Relationship between Polydactyly, Syndactyly and Cleft Hand
Authors: OGINO T.
Published: December 2021

Several investigators have suggested that polydactyly, syndactyly and cleft hand might have arisen from a common teratogenic mechanism. To confirm this hypothesis, 75 hands with these anomalies were analysed. Advanced cases with central polydactyly or osseous syndactyly in which the fusion area extends as far as the proximal phalanx and metacarpus are identical to typical cleft hand. The author has induced the same deformities using myleran in rat foetuses. The clinical features of these anomalies in rats were the same as those in clinical cases and the critical periods of these anomalies were also the same. The findings suggest that these hand anomalies may appear in human beings when the same teratogenic factor acts on the embryo at the same developmental period and that they should belong to the same teratogenic entity.
Free Vascularised Toe Joint Transfer for Reconstruction of the Metacarpo-Phalangeal Joint
Authors: SMITH P. J. , GOODACRE T. E. E.
Published: December 2021

Two single and two double free vascularised joint transfers from the foot to hand have been undertaken in four patients over a period of four years. All were to replace metacarpo-phalangeal joints in young patients in whom the use of prosthetic devices was considered unsuitable. All the transfers were successfully completed, but one failed late in the second post-operative week due to sepsis. The results of the remaining three transfers compare favourably with prosthetic arthroplasty and continue to improve. Donor site morbidity in the foot has been minimal and is reviewed.
Injury to the A2 Pulley in Rock Climbers
Authors: BOLLEN S. R.
Published: December 2021

Injury to the A2 pulley of the flexor sheath, resulting in bow-stringing of the flexor tendons, would appear to be fairly common in rock climbers performing at the present limits of difficulty. A typical case is described.
Hand Problems in an Accident and Emergency Department
Authors: CLARK D. P. , SCOTT R. N. , ANDERSON I. W. R.
Published: December 2021

We present a prospective study of 1,074 consecutive hand problems which were presented to our Accident and Emergency Department over an eight week period. This number accounted for 1 in 5 of all accident attendances. Over 40% of these patients were males aged 12–29 years. Nearly half of the hand patients presented within two hours of injury. Over half the patients needed only reassurance or a simple dressing but 55 patients (5%) had to be admitted for surgery.
Studies on the Footpads of the Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus) and their Possible Relevance to Accident Prevention
Authors: MANNING D. P. , COOPER J. E. , STIRLING I. , JONES C. M. , BRUCE M. , McCAUSLAND P. C.
Published: December 2021

The incidence of slipping accidents is unknown, but accident and emergency departments in the United Kingdom probably treat over one million injuries per annum caused by slipping of the feet. Many injuries to farm livestock are caused by slipping. Previous research led to speculation that some animal species may have developed slip-resistant feet and the polar bear was chosen for a study of adaption to a slippery environment. Feet were photographed and a footpad was sectioned and examined by light and electron microscopy. Hardness of the footpads of two tranquillized bears was measured. The footpads were found to have a rough papillary surface overlying a soft dermis containing a dense network of collagen and elastic fibres. These findings support a hypothesis that shoe solings for use on an icy substrate should be soft with a hardness value in the region of 24 on the Shore A scale. The surface should be covered in conical projections having a mean diameter of 1mm. Further work on the feet of animal species could lead to a better understanding of slip-resistance and reduce injuries to humans and livestock.
Microsurgical Revascularisation of the Thumb Pulp with a Discussion of the Venous Drainage of the Thumb
Authors: EARLEY M. J.
Published: December 2021

Revascularisation of a thumb pulp by restoring volar venous drainage is described, stressing the need to search for volar veins in distal replants or revascularisations. The literature describing digital volar venous drainage is reviewed and the author’s own findings during the course of dissecting twenty thumbs are presented.
Overlapping of Fingers Due to Malunion of a Phalanx Corrected by a Metacarpal Rotational Osteotomy—Report of Two Cases
Authors: BOTELHEIRO J. C.
Published: December 2021

