bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-compassion and repetitive thinking in relation to depressive mood and fear of the future
Authors: Jansen Petra
Published: March 2021

The coronavirus pandemic has had a high impact on mental health. Also, semiprofessional football players are strongly affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) because training during the lockdown phase has been forbidden. It was the primary goal of this study to investigate if those athletes suffer from a depressive mood and fear of the future. Furthermore, the question was asked whether the psychological variables of self-compassion and repetitive thinking are related to this. A total of 55 semiprofessional football players completed a demographic questionnaire with questions related to depressive mood and fear of the future, and a rumination-, worry- and self-compassion scale. The results show an association between the negative scale of self-compassion and depressive mood as well as fear of the future. Whereas depressive mood was predicted by self-compassion, fear of the future was only indirectly predicted by self-compassion by the mediating effects of repetitive thinking. Also, in semiprofessional football, self-compassion interventions might be a useful tool in difficult times.
On measure algebras associated to locally compact groups
Authors: Peña Carlos C. , Barrenechea Ana L.
Published: March 2021

We shall consider measure algebras associated to locally compact groups, bounded operators between them and properties of the underlying measures. We take into account the second dual of measure algebras provided with the Arens products together with tools of Gélfand theory.
Contactless temperature measurement in wire-based electron beam additive manufacturing Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Pixner F. , Buzolin R. , Schönfelder S. , Theuermann D. , Warchomicka F. , Enzinger N.
Published: March 2021

The complex thermal cycles and temperature distributions observed in additive manufacturing (AM) are of particular interest as these define the microstructure and the associated properties of the part being built. Due to the intrinsic, layer-by-layer material stacking performed, contact methods to measure temperature are not suitable, and contactless methods need to be considered. Contactless infrared irradiation techniques were applied by carrying out thermal imaging and point measurement methods using pyrometers to determine the spatial and temporal temperature distribution in wire-based electron beam AM. Due to the vacuum, additional challenges such as element evaporation must be overcome and additional shielding measures were taken to avoid interference with the contactless techniques. The emissivities were calibrated by thermocouple readings and geometric boundary conditions. Thermal cycles and temperature profiles were recorded during deposition; the temperature gradients are described and the associated temperature transients are derived. In the temperature range of the α+β field, the cooling rates fall within the range of 180 to 350 °C/s, and the microstructural characterisation indicates an associated expected transformation of β→α'+α with corresponding cooling rates. Fine acicular α and α’ formed and local misorientation was observed within α as a result of the temperature gradient and the formation of the α’.
How Does Railway Respond to the Spread of COVID-19? Countermeasure Analysis and Evaluation Around the World
Authors: Yin Yonghao , Li Dewei , Zhang Songliang , Wu Lifu
Published: March 2021

The global COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on the development of many aspects all over the world. As an important part of public services, rail transit requires effective response countermeasures to control the spread of COVID-19. Considering the current development of the epidemic situation, this article discusses the characteristics of COVID-19 transmission and identifies vulnerable areas to target in order to prevent and control the spread of the epidemic in the rail transit system. Countermeasures adopted to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are analyzed in terms of external and internal categories, which were classified into six groups: passenger service, case care, information, staff, equipment and operation management. An evaluation architecture was also constructed, which was established from the perspective of effectiveness, economic efficiency, acceptability, privacy and so on. The effect of implementing the measures was evaluated by a social survey, and their advantages and shortcomings were analyzed, which can be used to guide future epidemic prevention and control for rail transit systems around the world. It is important to formulate a reasonable work schedule according to local conditions, providing a reference for rapid response to future public health emergencies of international concern.
Phenotypic frailty and multimorbidity are independent 18-year mortality risk indicators in older men
Authors: Strandberg Timo E. , Lindström Linda , Jyväkorpi Satu , Urtamo Annele , Pitkälä Kaisu H. , Kivimäki Mika
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Multimorbidity, prefrailty, and frailty are frequent in ageing populations, but their independent relationships to long-term prognosis in home-dwelling older people are not well recognised.

Methods

In the Helsinki Businessmen Study (HBS) men with high socioeconomic status (born 1919–1934, n = 3490) have been followed-up from midlife. In 2000, multimorbidity (≥ 2 conditions), phenotypic prefrailty and frailty were determined in 1365 home-dwelling men with median age of 73 years). Disability was assessed as a possible confounder. 18-year mortality follow-up was established from registers and Cox regression used for analyses.

Results

Of the men, 433 (31.7%) were nonfrail and without multimorbidity at baseline (reference group), 500 (36.6%) and 82 (6.0%) men had prefrailty or frailty, respectively, without multimorbidity, 84 (6.2%) men had multimorbidity only, and 201 (14.7%) and 65 (4.8%) men had prefrailty or frailty together with multimorbidity. Only 30 (2.2%) and 86 (6.3%) showed signs of ADL or mobility disability. In the fully adjusted analyses (including ADL disability, mental and cognitive status) of 18-year mortality, frailty without multimorbidity (hazard ratio 1.62, 95% confidence interval 1.13–2.31) was associated with similar mortality risk than multimorbidity without frailty (1.55, 1.17–2.06). The presence of both frailty and multimorbidity indicated a strong mortality risk (2.93, 2.10–4.07).

