bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of chronotype with eating habits and anthropometric measures in a sample of Iranian adults
Authors: Zeraattalab-Motlagh Sheida , Lesani Azadeh , Majdi Maryam , Shab-Bidar Sakineh
Published: June 2022

There is a lack of consistency in the literature that shows a relationship between chronotype, habits of eating and obesity in Iranian adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 850 individuals aged ≥ 18 years, selected from health houses of Tehran, Iran. Chronotype was assessed by Horne and Ostberg morningness–eveningness questionnaire. Specific eating habits, including breakfast skipping, intakes of fruits and vegetables, fast food, processed meats, soft drinks, coffee and tea, were assessed by dietary recalls. Weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, waist to height ratio, visceral adiposity index, body roundness index and body adiposity index were based on measured values. We used logistic regression to investigate the association between chronotypes and anthropometric measures as well as eating habits. Morning- and intermediate/evening-type chronotypes accounted for 51·4 and 48·6 % of the total individuals, respectively. Moreover, intermediate/evening-type chronotypes were shown to have a lower education of diploma (53 %), employed (49·9 %) and smokers (11·6 %) compared with morning types (both sexes). We found that intermediate/evening-type chronotypes might not be significantly related to higher anthropometric measures and following unhealthy eating habits after controlling for confounders in men and women (all P > 0·05). Overall, both anthropometric measures and specific eating habits were not related to chronotype among Iranian adults. Further studies are needed to clarify these relations and to consider sleep disturbances.
Public Demand for Extraterritorial Environmental and Social Public Goods Provision
Authors: Rudolph Lukas , Kolcava Dennis , Bernauer Thomas
Published: June 2022

Vastly increased transnational business activity in recent decades has been accompanied by controversy over how to cope with its social and environmental impacts. The most prominent policy response thus far consists of international guidelines. We investigate to what extent and why citizens in a high-income country are willing to restrain companies to improve environmental and social conditions in other countries. Exploiting a real-world referendum in Switzerland, we use choice and vignette experiments with a representative sample of voters (N = 3,010) to study public demand for such regulation. Our results show that citizens prefer strict and unilateral rules (with a substantial variation of preferences by general social and environmental concern) while correctly assessing their consequences. Moreover, exposure to international norms increases demand for regulation. These findings highlight that democratic accountability can be a mechanism that motivates states to contribute to collective goods even if not in their economic interest and that awareness of relevant international norms among citizens can enhance this mechanism.
Sustainable intensification of wheat production under smallholder farming systems in Burera, Musanze and Nyamagabe districts of Rwanda
Authors: Cyamweshi Athanase Rusanganwa , Nabahungu Nsharwasi Léon , Mirali Jackson Cirhuza , Kihara Job , Oduor George , Rware Harrison , Sileshi Gudeta Weldesemayat
Published: June 2022

The productivity of wheat is low on smallholder farms in Rwanda. Although mineral fertiliser use is being promoted as a sustainable intensification (SI) pathway, little is known about the nutrient use efficiency and profitability of various fertiliser inputs in Burera, Musanze and Nyamagabe districts of Rwanda. The objective of this study was to assess the use of combinations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn) and boron (B) in wheat production in terms of nutrients management specifically, crop yield, production risk, input use efficiency and economic returns on smallholder farms. The study was conducted in three wheat-growing regions of Rwanda (i.e., Nyamagabe, Musanze and Burera districts) with contrasting soil conditions. The treatments included combinations of different levels of N (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha−1) with P (0, 7.5, 15 and 22.5 kg ha−1) and K (10, 20 and 30 kg ha−1) and the control with no applied nutrients. A diagnostic treatment composed of 90 kg N, 15 kg P, 20 kg K, 10 kg Mg, 2.5 kg Zn and 0.5 kg B ha−1 was also included. Mean grain yield and its variability, rainfall use efficiency (RUE), agronomic use efficiency (AE) of N and P and the value cost ratios (VCRs) were calculated to assess the sustainability of the nutrient rates. Across all sites, wheat grain yield and RUE increased with increase in N rates up to 90 kg N ha−1, beyond which no further increase was observed. The highest wheat yield (5.5 t ha−1) and RUE (6.6 kg ha−1 mm−1) with the lowest production risk (coefficient of variation [CV] = 20%) were recorded in the diagnostic treatment. Although the highest AEN and AEP were recorded at lower N and P levels, the CVs of VCR were high (>64%), indicating higher production risk to wheat farmers. In all cases, an optimum VCR (5.6), with the lowest CV (44.4%), was recorded in the diagnostic treatment. We conclude that application of 90 kg N, 15 kg P, 20 kg K, 10 kg Mg, 2.5 kg Zn and 0.1 kg B can guarantee a more SI of wheat production in Burera, Musanze and Nyamagabe districts of Rwanda.
Various approaches to the round window for cochlear implantation: a systematic review
Authors: Aljazeeri I , Alturaiki S , Abdelsamad Y , Alzhrani F , Hagr A
Published: June 2022

Objective

Round window approaches are used to insert a cochlear implant electrode array into the scala tympani. This study aimed to review the literature to find the reported round window approaches.

