bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time interval between (chemo)radiotherapy and subsequent laryngectomy is not prognostic for post operative complications and survival
Authors: Pézier Thomas F. , Rijken Johannes A. , Tijink Bernard M. , Braunius W. Weibel , de Bree Remco
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) formation and swallowing difficulties are common and troublesome complications following total laryngectomy (TL). Prior (chemo)radiotherapy ((C)RT) is thought to be a risk factor for these complications, but there is conflicting evidence as to whether the time interval between (C)RT and TL is important. The impact of time interval on these complications and also its impact on overall survival are investigated.

Methods

This is a retrospective case note review of all patients undergoing TL at the University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands over the 10-year period from January 2008 to December 2017. The cohort was split into those who underwent TL within a year of finishing (C)RT and those longer than 1 year.

Results

One hundred and twenty-six patients (108 males, 18 females), with a mean age of 66 underwent total laryngectomy after prior (C)RT in the study period. Overall 5-year survival was 35% with a median follow-up of 30 months. Fifty-four patients underwent laryngectomy within a year of their (C)RT versus 72 patients who had a time interval of more than one year. No differences in PCF rate, risk of dilatation or overall survival could be found between the two groups.

Conclusions

In this modern cohort, time interval between (C)RT and surgery did not impact PCF rate, risk of dilatation or overall survival.
Experimental Investigation on Static and Dynamic Bulk Moduli of Dry and Fluid-Saturated Porous Sandstones
Authors: Wang Lei , Rybacki Erik , Bonnelye Audrey , Bohnhoff Marco , Dresen Georg
Published: September 2020

Knowledge of pressure-dependent static and dynamic moduli of porous reservoir rocks is of key importance for evaluating geological setting of a reservoir in geo-energy applications. We examined experimentally the evolution of static and dynamic bulk moduli for porous Bentheim sandstone with increasing confining pressure up to about 190 MPa under dry and water-saturated conditions. The static bulk moduli (Ks) were estimated from stress–volumetric strain curves while dynamic bulk moduli (Kd) were derived from the changes in ultrasonic P- and S- wave velocities (~ 1 MHz) along different traces, which were monitored simultaneously during the entire deformation. In conjunction with published data of other porous sandstones (Berea, Navajo and Weber sandstones), our results reveal that the ratio between dynamic and static bulk moduli (Kd/Ks) reduces rapidly from about 1.5 − 2.0 at ambient pressure to about 1.1 at high pressure under dry conditions and from about 2.0 − 4.0 to about 1.5 under water-saturated conditions, respectively. We interpret such a pressure-dependent reduction by closure of narrow (compliant) cracks, highlighting that Kd/Ks is positively correlated with the amount of narrow cracks. Above the crack closure pressure, where equant (stiff) pores dominate the void space, Kd/Ks is almost constant. The enhanced difference between dynamic and static bulk moduli under water saturation compared to dry conditions is possibly caused by high pore pressure that is locally maintained if measured using high-frequency ultrasonic wave velocities. In our experiments, the pressure dependence of dynamic bulk modulus of water-saturated Bentheim sandstone at effective pressures above 5 MPa can be roughly predicted by both the effective medium theory (Mori–Tanaka scheme) and the squirt-flow model. Static bulk moduli are found to be more sensitive to narrow cracks than dynamic bulk moduli for porous sandstones under dry and water-saturated conditions.
A novel foveavirus identified in wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris)
Authors: Reynard Jean-Sébastien , Brodard Justine , Remoliff Eric , Lefebvre Marie , Schumpp Olivier , Candresse Thierry
Published: September 2020

We report the genome sequence of a putative new foveavirus infecting non-cultivated Vitis vinifera, tentatively named “grapevine foveavirus A” (GFVA). This virus was identified by high-throughput sequencing analysis of a European wild Vitis collected in Switzerland. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this virus clustered with known grapevine virus T (GVT) isolates but was clearly distinct from any of them. If considering the International Committee of Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV)-suggested foveavirus species demarcation criterion based on sequence similarity in the replicase gene/protein, this virus should be considered a member of a new species closely related to GVT. On the other hand, comparison of capsid gene/protein sequences using the same criteria indicates that GFVA is at the border of species demarcation. Whether this virus represents a highly divergent GVT isolate or a member of a distinct but closely related species is discussed.
Enhanced poly-γ-l-diaminobutanoic acid production in Bacillus pumilus by combining genome shuffling with multiple antibiotic-resistance
Authors: Li Shu , Wang Liang , Wang Nan
Published: September 2020

A breeding approach combining genome shuffling with multiple antibiotic-resistance including gentamicin, rifampin and lincomycin, was developed in this research to improve the poly-γ-l-diaminobutanoic acid (γ-PAB) production in Bacillus pumilus LS-1. By this unique strategy, recombinants from the third round of genome shuffling could tolerate higher concentration of compound antibiotics and exhibited higher γ-PAB production as 392.4 mg/L in shake-flask fermentation, tenfold over the parent. In batch fermentation, B. pumilus GS3-M7 could produce γ-PAB as high as 2316.4 mg/L in two days, 5.4-fold higher than the control, which was the highest productivity ever reported. In addition, the optimal pH in B. pumilus for γ-PAB synthesis was decreased after ARTP mutagenesis and protoplast fusion, because the lower pH environment is favorable for accumulation of intracellular ATP. Some key enzymes in GS3-M7 showed higher activities than those in the parent, suggesting a greater flux to TCA circle and DAP pathway, which was a reason for enhanced γ-PAB production.
Achievement development is less important for school-placement recommendations when students are stereotyped
Authors: Klapproth Florian , Fischer Birthe Doreen
Published: September 2020

