bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Renalase gene Glu37Asp polymorphism affects susceptibility to diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Buraczynska Monika , Gwiazda-Tyndel Karolina , Drop Bartłomiej , Zaluska Wojciech
Published: June 2021

Aims

Renalase (RNLS) is an enzyme with monoamine oxidase activity that metabolizes circulating catecholamines. The RNLS gene Asp37Glu missense polymorphism (rs2296545) has been associated with hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction, and stroke. The purpose of our study was to investigate the potential involvement of this polymorphism in the microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods

In this case–control study, the polymorphism was genotyped in 860 patients with T2DM and 400 healthy controls. The genotype and allele distribution was compared in subgroups of patients: with diabetic nephropathy (DN+) (n = 405) versus DN− (independently of the presence of DR) and, similarly, patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR+) (n = 328) versus DR− (independently of the presence of DN).

Results

No significant association was detected between analyzed polymorphism and DN. In contrast, the retinopathy subgroup showed a significantly higher frequency of G allele (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.16–1.72, p = 0.0005) and GG genotype (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.26–2.75, p = 0.001) than DR− patients. The effect of RNLS Glu37Asp polymorphism on DR remained significant after adjustments for age, gender, BMI, and duration of T2DM (p = 0.005).

Conclusions

This is the first study to investigate RNLS gene polymorphism in microvascular complications of T2DM. The results suggest that RNLS rs2296545 SNP might be considered a risk factor for diabetic retinopathy in T2DM patients. This can provide new insight into the role of renalase gene in the pathophysiology of microvascular complications of diabetes.
Optimizing the Reaction Conditions for the Formation of Fumarate via Trans-Hydrogenation
Authors: Wienands Laura , Theiß Franziska , Eills James , Rösler Lorenz , Knecht Stephan , Buntkowsky Gerd
Published: June 2021

Parahydrogen-induced polarization is a hyperpolarization method for enhancing nuclear magnetic resonance signals by chemical reactions/interactions involving the para spin isomer of hydrogen gas. This method has allowed for biomolecules to be hyperpolarized to such a level that they can be used for real time in vivo metabolic imaging. One particularly promising example is fumarate, which can be rapidly and efficiently hyperpolarized at low cost by hydrogenating an acetylene dicarboxylate precursor molecule using parahydrogen. The reaction is relatively slow compared to the timescale on which the hyperpolarization relaxes back to thermal equilibrium, and an undesirable 2nd hydrogenation step can convert the fumarate into succinate. To date, the hydrogenation chemistry has not been thoroughly investigated, so previous work has been inconsistent in the chosen reaction conditions in the search for ever-higher reaction rate and yield. In this work we investigate the solution preparation protocols and the reaction conditions on the rate and yield of fumarate formation. We report conditions to reproducibly yield over 100 mM fumarate on a short timescale, and discuss aspects of the protocol that hinder the formation of fumarate or lead to irreproducible results. We also provide experimental procedures and recommendations for performing reproducible kinetics experiments in which hydrogen gas is repeatedly bubbled into an aqueous solution, overcoming challenges related to the viscosity and surface tension of the water.
Efficacy and safety of flexible versus rigid endoscopic third ventriculostomy in pediatric and adult populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Boaro Alessandro , Mahadik Bhargavi , Petrillo Anthony , Siddi Francesca , Devi Sharmila , Chawla Shreya , Abunimer Abdullah M. , Feletti Alberto , Fiorindi Alessandro , Longatti Pierluigi , Sala Francesco , Smith Timothy R. , Mekary Rania A.
Published: June 2021

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a well-established surgical procedure for hydrocephalus treatment, but there is sparse evidence on the optimal choice between flexible and rigid approaches. A meta-analysis was conducted to compare efficacy and safety profiles of both techniques in pediatrics and adults. A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane until 11/10/2019. Efficacy was evaluated comparing incidence of ETV failure, while safety was defined by the incidence of perioperative complications, intraoperative bleedings, and deaths. Random-effects models were used to pool the incidence. Out of 1365 studies, 46 case series were meta-analyzed, yielding 821 patients who underwent flexible ETV and 2918 who underwent rigid ETV, with an age range of [5 days–87 years]. Although flexible ETV had a higher incidence of failure in adults (flexible: 54%, 95%CI: 22–82% vs rigid: 20%, 95%CI: 22–82%) possibly due to confounding due to etiology in adults treated with flexible, a smaller difference was seen in pediatrics (flexible: 36%, pediatric: 32%). Safety profiles were acceptable for both techniques, with a certain degree of variability for complications (flexible 2%, rigid 18%) and death (flexible 1%, rigid 3%) in pediatrics as well as complications (rigid 9%, flexible 13%), death (flexible 4%, rigid 6%) and intra-operative bleeding events (rigid 6%, flexible 8%) in adults. No clear superiority in efficacy could be depicted between flexible and rigid ETV for hydrocephalus treatment. Safety profiles varied by age but were acceptable for both techniques. Well-designed comparative studies are needed to assess the optimal endoscopic treatment option for hydrocephalus.
RIC in COVID-19—a Clinical Trial to Investigate Whether Remote Ischemic Conditioning (RIC) Can Prevent Deterioration to Critical Care in Patients with COVID-19
Authors: Davidson Sean M. , Lukhna Kishal , Gorog Diana A. , Salama Alan D. , Castillo Alejandro Rosell , Giesz Sara , Golforoush Pelin , Kalkhoran Siavash Beikoghli , Lecour Sandrine , Imamdin Aqeela , do Carmo Helison R. P. , Bovi Ticiane Gonçalez , Perroud Mauricio W. , Ntsekhe Mpiko , Sposito Andrei C. , Yellon Derek M.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has, to date, been diagnosed in over 130 million persons worldwide and is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Several variants of concern have emerged including those in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil. SARS-CoV-2 can cause a dysregulated inflammatory response known as a cytokine storm, which can progress rapidly to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multi-organ failure, and death. Suppressing these cytokine elevations may be key to improving outcomes. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a simple, non-invasive procedure whereby a blood pressure cuff is inflated and deflated on the upper arm for several cycles. “RIC in COVID-19” is a pilot, multi-center, randomized clinical trial, designed to ascertain whether RIC suppresses inflammatory cytokine production.