Method

This review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (‘PRISMA’) guidelines. Articles that described their surgical approach to the round window were included. The PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched through to June 2021. The study protocol was registered on Prospero (reference number: CRD42021226940).

Results

A total of 42 reports were included. The following approaches were documented: the standard facial recess, keyhole, retrofacial, modified suprameatal, transaditus, combined posterior tympanotomy and endomeatal, modified Veria, canal wall down approaches, and endoscopically assisted technique.

Conclusion

This review suggested that there are numerous distinct round window approaches, providing alternatives when the round window is inaccessible through the standard facial recess.
Forensic Architecture in the Theatre and the Gallery: A Reflection on Counterhegemonic Potentials and Pitfalls of Art Institutions
Authors: MARSCHALL ANIKA , SIMKE ANN-CHRISTINE
Published: June 2022

This article examines the status of counterhegemonic knowledge in art institutions – such as the theatre and the gallery – by analysing Forensic Architecture's investigation into the murder of Halit Yozgat in Germany. We argue for paying close attention to claims about art institutions’ inherent counterhegemonic potential. As evidence, we present a critical experiential account of our visit to Forensic Architecture's gallery exhibition Counter Investigation at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. Following this, we discuss how the investigation was presented at the civic tribunal Tribunal NSU-Komplex auflösen, whose organizers took over and reassembled the municipal theatre Schauspiel Köln in Germany (2017). Drawing on an expert interview, we explore how the tribunal actively positioned itself against the potentially violent structure of the theatre space. Ultimately, our discussion considers the requirements for supportive and effective political alliances by art institutions and thus contributes to the debate in performance studies on institutional critique.
Critically Considering Embodied Cognition and Research in Theatre and Performance
Authors: DE WET MICIA
Published: June 2022

This article offers a critically reflective discussion of and suggestions towards the role of embodied cognitive science within theatre and performance discourse. Through a critical analysis of literature that takes its lead from within the framework of embodied cognition, this article argues that theatre and performance discourse may need to re-examine how embodiment is conceptualized within practical and interdisciplinary accounts of cognition. By exploring specific foundations and driving premises of embodied and classic cognition respectively, this article suggests that if researchers are going to use scientific accounts of embodiment to better understand embodied cognition in theatre and performance, then they must, by their own estimations, accept that all research, and not just practice, is an embodied act.
On Being Had: Publishing an Article on a Literary Fake
Authors: BARNETT DAVID
Published: June 2022

In 2002, I published an article in Theatre Research International called ‘Heiner Müller as the End of Brechtian Dramaturgy: Müller on Brecht in Two Lesser-Known Fragments’. I had written my doctoral dissertation on Müller, and, in the course of my studies, had come across two shorter pieces that, to my knowledge, had not been discussed by scholars. The first was Philoktet 1979 (Philoctetes 1979), a short, parodic and grotesque treatment of the Philoctetes myth, something very different from Müller's more sombre adaptation of the same material, published in 1965. I had heard Müller read the comic piece at the Berliner Ensemble in March 1995 and located the source in a copy of the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit, printed in December 1978. The second piece was also parodic and also appeared in a newspaper. Nachleben Brechts Beischlaf Auferstehung in Berlin (Brecht's Afterlife Intercourse Resurrection in Berlin) featured in the Volkszeitung in July 1990.1 The title suggested that Müller was ironically quoting his own back catalogue, echoing his play Leben Gundlings Friedrich von Preußen Lessings Schlaf Traum Schrei (Gundling's Life Frederick of Prussia Lessings Sleep Dream Cry) (1977) and Germania Tod in Berlin (Germania Death in Berlin) (1978). Stylistically, it looked like a heightened version of the technique employed in Philoktet 1979, in that it drew on and collided more Brechtian intertexts, and referenced Müller's own work more extensively. My doctoral supervisor had found the short playlet in the Volkszeitung. It was one of five responses to Brecht from prominent German literary figures, including Peter Handke and Martin Walser, collected under the title ‘Brecht: Stimmen der Dichter’ (Brecht: The Writers Speak). In my article's fifth footnote, I observed that while Philoktet 1979 appeared in the only extant bibliography of the playwright at the time, Nachleben Brechts did not. It would be hard to conceal an amount of smugness in my observation. But such self-satisfaction is not a quality worth airing too publicly, as will become evident soon.
The ultra-processed foods hypothesis: a product processed well beyond the basic ingredients in the package
Authors: Visioli Francesco , Marangoni Franca , Fogliano Vincenzo , Del Rio Daniele , Martinez J. Alfredo , Kuhnle Gunter , Buttriss Judith , Da Costa Ribeiro Hugo , Bier Dennis , Poli Andrea
Published: June 2022

The NOVA classification of food items has become increasingly popular and is being used in several observational studies as well as in nutritional guidelines and recommendations. We propose that there is a need for this classification and its use in the formulation of public health policies to be critically discussed and re-appraised. The terms ‘processing’ and ‘ultra-processing’, which are crucial to the NOVA classification, are ill-defined, as no scientific, measurable or precise reference parameters exist for them. Likewise, the theoretical grounds of the NOVA classification are unclear and inaccurate. Overall, the NOVA classification conflicts with the classic, evidence-based evaluation of foods based on composition and portion size because NOVA postulates that the food itself (or how much of it is eaten) is unimportant, but rather that dietary effects are due to how the food is produced. We contend that the NOVA system suffers from a lack of biological plausibility so the assertion that ultra-processed foods are intrinsically unhealthful is largely unproven, and needs further examination and elaboration.
The ‘Lublin of the Future’ – Clean, Hygienic, Orderly. Making a Clean Sweep with the Jewish Neighbourhood and its Sensescape
Authors: Weismann Stephanie
Published: June 2022

