bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TheTwo, theOne, theMany, theNone:Rethinking the Republics of Spaniards and Indians in the Sixteenth-Century Spanish Indies
Authors: Masters Adrian
Published: January 2021

For a half-century, the historiography on Spanish Habsburg rule suggested that the crown envisioned Indies society as best divided into two segregated sociolegal groups: the republic of the Spaniards and the republic of the Indians. This model was popularized by the eminent mid twentieth century Swedish historian Magnus Mörner and has since become a foundational concept in the field. However, using extensive archival evidence, this article suggests that the Mörner Thesis of the Two Republics is flawed. Historicizing sixteenth-century uses of the concept of the republic, it finds that contemporaries conceived of a complex social order in which many political communities such as municipalities and groups of petitioners could overlap within larger meta-republics, such as the Indies republic and the Christian faith-republic. It then turns to subjects’ uses of the two republics, noting that this conceptual duality appeared rarely in the petitions of Spanish officials, commoners, Indians, Afro-descendants, and mestizos, and was also rare in royal and viceregal legislation. Moreover, this binary most often served to suggest Spaniards’ and Indians’ common ground. The article then reflects on other approaches to understanding the Indies’ Spanish-Indian binary, the place of non-Spanish, non-Indian vassals within republic-thinking, and the staggering complexity of Indies laws, categories, and social interactions.
Particle Acceleration by Dense Impulsive Structures Moving in Ambient Magnetospheric Plasma. 3‐D Hybrid Kinetic Modeling and MMS Observations
Authors: Lipatov A. S. , Avanov L. A. , Giles B. L.
Published: January 2021

High resolution observations of dense plasma impulsive structures moving through an ambient background magnetospheric flows were captured by the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission. The observations show particle heating and acceleration, shock‐like wave formation, and whistler wave excitation inside the interface between the dense impulsive plasma structures and the ambient plasma. A multiscale hybrid kinetic simulation provides an explanation of the observed wave‐particle interactions with the assumption that the dense plasma structures may be represented by plasma clouds which are formed at the magnetopause layer due to reconnection processes.
Subdiurnal to Interannual Frequency Analysis of Observed and Modeled Reflected Shortwave Radiation From Earth
Authors: Feldman D.R. , Su W. , Minnis P.
Published: January 2021

Estimates of global top‐of‐atmosphere radiation on monthly, seasonal, annual, and longer time‐scales require estimates of the diurnal variability in both insolation and surface and atmospheric reflection. We compare Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) and National Institute of Standards and Technology Advanced Radiometer (NISTAR) observations from the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite with Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) hourly synoptic fluxes, which are diurnally filled through geostationary observations, and find that their power spectral density functions substantially agree, showing strong relative power at subdiurnal, diurnal, seasonal, and annual time‐scales, and power growing from diurnal to seasonal time‐scales. Frequency analysis of fluxes from several coupled model intercomparison project 5 model (CMIP5) and CMIP6 models shows that they distribute too much power over periods greater than 1 day but less than one year, indicating that a closer look is needed into how models achieve longer‐term stability in reflected shortwave radiation. Model developers can consider using these datasets for time‐varying energetic constraints, since tuning parameter choices will impact modeled planetary shortwave radiation across timescales ranging from subdiurnal to decadal.
Decadal Disruption of the QBO by Tropical Volcanic Supereruptions
Authors: Brenna Hans , Kutterolf Steffen , Mills Michael J. , Niemeier Ulrike , Timmreck Claudia , Krüger Kirstin
Published: January 2021

The Los Chocoyos (14.6°N, 91.2°W) supereruption happened ∼75,000 years ago in Guatemala and was one of the largest eruptions of the past 100,000 years. It emitted enormous amounts of sulfur, chlorine, and bromine, with multi‐decadal consequences for the global climate and environment. Here, we simulate the impact of a Los Chocoyos‐like eruption on the quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO), an oscillation of zonal winds in the tropical stratosphere, with a comprehensive aerosol chemistry Earth System Model. We find a ∼10‐year disruption of the QBO starting 4 months post eruption, with anomalous easterly winds lasting ∼5 years, followed by westerlies, before returning to QBO conditions with a slightly prolonged periodicity. Volcanic aerosol heating and ozone depletion cooling leads to the QBO disruption and anomalous wind regimes through radiative changes and wave‐mean flow interactions. Different model ensembles, volcanic forcing scenarios and results of a second model back up the robustness of our results.
Changes in Hourly Extreme Precipitation Over Eastern China From 1970 to 2019 Dominated by Synoptic‐Scale Precipitation
Authors: Ng Chan‐Pang , Zhang Qinghong , Li Wenhong
Published: January 2021