Conclusion

Although multimorbidity is generally considered a substantial health problem, our long-term observational study emphasises that phenotypic frailty alone, independently of disability, may be associated with a similar risk, and a combination of multimorbidity and frailty is an especially strong predictor of mortality.
Modeling of magneto-conductivity of bismuth selenide: a topological insulator
Authors: Kumar Yogesh , Sultana Rabia , Sharma Prince , Awana V. P. S.
Published: March 2021

We report the magneto-conductivity analysis of Bi2Se3 single crystal at different temperatures in a magnetic field range of ± 14 T. The single crystals are grown by the self-flux method and characterized through X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Raman Spectroscopy. The single crystals show magnetoresistance (MR%) of around 380% at a magnetic field of 14 T and a temperature of 5 K. The Hikami–Larkin–Nagaoka (HLN) equation has been used to fit the magneto-conductivity (MC) data. However, the HLN fitted curve deviates at higher magnetic fields above 1 T, suggesting that the role of surface-driven conductivity suppresses with an increasing magnetic field. This article proposes a speculative model comprising of surface-driven HLN and added quantum diffusive and bulk carriers-driven classical terms. The model successfully explains the MC of the Bi2Se3 single crystal at various temperatures (5–200 K) and applied magnetic fields (up to 14 T).
The utilization of bentonite enhanced termite mound soil mixture as filter for the treatment of paint industrial effluent
Authors: Opafola Omobolaji Taofeek , David Adekunle Olorunlowo , Ajibade Fidelis Odedishemi , Adeyemi Hezekiah Oluwoye , Solana Olorunfunmi Isimioluwa , Odugbose Babashola Dapo
Published: March 2021

This research investigates the applicability of bentonite enhanced termite mound soil mixture as an alternative filter medium for paint industrial wastewater (PIWW) management in a constructed pilot-scale filtration tank with four different sections. The mixture of bentonite (BC) and termite mound soil (MS) used as the filter was proportioned by percentage weight as (100% MS), $${\text{(5\% BC}} + {\text{95\% MS),}}$$

(5\% BC

+

95\% MS),

$${\text{(10\% BC}} + {\text{90\% MS),}}$$

(10\% BC

+

90\% MS),

$${\text{(15\% BC}} + {\text{85\% MS)}}$$

(15\% BC

+

85\% MS)

and placed into four sections, respectively. The filter materials were compacted, cured and subjected to wastewater loading for 30 weeks. The results obtained from the analysis of the filtrate samples revealed that filter with 15% BC content generally exhibited high and effective pollutant removal efficiencies of 51.3%, 98.9%, and 72.7% for total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, and copper, respectively, while a maximum removal efficiency of 100% was recorded for lead, chromium and cadmium. The pollutants (TDS, TSS, Pb, Cr, Cu and Cd) concentrations of the treated PIWW were below the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency permissible limits for discharge. Hence, the 15% bentonite and 85% termite mound soil mixtures are recommended for the small-scale paint industries as a point of use measure for effective pollutant removal. Its application would mitigate the degradation of environmental resources caused by indiscriminate disposal of untreated effluent.
Productivity improvement in butt joining of thick stainless steel plates through the usage of activated TIG welding
Authors: Saha Suman , Paul Bashab Chandra , Das Santanu
Published: March 2021

Activated tungsten inert gas (A-TIG) welding is one variant of conventional TIG welding where a thin layer of suitable activating flux is deposited on the parent components prior to constituting the arc in order to harness enhanced penetration. Despite several benefits, industries are still reluctant in overwhelmingly using this new variant. This article attempts to highlight the productivity benefits in employing A-TIG welding either together with or superseding TIG welding during butt joining of 10-mm-thick AISI-316L austenitic stainless steel components. Initially, three single-component fluxes (Cr2O3, Fe2O3, and SiO2) are tested in forehand welding technique under varying currents but with straight polarity. Filler rod having similar metallurgical composition is also delivered during homogeneous welding. The extent of capability of each of the three fluxes is analysed by comparing the weld bead geometrical parameters (penetration, puddle width, and reinforcement) with the same obtained in conventional TIG welding under similar set of parameters. While Fe2O3 and SiO2 fluxes are found capable in enhancing penetration and reducing puddle width and heat affected zone, Cr2O3 flux failed to exhibit better performance. The article further demonstrates the time saving that can be obtained by adopting flux-assisted TIG for joining 10-mm-thick plates. When joining from both the faces is allowed, about 70% less time is desired if a combination of A-TIG and TIG is employed rather than using only TIG welding. If joining from only one face is allowed, then also usage of flux can reduce welding time by 33%.
Uniqueness of optimal symplectic connections
Authors: Dervan Ruadhaí , Sektnan Lars Martin
Published: March 2021

Consider a holomorphic submersion between compact Kähler manifolds, such that each fibre admits a constantscalar curvature Kähler metric. When the fibres admit continuous automorphisms, a choice of fibrewise constant scalarcurvature Kähler metric is not unique. An optimal symplectic connection is a choice of fibrewise constant scalar curvature Kähler metric satisfying a geometric partial differential equation. The condition generalises the Hermite-Einstein condition for a holomorphic vector bundle through the induced fibrewise Fubini-Study metric on the associated projectivisation.