Regulating and disciplining the urban environment, especially the sensory improprieties of a city, have always been a crucial means to demonstrate new political orders. This article examines how various authorities attempted to regulate and reshape the Old Town neighbourhood of the Polish city of Lublin during the first half of the twentieth century and how a continuous discourse on order and cleanliness reinforced ethnic, class and political prejudices. It shows how the sensory mapping of the city in pre-war times, including noisome odours, crowdedness and unsightly buildings related, more often than not, to the area’s ‘Jewishness’. The profound changing of the Old Town neighbourhood after the Second World War was a major symbolic act of the new communist regime to make a clean sweep of unpleasant legacies to create the ‘Lublin of the future’.
Characteristics of Frequency‐Power Spectra in the Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere Over Andøya (Norway) Revealed by MAARSY
Authors: Ghosh Priyanka , He Maosheng , Latteck Ralph , Renkwitz Toralf , Avsarkisov Victor , Zecha Marius , Chau Jorge L.
Published: June 2022

This study investigates the tropospheric and lower stratospheric 3D wind frequency spectra at Andøya, Norway (69.30°N and 16.04°E) during the years 2017–2020 obtained with the Middle Atmosphere Alomar Radar System. We produce power spectral densityS(f) in a broad frequency range (3.5 days−1 > f > 1h−1). We categorize the spectra into different ranges: two frequency ranges (lower and higher than (13 hr)−1according to the local inertial period of 13 hr), four altitude ranges (lower troposphere, middle troposphere, tropopause region, and lower stratosphere), and four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, and winter). We approximate the power lawS(f) ∝ fβthrough a least‐square regression. Our results indicate that (a) the spectra of the horizontal winds follow a power law with slopes of aboutβ = −5/3 and −2 at the high and low frequency, respectively, (b) the slopes get steeper around the tropopause and seasonally during the summer (which we report for the first time), and (c) the slopeβin the vertical wind is shallow 0 >β > −1, which flattens with altitude.
Quantification of Pacific Plate Hotspot Tracks Since 80 Ma
Authors: Gaastra Kevin M. , Gordon Richard G. , Woodworth Daniel T.
Published: June 2022

The motion of the Pacific plate relative to Pacific hotspots produces age‐progressive chains of volcanoes. Methods of analysis of volcano locations and age dates using a small number of adjustable parameters (10 per chain) are presented. Simple fits to age progressions along Pacific hotspot chains indicate 1σ dispersions of age dates of ≈±1.0–±3.0 Ma. Motion between the Hawaii and Louisville hotspots differs insignificantly from zero with rates of 2 ± 4 mm/a (=±2σ) for 0–48 Ma and 26 ± 34 mm/a (=±2σ) for 48–80 Ma. Relative to a mean Pacific hotspot reference frame, motions of the Hawaii, Louisville, and Rurutu hotspots are also insignificant. Therefore plumes underlying these Pacific hotspots may be more stable in a convecting mantle than previously inferred. We find no significant difference in age between the Eocene bends of the Pacific hotspot chains. The best‐fitting assumed‐coeval age for the bends is 47.4 ± 1.0 Ma (=±2σ), coincident with the initiation of the doubling of the spreading rate of the Pacific plate relative to the Farallon and Vancouver plates. The initiation of the Eocene collision of India with Eurasia preceded the formation of the bends and was completed after their formation. Initiation of subduction of the Pacific plate in the west and southwest Pacific Ocean Basin likely preceded the formation of the bends, consistent with subduction initiation changing the torque on the Pacific plate such that it started moving in a more westward direction thus creating the Hawaiian‐Emperor Bend.
Side Benefits of Climate Action May Save Millions of Lives in Africa
Authors: Sidik Saima
Published: June 2022

Premature deaths due to air pollution would decline across the continent.
Multidecadal Water Mass Dynamics on the West Greenland Shelf
Authors: Mortensen J. , Rysgaard S. , Winding M. H. S. , Juul‐Pedersen T. , Arendt K. E. , Lund H. , Stuart‐Lee A. E. , Meire L.
Published: June 2022

