bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Advances in Understandings Towards Pathogenesis and Treatment for Intrauterine Adhesion and Disruptive Insights from Single-Cell Analysis
Authors: Leung Ross Ka-Kit , Lin Yixin , Liu Yanhui
Published: October 2020

Intrauterine adhesion is a major cause of menstrual irregularities, infertility, and recurrent pregnancy losses and the progress towards its amelioration and therapy is slow and unsatisfactory. We aim to summarize and evaluate the current treatment progress and research methods for intrauterine adhesion. We conducted literature review in January 2020 by searching articles at PubMed on prevention and treatment, pathogenesis, the repair of other tissues/organs, cell plasticity, and the stem cell–related therapies for intrauterine adhesion. A total of 110 articles were selected for review. Uterine cell heterogeneity, expression profile, and cell-cell interaction were investigated based on scRNA-seq of uterus provided by Human Cell Landscape (HCL) project. Previous knowledge on intrauterine adhesion (IUA) pathogenesis was mostly derived from correlation studies by differentially expressed genes between endometrial tissue of intrauterine adhesion patients/animal models and normal endometrial tissue. Although the TGF-β1/SMAD pathway was suggested as the key driver for IUA pathogenesis, uterine cell heterogeneity and distinct expression profile among different cell types highlighted the importance of single-cell investigations. Cell-cell interaction in the uterus revealed the central hub of endothelial cells interacting with other cells, with endothelial cells in endothelial to mesenchymal transition and fibroblasts as the strongest interaction partners. The potential of stem cell–related therapies appeared promising, yet suffers from largely animal studies and nonstandard study design. The need to dissect the roles of endometrial cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts and their interaction is evident in order to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms in both intrauterine adhesion pathogenesis and treatment.
Noncoding RNA (ncRNA) Profile Association with Patient Outcome in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cases
Authors: Oliveira Douglas V. N. P. , Prahm Kira P. , Christensen Ib J. , Hansen Anker , Høgdall Claus K. , Høgdall Estrid V.
Published: October 2020

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the second most frequent type of gynecological cancers worldwide. In the past decades, the development of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers available for OC has been limited, reflecting by the lack of specificity of such markers or very costly management. Microarray expression profiling has shown very effective results in exploring new molecular markers for patients with OC. Nonetheless, most screenings are focused on mutations or expression of molecules that are translated into proteins, corresponding to only 2% of the total human genome. In order to account for the vast majority of transcripts, in the present exploratory study, we assessed the expression levels of a comprehensive panel of noncoding RNA in different subtypes of OC. We further evaluated their association with patient overall survival (OS) and aggressive forms of the disease, such as tumor type, stage, and chemotherapy resistance. By microarray profiling in a total of 197 epithelial OC patients (162 serous carcinomas, 15 endometrioid carcinomas, 11 mucinous carcinomas, and 9 clear cell carcinomas), we found two candidates, SNORA68 and SNORD74, which associated with OS and poor clinicopathological features. The overexpression of those two targets combined was correlated with shorter OS and progression-free survival. That association was further observed to correlate with a more aggressive form of the disease. Overall, the results indicate that a panel comprised of SNORA68 and SNORD74 may be clinically relevant, where patients could be offered a more individualized, targeted follow-up, given its further validation on future prospective clinical studies.
Ultrasonographic Diagnosis of A2 or A4 Flexor Tendon Pulley Injury: A Systematic Review
Authors: Iruretagoiena-Urbieta Xeber , De la Fuente-Ortiz de Zarate Javier , Rodríguez-López Elena Sonsoles , Barceló-Galíndez Pablo , Oliva-Pascual-Vaca Ángel , Otero-Campos Álvaro , Blasi Marc
Published: October 2020

A2 or A4 annular finger pulley tears are common injuries in rock climbers. This study reviews the measurement procedures used and tendon-to-bone distance data obtained on high-resolution ultrasound images when diagnosing isolated rupture of the A2 or A4 pulleys. Out of 3447 records extracted, only 7 remained after applying the exclusion criteria. In diagnosing a complete rupture, tendon-to-bone distance used varied widely from 1.9 to 5.1 mm for A2 and from 1.8 to 3.1 mm for A4. Our findings point to a lack of consensus diagnostic criteria for pulley injuries and identify technical details needing further research.
Public Spending and the Role of the State
Authors: Schuknecht Ludger
Published: October 2020

Given high government spending, debt and the new challenges on the horizon, the themes of this work are more relevant than ever: the essential tool of spending by the state, its 'value for money', likely risks in the future, and the remedies to create lean, efficient and sustainable government. This book takes a holistic and international approach, covering most advanced countries, and discusses a historical overview of public expenditure, from the nineteenth century to the modern day, as well as future challenges. It sees the government's role as providing sound rules of the game and essential public goods and services. In presenting the relevant arguments, information and policy recommendations through comprehensive tables, charts and historical facts, the book addresses a broad readership, including students, professionals and interested members of the public.
Policy Controversies and Political Blame Games
Authors: Hinterleitner Markus
Published: October 2020

