bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COS-derived GPP relationships with temperature and light help explain high-latitude atmospheric CO
2
seasonal cycle amplification
Authors: Hu Lei , Montzka Stephen A. , Kaushik Aleya , Andrews Arlyn E. , Sweeney Colm , Miller John , Baker Ian T. , Denning Scott , Campbell Elliott , Shiga Yoichi P. , Tans Pieter , Siso M. Carolina , Crotwell Molly , McKain Kathryn , Thoning Kirk , Hall Bradley , Vimont Isaac , Elkins James W. , Whelan Mary E. , Suntharalingam Parvadha
Published: August 2021

Significance

Interactions between terrestrial carbon dioxide (CO
2
) fluxes and climate or terrestrial ecosystem feedbacks exert a large uncertainty in climate projections. This uncertainty arises in part from poor quantification of gross CO
2
fluxes and their sensitivity to climate change over large spatial scales. Here, we demonstrate the usefulness of carbonyl sulfide (COS) for quantifying photosynthetic CO
2
uptake in the Arctic and Boreal ecosystems despite uncertainties in COS sources and sinks. The results highlight how the combination of atmospheric COS and CO
2
observations provides insights into past terrestrial ecosystem changes and can be utilized as a tool for direct quantification of these feedbacks impacted by climate change over the Arctic and Boreal ecosystems in the future.
A role for Sfrp2 in cardiomyogenesis in vivo
Authors: Gomez José A. , Payne Alan , Pratt Richard E. , Hodgkinson Conrad P. , Dzau Victor J.
Published: August 2021

Significance

Cardiac injury in mammals is associated with a significant and irreversible loss of heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes). The loss of cardiomyocytes eventually causes heart failure, leading to organ replacement or death. The importance of this study is that we have made the discovery that new cardiomyocytes can be regenerated in the heart via a protein called Sfrp2. This discovery potentially opens up a new avenue for the treatment of cardiac injury.
Absence of carbonic anhydrase in chloroplasts affects C
3
plant development but not photosynthesis
Authors: Hines Kevin M. , Chaudhari Vishalsingh , Edgeworth Kristen N. , Owens Thomas G. , Hanson Maureen R.
Published: August 2021

Significance

Carbonic anhydrase enzymes located in chloroplast stroma have been hypothesized to facilitate photosynthesis in C
3
plants because they catalyze a reaction involving bicarbonate and CO
2
, a substrate of the carbon-fixing enzyme RuBisCO. To test this possibility, tobacco mutants completely lacking chloroplast stromal carbonic anhydrase activity were produced by CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis. The plants displayed normal photosystem II activity and CO
2
assimilation but also abnormal development and increased reactive oxygen species and stromal pH. We conclude that chloroplast carbonic anhydrase does not play a direct role in providing CO
2
for carbon fixation. Instead, as is also true in microorganisms, carbonic anhydrase is necessary to supply bicarbonate for biosynthetic processes.
Multimedia learning materials for second language learners
Authors: He Xiaoling , Ying Haojiang , Jaratjarungkiat Sureenate
Published: August 2021

As an important form of second language input, videos have been given much attention by both language teachers and SLA
researchers. Second language learning videos typically come in two forms: live-action videos (with human actors in realistic settings) and
animation videos. In this paper, we report on an empirical study on the relative merits of these two kinds of videos for beginning learners
of Chinese. A total of 82 participants took part in this research as students in a Beginners’ Chinese Language course at a university in
Singapore. Each participant attended four learning sessions, two of which being based on live-action videos and another two on animation
videos. Post-tests showed that the efficacy of the two kinds of videos differed between students who had had richer community exposure to
Mandarin before attending the course and students who did not have such exposure. The former group performed significantly better than the
latter after attending live-video sessions. However, students in the latter group reported a preference for animation videos during the
post-interviews due to the more well-controlled quality of the soundtracks (i.e., less noisy background).
The translation of extralinguistic cultural references in subtitling
Authors: Chen Wei , Nakamoto Takeshi , Zhang Juan
Published: August 2021

There has been substantial scholarly interest in extralinguistic cultural references (ECRs) in translation, especially in audiovisual translation (AVT). However, most scholars have investigated subtitling from English into other languages. Although China has a long tradition of film production, few studies have investigated the subtitling of ECRs from Chinese into English. This article attempts to remedy this by investigating the translation strategies, translation strategy distribution, and fidelity indexes of six subtitled versions of Chinese-language films. We compare our results withGottlieb’s (2009)results on Danish subtitles, and find that both Chinese and Danish subtitlers hold a target-oriented attitude. We then investigate the share of the strategies in the subtitling of ECRs across different Chinese films and determine that this varies by genre and that the difference in the fidelity index among films of different genres is substantial. The translation of epic films appears to be highly faithful, whereas that of crime and gangster films is much less faithful.
Energetics in elite race walkers
Authors: Etxebarria Naroa , Spratford Wayne , Iriberri Jon , Ross Meg , Gomez‐Ezeiza Josu , Pyne David
Published: August 2021

