bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beijing's Crackdown on Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Hong Kong
Authors: Davis Michael C.
Published: May 2021

executive summary: This essay examines how Beijing's escalating crackdown on Hong Kong has systematically imposed authoritarian policies that undermine international human rights and the rule of law, abandoning China's commitments both to the Hong Kong people and to the international community. main argument Confidence in the "one country, two systems" model China promised Hong Kong has slowly drained away in the years since the 1997 handover. In 2019, as "one country" seemed set to gobble up "two systems" under the weight of a proposed law to allow the extradition of accused from Hong Kong to the mainland, the people of Hong Kong staged one of the world's largest ever protests to demand the autonomy, rule of law, and basic freedoms they were promised in the city's Basic Law. In the face of government indifference and aggressive police tactics, these protests morphed into a confrontation that carried on for months throughout the second half of 2019. In 2020, Beijing responded with a total crackdown, imposing a national security law that undermined the core liberal institutions that have long sustained Hong Kong. To ensure absolute control, Beijing this year amended the Basic Law to impose new rules under which electoral committees can bar from the political process anyone deemed disloyal to the Chinese Communist Party regime. The new rules create an electoral model that profoundly violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights requirements applicable to Hong Kong. policy implications • International partners and organizations can play a more constructive role by focusing on meeting grassroot concerns. In this regard, recognition and support for autonomous territorial entities, such as Hong Kong, could be conditioned on adherence to relevant international and constitutional commitments to secure democratic representation, human rights, and the rule of law at the local level. • To encourage central government engagement on critical issues relating to human rights and the rule of law, diplomatic efforts ought to be multilateral, targeted, and involve clear messaging on the importance of the rule of law and international standards of human rights. • If Chinese and Hong Kong officials remain indifferent to both local and international concerns, immediate policies will need to focus on the exit and immigration concerns Hong Kong residents will face as they seek to escape the repressive conditions being imposed.
Deterministic generation of genuine tri-partite hybrid atom–photon entanglement through dissipation
Authors: Barberis-Blostein Pablo , Marino Alberto M.
Published: May 2021

The ability to deterministically generate genuine multi-partite entanglement is fundamental for the advancement of quantum information science. We show that the interaction between entangled twin beams of light and an atomic ensemble under conditions for electromagnetically induced transparency leads to the generation of genuine hybrid tri-partite entanglement between the two input fields and the atomic ensemble. In such a configuration, the system is driven through dissipation to a steady state given by the hybrid entangled state. To show the presence of the genuine hybrid entanglement, we introduce a new approach to treat the atomic operators that makes it possible to show a violation of a tri-partite entanglement criterion based on the properties of the two optical fields and collective properties of the atomic ensemble. Additionally, we show that while neither of the input optical fields exhibits single beam quadrature squeezing, as the fields propagate through the atomic medium, their individual quadratures can become squeezed and in some cases oscillate between the presence and absence of squeezing. Finally, we propose a technique to characterize the tri-partite entanglement through joint measurements of the fields leaving the atomic medium, making such an approach experimentally accessible.
Tunable laser operation of Tm3+:KY3F10 near 1.9  µm via upconversion pumping at 1064  nm
Authors: Morova Yagız , Kamun Eylul Nıhan , Tonelli Mauro , Sennaroglu Alphan
Published: May 2021

We experimentally demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, that upconversion pumping can be employed with a 1064-nm fiber laser to achieve tunable laser operation with 8 at. %

T

m

3
+

:

K
Y

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F

10

crystal near 1.9 µm, in addition to the previously explored upconversion pumping of the 2.3-µm laser transition. Two different sets of cavity optics were used to investigate lasing at 1.9 and 2.3 µm, corresponding to the laser transitions

3

F

4

−

3

H

6

and

3

H

4

−

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, respectively. In the case of the

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laser transition, an x-cavity laser oscillator was constructed with a 2.3% output coupler and as high as 142 mW of output power was obtained at an incident pump power of 1.9 W at 1064 nm. Tunable laser operation could be obtained between 1849 and 1994 nm by using

C
a

F

2

and suprasil prisms. The highest slope efficiency of 29% with respect to average absorbed pump power was obtained with a 5.5% output coupler. For the case of 1.9 µm lasing, it was further demonstrated that the nonlinear absorption of the crystal at 1064 nm depends on the intracavity laser intensity as well as the pump intensity. The

3

H

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−

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H

5

laser transition was also investigated with the same crystal in a z-cavity configuration under upconversion pumping, giving as high as 130 mW of output power at the central wavelength of 2344 nm with 1.6 W of incident pump power.
Simultaneous measurement of temperature and curvature using ring-core fiber-based Mach-Zehnder interferometer
Authors: Yuan Weihao , Zhao Qiancheng , Li Lingduo , Wang Yu , Yu Changyuan
Published: May 2021