In modern, policy-heavy democracies, blame games about policy controversies are commonplace. Despite their ubiquity, blame games are notoriously difficult to study. This book elevates them to the place they deserve in the study of politics and public policy. Blame games are microcosms of conflictual politics that yield unique insights into democracies under pressure. Based on an original framework and the comparison of fifteen blame games in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and the US, it exposes the institutionalized forms of conflict management that democracies have developed to manage policy controversies. Whether failed infrastructure projects, food scandals, security issues, or flawed policy reforms, democracies manage policy controversies in an idiosyncratic manner. This book is addressed not only to researchers and students interested in political conflict in the fields of political science, public policy, public administration, and political communication, but to everyone concerned about the functioning of democracy in more conflictual times. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Topological flows for hyperbolic groups
Authors: TANAKA RYOKICHI
Published: October 2020

We show that for every non-elementary hyperbolic group the Bowen–Margulis current associated with a strongly hyperbolic metric forms a unique group-invariant Radon measure class of maximal Hausdorff dimension on the boundary square. Applications include a characterization of roughly similar hyperbolic metrics via mean distortion.
THE KIM–PILLAY THEOREM FOR ABSTRACT ELEMENTARY CATEGORIES
Authors: KAMSMA MARK
Published: October 2020

We introduce the framework of AECats (abstract elementary categories), generalizing both the category of models of some first-order theory and the category of subsets of models. Any AEC and any compact abstract theory (“cat”, as introduced by Ben-Yaacov) forms an AECat. In particular, we find applications in positive logic and continuous logic: the category of (subsets of) models of a positive or continuous theory is an AECat. The Kim–Pillay theorem for first-order logic characterizes simple theories by the properties dividing independence has. We prove a version of the Kim–Pillay theorem for AECats with the amalgamation property, generalizing the first-order version and existing versions for positive logic.
WEIHRAUCH GOES BROUWERIAN
Authors: BRATTKA VASCO , GHERARDI GUIDO
Published: October 2020

We prove that the Weihrauch lattice can be transformed into a Brouwer algebra by the consecutive application of two closure operators in the appropriate order: first completion and then parallelization. The closure operator of completion is a new closure operator that we introduce. It transforms any problem into a total problem on the completion of the respective types, where we allow any value outside of the original domain of the problem. This closure operator is of interest by itself, as it generates a total version of Weihrauch reducibility that is defined like the usual version of Weihrauch reducibility, but in terms of total realizers. From a logical perspective completion can be seen as a way to make problems independent of their premises. Alongside with the completion operator and total Weihrauch reducibility we need to study precomplete representations that are required to describe these concepts. In order to show that the parallelized total Weihrauch lattice forms a Brouwer algebra, we introduce a new multiplicative version of an implication. While the parallelized total Weihrauch lattice forms a Brouwer algebra with this implication, the total Weihrauch lattice fails to be a model of intuitionistic linear logic in two different ways. In order to pinpoint the algebraic reasons for this failure, we introduce the concept of a Weihrauch algebra that allows us to formulate the failure in precise and neat terms. Finally, we show that the Medvedev Brouwer algebra can be embedded into our Brouwer algebra, which also implies that the theory of our Brouwer algebra is Jankov logic.
Cultural activity and intellectual networks: Lisbon's Italian Cultural Institute from Fascism to the Second World War (1928–45)
Authors: Muraca Simone
Published: October 2020

From the late 1920s onwards, Italian cultural diplomacy in Portugal was responsible for an increasing number of activities and initiatives directed at the Portuguese intellectual public. From Mussolini's perspective, the ideological ground shared by the Salazar regime and Italian Fascism meant that it was important for Italy to nourish links and exchanges with Portugal. This article examines cultural diplomacy in Lisbon, using one particular centre as the focus of analysis: the Italian Cultural Institute and its networking activities with intellectuals in the Portuguese regime. Within these transnational intellectual networks, a prominent role was taken by the Institute's successive directors between 1928 and 1945. These figures varied substantially in their biographical trajectories and seem to have exemplified the idiosyncrasies and contradictions of Fascist cultural policy in Portugal, which was one of a range of attempts, never fully realised, to export the idea of Italian Fascism.
The response of climbing bean to fertilizer and organic manure in the Northern Province of Rwanda
Authors: Rurangwa Edouard , Vanlauwe Bernard , Giller Ken E.
Published: October 2020