The waters on the West Greenland continental shelf and slope play an important role in the global climate system with their link to the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean circulation system and the Greenland Ice Sheet. Lately, low temperature waters on the West Greenland shelf have been observed as far south as ∼64°N and associated with a cold and relatively saline water mass originating north of Davis Strait in Baffin Bay referred to as Baffin Bay Polar Water (BBPW). Here we use long, seasonal hydrographic time series from West Greenland at ∼64°N to study how frequently BBPW is reaching this far south. The analysis covers the period 1950–2018 with a data gap between 1988 and 2005. BBPW was observed frequently and was responsible for the temperature changes observed in the late 1960s–1980s and more intermittently post‐2008. Some of the large temperature changes we observe in the time series have previously been ascribed to “Great Salinity Anomalies” (GSAs) propagating around the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean circulation system. The prevailing view of the propagation of GSAs has been ascribed to advection of anomalies along the large‐scale circulation system. Our study shows that BBPW may play an important role in the interpretation of GSAs and melt of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Large temporal temperature changes at ∼64°N are associated with arrival of BBPW from the north and not advection of anomalies with the large‐scale current system from the south. This advocates for a shift in water masses caused by changes in the position and/or strength of oceanic currents.
The 5th edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Haematolymphoid Tumours: Lymphoid Neoplasms
Authors: Alaggio Rita , Amador Catalina , Anagnostopoulos Ioannis , Attygalle Ayoma D. , Araujo Iguaracyra Barreto de Oliveira , Berti Emilio , Bhagat Govind , Borges Anita Maria , Boyer Daniel , Calaminici Mariarita , Chadburn Amy , Chan John K. C. , Cheuk Wah , Chng Wee-Joo , Choi John K. , Chuang Shih-Sung , Coupland Sarah E. , Czader Magdalena , Dave Sandeep S. , de Jong Daphne , Du Ming-Qing , Elenitoba-Johnson Kojo S. , Ferry Judith , Geyer Julia , Gratzinger Dita , Guitart Joan , Gujral Sumeet , Harris Marian , Harrison Christine J. , Hartmann Sylvia , Hochhaus Andreas , Jansen Patty M. , Karube Kennosuke , Kempf Werner , Khoury Joseph , Kimura Hiroshi , Klapper Wolfram , Kovach Alexandra E. , Kumar Shaji , Lazar Alexander J. , Lazzi Stefano , Leoncini Lorenzo , Leung Nelson , Leventaki Vasiliki , Li Xiao-Qiu , Lim Megan S. , Liu Wei-Ping , Louissaint Abner , Marcogliese Andrea , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Michal Michael , Miranda Roberto N. , Mitteldorf Christina , Montes-Moreno Santiago , Morice William , Nardi Valentina , Naresh Kikkeri N. , Natkunam Yasodha , Ng Siok-Bian , Oschlies Ilske , Ott German , Parrens Marie , Pulitzer Melissa , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Rawstron Andrew C. , Rech Karen , Rosenwald Andreas , Said Jonathan , Sarkozy Clémentine , Sayed Shahin , Saygin Caner , Schuh Anna , Sewell William , Siebert Reiner , Sohani Aliyah R. , Tooze Reuben , Traverse-Glehen Alexandra , Vega Francisco , Vergier Beatrice , Wechalekar Ashutosh D. , Wood Brent , Xerri Luc , Xiao Wenbin
Published: June 2022

We herein present an overview of the upcoming 5thedition of the World Health Organization Classification of Haematolymphoid Tumours focussing on lymphoid neoplasms. Myeloid and histiocytic neoplasms will be presented in a separate accompanying article. Besides listing the entities of the classification, we highlight and explain changes from the revised 4thedition. These include reorganization of entities by a hierarchical system as is adopted throughout the 5thedition of the WHO classification of tumours of all organ systems, modification of nomenclature for some entities, revision of diagnostic criteria or subtypes, deletion of certain entities, and introduction of new entities, as well as inclusion of tumour-like lesions, mesenchymal lesions specific to lymph node and spleen, and germline predisposition syndromes associated with the lymphoid neoplasms.
Neuronal hyperexcitability in Alzheimer’s disease: what are the drivers behind this aberrant phenotype?
Authors: Targa Dias Anastacio Helena , Matosin Natalie , Ooi Lezanne
Published: June 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder leading to loss of cognitive abilities and ultimately, death. With no cure available, limited treatments mostly focus on symptom management. Identifying early changes in the disease course may provide new therapeutic targets to halt or reverse disease progression. Clinical studies have shown that cortical and hippocampal hyperactivity are a feature shared by patients in the early stages of disease, progressing to hypoactivity during later stages of neurodegeneration. The exact mechanisms causing neuronal excitability changes are not fully characterized; however, animal and cell models have provided insights into some of the factors involved in this phenotype. In this review, we summarize the evidence for neuronal excitability changes over the course of AD onset and progression and the molecular mechanisms underpinning these differences. Specifically, we discuss contributors to aberrant neuronal excitability, including abnormal levels of intracellular Ca2+ and glutamate, pathological amyloid β (Aβ) and tau, genetic risk factors, including APOE, and impaired inhibitory interneuron and glial function. In light of recent research indicating hyperexcitability could be a predictive marker of cognitive dysfunction, we further argue that the hyperexcitability phenotype could be leveraged to improve the diagnosis and treatment of AD, and present potential targets for future AD treatment development.
LncRNA IRAR regulates chemokines production in tubular epithelial cells thus promoting kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Jia Ping , Xu Sujuan , Ren Ting , Pan Tianyi , Wang Xiaoyan , Zhang Yunlu , Zou Zhouping , Guo Man , Zeng Qi , Shen Bo , Ding Xiaoqiang
Published: June 2022