In this paper, the Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) based on ring-core fiber was proposed and manufactured. Benefiting from the identical diameters of ring-core fiber, no-core fiber, and single-mode fiber, the MZI fiber sensor can be prototyped by sandwiching the ring-core fiber between the no-core fiber and the single-mode fiber (SMF). With the proposed specific structure of the ring-core fiber, the simultaneous measurement of temperature and curvature was achieved with the MZI sensor by means of monitoring the wavelength shift of interference dips. Experimental results have shown that the sensitivity of curvature sensing could reach up to -3.68 nm/m-1 in the range from 1.3856 m-1 to 3.6661 m-1 with high linearity of 0.9959. Meanwhile, the maximum temperature sensitivity is measured to be 72 pm/°C with a fairly good linearity response of 0.9975. In addition, by utilizing the 2×2 matrix algorithm, the dual demodulation of temperature and curvature can be readily realized for the purpose of direct sensing. It is believed that the proposed special structure-based MZI sensor may show great potential applications in the field of fiber-optics sensing and structural health monitoring (SHM).
Analysis of the influence of vibrations on the imaging quality of an integrated TDICCD aerial camera
Authors: Zhou Xiaoqin , Liu Hao , Li Yucheng , Ma Meng , Liu Qiang , Lin JieQiong
Published: May 2021

Taking the area CCD optical system as a whole, the analysis methods of the influence of vibrations on its imaging quality have been relatively mature. However, external vibrations will cause different vibrations of optical components inside the opto-mechanical structure. The existing methods are not suitable for analyzing optical components with different vibrations and TDICCD imaging. This paper studies the influence of vibrations on the imaging quality of the integrated TDICCD aerial camera. The relationship between the vibration responses of structures and the imaging quality is established by mathematical models. First, a vibration beam trajectory model of the integrated TDICCD aerial camera is established for the first time using geometric optics and ray tracing. The deviations of the optical axis caused by vibrations in the object plane can be obtained. Then, this paper establishes a TDICCD vibration modulation transfer function model based on statistical moments. The vibration MTF of pixels of each column in the complex two-dimensional moving image captured by the TDICCD can be obtained through this model. Furthermore, a simulation imaging model of the integrated TDICCD aerial camera is established. The influence of vibrations on the imaging quality can be directly obtained through images. Finally, the accuracy of the models established in this paper is verified by multiple tests. The results show that the imaging quality of the integrated TDICCD aerial camera decreases rapidly with the increase of the acceleration excitation.
All-normal dispersion supercontinuum vs frequency-shifted solitons pumped at 1560 nm as seed sources for thulium-doped fiber amplifiers
Authors: Szewczyk Olga , Tarnowski Karol , Głuszek Aleksander , Szulc Daniel , Stefańska Karolina , Mergo Paweł , Soboń Grzegorz
Published: May 2021

We present a direct comparison between two types of femtosecond 2 µm sources used for seeding of an ultrafast thulium-doped fiber amplifier based on all-normal dispersion supercontinuum and soliton self-frequency shift. Both nonlinear effects were generated in microstructured silica fibers, pumped with low-power femtosecond pulses at 1.56 µm originating from an erbium-doped fiber laser. We performed a full characterization of both nonlinear processes, including their shot-to-shot stability, phase coherence, and relative intensity noise. The results revealed that the solitons show comparable performance to supercontinuum in terms of relative intensity noise and shot-to-shot stability, despite the anomalous dispersion regime. Both sources can be successfully used as seeds for Tm-doped fiber amplifiers as an alternative to Tm-doped oscillators. The results show that the sign of chromatic dispersion of the fiber is not crucial for obtaining a stable, high-quality, and low-noise spectral conversion process when pumped with sub-50 fs laser pulses.
Spinning pupil aberration measurement for anisoplanatic deconvolution
Authors: Ancora Daniele , Furieri Tommaso , Bonora Stefano , Bassi Andrea
Published: May 2021

The aberrations in an optical microscope are commonly measured and corrected at one location in the field of view, within the so-called isoplanatic patch. Full-field correction is desirable for high-resolution imaging of large specimens. Here we present, to the best of our knowledge, a novel wavefront detector, based on pupil sampling with subapertures, measuring the aberrated wavefront phase at each position of the specimen. Based on this measurement, we propose a region-wise deconvolution that provides an anisoplanatic reconstruction of the sample image. Our results indicate that the measurement and correction of the aberrations can be performed in a wide-field fluorescence microscope over its entire field of view.
Sensory modulation of gait characteristics in human locomotion: A neuromusculoskeletal modeling study
Authors: Di Russo Andrea , Stanev Dimitar , Armand Stéphane , Ijspeert Auke
Published: May 2021