Because of its dense population, extreme precipitation, in particular hourly extreme precipitation (HEP), is receiving increasing attention from both academic and public bodies in eastern China. Based on a continuous 50‐year record of hourly precipitation and reanalysis data, we show here for the first time that changes in the HEP occurrence are dominated by changes in the duration of the Meiyu front system. Further analyses reveal that greater occurrence of HEP in northeastern China, the lower reach of Yangtze River, and southern China during the warm season is largely due to a longer duration of the post‐Meiyu I stage when Meiyu front stays in northern China and meridional circulation dominates the eastern coastal area of China. These results improve our understanding of the changing behavior of extreme rainfall in China and shed light on the prevention of flash floods.
Spatial Patterns and Drivers of Nonperennial Flow Regimes in the Contiguous United States
Authors: Hammond John C. , Zimmer Margaret , Shanafield Margaret , Kaiser Kendra , Godsey Sarah E. , Mims Meryl C. , Zipper Samuel C. , Burrows Ryan M. , Kampf Stephanie K. , Dodds Walter , Jones C. Nathan , Krabbenhoft Corey A. , Boersma Kate S. , Datry Thibault , Olden Julian D. , Allen George H. , Price Adam N. , Costigan Katie , Hale Rebecca , Ward Adam S. , Allen Daniel C.
Published: January 2021

Over half of global rivers and streams lack perennial flow, and understanding the distribution and drivers of their flow regimes is critical for understanding their hydrologic, biogeochemical, and ecological functions. We analyzed nonperennial flow regimes using 540 U.S. Geological Survey watersheds across the contiguous United States from 1979 to 2018. Multivariate analyses revealed regional differences in no‐flow fraction, date of first no flow, and duration of the dry‐down period, with further divergence between natural and human‐altered watersheds. Aridity was a primary driver of no‐flow metrics at the continental scale, while unique combinations of climatic, physiographic and anthropogenic drivers emerged at regional scales. Dry‐down duration showed stronger associations with nonclimate drivers compared to no‐flow fraction and timing. Although the sparse distribution of nonperennial gages limits our understanding of such streams, the watersheds examined here suggest the important role of aridity and land cover change in modulating future stream drying.
Partitioning Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) of CO2 Using Solar‐Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence (SIF)
Authors: Kira O. , Y‐Y. Chang C. , Gu L. , Wen J. , Hong Z. , Sun Y.
Published: January 2021

Accurate partitioning of net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 to gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (Reco) is crucial for understanding carbon cycle dynamics under changing climate. However, it remains as a long‐standing problem in global ecology due to lack of independent constraining information for the two offsetting component fluxes. solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF), a mechanistic proxy for photosynthesis, holds great promise to improve NEE partitioning by constraining GPP. We developed a parsimonious SIF‐based approach for NEE partitioning and examined its performance using synthetic simulations and field measurements. This approach outperforms conventional approaches in reproducing simulated GPP and Reco, especially under high vapor pressure deficit. For field measurements, it results in lower daytime GPP and Reco than conventional approaches. This study made the first attempt to demonstrate SIF's potential for improving NEE partitioning accuracy and sets the stage for future efforts to examine its robustness and scalability under real‐world environmental conditions.
RESET: A Method to Monitor Thermoremanent Alteration in Thellier‐Series Paleointensity Experiments
Authors: Wang Huapei , Kent Dennis V.
Published: January 2021

Accurately estimating the paleomagnetic field intensity recorded in terrestrial and planetary materials is the key to understanding dynamo processes. Thellier‐series stepwise‐heating methods with partial thermoremanent magnetization (pTRM) checks for alteration are considered the most reliable technique even though pTRM checks are shown to be incapable of detecting the entirety of thermal alteration. We utilize a recently developed multidomain‐correction experiment (or RESET) to monitor thermally induced magnetic property alteration that may happen to the very specimen used in Thellier‐series experiments. We also use rock magnetic property changes to track the physicochemical alteration of fresh companion specimens of Galapagos lavas that were previously used for paleointensity determinations. Our results show that laboratory heating induced thermal alteration of a typical Galapagos lava sample starts to occur at around 500°C. It escaped detection by pTRM checks but was caught by our RESET method.
The Role of Cloud Processing for the Ice Nucleating Ability of Organic Aerosol and Coal Fly Ash Particles
Authors: Kilchhofer Kevin , Mahrt Fabian , Kanji Zamin A.
Published: January 2021

Ice nucleating particles are a minor fraction of tropospheric aerosol, yet they play a key role for cloud microphysical processes. One poorly understood process is the impact of atmospheric aging of aerosol particles on ice nucleation. Here we study the impact of cloud processing on the ice nucleation abilities of two physicochemically different aerosol particles by taking two model systems for atmospheric organic aerosol (OA), as well as coal fly ash (CFA) particles representing an inorganic aerosol type. The ice nucleation activity of the unprocessed particles is compared to aerosol particles that are first exposed to conditions mimicking trajectories though cirrus clouds (CC) and mixed‐phase clouds (MPC) prior to testing their ice nucleation activity at temperatures below 243 K. We observed that unprocessed OA do not exhibit heterogeneous ice nucleation, requiring homogeneous freezing conditions of solution droplets to form ice. However, after CC processing raffinose particles showed heterogeneous ice nucleation activity at 218 K and a water saturation ratio of 0.68–0.82, reaching activated fractions of up to 0.3. This enhancement compared to unprocessed raffinose particles results from an increase in particle viscosity upon CC processing. We also present new results of unprocessed CFA particles exhibiting strong heterogeneous ice nucleation activity at temperatures below 235 K in the deposition and/or pore condensation and freezing mode. In contrast to the OA, the CFA show a decrease in ice nucleation activity after both MPC and CC processing. Furthermore, cloud processing and generating CFA particles from aqueous suspensions do not have the same effect on their ice nucleation ability.
Association of the Zonal Migration of North Pacific Storm Track With the East Asian Monsoon in Boreal Wintertime
Authors: Yang Minghao , Li Chongyin , Li Xin , Tan Yanke , Wu Yue , Chen Xiong , Xia Fei
Published: January 2021