Increasing evidence demonstrates that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in several pathogenic processes of the kidney. However, functions of lncRNAs in ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI) remain undefined. In this study, global lncRNA profiling indicated that many lncRNA transcripts were deregulated in kidney after ischemia reperfusion (IR). Among them, we identified IRAR (ischemia-reperfusion injury associated RNA) as a potential lncRNA candidate, which was mostly expressed by the tubular epithelial cells (TECs) after IR, involved in the development of AKI. GapmeR-mediated silencing and viral-based overexpression of IRAR were carried out to assess its function and contribution to IR-induced AKI. The results revealed that in vivo silencing of IRAR significantly reduced IR-induced proinflammatory cells infiltration and AKI. IRAR overexpression induced chemokine CCL2, CXCL1 and CXCL2 expression both in mRNA and protein levels in TECs, while, silencing of IRAR resulted in downregulation of these chemokines. RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pulldown assay validated the association between IRAR and CCL2, CXCL1/2. Further examination revealed that specific ablation of CCL2 in TECs reduced macrophages infiltration and proinflammatory cytokine production, attenuated renal dysfunction in IR mice. Inhibition of CXC chemokine receptor 2 (receptor of CXCL1/2) reduced neutrofils infiltration, but had no overt effect on kidney function. To explore the mechanism of IRAR upregulation in kidney during IR, we analyzed promoter region of IRAR and predicted a potential binding site for transcription factor C/EBP β on IRAR promoter. Silencing of C/EBP β reduced IRAR expression in TECs. A dual-luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) confirmed that IRAR was a transcriptional target of the C/EBP β. Altogether, our findings identify IRAR as a new player in the development of ischemic AKI through regulating chemokine production and immune cells infiltration, suggesting that IRAR is a potential target for prevention and/or attenuation of AKI.
High-resolution mass measurements of single budding yeast reveal linear growth segments
Authors: Cuny Andreas P. , Tanuj Sapra K. , Martinez-Martin David , Fläschner Gotthold , Adams Jonathan D. , Martin Sascha , Gerber Christoph , Rudolf Fabian , Müller Daniel J.
Published: June 2022

The regulation of cell growth has fundamental physiological, biotechnological and medical implications. However, methods that can continuously monitor individual cells at sufficient mass and time resolution hardly exist. Particularly, detecting the mass of individual microbial cells, which are much smaller than mammalian cells, remains challenging. Here, we modify a previously described cell balance (‘picobalance’) to monitor the proliferation of single cells of the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, under culture conditions in real time. Combined with optical microscopy to monitor the yeast morphology and cell cycle phase, the picobalance approaches a total mass resolution of 0.45 pg. Our results show that single budding yeast cells (S/G2/M phase) increase total mass in multiple linear segments sequentially, switching their growth rates. The growth rates weakly correlate with the cell mass of the growth segments, and the duration of each growth segment correlates negatively with cell mass. We envision that our technology will be useful for direct, accurate monitoring of the growth of single cells throughout their cycle.
Geometry-independent antenna based on Epsilon-near-zero medium
Authors: Li Hao , Zhou Ziheng , He Yijing , Sun Wangyu , Li Yue , Liberal Iñigo , Engheta Nader
Published: June 2022

It is well known that electromagnetic radiation from radiating elements (e.g., antennas, apertures, etc.) shows dependence on the element’s geometry shape in terms of operating frequencies. This basic principle is ubiquitous in the design of radiators in multiple applications spanning from microwave, to optics and plasmonics. The emergence of epsilon-near-zero media exceptionally allows for an infinite wavelength of electromagnetic waves, manifesting exotic spatially-static wave dynamics which is not dependent on geometry. In this work, we analyze theoretically and verify experimentally such geometry-independent features for radiation, thus presenting a novel class of radiating resonators, i.e., antennas, with an operating frequency irrelevant to the geometry shape while only determined by the host material’s dispersions. Despite being translated into different shapes and topologies, the designed epsilon-near-zero antenna resonates at a same frequency, while exhibiting very different far-field radiation patterns, with beams varying from wide to narrow, or even from single to multiple. Additionally, the photonic doping technique is employed to facilitate the high-efficiency radiation. The material-determined geometry-independent radiation may lead to numerous applications in flexible design and manufacturing for wireless communications, sensing, and wavefront engineering.
Dissociation between individual differences in self-reported pain intensity and underlying fMRI brain activation
Authors: Hoeppli M. E. , Nahman-Averbuch H. , Hinkle W. A. , Leon E. , Peugh J. , Lopez-Sola M. , King C. D. , Goldschneider K. R. , Coghill R. C.
Published: June 2022

Pain is an individual experience. Previous studies have highlighted changes in brain activation and morphology associated with within- and interindividual pain perception. In this study we sought to characterize brain mechanisms associated with between-individual differences in pain in a sample of healthy adolescent and adult participants (N = 101). Here we show that pain ratings varied widely across individuals and that individuals reported changes in pain evoked by small differences in stimulus intensity in a manner congruent with their pain sensitivity, further supporting the utility of subjective reporting as a measure of the true individual experience. Furthermore, brain activation related to interindividual differences in pain was not detected, despite clear sensitivity of the Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent (BOLD) signal to small differences in noxious stimulus intensities within individuals. These findings suggest fMRI may not be a useful objective measure to infer reported pain intensity.
Pixel super-resolution with spatially entangled photons
Authors: Defienne Hugo , Cameron Patrick , Ndagano Bienvenu , Lyons Ashley , Reichert Matthew , Zhao Jiuxuan , Harvey Andrew R. , Charbon Edoardo , Fleischer Jason W. , Faccio Daniele
Published: June 2022