Overlapping of fingers on flexion of the hand caused by malunion of a phalanx was corrected in two patients by a rotational osteotomy of the base of the corresponding metacarpal, avoiding a more delicate operation on the phalanx, with good results.
Metacarpal Lengthening
Authors: SOUTHGATE G. W. , HOLMS W.
Published: December 2021

Reduction deficits of metacarpals requiring treatment are an uncommon problem. A patient with bilateral short ring fingers is reported and a technique of Z lengthening is described.
Charcot’s Oedème Bleu Des Hystériques
Authors: COOPER M. A. C. S. , DAVIES D. M.
Published: December 2021

A patient with hysterical, “artificial” or factitious oedema of the hand caused by the application of a tourniquet is reported. A high index of suspicion is needed in diagnosing this condition in which surgery should be avoided. Psychotherapy is the ultimate treatment but a pneumatic compression bag was found to be of use and helped confirm the diagnosis.
Management of Volkmann’s Ischaemic Contracture of the Upper Limb
Authors: SUNDARARAJ G.D. , MANI K.
Published: December 2021

One hundred and ninety six cases of Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture in the upper limb were studied for their pattern of contracture and recovery (Sundararaj and Mani 1985). Mild, moderate and severe forms of contracture have been described (Tsuge 1975; Sundararaj and Mani 1985). The management of 102 of these cases has been studied and discussed here.
Beirut Blast 2020: Cries and Bloodshed at the Busiest Hospital
Authors: Kerbage Anthony , Haddad Sara F. , Zoghbi Marianne , Souaid Tarek , Haroun Elio , Zoghbi Antoine
Published: December 2021

On August 4, 2020, Beirut experienced a large explosion when 2750 tons of ammonium nitrate detonated in the Beirut port resulting in more than 220 deaths, 76 000 injuries, 300 000 people displaced, and 15 billion dollars loss in property damage. Hôtel-Dieu de France (HDF), one of the largest university hospitals in the capital, has an emergency department that typically accommodates 25 patients. On that night, it received the largest number of injuries and had to accommodate more than 700 casualties within a few hours of the blast. This article describes HDF’s preparedness, emergency response, as well as the distribution of admissions to the emergency department, operation rooms, and the general ward. Surge capacity and the triage system are also detailed.
Token frequency as a determinant of morphological change
Authors: SIMS-WILLIAMS HELEN
Published: December 2021

This paper demonstrates that morphological change tends to involve the replacement of low frequency forms in inflectional paradigms by innovative forms based on high frequency forms, using Greek data involving the diachronic reorganisation of verbal inflection classes. A computational procedure is outlined for generating a possibility space of morphological changes which can be represented as analogical proportions, on the basis of synchronic paradigms in ancient Greek. I then show how supplementing analogical proportions with token frequency information can help to predict whether a hypothetical change actually took place in the language’s subsequent development. Because of the crucial role of inflected surface forms serving as analogical bases in this model, I argue that the results support theories in which inflected forms can be stored whole in the lexicon.
Control, Coercion, and Cooptation
Authors: Liu Shelley X.
Published: December 2021

This article examines how rebels govern after winning a civil war. During war, both sides—rebels and their rivals—form ties with civilians to facilitate governance and to establish control. To consolidate power after war, the new rebel government engages in control through its ties in its wartime strongholds, through coercion in rival strongholds where rivals retain ties, and through cooptation by deploying loyal bureaucrats to oversee development in unsecured terrain where its ties are weak. These strategies help to explain subnational differences in postwar development. The author analyzes Zimbabwe's Liberation War (1972–1979) and its postwar politics (1980–1987) using a difference-in-differences identification strategy that leverages large-scale education reforms. Quantitative results show that development increased most quickly in unsecured terrain and least quickly in rival strongholds. Qualitative evidence from archival and interview data confirms the theorized logic. The findings deepen understanding of transitions from conflict to peace and offer important insights about how wartime experiences affect postwar politics.
The archaeology of the Byzantine Peloponnese: new research perspectives
Authors: Valente Rossana
Published: December 2021