Methods

A minimum of 55 adult patients with diagnosed COVID-19, but not of critical status, will be enrolled from centers in the United Kingdom, Brazil, and South Africa. RIC will be administered daily for up to 15 days. The primary outcome is the level of inflammatory cytokines that are involved in the cytokine storm that can occur following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The secondary endpoint is the time between admission and until intensive care admission or death. The in vitro cytotoxicity of patient blood will also be assessed using primary human cardiac endothelial cells.

Conclusions

The results of this pilot study will provide initial evidence on the ability of RIC to suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines in the setting of COVID-19.

Trial Registration

NCT04699227, registered January 7th, 2021.
The expression of RIPK3 is associated with cell turnover of gastric mucosa in the mouse and human stomach
Authors: Cui Guanglin , Yuan Yaobo , Wang Yanan , Li Zhenfeng
Published: June 2021

Necroptosis is a novel manner of programmed cell death and important for tissue development, homeostasis, damage, and repair. Activation of receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), a key member of receptor-interacting protein family in contributing significantly to necroptosis, in tissues is a hallmark of cells dying by necroptosis. However, there are few studies that examine the expression of RIPK3 in the glandular cells of stomachs under physiological condition. We have therefore conducted this study to immunohistochemically characterize the key element of necroptosis, RIPK3, in the mouse and human stomach. Results showed that RIPK3 positive cells could be observed in the surface mucosal cells, granular cells, and lamina propria cells in both mouse and human stomach tissues. Ratios of PCNA/RIPK3 positive cells in the glandular cells were ~ 2.1 in mouse and ~ 4.15 in human sections respectively. Morphological and double immunofluorescence analysis confirmed that these RIPK3 positive cells were mucous, parietal and lamina propria cells. Our results indicate that the expression of RIPK3 in different cell types might contribute to cell turnover of gastric mucosa in the mouse and human stomach under physiological condition.
Hydraulic hysteresis of natural pyroclastic soils in partially saturated conditions: experimental investigation and modelling
Authors: Dias Ana Sofia , Pirone Marianna , Nicotera Marco Valerio , Urciuoli Gianfranco
Published: June 2021

In many geotechnical applications, especially in the study of weather-induced landslides, a reliable soil hydraulic characterization in unsaturated conditions is required. Currently, the experimental techniques that neglect the hydraulic hysteresis represent the greatest limitation to landslide forecasting. In this paper, a procedure to obtain an unsaturated soil hydraulic characterization on natural pyroclastic samples is proposed and verified. The approach enables the evaluation of the soil hydraulic properties along the main drying path and wetting/drying cycles to fully quantify the effects of the hydraulic hysteresis. Pyroclastic soil samples collected at a test site at Mount Faito in the Campania region (southern Italy) were tested. The experimental investigation consisted of a sequence of testing phases: a constant-head hydraulic conductivity test, a forced evaporation test followed by several wetting–drying cycles, and a drying test in a pressure plate apparatus. The hysteretic model proposed by Parker and Lenhard (1987) was adopted to fit the data, while inverse modelling of the forced evaporation tests allowed to derive the model parameters. Therefore, the main drying and wetting branches and the soil response to drying and wetting cycles from any reversal point were reproduced with the model, which suitably described the hysteretic behaviour of the pyroclastic soil under all conditions and along all paths.
Top incomes in South Africa in the twentieth century
Authors: Alvaredo Facundo , Atkinson A. B.
Published: June 2021

There have been important studies of recent income inequality and of poverty in South Africa, but very little is known about the long-run trends over time. There is speculation about the extent of inequality when the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, but no hard evidence. In this paper, we provide evidence that is partial—being confined to top incomes—but which for the first time shows how the income distribution changed on a (near) annual basis from 1913 onwards. We present estimates of the shares in total income of groups such as the top 1% and the top 0.1%, covering the period from colonial times to the twenty-first century. For a number of years during the apartheid period, we have data classified by race. The estimates for recent years bear out the picture of South Africa as a highly unequal country, but allow this to be placed in historical and international context. The time series presented here will, we hope, provide the basis for detailed investigation of the impact of South African institutions and policies, past and present. But the similarity of the changes over time in top incomes across the four ex-dominions suggests that national developments have to be seen in the light of common global forces.
The Development and Validation of the Epistemic Vice Scale
Authors: Meyer Marco , Alfano Mark , de Bruin Boudewijn
Published: June 2021