The central nervous system of humans and other animals modulates spinal cord activity to achieve several locomotion behaviors. Previous neuromechanical models investigated the modulation of human gait changing selected parameters belonging to CPGs (Central Pattern Generators) feedforward oscillatory structures or to feedback reflex circuits. CPG-based models could replicate slow and fast walking by changing only the oscillation’s properties. On the other hand, reflex-based models could achieve different behaviors through optimizations of large dimensional parameter spaces. However, they could not effectively identify individual key reflex parameters responsible for gait characteristics’ modulation. This study investigates which reflex parameters modulate the gait characteristics through neuromechanical simulations. A recently developed reflex-based model is used to perform optimizations with different target behaviors on speed, step length, and step duration to analyze the correlation between reflex parameters and their influence on these gait characteristics. We identified nine key parameters that may affect the target speed ranging from slow to fast walking (0.48 and 1.71 m/s) as well as a large range of step lengths (0.43 and 0.88 m) and step duration (0.51, 0.98 s). The findings show that specific reflexes during stance significantly affect step length regulation, mainly given by positive force feedback of the ankle plantarflexors’ group. On the other hand, stretch reflexes active during swing of iliopsoas and gluteus maximus regulate all the gait characteristics under analysis. Additionally, the results show that the hamstrings’ group’s stretch reflex during the landing phase is responsible for modulating the step length and step duration. Additional validation studies in simulations demonstrated that the modulation of identified reflexes is sufficient to regulate the investigated gait characteristics. Thus, this study provides an overview of possible reflexes involved in modulating speed, step length, and step duration of human gaits.
MiRNA-107 enhances the malignant progression of pancreatic cancer by targeting TGFBR3
Authors: Tian Tingke , Yang Quanzhong , Zhang Cuijuan , Li Xiaokun , Cheng Jiancheng
Published: May 2021

Background

The prognosis of pancreatic cancer (PC) is relatively dismal due to the lack of effective therapy. In this study, we explored the specific functions and molecular mechanisms of miR-107 to uncover effective therapeutic targets for PC.

Method

The miR-107 expression in PC cell lines was assessed via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Besides, online bioinformatics analysis was adopted to predict the underlying targets of miR-107. Meanwhile, TCGA database was employed to explore the prognosis of PC patients. In addition, MTT and transwell assays were conducted to explore the PC cells’ biological functions.

Result

MiR-107 was remarkably increased in PC cells which could promote the proliferation, invasion and migration of PC cells. In addition, miR-107 could directly down-regulate TGFBR3 expression through binding to TGFBR3 3’UTR. Survival analysis from TCGA suggested that PC patients with higher miR-107 expression was significantly involved in poorer prognosis.

Conclusion

We concluded that miR-107 promoted proliferation, invasion and migration of PC cells via targeting TGFBR3, which may provide novel underlying therapeutic targets.
Climatic change and extinction risk of two globally threatened Ethiopian endemic bird species
Authors: Bladon Andrew J. , Donald Paul F. , Collar Nigel J. , Denge Jarso , Dadacha Galgalo , Wondafrash Mengistu , Green Rhys E.
Published: May 2021

Climate change is having profound effects on the distributions of species globally. Trait-based assessments predict that specialist and range-restricted species are among those most likely to be at risk of extinction from such changes. Understanding individual species’ responses to climate change is therefore critical for informing conservation planning. We use an established Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) protocol to describe the curious range-restriction of the globally threatened White-tailed Swallow (Hirundo megaensis) to a small area in southern Ethiopia. We find that, across a range of modelling approaches, the distribution of this species is well described by two climatic variables, maximum temperature and dry season precipitation. These same two variables have been previously found to limit the distribution of the unrelated but closely sympatric Ethiopian Bush-crow (Zavattariornis stresemanni). We project the future climatic suitability for both species under a range of climate scenarios and modelling approaches. Both species are at severe risk of extinction within the next half century, as the climate in 68–84% (for the swallow) and 90–100% (for the bush-crow) of their current ranges is predicted to become unsuitable. Intensive conservation measures, such as assisted migration and captive-breeding, may be the only options available to safeguard these two species. Their projected disappearance in the wild offers an opportunity to test the reliability of SDMs for predicting the fate of wild species. Monitoring future changes in the distribution and abundance of the bush-crow is particularly tractable because its nests are conspicuous and visible over large distances.
Sex differences in sexual attraction for aesthetics, resources and personality across age
Authors: Whyte Stephen , Brooks Robert C. , Chan Ho Fai , Torgler Benno
Published: May 2021