Climbing beans play a central role in food security of rural households in the densely populated highlands of East and Central Africa. Soil fertility degradation and the lack of nutrient inputs are major limitations to yield of beans and other crops. We conducted field trials in Northern Rwanda in Kinoni and Muko villages to evaluate the effect of mineral N, P, and K fertilizers (both alone and in combination) and farmyard manure on nitrogen fixation and grain yields of climbing bean in smallholder farmers’ fields. The trials were laid down in a randomized complete block design with seven replicate blocks in each village. Manure and fertilizer application led to greater yields in all fields, and the largest yields were achieved when manure was combined with NPK. Large variability in yield between fields was observed. Application of fertilizer together with manure increased the grain yield from 1.5 to 3.9 t ha−1in Kinoni and from 2.6 to 5.4 t ha−1in Muko. Fertilizer and/or manure increased stover yield from 0.8 to 2.3 t ha−1in Kinoni and from 1.5 to 3.4 t ha−1in Muko. Application of 30 kg P ha−1and 5 t manure ha−1led to increased N and P uptake (from 49 to 106 kg N ha−1and from 6.1 to 12.4 kg P ha−1in Kinoni and from 46 to 128 kg N ha−1and from 5.3 to 17.9 kg P ha−1in Muko). There was no clear relationship between soil fertility characteristics and the response of climbing bean to applied inputs at Muko site. However, at Kinoni site, limited response to manure and NPK application was observed in plots where soil available P and soil exchangeable K were relatively low. Our results show the benefits of using manure along with mineral fertilizers for increased climbing bean yields and nutrient uptake in smallholder farming systems.
Microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of buffalo milk used for dairy products in southern Brazil
Authors: Godinho Fernanda M. S. , Krug Melina , Figueiredo Renata Perin , Müller Alexandre , Jank Louise , Tomaszewski Caroline Andrade , Hillesheim Daniel Rodrigo , Kinast Éder J. , Frazzon Ana Paula G. , Motta Amanda S.
Published: October 2020

In Brazil, the buffalo milk market has been growing. However, identity and quality standards have not been established for this raw material, nor have proper distinctions between buffalo milk and bovine milk been defined. Currently, the State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) has only three producers that supply raw material for officially marketed derivatives. The aim of this study was to determine the identity and quality standards of raw buffalo milk in this region. Samples were obtained biweekly from three farm cooling tanks between June 2017 and August 2018, to reach a total of 69 samples. The averages for the results of the physicochemical parameters fat, protein, lactose, total solids, SNF (solids-not-fat), calcium, density, FP, acidity and SCC were 5.5 g/100 g, 4.06 g/100 g, 5.07 g/100 g, 15.5 g/100 g, 9.96 g/100 g, 0.161 g/100 g, 1.034 g/ml, −0.527°C, 16°D and 95 × 103 cells/ml, respectively. With reference to the microbiological parameters, the mean of the Standard Plate Count (SPC) and thermotolerant coliforms were 9,0 × 104 CFU/ml and 1.6 × 102 MPN/ml, respectively. Regarding coagulase-positive staphylococci, 36 samples tested positive (52% of total). Neither Salmonella spp. nor Listeria monocytogenes, nor antibiotic or antiparasitic residues were detected in any sample. In conclusion, the buffalo milk used as raw material for dairy products in southern Brazil demonstrated satisfactory physicochemical and microbiological characteristics, in accordance with recent scientific literature.
Rights, Dignity, and Public Accommodations
Authors: Schmidt Christopher W.
Published: October 2020

In this essay I consider why debates over applying anti-discrimination norms to public accommodations have long been, and remain today, such a resilient presence in the history of the United States. I use as my starting point the most famous iteration of this phenomenon, the national debate sparked by the 1960 sit-in movement and culminating in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which banned racial discrimination in public accommodations across the nation. The battle over racial discrimination and public accommodations in the early 1960s illuminates the moral issue at the heart of the issue, the lines of argument that characterize the debate over how to define legal rights in this area, and the ways in which different legal institutions have resolved, or failed to resolve, the issue. I then move backward time, highlighting the continuities between this episode and the struggle over race and public accommodations during Reconstruction. The history of the civil rights era provides a useful framework to analyze the terms of debate from a century earlier, and it provides particular insights into the significance of the concept of public rights that Rebecca Scott has so effectively brought to our attention.
Seroprevalences of antibodies against ToRCH infectious pathogens in women of childbearing age residing in Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Poland, Turkey and China
Authors: Warnecke J. M. , Pollmann M. , Borchardt-Lohölter V. , Moreira-Soto A. , Kaya S. , Sener A. G. , Gómez-Guzmán E. , Figueroa-Hernández L. , Li W. , Li F. , Buska K. , Zakaszewska K. , Ziolkowska K. , Janz J. , Ott A. , Scheper T. , Meyer W.
Published: October 2020

Determination of antibodies against ToRCH antigens at the beginning of pregnancy allows assessment of both the maternal immune status and the risks to an adverse pregnancy outcome. Age-standardised seroprevalences were determined in sera from 1009 women of childbearing age residing in Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Poland, Turkey or China using a multiparametric immunoblot containing antigen substrates for antibodies againstToxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2),Bordetella pertussis,Chlamydia trachomatis, parvovirus B19,Treponema pallidumand varicella zoster virus (VZV). Seroprevalences for antibodies against HSV-1 were >90% in samples from Brazil and Turkey, whereas the other four countries showed lower mean age-adjusted seroprevalences (range: 62.5–87.9%). Samples from Brazilian women showed elevated seroprevalences of antibodies against HSV-2 (40.1%),C. trachomatis(46.8%) andB. pertussis(56.6%) compared to the other five countries. Seroprevalences of anti-T. gondiiantibodies (0.5%) and anti-parvovirus B19 antibodies (7.5%) were low in samples from Chinese women, compared to the other five countries. Samples from German women revealed a low age-standardised seroprevalence of anti-CMV antibodies (28.8%) compared to the other five countries. These global differences in immune status of women in childbearing age advocate country-specific prophylaxis strategies to avoid infection with ToRCH pathogens.
Chevron, State Farm, and the Impact of Judicial Doctrine on Bureaucratic Policymaking
Authors: Wiseman Alan E. , Wright John R.
Published: October 2020