This paper presents two studies on the development and validation of a ten-item scale of epistemic vice and the relationship between epistemic vice and misinformation and fake news. Epistemic vices have been defined as character traits that interfere with acquiring, maintaining, and transmitting knowledge. Examples of epistemic vice are gullibility and indifference to knowledge. It has been hypothesized that epistemically vicious people are especially susceptible to misinformation and conspiracy theories. We conducted one exploratory and one confirmatory observational survey study on Amazon Mechanical Turk among people living in the United States (total N = 1737). We show that two psychological traits underlie the range of epistemic vices that we investigated: indifference to truth and rigidity. Indifference manifests itself in a lack of motivation to find the truth. Rigidity manifests itself in being insensitive to evidence. We develop a scale to measure epistemic vice with the subscales indifference and rigidity. The Epistemic Vice Scale is internally consistent; has good convergent, divergent, and discriminant validity; and is strongly associated with the endorsement of misinformation and conspiracy theories. Epistemic vice explains additional variance in the endorsement of misinformation and conspiracy theories over and above demographic and related psychological concepts and shows medium to large effect sizes across outcome measures. We demonstrate that epistemic vice differs from existing psychological constructs, and show that the scale can explain individual differences in dealing with misinformation and conspiracy theories. We conclude that epistemic vice might contribute to “postfactive” ways of thinking.
New PCR-specific markers for pollen fertility restoration QRfp-4R in rye (Secale cereale L.) with Pampa sterilizing cytoplasm
Authors: Niedziela Agnieszka , Wojciechowska Marzena , Bednarek Piotr Tomasz
Published: June 2021

Pampa cytoplasmic male sterility phenomenon is used extensively in the rye hybrid breeding programs. It relies on sterilizing action of the cytoplasm resulting in non-viable pollen of female lines. The sterilizing effect is problematic for reversion, and efficient restores are needed. The most promising QTL is located on chromosome 4R, but other chromosomes may also code the trait. Advanced recombinant inbred lines formed bi-parental mapping population genotyped with DArTseq markers. Genetic mapping allowed the seven linkage groups to construct with numerous markers and represent all rye chromosomes. Single marker analysis and composite interval mapping were conducted to identify markers linked to the pollen fertility. Association mapping was used to detect additional markers associated with the trait. A highly significant QTL (QRfp-4R) that explained 42.3% of the phenotypic variation was mapped to the distal part of the long arm of the 4R chromosome. The markers localized in the QRfp-4R region achieve R2 association values up to 0.59. The homology of the 43 marker sequences to the loci responsible for fertility restoration in other species and transcription termination factor (mTERF) linked to Rf genes was established. Ten markers were successfully converted into PCR-specific conditions, and their segregation pattern was identical to that of unconverted DArTs.
An R Companion for the Third Edition of The Fundamentals of Political Science Research
Authors: Kellstedt Paul M. , Whitten Guy D.
Published: June 2021

An R Companion for the Third Edition of The Fundamentals of Political Science Research offers students a chance to delve into the world of R using real political data sets and statistical analysis techniques directly from Paul M. Kellstedt and Guy D. Whitten's best-selling textbook. Built in parallel with the main text, this workbook teaches students to apply the techniques they learn in each chapter by reproducing the analyses and results from each lesson using R. Students will also learn to create all of the tables and figures found in the textbook, leading to an even greater mastery of the core material. This accessible, informative, and engaging companion walks through the use of R step-by-step, using command lines and screenshots to demonstrate proper use of the software. With the help of these guides, students will become comfortable creating, editing, and using data sets in R to produce original statistical analyses for evaluating causal claims. End-of-chapter exercises encourage this innovation by asking students to formulate and evaluate their own hypotheses.
Plato's Essentialism
Authors: Politis Vasilis
Published: June 2021

In this book, Vasilis Politis argues that Plato's Forms are essences, not merely things that have an essence. Politis shows that understanding Plato's theory of Forms as a theory of essence presents a serious challenge to contemporary philosophers who regard essentialism as little more than an optional item on the philosophical menu. This approach, he suggests, also constitutes a sharp critique of those who view Aristotelian essentialism as the only sensible position: Plato's essentialism, Politis demonstrates, is a well-argued, rigorous, and coherent theory, and a viable competitor to that of Aristotle. This book will appeal to students and scholars with an interest in the intersection between philosophy and the history of philosophy.
Rapid and sustained decline in CXCL-10 (IP-10) annotates clinical outcomes following TNFα-antagonist therapy in hospitalized patients with severe and critical COVID-19 respiratory failure
Authors: Hachem Hilal , Godara Amandeep , Schroeder Courtney , Fein Daniel , Mann Hashim , Lawlor Christian , Marshall Jill , Klein Andreas , Poutsiaka Debra , Breeze Janis L. , Joshi Raghav , Mathew Paul
Published: June 2021

Background:

A feedforward pathological signaling loop generated by TNFα and IFN-γ synergy in the inflamed lung, driving CXCL-10 (IP-10) and CXCL-9 chemokine-mediated activated T-cell and monocyte/macrophage tissue recruitment, may define the inflammatory biology of lethal COVID-19 respiratory failure.