The winter North Pacific storm track (WNPST) distinctly manipulates weather and climate in the midlatitudes. Thus, it is necessary to comprehend the factors and related mechanisms governing the location and intensity of WNPST. In the present study, the influence of the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) on the zonal movement of the WNPST represented by the lower‐tropospheric meridional eddy heat flux is investigated, and the possible physical processes are analyzed. There is a significantly positive correlation, especially interannual signal, between the strength of the EAWM and the zonal position of the WNPST. The Liang‐Kleeman information flow theory is used to prove the mutual causality between the intensity of EAWM and the zonal migration of WNPST. The EAWM‐related intensity anomaly pattern of the WNPST, with prominently negative anomalies over the northwest Pacific and significantly positive anomalies over the northeast Pacific, is associated with the eastward movement of the WNPST. In addition, the results show that the patterns of anomalous lower‐tropospheric atmospheric baroclinicity and barotropic energy transfer do not match the EAWM‐related anomalous WNPST. The upper‐tropospheric jet anomalies may be related to the weakening in the peak area and the western flank of the climatological WNPST. The impact of the EAWM on the zonal movement of the WNPST can be related to the anomalous baroclinic energy transfer and buoyancy conversion. Furthermore, the moisture effect including anomalous meridional and vertical eddy moisture flux may also play a role by latent heat release.
Reconstructing Eocene Eastern Indian Ocean Dynamics Using Ocean‐Drilling Stratigraphic Records
Authors: Xu Ke , De Vleeschouwer David , Vahlenkamp Maximilian , Yang Renchao , Chen Honghan
Published: January 2021

The Eocene Epoch corresponds to the runup toward the Greenhouse to Icehouse Cenozoic transition. To fully appreciate this climate evolution, detailed and accurate age‐depth models are required. While much progress has been made recently in the field of Eocene astrochronology, the construction of unambiguous Eocene astronomical timescales (ATS) is hampered by lithologically undetected hiatuses, the scarcity of carbonate‐rich marine successions, and conflicting cyclostratigraphies. In this study, we present an orbital‐scale cyclostratigraphy for Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Hole 762C, and we reconstruct Eastern Indian Ocean dynamics. This reconstruction is based on two ocean‐drilling Eocene sequences: ODP Hole 762C and International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Site U1514. Our eccentricity‐based cyclostratigraphy for Hole 762C is integrated with existing bio and magnetostratigraphies and constitutes the most precise available chronology for this legacy site. The Hole 762C stratigraphy is combined with the existing Site U1514 age‐depth model to obtain a high‐resolution Eocene ATS for the Eastern Indian Ocean. We apply sedimentary noise modeling to obtain new insights in benthic turbulence at both sites. Despite the significant difference in paleo‐waterdepth, noise levels at both sites carry a 1.2‐Myr obliquity amplitude imprint. We interpret the sedimentary noise at Hole 762C, on a submarine plateau, in terms of sea‐level change. The sedimentary noise at U1514, by contrary, is interpreted to be modulated by bottom current intensity as this site represents a deep‐sea basinal environment. We conclude that, despite very similar astronomical signatures, the mechanistic pathways between astronomical forcing and sedimentary response were radically different at these two sites.
Solving Shared Problems at the Food, Energy, and Water Nexus
Authors: Zhuang Jie , L�ffler Frank , Sayler Gary , Yu Guirui , Jiang Guibin
Published: January 2021

A 15-year-old partnership among Chinese and U.S. scientists studying challenges in our food, energy, and water systems has revealed that solutions are best achieved through international collaboration.
Circular RNA FLNA acts as a sponge of miR-486-3p in promoting lung cancer progression via regulating XRCC1 and CYP1A1
Authors: Pan Jiongwei , Huang Gang , Yin Zhangyong , Cai Xiaoping , Gong Enhui , Li Yuling , Xu Cunlai , Ye Zaiting , Cao Zhuo , Cheng Wei
Published: January 2021