This paper aims to provide an overview of the diverse investigations and research questions that have been addressed in the field of Byzantine archaeology in the Peloponnese since the last report on Byzantine archaeology, published in 2013. Since then, considerable amounts of new data have been brought to light and a significant number of new publications have appeared, revealing renewed development in this field of studies; this will be addressed here, with a focus on the Early Byzantine period.
instance: Soma-based multi-user interaction design for the telematic sonic arts
Authors: Strauss Lucy , Tatar Kivanç , Nuro Sumalgy
Published: December 2021

The telematic work instance is a performance for viola and dance that digitally connects performers in Vancouver and Cape Town. The network interface enables a violist and a dancer to simultaneously play multi-user digital music-dance instruments over the internet with music and dance. The composition, design and performance interaction of instance draw from acoustic multi-user instrument paradigms and music-dance interactions in the African performing arts to explore the idiosyncrasies of the telematic performance space. The iterative design process implements soma-based research methods to inspire sonic compositional material with the body and to explore the performers’ embodied experience of sonic aesthetics during their interaction.
Exhaustion, Adversity, and Repression: Emotional Attrition in High-Risk Activism
Authors: Peña Alejandro M. , Meier Larissa , Nah Alice M.
Published: December 2021

The article proposes the notion of emotional attrition to capture the process through which activists working in high-risk environments may develop a lasting state of emotional exhaustion caused by protracted exposure to adversarial conditions. Combining insights from clinical psychology and the sociology of emotions, it outlines a novel framework to understand the relationship between activism, emotions, and disengagement. We argue that activists can develop an emotional state characterized by dispiriting emotions and disengaging attitudes that affect their well-being and ability to sustain their activism. This argument is grounded on an in-depth analysis of more than 130 interviews with local human rights activists in Colombia, Kenya, and Indonesia. By examining their experiences and pressures in relation to the arena of repression, their immediate social circle, and the broader sociopolitical and cultural context, we shed light on the complex intersections between activists’ emotional challenges and the range of contextual and strategic factors shaping their work and lives.
The Illumination of Thunderclouds by Lightning: 4. Volumetric Thunderstorm Imagery
Authors: Peterson Michael , Mach Douglas
Published: December 2021

Optical instruments such as the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) detect lightning based on transient changes in cloud illumination. The horizontal location of lightning is determined from the coordinates of the pixels on the imaging array illuminated during the flash. However, the vertical position of the lightning pulses (approximated by GLM “groups”) below the cloud top cannot be routinely measured from a single space‐based instrument. In our prior work, we have developed a machine learning algorithm that can infer optical source altitude for a given pulse based on how the optical energy is distributed across the group footprint and the local Advanced Baseline Imager Cloud‐Top Height (CTH). In this fourth part of our thundercloud illumination study, we leverage these source altitudes to generate volumetric GLM imagery of a Colombia thunderstorm. We find that 3D versions of the current GLM meteorological imagery products (that describe thunderstorm kinematics) and thundercloud imagery products (that depict how the flashes appear from space) provide additional insights into lightning activity in the thunderstorm that are lost in the vertical integration used to generate the current 2D GLM gridded products. This new volumetric imaging capability provides a more comprehensive picture of where lightning occurs in the storm, how its physical characteristics vary across three‐dimensional space, and how its optical emissions interact with surrounding the cloud medium.
Satellites Spy on Sand Mining in the Mekong
Authors: Tripathy-Lang Alka
Published: December 2021

Concrete, used in everything from streets to skyscrapers, needs sand, often mined from active rivers in developing countries with little oversight. Researchers can now use satellites to keep watch.
Spectral Element Modeling of Acoustic to Seismic Coupling Over Topography
Authors: Bishop Jordan W. , Fee David , Modrak Ryan , Tape Carl , Kim Keehoon
Published: December 2021