Methods:

To assess TNFα-antagonist therapy, 18 hospitalized adults with hypoxic respiratory failure and COVID-19 pneumonia received single-dose infliximab-abda therapy 5 mg/kg intravenously between April and December 2020. The primary endpoint was time to increase in oxygen saturation to fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (SpO2/FiO2) by ≥50 compared to baseline and sustained for 48 h. Secondary endpoints included 28-day mortality, dynamic cytokine profiles, secondary infections, duration of supplemental oxygen support, and hospitalization.

Findings:

Patients were predominantly in critical respiratory failure (15/18, 83%), male (14/18, 78%), above 60 years (median 63 years, range 31–80), race-ethnic minorities (13/18, 72%), lymphopenic (13/18, 72%), steroid-treated (17/18, 94%), with a median ferritin of 1953 ng/ml. Sixteen patients (89%) met the primary endpoint within a median of 4 days; 14/18 (78%) were discharged in a median of 8 days and were alive at 28-day follow-up. Three deaths were attributed to secondary lung infection. Mean plasma IP-10 levels declined sharply from 9183 to 483 pg/ml at Day 3 and 146 pg/ml at Day 14/discharge. Significant Day 3 declines in IFN-$\gamma $, TNFα, IL-27, CRP, and ferritin occurred. IP-10 and CXCL-9 declines were strongly correlated among patients with lymphopenia reversal (Day 3, Pearsonr: 0.98,P-value 0.0006).

Interpretation:

Infliximab-abda may rapidly abrogate pathological inflammatory signaling to facilitate clinical recovery in severe and critical COVID-19.
The hidden potential of call detail records in The Gambia
Authors: Arai Ayumi , Knippenberg Erwin , Meyer Moritz , Witayangkurn Apichon
Published: June 2021

Aggregated data from mobile network operators (MNOs) can provide snapshots of population mobility patterns in real time, generating valuable insights when other more traditional data sources are unavailable or out-of-date. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the value of remotely-collected, high-frequency, localized data in inferring the economic impact of shocks to inform decision-making. However, proper protocols must be put in place to ensure end-to-end user-confidentiality and compliance with international best practice. We demonstrate how to build such a data pipeline, channeling data from MNOs through the national regulator to the analytical users, who in turn produce policy-relevant insights. The aggregated indicators analyzed offer a detailed snapshot of the decrease in mobility and increased out-migration from urban to rural areas during the COVID-19 lockdown. Recommendations based on lessons learned from this process can inform engagements with other regulators in creating data pipelines to inform policy-making.
More choice for men? Marriage patterns after World War II in Italy
Authors: Battistin Erich , Becker Sascha O. , Nunziata Luca
Published: June 2021

We investigate how changes in the sex ratio induced by World War II affected the bargaining patterns of Italian men in the marriage market. Marriage data from the first wave of the Italian Household Longitudinal Survey (1997) are matched with newly digitized information on war casualties coming from the Italian National Bureau of Statistics. We find that men in post-war marriages were better off in terms of their spouse's education, this gain amounting to about half a year of schooling. By considering heterogeneity across provinces, we find that the effects were more pronounced in rural provinces, mountainous provinces, and provinces with a higher share of population employed in agriculture. This result suggests that in these provinces the war caused a more fundamental change in marriage patterns compared to urban, lower-lying, and less agricultural provinces where marriage markets might have been more flexible to begin with.
The earliest example of sexual dimorphism in bivalves—evidence from the astartid Nicaniella (Lower Jurassic, southern Germany)
Authors: Karapunar Baran , Werner Winfried , Fürsich Franz T. , Nützel Alexander
Published: June 2021

Protandrous sex change (sex change from male to female) is one of the diverse sexual expressions exhibited by bivalves, but its expression in the shell is quite rare. Previous studies on living and fossil astartids suggest a relationship between protandrous sex change and the formation of crenulations on the ventral shell margin at later ontogenetic stages. Here we report the formation of such crenulations in the Early Jurassic astartid Nicaniella rakoveci (Kuhn, 1935) from the Amaltheenton Formation at Buttenheim, Franconia. This is the earliest known record of protandrous hermaphroditism in fossil bivalves, predating previous reports by at least 13 Myr. A principal component analysis of linear size measurements and Fourier shape analysis of the shell outlines revealed that the outline of Nicaniella rakoveci specimens varies from subquadrate to subcircular, but this variation is independent of the presence or absence of crenulations and therefore not associated with sex. Crenulated specimens exhibit a lower height/inflation ratio than non-crenulated ones, suggesting that the protandrous females have more inflated valves than the males. The formation of crenulations was probably related to allocation of resources for reproduction. The most likely function of the crenulations was to increase the internal shell volume in the female stage to accommodate more eggs rather than being an adaptation against predation as often assumed for other bivalves. The formation of crenulations is part of the protandrous life history and probably is controlled by a genetic mechanism that is also responsible for sex change.
Intrapopulation variation in the diet of franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) off southern Brazil
Authors: Bassoi Manuela , Secchi Eduardo R. , Danilewicz Daniel , Moreno Ignacio B. , Santos Roberta A. , Shepherd John G.
Published: June 2021

The franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) is a coastal dolphin endemic to the western South Atlantic Ocean. The dolphin is listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List, with incidental catches in gillnet fisheries the greatest conservation concern for this species. Insights into the feeding habits of this dolphin are essential to understand its distribution, movements and use of habitat, which are fundamental for effective management of the species. The feeding habits of franciscana dolphins were investigated from analyses of stomach contents of animals incidentally caught by two fishing operations from southern and northern regions of the southern Brazilian coast. In this study we investigate the existence of intrapopulation (sexual maturity and sex-related) variation in the diet of the franciscana dolphin, evaluating the spatial (northern and southern geographic areas) and seasonal influences. The analyses were based on Linear and Generalized Linear Models (LM and GLM). The majority of identified prey species were bottom-dwelling teleosts and the squidDoryteuthis sanpaulensis. The most important prey differed spatially and seasonally between northern and southern regions of the study area, and our results revealed significant differences between sexes and sexual maturity stages, mainly related to prey species sizes. This variation might indicate differences in prey selection, availability or habitat use patterns among these groups. In any case, these dietary differences are likely to minimize intraspecific competition for food resources, and/or indicate spatio-temporal variation in prey availability.
Interventions to treat fear of childbirth in pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Webb Rebecca , Bond Rod , Romero-Gonzalez Borja , Mycroft Rachel , Ayers Susan
Published: June 2021

Background

Between 5% and 14% of women suffer from fear of childbirth (FOC) which is associated with difficulties during birth and in postnatal psychological adjustment. Therefore, effective interventions are needed to improve outcomes for women. A systematic review and meta-analysis was used to identify effective interventions for treating women with FOC.

Methods

Literature searches were undertaken on online databases. Hand searches of reference lists were also carried out. Studies were included in the review if they recruited women with FOC and aimed to reduce FOC and/or improve birth outcomes. Data were synthesised qualitatively and quantitatively using meta-analysis. The literature searches provided a total of 4474 citations.

Results

After removing duplicates and screening through abstracts, titles and full texts, 66 papers from 48 studies were identified for inclusion in the review. Methodological quality was mixed with 30 out of 48 studies having a medium risk of bias. Interventions were categorised into six broad groups: cognitive behavioural therapy, other talking therapies, antenatal education, enhanced midwifery care, alternative interventions and interventions during labour. Results from the meta-analysis showed that most interventions reduced FOC, regardless of the approach (mean effect size = −1.27;z= −4.53,p< 0.0001) and that other talking therapies may reduce caesarean section rates (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.48–0.90).

Conclusions

Poor methodological quality of studies limits conclusions that can be drawn; however, evidence suggests that most interventions investigated reduce FOC. Future high-quality randomised controlled trials are needed so that clear conclusions can be made.
QUANTILE DOUBLE AUTOREGRESSION
Authors: Zhu Qianqian , Li Guodong
Published: June 2021

Many financial time series have varying structures at different quantile levels, and also exhibit the phenomenon of conditional heteroskedasticity at the same time. However, there is presently no time series model that accommodates both of these features. This paper fills the gap by proposing a novel conditional heteroskedastic model called “quantile double autoregression”. The strict stationarity of the new model is derived, and self-weighted conditional quantile estimation is suggested. Two promising properties of the original double autoregressive model are shown to be preserved. Based on the quantile autocorrelation function and self-weighting concept, three portmanteau tests are constructed to check the adequacy of the fitted conditional quantiles. The finite sample performance of the proposed inferential tools is examined by simulation studies, and the need for use of the new model is further demonstrated by analyzing the S&P500 Index.
SOURCES OF VARIATION IN SECOND AND NATIVE LANGUAGE SPEAKING PROFICIENCY AMONG COLLEGE-AGED SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS
Authors: Botezatu Mona Roxana , Guo Taomei , Kroll Judith F. , Peterson Sarah , Garcia Dalia L.
Published: June 2021

We evaluated external and internal sources of variation in second language (L2) and native language (L1) proficiency among college students. One hundred and twelve native-English L2 learners completed measures of L1 and L2 speaking proficiency, working memory, and cognitive control and provided self-ratings of language exposure and use. When considering learner-external variation, we found that more frequent L2 exposure predicted higher L2 and L1 proficiency, while earlier L2 exposure predicted higher L2 proficiency, but poorer L1 maintenance. L1–L2 distance limited crosslinguistic transfer of print-to-sound mappings. When considering learner-internal variation, we found that L1 and L2 proficiency were highly correlated and that better working memory, but not cognitive control, accounted for additional variance in L2 and L1 proficiency. More frequent L2 exposure was associated with better cognitive control.
‘You run out of hope’: an exploration of low-income parents’ experiences with food insecurity using Photovoice
Authors: Lindow Payge , Yen Irene H , Xiao Mingyu , Leung Cindy W
Published: June 2021

Objective:

Using an adaption of the Photovoice method, this study explored how food insecurity affected parents’ ability to provide food for their family, their strategies for managing household food insecurity and the impact of food insecurity on their well-being.