We prove various foundational analytic results concerning optimal symplectic connections. Our main result proves that optimal symplectic connections are unique, up to the action of the automorphism group of the submersion, when they exist. Thus optimal symplectic connections are canonical relatively Kähler metrics when they exist. In addition, we show that the existence of an optimal symplectic connection forces the automorphism group of the submersion to be reductive and that an optimal symplectic connection is automatically invariant under a maximal compact subgroup of this automorphism group. We also prove that when a submersion admits an optimal symplectic connection, it achieves the absolute minimum of a natural log norm functional, which we define.
The making of a conservation landscape: the emergence of a conservationist environmental infrastructure along the Kwando River in Namibia's Zambezi region
Authors: Bollig Michael , Vehrs Hauke-Peter
Published: March 2021

The Kwando Basin of north-eastern Namibia is firmly embedded in current national and international conservation agendas. It is a key part of the world's largest transboundary conservation area, the Kavango–Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area, and the home of seven community-based conservation areas (conservancies) and three smaller national parks (Mudumu, Nkasa Rupara and Bwabwata). While conservation agendas often start from the assumption that an authentic part of African nature is conserved as an assemblage of biota that has not been gravely impacted by subsistence agriculture, colonialism and global value chains, we show that environmental infrastructure along the Namibian side of the Kwando Valley has been shaped by the impact of administrative measures and the gradual decoupling of humans and wildlife in a vast wetland. The way towards today's conservation landscape was marked and marred by the enforced reordering of human–environment relations; clearing the riverine core wetlands of human habitation and concentrating communities in narrowly defined settlement zones; the suppression of specific, wetland-adapted subsistence practices; and the elimination of unwanted microbes with the help of insecticides. The interventions in the ecosystem and the construction of an environmental infrastructure have created a unique conservation landscape in the Namibian Zambezi region, which provides the foundation for its popularity and success.
Made in China, fashioned in Africa: ethnic dress in Ethiopia and Mozambique
Authors: von Pezold Johanna , Driessen Miriam
Published: March 2021

The influx of Chinese-made African ethnic dress has been central to debates about the consequences of the growing Chinese presence in Africa. Exploring the reception of the Chinese-producedcapulanain Mozambique andnet'elain Ethiopia, we demonstrate that Mozambican and Ethiopian manufacturers and traders, from the grass roots up to cultural elites, engage with Chinese imports with creativity and verve. While welcoming Chinese materials for their affordability, bold and bright colours and suitability for dressmaking, they fashion them in ways that fit their own tastes and the local fashion trends. We distinguish three practices by which people do this: first, by incorporating Chinese materials or design elements into their own products; second, by co-creating new designs and dress with their Chinese counterparts; and third, by altering the imported fabrics. Apart from fashioning imports, some manufacturers use strategies to distinguish their own products from Chinese counterparts. These strategies include naming practices linked to the stories of their origin and alterations to the material.
Kant and the Demands of Normativity: Response to Harbin
Authors: Dunn Nicholas
Published: March 2021

I argue against Harbin's claim that aesthetic judgements, for Kant, are not normative. By focusing on the systematic nature of Kant's Critical philosophy, I show that aesthetic judgements, like judgements in the theoretical and practical domains, must be normative, though such judgements display a distinct kind of normativity, which is expressed in their subjectivity, indeterminacy, and affectivity.
/r/-sandhi in the speech of Queen Elizabeth II
Authors: Mompean Jose A.
Published: March 2021

This paper looks at the use of /r/-sandhi in the speech of Queen Elizabeth II. Potential contexts of /r/-sandhi were identified and analysed for the presence or absence of rhoticity and glottalisation in a corpus of Christmas speeches over a period of seven decades. The results show that the Queen avoids intrusive /r/ altogether but that she uses linking /r/ in most potential cases, that glottalisation is common when /r/-sandhi is not used, and that linking /r/ and glottalisation can also co-occur. A comparison with a longitudinal corpus of speakers also shows that the Queen resembles group-level trends in the case of linking /r/ but differs in the case of intrusive /r/. The results also indicate that a number of phonetic and usage-based variables influence linking /r/ usage, including previously unreported factors such as vowel quality collocation frequency. The findings are discussed in the context of usage-based theory.
Use of the walking impairment questionnaire as a measure of functional assessment
Authors: Poredos Pavel , Zlajpah Urska , Poredos Peter , Mangaroska Ana Spirkoska , Jezovnik Mateja K.
Published: March 2021