Race walkers must conform to a unique gait pattern with no visible loss of contact with the ground. However, how the gait pattern affects the race walking economy is unclear. We investigated the energy cost (amount of energy spent per distance unit) at different race walking velocities and over a 25 km hybrid walk. Twenty‐one international‐level male race walkers ( O2peak 63.8 ± 4.3 ml kg−1 min−1, age 31 ± 5 y, body mass 68.1 ± 7.0 kg) performed an incremental treadmill test consisting of 4 × 4 min submaximal stages with 1 km h−1 increments, and a 25 km submaximal hybrid walk (treadmill‐overground) on separate days. Energy cost was measured continuously during the submaximal test and at km 0–1, 6–7, 12–13, 18–19, 23–24 of the 25 km hybrid walk. The C RW was similar across the four submaximal stages where half the athletes completed them at a higher (1 km h−1) absolute velocity (−0.01–0.15 ± ∼0.65); range of standardised differences ±90% CL, with a tendency for higher performing athletes to have a lower C RW when this was analysed during absolute race walking velocities of 12, 13 and 14 km−1 for the entire cohort (0.46–0.49 ± ∼0.67). There was no substantial change in C RW from the start to the end of the 25 km walk for the entire cohort (0.08 ± 2.2; standardised change ±90% CL). Elite race walkers are characterised by having a similar energy cost among athletes who perform at the same relative exercise intensity, and substantially higher energetics than counterpart elite endurance runners.
Loss of centromeric RNA activates the spindle assembly checkpoint in mammalian female meiosis I
Authors: Wu Tianyu , Lane Simon I.R. , Morgan Stephanie L. , Tang Feng , Jones Keith T.
Published: August 2021

The repetitive sequences of DNA centromeric regions form the structural basis for kinetochore assembly. Recently they were found to be transcriptionally active in mitosis, with their RNAs providing noncoding functions. Here we explore the role, in mouse oocytes, of transcripts generated from within the minor satellite repeats. Depletion of minor satellite transcripts delayed progression through meiosis I by activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint. Arrested oocytes had poorly congressed chromosomes, and centromeres were frequently split by microtubules. Thus, we have demonstrated that the centromeric RNA plays a specific role in female meiosis I compared with mitosis and is required for maintaining the structural integrity of centromeres. This may contribute to the high aneuploidy rates observed in female meiosis.
Atomic oxygen density determination in the effluent of the COST reference source using in situ effective lifetime measurements in the presence of a liquid interface
Authors: Myers Brayden , Barnat Edward , Stapelmann Katharina
Published: August 2021

Spatially resolved, absolute densities of atomic oxygen are measured for several helium-based admixtures in the effluent of the COST Reference Microplasma Jet using two-photon absorption laser induced fluorescence (TALIF). Admixtures investigated include a helium-only admixture, four helium/oxygen admixtures (0.1

%

, 0.5

%

, 0.6

%

, and 1.0

%

oxygen), and a helium/water admixture (2500 ppm water), chosen to coincide with previously published characterizations of plasma-treated liquid. The atomic oxygen TALIF signal is calibrated for density using the noble gas xenon, which possesses a very similar two-photon excitation and fluorescence scheme. Measurements are conducted for the jet operating in ambient air with both an open effluent and a liquid surface present, allowing for comparison with liquid phase measurements conducted under similar conditions. The presence of a water surface does not appear to alter the background chemistry in the effluent but reduces O densities close to the liquid interface when compared to a similar distance from the nozzle in an open effluent case. This may be the result of a reduction in flow velocity caused by the liquid obstructing the gas flow. Additionally, measurements near the liquid surface revealed a region of atomic oxygen well outside of where the core of the effluent impinges on the liquid. This is likely relevant for applications as it considerably expands the surface area subject to O absorption. Critically, in situ measurements of the effective lifetimes of the laser-excited 3p3PJ state of atomic oxygen were recorded in the effluent by employing a picosecond (ps) laser and a nanosecond (ns) ICCD. By experimentally determining the contribution from collisional quenching via the in situ effective lifetime measurements, significant improvements in the accuracy of the atomic oxygen density calibration were made, with differences of approximately 30

%

from existing methods of estimating quenching rates at atmospheric pressure. Finally, spatially resolved atomic oxygen densities allow for an investigation of O formation and extinction pathways in the effluent and a comparison between admixtures.
Radiation exposures in pregnancy, health effects and risks to the embryo/foetus—information to inform the medical management of the pregnant patient
Authors: Applegate Kimberly E , Findlay Úna , Fraser Louise , Kinsella Yvonne , Ainsbury Liz , Bouffler Simon
Published: August 2021

Generally, intentional exposure of pregnant women is avoided as far as possible in both medical and occupational situations. This paper aims to summarise available information on sources of radiation exposure of the embryo/foetus primarily in medical settings. Accidental and unintended exposure is also considered. Knowledge on the effects of radiation exposure on the developing embryo/foetus remains incomplete—drawn largely from animal studies and two human cohorts but a summary is provided in relation to the key health endpoints of concern, severe foetal malformations/death, future cancer risk, and future impact on cognitive function. Both the specific education and training and also the literature regarding medical management of pregnant females is in general sparse, and consequently the justification and optimisation approaches may need to be considered on a case by case basis. In collating and reviewing this information, several suggestions for future basic science research, education and training, and radiation protection practice are identified.
Improving seasonal predictions of meteorological drought by conditioning on ENSO states
Authors: Pieper Patrick , Düsterhus André , Baehr Johanna
Published: August 2021