Design:

Parents submitted photos around their families’ experiences with food insecurity. Afterwards, they completed in-depth, semi-structured interviews about their photos. The interviews were transcribed and analysed for thematic content using the constant comparative method.

Setting:

San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA.

Participants:

Seventeen parents (fourteen mothers and three fathers) were recruited from a broader qualitative study on understanding the experiences of food insecurity in low-income families.

Results:

Four themes were identified from the parents’ photos and interviews. First, parents described multiple aspects of their food environment that promoted unhealthy eating behaviours. Second, parents shared strategies they employed to acquire food with limited resources. Third, parents expressed feelings of shame, guilt and distress resulting from their experience of food insecurity. And finally, parents described treating their children to special foods to cultivate a sense of normalcy.

Conclusions:

Parents highlighted the external contributors and internal struggles of their experiences of food insecurity. Additional research to understand the experiences of the food-insecure families may help to improve nutrition interventions targeting this structurally vulnerable population.
Phonembewusstheit nach schriftsprachlichem Input
Authors: Berendes Karin , Wagner Wolfgang , Böhme Richard
Published: June 2021

Zusammenfassung. Es wird ein standardisiertes Testverfahren zur Erfassung der Phonembewusstheit nach schriftsprachlichem Input von angehenden Primarschullehrkräften (kurz: TEPP) vorgestellt. Basierend auf der Bedeutung der Phonembewusstheit für den Schriftspracherwerb wurden Aufgaben zu deren Erfassung mit unterschiedlichen Aufgabenformaten (Multiple Choice, halboffenes Antwortformat) auf unterschiedlichen Operationsebenen (z. B. Segmentieren, Manipulieren) entwickelt. Diese Aufgaben wurden anhand einer Stichprobe von 271 Lehramtsstudierenden von fünf baden-württembergischen Pädagogischen Hochschulen sowie einer Hochschule in Bayern erprobt. Im Rahmen eines zweiparametrischen logistischen (2PL) Item-Response-Theorie-Modells wurden zunächst 14 Items aufgrund niedriger Diskriminationsparameter (α < 0.80) ausgeschlossen. Für die verbleibenden 22 Items wurde ein einparametrisches Modell berechnet, das akzeptable Infit-Statistiken ( Weighted Mean Square, WMNSQ, sowie t-Statistiken: 0.82 ≤ WMNSQ ≤ 1.08, -1.9 ≤  t ≤ 1.2) sowie eine hinreichende Person Separation Reliability von .80 ergab. Die psychometrischen Kennwerte der Itemauswahl sprechen dafür, dass das entwickelte Verfahren geeignet ist, um Leistungsunterschiede von angehenden Primarschullehrkräften mit hinreichender Genauigkeit abzubilden.
Comparison of Low‐Latitude Ionospheric Scintillation Forecasting Techniques Using a Physics‐Based Model
Authors: Nugent L. D. , Elvidge S. , Angling M. J.
Published: June 2021

The temporal change in height of a specific electron density can be used as a proxy for vertical plasma drift (PVPD) at the magnetic equator. The use of PVPDs as a predictor of low‐latitude ionospheric scintillation during the subsequent evening has previously been shown to have forecasting skill when using ionosonde data. The implementation of this approach using a physics‐based model is proposed to provide greater forecast antecedence without the need for local ionosondes. For the first time, the physics‐based model PVPD method is compared to another forecasting approach that uses a physics‐based model to calculate Rayleigh‐Taylor growth rates (RTGRs). In equinoctial test cases considered, when appropriate scintillation observation thresholds are selected, PVPD forecasting is shown to have skill similar to or better than the RTGR method using the same physics‐based model. PVPD forecasting requires only electron densities and corresponding altitudes. Therefore, this approach could be applied using an ionospheric data assimilation model whereas the majority of these models do not provide output for all variables required for RTGR forecasting. The forecasting skill in these test cases, the simplicity of physics‐based PVPD forecasting, and the suitability of this method for use of ionospheric data assimilation model output make this method attractive as a forecasting tool in an operational setting if skill can be further demonstrated for a wide range of conditions. However, both PVPD and RTGR forecasting skill are shown to be limited during solstitial months with high scintillation activity. This may be improved by using a data assimilation model.
Reviewing the Impact of Land Use and Land‐Use Change on Moisture Recycling and Precipitation Patterns
Authors: te Wierik Sofie A. , Cammeraat Erik L. H. , Gupta Joyeeta , Artzy‐Randrup Yael A.
Published: June 2021