Summary: Background: A significant consequence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an impaired functional capacity and deteriorated quality of life. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the usefulness of a symptom questionnaire and walk tests for the determination of the functional capacity of patients with intermittent claudication. Patients and methods: The study included 53 patients (38 males) with stable claudication distance (50–300m). A detailed history and physical examination, ankle-brachial index (ABI), treadmill exercise test, and 6-minute walk test were performed and compared to walking impairment questionnaire (WIQ). Results: Claudication distance reported from patients’ history and 6-minute walk test were significantly correlated with ABI (p=0.033, p=0.044). There were no significant correlations between ABI and treadmill walk test or WIQ. Results of WIQ were significantly correlated with the history and the most of performed walk tests: treadmill initial and maximal claudication distance (p=0.004 and 0.012, respectively) and 6-minute walk test (p=0.026). 6-minute walk test was correlated with maximal claudication distance of treadmill (p=0.018), but not with an initial claudication distance. Conclusions: The validity of WIQ is comparable to walk tests and represents the useful technique for the investigation of the functional capacity of patients with PAD. A self-report based on WIQ enables a longer period of observation. It should be routinely used as a basic diagnostic tool for the estimation of the functional capacity of PAD patients with stable intermittent claudication.
Teaching and learning during the first COVID-19 school lockdown: Realization and associations with parent-perceived students' academic outcomes
Authors: Steinmayr Ricarda , Lazarides Rebecca , Weidinger Anne F. , Christiansen Hanna
Published: March 2021

Abstract. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all schools in Germany were locked down for several months in 2020. How schools realized teaching during the school lockdown greatly varied from school to school. N = 2,647 parents participated in an online survey and rated the following activities of teachers in mathematics, language arts (German), English, and science/biology during the school lockdown: frequency of sending task assignments, task solutions and requesting for solutions, giving task-related feedback, grading tasks, providing lessons per videoconference, and communicating via telecommunication tools with students and/or parents. Parents also reported student academic outcomes during the school lockdown (child's learning motivation, competent and independent learning, learning progress). Parents further reported student characteristics and social background variables: child's negative emotionality, school engagement, mathematical and language competencies, and child's social and cultural capital. Data were separately analyzed for elementary and secondary schools. In both samples, frequency of student-teacher communication was associated with all academic outcomes, except for learning progress in elementary school. Frequency of parent-teacher communication was associated with motivation and learning progress, but not with competent and independent learning, in both samples. Other distant teaching activities were differentially related to students' academic outcomes in elementary vs. secondary school. School engagement explained most additional variance in all students' outcomes during the school lockdown. Parent's highest school leaving certificate incrementally predicted students' motivation, and competent and independent learning in secondary school, as well as learning progress in elementary school. The variable “child has own bedroom” additionally explained variance in students' competent and independent learning during the school lockdown in both samples. Thus, both teaching activities during the school lockdown as well as children's characteristics and social background were independently important for students' motivation, competent and independent learning, and learning progress. Results are discussed with regard to their practical implications for realizing distant teaching.
Does Self-Associating a Geometric Shape Immediately Cause Attentional Prioritization?
Authors: Orellana-Corrales Gabriela , Matschke Christina , Wesslein Ann-Katrin
Published: March 2021

Abstract. In many cognitive tasks, stimuli associated with one’s self elicit faster responses than stimuli associated with others. This is true for familiar self-representations (e.g., one’s own name), for new self-associated stimuli, and for combinations of both. The current research disentangles the potential of self- versus stranger-representations for familiar, new, and paired (familiar + new) stimuli to guide attention. In Study 1 ( N = 34), responses to familiar and new self- versus other representations were tested in a dot-probe task with a short stimulus-onset asynchrony (SOA; 100 ms). Study 2 ( N = 31) and Study 3 ( N = 35) use a long SOA (1,000 ms) to test whether the findings are mirrored in inhibition of return (IOR). We observe significant performance differences for targets following self- versus stranger-associated stimuli (i.e., a cuing effect or IOR depending on the SOA length), yet only when familiar representations are present. This indicates that, under conditions of attentional competition between self- and stranger-representations, familiar self-representations impact the distribution of attention while new self-representations alone do not.
Half of Earth’s Nitrogen May Be Homegrown
Authors: Supriya Lakshmi
Published: March 2021

A new analysis of iron meteorites reveals a distinct isotopic signature that suggests nitrogen was present around early Earth.
MASS-FIX for the detection of monoclonal proteins and light chain N-glycosylation in routine clinical practice: a cross-sectional study of 6315 patients
Authors: Mellors Patrick W. , Dasari Surendra , Kohlhagen Mindy C. , Kourelis Taxiarchis , Go Ronald S. , Muchtar Eli , Gertz Morie A. , Kumar Shaji K. , Buadi Francis. K. , Willrich Maria A. V. , Lust John A. , Kapoor Prashant , Lacy Martha Q. , Dingli David , Hwa Yi , Fonder Amie , Hobbs Miriam , Hayman Susan , Warsame Rahma , Leung Nelson R. , Lin Yi , Gonsalves Wilson , Siddiqui Mustaqeem , Kyle Robert A. , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Murray David L. , Dispenzieri Angela
Published: March 2021

Immunoenrichment-based matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), termed MASS-FIX, offers several advantages over immunofixation for the detection and isotyping of serum monoclonal protein, including superior sensitivity and specificity, the ability to differentiate therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, and the rapid identification of light chain (LC) N-glycosylation. We identified 6315 patients with MASS-FIX performed at our institution since 2018. Of these, 4118 patients (65%) with a wide array of plasma cell disorders (PCD), including rare monoclonal gammopathies of clinical significance, had a positive MASS-FIX. Two-hundred twenty-one (5%) of the MASS-FIX positive patients had evidence of LC N-glycosylation, which was more commonly identified in IgM heavy chain isotype, kappa LC isotype, and in diagnoses of immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis and cold agglutinin disease (CAD) compared to other PCD. This cross-sectional study describes the largest cohort of patients to undergo MASS-FIX in routine clinical practice. Our findings demonstrate the widespread utility of this assay, and confirm that LC N-glycosylation should prompt suspicion for AL amyloidosis and CAD in the appropriate clinical context.
Mesenchymal stem cells alleviate experimental immune-mediated liver injury via chitinase 3-like protein 1-mediated T cell suppression
Authors: Liu Qiuli , Chen Xiaoyong , Liu Chang , Pan Lijie , Kang Xinmei , Li Yanli , Du Cong , Dong Shuai , Xiang Andy Peng , Xu Yan , Zhang Qi
Published: March 2021