With this study we examined with a sample ofN = 102 primary-school teachers whether their use of information about students’ achievement development for placement recommendations depended on student ethnicity. We applied student vignettes to mimic real students, and orthogonally varied student ethnicity, their GPA development, suggested by their last two school reports in primary school, and their grand mean of grades. We found that students were more likely to be recommended for the highest track when their grand mean of grades indicated higher achievements and when their GPA improved rather than declined. Moreover, we found strong evidence that teachers applied ethnic stereotypes when making school-placement recommendations. If the students fitted an ethnic stereotype, teachers tend to ignore information about their achievement development, whereas if the students did not fit an ethnic stereotype, teachers’ judgments were rather based on all information that was provided about the students. Hence, achievement development was less important for school-placement recommendations when students were stereotyped than when they were not stereotyped. Implications of the results were discussed.
Terrestrial solar radiation driven photodecomposition of ciprofloxacin in clinical wastewater applying mesostructured iron(III) oxide
Authors: Wagner Daniel R. , Ament Kevin , Mayr Lina , Martin Thomas , Bloesser André , Schmalz Holger , Marschall Roland , Wagner Friedrich E. , Breu Josef
Published: September 2020

Cationic cylindrical polymer brushes based on polybutadiene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) were applied as structure-directing agent for mesostructuring Fe2O3 nanoparticles into nanotubes. After temperature-controlled template removal, the obtained non-woven catalysts were tested for the photodegradation of ciprofloxacin under terrestrial solar radiation. At a slightly basic pH value, as typically encountered in clinical wastewaters, the mesostructured Fe2O3 shows a 4.5 times faster degradation of ciprofloxacin than commercial Aeroxide® TiO2 P25. Even wide-bandgap ZnO, mesostructured in the same way, is 1.6 times slower. Moreover, the non-woven-like structure of the catalyst allows for easy recovery of the catalyst and operation in a continuous flow reactor.
Near-source characteristics of two-phase gas–solid outbursts in roadways
Authors: Zhou Aitao , Zhang Meng , Wang Kai , Elsworth Derek
Published: September 2020

Coal and gas outbursts compromise two-phase gas–solid mixtures as they propagate as shock waves and flows from their sources. Propagation is influenced by the form of the outburst, proximity to source, the structure and form of the transmitting roadways and the influence of obstacles. The following characterizes the propagation of coal and gas outbursts as two-phase gas–solid flows proximal to source where the coupled effects of pulverized coal and gas flows dominate behavior. The characteristics of shock wave propagation and attenuation were systematically examined for varied roadway geometries using experiments and numerical models. The results demonstrate that the geometry of roadway obstructions is significant and may result in partial compression and sometimes secondary overpressurization in blocked and small corner roadways leading to significant attenuation of outburst shock waves. The shock waves attenuate slowly in both straight and abruptly expanding roadways and more significantly in T-shaped roadways. The most significant attenuation appears in small angle corners and bifurcations in roadways with the largest attenuation occurring in blocked roadways. These results provide basic parameters for simplifying transport in complex roadway networks in the far-field, and guidance for the design of coal and gas outburst prevention facilities and emergency rescue.
Isothermal and Non-Isothermal Reduction Behaviors of Iron Ore Compacts in Pure Hydrogen Atmosphere and Kinetic Analysis
Authors: Hammam Abourehab , Li Ying , Nie Hao , Zan Lei , Ding Weitian , Ge Yao , Li Meng , Omran Mamdouh , Yu Yaowei
Published: September 2020

This study examines the isothermal and non-isothermal reduction behaviors of iron ore compacts in a pure hydrogen atmosphere and compares the results obtained during the reduction process by CO. The different phases accompanying the reduction reactions were identified using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and its morphology was microscopically examined. In isothermal experiments, temperature plays a significant role in the reduction process. At any given temperature, the reduction rate during the initial stages is higher than that during the final stages. The reduction rate in H2 atmosphere was faster than in CO gas. The comparison of activation energy values suggested that reduction with H2 is more efficient than with CO. At the same temperature, the time required to achieve a certain degree of reduction was lower when using H2 gas than CO atmosphere. In non-isothermal tests, the heating rate has a significant effect on the reduction rate and reduction extent. At the same heating rate, the degree of reduction was higher in H2 atmosphere than in CO gas. Based on experimental data, the parameters of reaction kinetics were deduced by application of model-free and model-fitting methods. The reduction in H2 atmosphere was controlled by nucleation model (Avrami-Erofeev model), while the CO reduction reaction was controlled by gas diffusion.
The TEX86 Paleotemperature Proxy
Authors: Inglis Gordon N. , Tierney Jessica E.
Published: September 2020