Green water, or plant‐available soil moisture, is a substantial subset of terrestrial fresh water. Land‐use change (LUC) alters green water dynamics through interactions on the micro‐level (i.e., between the soil and vegetation) and on the macro‐level (i.e., between the land surface and atmosphere). Ongoing global deforestation, and growing interest in reforestation projects, begs the question whether such large‐scale LUCs have major eco‐hydrological impacts via the process of terrestrial moisture recycling. This requires a systematic, mechanistic understanding of green water dynamics in relation to LUC. Hence, this literature review addresses the above question via a scoping review that draws from papers covering empirical observations and simulated approximations on the hydrological effects of LUC from different parts of the world. The results show that some regions are more vulnerable to LUC than others and can affect local as well as distant hydrology of landscapes. Furthermore, we find that many studies focus on the global level or on tropical rainforests, through which we identify a knowledge gap for temperate regions and drylands. We derive analytical tools and directions for further research that can improve understanding of the effects of LUC on moisture recycling patterns to minimize unexpected hydrological impacts for nature and society.
Role of the Ionospheric Conductance Profile in Sub‐Alfvénic Moon‐Magnetosphere Interactions: An Analytical Model
Authors: Simon Sven , Liuzzo Lucas , Addison Peter
Published: June 2021

We develop an analytical model of the Alfvén wings generated by the interaction between a moon's ionosphere and its sub‐Alfvénic magnetospheric environment. Our approach takes into account a realistic representation of the ionospheric Pedersen conductance profile that typically reaches a local minimum above the moon's poles and maximizes along the bundle of magnetospheric field lines tangential to the surface. By solving the equation for the electrostatic potential, we obtain expressions for various quantities characterizing the interaction, such as the number flux and energy deposition of magnetospheric plasma onto the surface, the spatial distribution of currents within the Alfvén wings and associated magnetic field perturbations, as well as the Poynting flux transmitted along the wings. Our major findings are: (a) Deflection of the magnetospheric plasma around the Alfvén wings can reduce the number flux onto the surface by several orders of magnitude. However, the Alfvénic interaction alone does not alter the qualitative shape of the “bullseye”‐like precipitation pattern formed without the plasma interaction. (b) Due to the deflection of the upstream plasma, the energy deposition onto the moon's exosphere achieves its minimum near the ramside apex and maximizes along the flanks of the interaction region. (c) Even when the ionospheric conductance profile is continuous, the currents along the Alfvén wings exhibit several sharp jumps. These discontinuities generate spikes in the magnetic field that are still observable at large distances to the moon. (d) The magnitude and direction of the wing‐aligned currents are determined by the slope of the ionospheric conductance profile.
Parp mutations protect from mitochondrial toxicity in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Yu Yizhou , Fedele Giorgio , Celardo Ivana , Loh Samantha H. Y. , Martins L. Miguel
Published: June 2021

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Familial forms of Alzheimer’s disease associated with the accumulation of a toxic form of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides are linked to mitochondrial impairment. The coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is essential for both mitochondrial bioenergetics and nuclear DNA repair through NAD+-consuming poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs). Here we analysed the metabolomic changes in flies overexpressing Aβ and showed a decrease of metabolites associated with nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, which is critical for mitochondrial function in neurons. We show that increasing the bioavailability of NAD+ protects against Aβ toxicity. Pharmacological supplementation using NAM, a form of vitamin B that acts as a precursor for NAD+ or a genetic mutation of PARP rescues mitochondrial defects, protects neurons against degeneration and reduces behavioural impairments in a fly model of Alzheimer’s disease. Next, we looked at links between PARP polymorphisms and vitamin B intake in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. We show that polymorphisms in the human PARP1 gene or the intake of vitamin B are associated with a decrease in the risk and severity of Alzheimer’s disease. We suggest that enhancing the availability of NAD+ by either vitamin B supplements or the inhibition of NAD+-dependent enzymes such as PARPs are potential therapies for Alzheimer’s disease.
SMG5-SMG7 authorize nonsense-mediated mRNA decay by enabling SMG6 endonucleolytic activity
Authors: Boehm Volker , Kueckelmann Sabrina , Gerbracht Jennifer V. , Kallabis Sebastian , Britto-Borges Thiago , Altmüller Janine , Krüger Marcus , Dieterich Christoph , Gehring Niels H.
Published: June 2021

Eukaryotic gene expression is constantly controlled by the translation-coupled nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway. Aberrant translation termination leads to NMD activation, resulting in phosphorylation of the central NMD factor UPF1 and robust clearance of NMD targets via two seemingly independent and redundant mRNA degradation branches. Here, we uncover that the loss of the first SMG5-SMG7-dependent pathway also inactivates the second SMG6-dependent branch, indicating an unexpected functional connection between the final NMD steps. Transcriptome-wide analyses of SMG5-SMG7-depleted cells confirm exhaustive NMD inhibition resulting in massive transcriptomic alterations. Intriguingly, we find that the functionally underestimated SMG5 can substitute the role of SMG7 and individually activate NMD. Furthermore, the presence of either SMG5 or SMG7 is sufficient to support SMG6-mediated endonucleolysis of NMD targets. Our data support an improved model for NMD execution that features two-factor authentication involving UPF1 phosphorylation and SMG5-SMG7 recruitment to access SMG6 activity.
Proton gradients from light-harvesting E. coli control DNA assemblies for synthetic cells
Authors: Jahnke Kevin , Ritzmann Noah , Fichtler Julius , Nitschke Anna , Dreher Yannik , Abele Tobias , Hofhaus Götz , Platzman Ilia , Schröder Rasmus R. , Müller Daniel J. , Spatz Joachim P. , Göpfrich Kerstin
Published: June 2021