Liver diseases with different pathogenesis share common pathways of immune-mediated injury. Chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) was induced in both acute and chronic liver injuries, and recent studies reported that it possesses an immunosuppressive ability. CHI3L1 was also expressed in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), thus we investigates the role of CHI3L1 in MSC-based therapy for immune-mediated liver injury here. We found that CHI3L1 was highly expressed in human umbilical cord MSCs (hUC-MSCs). Downregulating CHI3L1 mitigated the ability of hUC-MSCs to inhibit T cell activation, proliferation and inflammatory cytokine secretion in vitro. Using Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced liver injury mouse model, we found that silencing CHI3L1 significantly abrogated the hUC-MSCs-mediated alleviation of liver injury, accompanying by weakened suppressive effects on infiltration and activation of hepatic T cells, and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, recombinant CHI3L1 (rCHI3L1) administration inhibited the proliferation and function of activated T cells, and alleviated the Con A-induced liver injury in mice. Mechanistically, gene set enrichment analysis showed that JAK/STAT signalling pathway was one of the most significantly enriched gene pathways in T cells co-cultured with hUC-MSCs with CHI3L1 knockdown, and further study revealed that CHI3L1 secreted by hUC-MSCs inhibited the STAT1/3 signalling in T cells by upregulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ). Collectively, our data showed that CHI3L1 was a novel MSC-secreted immunosuppressive factor and provided new insights into therapeutic treatment of immune-mediated liver injury.
Virus-specific memory T cell responses unmasked by immune checkpoint blockade cause hepatitis
Authors: Hutchinson James A. , Kronenberg Katharina , Riquelme Paloma , Wenzel Jürgen J. , Glehr Gunther , Schilling Hannah-Lou , Zeman Florian , Evert Katja , Schmiedel Martin , Mickler Marion , Drexler Konstantin , Bitterer Florian , Cordero Laura , Beyer Lukas , Bach Christian , Koestler Josef , Burkhardt Ralph , Schlitt Hans J. , Hellwig Dirk , Werner Jens M. , Spang Rainer , Schmidt Barbara , Geissler Edward K. , Haferkamp Sebastian
Published: March 2021

Treatment of advanced melanoma with combined PD-1/CTLA-4 blockade commonly causes serious immune-mediated complications. Here, we identify a subset of patients predisposed to immune checkpoint blockade-related hepatitis who are distinguished by chronic expansion of effector memory CD4+ T cells (TEM cells). Pre-therapy CD4+ TEM cell expansion occurs primarily during autumn or winter in patients with metastatic disease and high cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific serum antibody titres. These clinical features implicate metastasis-dependent, compartmentalised CMV reactivation as the cause of CD4+ TEM expansion. Pre-therapy CD4+ TEM expansion predicts hepatitis in CMV-seropositive patients, opening possibilities for avoidance or prevention. 3 of 4 patients with pre-treatment CD4+ TEM expansion who received αPD-1 monotherapy instead of αPD-1/αCTLA-4 therapy remained hepatitis-free. 4 of 4 patients with baseline CD4+ TEM expansion given prophylactic valganciclovir and αPD-1/αCTLA-4 therapy remained hepatitis-free. Our findings exemplify how pathogen exposure can shape clinical reactions after cancer therapy and how this insight leads to therapeutic innovations.
Decoupling the origins of irreversible coulombic efficiency in anode-free lithium metal batteries
Authors: Huang Chen-Jui , Thirumalraj Balamurugan , Tao Hsien-Chu , Shitaw Kassie Nigus , Sutiono Hogiartha , Hagos Tesfaye Teka , Beyene Tamene Tadesse , Kuo Li-Ming , Wang Chun-Chieh , Wu She-Huang , Su Wei-Nien , Hwang Bing Joe
Published: March 2021

Anode-free lithium metal batteries are the most promising candidate to outperform lithium metal batteries due to higher energy density and reduced safety hazards with the absence of metallic lithium anode during initial cell fabrication. In general, researchers report capacity retention, reversible capacity, or rate capability of the cells to study the electrochemical performance of anode-free lithium metal batteries. However, evaluating the behavior of batteries from limited aspects may easily overlook other information hidden deep inside the meretricious results or even lead to misguided data interpretation. In this work, we present an integrated protocol combining different types of cell configuration to determine various sources of irreversible coulombic efficiency in anode-free lithium metal cells. The decrypted information from the protocol provides an insightful understanding of the behaviors of LMBs and AFLMBs, which promotes their development for practical applications.
Dataset on SARS-CoV-2 non-pharmaceutical interventions in Brazilian municipalities
Authors: de Souza Santos Andreza Aruska , Candido Darlan da Silva , de Souza William Marciel , Buss Lewis , Li Sabrina L. , Pereira Rafael H. M. , Wu Chieh-Hsi , Sabino Ester C. , Faria Nuno R.
Published: March 2021