Because sexual attraction is a key driver of human mate choice and reproduction, we descriptively assess relative sex differences in the level of attraction individuals expect in the aesthetic, resource, and personality characteristics of potential mates. As a novelty we explore how male and female sexual attractiveness preference changes across age, using a dataset comprising online survey data for over 7,000 respondents across a broad age distribution of individuals between 18 and 65 years. In general, we find that both males and females show similar distribution patterns in their preference responses, with statistically significant sex differences within most of the traits. On average, females rate age, education, intelligence, income, trust, and emotional connection around 9 to 14 points higher than males on our 0–100 scale range. Our relative importance analysis shows greater male priority for attractiveness and physical build, compared to females, relative to all other traits. Using multiple regression analysis, we find a consistent statistical sex difference (males relative to females) that decreases linearly with age for aesthetics, while the opposite is true for resources and personality, with females exhibiting a stronger relative preference, particularly in the younger aged cohort. Exploring non-linearity in sex difference with contour plots for intelligence and attractiveness across age (mediated by age) indicates that sex differences in attractiveness preferences are driven by the male cohort (particularly age 30 to 40) for those who care about the importance of age, while intelligence is driven by females caring relatively more about intelligence for those who see age as very important (age cohort 40 to 55). Overall, many of our results indicate distinct variations within sex at key life stages, which is consistent with theories of selection pressure. Moreover, results also align with theories of parental investment, the gender similarities hypothesis, and mutual mate choice–which speaks to the fact that the broader discipline of evolutionary mate choice research in humans still contains considerable scope for further inquiry towards a unified theory, particularly when exploring sex-difference across age.
Health system interventions to integrate genetic testing in routine oncology services: A systematic review
Authors: O’Shea Rosie , Taylor Natalie , Crook Ashley , Jacobs Chris , Jung Kang Yoon , Lewis Sarah , Rankin Nicole M.
Published: May 2021

Background

Integration of genetic testing into routine oncology care could improve access to testing. This systematic review investigated interventions and the tailored implementation strategies aimed at increasing access to genetic counselling and testing and identifying hereditary cancer in oncology.

Methods

The search strategy results were reported using the PRISMA statement and four electronic databases were searched. Eligible studies included routine genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer or uptake after universal tumour screening for colorectal or endometrial cancer. The titles and abstracts were reviewed and the full text articles screened for eligibility. Data extraction was preformed using a designed template and study appraisal was assessed using an adapted Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Extracted data were mapped to Proctor’s et al outcomes and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and qualitatively synthesised.

Results

Twenty-seven studies, published up to May 2020, met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-five studies ranged from poor (72%), fair to good (28%) quality. Most interventions identified were complex (multiple components) such as; patient or health professional education, interdisciplinary practice and a documentation or system change. Forty-eight percent of studies with complex interventions demonstrated on average a 35% increase in access to genetic counselling and a 15% increase in testing completion.

Mapping of study outcomes showed that 70% and 32% of the studies aligned with either the service and client or the implementation level outcome and 96% to the process or inner setting domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Conclusion

Existing evidence suggests that complex interventions have a potentially positive effect towards genetic counselling and testing completion rates in oncology services. Studies of sound methodological quality that explore a greater breadth of pre and post implementation outcomes and informed by theory are needed. Such research could inform future service delivery models for the integration of genetics into oncology services.
Grains on the brain: A survey of dog owner purchasing habits related to grain-free dry dog foods
Authors: Banton Sydney , Baynham Andrew , Pezzali Júlia G. , von Massow Michael , Shoveller Anna K.
Published: May 2021

Grain-free pet food options abound in the pet food market today, representing more than 40% of available dry dog foods in the United States. There is currently a dearth of information about the factors that contribute to a dog owner’s choice of a grain-free dry dog food and if those factors are similar among countries. Therefore, the primary objective of the current survey was to identify the variables that are predictive of a dog owner’s choice of a grain-free dry food across North America (Canada and the United States) and Europe (France, the United Kingdom and Germany). The survey consisted of 69 questions, took less than 15 minutes to complete and was distributed virtually via Qualtrics (Qualtrics XM, Utah, USA). A total of 3,298 responses were collected, equally distributed between countries. Multinomial logistic regression was performed in SPSS Statistics (Version 26, IBM Corp, North Castle, New York, USA). Male respondents, people from France, people who ranked the importance of ingredients in a pet food in the lower quartiles and people who do not rotate their dog’s diet to provide variety were less likely to select ‘no grain’ when choosing a pet food. In contrast, people who believe that their dog has a food allergy, follow more than 5 specific dietary routines in their own diet, do not try to include grains in their own diet, get their information about pet food from online resources or pet store staff and look for specific claims on pet food (such as ‘no fillers’), were all more likely to select ‘no grain’ when choosing a pet food. This survey provides insight into the similarities and differences in decision making among dog owners in North America and Europe and should be considered when exploring the effects of grain-free dog foods on canine health and well-being.
Central Oregon obsidian from a submerged early Holocene archaeological site beneath Lake Huron
Authors: O’Shea John M. , Lemke Ashley K. , Nash Brendan S. , Sonnenburg Elisabeth P. , Ferguson Jeffery R. , Nyers Alex J. , Riebe Danielle J.
Published: May 2021

Obsidian, originating from the Rocky Mountains and the West, was an exotic exchange commodity in Eastern North America that was often deposited in elaborate caches and burials associated with Middle Woodland era Hopewell and later complexes. In earlier times, obsidian is found only rarely. In this paper we report two obsidian flakes recovered from a now submerged paleolandscape beneath Lake Huron that are conclusively attributed to the Wagontire obsidian source in central Oregon; a distance of more than 4,000 km. These specimens, dating to ~ 9,000 BP, represent the earliest and most distant reported occurrence of obsidian in eastern North America.
Sustainable innovation in the context of organizational cultural diversity: The role of cultural intelligence and knowledge sharing
Authors: Li Jinlong , Wu Na , Xiong Shengxu
Published: May 2021