We explain how two landmark Supreme Court cases, Motor Vehicles Manufacturers Association of the U.S. v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. (1983) and Chevron U.S.A., Inc., v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (1984), have constrained congressional and presidential control of the bureaucracy. We provide an overview of these cases, and we note how the dominant theories of bureaucratic policy making in the political science literature fail to account for judicial doctrine in a meaningful way. We illustrate the implications of these cases for recent debates regarding regulatory rollbacks in the Trump administration, and we argue that bureaucratic control over the past forty years has tilted in favor of the judicial branch of American national government.
Toward a Neurocognitive Understanding of the Algorithms That Underlie Metamemory Judgments
Authors: Kelley Timothy , Serra Michael J. , Davis Tyler
Published: October 2020

Abstract. Neurocognitive research on metamemory thus far has mostly focused on localizing brain regions that track metacognitive judgments and distinguishing metacognitive processing from primary cognition. With much known about the localization of metamemory in the brain, there is a growing opportunity to develop a more algorithmic characterization of the brain processes underlying metamemory. We briefly review some current neurocognitive metamemory research, including relevant brain regions and theories about their role in metamemory. We review some computational neuroimaging approaches and, as an illustrative example, describe their use in studies on the delayed-JOL (judgments of learning) effect. Finally, we discuss how researchers might apply computational approaches to several unresolved questions in the behavioral metamemory literature. Such research could provide a bridge between cognitive and neurocognitive research on metamemory and provide novel insights into the algorithms underlying metamemory judgments, thus informing theory and methodology in both areas.
Time-Based Measures of Monitoring in Association With Executive Functions in Kindergarten Children
Authors: Kälin Sonja , Roebers Claudia M.
Published: October 2020

Abstract. Repeatedly, the notion has been put forward that metacognition (MC) and executive functions (EF) share common grounds, as both describe higher order cognitive processes and involve monitoring. However, only few studies addressed this issue empirically and so far their findings are rather inconsistent. Addressing the question whether measurement differences may in part be responsible for the mixed results, the current study included explicitly reported as well as time-based measures of metacognitive monitoring and related them to EF. A total of 202 children aged 4–6 years were assessed in terms of EF (inhibition, working memory, shifting) and monitoring. While there was no significant link between explicitly reported confidence and EF, latencies of monitoring judgments were significantly related to time- and accuracy-based measures of EF. Our findings support the association between EF and MC and the assumption that better inhibition abilities help children to engage in more thorough monitoring.
Learning From (Test) Experience
Authors: Mitton Evan E. , Fiacconi Chris M.
Published: October 2020

Abstract. To date there has been relatively little research within the domain of metamemory that examines how individuals monitor their performance during memory tests, and whether the outcome of such monitoring informs subsequent memory predictions for novel items. In the current study, we sought to determine whether spontaneous monitoring of test performance can in fact help individuals better appreciate their memory abilities, and in turn shape future judgments of learning (JOLs). Specifically, in two experiments we examined recognition memory for visual images across three study-test cycles, each of which contained novel images. We found that across cycles, participants’ JOLs did in fact increase, reflecting metacognitive sensitivity to near-perfect levels of recognition memory performance. This finding suggests that individuals can and do monitor their test performance in the absence of explicit feedback, and further underscores the important role that test experience can play in shaping metacognitive evaluations of learning and remembering.
Increased Flood Exposure Due to Climate Change and Population Growth in the United States
Authors: Swain D. L. , Wing O. E. J. , Bates P. D. , Done J. M. , Johnson K. A. , Cameron D. R.
Published: October 2020

Precipitation extremes are increasing globally due to anthropogenic climate change. However, there remains uncertainty regarding impacts upon flood occurrence and subsequent population exposure. Here, we quantify changes in population exposure to flood hazard across the contiguous United States. We combine simulations from a climate model large ensemble and a high‐resolution hydrodynamic flood model—allowing us to directly assess changes across a wide range of extreme precipitation magnitudes and accumulation timescales. We report a mean increase in the 100‐year precipitation event of ~20% (magnitude) and >200% (frequency) in a high warming scenario, yielding a ~30–127% increase in population exposure. We further find a nonlinear increase for the most intense precipitation events—suggesting accelerating societal impacts from historically rare or unprecedented precipitation events in the 21st century.
Physical Implication of Two Types of Reconnection Electron Diffusion Regions With and Without Ion‐Coupling in the Magnetotail Current Sheet
Authors: Wang Rongsheng , Lu Quanming , Lu San , Russell Christopher T. , Burch J. L. , Gershman Daniel J. , Gonzalez W. , Wang Shui
Published: October 2020