Useful hindcast skill of meteorological drought, assessed with the 3-month standardized precipitation index (SPI

3
M

), has been so far limited to one lead month (time horizon of the prediction). Here, we quadruple that lead time by demonstrating useful skill up to lead month 4. To obtain useful hindcast skill of meteorological drought at these long lead times, we exploit well-known El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)–precipitation teleconnections through ENSO-state conditioning. We condition initialized seasonal SPI

3
M

hindcasts, derived from the Max-Planck-Institute Earth System Model (MPI-ESM) over the period 1982–2013, on ENSO states by exploring significant agreements between two complementary analyses: hindcast skill ENSO–composites, and observed ENSO–precipitation correlations. Such conditioned hindcast skill of meteorological drought is in MPI-ESM significant and reliable for lead months 2 to 4 in equatorial South America and southern North America during these regions’ dry ENSO phases. When a region’s dry ENSO phase is present at the initialization in autumn (ASO), predictions of meteorological drought show useful hindcast skill for the upcoming winter (DJF) in the respective region. The area of this useful hindcast skill is further enlarged in both regions when the respective region’s dry ENSO phase is already present in the antecedent summer (conditioning on ENSO states in JJA). Active ENSO events constitute windows of opportunity for drought predictions that are insufficiently covered by typical predictability analyses. For these windows, we demonstrate predictive skill at unprecedented lead times with a single model whose output is not bias corrected. This contribution exemplifies the value of ENSO-state conditioning in identifying these windows of opportunity for regions that are arguably most affected by ENSO–precipitation teleconnections. During these regions’ dry ENSO phases, reliable predictive skill of meteorological drought is at long lead times particularly valuable and moves the frontier of meteorological drought predictions.
Corrigendum: Morphometric distribution of Java eel Anguilla sp. caught from different estuaries of Central Java (2020 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 750 012042)
Authors: Taufiq-Spj N. , Hutabarat J. , Trianto A. , Sugianto D. N. , Santosa G. W. , Pratikto I. , Ario R. , Indarjo A. , Suryono S.
Published: August 2021

Please see Article PDF for corrigendum text.
Lattice-matched III-nitride structures comprising BAlN, BGaN, and AlGaN for ultraviolet applications
Authors: AlQatari Feras , Sajjad Muhammad , Lin Ronghui , Li Kuang-Hui , Schwingenschlögl Udo , Li Xiaohang
Published: August 2021

The optical properties of BAlN, BGaN and AlGaN ternary alloys are investigated using hybrid density functional for the design of lattice-matched optical structures in the ultraviolet spectrum. The calculated AlGaN properties agree well with previous reports, validating the model. A peculiar non-monotonic behavior of the refractive index as a function of the boron composition is found. The results of this calculation are interpolated to generate a three-dimensional dataset, which can be employed for designing a countless number of lattice-matched and –mismatched heterostructures. These heterostructures could span a range of operating wavelengths well into the deep ultraviolet with refractive indices ranging from 1.98 to 2.41 for AlN at 0 eV and GaN near the GaN bandgap, respectively. An example is shown where a lattice-matched heterostructure, AlN/B0.108Ga0.892N, is applied for DBR applications with a large index difference. A DBR comprising the AlN/B0.108Ga0.892N heterostructure at the UV wavelength of 375 nm is found to exceed 93% peak reflectivity with only 10 pairs and reaches 100% reflectivity with 35 pairs. For a chosen design with 25 pairs, the DBR has a peak reflectivity of 99.8% and a bandwidth of 26 nm fulfilling the requirements of most devices especially ultraviolet vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers.
Enhancing strength and electrical conductivity of pure aluminum by microalloying with telluride
Authors: Du Zhuang , Ye Jinwen , Yang Lufei , Zhang Jiteng
Published: August 2021

The effects of Te addition on the microstructure, strength and electrical conductivity of pure aluminum were investigated, for improving the strength and electrical conductivity of resulting alloys. It was found that the tensile strength and electrical conductivity of the studied alloys increased by 25.8% and 2.8%, respectively, compared with those for pure aluminum (58 MPa and 62.06% IACS), respectively, by adding 0.1 wt% Te. Several mechanisms may account for the observed improvement of the alloys’ strength and electrical conductivity. First, Te addition can refine the grain size of pure aluminum by introducing more nucleation sites and suppressing grain growth through boundary precipitation. Second, the precipitation morphology changes from fine-needle or sheet-like to ellipsoidal shapes, likely improving the alloys’ tensile properties. Finally, Te can purify the melts by forming Al-Te-Fe-Si intermetallics at the grain boundaries, likely reducing the lattice distortion and increasing the electrical conductivity.
Simulating quantum materials with digital quantum computers
Authors: Bassman Oftelie Lindsay , Urbanek Miroslav , Metcalf Mekena , Carter Jonathan , Kemper Alexander F , de Jong Wibe A
Published: August 2021