The TEX86 paleothermometer is based upon the distribution of archaeal membrane lipids ('GDGTs') in marine sediments. GDGTs are ubiquitous, abundant and relatively resistant to degradation; as such, the TEX86 paleothermometer has been used to reconstruct sea surface temperature (SST) during the Cenozoic and early Mesozoic. We review the principles of the TEX86 proxy and developments made over the last two decades. We also discuss its application as a paleotemperature proxy and explore existing challenges and limitations.
Hydrological disasters in the NW-European Lowlands during the first millennium AD: a dendrochronological reconstruction
Authors: Jansma Esther
Published: September 2020

This study presents an annually resolved dendrochronological reconstruction of hydrological impacts on the Roman and early-medieval landscape in the Low Countries of northwestern Europe. Around 600 hydrologically sensitive ring-width patterns, mostly oak (Quercus robur/petraea) as well as some ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and elm (Ulmus sp.), were selected from an initial dataset of >5000 and compiled into two chronologies that span the first millennium AD. Their content and (dis)similarities to established tree-ring chronologies from this and surrounding regions were used to assess their provenance, which in both cases is in the area where the majority of the wood was recovered. Instances of high groundwater levels and/or inundation were catalogued by identifying multi-year intervals of strongly reduced annual growth that occurred simultaneously throughout the research area. The resulting record contains 164 events dated between AD 1 and 1000, of which 21 have a recurrence frequency ≥50 years. One-third of the ≥50-yr events date between AD 185 and 282, making this the most flood-intense interval of the first millennium. The severest reconstructed impact of the first millennium dates to AD 602. A comparison to historically documented river floods/sea breaches and drought/heat spells shows that the predominant cause of the inferred impacts in the research area was river overflow. Synchronous inundation responses of oaks preserved in former bogs in Lower Saxony (NW Germany) indicate that half of the reconstructed events occurred on a supra-regional level, pointing to regional precipitation as a main forcing. River floods documented in written sources do not seem to have affected tree growth in Lower Saxony in a significant manner, indicating that the majority of documented floods most likely were caused by hydrological circumstances upstream of the catchments of the Rhine and/or Meuse. Reconstructed flood impacts during the Early Middle Ages coincide remarkably well with construction and repair of Rhine revetments at the early-medieval site of Leiderdorp-Plantage in the western Netherlands.
CONGRUENCE PRIMES FOR SIEGEL MODULAR FORMS OF PARAMODULAR LEVEL AND APPLICATIONS TO THE BLOCH–KATO CONJECTURE
Authors: BROWN JIM , LI HUIXI
Published: September 2020

It has been well established that congruences between automorphic forms have far-reaching applications in arithmetic. In this paper, we construct congruences for Siegel–Hilbert modular forms defined over a totally real field of class number 1. As an application of this general congruence, we produce congruences between paramodular Saito–Kurokawa lifts and non-lifted Siegel modular forms. These congruences are used to produce evidence for the Bloch–Kato conjecture for elliptic newforms of square-free level and odd functional equation.
Fast-ion physics in SPARC
Authors: Scott S. D. , Kramer G. J. , Tolman E. A. , Snicker A. , Varje J. , Särkimäki K. , Wright J. C. , Rodriguez-Fernandez P.
Published: September 2020

Potential loss of energetic ions including alphas and radio-frequency tail ions due to classical orbit effects and magnetohydrodynamic instabilities (MHD) are central physics issues in the design and experimental physics programme of the SPARC tokamak. The expected loss of fusion alpha power due to ripple-induced transport is computed for the SPARC tokamak design by the ASCOT and SPIRAL orbit-simulation codes, to assess the expected surface heating of plasma-facing components. We find good agreement between the ASCOT and SPIRAL simulation results not only in integrated quantities (fraction of alpha power loss) but also in the spatial, temporal and pitch-angle dependence of the losses. If the toroidal field (TF) coils are well-aligned, the SPARC edge ripple is small (0.15–0.30 %), the computed ripple-induced alpha power loss is small (

${\sim } 0.25\,\%$

) and the corresponding peak surface power density is acceptable (

$244\ \textrm{kW}\ \textrm {m}^{-2}$

). However, the ripple and ripple-induced losses increase strongly if the TF coils are assumed to suffer increasing magnitudes of misalignment. Surface heat loads may become problematic if the TF coil misalignment approaches the centimetre level. Ripple-induced losses of the energetic ion tail driven by ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) heating are not expected to generate significant wall or limiter heating in the nominal SPARC plasma scenario. Because the expected classical fast-ion losses are small, SPARC will be able to observe and study fast-ion redistribution due to MHD including sawteeth and Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs). SPARC's parameter space for AE physics even at moderate

$Q$

is shown to reasonably overlap that of the demonstration power plant ARC (Sorbom et al., Fusion Engng Des., vol. 100, 2015, p. 378), and thus measurements of AE mode amplitude, spectrum and associated fast-ion transport in SPARC would provide relevant guidance about AE behaviour expected in ARC.
Divertor heat flux challenge and mitigation in SPARC
Authors: Kuang A. Q. , Ballinger S. , Brunner D. , Canik J. , Creely A. J. , Gray T. , Greenwald M. , Hughes J. W. , Irby J. , LaBombard B. , Lipschultz B. , Lore J. D. , Reinke M. L. , Terry J. L. , Umansky M. , Whyte D. G. , Wukitch S. ,   the SPARC Team
Published: September 2020