Brazil has one of the fastest-growing COVID-19 epidemics worldwide. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have been adopted at the municipal level with asynchronous actions taken across 5,568 municipalities and the Federal District. This paper systematises the fragmented information on NPIs reporting on a novel dataset with survey responses from 4,027 mayors, covering 72.3% of all municipalities in the country. This dataset responds to the urgency to track and share findings on fragmented policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantifying NPIs can help to assess the role of interventions in reducing transmission. We offer spatial and temporal details for a range of measures aimed at implementing social distancing and the dates when these measures were relaxed by local governments.
3D Mueller matrix mapping of layered distributions of depolarisation degree for analysis of prostate adenoma and carcinoma diffuse tissues
Authors: Ushenko Volodymyr A. , Hogan Benjamin T. , Dubolazov Alexander , Piavchenko Gennadii , Kuznetsov Sergey L. , Ushenko Alexander G. , Ushenko Yuriy O. , Gorsky Mykhailo , Bykov Alexander , Meglinski Igor
Published: March 2021

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer globally in men, and in some countries is now the most diagnosed form of cancer. It is necessary to differentiate between benign and malignant prostate conditions to give accurate diagnoses. We aim to demonstrate the use of a 3D Mueller matrix method to allow quick and easy clinical differentiation between prostate adenoma and carcinoma tissues with different grades and Gleason scores. Histological sections of benign and malignant prostate tumours, obtained by radical prostatectomy, were investigated. We map the degree of depolarisation in the different prostate tumour tissues using a Mueller matrix polarimeter set-up, based on the superposition of a reference laser beam with the interference pattern of the sample in the image plane. The depolarisation distributions can be directly related to the morphology of the biological tissues. The dependences of the magnitude of the 1st to 4th order statistical moments of the depolarisation distribution are determined, which characterise the distributions of the depolarisation values. To determine the diagnostic potential of the method three groups of histological sections of prostate tumour biopsies were formed. The first group contained 36 adenoma tissue samples, while the second contained 36 carcinoma tissue samples of a high grade (grade 4: poorly differentiated—4 + 4 Gleason score), and the third group contained 36 carcinoma tissue samples of a low grade (grade 1: moderately differentiated—3 + 3 Gleason score). Using the calculated values of the statistical moments, tumour tissues are categorised as either adenoma or carcinoma. A high level (> 90%) accuracy of differentiation between adenoma and carcinoma samples was achieved for each group. Differentiation between the high-grade and low-grade carcinoma samples was achieved with an accuracy of 87.5%. The results demonstrate that Mueller matrix mapping of the depolarisation distribution of prostate tumour tissues can accurately differentiate between adenoma and carcinoma, and between different grades of carcinoma. This represents a first step towards the implementation of 3D Mueller matrix mapping for clinical analysis and diagnosis of prostate tumours.
Specific microstructural changes of the cervical spinal cord in syringomyelia estimated by diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Wu Weifei , Li Xiangxiang , Yang Zong , Ru Neng , Zhang Fan , Liang Jie , Zhang Ke
Published: March 2021

The microstructure of the spinal cord in syringomyelia has not been well studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microstructure of the cervical cord in patients with syringomyelia using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and to investigate the association between DTI parameters and the size of the syrinx cavity. Thirty patients with syringomyelia and 11 age-matched controls were included in this study. DTI and T1/T2-weighted MRI were used to estimate spinal microstructure. The patients were divided into a clinical symptom group (group A) and a non-clinical symptom group (group B) according to ASIA assessments. The fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values (mm2/s) were measured and compared between patients and controls. Correlation between FA/ADC and the size of the syrinx cavity was examined with a bivariate analysis. FA values were lower (P < 0.000) and ADC values were higher (P < 0.000) compared to the controls at the level of all syrinxes examined in patients with syringomyelia; both FA values and ADC values reached normal values either above or below the syrinx levels (all P > 0.05). FA values and ADC values at all cervical levels were not significantly different either in controls or outside of the syrinx (all P > 0.05). FA values of group A was significantly lower than those of group B (P < 0.000). There was a negative association between FA values and the size of syrinx cavity, and a positive association between ADC values and the size of syrinx cavity (FA: P < 0.05, ADC: P < 0.05). The microstructure of the cervical spinal cord is different across all patients with syringomyelia. DTI is a promising tool for estimating quantitative pathological characteristics that are not visible with general MRI.
Effect of Li+ doping on the luminescence performance of a novel KAlSiO4:Tb3+ green-emitting phosphor
Authors: Yantake Reziwanguli , Kaiheriman Muyasier , Yusufu Taximaiti , Sidike Aierken
Published: March 2021