Acoustic waves in the atmosphere are commonly recorded on seismometers as they couple into the ground. These signals, here called ground coupled airwaves, are not commonly considered in numerical modeling of infrasound propagation, which often assumes a rigid unmeshed boundary. Starting from an analytically‐tractable spherical wave model, we analyze how the coupling of an acoustic wave into a planar elastic halfspace changes over a wide range of scenarios. We use energy admittance to quantify acoustic to seismic coupling over both a planar elastic halfspace and meshed topography. Our spectral element and analytic calculations have different maxima as a function of incidence angle, with very high admittance values for near‐vertical incidence (maximum ≈78%). Energy admittance calculations at shallow incidence angles are much smaller (less than 1%). In simulations over the complex topography of Sakurajima Volcano, we attribute the variable spatial pattern of energy admittance to changes in earth parameters between each model. The observed pressure difference over the simulated 15 km region appears to be . While this value is relatively small, the cumulative addition over 100s of km and multiple acoustic bounce points may be significant. Acoustic to seismic coupling along the propagation path may bias long distance yield estimates, particularly when infrasound propagates over regions with steep topography or particularly slow seismic velocities, such as alluvial planes.
Impact of the September 2019 Minor Sudden Stratospheric Warming on the Low‐Latitude Middle Atmospheric Planetary Wave Dynamics
Authors: Mitra G. , Guharay A. , Batista P. P. , Buriti R. A.
Published: December 2021

Planetary wave (PW) associated dynamical variability in the equatorial and extratropical middle atmosphere during the September 2019 Southern hemisphere minor sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) is investigated utilizing meteor radar wind observations from São João do Cariri (7.4°S, 36.5°W) and Cachoeira Paulista (22.7°S, 45°W) and reanalysis data. Signature of the mesospheric warming in conjunction with the stratospheric cooling is found at low latitudes. The strong westerly wind at low latitudes decelerates notably near 65 km at the onset of the warming episode, although no wind reversal is observed. The wind spectra reveal a prevalent quasi‐16‐day wave (Q16DW) prior to the SSW and existence of a quasi‐6‐day wave (Q6DW) after the warming event. Possible existence of barotropic/baroclinic instability in the low and mid latitude middle atmosphere may be responsible for exciting the Q6DW. Both traveling and stationary waves exhibit notable activities during the warming event. Although involvement of both zonal wavenumbers 1 and 2 PWs are found in the event, PW with zonal wavenumber 1 seems to play a vital role in preconditioning the same. Furthermore, significant latitudinal mixing of airmass between the tropics and high latitudes is evident in the potential vorticity map. The Eliassen‐Palm flux diagnosis shows the propagation of the Q6DW and Q16DW from mid to low latitudes during the warming event.
Abundance and Fractional Solubility of Aerosol Iron During Winter at a Coastal City in Northern China: Similarities and Contrasts Between Fine and Coarse Particles
Authors: Zhang Huanhuan , Li Rui , Dong Shuwei , Wang Fu , Zhu Yujiao , Meng He , Huang Chengpeng , Ren Yan , Wang Xinfeng , Hu Xiaodong , Li Tingting , Peng Chao , Zhang Guohua , Xue Likun , Wang Xinming , Tang Mingjin
Published: December 2021

Aerosol deposition is a major source of soluble Fe in open oceans, affecting marine biogeochemistry and primary production. However, Fe fractional solubility, a key parameter in estimating deposition fluxes of soluble aerosol Fe, is still highly uncertain. Abundance and fractional solubility of aerosol Fe in fine (<1 μm) and coarse (>1 μm) particles was measured at Qingdao (a coastal city in northern China) in November‐December 2019. Average concentrations of total and soluble Fe were found to be 798 ± 466 and 7.7 ± 14.5 ng/m3 in coarse particles, and 801 ± 534 and 7.3 ± 7.6 ng/m3 in fine particles. Fe solubility was significantly lower in coarse particles (average: 0.80 ± 1.03%) than fine particles (average 1.29 ± 1.41%). Compared to clean days, total Fe concentration was substantially increased during dust and haze days; however, Fe solubility was significantly reduced in dust days and elevated in haze days. Acid processing significantly enhanced Fe solubility in both fine and coarse particles, and the contribution of primary emission to Fe solubility enhancement was important for fine particles but minor for coarse particles. Higher Fe solubility (>1%) in fine and coarse particles was usually observed at high aerosol acidity (pH < 4) and high RH (>60%), suggesting critical roles of aerosol acidity and water content in regulating aerosol Fe solubility.
MiR-138 is a potent regulator of the heterogenous MYC transcript population in cancers
Authors: Desi Ng , Teh Velda , Tong Qing Yun , Lim Chun You , Tabatabaeian Hossein , Chew Xiao Hong , Sanchez-Mejias Avencia , Chan Jia Jia , Zhang Bin , Pitcheshwar Priyankaa , Siew Bei-En , Wang Shi , Lee Kuok-Chung , Chong Choon-Seng , Cheong Wai-Kit , Lieske Bettina , Tan Ian Jse-Wei , Tan Ker-Kan , Tay Yvonne
Published: December 2021