Owing to its high magnetic field, high power, and compact size, the SPARC experiment will operate with divertor conditions at or above those expected in reactor-class tokamaks. Power exhaust at this scale remains one of the key challenges for practical fusion energy. Based on empirical scalings, the peak unmitigated divertor parallel heat flux is projected to be greater than 10 GW m−2. This is nearly an order of magnitude higher than has been demonstrated to date. Furthermore, the divertor parallel Edge-Localized Mode (ELM) energy fluence projections (~11–34 MJ m−2) are comparable with those for ITER. However, the relatively short pulse length (~25 s pulse, with a ~10 s flat top) provides the opportunity to consider mitigation schemes unsuited to long-pulse devices including ITER and reactors. The baseline scenario for SPARC employs a ~1 Hz strike point sweep to spread the heat flux over a large divertor target surface area to keep tile surface temperatures within tolerable levels without the use of active divertor cooling systems. In addition, SPARC operation presents a unique opportunity to study divertor heat exhaust mitigation at reactor-level plasma densities and power fluxes. Not only will SPARC test the limits of current experimental scalings and serve for benchmarking theoretical models in reactor regimes, it is also being designed to enable the assessment of long-legged and X-point target advanced divertor magnetic configurations. Experimental results from SPARC will be crucial to reducing risk for a fusion pilot plant divertor design.
Patients, users, caregivers, and citizens' involvement in local health technology assessment unit in Quebec: a survey
Authors: Poder Thomas G. , Safianyk Catherine , Fournier Monique F. , Ganache Isabelle , Touré Moustapha , Pomey Marie-Pascale , Gagnon Marie-Pierre
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Increasing emphasis is given on involving patients in health technology assessment (HTA). While this is mainly done at the level of regional and national HTA agencies, this tendency is also emerging in local HTA units. In this study, we provide the results of a survey conducted in local HTA units in the province of Quebec, Canada. The aim of the survey was to provide an overview of local HTA unit practices to involve patients, users, caregivers, and citizens in their process, their interest in doing so, and their information needs for this.

Methods

The survey was conducted in 2017 with a response rate of eleven units over a possibility of twelve.

Results

Three units out of eleven (27.3 percent) never involved patients or members of the public in their processes and all indicated that they will involve them in the next few years. The three most important needs for support identified in the HTA units were in: recruiting and selecting patients; integrating experiential knowledge; and knowing and implementing the best methods and practices for partnership.

Conclusion

Patient involvement in local HTA units is quickly evolving and that is why they urgently need tools to involve more effectively patients and members of the public in their process.
Alcohol-based hand sanitisers as first line of defence against SARS-CoV-2: a review of biology, chemistry and formulations
Authors: Singh D. , Joshi K. , Samuel A. , Patra J. , Mahindroo N.
Published: September 2020

The pandemic due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as a serious global public health issue. Since the start of the outbreak, the importance of hand-hygiene and respiratory protection to prevent the spread of the virus has been the prime focus for infection control. Health regulatory organisations have produced guidelines for the formulation of hand sanitisers to the manufacturing industries. This review summarises the studies on alcohol-based hand sanitisers and their disinfectant activity against SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses. The literature shows that the type and concentration of alcohol, formulation and nature of product, presence of excipients, applied volume, contact time and viral contamination load are critical factors that determine the effectiveness of hand sanitisers.
Bias in the Treatment of Non-Germans in the British and American Military Government Courts in Occupied Germany, 1945–46
Authors: Kehoe Thomas J. , Greenhalgh Elizabeth M.
Published: September 2020

Non-Germans—particularly “displaced persons”—were routinely blamed for crime in occupied western Germany. The Allied and German fixation on foreign gangs, violent criminals, and organized crime syndicates is well documented in contemporary reports, observations, and the press. An abundance of such data has long shaped provocative historical narratives of foreign-perpetrated criminality ranging from extensive disorder through to near uncontrolled anarchy. Such accounts complement assertions of a broader and more generalized crime wave. Over the last 30 years, however, a literature has emerged that casts doubt on the actual extent of lawlessness during the occupation of the west and, in turn, on the level non-German participation in crime. It may be that extensive reporting of non-German criminality at the time reflected the preexisting bigotries of Germans and the Allies, which when combined with anxieties about social and societal integrity became focused on the most marginalized groups in postwar society. This process of “group criminalization” is common and can have different motivations. Regardless of its cause, it was clearly evident in postwar western Germany and we hypothesized that it should have created harsher outcomes for non-German versus German criminal defendants when facing the Allied criminal justice system, such as greater rates of conviction and harsher punishments. This hypothesis was tested using newly collected military government court data from 1945 to 1946. Contrary to expectations, we found a more subtle bias against non-Germans than expected, which we argue reveals important characteristics about the US and British military government criminal justice system.
Observations of Enhanced Sediment Transport by Nonlinear Internal Waves
Authors: Zulberti A. , Jones N. L. , Ivey G. N.
Published: September 2020