A new green-emitting phosphor, KAlSiO4:1.5 mol% Tb3+, x mol% Li+, was prepared via a high-temperature solid-phase method, and its crystal structure, diffuse reflectance spectrum, and luminescence were studied. The results show that the Li+ doping shifts the strongest diffraction peak to a high angle direction, reducing grain size by 11.4%. The entry of Li2CO3 improves the luminescence performance of KAlSiO4:1.5 mol% Tb3+. At a Li+ concentration of 1.5 mol%, the sample has strong absorption in the ultraviolet light range from 250 to 400 nm. The luminous intensity of the sample at 550 nm approximately quadruples after Li+ doping. Additionally, the colour purity of the sample and the internal quantum yield increase to 83.3% and 42%, respectively. The sample changes colour with time when exposed to air without an obvious fading phenomenon. The emission intensity at 200 °C is 95.1% of its value at room temperature, indicating that the phosphor has excellent thermal stability when x = 1.5. These results show the feasibility of using the silicate phosphor for generating the green light component of white light-emitting diodes for solid-state lighting.
Serial transplantation unmasks galectin-9 contribution to tumor immune escape in the MB49 murine model
Authors: Baloche Valentin , Rivière Julie , Tran Thi Bao Tram , Gelin Aurore , Bawa Olivia , Signolle Nicolas , Diop M′Boyba Khadija , Dessen Philippe , Beq Stéphanie , David Muriel , Busson Pierre
Published: March 2021

Mechanisms of tumor immune escape are quite diverse and require specific approaches for their exploration in syngeneic tumor models. In several human malignancies, galectin-9 (gal-9) is suspected to contribute to the immune escape. However, in contrast with what has been done for the infiltrating cells, the contribution of gal-9 produced by malignant cells has never been demonstrated in an animal model. Therefore, we derived isogenic clones—either positive or negative for gal-9—from the MB49 murine bladder carcinoma cell line. A progressive and consistent reduction of tumor growth was observed when gal-9-KO cells were subjected to serial transplantations into syngeneic mice. In contrast, tumor growth was unaffected during parallel serial transplantations into nude mice, thus linking tumor inhibition to the enhancement of the immune response against gal-9-KO tumors. This stronger immune response was at least in part explained by changing patterns of response to interferon-γ. One consistent change was a more abundant production of CXCL10, a major inflammatory factor whose production is often induced by interferon-γ. Overall, these observations demonstrate for the first time that serial transplantation into syngeneic mice can be a valuable experimental approach for the exploration of novel mechanisms of tumor immune escape.
Global, regional and national epidemiology and prevalence of child stunting, wasting and underweight in low- and middle-income countries, 2006–2018
Authors: Ssentongo Paddy , Ssentongo Anna E. , Ba Djibril M. , Ericson Jessica E. , Na Muzi , Gao Xiang , Fronterre Claudio , Chinchilli Vernon M. , Schiff Steven J.
Published: March 2021

In 2016, undernutrition, as manifested in childhood stunting, wasting, and underweight were estimated to cause over 1.0 million deaths, 3.9% of years of life lost, and 3.8% of disability-adjusted life years globally. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) using the 2006–2018 cross-sectional nationally representative demographic and health surveys (DHS) data and to explore the sources of regional variations. Anthropometric measurements of children 0–59 months of age from DHS in 62 LMICs worldwide were used. Complete information was available for height-for-age (n = 624,734), weight-for-height (n = 625,230) and weight-for-age (n = 626,130). Random-effects models were fit to estimate the pooled prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight. Sources of heterogeneity in the prevalence estimates were explored through subgroup meta-analyses and meta-regression using generalized linear mixed-effects models. Human development index (a country-specific composite index based on life expectancy, literacy, access to education and per capita gross domestic product) and the United Nations region were explored as potential sources of variation in undernutrition. The overall prevalence was 29.1% (95% CI 26.7%, 31.6%) for stunting, 6.3% (95% CI 4.6%, 8.2%) for wasting, and 13.7% (95% CI 10.9%, 16.9%) for underweight. Subgroup analyses suggested that Western Africa, Southern Asia, and Southeastern Asia had a substantially higher estimated prevalence of undernutrition than global average estimates. In multivariable meta-regression, a combination of human development index and United Nations region (a proxy for geographical variation) explained 54%, 56%, and 66% of the variation in stunting, wasting, and underweight prevalence, respectively. Our findings demonstrate that regional, subregional, and country disparities in undernutrition remain, and the residual gaps to close towards achieving the second sustainable development goal—ending undernutrition by 2030.
3D bioprinting of hepatocytes: core–shell structured co-cultures with fibroblasts for enhanced functionality
Authors: Taymour Rania , Kilian David , Ahlfeld Tilman , Gelinsky Michael , Lode Anja
Published: March 2021