By comparing an electron‐only reconnection event with a traditional reconnection event observed in the magnetotail, we illustrate the differences between and similarities of the two events. The electron behaviors are very similar in both events, but intensities of the electron flows and temperature in the traditional reconnection are much stronger than those in the electron‐only reconnection. The Hall electric field in the traditional reconnection occurs on the ion‐scale and is deflected from the normal direction by the significant magnetic field reconnected, while this field varies on the electron‐scale and points to the middle plane in the electron‐only reconnection. The comparison indicates that the electrons are undergoing the same process in both events, and the electron‐only reconnection was prior to the traditional reconnection. The Hall electric field could control the form of reconnection: producing either electron‐only reconnection or traditional reconnection.
Solar Cycle Dependence of Solar Wind Coupling With Giant Planet Magnetospheres
Authors: Gershman Daniel J. , DiBraccio Gina A.
Published: October 2020

In the outer heliosphere, higher upstream Alfvénic Mach number (MA) values have been theorized to limit the solar wind forcing at all giant planet magnetospheres. To determine the true impact of MA on the ability for magnetopause reconnection to occur, we perform a comprehensive analysis using data collected throughout the heliosphere. We find that solar cycle variations in solar wind magnetic pressure lead to wide ranges of upstream MA in the outer heliosphere, where MA at solar maximum appears Earth‐like. These considerable MA variations combined with the significant magnetic dipole tilts at Uranus and Neptune suggest that magnetopause reconnection may yet play an important role at the ice giants, in particular at solar maximum.
Lunar Dust Fountain Observed Near Twilight Craters
Authors: Xie Lianghai , Zhang Xiaoping , Li Lei , Zhou Bin , Zhang Yiteng , Yan Qi , Feng Yongyong , Guo Dawei , Yu Shuoran
Published: October 2020

Lunar horizon glows observed by the Apollo missions suggested a dense dust exosphere near the lunar terminator. But later missions failed to see such a high‐density dust exosphere. Why the Apollo missions could observe so large number of dust grains remains a mystery. For the first time, we report five dust enhancement events observed by the Lunar Dust Experiment on board Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer mission, which happen near a twilight crater with dust densities comparable to the Apollo measurements. Moreover, the dust densities are larger on the downstream side of the crater and favor a higher solar wind temperature, consistent with an electrostatic dust lofting from the negatively charged crater floor. We also check the Apollo observations and find similar twilight craters, suggesting that the so‐called dust exosphere is not a global phenomenon but just a local electrified dust fountain near twilight craters.
The Respective Roles of Wind Speed and Green Vegetation in Controlling Sahelian Dust Emission During the Wet Season
Authors: Bergametti G. , Marticorena B. , Rajot J. L. , Siour G. , Féron A. , Gaimoz C. , Coman A. , Chatenet B. , Coulibaly M. , Maman A. , Koné I. , Zakou A.
Published: October 2020

Based on 10 years of continuous measurements of wind speed, rainfall, and PM10 concentrations (i.e., concentrations of the particulate matter having a diameter lower than 10 μm) performed in two Sahelian stations, we examine how wind speed and vegetation interact during the wet season to control the dust concentration when it is due to local dust emissions. The results clearly show that the frequency of the high wind speeds is higher at the beginning of the wet season and is the main driver of the seasonal dust emission. During the second part of the wet season, the frequency of high wind speeds is much lower and, in addition, their efficiency for wind erosion and dust emission is strongly affected by the vegetation whose growth reduces progressively PM10 concentrations up to 80%.
Boreal Spring El Niño Convective State and Its Impact on Monsoon Onset
Authors: Neena J. M. , Suhas E. , Murtugudde R.
Published: October 2020

A lesser known relationship between boreal spring El Niño state and the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) is explored, considering the differences in the evolution of sea surface temperature and convection over the Pacific. Rossby wave tracing analysis reveals that the boreal spring El Niño convective state permits two distinct eastward waveguides from the central Pacific to the ISM domain. The first waveguide reaches the northern Indian region roughly along the African‐Asian jet, and the second waveguide crosses over to the Southern Hemisphere over the eastern Pacific and extends up to the south Indian Ocean region. The net result is an altered free tropospheric temperature distribution over the ISM domain in the month of May leading to a delayed monsoon onset. The existence of the two waveguides and the modulation of monsoon onset makes the boreal spring El Niño state an important component to be accounted for in ISM prediction.
Sequential Fault Reactivation and Secondary Triggering in the March 2019 Red Deer Induced Earthquake Swarm
Authors: Wang Jingchuan , Li Tianyang , Gu Yu Jeffrey , Schultz Ryan , Yusifbayov Javad , Zhang Miao
Published: October 2020

Using data from nodal geophones and broadband seismometers, this study investigates the seismicity near Red Deer, Alberta, a region with increasing cases of hydraulic fracturing (HF)‐induced earthquakes. A cluster of 417 events was detected, and their spatial distribution and focal mechanisms reveal a NE trending rupture area with two strike‐slip fault planes. Reactivation of preexisting faults by pore pressure diffusion is likely responsible for the occurrence of the earthquake sequence following the ML 4.18 mainshock. The temporal sequence of reactivated fault orientations suggests apparent changes in the local stress field following the mainshock, which is also responsible for a remotely triggered cluster observed 1 month after the mainshock. This secondary triggering process enhances our understanding of the trailing effect of HF‐induced seismicity.
Probing Venus Surface Iron Contents With Six‐Band Visible Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy From Orbit
Authors: Dyar M. D. , Helbert J. , Maturilli A. , Müller N. T. , Kappel D.
Published: October 2020