The mechanisms responsible for sediment resuspension and transport by nonlinear internal waves (NLIWs) remain poorly understood largely due to a dearth of detailed field measurements. We present novel observations of the turbulent benthic boundary‐layer (BBL) beneath trains of NLIWs of depression in the ocean. At the 250 m deep, low‐gradient (<0.2%) continental shelf site the BBL was near well mixed to an average height of about 10 m above the bottom. Above this bottom mixing‐layer, stratification constrained the extent of vertical sediment transport. NLIWs drove sediment transport by a combination of bed‐stress intensification, turbulent transport, and a vertical pumping mechanism associated with the compression and subsequent expansion of the mixing‐layer. There was no evidence that the observed dynamics were associated with a global instability, as proposed in previous studies. The results have implications for cross‐shelf mass transport and highlight future challenges for measuring and modeling boundary‐layer processes within shelf seas.
Seasonal Variation of Legacy Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) From East Asia to the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Zheng Hongyuan , Gao Yuan , Xia Yinyue , Yang Haizhen , Cai Minghong
Published: September 2020

Large‐scale field investigations of seven legacy organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the surface seawater and atmosphere from East Asia to the high Arctic Ocean were completed in 2016 and 2017. Seawater OCP (Σ7OCPs) concentrations displayed rapid and significant seasonal variations during mid‐late summer. The ocean is the most significant atmospheric‐OCP source region for the Arctic, and feedback affects the middle‐ or low‐latitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The legacy OCP concentrations in the Arctic Ocean were shown to gradually decrease with distance from water masses originating in the Bering Sea and the landmass of Alaska. This study is the first updated investigation of OCPs along the North Pacific Ocean to the Arctic Ocean transect in the past decade. It provides updated field data on the global fate of OCPs in a region undergoing rapid climate change.
On the Nature of the Turbulent Energy Dissipation Beneath Nonbreaking Waves
Authors: Bogucki Darek J. , Haus Brian K. , Barzegar Mohammad , Shao Mingming , Domaradzki Julian A.
Published: September 2020

Here we have determined the nature of turbulent flow associated with oceanic nonbreaking waves, which are on average much more prevalent than breaking waves in most wind conditions. We found this flow to be characterized by a low turbulence microscale Reynolds number of 30 < Reλ < 100. We observed that the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate associated with nonbreaking waves ϵ, ranged to 3 · 10−4 W/kg for a wave amplitude 50 cm. The ϵ, under nonbreaking waves, was consistent with
; Sij is the large‐scale (energy‐containing scales) wave‐induced mean flow stress tensor. The turbulent Reynolds stress associated with nonbreaking waves was consistent with experimental data when parameterized by an amplitude independent constant turbulent eddy viscosity, 10 times larger than the molecular value. Given that nonbreaking waves typically cover a much larger fraction of the ocean surface (90–100%) than breaking waves, this result shows that their contribution to wave dissipation can be significant.
Characterization on Temporal Evolution of Porosity, Permeability, and Reactive Specific Surface Based on Fractal Model During Mineral Dissolution
Authors: Tan Qigui , Kang Yili , You Lijun , Xu Chengyuan
Published: September 2020

Accurately understanding the temporal changes in hydrological properties induced by mineral dissolution is of great importance for characterization on reactive transport system in porous media. A theoretical model for characterizing the temporal evolution of rock porosity, permeability, and reactive specific surface during mineral dissolution under two different scenarios is developed with introduction of fractal dimensions of porous media. In the first scenario, dissolution rate is assumed as a linear function of temporal pore size, and changes in fractal dimensions are closely related to the time. The second scenario allows for the constant fractal dimension and an inverse relation between dissolution rate and time. The proposed model is fully verified with some published literatures, and most of results show the excellent/good fit with experimental/simulated data. The validation of the proposed model is also briefly discussed, mainly affected by reactive transport regimes.
Diffuse Deformation in the SE Tibetan Plateau: New Insights From Geodetic Observations
Authors: Li Zhangjun , Wang Yang , Gan Weijun , Fang Lihua , Zhou Renjie , Seagren Erin G. , Zhang Huiping , Liang Shiming , Zhuang Wenquan , Yang Fan
Published: September 2020