Significantly high-expressed circFLNA has been found in various cancer cell lines, but not in lung cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the role of circFLNA in the progression of lung cancer. The target gene of circFLNA was determined by bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assay. Viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of the transfected cells were detected by CCK-8, colony formation, wound-healing, and transwell assays, respectively. A mouse subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor model was established, and the expressions of circFLNA, miR-486-3p, XRCC1, CYP1A1, and related genes in the cancer cells and tissues were detected by RT-qPCR, Western blot, or immunohistochemistry. The current study found that miR-486-3p was low-expressed in lung cancer. MiR-486-3p, which has been found to target XRCC1 and CYP1A1, was regulated by circFLNA. CircFLNA was located in the cytoplasm and had a high expression in lung cancer cells. Cancer cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion were promoted by overexpressed circFLNA, XRCC1, and CYP1A1 but inhibited by miR-486-3p mimic and circFLNA knockdown. The weight of the xenotransplanted tumor was increased by circFLNA overexpression yet reduced by miR-486-3p mimic. Furthermore, miR-486-3p mimic reversed the effect of circFLNA overexpression on promoting lung cancer cells and tumors and regulating the expressions of miR-486-3p, XRCC1, CYP1A1, and metastasis/apoptosis/proliferation-related factors. However, overexpressed XRCC1 and CYP1A1 reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-486-3p mimic on cancer cells and tumors. In conclusion, circFLNA acted as a sponge of miR-486-3p to promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo by regulating XRCC1 and CYP1A1.
The androgen receptor/filamin A complex as a target in prostate cancer microenvironment
Authors: Di Donato Marzia , Zamagni Alice , Galasso Giovanni , Di Zazzo Erika , Giovannelli Pia , Barone Maria Vittoria , Zanoni Michele , Gunelli Roberta , Costantini Matteo , Auricchio Ferdinando , Migliaccio Antimo , Tesei Anna , Castoria Gabriella
Published: January 2021

Prostate cancer represents the major cause of cancer-related death in men and patients frequently develop drug-resistance and metastatic disease. Most studies focus on hormone-resistance mechanisms related to androgen receptor mutations or to the acquired property of prostate cancer cells to over-activate signaling pathways. Tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in prostate cancer progression. However, the mechanism involving androgen/androgen receptor signaling in cancer associated fibroblasts and consequences for prostate cancer progression still remains elusive. We now report that prostate cancer associated fibroblasts express a transcriptional-incompetent androgen receptor. Upon androgen challenging, the receptor co-localizes with the scaffold protein filamin A in the extra-nuclear compartment of fibroblasts, thus mediating their migration and invasiveness. Cancer-associated fibroblasts move towards epithelial prostate cancer cells in 2D and 3D cultures, thereby inducing an increase of the prostate cancer organoid size. Androgen enhances both these effects through androgen receptor/filamin A complex assembly in cancer-associated fibroblasts. An androgen receptor-derived stapled peptide, which disrupts the androgen receptor/filamin A complex assembly, abolishes the androgen-dependent migration and invasiveness of cancer associated fibroblasts. Notably, the peptide impairs the androgen-induced invasiveness of CAFs in 2D models and reduces the overall tumor area in androgen-treated 3D co-culture. The androgen receptor in association with β1 integrin and membrane type-matrix metalloproteinase 1 activates a protease cascade triggering extracellular matrix remodeling. The peptide also impairs the androgen activation of this cascade. This study offers a potential new marker, the androgen receptor/filamin A complex, and a new therapeutic approach targeting intracellular pathways activated by the androgen/androgen receptor axis in prostate cancer-associated fibroblasts. Such a strategy, alone or in combination with conventional therapies, may allow a more efficient treatment of prostate cancer.
Natural podophyllotoxin analog 4DPG attenuates EMT and colorectal cancer progression via activation of checkpoint kinase 2
Authors: Katoch Archana , Nayak Debasis , Faheem Mir Mohd. , Kumar Aviral , Sahu Promod Kumar , Gupta Ajai Prakash , Kumar Lekha Dinesh , Goswami Anindya
Published: January 2021

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical for the metastatic dissemination of cancer cells and contributes to drug resistance. In this study, we observed that epithelial colorectal cancer (CRC) cells transiently exposed to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (a chemotherapeutic drug for CRC) as well as 5-FU-resistant cells (5-FU-R) develop EMT characters as evidenced by activation of Vimentin and augmented invasive properties. On the other hand, 4DPG (4′-demethyl-deoxypodophyllotoxin glucoside), a natural podophyllotoxin analog attenuates EMT and invadopodia formation abilities of HCT-116/5-FU-R and SW-620/5-FU-R cells. Treatment with 4DPG restrains Vimentin phosphorylation (Ser38) in 5-FU-R cells, along with downregulation of mesenchymal markers Twist1 and MMP-2 while augmenting the expression of epithelial markers E-cadherin and TIMP-1. Moreover, 4DPG boosts the tumor-suppressor protein, checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) via phosphorylation at Thr68 in a dose-dependent manner in 5-FU-R cells. Mechanistically, SiRNA-mediated silencing of Chk2, as well as treatment with Chk2-specific small-molecule inhibitor (PV1019), divulges that 4DPG represses Vimentin activation in a Chk2-dependent manner. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation analysis unveiled that 4DPG prevents complex formation between Vimentin and p53 resulting in the rescue of p53 and its nuclear localization in aggressive 5-FU-R cells. In addition, 4DPG confers suitable pharmacokinetic properties and strongly abrogates tumor growth, polyps formation, and lung metastasis in an orthotopic rat colorectal carcinoma model. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate 4DPG as a targeted antitumor/anti-metastatic pharmacological lead compound to circumvent EMT-associated drug resistance and suggest its clinical benefits for the treatment of aggressive cancers.
Emerging functions of branched ubiquitin chains
Authors: French Michael E. , Koehler Chad F. , Hunter Tony
Published: January 2021