With the aim of understanding and recapitulating cellular interactions of hepatocytes in their physiological microenvironment and to generate an artificial 3D in vitro model, a co-culture system using 3D extrusion bioprinting was developed. A bioink based on alginate and methylcellulose (algMC) was first shown to be suitable for bioprinting of hepatocytes; the addition of Matrigel to algMC enhanced proliferation and morphology of them in monophasic scaffolds. Towards a more complex system that allows studying cellular interactions, we applied core–shell bioprinting to establish tailored 3D co-culture models for hepatocytes. The bioinks were specifically functionalized with natural matrix components (based on human plasma, fibrin or Matrigel) and used to co-print fibroblasts and hepatocytes in a spatially defined, coaxial manner. Fibroblasts acted as supportive cells for co-cultured hepatocytes, stimulating the expression of certain biomarkers of hepatocytes like albumin. Furthermore, matrix functionalization positively influenced both cell types in their respective compartments by enhancing their adhesion, viability, proliferation and function. In conclusion, we established a functional co-culture model with independently tunable compartments for different cell types via core–shell bioprinting. This provides the basis for more complex in vitro models allowing co-cultivation of hepatocytes with other liver-specific cell types to closely resemble the liver microenvironment.
Knocking out alpha-synuclein in melanoma cells dysregulates cellular iron metabolism and suppresses tumor growth
Authors: Shekoohi Sahar , Rajasekaran Santhanasabapathy , Patel Dhaval , Yang Shu , Liu Wang , Huang Shile , Yu Xiuping , Witt Stephan N.
Published: March 2021

The protein alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is unusual because, depending on its conformation and the type of cell in which it is expressed, it is pro-death or pro-survival, triggering neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease and enhancing cell survival of some melanomas. To probe the function of α-syn in melanoma, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to knockout SNCA, the gene that codes for α-syn, in SK-Mel-28 melanoma cells. The SNCA-knockout clones in culture exhibited a decrease in the transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), an increase in ferritin, an increase of reactive oxygen species and proliferated slower than control cells. These SNCA-knockout clones grafted into SCID mice grew significantly slower than the SK-Mel-28 control cells that expressed α-syn. In the excised SNCA-knockout xenografts, TfR1 decreased 3.3-fold, ferritin increased 6.2-fold, the divalent metal ion transporter 1 (DMT1) increased threefold, and the iron exporter ferroportin (FPN1) decreased twofold relative to control xenografts. The excised SNCA-KO tumors exhibited significantly more ferric iron and TUNEL staining relative to the control melanoma xenografts. Collectively, depletion of α-syn in SK-Mel-28 cells dysregulates cellular iron metabolism, especially in xenografts, yielding melanoma cells that are deficient in TfR1 and FPN1, that accumulate ferric iron and ferritin, and that undergo apoptosis relative to control cells expressing α-syn.
Paracetamol modulates biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus clonal complex 8 strains
Authors: Sultan Andi R. , Lattwein Kirby R. , Lemmens-den Toom Nicole A. , Snijders Susan V. , Kooiman Klazina , Verbon Annelies , van Wamel Willem J. B.
Published: March 2021

Staphylococcus aureus biofilms are a major problem in modern healthcare due to their resistance to immune system defenses and antibiotic treatments. Certain analgesic agents are able to modulate S. aureus biofilm formation, but currently no evidence exists if paracetamol, often combined with antibiotic treatment, also has this effect. Therefore, we aimed to investigate if paracetamol can modulate S. aureus biofilm formation. Considering that certain regulatory pathways for biofilm formation and virulence factor production by S. aureus are linked, we further investigated the effect of paracetamol on immune modulator production. The in vitro biofilm mass of 21 S. aureus strains from 9 genetic backgrounds was measured in the presence of paracetamol. Based on biofilm mass quantity, we further investigated paracetamol-induced biofilm alterations using a bacterial viability assay combined with N-Acetylglucosamine staining. Isothermal microcalorimetry was used to monitor the effect of paracetamol on bacterial metabolism within biofilms and green fluorescent protein (GFP) promoter fusion technology for transcription of staphylococcal complement inhibitor (SCIN). Clinically relevant concentrations of paracetamol enhanced biofilm formation particularly among strains belonging to clonal complex 8 (CC8), but had minimal effect on S. aureus planktonic growth. The increase of biofilm mass can be attributed to the marked increase of N-Acetylglucosamine containing components of the extracellular matrix, presumably polysaccharide intercellular adhesion. Biofilms of RN6390A (CC8) showed a significant increase in the immune modulator SCIN transcription during co-incubation with low concentrations of paracetamol. Our data indicate that paracetamol can enhance biofilm formation. The clinical relevance needs to be further investigated.
Bayesian network-driven clustering analysis with feature selection for high-dimensional multi-modal molecular data
Authors: Zhao Yize , Chang Changgee , Hannum Margaret , Lee Jasme , Shen Ronglai
Published: March 2021

Multi-modal molecular profiling data in bulk tumors or single cells are accumulating at a fast pace. There is a great need for developing statistical and computational methods to reveal molecular structures in complex data types toward biological discoveries. Here, we introduce Nebula, a novel Bayesian integrative clustering analysis for high dimensional multi-modal molecular data to identify directly interpretable clusters and associated biomarkers in a unified and biologically plausible framework. To facilitate computational efficiency, a variational Bayes approach is developed to approximate the joint posterior distribution to achieve model inference in high-dimensional settings. We describe a pan-cancer data analysis of genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic alterations in close to 9000 tumor samples across canonical oncogenic signaling pathways, immune and stemness phenotype, with comparisons to state-of-the-art clustering methods. We demonstrate that Nebula has the unique advantage of revealing patterns on the basis of shared pathway alterations, offering biological and clinical insights beyond tumor type and histology in the pan-cancer analysis setting. We also illustrate the utility of Nebula in single cell data for immune cell decomposition in peripheral blood samples.