The southeastern Tibetan Plateau is a key component in the India‐Eurasia collision zone, which is characterized by spatially prevalent strike‐slip fault systems with devastating earthquakes. However, slip rates on some of these faults are still poorly constrained, hindering an understanding of kinematic and dynamic processes in this region. We analyze contemporary crustal deformation in the SE Tibetan Plateau based on the latest, dense geodetic observations. Slip rates on a set of dextral NW/NNW‐striking faults are determined using a 3‐D elastic half‐space dislocation model. Our results show that boundary faults such as the Red River and Lancangjiang faults yield dextral slip rates ranging from 1 to 3 mm/a, similar to those of other small‐scale sub‐parallel faults such as the Chuxiong, Qujiang, and Wuliangshan faults. Additionally, sinistral slip of the Xiaojiang fault may have partly transferred to transpressional slip on the Qujiang, Jianshui, and central Red River faults, which increase seismicity on these faults. New seismic relocation results, geodetic measurements, and existing structural observations show the geometry of this dextral fault system at the depth, which may be restricted above or within the rheologically weak mid‐lower crust rather than cutting into the mantle. Results confirm that the SE Tibetan Plateau is characterized by on‐going diffuse deformation between the Sagaing and Xianshuihe‐Xiaojiang faults. Driven by the northward advance of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis and southward crustal extrusion, distributed right‐lateral movements occurred along the NW/NNW‐striking fault system.
Retracted: Plio‐Pleistocene Indonesian Throughflow Variability Drove Eastern Indian Ocean Sea Surface Temperatures
Authors: Smith Rebecca A. , Castañeda Isla S. , Groeneveld Jeroen , De Vleeschouwer David , Henderiks Jorijntje , Christensen Beth A. , Renema Willem , Auer Gerald , Bogus Kara , Gallagher Stephen J. , Fulthorpe Craig S.
Published: September 2020

Ocean gateways facilitate circulation between ocean basins, thereby impacting global climate. The Indonesian Gateway transports water from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean via the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) and drives the strength and intensity of the modern Leeuwin Current, which carries warm equatorial waters along the western coast of Australia to higher latitudes. Therefore, ITF dynamics are a vital component of global thermohaline circulation. Plio‐Pleistocene changes in ITF behavior and Leeuwin Current intensity remain poorly constrained due to a lack of sedimentary records from regions under its influence. Here, organic geochemical proxies are used to reconstruct sea surface temperatures on the northwest Australian shelf at IODP Site U1463, downstream of the ITF outlet and under the influence of the Leeuwin Current. Our records, based on TEX86 and the long‐chain diol index, provide insight into past ITF variability (3.5–1.5 Ma) and confirm that sea surface temperature exerted a control on Australian continental hydroclimate. A significant TEX86 cooling of ~5°C occurs within the mid‐Pliocene Warm Period (3.3–3.1 Ma) suggesting that this interval was characterized by SST fluctuations at Site U1463. A major feature of both the TEX86 and long‐chain diol index records is a strong cooling from ~1.7 to 1.5 Ma. We suggest that this event reflects a reduction in Leeuwin Current intensity due to a major step in ongoing ITF constriction, accompanied by a switch from South to North Pacific source waters entering the ITF inlet. Our new data suggest that an additional ITF constriction event may have occurred in the Pleistocene.
Increased long noncoding RNA maternally expressed gene 3 contributes to podocyte injury induced by high glucose through regulation of mitochondrial fission
Authors: Deng Qiongxia , Wen Ruowei , Liu Sirui , Chen Xiaoqiu , Song Shicong , Li Xuehong , Su Zhongzhen , Wang Cheng
Published: September 2020

Excessive mitochondrial fission plays a key role in podocyte injury in diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important in the development and progression of DKD. However, lncRNA regulation of mitochondrial fission in podocytes is poorly understood. Here, we studied lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (Meg3) in mitochondrial fission in vivo and in vitro using human podocytes and Meg3 podocyte-specific knockdown mice. Expression of lncRNA Meg3 in STZ-induced diabetic mice was higher, and correlated with the number of podocytes. Excessive mitochondrial fission of podocytes and renal histopathological and physiological parameters were improved in podocyte-specific Meg3 knockdown diabetic mice. Elongated mitochondria with attenuated podocyte damage, as well as mitochondrial translocation of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), were decreased in Meg3 knockout podocytes. By contrast, increased fragmented mitochondria, podocyte injury, and Drp1 expression and phosphorylation were observed in lncRNA Meg3-overexpressing podocytes. Treatment with Mdivi1 significantly blunted more fragmented mitochondria and reduced podocyte injury in lncRNA Meg3-overexpressing podocytes. Finally, fragmented mitochondria and Drp1 mitochondrial translocation induced by high glucose were reduced following treatment with Mdivi1. Our data show that expression of Meg3 in podocytes in both human cells and diabetic mice was higher, which regulates mitochondrial fission and contributes to podocyte injury through increased Drp1 and its translocation to mitochondria.
Circumcision in childhood and male sexual function: a blessing or a curse?
Authors: Bañuelos Marco Beatriz , García Heil Jessica Leigh
Published: September 2020

Male circumcision (MC) is the first planned surgical procedure ever performed. Nowadays many of these procedures are not necessarily carried out in a medical environment, therefore the real number remains unknown but it is estimated that one third of the men are circumcised. Some authors argue the negative impact of MC on men psychology and sexual life, but objective data are lacking. The purpose of this review is to summarize in the best possible way the literature to clarify this matter. A non-systematic narrative review was performed including articles between 1986 and 2019. The search for literature was carried out between July 2019 to October 2019 and any updates as of March 30, 2020. Although many authors support the hypothesis that circumcision status has an impact on sexual functioning, a negative outcome has not yet been entirely proven. Circumcision might affect how men perceive their body image, and consequently affect their sexual life. We should consider this when analysing the literature about MC and sexual dysfunction, as many of the results are based on specific populations with different attitudes towards this procedure. Sexual function consists of many elements that not only relate to measurable facts such as anatomy, somatosensory and histology. An objective evaluation of the impact of circumcision on sexuality is still challenging, as it affects a wide variety of people that confront sexuality differently due to their sociocultural and historical background. Therefore, individuals can either perceive their circumcision status as a blessing or a curse depending on the values and preferences of the different communities or social environments where they belong.
Frugivore-fruit size relationships between palms and mammals reveal past and future defaunation impacts
Authors: Lim Jun Ying , Svenning Jens-Christian , Göldel Bastian , Faurby Søren , Kissling W. Daniel
Published: September 2020