With the in-depth development of globalization, individuals are increasingly embedded in a culturally diverse environment. Effective communication and management ability (Cultural Intelligence) of employees in this type of diverse and heterogeneous environment impacts behavior and performance, affecting the sustainable innovation ability of organizations. Researchers have not yet fully assessed the impact of individuals’ cross-cultural management ability on sustainable innovation. Using Cultural Intelligence Theory and Trait Activation Theory, this paper discusses the influence of individual cultural intelligence on sustainable innovation behavior. The results showed that employees’ cultural intelligence positively affected their sustainable innovation behavior. Employee knowledge sharing plays an mediating role between intelligence and behavior. Differences in organizational culture have a negative moderating effect on the impact of employees’ cultural intelligence on knowledge sharing and sustainable innovation behaviors. The research results provide theoretical guidance for managing organizational cultural diversity and advancing cultural intelligence and sustainable innovation behaviors among employees.
Cross-contamination of lettuce with Campylobacter spp. via cooking salt during handling raw poultry
Authors: Santos-Ferreira Nânci , Alves Ângela , Cardoso Maria João , Langsrud Solveig , Malheiro Ana Rita , Fernandes Rui , Maia Rui , Truninger Mónica , Junqueira Luís , Nicolau Anca Ioana , Dumitrașcu Loredana , Skuland Silje Elisabeth , Kasza Gyula , Izsó Tekla , Ferreira Vânia , Teixeira Paula
Published: May 2021

Campylobacter spp. are the most common bacterial pathogens associated with human gastroenteritis in industrialized countries. Contaminated chicken is the food vehicle associated with the majority of reported cases of campylobacteriosis, either by the consumption of undercooked meat or via cross- contamination of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods during the handling of contaminated raw chicken parts and carcasses. Our results indicate that cooking salt (used for seasoning) is a potential vehicle for Campylobacter spp. cross-contamination from raw chicken to lettuce, through unwashed hands after handling contaminated chicken. Cross-contamination events were observed even when the chicken skin was contaminated with low levels of Campylobacter spp. (ca. 1.48 Log CFU/g). The pathogen was recovered from seasoned lettuce samples when raw chicken was contaminated with levels ≥ 2.34 Log CFU/g. We also demonstrated that, once introduced into cooking salt, Campylobacter spp. are able to survive in a culturable state up to 4 hours. After six hours, although not detected following an enrichment period in culture medium, intact cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy. These findings reveal a “novel” indirect cross-contamination route of Campylobacter in domestic settings, and a putative contamination source to RTE foods that are seasoned with salt, that might occur if basic food hygiene practices are not adopted by consumers when preparing and cooking poultry dishes.
Preserved intention understanding during moral judgments in schizophrenia
Authors: Kronbichler Lisa , Stelzig-Schöler Renate , Lenger Melanie , Weber Stefanie , Pearce Brandy-Gale , Reich Luise-Antonia , Aichhorn Wolfgang , Kronbichler Martin
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Although there is convincing evidence for socio-cognitive impairments in schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD), little evidence is found for deficient moral cognition. We investigated whether patients with SSD showed altered moral judgments in a story task where the protagonist either had a neutral or malicious intention towards another person. This paradigm examined whether SSD relates to altered moral cognition in general or specifically to impaired integration of prior information (such as beliefs) in moral judgments.

Methods

23 patients and 32 healthy controls read vignettes created in a 2 x 2 design. The protagonist in each story either had a neutral or negative intention towards another person which, as a result, either died (negative outcome) or did not die (neutral outcome). Participants rated the moral permissibility of the protagonist’s action. Standard null hypothesis significance testing and equivalent Bayes analyses are reported.

Results

Schizophrenia patients did not differ significantly in permissibility ratings from healthy controls. This finding was supported by the Bayes analyses which favoured the null hypothesis. Task performance was not related to symptom severity or medication.

Conclusions

The current findings do not support the notion that moral judgments are deficient in schizophrenia. Furthermore, the current study shows that patients do not have observable difficulties in integrating the protagonist’s belief in the rating of the moral permissibility of the action-outcome.
Acetaldehyde breath test as a cancer risk marker in patients with esophageal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Sasaki Fumisato , Kanmura Shuji , Oda Kohei , Maeda Hidehito , Kabayama Masayuki , Iwaya Hiromichi , Komaki Yuga , Arima Shiho , Tanoue Shiroh , Hashimoto Shinichi , Fujita Hiroshi , Ido Akio
Published: May 2021