Quantum materials exhibit a wide array of exotic phenomena and practically useful properties. A better understanding of these materials can provide deeper insights into fundamental physics in the quantum realm as well as advance information processing technology and sustainability. The emergence of digital quantum computers (DQCs), which can efficiently perform quantum simulations that are otherwise intractable on classical computers, provides a promising path forward for testing and analyzing the remarkable, and often counter-intuitive, behavior of quantum materials. Equipped with these new tools, scientists from diverse domains are racing towards achieving physical quantum advantage (i.e. using a quantum computer to learn new physics with a computation that cannot feasibly be run on any classical computer). The aim of this review, therefore, is to provide a summary of progress made towards this goal that is accessible to scientists across the physical sciences. We will first review the available technology and algorithms, and detail the myriad ways to represent materials on quantum computers. Next, we will showcase the simulations that have been successfully performed on currently available DQCs, emphasizing the variety of properties, both static and dynamic, that can be studied with this nascent technology. Finally, we work through three examples of how to perform various materials simulation problems on DQCs, with full code included in the supplementary material (https://stacks.iop.org/QST/6/043002/mmedia). It is our hope that this review can serve as an organized overview of progress in the field for domain experts and an accessible introduction to scientists in related fields interested in beginning to perform their own simulations of quantum materials on DQCs.
Variable polarization states in free-electron lasers
Authors: Freund H P , van der Slot P J M
Published: August 2021

Free-electron lasers (FELs) can emit light with different optical polarizations including linear, elliptic and circular polarizations corresponding to the characteristics of the undulators used. X-ray FELs depend upon long undulator lines consisting of a sequence of short undulators. Linearly polarized undulators are most commonly used; hence the optical output is linearly polarized. Alternately, APPLE-II, Delta undulator designs, or a sequence of linearly polarized undulators with alternating orientations can be used to produce undulating magnetic fields with arbitrary polarizations. We present a three-dimensional, time-dependent formulation that self-consistently includes two optical orientations and, therefore, treats any given sequence or combination of undulator including undulator imperfections and degradation There are two principal characteristics of the formulation that underpin this capability. First, particles are tracked using the full Newton–Lorentz force equations with analytic models of the undulators fields. This permits an accurate model of the interaction of the electrons with a large variety of undulator fields and orientations. Second, the electrons can couple simultaneously to two independent electromagnetic polarizations and, therefore, the optical polarization evolves self-consistently along the undulator line. We present the numerical model and give some examples using prevailing undulator configurations.
Time-delay version of the integrable discrete Lotka-Volterra system in terms of the LR transformations
Authors: Sekiguchi Masaki , Oka Kurumi , Iwasaki Masashi , Ishiwata Emiko
Published: August 2021

To introduce time delay into integrable discrete systems, we present a time-delay version of the discrete Lotka-Volterra (dLV) system, which is a time-discretization of the famous predator-prey Lotka-Volterra system. Focusing on the LR transformations, which has been designed for solving symmetric eigenvalue problems, plays a key role in deriving the essential properties of the original dLV system. We also clarify asymptotic convergence in the resulting time-delay system and present an application for computing matrix eigenvalues and singular values.
On finite GK-dimensional Nichols algebras over abelian groups
Authors: Andruskiewitsch Nicolás , Angiono Iván , Heckenberger István
Published: August 2021

We contribute to the classification of Hopf algebras with finite Gelfand-Kirillov dimension,GKdim\operatorname {GKdim}for short, through the study of Nichols algebras over abelian groups. We deal first with braided vector spaces overZ\mathbb {Z}with the generator acting as a single Jordan block and show that the corresponding Nichols algebra has finiteGKdim\operatorname {GKdim}if and only if the size of the block is 2 and the eigenvalue is±1\pm 1; when this is 1, we recover the quantum Jordan plane. We consider next a class of braided vector spaces that are direct sums of blocks and points that contains those of diagonal type. We conjecture that a Nichols algebra of diagonal type has finiteGKdim\operatorname {GKdim}if and only if the corresponding generalized root system is finite. Assuming the validity of this conjecture, we classify all braided vector spaces in the mentioned class whose Nichols algebra has finiteGKdim\operatorname {GKdim}. Consequently we present several new examples of Nichols algebras with finiteGKdim\operatorname {GKdim}, including two not in the class alluded to above. We determine which among these Nichols algebras are domains.
A Virial-Morawetz approach to scattering for the non-radial inhomogeneous NLS
Authors: Campos Luccas , Cardoso Mykael
Published: August 2021

Consider the focusing inhomogeneous nonlinear Schrödinger equation in

H
1

(

R

N

)

H^1(\mathbb {R}^N)