Mammalian frugivores are critical seed dispersers, but many are under threat of extinction. Futhermore, the impact of past and future defaunation on plant assemblages has yet to be quantified at the global scale. Here, we integrate palm and mammalian frugivore trait and occurrence data and reveal a global positive relationship between fruit size and frugivore body size. Global variation in fruit size is better explained by present-day frugivore assemblages than by Late Pleistocene assemblages, suggesting ecological and evolutionary reorganization after end-Pleistocene extinctions, except in the Neotropics, where some large-fruited palm species may have outlived their main seed dispersers by thousands of years. Our simulations of frugivore extinction over the next 100 years suggest that the impact of defaunation will be highest in the Old World tropics, and an up to 4% assemblage-level decrease in fruit size would be required to maintain the global body size–fruit size relationship. Overall, our results suggest that while some palm species may be able to keep pace with future defaunation through evolutionary changes in fruit size, large-fruited species may be especially vulnerable to continued defaunation.
Stress fiber anisotropy contributes to force-mode dependent chromatin stretching and gene upregulation in living cells
Authors: Wei Fuxiang , Xu Xiangyu , Zhang Cunyu , Liao Yawen , Ji Baohua , Wang Ning
Published: September 2020

Living cells and tissues experience various complex modes of forces that are important in physiology and disease. However, how different force modes impact gene expression is elusive. Here we apply local forces of different modes via a magnetic bead bound to the integrins on a cell and quantified cell stiffness, chromatin deformation, andDHFR(dihydrofolate reductase) gene transcription. In-plane stresses result in lower cell stiffness than out-of-plane stresses that lead to bead rolling along the cell long axis (i.e., alignment of actin stress fibers) or at different angles (90° or 45°). However, chromatin stretching and ensuingDHFRgene upregulation by the in-plane mode are similar to those induced by the 45° stress mode. Disrupting stress fibers abolishes differences in cell stiffness, chromatin stretching, andDHFRgene upregulation under different force modes and inhibiting myosin II decreases cell stiffness, chromatin deformation, and gene upregulation. Theoretical modeling using discrete anisotropic stress fibers recapitulates experimental results and reveals underlying mechanisms of force-mode dependence. Our findings suggest that forces impact biological responses of living cells such as gene transcription via previously underappreciated means.
Myelin replacement triggered by single-cell demyelination in mouse cortex
Authors: Snaidero Nicolas , Schifferer Martina , Mezydlo Aleksandra , Zalc Bernard , Kerschensteiner Martin , Misgeld Thomas
Published: September 2020

Myelin, rather than being a static insulator of axons, is emerging as an active participant in circuit plasticity. This requires precise regulation of oligodendrocyte numbers and myelination patterns. Here, by devising a laser ablation approach of single oligodendrocytes, followed by in vivo imaging and correlated ultrastructural reconstructions, we report that in mouse cortex demyelination as subtle as the loss of a single oligodendrocyte can trigger robust cell replacement and remyelination timed by myelin breakdown. This results in reliable reestablishment of the original myelin pattern along continuously myelinated axons, while in parallel, patchy isolated internodes emerge on previously unmyelinated axons. Therefore, in mammalian cortex, internodes along partially myelinated cortical axons are typically not reestablished, suggesting that the cues that guide patchy myelination are not preserved through cycles of de- and remyelination. In contrast, myelin sheaths forming continuous patterns show remarkable homeostatic resilience and remyelinate with single axon precision.
Satellite glial cells promote regenerative growth in sensory neurons
Authors: Avraham Oshri , Deng Pan-Yue , Jones Sara , Kuruvilla Rejji , Semenkovich Clay F. , Klyachko Vitaly A. , Cavalli Valeria
Published: September 2020

Peripheral sensory neurons regenerate their axon after nerve injury to enable functional recovery. Intrinsic mechanisms operating in sensory neurons are known to regulate nerve repair, but whether satellite glial cells (SGC), which completely envelop the neuronal soma, contribute to nerve regeneration remains unexplored. Using a single cell RNAseq approach, we reveal that SGC are distinct from Schwann cells and share similarities with astrocytes. Nerve injury elicits changes in the expression of genes related to fatty acid synthesis and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARα) signaling. Conditional deletion of fatty acid synthase (Fasn) in SGC impairs axon regeneration. The PPARα agonist fenofibrate rescues the impaired axon regeneration in mice lacking Fasn in SGC. These results indicate that PPARα activity downstream of FASN in SGC contributes to promote axon regeneration in adult peripheral nerves and highlight that the sensory neuron and its surrounding glial coat form a functional unit that orchestrates nerve repair.
Clarifying the quantum mechanical origin of the covalent chemical bond
Authors: Levine Daniel S. , Head-Gordon Martin
Published: September 2020