Machine learning models enable interpretation of orbital spectral measurements of Venus using laboratory calibration data collected at Venus surface temperatures. Partial least squares models show that total iron content can be accurately predicted using data from the six bands (two in the 1.02 μm window). Prediction errors on total wt% FeO are ±0.50 for common subalkaline volcanic rocks. Accuracy is ±0.42 for wt% FeO in alkaline rocks, and ±2.47 for all 18 igneous samples studied to date. These robust capabilities will allow discrimination of basalt versus rhyolite/granite and elucidate the rock type of the enigmatic tessera terrain on Venus.
Globally Scattered 2011 Tohoku Tsunami Waves From a Seafloor Sensor Array in the Northeast Pacific Ocean
Authors: Kohler Monica D. , Bowden Daniel C. , Ampuero Jean‐Paul , Shi Jian
Published: October 2020

Modeling of tsunami wave propagation for forecasting focuses on the arrival time and amplitude of the earliest tsunami waves reaching coastlines. The complex later tsunami wavefield, in which scattering is predominant, poses additional hazards due to possible constructive interference of coherent packets of wave energy. However, almost no data sets exist to characterize the geographical sources and temporal evolution of the scattered waves. Here we show how recordings of the 2011 Tohoku tsunami by an array of pressure gauge sensors in the northeastern Pacific Ocean reveal coherent waves that are produced by scattering from distant coastlines including South America and Antarctica, as well as multiple seafloor fracture zones, ridges, and island chains. Multiple signal classification analysis and backward propagation ray tracing provide tight constraints on the origin of each scattered phase and resolve simultaneous wave arrivals from different scatterers. Incoming waves from constant back azimuths occur over time durations of several hours, revealing the time persistence of specific geographical scatterers. The results can advance numerical predictions of tsunami wave impact because they provide direct evidence for the necessity of incorporating both local and distant bathymetry over a range of length scales and for long time durations, to account for the azimuthal dependence of scatterer strength.
Propagation of Meteorological to Hydrological Droughts in India
Authors: Bhardwaj Kunal , Shah Deep , Aadhar Saran , Mishra Vimal
Published: October 2020

Drought is among the costliest natural disasters that affect the economy, food and water security, and socioeconomic well‐being of about 1.4 billion people in India. Despite the profound implications of droughts, the propagation of meteorological to hydrological droughts in India is not examined. Here, we use observations and simulations from a well‐calibrated and evaluated Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model to estimate drought propagation in India. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Standardized Soil Moisture Index (SSMI), and Standardized Streamflow Index (SSI) were estimated for 223 catchments in India to represent meteorological, agricultural, and hydrological droughts, respectively. We estimated drought propagation time for these catchments located in 18 major Indian subcontinental river basins. Internal propagation of hydrological drought was estimated using optimal hydrological Instantaneous Development Speed (IDS) and Instantaneous Recovery Speed (IRS) from onset to the termination. Indus, Sabarmati, and Godavari river basins have higher propagation time of meteorological to hydrological droughts. The high (low) development rate of hydrological drought is followed by the high (low) recovery rate for most of the locations. We find significant influence of Seasonality Index (SI) and Base Flow Index (BFI) on propagation time of meteorological to hydrological droughts in the Indian subcontinental river basins. Overall, understanding of drought propagation, development/recovery speed, and their deriving factors can assist in the management and planning of water resources in India.
The Effect of Fracture Roughness on the Onset of Nonlinear Flow
Authors: Cunningham D. , Auradou H. , Shojaei‐Zadeh S. , Drazer G.
Published: October 2020

In fractures where surface fluctuations are large compared to their aperture (narrow fractures), the flow is forced to move in tortuous paths that produce additional viscous friction and are subject to inertia effects. We consider the relation between the magnitude of surface roughness and the onset of inertial effects in the pressure driving the flow through a single open fracture. We performed experiments systematically varying the average aperture of the open fracture and covering a wide range of Reynolds numbers. For each aperture, we analyze the data in terms of the Forchheimer equation and show that the critical Reynolds number, defined as the Reynolds number at which inertial effects contribute 10% of the total pressure losses, is highly correlated with the roughness of the surface. In particular, we show that significant inertial effects appear earlier as the relative importance of surface roughness increases. Finally, we present results showing that the magnitude of the deviations in the pressure field compared to a linear profile, taken at different points in the fracture along the flow direction, is directly related to the relative surface roughness of the fracture.
Beyond just a tight fortress: contribution of stroma to epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Bulle Ashenafi , Lim Kian-Huat
Published: October 2020