,

i

u
t

+
Δ
u
+

|

x

|

−
b

|

u

|

p
−
1

u
=
0
,

\begin{equation} iu_t + \Delta u + |x|^{-b}|u|^{p-1}u=0, \end{equation}

when

b
>
0

b > 0

and

N
≥
3

N \geq 3

in the intercritical case

0
>

s
c

>
1

0 > s_c >1

. In previous works, the second author, as well as Farah, Guzmán and Murphy, applied the concentration-compactness approach to prove scattering below the mass-energy threshold for radial and non-radial data. Recently, the first author adapted the Dodson-Murphy approach for radial data, followed by Murphy, who proved scattering for non-radial solutions in the 3d cubic case, for

b
>
1

/

2

b>1/2

. This work generalizes the recent result of Murphy, allowing a broader range of values for the parameters

p
p

and

b
b

, as well as allowing any dimension

N
≥
3

N \geq 3

. It also gives a simpler proof for scattering nonradial, avoiding the Kenig-Merle road map. We exploit the decay of the nonlinearity, which, together with Virial-Morawetz-type estimates, allows us to drop the radial assumption.
Strain-induced mechanoresponse depends on cell contractility and BAG3-mediated autophagy
Authors: Lövenich Lukas , Dreissen Georg , Hoffmann Christina , Konrad Jens , Springer Ronald , Höhfeld Jörg , Merkel Rudolf , Hoffmann Bernd
Published: August 2021

The mechanosensitivity of mammalian cells and protein degradation via autophagy are two essential regulatory cell mechanisms. The close interplay between these two mechanisms is characterized in detail and proves a strong bidirectional cross-talk between BAG3-mediated chaperone-assisted selective autophagy and mechanosensitivity.
Associations Between Dietary Melatonin Intake and Total and Cause-Specific Mortality Among Japanese Adults in the Takayama Study
Authors: Nagata Chisato , Wada Keiko , Yamakawa Michiyo , Nakashima Yuma , Koda Sachi , Uji Takahiro , Onuma Sakiko , Oba Shino , Maruyama Yusuke , Hattori Atsuhiko
Published: August 2021

Potential health benefits of melatonin have been suggested. Although melatonin is present in various foods, little is known about the health effects of dietary melatonin intake. We estimated habitual dietary melatonin intake and examined its association with total and cause-specific mortality in a population-based cohort study in Japan. Study subjects included 13,355 men and 15,724 women aged ≥35 years who responded to a self-administered questionnaire in 1992. Their diets were assessed via a food frequency questionnaire at baseline. The melatonin content in various foods on the questionnaire was measured to estimate melatonin intake. Mortality was ascertained during 16 years of follow-up (1992–2008). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for total and cause-specific mortality were calculated according to melatonin quartiles. A total of 5,339 deaths occurred during follow-up. Melatonin intake was significantly associated with decreased risks of total mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and noncancer, noncardiovascular mortality after controlling for covariates; HRs for the highest quartile of melatonin intake versus the lowest were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.82, 0.98; P for trend = 0.05), 0.85 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.99; P for trend = 0.10), and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.67, 0.90; P for trend = 0.003), respectively. The data suggest a potential benefit of dietary melatonin with regard to mortality rates.
How could Finland promote renewable-energy technology innovation and implementation?
Authors: Paukku Eelis
Published: August 2021

Several major market failures are hindering renewable energy production. Probably the most significant one of these are negative externalities. Another issue hindering renewable energy production is low technological and commercial maturity. These technologies might not become commercially viable in the near future without state intervention. This study aims to analyse Finnish energy policy based on current legislation related to renewable energy production and budget policy related to renewable-energy subsidies. This study shows that the polluter-pays principle is implemented quite well in Finland due to the emissions trading scheme and taxation. Still, this principle is not entirely implemented in electricity production as electricity tax is not based on the carbon intensity of the fuel used, but rather on who uses the electricity. National subsidy policies focus on a short-term increase in renewable energy production as most subsidies are production subsidies granted through a bidding process, making these subsidy policies partly technology-neutral. These policies do not take into account long-term needs for energy policy as much as they could.
Frontopolar Cortex Response to Positive Feedback Relates to Nonincentivized Task Persistence
Authors: Tashjian Sarah M , Galván Adriana
Published: August 2021

When individuals make decisions whether to persist at a task, their decision-making is informed by whether success is pending or accomplished. If pending, the brain facilitates behavioral persistence; if the goal is accomplished or no longer desired, the brain enables switching away from the current task. Feedback, which is known to differentially engage reward neurocircuitry, may modulate goal-directed behavior such as task persistence. However, prior studies are confounded by offering external incentives for persistence. This study tested whether neural response to feedback differed as a function of nonincentivized task persistence in 99 human participants ages 13–30 (60 females). Individuals who persisted engaged the frontopolar cortex (FPC) to a greater extent during receipt of task-relevant positive feedback compared with negative feedback. For individuals who quit, task-irrelevant monetary reward engaged the FPC to a greater extent compared with positive feedback. FPC activation in response to positive feedback is identified as a key contributor to task persistence.
Incidence, Clinical Presentation, Relapses and Outcome of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection in Patients Treated With Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Calderón-Parra Jorge , Múñez-Rubio Elena , Fernández-Cruz Ana , García-Sánchez María Cristina , Maderuelo-González Esther , López-Dosil Marcos , Calvo-Salvador Marina , Baños-Pérez Isolina , Valle-Falcones Manuel , Ramos-Martínez Antonio
Published: August 2021

Background

Our objective is to describe the presentation and complications, including relapses, of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients under anti-CD20 treatments. In addition, to describe viral clearance and determine the safety of reintroducing anti-CD20 treatment.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of 422 patients under anti-CD20 treatment that was administered from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020.