Lowering of the electron kinetic energy (KE) upon initial encounter of radical fragments has long been cited as the primary origin of the covalent chemical bond based on Ruedenberg’s pioneering analysis of H$${}_{2}^{+}$$

2

+

and H2 and presumed generalization to other bonds. This work reports KE changes during the initial encounter corresponding to bond formation for a range of different bonds; the results demand a re-evaluation of the role of the KE. Bonds between heavier elements, such as H3C–CH3, F–F, H3C–OH, H3C–SiH3, and F–SiF3 behave in the opposite way to H$${}_{2}^{+}$$

2

+

and H2, with KE often increasing on bringing radical fragments together (though the total energy change is substantially stabilizing). The origin of this difference is Pauli repulsion between the electrons forming the bond and core electrons. These results highlight the fundamental role of constructive quantum interference (or resonance) as the origin of chemical bonding. Differences between the interfering states distinguish one type of bond from another.
Adiposity and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Ohno Tomoya , Aune Dagfinn , Heath Alicia K.
Published: September 2020

Several studies have investigated associations between overweight/obesity and risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, however, the evidence is not entirely consistent, and previous meta-analyses mainly included case–control studies, which can be affected by various biases. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies on adiposity and risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed and Embase databases. Random effects models were used to estimate summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for rheumatoid arthritis in relation to different measures of adiposity. Thirteen cohort studies (10 publications) were included. The summary RR per 5 kg/m2 increase in body mass index (BMI) was 1.11 (95% CI 1.05–1.18, I2 = 50%), but the association was restricted to women (1.15, 95% CI 1.08–1.21, I2 = 17%) and not observed in men (0.89, 95% CI 0.73–1.09, I2 = 58%). The summary RR per 5 kg/m2 increment in BMI at age 18 years was 1.17 (95% CI 1.01–1.36, I2 = 26%, n = 3), and per 10 cm increase in waist circumference was 1.13 (95% CI 1.02–1.25, I2 = 44%, n = 2). Higher BMI in middle age, BMI at age 18 years, and waist circumference were associated with increased rheumatoid arthritis risk, suggesting adiposity could be targeted for primary prevention.
Transcriptomic analysis reveals dynamic molecular changes in skin induced by mechanical forces secondary to tissue expansion
Authors: Ledwon Joanna K. , Kelsey Lauren J. , Vaca Elbert E. , Gosain Arun K.
Published: September 2020

Tissue expansion procedures (TE) utilize mechanical forces to induce skin growth and regeneration. While the impact of quick mechanical stimulation on molecular changes in cells has been studied extensively, there is a clear gap in knowledge about sequential biological processes activated during long-term stimulation of skin in vivo. Here, we present the first genome-wide study of transcriptional changes in skin during TE, starting from 1 h to 7 days of expansion. Our results indicate that mechanical forces from a tissue expander induce broad molecular changes in gene expression, and that these changes are time-dependent. We revealed hierarchical changes in skin cell biology, including activation of an immune response, a switch in cell metabolism and processes related to muscle contraction and cytoskeleton organization. In addition to known mechanoresponsive genes (TNC, MMPs), we have identified novel candidate genes (SFRP2, SPP1, CCR1, C2, MSR1, C4A, PLA2G2F, HBB), which might play crucial roles in stretched-induced skin growth. Understanding which biological processes are affected by mechanical forces in TE is important for the development of skin treatments to maximize the efficacy and minimize the risk of complications during expansion procedures.
Eye lymphatic defects induced by bone morphogenetic protein 9 deficiency have no functional consequences on intraocular pressure
Authors: Subileau Mariela , Acar Niyazi , Carret Alison , Bretillon Lionel , Vilgrain Isabelle , Bailly Sabine , Vittet Daniel
Published: September 2020

Aqueous humor drainage is essential for the regulation of intraocular pressure (IOP), a major risk factor for glaucoma. The Schlemm’s canal and the non-conventional uveoscleral pathway are known to drain aqueous humor from the eye anterior chamber. It has recently been reported that lymphatic vessels are involved in this process, and that the Schlemm’s canal responds to some lymphatic regulators. We have previously shown a critical role for bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) in lymphatic vessel maturation and valve formation, with repercussions in drainage efficiency. Here, we imaged eye lymphatic vessels and analyzed the consequences of Bmp9 (Gdf2) gene invalidation. A network of lymphatic vessel hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE-1)-positive lymphatic vessels was observed in the corneolimbus and the conjunctiva. In contrast, LYVE-1-positive cells present in the ciliary bodies were belonging to the macrophage lineage. Although enlarged conjunctival lymphatic trunks and a reduced valve number were observed in Bmp9-KO mice, there were no morphological differences in the Schlemm’s canal compared to wild type animals. Moreover, there were no functional consequences on IOP in both basal control conditions and after laser-induced ocular hypertonia. Thus, the BMP9-activated signaling pathway does not constitute a wise target for new glaucoma therapeutic strategies.