Ubiquitylation is a critical post-translational modification that controls a wide variety of processes in eukaryotes. Ubiquitin chains of different topologies are specialized for different cellular functions and control the stability, activity, interaction properties, and localization of many different proteins. Recent work has highlighted a role for branched ubiquitin chains in the regulation of cell signaling and protein degradation pathways. Similar to their unbranched counterparts, branched ubiquitin chains are remarkably diverse in terms of their chemical linkages, structures, and the biological information they transmit. In this review, we discuss emerging themes related to the architecture, synthesis, and functions of branched ubiquitin chains. We also describe methodologies that have recently been developed to identify and decode the functions of these branched polymers.
Insights on forming N,O-coordinated Cu single-atom catalysts for electrochemical reduction CO2 to methane
Authors: Cai Yanming , Fu Jiaju , Zhou Yang , Chang Yu-Chung , Min Qianhao , Zhu Jun-Jie , Lin Yuehe , Zhu Wenlei
Published: January 2021

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are promising candidates to catalyze electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECR) due to maximized atomic utilization. However, products are usually limited to CO instead of hydrocarbons or oxygenates due to unfavorable high energy barrier for further electron transfer on synthesized single atom catalytic sites. Here we report a novel partial-carbonization strategy to modify the electronic structures of center atoms on SACs for lowering the overall endothermic energy of key intermediates. A carbon-dots-based SAC margined with unique CuN2O2 sites was synthesized for the first time. The introduction of oxygen ligands brings remarkably high Faradaic efficiency (78%) and selectivity (99% of ECR products) for electrochemical converting CO2 to CH4 with current density of 40 mA·cm-2 in aqueous electrolytes, surpassing most reported SACs which stop at two-electron reduction. Theoretical calculations further revealed that the high selectivity and activity on CuN2O2 active sites are due to the proper elevated CH4 and H2 energy barrier and fine-tuned electronic structure of Cu active sites.
Ultrafast electron cooling in an expanding ultracold plasma
Authors: Kroker Tobias , Großmann Mario , Sengstock Klaus , Drescher Markus , Wessels-Staarmann Philipp , Simonet Juliette
Published: January 2021

Plasma dynamics critically depends on density and temperature, thus well-controlled experimental realizations are essential benchmarks for theoretical models. The formation of an ultracold plasma can be triggered by ionizing a tunable number of atoms in a micrometer-sized volume of a 87Rb Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) by a single femtosecond laser pulse. The large density combined with the low temperature of the BEC give rise to an initially strongly coupled plasma in a so far unexplored regime bridging ultracold neutral plasma and ionized nanoclusters. Here, we report on ultrafast cooling of electrons, trapped on orbital trajectories in the long-range Coulomb potential of the dense ionic core, with a cooling rate of 400 K ps−1. Furthermore, our experimental setup grants direct access to the electron temperature that relaxes from 5250 K to below 10 K in less than 500 ns.
A population-based controlled experiment assessing the epidemiological impact of digital contact tracing
Authors: Rodríguez Pablo , Graña Santiago , Alvarez-León Eva Elisa , Battaglini Manuela , Darias Francisco Javier , Hernán Miguel A. , López Raquel , Llaneza Paloma , Martín Maria Cristina ,   RadarCovidPilot Group, Ramirez-Rubio Oriana , Romaní Adriana , Suárez-Rodríguez Berta , Sánchez-Monedero Javier , Arenas Alex , Lacasa Lucas
Published: January 2021

While Digital contact tracing (DCT) has been argued to be a valuable complement to manual tracing in the containment of COVID-19, no empirical evidence of its effectiveness is available to date. Here, we report the results of a 4-week population-based controlled experiment that took place in La Gomera (Canary Islands, Spain) between June and July 2020, where we assessed the epidemiological impact of the Spanish DCT app Radar Covid. After a substantial communication campaign, we estimate that at least 33% of the population adopted the technology and further showed relatively high adherence and compliance as well as a quick turnaround time. The app detects about 6.3 close-contacts per primary simulated infection, a significant percentage being contacts with strangers, although the spontaneous follow-up rate of these notified cases is low. Overall, these results provide experimental evidence of the potential usefulness of DCT during an epidemic outbreak in a real population.
van der Waals driven anharmonic melting of the 3D charge density wave in VSe2
Authors: Diego Josu , Said A. H. , Mahatha S. K. , Bianco Raffaello , Monacelli Lorenzo , Calandra Matteo , Mauri Francesco , Rossnagel K. , Errea Ion , Blanco-Canosa S.
Published: January 2021

Understanding of charge-density wave (CDW) phases is a main challenge in condensed matter due to their presence in high-Tc superconductors or transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Among TMDs, the origin of the CDW in VSe2 remains highly debated. Here, by means of inelastic x-ray scattering and first-principles calculations, we show that the CDW transition is driven by the collapse at 110 K of an acoustic mode at qCDW = (2.25 0 0.7) r.l.u. The softening starts below 225 K and expands over a wide region of the Brillouin zone, identifying the electron-phonon interaction as the driving force of the CDW. This is supported by our calculations that determine a large momentum-dependence of the electron-phonon matrix-elements that peak at the CDW wave vector. Our first-principles anharmonic calculations reproduce the temperature dependence of the soft mode and the TCDW onset only when considering the out-of-plane van der Waals interactions, which reveal crucial for the melting of the CDW phase.
Selective hydrogenation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural to 5-methylfurfural over single atomic metals anchored on Nb2O5
Authors: Li Shaopeng , Dong Minghua , Yang Junjuan , Cheng Xiaomeng , Shen Xiaojun , Liu Shulin , Wang Zhi-Qiang , Gong Xue-Qing , Liu Huizhen , Han Buxing
Published: January 2021