Patients with inactive acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) are at high risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC). The acetaldehyde breath test (ABT) may demonstrate ALDH2 gene polymorphisms. We evaluated the usefulness of the ABT in patients with ESCC and HPSCC. The squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) group consisted of 100 patients who were treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for ESCC or HPSCC, and the control group (HC) consisted of 275 healthy subjects. The SCC group comprised the “single subgroup” (n = 63), in which a single lesion was initially treated with ESD, and the “multiple subgroup” (n = 31), in which multiple lesions were initially treated with ESD. First, we compared the groups’ risk factors for carcinogenesis and measured the acetaldehyde-to-ethanol (A/E) ratio. Then we tested the groups’ differences in the abovementioned carcinogenic risk factors. We found that the proportion of individuals in the SCC group with inactive ALDH2 (A/E ratio ≥ 23.3) was significantly higher than that in the HC group (p = 0.035), as was the A/E ratio (p < 0.001). Also, the proportion of individuals with inactive ALDH2 in the multiple subgroup was significantly higher than that in single subgroup (p = 0.015), as was the A/E ratio (p = 0.008). In conclusion, ABT may be a potential screening tool for detecting people at risk of ESCC and HPSCC. In addition, it could be a useful tool in detecting patients at risk of multiple or double carcinomas among patients with ESCC and HPSCC.

Trial registration: Trial Registration number: UMIN000040615 [https://rctportal.niph.go.jp/en/detail?trial_id=UMIN000040615], Data of Registration: 01 46 June 2020, retrospectively registered.
Statistical modeling of numbers of human deaths per road traffic accident in the Oromia region, Ethiopia
Authors: Aga Merga Abdissa , Woldeamanuel Berhanu Teshome , Tadesse Mekonnen
Published: May 2021

Background

Globally, road traffic accidents are the leading causes of death among young people in general, and the main cause of death among young people aged 15–29 years. Recently, in Ethiopia, the number of road traffic accidents has been increasing. The study aimed to identify the potential factors associated with the number of human deaths by road traffic accidents in the Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia.

Methods

We used data obtained from the Oromia region traffic police office recorded on daily basis road traffic accidents from July 2016 up to July 2017. Count regression models were was used to analyses the factors associated with the number of human deaths from road traffic accidents.

Results

Age of the driver’s 31–50 years (AOR = 0.289, 95%CI: 0.175, 0.479) and higher than 50 years old (AOR = 0.311, 95%CI: 0.129, 0.751), driver’s years of experience 5–10 years (AOR = 0.014, 95%CI: 0.007, 0.027), and more than 10 years (AOR = 0.101, 95%CI: 0.057, 0.176), automobile vehicle type (AOR = 8.642, 95%CI: 2.7644, 27.023), vehicle years of service 5–10 years (AOR = 2.484, 95%CI: 1.194, 5.169), and more than 10 years (AOR = 2.639, 95%CI: 1.268, 5.497), vehicle upside down accidents (AOR = 5.560, 95%CI: 2.506, 12.336), turning illegal position (AOR = 0.454, 95%CI: 0.226, 0.913), residential areas (AOR = 108.506, 95%CI: 13.725, 857.798), and working areas (AOR = 129.606, 95%CI: 16.448, 1021.263) were significant associated number of human deaths per road traffic accident factors in the study area.

Conclusion

Human deaths per road traffic accidents occurred due to the younger age of the driver, driver’s lack of sufficient experience, vehicle serviced for long years, driving on a wet road, driving in the afternoon, driving near/around residential places and vehicle to driver’s relation. Thus, the regional traffic police should give special attention to younger drivers, less experienced drivers, old vehicles, driving near residential areas, driving automobiles, and driving in the afternoon to control traffic system to reduce the number of human deaths pear road traffic accident.
Measures of self- and other-directed ageism and worries concerning COVID-19 health consequences: Results from a nationally representative sample of Israelis over the age of 50
Authors: Ayalon Liat , Cohn-Schwartz Ella
Published: May 2021

Worries associated with COVID-19 health consequences are well-justified. They may motivate people to take safety precautions, but may hinder if they become too intense. Current research has examined mainly age and gender as potential correlates associated with worries. This study instead, is focused on self-perceptions of aging (SPA) and perceived age discrimination as potential predictors of worry, in the light of the ageism pandemic which has co-occurred with the COVID-19 outbreak. The study is based on a national sample of 1,092 adults aged 50 and above in Israel. Phone interviews were conducted between March 29 2020 and May 3 2020, when Israel gradually moved from strict to partial lockdown. Respondents were queried about their worries related to COVID-19 health consequences, demographic characteristics, known-risk factors, SPA and perceived age-based discrimination in the healthcare system. Our findings show that in addition, to sex, financial status and chronic illness, SPA and age-based discrimination in the healthcare were significant predictors of worries and explained additional 8% of the variance. The findings point to the potentially negative impact of the ageism pandemic in an area that has not received much attention, thus far, namely people’s worries. Interventions that address ageism directed by self or others might alleviate worries in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effects of experimental warming on Betula nana epidermal cell growth tested over its maximum climatological growth range
Authors: Ercan Fabian E. Z. , Mikola Juha , Silfver Tarja , Myller Kristiina , Vainio Elina , Słowińska Sandra , Słowiński Michał , Lamentowicz Mariusz , Blok Daan , Wagner-Cremer Friederike
Published: May 2021