Pixelation occurs in many imaging systems and limits the spatial resolution of the acquired images. This effect is notably present in quantum imaging experiments with correlated photons in which the number of pixels used to detect coincidences is often limited by the sensor technology or the acquisition speed. Here, we introduce a pixel super-resolution technique based on measuring the full spatially-resolved joint probability distribution (JPD) of spatially-entangled photons. Without shifting optical elements or using prior information, our technique increases the pixel resolution of the imaging system by a factor two and enables retrieval of spatial information lost due to undersampling. We demonstrate its use in various quantum imaging protocols using photon pairs, including quantum illumination, entanglement-enabled quantum holography, and in a full-field version of N00N-state quantum holography. The JPD pixel super-resolution technique can benefit any full-field imaging system limited by the sensor spatial resolution, including all already established and future photon-correlation-based quantum imaging schemes, bringing these techniques closer to real-world applications.
Near-ideal electromechanical coupling in textured piezoelectric ceramics
Authors: Yan Yongke , Geng Liwei D. , Liu Hairui , Leng Haoyang , Li Xiaotian , Wang Yu U. , Priya Shashank
Published: June 2022

Electromechanical coupling factor, k, of piezoelectric materials determines the conversion efficiency of mechanical to electrical energy or electrical to mechanical energy. Here, we provide an fundamental approach to design piezoelectric materials that provide near-ideal magnitude of k, via exploiting the electrocrystalline anisotropy through fabrication of grain-oriented or textured ceramics. Coupled phase field simulation and experimental investigation on <001> textured Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 ceramics illustrate that k can reach same magnitude as that for a single crystal, far beyond the average value of traditional ceramics. To provide atomistic-scale understanding of our approach, we employ a theoretical model to determine the physical origin of k in perovskite ferroelectrics and find that strong covalent bonding between B-site cation and oxygen via d-p hybridization contributes most towards the magnitude of k. This demonstration of near-ideal k value in textured ceramics will have tremendous impact on design of ultra-wide bandwidth, high efficiency, high power density, and high stability piezoelectric devices.
RNase III CLASH in MRSA uncovers sRNA regulatory networks coupling metabolism to toxin expression
Authors: McKellar Stuart W. , Ivanova Ivayla , Arede Pedro , Zapf Rachel L. , Mercier Noémie , Chu Liang-Cui , Mediati Daniel G. , Pickering Amy C. , Briaud Paul , Foster Robert G. , Kudla Grzegorz , Fitzgerald J. Ross , Caldelari Isabelle , Carroll Ronan K. , Tree Jai J. , Granneman Sander
Published: June 2022

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterial pathogen responsible for significant human morbidity and mortality. Post-transcriptional regulation by small RNAs (sRNAs) has emerged as an important mechanism for controlling virulence. However, the functionality of the majority of sRNAs during infection is unknown. To address this, we performed UV cross-linking, ligation, and sequencing of hybrids (CLASH) in MRSA to identify sRNA-RNA interactions under conditions that mimic the host environment. Using a double-stranded endoribonuclease III as bait, we uncovered hundreds of novel sRNA-RNA pairs. Strikingly, our results suggest that the production of small membrane-permeabilizing toxins is under extensive sRNA-mediated regulation and that their expression is intimately connected to metabolism. Additionally, we also uncover an sRNA sponging interaction between RsaE and RsaI. Taken together, we present a comprehensive analysis of sRNA-target interactions in MRSA and provide details on how these contribute to the control of virulence in response to changes in metabolism.
Cooperative chalcogen bonding interactions in confined sites activate aziridines
Authors: Zhu Haofu , Zhou Pan-Pan , Wang Yao
Published: June 2022

The activation of aziridines typically involves the use of strong Lewis acids or transition metals, and methods relying on weak interactions are rare. Herein, we report that cooperative chalcogen bonding interactions in confined sites can activate sulfonyl-protected aziridines. Among the several possible distinct bonding modes, our experiments and computational studies suggest that an activation mode involving the cooperative Se···O and Se···N interactions is in operation. The catalytic reactions between weakly bonded supramolecular species and nonactivated alkenes are considered as unfavorable approaches. However, here we show that the activation of aziridines by cooperative Se···O and Se···N interactions enables the cycloaddition of weakly bonded aziridine-selenide complex with nonactivated alkenes in a catalytic manner. Thus, weak interactions can indeed enable these transformations and are an alternative to methods relying on strong Lewis acids.
Longitudinal trimodal imaging of midbrain-associated network degeneration in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Steidel Kenan , Ruppert Marina C. , Greuel Andrea , Tahmasian Masoud , Maier Franziska , Hammes Jochen , van Eimeren Thilo , Timmermann Lars , Tittgemeyer Marc , Drzezga Alexander , Pedrosa David J. , Eggers Carsten
Published: June 2022