5-Methylfurfural (MF) is a very useful chemical. Selective hydrogenation of biomass platform molecule 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) to MF using H2 as the reducing agent is very attractive, but challenging because hydrogenation of C=O bond in HMF is more favourable than C–OH both kinetically and thermodynamically, and this route has not been realized. In this work, we prepare isolated single atomic catalysts (SACs) Pt1/Nb2O5-Ov, Pd1/Nb2O5-Ov, and Au1/Nb2O5-Ov, in which single metal atoms are supported on oxygen defective Nb2O5 (Nb2O5-Ov). It is discovered that the SACs can efficiently catalyze the hydrogenation of HMF to MF using H2 as the reducing agent with MF selectivity of >99% at complete conversion, while the selectivities of the metal nanocatalysts supported on Nb2O5 are very poor. A combination of experimental and density function theory (DFT) studies show that the unique features of the SACs for the reaction result from the cooperation of the Nb and Pt sites near the interface in the Pt1/Nb2O5-Ov. The Pt atoms are responsible for the activation of H2 and the Nb sites activate C-OH in the reaction. This work opens the way for producing MF by direct hydrogenation of biomass-derived HMF using H2 as the reductant.
Using routinely collected primary care records to identify and investigate severe asthma: a scoping review
Authors: Stewart Jonathan , Kee Frank , Hart Nigel
Published: January 2021

Shielding during the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the potential of routinely collected primary care records to identify patients with ‘high-risk’ conditions, including severe asthma. We aimed to determine how previous studies have used primary care records to identify and investigate severe asthma and whether linkage to other data sources is required to fully investigate this ‘high-risk’ disease variant. A scoping review was conducted based on the Arksey and O’Malley framework. Twelve studies met all criteria for inclusion. We identified variation in how studies defined the background asthma cohort, asthma severity, control and clinical outcomes. Certain asthma outcomes could only be investigated through linkage to secondary care records. The ability of primary care records to represent the entire known asthma population is unique. However, a number of challenges need to be overcome if their full potential to accurately identify and investigate severe asthma is to be realised.
Proof-of-principle experimental demonstration of twin-field quantum key distribution over optical channels with asymmetric losses
Authors: Zhong Xiaoqing , Wang Wenyuan , Qian Li , Lo Hoi-Kwong
Published: January 2021

Twin-field (TF) quantum key distribution (QKD) is highly attractive because it can beat the fundamental limit of secret key rate for point-to-point QKD without quantum repeaters. Many theoretical and experimental studies have shown the superiority of TFQKD in long-distance communication. All previous experimental implementations of TFQKD have been done over optical channels with symmetric losses. But in reality, especially in a network setting, the distances between users and the middle node could be very different. In this paper, we perform a proof-of-principle experimental demonstration of TFQKD over optical channels with asymmetric losses. We compare two compensation strategies, that are (1) applying asymmetric signal intensities and (2) adding extra losses, and verify that strategy (1) provides much better key rate. Moreover, the higher the loss, the more key rate enhancement it can achieve. By applying asymmetric signal intensities, TFQKD with asymmetric channel losses not only surpasses the fundamental limit of key rate of point-to-point QKD for 50 dB overall loss, but also has key rate as high as 2.918 × 10−6 for 56 dB overall loss. Whereas no keys are obtained with strategy (2) for 56 dB loss. The increased key rate and enlarged distance coverage of TFQKD with asymmetric channel losses guarantee its superiority in long-distance quantum networks.
Community-curated and standardised metadata of published ancient metagenomic samples with AncientMetagenomeDir
Authors: Fellows Yates James A. , Andrades Valtueña Aida , Vågene Åshild J. , Cribdon Becky , Velsko Irina M. , Borry Maxime , Bravo-Lopez Miriam J. , Fernandez-Guerra Antonio , Green Eleanor J. , Ramachandran Shreya L. , Heintzman Peter D. , Spyrou Maria A. , Hübner Alexander , Gancz Abigail S. , Hider Jessica , Allshouse Aurora F. , Zaro Valentina , Warinner Christina
Published: January 2021

Ancient DNA and RNA are valuable data sources for a wide range of disciplines. Within the field of ancient metagenomics, the number of published genetic datasets has risen dramatically in recent years, and tracking this data for reuse is particularly important for large-scale ecological and evolutionary studies of individual taxa and communities of both microbes and eukaryotes. AncientMetagenomeDir (archived at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3980833) is a collection of annotated metagenomic sample lists derived from published studies that provide basic, standardised metadata and accession numbers to allow rapid data retrieval from online repositories. These tables are community-curated and span multiple sub-disciplines to ensure adequate breadth and consensus in metadata definitions, as well as longevity of the database. Internal guidelines and automated checks facilitate compatibility with established sequence-read archives and term-ontologies, and ensure consistency and interoperability for future meta-analyses. This collection will also assist in standardising metadata reporting for future ancient metagenomic studies.
A compilation of North American tree provenance trials and relevant historical climate data for seven species
Authors: Risk Clara , McKenney Daniel W. , Pedlar John , Lu Pengxin
Published: January 2021