Bottom-up and top-down approaches to synthetic biology each employ distinct methodologies with the common aim to harness living systems. Here, we realize a strategic merger of both approaches to convert light into proton gradients for the actuation of synthetic cellular systems. We genetically engineer E. coli to overexpress the light-driven inward-directed proton pump xenorhodopsin and encapsulate them in artificial cell-sized compartments. Exposing the compartments to light-dark cycles, we reversibly switch the pH by almost one pH unit and employ these pH gradients to trigger the attachment of DNA structures to the compartment periphery. For this purpose, a DNA triplex motif serves as a nanomechanical switch responding to the pH-trigger of the E. coli. When DNA origami plates are modified with the pH-sensitive triplex motif, the proton-pumping E. coli can trigger their attachment to giant unilamellar lipid vesicles (GUVs) upon illumination. A DNA cortex is formed upon DNA origami polymerization, which sculpts and deforms the GUVs. We foresee that the combination of bottom-up and top down approaches is an efficient way to engineer synthetic cells.
Giant conductivity of mobile non-oxide domain walls
Authors: Ghara S. , Geirhos K. , Kuerten L. , Lunkenheimer P. , Tsurkan V. , Fiebig M. , Kézsmárki I.
Published: June 2021

Atomically sharp domain walls in ferroelectrics are considered as an ideal platform to realize easy-to-reconfigure nanoelectronic building blocks, created, manipulated and erased by external fields. However, conductive domain walls have been exclusively observed in oxides, where domain wall mobility and conductivity is largely influenced by stoichiometry and defects. Here, we report on giant conductivity of domain walls in the non-oxide ferroelectric GaV4S8. We observe conductive domain walls forming in zig-zagging structures, that are composed of head-to-head and tail-to-tail domain wall segments alternating on the nanoscale. Remarkably, both types of segments possess high conductivity, unimaginable in oxide ferroelectrics. These effectively 2D domain walls, dominating the 3D conductance, can be mobilized by magnetic fields, triggering abrupt conductance changes as large as eight orders of magnitude. These unique properties demonstrate that non-oxide ferroelectrics can be the source of novel phenomena beyond the realm of oxide electronics.
A smart multiantenna gene theranostic system based on the programmed assembly of hypoxia-related siRNAs
Authors: Gong Xue , Wang Haizhou , Li Ruomeng , Tan Kaiyue , Wei Jie , Wang Jing , Hong Chen , Shang Jinhua , Liu Xiaoqing , Liu Jing , Wang Fuan
Published: June 2021

The systemic therapeutic utilisation of RNA interference (RNAi) is limited by the non-specific off-target effects, which can have severe adverse impacts in clinical applications. The accurate use of RNAi requires tumour-specific on-demand conditional activation to eliminate the off-target effects of RNAi, for which conventional RNAi systems cannot be used. Herein, a tumourous biomarker-activated RNAi platform is achieved through the careful design of RNAi prodrugs in extracellular vesicles (EVs) with cancer-specific recognition/activation features. These RNAi prodrugs are assembled by splitting and reconstituting the principal siRNAs into a hybridisation chain reaction (HCR) amplification machine. EVs facilitate the specific and efficient internalisation of RNAi prodrugs into target tumour cells, where endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) promote immediate and autonomous HCR-amplified RNAi activation to simultaneously silence multiantenna hypoxia-related genes. With multiple guaranteed cancer recognition and synergistic therapy features, the miRNA-initiated HCR-promoted RNAi cascade holds great promise for personalised theranostics that enable reliable diagnosis and programmable on-demand therapy.
Tunable room-temperature ferromagnetism in Co-doped two-dimensional van der Waals ZnO
Authors: Chen Rui , Luo Fuchuan , Liu Yuzi , Song Yu , Dong Yu , Wu Shan , Cao Jinhua , Yang Fuyi , N’Diaye Alpha , Shafer Padraic , Liu Yin , Lou Shuai , Huang Junwei , Chen Xiang , Fang Zixuan , Wang Qingjun , Jin Dafei , Cheng Ran , Yuan Hongtao , Birgeneau Robert J. , Yao Jie
Published: June 2021

The recent discovery of ferromagnetism in two-dimensional van der Waals crystals has provoked a surge of interest in the exploration of fundamental spin interaction in reduced dimensions. However, existing material candidates have several limitations, notably lacking intrinsic room-temperature ferromagnetic order and air stability. Here, motivated by the anomalously high Curie temperature observed in bulk diluted magnetic oxides, we demonstrate room-temperature ferromagnetism in Co-doped graphene-like Zinc Oxide, a chemically stable layered material in air, down to single atom thickness. Through the magneto-optic Kerr effect, superconducting quantum interference device and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements, we observe clear evidences of spontaneous magnetization in such exotic material systems at room temperature and above. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy results explicitly exclude the existence of metallic Co or cobalt oxides clusters. X-ray characterizations reveal that the substitutional Co atoms form Co2+ states in the graphitic lattice of ZnO. By varying the Co doping level, we observe transitions between paramagnetic, ferromagnetic and less ordered phases due to the interplay between impurity-band-exchange and super-exchange interactions. Our discovery opens another path to 2D ferromagnetism at room temperature with the advantage of exceptional tunability and robustness.