Numerous long-term, free-air plant growth facilities currently explore vegetation responses to the ongoing climate change in northern latitudes. Open top chamber (OTC) experiments as well as the experimental set-ups with active warming focus on many facets of plant growth and performance, but information on morphological alterations of plant cells is still scarce. Here we compare the effects of in-situ warming on leaf epidermal cell expansion in dwarf birch, Betula nana in Finland, Greenland, and Poland. The localities of the three in-situ warming experiments represent contrasting regions of B. nana distribution, with the sites in Finland and Greenland representing the current main distribution in low and high Arctic, respectively, and the continental site in Poland as a B. nana relict Holocene microrefugium. We quantified the epidermal cell lateral expansion by microscopic analysis of B. nana leaf cuticles. The leaves were produced in paired experimental treatment plots with either artificial warming or ambient temperature. At all localities, the leaves were collected in two years at the end of the growing season to facilitate between-site and within-site comparison. The measured parameters included the epidermal cell area and circumference, and using these, the degree of cell wall undulation was calculated as an Undulation Index (UI). We found enhanced leaf epidermal cell expansion under experimental warming, except for the extremely low temperature Greenland site where no significant difference occurred between the treatments. These results demonstrate a strong response of leaf growth at individual cell level to growing season temperature, but also suggest that in harsh conditions other environmental factors may limit this response. Our results provide evidence of the relevance of climate warming for plant leaf maturation and underpin the importance of studies covering large geographical scales.
Braking performance oriented multi–objective optimal design of electro–mechanical brake parameters
Authors: Wu Tong , Li Jing , Qin Xuan
Published: May 2021

Excellent braking performance is the premise of safe driving, and improve the braking performance by upgrading structures and optimizing parameters of braking systems has become the pursuit of engineers. With the development of autonomous driving and intelligent connected vehicle, new structural schemes such as electro–mechanical brakes (EMBs) have become the future of vehicle braking systems. Meanwhile, many scholars have dedicated to the research on the parameters optimization of braking systems. While, most of the studies focus on reducing the brake size and weight, improving the brake responses by optimizing the parameters, almost not involving the braking performance, and the optimization variables are relatively single. On these foundations, a multi–objective optimal design of EMB parameters is proposed to enhance the vehicle’s braking performance. Its objectives and constraints were defined based on relevant standards and regulations. Subsequently, the decision variables were set, and optimal math model was established. Furthermore, the co–simulation platform was constructed, and the optimal design and simulation analyses factoring in the crucial structural and control parameters were performed. The results confirmed that the maximum braking pressure response time of the EMB is decreased by approximately 0.3 s, the stopping distance (SD) of 90 km/h–0 is shortened by about 3.44 m. Moreover, the mean fully developed deceleration (MFDD) is increased by 0.002 g, and the lateral displacement of the body (LD) is reduced by about 0.037 m. Hence, the vehicle braking performance is improved.
Assessment of in vivo bone microarchitecture changes in an anti-TNFα treated psoriatic arthritic patient
Authors: Soldati Enrico , Escoffier Lucas , Gabriel Sophie , Ogier Augustin C. , Chagnaud Christophe , Mattei Jean P. , Cammilleri Serge , Bendahan David , Guis Sandrine
Published: May 2021

Objective

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease, mediated in part by TNFα and associated with bone loss. Anti-TNFα treatment should inhibit this phenomenon and reduce the systemic bone loss. Ultra-high field MRI (UHF MRI) may be used to quantify bone microarchitecture (BM) in-vivo. In this study, we quantified BM using UHF MRI in a PsA patient and followed up the changes related to anti-TNFα treatment.

Subjects and methods

A non-treated PsA patient with knee arthritis and 7 gender-matched controls were scanned using a gradient re-echo sequence at UHF MRI. After a year of Adalimumab treatment, the patient underwent a second UHF MRI. A PET-FNa imaging was performed before and after treatment to identify and localize the abnormal metabolic areas. BM was characterized using typical morphological parameters quantified in 32 regions of interest (ROIs) located in the patella, proximal tibia, and distal femur.

Results

Before treatment, the BM parameters were statistically different from controls in 24/32 ROIs with differences reaching up to 38%. After treatment, BM parameters were normalized for 15 out of 24 ROIs. The hypermetabolic areas disclosed by PET-FNa before the treatment partly resumed after the treatment.

Conclusion

Thanks to UHF MRI, we quantified in vivo BM anomalies in a PsA patient and we illustrated a major reversion after one year of treatment. Moreover, BM results highlighted that the abnormalities were not only localized in hypermetabolic regions identified by PET-FNa, suggesting that the bone loss was global and not related to inflammation.
Parkinson’s disease case ascertainment in a large prospective cohort
Authors: Shrestha Srishti , Parks Christine G. , Richards-Barber Marie , Chen Honglei , Sandler Dale P.
Published: May 2021

Background

In epidemiologic studies where physician-based case adjudication is not feasible, Parkinson’s disease (PD) case ascertainment is often limited to self-reports which may not be accurate. We evaluated strategies to identify PD cases in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS).