3′UTR shortening in cancer has been shown to activate oncogenes, partly through the loss of microRNA-mediated repression. This suggests that many reported microRNA-oncogene target interactions may not be present in cancer cells. One of the most well-studied oncogenes is the transcription factor MYC, which is overexpressed in more than half of all cancers.MYCoverexpression is not always accompanied by underlying genetic aberrations. In this study, we demonstrate that theMYC3′UTR is shortened in colorectal cancer (CRC). Using unbiased computational and experimental approaches, we identify and validate microRNAs that target theMYCcoding region. In particular, we show that miR-138 inhibits MYC expression and suppresses tumor growth of CRC and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. Critically, the intravenous administration of miR-138 significantly impedes MYC-driven tumor growth in vivo. Taken together, our results highlight the previously uncharacterized shortening of theMYC3′UTR in cancer, and identify miR-138 as a potent regulator of the heterogenousMYCtranscript population.
Cancer risk across mammals
Authors: Vincze Orsolya , Colchero Fernando , Lemaître Jean-Francois , Conde Dalia A. , Pavard Samuel , Bieuville Margaux , Urrutia Araxi O. , Ujvari Beata , Boddy Amy M. , Maley Carlo C. , Thomas Frédéric , Giraudeau Mathieu
Published: December 2021

Cancer is a ubiquitous disease of metazoans, predicted to disproportionately affect larger, long-lived organisms owing to their greater number of cell divisions, and thus increased probability of somatic mutations1,2. While elevated cancer risk with larger body size and/or longevity has been documented within species3–5, Peto’s paradox indicates the apparent lack of such an association among taxa6. Yet, unequivocal empirical evidence for Peto’s paradox is lacking, stemming from the difficulty of estimating cancer risk in non-model species. Here we build and analyse a database on cancer-related mortality using data on adult zoo mammals (110,148 individuals, 191 species) and map age-controlled cancer mortality to the mammalian tree of life. We demonstrate the universality and high frequency of oncogenic phenomena in mammals and reveal substantial differences in cancer mortality across major mammalian orders. We show that the phylogenetic distribution of cancer mortality is associated with diet, with carnivorous mammals (especially mammal-consuming ones) facing the highest cancer-related mortality. Moreover, we provide unequivocal evidence for the body size and longevity components of Peto’s paradox by showing that cancer mortality risk is largely independent of both body mass and adult life expectancy across species. These results highlight the key role of life-history evolution in shaping cancer resistance and provide major advancements in the quest for natural anticancer defences.
HELQ is a dual-function DSB repair enzyme modulated by RPA and RAD51
Authors: Anand Roopesh , Buechelmaier Erika , Belan Ondrej , Newton Matthew , Vancevska Aleksandra , Kaczmarczyk Artur , Takaki Tohru , Rueda David S. , Powell Simon N. , Boulton Simon J.
Published: December 2021

DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) are deleterious lesions, and their incorrect repair can drive cancer development1. HELQ is a superfamily 2 helicase with 3′ to 5′ polarity, and its disruption in mice confers germ cells loss, infertility and increased predisposition to ovarian and pituitary tumours2–4. At the cellular level, defects in HELQ result in hypersensitivity to cisplatin and mitomycin C, and persistence of RAD51 foci after DNA damage3,5. Notably, HELQ binds to RPA and the RAD51-paralogue BCDX2 complex, but the relevance of these interactions and how HELQ functions in DSB repair remains unclear3,5,6. Here we show that HELQ helicase activity and a previously unappreciated DNA strand annealing function are differentially regulated by RPA and RAD51. Using biochemistry analyses and single-molecule imaging, we establish that RAD51 forms a complex with and strongly stimulates HELQ as it translocates during DNA unwinding. By contrast, RPA inhibits DNA unwinding by HELQ but strongly stimulates DNA strand annealing. Mechanistically, we show that HELQ possesses an intrinsic ability to capture RPA-bound DNA strands and then displace RPA to facilitate annealing of complementary sequences. Finally, we show that HELQ deficiency in cells compromises single-strand annealing and microhomology-mediated end-joining pathways and leads to bias towards long-tract gene conversion tracts during homologous recombination. Thus, our results implicate HELQ in multiple arms of DSB repair through co-factor-dependent modulation of intrinsic translocase and DNA strand annealing activities.
Enhanced fitness of SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern Alpha but not Beta
Authors: Ulrich Lorenz , Halwe Nico Joel , Taddeo Adriano , Ebert Nadine , Schön Jacob , Devisme Christelle , Trüeb Bettina Salome , Hoffmann Bernd , Wider Manon , Fan Xiaoyu , Bekliz Meriem , Essaidi-Laziosi Manel , Schmidt Marie Luisa , Niemeyer Daniela , Corman Victor Max , Kraft Anna , Godel Aurélie , Laloli Laura , Kelly Jenna N. , Calderon Brenda M. , Breithaupt Angele , Wylezich Claudia , Berenguer Veiga Inês , Gultom Mitra , Osman Sarah , Zhou Bin , Adea Kenneth , Meyer Benjamin , Eberhardt Christiane S. , Thomann Lisa , Gsell Monika , Labroussaa Fabien , Jores Jörg , Summerfield Artur , Drosten Christian , Eckerle Isabella Anne , Wentworth David E. , Dijkman Ronald , Hoffmann Donata , Thiel Volker , Beer Martin , Benarafa Charaf
Published: December 2021

Emerging variants of concern (VOCs) are driving the COVID-19 pandemic1,2. Experimental assessments of replication and transmission of major VOCs and progenitors are needed to understand the mechanisms of replication and transmission of VOCs3. Here we show that the spike protein (S) from Alpha (also known as B.1.1.7) and Beta (B.1.351) VOCs had a greater affinity towards the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor than that of the progenitor variant S(D614G) in vitro. Progenitor variant virus expressing S(D614G) (wt-S614G) and the Alpha variant showed similar replication kinetics in human nasal airway epithelial cultures, whereas the Beta variant was outcompeted by both. In vivo, competition experiments showed a clear fitness advantage of Alpha over wt-S614G in ferrets and two mouse models—the substitutions in S were major drivers of the fitness advantage. In hamsters, which support high viral replication levels, Alpha and wt-S614G showed similar fitness. By contrast, Beta was outcompeted by Alpha and wt-S614G in hamsters and in mice expressing human ACE2. Our study highlights the importance of using multiple models to characterize fitness of VOCs and demonstrates that Alpha is adapted for replication in the upper respiratory tract and shows enhanced transmission in vivo in restrictive models, whereas Beta does not overcome Alpha or wt-S614G in naive animals.
Modeling of nitrogen solubility in normal alkanes using machine learning methods compared with cubic and PC-SAFT equations of state
Authors: Madani Seyed Ali , Mohammadi Mohammad-Reza , Atashrouz Saeid , Abedi Ali , Hemmati-Sarapardeh Abdolhossein , Mohaddespour Ahmad
Published: December 2021