Novel effective treatment is direly needed for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Therapeutics that target the driver mutations, especially the KRAS oncoprotein and its effector cascades, have been ineffective. It is increasing clear that the extensive fibro-inflammatory stroma (or desmoplasia) of PDAC plays an active role in the progression and therapeutic resistance of PDAC. The desmoplastic stroma is composed of dense extracellular matrix (ECM) deposited mainly by the cancer-associated-fibroblasts (CAFs) and infiltrated with various types of immune cells. The dense ECM functions as a physical barrier that limits tumor vasculatures and distribution of therapeutics to PDAC cells. In addition, mounting evidence have demonstrated that both CAFs and ECM promote PDAC cells aggressiveness through multiple mechanisms, particularly engagement of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program. Acquisition of a mesenchymal-like phenotype renders PDAC cells more invasive and resistant to therapy-induced apoptosis. Here, we critically review seminal and recent articles on the signaling mechanisms by which each stromal element promotes EMT in PDAC. We discussed the experimental models that are currently employed and best suited to study EMT in PDAC, which are instrumental in increasing the chance of successful clinical translation.
Comparison of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and next-generation flow (NGF) for minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment in multiple myeloma
Authors: Medina Alejandro , Puig Noemi , Flores-Montero Juan , Jimenez Cristina , Sarasquete M.-Eugenia , Garcia-Alvarez María , Prieto-Conde Isabel , Chillon Carmen , Alcoceba Miguel , Gutierrez Norma C. , Oriol Albert , Rosinol Laura , Bladè Joan , Gironella Mercedes , Hernandez Miguel T. , Gonzalez-Calle Veronica , Cedena Maria-Teresa , Paiva Bruno , San-Miguel Jesus F. , Lahuerta Juan-Jose , Mateos Maria-Victoria , Martinez-Lopez Joaquin , Orfao Alberto , Gonzalez Marcos , Garcia-Sanz Ramon
Published: October 2020

Detecting persistent minimal residual disease (MRD) allows the identification of patients with an increased risk of relapse and death. In this study, we have evaluated MRD 3 months after transplantation in 106 myeloma patients using a commercial next-generation sequencing (NGS) strategy (LymphoTrack®), and compared the results with next-generation flow (NGF, EuroFlow). The use of different marrow pulls and the need of concentrating samples for NGS biased the applicability for MRD evaluation and favored NGF. Despite that, correlation between NGS and NGF was high (R2 = 0.905). The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates by NGS and NGF were longer for undetectable vs. positive patients (NGS: 88.7% vs. 56.6%; NGF: 91.4% vs. 50%; p < 0.001 for both comparisons), which resulted in a 3-year overall survival (OS) advantage (NGS: 96.2% vs. 77.3%; NGF: 96.6% vs. 74.9%, p < 0.01 for both comparisons). In the Cox regression model, NGS and NGF negativity had similar results but favoring the latter in PFS (HR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.09–0.45, p < 0.001) and OS (HR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.06–0.75, p = 0.02). All these results reinforce the role of MRD detection by different strategies in patient prognosis and highlight the use of MRD as an endpoint for multiple myeloma treatment.
Critical non-Hermitian skin effect
Authors: Li Linhu , Lee Ching Hua , Mu Sen , Gong Jiangbin
Published: October 2020

Critical systems represent physical boundaries between different phases of matter and have been intensely studied for their universality and rich physics. Yet, with the rise of non-Hermitian studies, fundamental concepts underpinning critical systems - like band gaps and locality - are increasingly called into question. This work uncovers a new class of criticality where eigenenergies and eigenstates of non-Hermitian lattice systems jump discontinuously across a critical point in the thermodynamic limit, unlike established critical scenarios with spectrum remaining continuous across a transition. Such critical behavior, dubbed the “critical non-Hermitian skin effect”, arises whenever subsystems with dissimilar non-reciprocal accumulations are coupled, however weakly. This indicates, as elaborated with the generalized Brillouin zone approach, that the thermodynamic and zero-coupling limits are not exchangeable, and that even a large system can be qualitatively different from its thermodynamic limit. Examples with anomalous scaling behavior are presented as manifestations of the critical non-Hermitian skin effect in finite-size systems. More spectacularly, topological in-gap modes can even be induced by changing the system size. We provide an explicit proposal for detecting the critical non-Hermitian skin effect in an RLC circuit setup, which also directly carries over to established setups in non-Hermitian optics and mechanics.
Atomically dispersed Lewis acid sites boost 2-electron oxygen reduction activity of carbon-based catalysts
Authors: Yang Qihao , Xu Wenwen , Gong Shun , Zheng Guokui , Tian Ziqi , Wen Yujie , Peng Luming , Zhang Linjuan , Lu Zhiyi , Chen Liang
Published: October 2020