The prevailing network perspective of Parkinson’s disease (PD) emerges not least from the ascending neuropathology traceable in histological studies. However, whether longitudinal in vivo correlates of network degeneration in PD can be observed remains unresolved. Here, we applied a trimodal imaging protocol combining 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)- and 18F-fluoro-L-Dopa- (FDOPA)-PET with resting-state functional MRI to assess longitudinal changes in midbrain metabolism, striatal dopamine depletion and striatocortical dysconnectivity in 17 well-characterized PD patients. Whole-brain (un)paired-t-tests with focus on midbrain or striatum were performed between visits and in relation to 14 healthy controls (HC) in PET modalities. Resulting clusters of FDOPA-PET comparisons provided volumes for seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analyses between visits and in relation to HC. FDG metabolism in the left midbrain decreased compared to baseline along with caudatal FDOPA-uptake. This caudate cluster exhibited a longitudinal FC decrease to sensorimotor and frontal areas. Compared to healthy subjects, dopamine-depleted putamina indicated stronger decline in striatocortical FC at follow-up with respect to baseline. Increasing nigrostriatal deficits and striatocortical decoupling were associated with deterioration in motor scores between visits in repeated-measures correlations. In summary, our results demonstrate the feasibility of in-vivo tracking of progressive network degeneration using a multimodal imaging approach. Specifically, our data suggest advancing striatal and widespread striatocortical dysfunction via an anterior-posterior gradient originating from a hypometabolic midbrain cluster within a well-characterized and only mild to moderately affected PD cohort during a relatively short period.
Women are credited less in science than men
Authors: Ross Matthew B. , Glennon Britta M. , Murciano-Goroff Raviv , Berkes Enrico G. , Weinberg Bruce A. , Lane Julia I.
Published: June 2022

There is a well-documented gap between the observed number of works produced by women and by men in science, with clear consequences for the retention and promotion of women1. The gap might be a result of productivity differences2–5, or it might be owing to women’s contributions not being acknowledged6,7. Here we find that at least part of this gap is the result of unacknowledged contributions: women in research teams are significantly less likely than men to be credited with authorship. The findings are consistent across three very different sources of data. Analysis of the first source—large-scale administrative data on research teams, team scientific output and attribution of credit—show that women are significantly less likely to be named on a given article or patent produced by their team relative to their male peers. The gender gap in attribution is present across most scientific fields and almost all career stages. The second source—an extensive survey of authors—similarly shows that women’s scientific contributions are systematically less likely to be recognized. The third source—qualitative responses—suggests that the reason that women are less likely to be credited is because their work is often not known, is not appreciated or is ignored. At least some of the observed gender gap in scientific output may be owing not to differences in scientific contribution, but rather to differences in attribution.
A global ensemble of ocean wave climate statistics from contemporary wave reanalysis and hindcasts
Authors: Morim J. , Erikson L. H. , Hemer M. , Young I. , Wang X. , Mori N. , Shimura T. , Stopa J. , Trenham C. , Mentaschi L. , Gulev S. , Sharmar V. D. , Bricheno L. , Wolf J. , Aarnes O. , Perez J. , Bidlot J. , Semedo A. , Reguero B. , Wahl T.
Published: June 2022

There are numerous global ocean wave reanalysis and hindcast products currently being distributed and used across different scientific fields. However, there is not a consistent dataset that can sample across all existing products based on a standardized framework. Here, we present and describe the first coordinated multi-product ensemble of present-day global wave fields available to date. This dataset, produced through the Coordinated Ocean Wave Climate Project (COWCLIP) phase 2, includes general and extreme statistics of significant wave height (Hs), mean wave period (Tm) and mean wave direction (θm) computed across 1980–2014, at different frequency resolutions (monthly, seasonally, and annually). This coordinated global ensemble has been derived from fourteen state-of-the-science global wave products obtained from different atmospheric reanalysis forcing and downscaling methods. This data set has been processed, under a specific framework for consistency and quality, following standard Data Reference Syntax, Directory Structures and Metadata specifications. This new comprehensive dataset provides support to future broad-scale analysis of historical wave climatology and variability as well as coastal risk and vulnerability assessments across offshore and coastal engineering applications.
Macronutrient intake modulates impact of EcoRI polymorphism of ApoB gene on lipid profile and inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Abaj Faezeh , Koohdani Fariba
Published: June 2022