Results

Fifty-seven patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 (13.5%). Twenty-five patients (43.9%) required hospital admission. Five patients died (8.8%), and 10 developed severe COVID-19 and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Mortality rate was higher among patients infected during the first 3 months following the last dose of anti-CD20 (14.7% vs 0%, P = .046). The median time of persistence of positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was 22 days (IQR 13–40).

Nine out of 52 survivors (17.3%) presented relapses. All of them received the last dose of anti-CD20 less than 6 months before the COVID-19 episode. Clinical presentation was fever (n = 8; 88.9%), dyspnea (n = 7; 77.8%), cough (n = 7; 77.8%), worsening of previous infiltrates (n = 5; 55.6%) and new pulmonary infiltrates (n = 8; 88.9%). An increase in lymphocytes with CD4/CD8 ratio inversion was observed in all cases. Among the 25 patients who resumed anti-CD20 drug, 4 (16.0%) presented relapses vs 5/28 among those who did not (17.9%), (P = .857).

Conclusions

Patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the 6 months after anti-CD20 administration had a worse outcome and a higher mortality rate. The duration of infectivity may be longer. Relapses of COVID-19 occurred in more than 15% and were associated with viral replication. Once the infection is resolved, it is safe to restart treatment with anti-CD20.
Recommendations for nomenclature and definition of cell products intended for human cardiovascular use
Authors: Taylor Doris A , Chacon-Alberty Lourdes , Sampaio Luiz C , Hierro Mariana Gonzalez del , Perin Emerson C , Mesquita Fernanda C P , Henry Timothy D , Traverse Jay H , Pepine Carl J , Hare Joshua M , Murphy Michael P , Yang Phillip C , March Keith L , Vojvodic Rachel W , Ebert Ray F , Bolli Roberto ,   for the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN)
Published: August 2021

Exogenous cell-based therapy has emerged as a promising new strategy to facilitate repair of hearts damaged by acute or chronic injury. However, the field of cell-based therapy is handicapped by the lack of standardized definitions and terminology, making comparisons across studies challenging. Even the term ‘stem cell therapy’ is misleading because only a small percentage of cells derived from adult bone marrow, peripheral blood, or adipose tissue meets the accepted haematopoietic or developmental definition of stem cells. Furthermore, cells (stem or otherwise) are dynamic biological products, meaning that their surface-marker expression, phenotypic and functional characteristics, and the products they secrete in response to their microenvironment can change. It is also important to point out that most surface markers are seldom specific for a cell type. In this article, we discuss the lack of consistency in the descriptive terminology used in cell-based therapies and offer guidelines aimed at standardizing nomenclature and definitions to improve communication among investigators and the general public.
Risk of Dementia Differs Across Lifestyle Engagement Subgroups: A Latent Class and Time-to-Event Analysis in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Moored Kyle D , Bandeen-Roche Karen , Snitz Beth E , DeKosky Steven T , Williamson Jeff D , Fitzpatrick Annette L , Carlson Michelle C
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Better understanding of the lifestyle activities shared among older adult subgroups may inform further health behavioral interventions that can be deployed at the group or community level. We applied latent class analysis to characterize qualitatively distinct lifestyle engagement groups, examined their differential risk of incident dementia, and compared their predictive utility to traditional activity frequency and variety scores.

Method

Participants were from the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study (N = 3,068, mean age = 78.5). Lifestyle activities were measured at baseline using the Lifestyle Activity Questionnaire. All-cause dementia was screened every 6 months and cases were clinically adjudicated. Median follow-up was 6 years. Time to dementia was assessed using discrete-time proportional hazards models, adjusted for demographic and health covariates.

Results

Latent classes provided slightly poorer case discrimination than the frequency scores but identified distinct qualitative subgroups. In the 4-class model, the Variety (22%) and Intellectual (18%) lifestyle groups had high engagement in intellectual activities, whereas the Variety and Social groups (32%) had high engagement in formal social activities. Compared to the Least Active group (28%), the Variety (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48, 0.93) and Intellectual (HR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.93) groups had significantly lower risk of incident dementia, but only among those without prevalent mild cognitive impairment.