Elucidating the structure-property relationship is crucial for the design of advanced electrocatalysts towards the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In this work, we theoretically and experimentally discovered that atomically dispersed Lewis acid sites (octahedral M–O species, M = aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga)) regulate the electronic structure of adjacent carbon catalyst sites. Density functional theory calculation predicts that the octahedral M–O with strong Lewis acidity regulates the electronic distribution of the adjacent carbon site and thus optimizes the adsorption and desorption strength of reaction intermediate (*OOH). Experimentally, the optimal catalyst (oxygen-rich carbon with atomically dispersed Al, denoted as O-C(Al)) with the strongest Lewis acidity exhibited excellent onset potential (0.822 and 0.526 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode at 0.1 mA cm−2 H2O2 current in alkaline and neutral media, respectively) and high H2O2 selectivity over a wide voltage range. This study provides a highly efficient and low-cost electrocatalyst for electrochemical H2O2 production.
Towards a reference genome that captures global genetic diversity
Authors: Wong Karen H. Y. , Ma Walfred , Wei Chun-Yu , Yeh Erh-Chan , Lin Wan-Jia , Wang Elin H. F. , Su Jen-Ping , Hsieh Feng-Jen , Kao Hsiao-Jung , Chen Hsiao-Huei , Chow Stephen K. , Young Eleanor , Chu Catherine , Poon Annie , Yang Chi-Fan , Lin Dar-Shong , Hu Yu-Feng , Wu Jer-Yuarn , Lee Ni-Chung , Hwu Wuh-Liang , Boffelli Dario , Martin David , Xiao Ming , Kwok Pui-Yan
Published: October 2020

The current human reference genome is predominantly derived from a single individual and it does not adequately reflect human genetic diversity. Here, we analyze 338 high-quality human assemblies of genetically divergent human populations to identify missing sequences in the human reference genome with breakpoint resolution. We identify 127,727 recurrent non-reference unique insertions spanning 18,048,877 bp, some of which disrupt exons and known regulatory elements. To improve genome annotations, we linearly integrate these sequences into the chromosomal assemblies and construct a Human Diversity Reference. Leveraging this reference, an average of 402,573 previously unmapped reads can be recovered for a given genome sequenced to ~40X coverage. Transcriptomic diversity among these non-reference sequences can also be directly assessed. We successfully map tens of thousands of previously discarded RNA-Seq reads to this reference and identify transcription evidence in 4781 gene loci, underlining the importance of these non-reference sequences in functional genomics. Our extensive datasets are important advances toward a comprehensive reference representation of global human genetic diversity.
Network-based machine learning in colorectal and bladder organoid models predicts anti-cancer drug efficacy in patients
Authors: Kong JungHo , Lee Heetak , Kim Donghyo , Han Seong Kyu , Ha Doyeon , Shin Kunyoo , Kim Sanguk
Published: October 2020

Cancer patient classification using predictive biomarkers for anti-cancer drug responses is essential for improving therapeutic outcomes. However, current machine-learning-based predictions of drug response often fail to identify robust translational biomarkers from preclinical models. Here, we present a machine-learning framework to identify robust drug biomarkers by taking advantage of network-based analyses using pharmacogenomic data derived from three-dimensional organoid culture models. The biomarkers identified by our approach accurately predict the drug responses of 114 colorectal cancer patients treated with 5-fluorouracil and 77 bladder cancer patients treated with cisplatin. We further confirm our biomarkers using external transcriptomic datasets of drug-sensitive and -resistant isogenic cancer cell lines. Finally, concordance analysis between the transcriptomic biomarkers and independent somatic mutation-based biomarkers further validate our method. This work presents a method to predict cancer patient drug responses using pharmacogenomic data derived from organoid models by combining the application of gene modules and network-based approaches.
Synthesizing AND gate minigene circuits based on CRISPReader for identification of bladder cancer cells
Authors: Liu Yuchen , Huang Weiren , Cai Zhiming
Published: October 2020

The logical AND gate gene circuit based on the CRISPR-Cas9 system can distinguish bladder cancer cells from normal bladder epithelial cells. However, the layered artificial gene circuits have the problems of high complexity, difficulty in accurately predicting the behavior, and excessive redundancy, which cannot be applied to clinical translation. Here, we construct minigene circuits based on the CRISPReader, a technology used to control promoter-less gene expression in a robust manner. The minigene circuits significantly induce robust gene expression output in bladder cancer cells, but have nearly undetectable gene expression in normal bladder epithelial cells. The minigene circuits show a higher capability for cancer identification and intervention when compared with traditional gene circuits, and could be used for in vivo cancer gene therapy using the all-in-one AAV vector. This approach expands the design ideas and concepts of gene circuits in medical synthetic biology.
Conformational disorder of organic cations tunes the charge carrier mobility in two-dimensional organic-inorganic perovskites
Authors: Li Chuanzhao , Yang Jin , Su Fuhai , Tan Junjun , Luo Yi , Ye Shuji
Published: October 2020

The chemical nature of the organic cations governs the optoelectronic properties of two-dimensional organic-inorganic perovskites. But its mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we apply femtosecond broadband sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy to investigate the molecular conformation of spacer organic cations in two-dimensional organic-inorganic perovskite films and establish a correlation among the conformation of the organic cations, the charge carrier mobility, and broadband emission. Our study indicates that both the mobility and broadband emission show strong dependence on the molecular conformational order of organic cations. The gauche defect and local chain distortion of organic cations are the structural origin of the in-plane mobility reduction and broad emission in two-dimensional organic-inorganic perovskites. Both of the interlayer distance and the conformational order of the organic cations affect the out-of-plane mobility. This work provides molecular-level understanding of the conformation of organic cations in optimizing the optoelectronic properties of two-dimensional organic-inorganic perovskites.