We sought to examine whether dietary intakes may affect the relationship between ApoB EcoRI and lipid profile, as well as serum inflammatory markers, in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). This current study consisted of 648 diabetic patients. Dietary intake was calculated by a food frequency questionnaire. Biochemical markers (high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), LDL, TG, CRP, IL-18, PGF2α) were measured based on standard protocols. Genotyping of the Apo-B polymorphisms (rs1042031) was conducted by the PCR–RFLP method. The gene-diet interactions were evaluated using GLMs. In comparison to GG homozygotes, A-allele carriers with above the median -CHO intake (≥ 54 percent of total energy) had considerably greater TC and PGF2a concentrations. Furthermore, as compared to GG homozygotes, A-allele carriers with above the median protein intake (≥ 14 percent of total energy) had higher serum levels of TG (P = 0.001), CRP (P = 0.02), TG/HDL (P = 0.005), and LDL/HDL (P = 0.04) ratios. Moreover, A-allele carriers with above the median total fat intake (≥ 35 percent of total calories) had significantly higher TC level (P = 0.04) and LDL/HDL (P = 0.04) ratios compared to GG homozygotes. Furthermore, when compared to GG homozygotes, A-allele carriers who consumed above the median cholesterol (> 196 mg) had greater TG (P = 0.04), TG/HDL (P = 0.01) ratio, and IL-18 (P = 0.02). Furthermore, diabetic patients with the GA, AA genotype who consume above the median cholesterol had lower ghrelin levels (P = 0.01). In terms of LDL/HDL ratio, ApoB EcoRI and dietary intakes of specific fatty acids (≥ 9 percent for SFA and ≥ 12 percent for MUFA) had significant interaction. LDL/HDL ratio is greater in A-allele carriers with above the median SFA intake (P = 0.04), also when they consumed above the median MUFA this association was inverse (P = 0.04). Our study showed that plasma lipid levels in participants carrying the (AA or AG) genotype were found to be more responsive to increasing the percentage of energy derived from dietary fat, CHO, protein, SFA, and cholesterol consumption. Therefore, patients with a higher genetic susceptibility (AA or AG) seemed to have greater metabolic markers with a higher percentage of macronutrient consumption. Also, ApoB EcoRI correlations with metabolic markers might be attenuated with above the median MUFA consumption.
Ellipsoid calculations versus manual tumor delineations for glioblastoma tumor volume evaluation
Authors: Le Fèvre Clara , Sun Roger , Cebula Hélène , Thiery Alicia , Antoni Delphine , Schott Roland , Proust François , Constans Jean-Marc , Noël Georges
Published: June 2022

In glioblastoma, the response to treatment assessment is essentially based on the 2D tumor size evolution but remains disputable. Volumetric approaches were evaluated for a more accurate estimation of tumor size. This study included 57 patients and compared two volume measurement methods to determine the size of different glioblastoma regions of interest: the contrast-enhancing area, the necrotic area, the gross target volume and the volume of the edema area. The two methods, the ellipsoid formula (the calculated method) and the manual delineation (the measured method) showed a high correlation to determine glioblastoma volume and a high agreement to classify patients assessment response to treatment according to RANO criteria. This study revealed that calculated and measured methods could be used in clinical practice to estimate glioblastoma volume size and to evaluate tumor size evolution.
A method of radar echo extrapolation based on dilated convolution and attention convolution
Authors: Shen Xiajiong , Meng Kunying , Zhang Lei , Zuo Xianyu
Published: June 2022

The neural network method can obtain a higher precision of radar echo extrapolation than the traditional method. However, its application in radar echo extrapolation is still in the initial stage of exploration, and there is still much room for improvement in the extrapolation accuracy. To improve the utilization of radar echo information and extrapolation accuracy, this paper proposes a radar echo extrapolation model (ADC_Net) based on dilated convolution and attention convolution. In this model, dilated convolution, instead of the pooling operation, is used to downsample the feature matrix obtained after the standard convolution operation. In doing so, the internal data structure of the feature matrix is retained, and the spatial features of radar echo data from different scales are extracted as well. Besides, the attention convolution module is integrated in the ADC_Net model to improve its sensitivity to the target features in the feature matrix and suppress the interference information. The proposed model is tested in the extrapolation of radar echo images in the next 90 min from five aspects—extrapolated image, POD index, CSI index, FAR index, and HSS index. The experimental results show that the model can effectively improve the accuracy of radar echo extrapolation.
Source analysis and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in farmland soils around heavy metal industry in Anxin County
Authors: Zhao Guoliang , Ma Ye , Liu Yuzhen , Cheng Jiemin , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: June 2022

Studying the pollution status, spatial distribution characteristics, and sources of heavy metals in farmland soil in Anxin County will provide a method basis for the next step of soil remediation. This study investigates the contents of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, and Ni in wheat grains and soil samples. Moreover, different methods are used to evaluate soil heavy metal pollution. The results show that the soil in the study area is weakly alkaline. Cu, Zn, and Ni contents in the ground are lower than the risk screening values for soil contamination of agricultural land. In comparison, Cd and Pb contents are higher than the screening value of soil pollution risk of agricultural land, and the proportion of points lower than the control value of soil pollution risk of agricultural land are 64.58% and 16.67%, respectively. The farmland with high Cd and Pb content is mainly distributed near roads and factories and concentrated primarily on 0-20 cm topsoil. The Cd content in wheat grains meets the standard, but 4.17% of the samples are close to 0.1 mg kg−1 (more than 0.09 mg kg−1). The Pb content of 50% of the wheat grain samples exceeds the lead limit in the standard. The evaluation results of the single factor pollution index and geoaccumulation index show that the pollution degree of heavy metals in the soil is Cd > Pb > Cu > Zn > Ni. The potential ecological risk index in the study area is 288.83, and the soil heavy metal pollution is at a moderate-considerable ecological risk level. The average value of Cd's single-factor environmental risk index is 233.51, which belongs to the high environmental risk and is the main influencing factor. Cd and Pb in soil are significantly disturbed by the production activities of heavy metal processing enterprises around the farmland. It is speculated that there are two primary sources of soil heavy metal pollution in the study area. Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu are mainly industrial and mobile sources, and Ni is primarily agricultural and natural sources.