Tree provenance trials consist of a variety of seed sources (or provenances) planted at several test sites across the range of a species. The resulting plantations are typically measured periodically to investigate provenance performance in relation to abiotic conditions, particularly climate. These trials are expensive and time consuming to establish, but are an important resource for seed transfer systems, which aim to match planting sites with well-adapted (climatically suitable) seed sources. Provenance trial measurements may be underutilized because the data are scattered across publications, conference proceedings, and university theses. Here we document an effort to collect available provenance trial measurements and associated climate data for seven eastern North American tree species (Pinus strobus, Pinus banksiana, Picea glauca, Picea mariana, Quercus rubra, Larix laricina, Betula alleghaniensis). The resulting datasets included a total of 773 provenances and 62 test sites, with 65 historical climate variables appended to each location. We hope this data will support forest managers in making seed transfer decisions, particularly in an era of rapid climate change.
Plasma acetylcholine and nicotinic acid are correlated with focused preference for photographed females in depressed males: an economic game study
Authors: Kubo Hiroaki , Setoyama Daiki , Watabe Motoki , Ohgidani Masahiro , Hayakawa Kohei , Kuwano Nobuki , Sato-Kasai Mina , Katsuki Ryoko , Kanba Shigenobu , Kang Dongchon , Kato Takahiro A.
Published: January 2021

Interpersonal difficulties are often observed in major depressive disorder (MDD), while the underlying psychological and biological mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. In the present case–control study, a PC-based trust game was conducted for 38 drug-free MDD patients and 38 healthy controls (HC). In the trust game, participants invested money in a partner (trusting behaviors), and also rated each partner’s attractiveness (preference for others). In addition, blood biomarkers including metabolites were measured. Both MDD and HC males exhibited more trusting behaviors compared to females. MDD males’ preference for ordinary-attractive partners (lay-person photographs) was lower than HC males, whereas their preference for high-attractive females (fashion-model photographs) was similar levels to HC males. This tendency in MDD males could reflect a “focused (narrowed) preference for females”. As for blood biomarker analysis, the levels of 37 metabolites including acetylcholine, AMP, GMP, nicotinic acid and tryptophan were significantly different between two groups. Interestingly, among male participants, acetylcholine and nicotinic acid were negatively correlated with the level of focused preference for photographed females. In sum, we have revealed some behavioral, psychological and biological traits of trusting behaviors and preference for others especially in MDD males. Larger studies should be conducted to validate our preliminary findings.
Proportion of people identified as transgender and non-binary gender in Brazil
Authors: Spizzirri Giancarlo , Eufrásio Raí , Lima Maria Cristina Pereira , de Carvalho Nunes Hélio Rubens , Kreukels Baudewijntje P. C. , Steensma Thomas D. , Abdo Carmita Helena Najjar
Published: January 2021

Studies estimate that gender-diverse persons represent 0.1 to 2% of populations investigated, but no such assessment was performed in Latin America. In a representative sample of Brazil’s adult population (n = 6000), we investigated participants' sociodemographic characteristics and possible associations between these and current gender identity, categorized as cisgender, transgender or non-binary gender. We also investigated transgender individuals' distress associated with gender-related body characteristics. As main results, we found that transgender individuals represented 0.69% (CI95% = 0.48–0.90) of the sample, whereas non-binary persons were 1.19% (CI95% = 0.92–1.47). These percentages were not different among Brazil’s 5 geographic regions. Preliminary analyses showed that transgender individuals were on average younger (32.8 ± 14.2 years, CI95% = 28.5–37.1), compared to cisgender (42.2 ± 15.9, CI95% = 42.5–42.8) and non-binary (42.1 ± 16.5 years, CI95% = 38.3–46.5) groups. Non-binary persons are less likely to be in a relationship compared to cisgender individuals (OR = 0.57, CI95% = 0.35–0.93). In the transgender group, 85% of transgender men and 50% of transgender women reported distress due to gender-related body characteristics. Our main findings draw attention that gender-diverse Brazilian individuals represent around 2% of the country's adult population (almost 3 million people), and are homogeneously located throughout the country, reiterating the urgency of public health policies for these individuals in the five Brazilian sub-regions.
Clinical course of COVID-19 patients needing supplemental oxygen outside the intensive care unit
Authors: Daher Ayham , Balfanz Paul , Aetou Maria , Hartmann Bojan , Müller-Wieland Dirk , Müller Tobias , Marx Nikolaus , Dreher Michael , Cornelissen Christian G.
Published: January 2021