Discussion

Older adults highly engaged in intellectual activities, but not necessarily social activities, had the lowest risk of incident dementia. Activity frequency scores provided only slightly better case discrimination than activity variety scores and latent classes. Latent classes of older adults differed by their amount and types of activities, which may inform intervention design.
Age-Friendly Environment and Community-Based Social Innovation in Japan: A Mixed-Method Study
Authors: Aung Myo Nyein , Koyanagi Yuka , Ueno Satomi , Tiraphat Sariyamon , Yuasa Motoyuki
Published: August 2021

Background and Objectives

While governments are building age-friendly environments, community-based social innovation (CBSI) provides opportunities for older community residents to interact. Common CBSIs in Japan are in the form of group exercise activities or social–cultural activities, such as reading, writing, poetry, chorus, calligraphy, card game, knitting, planting trees, and cooking. In this study, an age-friendly environment in Japan was assessed quantitatively and qualitatively through the perceptions of community residents and their interaction with the environment.

Research Design and Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 243 participants and multiple in-depth interviews were carried out. A quantitative study applied the World Health Organization (WHO) framework of 20 age-friendly environmental factors with analysis applying a structural equation model. A qualitative study applied focus group meetings and in-depth interviews to conduct a thematic analysis of Japanese community residents’ activities according to the WHO scope of CBSI for healthy aging.

Results

This age-friendly environment in Japan has provided pathways for the older people to sustain their social network, which promotes civic participation and engagement in peer group activities leading to active aging. CBSIs are the factors that lead to an age-friendly environment resulting in a sustainable quality of life.

Discussion and Implications

It is important to sustain CBSIs in the era of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic as those are the paths leading to healthy aging communities and quality of older residents’ life. The lessons learned about how physical environment and social participation result in healthy, active quality of life for older adults in Japan may be applicable to other contexts around the world.
Research on source-load frequency response control strategy of distributed generation system
Authors: Zhang Yi , Peng Peipei
Published: August 2021

Distributed power generation, as an effective form of new energy power generation, has attracted extensive attention. However, due to the lack of physical inertia support, the stability of the distributed power supply system is threatened. Aiming at the problem of low inertia and weak damping in distributed systems, a source-load frequency response control strategy is proposed in this paper. Firstly, this paper introduces the structure and working mode of the distributed power generation system, and the system frequency characteristics are theoretically analyzed. Then, based on the operating characteristics of the conventional power system, the generator is simulated through the distributed power generation, the load-side converter is coupled to the grid frequency and further the source-load frequency response control strategy is achieved that taps the potential of frequency adjustment capability of the load side through frequency coupling control to provide auxiliary inertia support for the system, and this paper illustrates the source-load frequency adjustment response mechanism in detail. Compared with the conventional single frequency response control, the control strategy proposed in this paper can effectively alleviate the frequency adjustment pressure of distributed units, reduce the capacity of energy storage equipment due to frequency adjustment and improve the efficiency of system operation. Finally, through the simulation analysis of the distributed power generation system, the effectiveness of the control strategy proposed in this paper is verified.
A two-stage method for improving discrimination and variable selection in DEA models
Authors: Xie Qiwei , Li Rong , Zou Yanping , Liu Yujia , Wang Xiaojiong
Published: August 2021

One of the main challenges when applying data envelopment analysis (DEA) is the selection of appropriate input and output variables. This paper addresses this important problem using a novel two-stage method. In the first stage, we use entropy theory to generate a comprehensive efficiency score (CES) of each decision-making unit. In the second stage, we select input and output variables using the Bayesian information criterion, when CES is treated as a dependent variable and the input and output variables are used as explanatory variables. We use stochastic data to demonstrate that our proposed method can improve the discrimination power of DEA and determine the important input and output variables. Finally, we compare the proposed method with principal component analysis using datasets on carbon emissions in China. This comparison demonstrates the practical value of our proposed method.
Investigating the persistence of accuracy of genomic predictions over time in broilers
Authors: Hidalgo Jorge , Lourenco Daniela , Tsuruta Shogo , Masuda Yutaka , Breen Vivian , Hawken Rachel , Bermann Matias , Misztal Ignacy
Published: August 2021

Accuracy of genomic predictions is an important component of the selection response. The objectives of this research were: 1) to investigate trends for prediction accuracies over time in a broiler population of accumulated phenotypes, genotypes, and pedigrees and 2) to test if data from distant generations are useful to maintain prediction accuracies in selection candidates. The data contained 820K phenotypes for a growth trait (GT), 200K for two feed efficiency traits (FE1 and FE2), and 42K for a carcass yield trait (CY). The pedigree included 1,252,619 birds hatched over 7 years, of which 154,318 from the last 4 years were genotyped. Training populations were constructed adding 1 year of data sequentially, persistency of accuracy over time was evaluated using predictions from birds hatched in the three generations following or in the years after the training populations. In the first generation, before genotypes became available for the training populations (first 3 years of data), accuracies remained almost stable with successive additions of phenotypes and pedigree to the accumulated dataset. The inclusion of 1 year of genotypes in addition to 4 years of phenotypes and pedigree in the training population led to increases in accuracy of 54% for GT, 76% for FE1, 110% for CY, and 38% for FE2; on average, 74% of the increase was due to genomics. Prediction accuracies declined faster without than with genomic information in the training populations. When genotypes were unavailable, the average decline in prediction accuracy across traits was 41% from the first to the second generation of validation, and 51% from the second to the third generation of validation. When genotypes were available, the average decline across traits was 14% from the first to the second generation of validation, and 3% from the second to the third generation of validation. Prediction accuracies in the last three generations were the same when the training population included 5 or 2 years of data, and a decrease of ~7% was observed when the training population included only 1 year of data. Training sets including genomic information provided an increase in accuracy and persistence of genomic predictions compared with training sets without genomic data. The two most recent years of pedigree, phenotypic, and genomic data were sufficient to maintain prediction accuracies in selection candidates. Similar conclusions were obtained using validation populations per year.
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s 2021 Impact of COVID-19 & Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: A Knowledge Translation Strategy
Authors: Kaplan Gilaad G , Windsor Joseph W , Crain Janet , Barrett Lisa , Bernstein Charles N , Bitton Alain , Chauhan Usha , Coward Stephanie , Fowler Sharyle , Ghia Jean-Eric , Gibson Deanna L , Griffiths Anne M , Jones Jennifer L , Khanna Reena , Kuenzig M Ellen , Lakatos Peter L , Lee Kate , Mack David R , Marshall John K , Mawani Mina , Murthy Sanjay K , Panaccione Remo , Seow Cynthia H , Targownik Laura E , Zelinsky Sandra , Benchimol Eric I
Published: August 2021

The prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, in Canada, is over 0.75% in 2021. Many individuals with IBD are immunocompromised. Consequently, the World Health Organization’s declaration of a global pandemic uniquely impacted those with IBD. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada (CCC) formed the COVID-19 and IBD Taskforce to provide evidence-based guidance during the pandemic to individuals with IBD and their families. The Taskforce met regularly through the course of the pandemic, synthesizing available information on the impact of COVID-19 on IBD. At first, the information was extrapolated from expert consensus guidelines, but eventually, recommendations were adapted for an international registry of worldwide cases of COVID-19 in people with IBD. The task force launched a knowledge translation initiative consisting of a webinar series and online resources to communicate information directly to the IBD community. Taskforce recommendations were posted to CCC’s website and included guidance such as risk stratification, management of immunosuppressant medications, physical distancing, and mental health. A weekly webinar series communicated critical information directly to the IBD community. During the pandemic, traffic to CCC’s website increased with 484,755 unique views of the COVID-19 webpages and 126,187 views of the 23 webinars, including their video clips. CCC’s COVID-19 and IBD Taskforce provided critical guidance to the IBD community as the pandemic emerged, the nation underwent a lockdown, the economy reopened, and the second wave ensued. By integrating public health guidance through the unique prism of a vulnerable population, CCC’s knowledge translation platform informed and protected the IBD community.
Practice Diffusion
Authors: Akaka Melissa Archpru , Schau Hope Jensen , Vargo Stephen L
Published: August 2021

Diffusion is traditionally examined at a macro level, measured by adoption (e.g., sales), or at a micro level, assessed by consumer characteristics (e.g., adopter types). We address diffusion at a meso level focusing on how a practice disseminates across extended time and cross-cultural and cross-national space. We conduct an historical analysis and ethnographic inquiry of the dispersion of an indigenous practice, surfing, and the consequences of practice diffusion on practice reproduction. Our data suggest practice diffusion is not the wholesale adoption of a practice. Rather, a practice emerges across diverse cultural and national contexts through adaptation, fueled by processes of codification and transposition. We find that the movement of practice elements (meanings, materials, and competences) and their dynamic linkages (transposition, codification, and adaptation) enable a practice to (re)emerge across broad historic epochs and complex sociocultural landscapes. This study reveals how a practice evolves through shifts in power between practice carriers and noncarriers and results in distinct forms of reproduction (demarcation, imitation, acculturation, and innovation) that can mask the cultural genealogy of a practice. The continual maintenance and evolution of a practice depend on its strength of alignment and embeddedness within systems of practices that make up the social fabric of everyday life.
The relevance of a type locality: the case ofMephitis interruptaRafinesque, 1820 (Carnivora: Mephitidae)
Authors: Woodman Neal , Ferguson Adam W
Published: August 2021

For more than 130 years, the type locality of the Plains Spotted Skunk, Spilogale putorius interrupta (Rafinesque, 1820) has been accepted to be along the upper Missouri River. The species’ description was based on a specimen observed by Constantine S. Rafinesque during his 1818 exploration of the Ohio River Valley, but Rafinesque never ventured into the animal’s geographic range west of the Mississippi River, calling into question the type locality and, therefore, the identity of the taxon. We reconstruct Rafinesque’s itinerary from his notes, publications, and correspondence and determine that Rafinesque probably observed the specimen on 20 September in Middletown, Kentucky, while traveling between Louisville and Lexington. He spent the day with John Bradbury, who participated in the 1811 Astor expedition up the Missouri River. On 1 April 1811, Bradbury collected the skin of a skunk, and evidence suggests that it was this skin that Rafinesque described. The type specimen of the Plains Spotted Skunk was obtained on the Missouri River flood plain in southern Chariton County or northern Saline County, Missouri, and this area should be considered the type locality for M. interrupta.