Methods

Doctor-diagnosed PD was self-reported on all cohort-wide surveys; potential cases were also identified from death certificates. Follow-up surveys asked about PD-related motor and non-motor symptoms. For PD confirmation, we collected additional diagnosis, symptom, and treatment data from 510 potential PD cases or their proxy (65% of those contacted) in a supplemental screener and obtained medical records for a subset (n = 65). We classified PD cases using established criteria and screener data.

Results

Of 510 potential PD cases, 75% were considered “probable” or “possible”; this proportion increased among participants diagnosed by a specialist (81.2%), taking PD medication (85.2%), or reporting ≥5 motor symptoms (86.8%) in a regular AHS survey. Of those with medical records, 93% (57 of 61) of probable or possible PD was confirmed. Never-smoking and non-motor and motor symptoms reported in prior AHS surveys were more common with probable/possible PD than unconfirmed PD.

Conclusion

In this retrospective PD case ascertainment effort, we found that PD self-report with information on motor symptoms or medications may be a reasonable alternative for identifying PD cases when physician exam is not feasible. Because of intervening mortality, screeners could not be obtained from about one-third of those contacted. Thus, findings warrant replication.
Which personality traits can mitigate the impact of the pandemic? Assessment of the relationship between personality traits and traumatic events in the COVID-19 pandemic as mediated by defense mechanisms
Authors: Gori Alessio , Topino Eleonora , Palazzeschi Letizia , Di Fabio Annamaria
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant influence on the lives of people around the world and could be a risk factor for mental health diseases. This study aimed to explore the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by identifying patterns related to post-traumatic symptoms by considering personality and defensive styles. Specifically, it was hypothesized that neuroticism was negatively associated with impact of event, as opposed to extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness traits. The mediation role of mature, neurotic, and immature defenses in these relationships was also investigated. This study involved 557 Italian individuals (71.3% women, 28.7% men; Mage = 34.65, SD = 12.05), who completed an online survey including the Impact of Event Scale—Revised, Forty Item Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) and Ten Item Personality Inventory. Results showed a nonsignificant effect for extraversion and openness on impact of event. The negative influence of neuroticism was instead confirmed in a partial parallel mediation involving significant effects from immature and neurotic defenses in the indirect path. Finally, agreeableness and conscientiousness delineated two protective pathways regarding impact of event, determining two total parallel mediation models in which both these personality traits were negatively associated with immature defensive styles, and conscientiousness was also positively related to mature defenses. These findings provide an exploration post-traumatic symptom patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic, involving the big five personality traits and defense mechanisms. These results may be useful for developing interventions, treatments, and prevention activities.
SARS-CoV-2 infection, neuropathogenesis and transmission among deer mice: Implications for spillback to New World rodents
Authors: Fagre Anna , Lewis Juliette , Eckley Miles , Zhan Shijun , Rocha Savannah M. , Sexton Nicole R. , Burke Bradly , Geiss Brian , Peersen Olve , Bass Todd , Kading Rebekah , Rovnak Joel , Ebel Gregory D. , Tjalkens Ronald B. , Aboellail Tawfik , Schountz Tony
Published: May 2021

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) emerged in late 2019 in China and rapidly became pandemic. As with other coronaviruses, a preponderance of evidence suggests the virus originated in horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus spp.) and may have infected an intermediate host prior to spillover into humans. A significant concern is that SARS-CoV-2 could become established in secondary reservoir hosts outside of Asia. To assess this potential, we challenged deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) with SARS-CoV-2 and found robust virus replication in the upper respiratory tract, lungs and intestines, with detectable viral RNA for up to 21 days in oral swabs and 6 days in lungs. Virus entry into the brain also occurred, likely via gustatory-olfactory-trigeminal pathway with eventual compromise to the blood-brain barrier. Despite this, no conspicuous signs of disease were observed, and no deer mice succumbed to infection. Expression of several innate immune response genes were elevated in the lungs, including IFNα, IFNβ, Cxcl10, Oas2, Tbk1 and Pycard. Elevated CD4 and CD8β expression in the lungs was concomitant with Tbx21, IFNγ and IL-21 expression, suggesting a type I inflammatory immune response. Contact transmission occurred from infected to naive deer mice through two passages, showing sustained natural transmission and localization into the olfactory bulb, recapitulating human neuropathology. In the second deer mouse passage, an insertion of 4 amino acids occurred to fixation in the N-terminal domain of the spike protein that is predicted to form a solvent-accessible loop. Subsequent examination of the source virus from BEI Resources determined the mutation was present at very low levels, demonstrating potent purifying selection for the insert during in vivo passage. Collectively, this work has determined that deer mice are a suitable animal model for the study of SARS-CoV-2 respiratory disease and neuropathogenesis, and that they have the potential to serve as secondary reservoir hosts in North America.