Accurate prediction of the solubility of gases in hydrocarbons is a crucial factor in designing enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations by gas injection as well as separation, and chemical reaction processes in a petroleum refinery. In this work, nitrogen (N2) solubility in normal alkanes as the major constituents of crude oil was modeled using five representative machine learning (ML) models namely gradient boosting with categorical features support (CatBoost), random forest, light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM), k-nearest neighbors (k-NN), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). A large solubility databank containing 1982 data points was utilized to establish the models for predicting N2solubility in normal alkanes as a function of pressure, temperature, and molecular weight of normal alkanes over broad ranges of operating pressure (0.0212–69.12 MPa) and temperature (91–703 K). The molecular weight range of normal alkanes was from 16 to 507 g/mol. Also, five equations of state (EOSs) including Redlich–Kwong (RK), Soave–Redlich–Kwong (SRK), Zudkevitch–Joffe (ZJ), Peng–Robinson (PR), and perturbed-chain statistical associating fluid theory (PC-SAFT) were used comparatively with the ML models to estimate N2solubility in normal alkanes. Results revealed that the CatBoost model is the most precise model in this work with a root mean square error of 0.0147 and coefficient of determination of 0.9943. ZJ EOS also provided the best estimates for the N2solubility in normal alkanes among the EOSs. Lastly, the results of relevancy factor analysis indicated that pressure has the greatest influence on N2solubility in normal alkanes and the N2solubility increases with increasing the molecular weight of normal alkanes.
Staphylococcus aureus isolates from Eurasian Beavers (Castor fiber) carry a novel phage-borne bicomponent leukocidin related to the Panton-Valentine leukocidin
Authors: Monecke Stefan , Feßler Andrea T. , Burgold-Voigt Sindy , Krüger Henrike , Mühldorfer Kristin , Wibbelt Gudrun , Liebler-Tenorio Elisabeth M. , Reinicke Martin , Braun Sascha D. , Hanke Dennis , Diezel Celia , Müller Elke , Loncaric Igor , Schwarz Stefan , Ehricht Ralf
Published: December 2021

Staphylococcus aureus can be a harmless coloniser, but it can also cause severe infections in humans, livestock and wildlife. Regarding the latter, only few studies have been performed and knowledge on virulence factors is insufficient. The aim of the present study was to study S. aureus isolates from deceased wild beavers (Castor fiber). Seventeen isolates from eleven beavers, found in Germany and Austria, were investigated. Antimicrobial and biocide susceptibility tests were performed. Isolates were characterised using S. aureus-specific DNA microarrays, spa typing and whole-genome sequencing. From two isolates, prophages were induced by mitomycin C and studied by transmission electron microscopy. Four isolates belonged to clonal complex (CC) 8, CC12, and CC398. Twelve isolates belonged to CC1956 and one isolate was CC49. The CC49 and CC1956 isolates carried distinct lukF/S genes related to the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) from human isolates of S. aureus. These genes were located on related, but not identical, Siphovirus prophages. The beavers, from which those isolates originated, suffered from abscesses, purulent organ lesions and necrotising pneumonia, i.e., clinical manifestations resembling symptoms of severe PVL-associated disease in humans. It might thus be assumed that the “Beaver Leukocidin (BVL, lukF/S-BV)”-positive strains are beaver-specific pathogens, and further studies on their clinical role as well as on a possible transmissibility to other species, including humans, are warranted.
Simultaneous CO2 capture and functionalization: solvated electron precursors as novel catalysts
Authors: Jackson Benjamin A. , Miliordos Evangelos
Published: December 2021

Mechanistic study of solvated electronic precursor reactivity reveals insights for their use as novel catalysts for CO2 capture and utilization.
2.2.2-Cryptand complexes of neptunium(iii) and plutonium(iii)
Authors: Goodwin Conrad A. P. , Ciccone Sierra R. , Bekoe Samuel , Majumdar Sourav , Scott Brian L. , Ziller Joseph W. , Gaunt Andrew J. , Furche Filipp , Evans William J.
Published: December 2021

The THF-soluble [An(crypt)(OTf)2][OTf] complexes for An = Np and Pu were synthesized from AnI3(THF)4 starting materials based on pilot studies of the An = U system. 5f3 U(iii), 5f4 Np(iii), and 5f5 Pu(iii) electron configurations are indicated by DFT analysis of their UV-visible-NIR spectra.
The curious saga of dehydrogenation/hydrogenation for chemical hydrogen storage: a mechanistic perspective
Authors: Bhattacharjee Ishita , Sultana Munia , Bhunya Sourav , Paul Ankan
Published: December 2021

We discuss the mechanism of the catalytic dehydrogenation of ammonia-borane – a candidate for hydrogen storage – and the challenges associated with its use. We also highlight the mechanism, viability, sustainability and issues of other chemical hydrogen storage avenues.