Patients suffering from CVOID-19 mostly experience a benign course of the disease. Approximately 14% of SARS-CoV2 infected patients are admitted to a hospital. Cohorts exhibiting severe lung failure in the form of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have been well characterized. Patients without ARDS but in need of supplementary oxygen have received much less attention. This study describes the diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 needing oxygen support during their stay on regular ward. All 133 patients admitted to the RWTH Aachen university hospital with the diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in an observational registry. Clinical data sets were extracted from the hospital information system. This analysis includes all 57 patients requiring supplemental oxygen not admitted to the ICU. 57 patients needing supplemental oxygen and being treated outside the ICU were analyzed. Patients exhibited the typical set of symptoms for COVID-19. Of note, hypoxic patients mostly did not suffer from clinically relevant dyspnea despite oxygen saturations below 92%. Patients had fever for 7 [2–11] days and needed supplemental oxygen for 8 [5–13] days resulting in an overall hospitalization time of 12 [7–20] days. In addition, patients had persisting systemic inflammation with CRP levels remaining elevated until discharge or death. This description of COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen therapy should be taken into account when planning treatment capacity. Patients on oxygen need long-term inpatient care.
Clinical implications of intrinsic molecular subtypes of breast cancer for sentinel node status
Authors: Rossing Maria , Pedersen Christina Bligaard , Tvedskov Tove , Vejborg Ilse , Talman Maj-Lis , Olsen Lars Rønn , Kroman Niels , Nielsen Finn Cilius , Jensen Maj-Britt , Ejlertsen Bent
Published: January 2021

Axillary lymph node status is an important prognostic factor for breast cancer patients and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a less invasive surgical proxy. We examined if consecutively derived molecular subtypes from primary breast cancers provide additional predictive value for SLNB status. 1556 patients with a breast cancer > 10 mm underwent primary surgical procedure including SLNB and tumor specimens were assigned with a transcriptomics-based molecular subtype. 1020 patients had a negative sentinel node (SN) and 536 a positive. A significant association between tumor size and SN status (p < 0.0001) was found across all samples, but no association between size and SN status (p = 0.14) was found for BasL tumors. A BasL subtype was a predictor of an SN-negative status (p = 0.001, OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38;0.90) and among the BasL, postmenopausal status was a predictor for SN-negative status (p = 0.01). Overall survival was significantly lower (p = 0.02) in patients with BasL tumors and a positive SN. Interestingly, we identified a significant correlation between hormone receptor activity and SN status within the BasL subtype. Taken together, molecular subtypes and hormone receptor activity of breast cancers add predictive value for SLNB status.
Outcomes of 4819 cases of marine animals presented to a wildlife rehabilitation center in New Jersey, USA (1976–2016)
Authors: Gallini Stefan H. , Di Girolamo Nicola , Hann Elizabeth , Paluch Hubert , DiGeronimo Peter M.
Published: January 2021

Understanding marine animal stranding patterns can aid rehabilitation efforts and evaluations of ecosystem health. The goal of this retrospective study was to identify factors associated with outcome of marine animals presented to a rehabilitation facility in Brigantine, New Jersey, USA. Records of 4819 phocids, cetaceans, and sea turtles were reviewed. Taxa, age, sex, season, and outcome (natural death, euthanasia, transfer to another facility, and successful release) were recorded for each case. Binary logistic regression was employed to identify predictors associated with release, and a multivariate logistic regression model was developed to evaluate whether the association between taxa and chance of release persisted after adjustment for the other variables. Phocids were most likely to strand during winter. Phocids and sea turtles that stranded alive were more likely to be released than to die under care or be euthanized. Taxa, age, and season were all significantly associated with the probability of release. These results provide a reference for phocid, cetacean, and sea turtle stranding and rehabilitation in part of the mid-Atlantic region. Critical evaluation of wildlife rehabilitation is indicated to audit the success of efforts and to assess threats to free-ranging populations.
Faster juvenile growth promotes earlier sex change in a protandrous hermaphrodite (barramundi Lates calcarifer)
Authors: Roberts Brien H. , Morrongiello John R. , Morgan David L. , King Alison J. , Saunders Thor M. , Crook David A.
Published: January 2021

The relationship between growth and sexual maturation is central to understanding the dynamics of animal populations which exhibit indeterminate growth. In sequential hermaphrodites, which undergo post-maturation sex change, the size and age at which sex change occurs directly affects reproductive output and hence population productivity. However, these traits are often labile, and may be strongly influenced by heterogenous growth and mortality rates. We analysed otolith microstructure of a protandrous (i.e., male-to-female) fish (barramundiLates calcarifer) to examine growth in relation to individual variation in the timing of sex change. Growth trajectories of individuals with contrasting life histories were examined to elucidate the direction and extent to which growth rate influences the size and age individuals change sex. Then, the relationships between growth rate, maturation schedules and asymptotic maximum size were explored to identify potential trade-offs between age at female maturity and growth potential. Rapid growth was strongly associated with decreased age at sex change, but this was not accompanied by a decrease in size at sex change. Individuals that were caught as large females grew faster than those caught as males, suggesting that fast-growing individuals ultimately obtain higher fitness and therefore make a disproportionate contribution to population fecundity. These results indicate that individual-level variation in maturation schedules is not reflective of trade-offs between growth and reproduction. Rather, we suggest that conditions experienced during the juvenile phase are likely to be a key determinant of post-maturation fitness. These findings highlight the vulnerability of sex-changing species to future environmental change and harvest.